Sunday, October 6, 2024

Book Reviews: Lost Gods

Lost Gods 
by Brom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Finished just in time to put this down and not be stuck in purgatory prior to a surgery (I’m healing well). I felt it would be bad luck. I want to say lol, but I’m only half kidding that it felt like bad luck.

This was Brom’s weakest book to date I’ve read. It lacked likeable or even interesting humans (yes the gods are awesome but that wasn’t enough), a cohesive plot (that was lost in the prose); yet it has Brom’s gorgeous literary style and descriptions that make it worth a read if you’re devoted to Brom and his works (as I am).

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Book Review: And Then She Vanished

And Then She Vanished 
by Nick Jones
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This time travel story was okay. Nothing overly special. I anticipated the big twist fairly early on but that was okay. The writing is good enough; but it was a debut and I’m sure the rest of the series does improve. I’ll be honest and say I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series; but that’s only because I didn’t love the characters. I didn’t hate them but they just didn’t stick for me.
Greatly appreciated the physics that is brought into the concept of time travel and the rules established. That was very well done; without being too dry or boring.
Overall this is a good enough book. I wouldn’t dissuade anyone from reading it; but it’s not an immediate recommendation either.
If you love time travel stories then check it and see what you think.

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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Sunday, September 8, 2024

Book Review: A Fate Inked in Blood

A Fate Inked in Blood 
by Danielle L. Jensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Better than I had expected. While a ‘romantasy’ (gosh I hate this term) it’s still got solid fantasy world building, gods versus mortals, clans at war (politically and on the battlefield), and a lot to say about fate and destiny.
I’m so pleased I can give this a good review as the author is a fellow Calgarian! Yes that’s right from my home city of Calgary (in Canada).

A Fate Inked in Blood is actually quite complex given that the opening chapter has our two love interests ogling one another because they are just soo attractive *eye roll*. However once you get past the initial cliche set-up things begin to roll forward. Our magic system is a bit simple; powers come from a god/goddess; and generally everyone only has one power (if any). Of course our leading gals power is rare and wonderful. Again, somewhat cliche but I did go in expecting a number of typical tropes and so can accept this for what it is.

That’s the one Danielle L. Jensen gives us, without any doubt, is exactly what you are likely to expect. The pacing, reveal logic, magical rules, and (of course) lust to love pairing is all very typical. Yet I believe it works because the writing is solid, and our characters are genuinely likeable. From the feminist rage of our leading lady, to the stoic fierceness of our leading man. Put them together and you undoubtably have sparks flying with some intensity.

It should be noted that there is a bit of a push twist at the end to make everyone anticipate book two. Given that we get book two in early 2025, which is quite quick for most series these days, I can’t even complain.

Overall I was very satisfied with this read. It was what I expected, and a bit more with excellent pacing and world building. Plus I get to squee because Jensen lives here in my hometown! That makes for three popular writers of today that live here currently! And a few more up and coming ones that I hope make it onto folks radar. I actually went to my local indie store the other day and bought four books from local authors, three of which are (somewhat) well known! (All of which I’ll be sure to also rant and rave about, or so I hope!)
While my initial copy of this was from NetGalley; I did immediately make sure to get first edition, teal sprayed edge hardcover for my print collection. As always, a print copy I keep in my ever expanding library is the highest honour I can give a book.

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Book Review: Ghost of the Neon God

Ghost of the Neon God 
by T.R. Napper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This urban cyberpunk novella is action packed! Whether our characters are running from officials, debating with a sentient AI, or sparring with one another; the pace is quick and non-stop in Ghosts of the Neon God. Not only has T. R. Napper given us an amazing title, but he’s also written a story full of philosophical anecdotes regarding surviving, capitalism, and AI technology.

”Small acts of resistance. Heterogeneity in the face of crushing corporate assimilation.”
Napper discusses the issue of sentient AI being built and sold by ruthless corporations only interested in profits. How can we allow someone to be owned, in any way, by an entity that doesn’t care about its well being? The core argument being that an intelligent AI, who is aware of themselves, should have autonomy and the ability to choose its own future (or at least as much as any human gets to).
Whether it’s our street rat, or university student, or even the sentient AI; Napper asks us to consider that we all have the same existence, even if our lives might be drastically different in the middle. Our ending is certainly the same. A new way of viewing existence began to form the more I read and really experienced Napper’s argument alongside our characters
”All life is a dream walking. Death is going home.”

Ghosts of the Neon God is a great addition to the amazing science fiction short story/novella’s that already exist. My rating drop down to four stars is really because I think there was a lot more to be said and done here. I’m overall disappointed that the story felt cut down when it could easily have been a full length novel that really explores what it means to be ‘yourself’. There is a distinct part in which there is a discussion about conscious moving from one ‘body’ to another; and if that makes you still yourself. I’d love to read more of this debate and further past the ending we receive here. Irregardless this is well worth the quick read it is and may leave you wondering about how we are developing AI today.
I’ll leave you with my favourite quote regarding when to panic. I might need to make it my personal mantra to try and quell my own (seemingly constant) anxiety.
”Relaxing or not relaxing will have no impact on the future course of events”

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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Sunday, September 1, 2024

Book Review: Anatomy

Anatomy 
by Dana Schwartz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This reminds me a lot of The Girl In His Shadow, in a good way. Both feature women in historical times unable to practice medicine the way they want due to patriarchal constraints, both also have sweet little love stories that enhance the overall novel without overpowering it or getting in the way, and lastly, both are fairly realistic in the time, setting, and portrayal of the caste system to keep the poor poorer and the rich richer. And both are excellent reads.

In Anatomy, our leading lady has a strong narrative voice, our main love interest is cute and a bit flippant, think Flynn Ryder from Tangled. The supporting characters left a bit to be desired. They are perhaps too archetypical and lack real development; but I also didn’t need 100 more pages of detail so I can accept that they were sacrificed to give more vibrancy to our leading two and the villains of the story.

At its crux, Anatomy: A Love Story is about corruption and power. Holding to task the idea that power corrupts absolutely. Our ‘in control’ men are able to change narratives to their own liking (true or not), select who lives and dies under what conditions, and spin fear into their society to retain control (plus cover up many ill deeds). There are certainly good people, including our leading lady and her love interest; however, little can be done when the truth falls on deaf ears.

Overall Anatomy: A Love Story is a cute love story, with a horrific villain, and reminds us of all the progress made to date; yet also inspires us to keep fighting for equality, fairness, and the truth. As my own province (state) is discussing privatizing our hospitals (in Canada) it disgusts me to think we would put the lives of our citizens into the hands of people whose entire function is to make money. And yet, here is a story of that exact same goal being laid out before us 200+ years sooner than now. I only wish we could learn and somehow reclaim the system back from those with power who think only for themselves. Hopefully this story reminds folks to be wary of what our elected officials do when it comes to health care; and emphasizes that it should be equally doled out to everyone, regardless of wealth, family lineage, or societal status.

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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Friday, August 30, 2024

Book Review: Dead Girl Walking

Dead Girls Walking 
by Sami Ellis
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Unfortunately two stars is probably generous here. I should have DNF’d this. However I persevered; but didn’t really gain anything except more confusion in the end. I know this is a debut novel by a young writer. I understand what was being attempted; however, it was so poorly executed I’m shocked this was the ‘best’ final product. Sometimes when you are sent away by many, many publishers it’s because your book needs too much work. More work than an editor can reasonably provide. I believe that to be the case in Dead Girls Walking.
To keep this from being me ranting let me summarize some of the key issues I had:
  • no rules are ever really set-up for the world and it’s resurrection style magic. There’s an attempt early-on but every time I turned around a rule is proven wrong
  • it is possible to have too many twists and turns. In order to make a book feel cohesive, readable (ie: plot can be followed), and seem ‘realistic’ inside the confines of magic set-up it needs to have some stickiness that keeps it all together. Dead Girls Walking is a flat hot mess of jumping around, attempts to be clever that all fall down because nothing seems to fit together properly 
  • our leading girl is annoying. Her obsession with identifying herself as a monster for no real reason (besides her father is a serial killer) really bugged me. Especially as you learn some of the spoilers in the story… she clearly knows right from wrong even early on in the story. I think a survivors guilt complex would have been a smarter way to go
  • the attempt to connect this all to a fictional novel written by a person close to the family is bizarre. We never get any real info about the novel (some excerpts with little context), and our heroine hasn’t read the book (which is also weird…); as she is our only POV we get snippets of the novel in the text but no real analysis of it. In some ways the inclusion of the novel tries to set boundaries for the magic (and maybe solutions?) but it felt gimmicky and incomplete 
  • finally, the first third of the book feels like it’s about a completely different type of ghost/horror story than the rest. The ghost set-up went from tiny to huge with little transition. I really want to read what the story should have been within the confines of the set-up of the first part of the novel. Instead it grew so quickly and by the halfway point Dead Girls Walking had become outrageous and out of control. There’s no real pacing, attention to timeline details, or magical rules to help define the world. Unfortunately for me that means it just didn’t ‘stick’ together well. 

Overall, Dead Girls Walking has a bunch of poorly written fairly gory scenes, illogical plot jumps, a very annoying lead character, upside down twists that don’t fit, and no real cohesion. I’d love to read the story of lesbian girls at a ‘horror themed’ camp (who are obsessed with a real crime nearby) learning about the crime and themselves at the same time. That is the book I want to read. Unfortunately, while this is billed as such, it’s far from what I had expected or hoped for based on the blurb.

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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Monday, August 19, 2024

Book Review: The Fireborne Blade

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Fireborne Blade is both a fantasy story featuring two strong willed women, and a feminist manifesto. Blatantly calling out the ridiculousness of the hurdles often put in the way of women achieving the same as men the reader can’t help but agree that it’s extremely illogical. As seen in this standout quote:
“Its illegal to train girls in magic without a dispensation, yet to get that dispensation, a girl has to show an aptitude first—which means someone has to train her up at least a bit, which means that someone is already breaking the rules in order to follow the rules. That seems ridiculous to me.”
Welcome to the classic fantasy world Charlotte Bond has created. Arguably a mirror in some ways to our own. Even as I say this is a statement on society, it’s also an action packed, mildly gory (at times), fantasy story. At only 168 pages it’s very short and yet still manages to set-up a ton of dragon lore (via mini stories or journal entries by other knights), send our leading lady on a dragon quest, bring forth the hypocritical magic user rules, and shun women from being knights. In all a perfectly balanced story, and one that feels like a mini introduction to (what I hope is) a huge fantasy series to come!

This is perhaps not like the fantasy many of us ‘older folks’ (lol) are used to. It is entirely based on women fighting back; without reliance on any men. In some ways The Fireborne Blade could be a story about Eowyn trying to prove herself in Mjddle Earth to everyone around her. It’s a simple concept; yet complex in its question: how does society get to accepting female knights and mages? I really hope Bond is continuing this forward to show us how it might work (and some gory details along the way).

The lovely British narrator for the audiobook has the perfect sort of ‘medieval’ accent one might attribute to fantasy. Her voice sets a mood right away; yet her accent is mild enough to not pose any concerns about understanding her. I will definitely look for her as a narrator in the future.

I cannot wait for more stories from this fantasy world! Hopefully they feature our two ladies, and more intriguing dragons (who all have slightly different powers or magic) to be slayed (or not).

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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Sunday, August 18, 2024

Book Review: The Deading

The Deading 
by Nicholas Belardes
My rating: 1 of 5 stars


DNF @ 50%
For a book with such an intriguing blurb, a badass horror cover, and great marketing it’s incredible disappointing to give up on it. But I cannot read another repetitive, useless, cyclical descriptive paragraph, or run-on sentence, again. There are so many issues with this story sadly.
Here are the big ones that stand out to me:
  1. I never know who is talking at the beginning of the chapter! I need names please, or immediate orientating of which characters POV I’m getting. It’s very annoying (and distracting) to try and figure out whose thoughts I’m reading. 
  2. The extended descriptive, repetitive prose is unnecessary. I don’t need five different examples of birds being unable to fly or humans lying on the grass. This book could be less than half its size if the prose was cut down and made short, sweet, and impactful. 
  3. The actual plot has been lost inside the descriptions and constant discussion of birds. I do not care this much about bird watching! The Deading could have been a cool opportunity to get people interested in birdwatching. Instead it will bore you into looking for birds; anything to keep you distracted from reading more on the page in front of you. 
  4. The isolation of the town is illogical at times. Apparently no one was visiting when the quarantine was imposed? No one is missing family members who were travelling, all the kids have all their parents and friends in town at the moment of isolation? It’s strange that this assumption is put into place when it could have setup an interesting plot point about who is where and how the virus attacks locals versus tourists different. Huge lost opportunity in my opinion. 
  5. I’m sooo bored. I do not care at all what is happening in the bay, with the animals and humans, etc. I went and crept on some other reviews and read a lot of the same complaints I have. And so I’m DNFing this one because it doesn’t seem worth it to carry on if it doesn’t get any better (which according to other reviewers it doesn’t). 
It’s always disappointing to be unsatisfied by a book, but to be downright annoyed, bored, and disinterested takes a fair bit of work (ironically). The Deading needed a heavy handed editor, some story boarding to map out who is where, when and why, and some focus on the point of the story or at least a sense of where it’s headed. Thus I concede, I’m beat and ready to move on get or into something that (hopefully) doesn’t include anything about birdwatching.

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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Friday, August 16, 2024

Book Review: Little Wolf’s Howl

Little Wolf's Howl: A Story of Getting Lost, only to Find One's Voice 
by Nelly Buchet
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is absolutely adorable!! I love how our little wolf cub can’t quite manage to howl at first. Upon getting lost he meets some other animals, all the while looking for North. When he finally sees the North Star (the brightest star in the sky) and heads toward home (using the skills his animal friends taught him) he is then able to howl!!
This is perfect for really any age or child. Toddlers will love learning to howl on the page (or hearing the reader howl).
I do think one of the reasons I love this is my 80lb pitbull dog (who’s just a big baby, named Zero) knows the command ‘speak’ but it often comes out as a sneeze. The kiddos in the park love to ask him to ‘speak’ and that they don’t always get a bark; however when Zero does get out a good bark they get so excited for him. This story reminds me of that kind of excitement when it takes a few tries to do something but eventually you get there.
A wonderful story about being lost, asking for help, and finding your way.

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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Sunday, August 11, 2024

Book Review: One Dark Window

One Dark Window 
by Rachel Gillig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I struggled in the beginning with One Dark Window. Maybe because I had just come off a great book, maybe because I expected a lot out of the gate based on the praise heaped all over this book, or maybe because I just wasn’t ready. So I read a shorter book and came back. I’m sooo glad I came back!!
The last 75% of this book is brilliant! The ending is dark and I cannot wait to move onto book two! It’s nice to know this is a duology, has a distinct ending, and I’m hoping it’s as dark as I’m expecting! Lucky for me I had enough faith in previous reviews to buy both books at the same time. So glad I did!

One Dark Window has a very unique magic system that is a bit complex, and not like your standard magic set-up. While using the magic has consequences it’s not to make you tired; these consequences are much more nefarious. Each type of magic (based on which card you use) has a different side effect; just as the card only does specific things. I’m still a little shaky on what a couple of the cards do (besides our elusive Alders card) but I have accepted that it’s okay I didn’t have all the answers at my fingertips and the mystery about the cards and how the magic is affecting different people is what makes this such a great ending (as we learn some of our answers; but not all)! So if you usually read fantasy, like me, be patient I promise it’s worth it.

Overall, I think that is my main point on this book is be patient. The characters really start to come into their own, our leading girls side effect really starts to play a part (besides just annoying her and the reader), and the cute little insta-love (ugh) does evolve enough that I can accept they are falling in love. Ultimately it’s not five stars for me because it just wasn’t perfect; but I think book two has a real opportunity to elevate the darkness, deepness, and deliberateness for everyone and everything happening.
I definitely recommend One Dark Window with the caveat to be patient. It does get there.

My usual endorsement that shows I’m serious, One Dark Window is going into my print library (where I have to be very picky because I’m basically out of room for books).

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Monday, August 5, 2024

Book Review: A Sorceress Comes to Call

A Sorceress Comes to Call 
by T. Kingfisher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is the funnest, most horrific, scandalously proper book I’ve read recently (this description makes sense right? lol).
Kingfisher, once again, brings together her wit and sarcasm, adds it to a horror of all horrors, puts some charming characters in the horrors way, and thus gives us a wonderful book that is perhaps my favourite of hers (that I’ve read) to date!

If you’ve ever had a day, or perhaps many of them in which you want an overbearing adult to back-off then you will sympathize with our leading teen Cordelia. Her mother is, quite literally, evil. Capable of unfounded horrors with her magic; and, what’s worse, she has inflicted many of those horrors on her own daughter.
Thankfully her mother makes a miscalculation in choosing new ‘prey’ to finance her desires, and Cordelia finds some adults she can trust. The beginning of this story is definitely the Goose Girl tale. By the end I was completely engrossed and had forgotten entirely about it being inspired by an old story. Kingfisher makes this one entirely her own.

Between vivid descriptions, clever and snarky characters to magic, ghosts, and demons(?), oh my! A Sorceress Comes to Call held me rapt in suspense and thrills, right up to the last page. If you have enjoyed any of Kingfisher in the past you will love this one. If you are new to Kingfisher but enjoy thrilling stories, magical rules, clever evil, horrific situations (a bit of gore) and bumbling heroes trying to repel said evil then feel secure in picking up A Sorceress Comes to Call. It really is a witty, horror story (with a couple magical twists) that won’t disappoint.

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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Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Book Review: Bury Your Gays

Bury Your Gays 
by Chuck Tingle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It’s been a long time since I went into a book with relatively moderate expectations and came out blown away!! I just read the last 70% of this book within 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down. After flipping the last page I feel out of breath!!
Chuck Tingle has taken a (mostly) closeted gay man’s story in Hollywood and turned it into a Stephen King, Michael Crichton, Blake Crouch sci-fi, horror, contemporary thriller!

What’s more, this book has a clear message, stop killing off all the gays! This resonates for me as a bi-sexual woman who first saw Willow and Tara kiss on screen, and then was horrified by the storyline being crushed only ONE episode later. ONE! They couldn’t let us have happiness for our lesbian ladies for more than a week or two (between airing shows) and for less time than it takes to watch the average rom-com. These types of stories are STILL being told 25 years later. We STILL see token gay characters written out in media (of all kinds) relatively frequently. Tingle has written the perfect aesthetic of horror, love, the question of existence (AI anyone?), and technology together to take the reader on the ride of their life AND give us a message worth shouting from the heights of the Hollywood sign; queer is here!

I want to say everything and yet nothing about the major plot points of Bury Your Gays! I went in fairly blind and I recommend that for everyone. Be aware it’s horror, there are some very squeamish, gory moments (I did have to stop listening to the audio and go to my ebook as I couldn’t stand the descriptions and ‘noises’ of the narrator, done so well but too much for my sensibilities), actual gays (who may or may not die), and a King/Crichton plot to ensnare you in for the duration. Seriously, be ready to read this all the way through from 30% on. You’ve been warned!

I know I NEED to see a movie adaptation of this; and yet it might be too scary for me to do so, lol. I’m so glad my horror buff husband has gotten me into horror since COVID started. Knowing horror’s many tropes helped me understand some of the dark humour, and nods to the past that are here. It is not necessary to pick-up on them, but it does add to the surrealism of the story.

I really didn’t think anyone would rival Blake Crouch and be worthy of the Crichton, King banner this decade. Let me tell you I was wrong! I feel the same, yet different, but equally blown away by Bury Your Gays as I did after reading Dark Matter (Crouch), Prey (Crichton), any of King’s older works, and all of Mira Grant’s (love her!) worthy contributions to horror. There’s the perfect amount of everything in this novel; just as I believe those authors have done before. Watch out for some possible Easter eggs to those who came before within these pages.

I suspect Tingle has more in store for us of this nature, and I’ve already put Camp Damascus on my TBR to see if it started there. All I know is this is a mystery man that can write! It may be worth noting that a key message in Bury Your Gays is about coming out and being your true self; an irony I can’t help but chuckle at given Tingle is a pseudonym and we don’t really know anything much about the writer himself.
Hey Chuck! My message to you, after you’ve given me so many great messages in this book, is Practice what you Preach! (Lol).

Okay stop reading this blabbering review and go get Bury your Gays! Be ready for twists, turns, horrors, coming outs (in so many unique ways, heh), and a dash of love that helps keep some of our characters just stable enough to crawl away stunned, like I am after finishing this novel.

On a personal note: this will be adds to my physical bookshelf in the near future and I will be forcing my husband to read it. Just like I did after reading Dark Matter. It’s that damn good!

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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Sunday, July 21, 2024

Book Review: Medusa

Medusa 
by Jessie Burton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


”you could cut off my head, and still not end the myth.”
This is divine! It is Jessie Burton’s inspirational story written for all women. We are given not only redemption for both Medusa herself, but for every woman living in today’s world, and throughout the ages.

This is not the Medusa story you know. Although, as one can assume with any story in which there is a hero with a sword and a gaze of snakes that turns men into stone, it does not end well for everyone.

Easily read over an evening, afternoon, or weekend this short novel packs a punch in its retelling of the stories for both Perseus and Medusa. My absolute favourite parts are when Medusa talks to her snakes (who have names!). As a snake owner I can tell you I talk to them all the time! I talk to my dog and husband too, but my discourse with my big boa is different as the narrative is distinctly one sided. Burton shows us the catharsis of speaking about traumatic events, and that having a listener is often all someone needs.

This brilliantly put together story should be in the hands of every woman in the world. It is a reminder that our beauty is not there to be exploited by others, that we can break free of constraints and make our own fate, and that ultimately us ladies belong to no one but ourselves. We can leave enduring stories behind, and while the matriarchy may twist those stories to make them more favourable to the ‘hero’, there will always be someone, like Burton, who can reclaim the story for what it should be and remind us all that women are neither weak, nor property to be owned.

This is a brilliantly twisted story that reinforces women’s strength and endurance. Burton is saying, and allowing her reader to say, I am woman hear me HISS!

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Saturday, July 20, 2024

Book Review: Dreadful

Dreadful 
by Caitlin Rozakis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Well this is just super fun!
A little bit of romance, a lot of funny quips, the identity of what it means to be evil (versus good); with a focus on stereotypes and how entrenched they are in people’s perceptions and expectations.
I like that the ending is fairly closed, could maybe do a sequel, but kind of hope this remains a stand-alone. All the characters, especially the goblins, are quite endearing, or at least interesting, and the focus on how everyone looks, sounds, etc. just amplifies these differences and makes our characters even more likeable.
The plot is not as thin as I expected, and the magic set-up, rituals, etc. explained better than I had hoped for. Overall this is a funny, cosy little fantasy which features a less-pretty princess, our leading dark lord with no memories, some (cuddly?) goblins, a few sinister dark wizards (or lords), and a lot of garlic. Yes that’s right, garlic.
You’ll have to read it for yourself to find out why Dreadful is dreadfully great.

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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Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Book Review: A Tempest of Tea

A Tempest of Tea
by Hafsah Faizal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


3.5 stars, rounding down because I’m so disappointed in the ending. A Tempest of Tea is a pretty good book until about 80% of the way through. The characters are (mostly) believable and likeable (if morally subject) in their own ways. The setting is well put together, the world building is vague (but that didn’t seem like a deal breaker at first), and the plot is intriguing. Seems like a heist in a fantasy realm with some minor romances possibly bubbling up on the side… and then something happens that felt so out of character, that came off awkward, that just ruined every page that came after. It’s the first of a couple ‘bigger’ reveals; and it came off as cheap. It annoyed me as it didn’t feel natural (and the lack of world building just makes it seem more abrupt and ‘cheapens’ the whole set-up, as had we known more it wouldn’t have been such a big surprise…), and overall just irritated me. I am not a fan of books that change the rules or seem to leave rules out just to have reveals. I like when reveals are done in a way whereas soon as I read the reveal I can recall all the hints throughout the book, even if I never guessed what the reveal would be. In those books where I do guess the reveal I’m still less annoyed than with cheap reveals because at least it feels in line with what has happened and fits the narrative.

The reveal also leads us into a very odd little section and ending. Things are happening quickly as its climax time, and suddenly all the romances are brought together (presumably?) because characters are in peril. Another troupe I am not a big fan of. What’s worse is how lame and stilted the romantic moments come off as, and the lack of gothic allure (set up earlier in the book) is suddenly gone. It’s as though someone told Hafsah Faizal she had to put romance in her book and so she did. It would have been so much better with teasers and adhering to the less is more philosophy (to clarify it’s not raunchy romance or anything it just feels forced). Also less is more (should) make readers want to carry onto the next book in the series (not yet published). Instead this big ending made me go, meh. It’s truly unfortunate as Faizal has a knack for writing great one liner quotes, has cute little jokes throughout and real talent for sarcasm in her characters actions and words. But none of that matters if the core story and world building is not there. The plot was good, the characters (mostly) good, the writing very good; and yet I walk away from this one just feeling ‘meh’.

Is that a recommendation you might ask? I couldn’t say. If you love mild YA vampires then yes I might recommend you read this. However, if you are hoping for something more gothic or intimate then A Tempest of Tea will likely disappoint you in the end. It just feels too immature; not because it’s YA, but because the ending doesn’t seem like the same narrative. An unfortunate situation as the potential is all there; but final delivery must be bang on (for me) to make a book rise above being more than just good enough.

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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Sunday, June 30, 2024

Book Review: Jonny Appleseed

Jonny Appleseed 
by Joshua Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book should be mandatory Grade 12 reading for Canadian teens (or anyone in a colonized country). Perhaps then more of them would be empathetic to the Indigenous, and understand how damn good they likely have it.
Crude, honest, ugly, and yet beautiful and endearing… nothing is pulled back in Joshua Whitehead’s story of a Two-Spirit Indigenous boy who ends up off the reserve selling his body to make ends meet. Whitehead portrays both the awfulness, and some of the lightness of our lead teen’s existence.
Jonny Appleseed has a clever set-up where we get a past story, then a current piece of the present. The present story is over 2-3 days as Jonny tries to make enough money to go home for a funeral service.
With short chapters, realistic dialogue, and hard hitting descriptions this is a story everyone should read. If only to remind you that it could always be worse, it is worse for so many, and that homophobia and racism are the stupidest, non-sensical human constructs ever.

I’m so proud this is a Canadian book, and will be placing this print copy in my personal library knowing it should be in everyone’s library as it’s the kind of book that only comes along once in a generation. This is the Anne Frank, Go Ask Alice for today, and everyone should read it.

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Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Book Review: A Haunted Girl

A Haunted Girl 
by Ethan Sacks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this set-up, the mental health representation, the scary ghosts, and the honesty of the plot and emotions. I have one protest, the ending is so dissatisfying! Yes I know it’s setup so we want to read the next issue; but as a trade (how I read these issues #1-3) it’s less fun to have it cliffhanger as it did. Ironically that cliffhanger could be considered an ending (from the perspective of a short story meant to leave options open) so my criticism may feel misplaced. What I know is getting to the end I was just so annoyed to realize that was the last page!!

I read this on my new Kobo Colour Libre so I didn’t get the full impact of the colours (as all colours are muted on this ereader, but better than black and white)! I did pull a couple single issues from my comic collection of this series just to see the art in its full glory and I must say it’s really wonderful! Just minimal enough to give a spooky aura but detailed enough on all the ghosts; and at the moments it really matters. You have to watch some of the subtleties in the art to get the full story. There are little hints to what is happening that you could miss. So be sure to read and look at the art so you get the full experience.

Check this one out if you want a good, accurate representation of depression (seems weird to say that but you know what I mean), some intense ghosts, a (perhaps!) twist ending, but maybe be sure to have the next issue ready to go so you can keep enjoying this intriguing world. Note: the ebook version I read had issues #1-3.

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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Sunday, June 9, 2024

BOOK REVIEW: The Road to Woop Woop and Other Stories

The Road to Woop Woop, and Other Stories 
by Eugen Bacon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I’m going to try very hard to be fair here. This is about 3.5 stars for me. I love clever, quirky, and twisty short stories with last line reveals. None of these are that kind. That doesn’t mean they aren’t good; because they are. Overall this is a decent collection of stories with paranormal, fairy tale, or existential spins. Worth a read.

It’s also note worthy as it is written by an Australian woman of colour. Certainly a minority not often found in writing circles. I would absolutely read more from Eugen Bacon in the future. In fact a couple of the stories in here, I think, need desperately to be made into longer stories. They have a lot of potential and could easily be fleshed out to be more than how they were presented here.

I know it’s always a fine line between word count and content and it’s certainly not always the right decision; but at least two stories have that quality. In between each of the stories are little snippets of tales that seemed to be native to Australia and like the type of tale you might tell to a child. I really adored these, and the illustrations were lovely!! They broke up the larger stories nicely, and in some cases setup a feel for the next story. This showed that the order of the stories was very intentional and I do appreciate that kind of effort being put in to make the reader feel immersed; even when each story is its own.

Certainly worth a pickup and read; and an author to watch 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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Thursday, June 6, 2024

BOOK REVIEW: What Feasts at Night

What Feasts at Night 
by T. Kingfisher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How do you follow-up a clever horror story that owes its roots to Edgar Allen Poe? T. Kingfisher will (perhaps) tell you that you go to a simpler horror format. More of a fairy tale type horror that brilliantly integrates PTSD with the myth. I cannot over state how smart I think What Feasts at Night is in its use of PTSD to both explain, justify, and debunk the story. On each page turn near the end you can argue that, our lead character, Easton and his PTSD is both fuelling, debunking, and creating the horror story. That is the kind of creepiness I like!

For book two we have our leading man back and side appearances by other known characters from book 1; but really it is Easton’s show. I would probably call this more of a 1.5 in the series book. Although not as long as book 1 (a novella) it felt much shorter to me. Whether that was due to the excellent writing or the pacing being a bit faster I’m not sure.

My biggest disappointment here was that it felt as though the characters from book 1, besides Easton, were just there because readers would like seeing them again. I’m not convinced we needed them; and in fact, it might have been scarier if we didn’t have anyone with Easton who had experienced Usher house and was used to bizarre happenings. A little more isolation with the cabin caretaker and widow homemaker might have been just the extra spice this needed to make it a five star book.

I felt the narrator on the audiobook (which I gave up on after like 15 minutes and returned to my ebook) sounds far too young to be the voice of Easton. Not that they aren’t a good narrator, as they are; but Easton is a war-torn soldier whose been around thus for his narrator to sound like they are a youngin’ just didn’t work for me. I wanted a deeper, more masculine voice (I know bad me on the stereotypes, but come on war torn soldier!). That’s not to say that Easton needs this narrator (as Kingfisher’s writing is more than good enough!); it’s just my image of him is a certain way and it didn’t match up with the narration. That’s okay, to each their own when it comes to how a character might sound. Plus audiobooks are still a struggle for me sometimes so I’ll always happily return to my e/print copy.

All that said, I enjoyed visiting these characters again and will certainly follow along in reading this series (as I hope there is more to come). Kingfisher continues to prove she is at the top of her game and I cannot wait for more stories from her, in any genre, that I can gobble up in a day or two.

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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Sunday, June 2, 2024

Book Review: A Botanical Daughter

A Botanical Daughter 
by Noah Medlock
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The first three quarters of The Botanical Daughter is beautifully written with a rich gothic feel. We meet our closeted gay men and feel the sorrow at how close a secret their relationship must be kept. As we progress into getting to know our other main character, and leading lady, we realize she too has the calling of ‘forbidden love’ (ugh, hate to call it that but it’s the right terminology for the day) and has been hurt. Throughout the first sections of the book we meet the plant entities (in various forms) and create a bond with the botanical character that surprised me. I loved it and felt it was just an innocent in all everything, even in some of its more horrific moments.

There are clever messages of love is love embedded into the narrative, both blatant and subtle; even making myself (a bisexual woman) wonder if there is a limit to love being love. For the record, the answer is no. Love is always beautiful and always correct. When love becomes obsession or greed it is different; but in its rawest form love is never wrong, by any definition. Noah Medlock does a beautiful job of expressing and showing this sentiment that in different ways and creates a truly safe space for sexuality and identity of any/all kinds (even for a plant).

Moving through the story we have some bloody moments, of retribution and revenge, that are all very gothic and satisfying. It’s all wonderful! Then we reach a point, around the last 100 pages, in which things start to unravel a bit. The pacing felt lost, the outcomes were disjointed, and lacked common sense. For a very smart story, with very clever characters, to suddenly feel less intelligent hurt. Additionally the plot choices continued forward in ways I did not expect that just didn’t satisfy my gothic/horror desires. I have come up with three distinctly different ways to close off this novel that would have been more gothic, satisfying for the reader, and still have held to the final message of the story.

Thus the final conclusion was, for me, very unsatisfying. Not necessarily because of the events but more so that the gothic overtones are played down, there is a lack of scientific discussion to talk about what the future might hold based on the ending (where some horror could have been injected), and in general I just had trouble focusing (and started wanting to just be done with the book). I would have ended the story a bit sooner with a more open ended ending that would have fit the gothic romance feel quite well. Or if taken to where it was I would have at least given some scientific questions for the reader to ponder about the implications of the final state of things. Sadly we get neither of these and therefore I just can’t give this a higher rating.

All that said, for a debut author, this is amazingly well written up to that last 100 pages. It does have an odd pacing at times, but that kind of fits with our quirky men and the unpredictable nature of plants growing. Sometimes they grow quick, other times slow. I would still recommend A Botanical Daughter as a good gothic read; but I would warn the potential reader to brace themselves for an ending that may not be as satisfying as one might have hoped for. I will however watch for future stories by Medlock as I think all the right foundation is there, it’s just the final execution (admittedly always the hardest part of any horror novel) that suffered here. In a different story, and with some different feedback I think Medlock could deliver us the kind of LGBTQ+ gothic romance that most readers will be craving by the end of The Botanical Daughter.

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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Monday, May 20, 2024

Book Review: Godly Heathens

Godly Heathens 
by H.E. Edgmon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


3.5 - 4 stars. I didn't love everything about this... about 75% of the way through I felt like I lost the thread and didn't really get back to it until closer to the end. However I'm glad I stuck it out as I suspected at some point this confusion was intentional. H. E. Edgmon is making the reader feel as disoriented and confused about who is who (as each character has multiple names, memories, and recognition of themselves) in such a way as it is the closest I (as a bisexual woman) may ever come to having even an iota of understanding what it might be like to be confused about gender and sexuality as a teen (my own understanding of being bisexual was helped along by some key late 90's, early LGBTQ+ Internet pages) .

I'm looking forward to recommending this to my trans cousin and seeing what she thinks. I am confident she will want to read it when I tell her it's complex like Gideon the Ninth (Tamsyn Muir), as godly as Banewrecker (Jacqueline Carey), and as teenage romantic as Aristotle and Dante (Benjamin Alire Sáenz). It also features realistic physical moments between a trans character and their partner; such as running fingers over top surgery scars. I shivered a little at this at felt so genuine and definitely very intimate.

All that said... there are three important things to know, in my opinion, going into Godly Heathens: 
1) The ending is abrupt and a cliffhanger. I was lucky to have book 2, Merciless Saviors at my fingertips to start immediately. You are likely to want to do the same. It is about one minute between the end of the first book and the opening line of book 2. I greatly dislike this, as it gives no reminder of the story if there has been some time between books (it's also just rude to readers to give no real ending at all...). I'm also not a fan of reading books one after another for fear of getting tired of characters or the story. That said, her I am making the exception for the first time in years.

2) There are a lot of characters with different names, abilities, memories, and situations. It's a lot to keep track of. I did not realize, until near the end, that there is a cast of the god characters at the back of the print book. However it should be noted that the list has spoilers for events in this first book.
One thing that does help a lot with this issue, and perhaps saved me at times, was listening to some chapters on audio. The narrator does a brilliant job of defining the characters and being consistent with the voices of each. In the end it helped me keep things together enough to keep going and not feel like I needed to reread/listen to sections, or just give up on the whole story. I did swap between audio and print a few times, and I'm glad I did. This gave me time to absorb some of the story in my head in print; but the audio helped define the different characters when I was lost. Kudos to the narrator for keeping the voices consistent and distinct (without being silly or obnoxious).

3) Morality and love are brilliantly put in opposition of one another in Godly Heathens. Edgmon takes us on a crazy journey and confuses us as much as the leading POV character is. It is brilliant; and it is frustrating. At times I wanted to yell at our non-binary lead to tell them to just do something!! Yet I also understood why they didn't (generally because of their heart being in the way). At the end of the day I love Edgmon's continuing message: "Surviving does not make us evil".

And now I am doing something I almost never ever do... I am heading into book 2 immediately. As I went to listen to the first chapter or two; and now I'm sucked in. (Insert a maniacal winning laugh here from Edgmon and the publisher that I'm caught in their web, lol.) So I suppose they win this round as I break my usual rule of waiting a book or two before heading into the next in a series.

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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Sunday, May 12, 2024

Book Review: A Haunting in the Arctic

A Haunting in the Arctic 
by C.J. Cooke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I read this in two halves (essentially) because I was very busy for about 3 weeks in April and barely read anything at all. I think that affected part of enjoyment. This is the kind of book that would be best read in a weekend or over a short period of time. Thus what was maybe a 3 star read for me, I’m upgrading to 4 stars. I think there is a lot of great pieces to The Haunting in the Arctic in terms of the spooky atmosphere, the simulated isolation, and thus desperation for attention that both the reader and our characters are feeling. I also loved the use of the selkie fable/myth and its integration into the core story.
Overall the book is worth reading…

But here’s where things get tough… in order for me to really talk about this book and my feelings there is a good chance you will figure out the twist… so fair warning from here forward there is a possibility of SPOILERS.









Again, possible spoilers below.









As I have discussed many times before when it comes to cold settings authors constantly get the details incorrect. Whether the overall effect of cold, snow, ice, etc on the body or how your brain starts to slow and mania or insanity sets in.
For me there was only two outcomes for this book:
1) I either knew the twist within the first 100 pages, or
2) Cooke was doing a terrible job of handling the bitterly cold conditions on the ship in the 2023 timeline.

At one point hear the end I had convinced myself I had the twist wrong and therefore posted a rant about how poorly written or understood cold is, and how disappointed I was in Cooke making such a rookie mistake. Then, lo and behold, a couple pages later the twist is revealed. And I was super annoyed. Held off to the last 10 pages of the book, so transparent (if you know what should have happened after certain events) that it was comical to me, and yet I had convinced myself out of it and that Cooke was just a poor fact checker on biology.

So where does this leave me?
I think it leaves me in a spot where a reread would be good (not right away) as now that I know the outcome I will not be bothered by numerous details like the first time. Perhaps I might be able to appreciate more of the atmosphere, timeline linking, and character processing of trauma.
Ultimately it leaves me with a very unsure feeling towards this book. Yes it’s good, yes lots of people (non-cold climate folks for sure) will likely not pick up the hints to the final twist, and yes the writing is superb. I’m almost sad that I know the cold so well that I knew what could or could not be ‘happening’ at times.

Overall I’d say if this book interests you then pick it up. It’s not bad, it’s quite well written and intriguing. For myself, I will definitely still look forward to the other Cooke novels on my shelf and hope that my knowledge of a particular subject doesn’t sink me like it did here. I will also keep it on my print shelf to possibly reread, and because the book cover itself is gorgeous.

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Book Review: The Year of Return

The Year of Return 
by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What a clever little story this is! I want to get a million copies and put this in the hands of everyone, but especially white folks (like myself) so they can begin to understand that generational, racist trauma stems deep. Ivana Akotowaa Ofori does a brilliant job of bringing together many of the key events during the height of the COVID pandemic and putting them in a science fiction short story that anyone could relate to.

From the lockdowns (where we saw the privileged of society whine the most), to disproportionately increased Asian discrimination, to Black Lives Matter protests; Ofori brings these elements together and uses them to show the generational trauma from African slavery. It’s so smart to take feelings we (as a world) have recently felt and change them subtly enough such that the reader can start (at least) to understand (or hopefully appreciate) some of the trauma involved in continuing (forever and ever) to atone for slavery. The weaving of this story brings elements together so well that it’s impossible (in my opinion as a white girl, for whatever that is worth) to deny the huge weight slavery still has today, especially on a population subject to diaspora around the world.

Ofori gives us a relatable main character with a degree in African Studies, from an Ivy League university (something her Ghana mother thinks is ridiculous) who is now a journalist. This gives our leading gal the ability to report on the many theories of the odd appearance of ‘ghosts’ and use the Internet to compile sightings, research, and provide her own theory and commentary on what is happening in the story. There is a cleverness to the core story that I also admire. I don’t want to say much about it as it could take away the creepiness and impact of each revelation that comes about.

This is the second short story by Ofori I have read and I am keeping my eye on her! She has an amazing way of sucking the reader into the story and feeling instant empathy for the characters and situation. If anyone can make people start to understand, even a fraction, of the trauma POC have experienced between generations of trauma, and the awful racism of today, I believe Ofori has the magic in her writing. Her stories and characters are relatable and current in a way I have not experienced before. I would put this story in the hands of every single white person in the world if I could, and even if only 1% of them started to think more about the long term, never going away, trauma of slavery then it would be well worth the effort.
Watch this writer! She has talent and I cannot wait to see what she brings us in the future.

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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Sunday, May 5, 2024

Book Review: Magical Elements of the Periodic Table

Magical Elements of the Periodic Table Presented Alphabetically by the Elemental Dragons 
by Sybrina Durant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is super cute AND could be infinitely helpful. If someone had given me a book that incorporated dragons with learning the periodic table of elements I might have done a lot better in science classes!!

Highly recommend this for anyone really. Even a high schooler trying to learn the table might find some acronyms, comparisons, etc here that help them remember what is where. Regardless of how you memorize things like common calculations, table elements, multiplication/division, conversion factors, etc. it can help you be quicker with answers and a better problem solver to know this information on a quick recall.

As someone who still can’t do 6x7 quickly (I have trouble memorizing number combinations ) I would encourage an device (like this super cute book) that helps kids not only learn but remember what they have learnt!

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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Friday, May 3, 2024

Book Review: The Last Bloodcarver

The Last Bloodcarver 
by Vanessa Le
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


With twists and turns, romance, friendship, and injuries to all; The Last Bloodcarver is likely to thrill any teen/YA reader that picks it up (and most of us YA adult readers too). In her debut novel, Vanessa Le introduces us to the unique magical power of our leading girl in the confines of a private home where she is using her magic in secret. From there we are whisked away on a journey where: hiding is necessary, betrayal is looming, a hint of romance presides, and a larger than life friendship keeps us company.

The magic here especially interested me as I have fibromyalgia, a nerve condition with no cure, no known cause, and only current offerings are medications to help get ‘quality of life’ as high as possible. Therefore hearing of our girls power to turn her pain receptors off, repair physical damage to many organs, including the brain, or the vascular system, greatly appealed to me. What I wouldn’t give to have this ability myself, or for someone with it to bless me with relief!!

Interestingly, and brilliantly, Lee shows us that this same magic can be used to kill and destroy just as readily as it may heal and save. Where one might use it to for healing individuals ailments; another might use it to decimate their enemies. Putting ultimate power of life and death in the magic welder’s hands.

This was the point at which I wished I wasn’t reading a YA fantasy (with some typical romance, of course) and instead wished this set-up in the hands of a writer of grimdark adult fantasy. Where an author could really elevate the game and discuss the morals and options posed to our characters at a level that would leave interpretation open to the reader.
Alas this is a YA novel, and so instead we get some typical romance on the side, the uncertain confidence of a teen, and the reluctance to become an adult (and having to take responsibility for your actions). As a YA novel it’s bang on to the genre. My difficulty is l see how it could be so much more!

That’s not to say this isn’t good; because it is. And I could definitely see many a pre-teen/teen becoming obsessed with it (especially if it’s one of their first gripping fantasy reads). I hope future novels in the series take a closer look at the politics and conundrums of society as it relates to the magic I n The Last Bloodcarver. I have great hope for the future books promised to come and that Lee will open up the discussion of morality, good versus evil, and the cost of healing over death. At the end of the day I will be seeking the sequel next year and definitely picking it up sooner rather than later.

A solid choice in the teen fantasy realm and one that is well written by a debut POC!! A refreshing breath of fresh air compared to so many in this genre that are stale or stagnant of late. Just remember it’s written to its audience (as it should be) even if it could be so much more!

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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Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Book Review: Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl

by Renée Rosen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting fictionalized version (based on lots of direct resources from Estée Lauder herself and her son, friends, etc.) of Estée Lauder’s time from nobody to becoming a beauty icon. I really enjoyed the anecdotes and tidbits of Lauder’s philosophy on sales, beauty, and refined society. I don’t agree with her; but it was a well written story that showed both the strengths and flaws of Lauder in the end.

What’s confusing about Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl is how little there is about WWII. Given this story happens simultaneously with the war it seems odd that so little of the war situation (even though we are in America) affected our leading ladies. It’s as though a piece of the story is missing to give it true historical context. Unfortunately that makes me wonder about some of the truth in the story. While well researched, and a good authors note in the end; the element of war being such a non-factor kept taking me out of this story and making me wonder if it could be true that Lauder was so sheltered from the war activities (before and after Pearl Harbour). Thus only a four star rating from me. That said, I would absolutely try another book by Renee Rosen in the future.

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 American Queen

The American Queen 
by Vanessa Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The first 75% of this was wonderful! Beautifully written, great story telling, characterization, and wonderful analysis and inference of what each character may have been thinking. I both read in print and listened to some of the audiobook. Both were equally joyful ways to consume this story.

Unfortunately, the last 25% got too preachy for me. I tired of hearing how our leading lady, Louella, would just have to hope that God would hear her need. My weariness continued as she spoke/thought of the forgiveness she gave everyone around her, constantly, even after they had ruined everything. The best writing in the world cannot make up for when I feel talked down to, preached at, or otherwise ‘told’ that I should feel or do things a certain way. I can assure you I would have felt much differently than Louella in the end given all the circumstances.

That said my 3 star review should not stop anyone from reading this book. It’s an interesting history, about a relatively unwritten time period from the viewpoints of those freed during emancipation. In no way would I discredit the story told here and its importance. I just would have liked to have the last pieces of the story told with a little less required faith; and a little more common sense on how our leading lady and her ‘followers’ came to be where they ended up.

I realize now that this author is a devoted Christian herself and was merely justifying the actions as she finds reasonable. However, I would challenge any author (regardless of religious affiliation) writing a story based on historical fact to be careful how much of their own beliefs they inject to justify actions. Lastly, it was odd to me that freed slaves so readily put all their faith in the god of those who enslaved, oppressed, murdered, and tortured themselves and their loved ones. It just felt a bit too much for me to swallow in the end.

I would love to read a non-fiction book about Louella and William, and their socialist practices that built a beautiful sounding community.

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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