Book Review: A Song Below Water

A Song Below Water 

by Bethany C. Morrow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a hidden gem!!! A Song Below Water may start out a bit slow; with very heavy focus on racism, BLM, prejudice, cop supremacy, and so much more (sadly) relevant in today’s society. Bethany Morrow has done something really cool here though. Instead of just putting us in our own cruel world, she puts us in a world of literal mythological creatures. From gargoyles, sirens, sprites, and so much more; this story is a plethora of interesting creatures (monsters?) to not only bond with, but relate to. Any given teenager is likely to find some part of our leading POC girls and their challenges. Be it their looks, friendships, parental challenges, boyfriends, etc. There’s only one thing missing, which I can overlook given how unique this story is, queer representation would have made this nearly perfect for me.

Morrow writes her Own Voices story, in her unique world that is exactly like ours; and yet nothing like it. I listened to most of this book on audio (my third audiobook of the year; it’s working!!) and the narrator was good enough. Not amazing but certainly kept things moving and gave just enough intonation change to know if it was Tavia or Effie’s chapter (even without the chapter name indicating whose POV it is).

Ultimately, I want to spoil the ending sooo much because it’s absolutely amazing. The twist here is foreshadowed; but I bet very few figure it out. I had it sorted just before the reveal; and looking back I realize I should have known given how much I LOVE the creature that ultimately holds the reader hostage at the climax.

Just read it! But do read it to the end. Even if you get a bit disenchanted halfway through; trust me the ending is absolutely worth it. At least 2-3 twists happen and so you’re bound to be (pleasantly, I hope)surprised by one of them. As a final note: this is a teen book and so I expect it to read like a teen book (which it does). If you’re looking for high fantasy, complex romance, or something more than a typical teen book then I’d recommend finding something else. I give this 5 stars and love it for being exactly what it is; a unique, well represented, uniquely fantastical teen book.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

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Book Review: The Girl With all the Gifts

The Girl with All the Gifts
by M.R. Carey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I waited much, much too long to enjoy this! Listening to most of it as an audiobook (I have a goal for 2023 to learn to do audiobooks better) and the narrator was fabulous! Changing her voice slightly to do ‘voices’ of characters, without sounding ridiculous.

I’m going to be ordering a paperback copy of this ASAP so it can be on my shelf, and so that my husband can read it. The Girl with all the Gifts is really his class of book, zombie horror. Except MR Carey has given us a real twist on the zombie story that was so popular for awhile.

There’s still gory descriptions, infections, bites, food scavenging, utter destruction of society, and all the ‘fun’ things that come with a dystopian horror zombie story; but there is also a little girl who is gifted beyond what you might believe. This is really her story. There are adults around her; including: veteran military man, schoolteacher, and a scientist. And these adults react to her in very different ways. Ultimately her voice is that of which we experience most of the story from and also the most important to allow for the brilliant ending.

We also get quite a bit of science to go along with this story. Kind of like Max Brooks meets Michael Crichton. I always appreciate a well thought out plot; and usually that means adhering to or explaining the science. In this case, as we have an infectious situation, the science is critical. While no specialist myself, it all felt in line with what we know about pathogens today; and the Poe nod with the use of fungus is a nice touch. It also made me realize it’s my fifth fungus book in two years! Glad I finally read House of the Fall of Usher (by Poe) to understand the origin of this idea.

Normally horror story endings are why I am disappointed upon conclusion. I find most endings lame, convenient, cheesy, or just completely implausible based on the rules set-up previously (cheap) in the horror genre. Carey has written an ending that is not only poignant, and believable, but truly 100% brilliant!! It solves so many problems; makes so much sense, and yet leaves readers in utter shock. Or at least it did for me. Obviously you’ll need to read the book to learn what it is.

I can’t wait to get to the sequel of this book and plan to listen to it on audiobook as well (hoping it’s the same narrator). If you are one of the very few, like I was, that didn’t consume this story when it was super hyped; do it NOW!! You will not be disappointed in its overall uniqueness and brilliancy in a fairly overdone and mundane genre grouping.

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Book Review: Cult Classic

Cult Classic 

by Sloane Crosley
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF @ 43%

Wow do I just not care. I gave this book three chances to get better. On three different occasions (and days) I wanted to give it up. Finally at about 40ish percent I decided I was not making 2023 start with a torturous story such as Cult Classic feels to me.

The concept is interesting but the execution, writing, and lecturing is poorly done; and at times obnoxious. Our leading lady runs into her multitude of boyfriends one day after the other as she is leading up to marrying her live-in boyfriend (who somehow had a short list of exes; while hers is a mile long). The most interesting moments of the book at the backstories about the exes she runs into; and the most boring are those moments where it’s her and the fiancée. If this book doesn’t end in them splitting up I’d be shocked. Unless the whole point is to say that life-long love is mind numbing dull. At which point I’d argue, after 15 years of my own relationship, that you’re obviously not with someone who challenges or interests you enough if you are bored that quickly. But to each their own.

In one piece of fairness to Cult Classic. I am going to be 40 next month; and I understand from others reviews and those who like this that it is written for millennials (which I both am technically by date; but also not I remember using card catalogues, didn’t have internet until I was in high school and went through most of college without even t9 texting). So perhaps I truly am just too old to get the nuances, internet memes or jokes that (apparently) persist throughout.

Although, what I feel is more likely is that, while a jaded goth girl, I’m not quite as down on relationships as those younger than me tend to be. Probably based on my 15 years with my husband to date. So if the concept interests you and you’re between 25-35 years old then this may really work for you. To me it just felt like being lectured by someone, with a great thesaurus, who hasn’t had enough experience with long term love to even understand what their characters should be or could be striving for.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

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