Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch
by Rivka Galchen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 stars... this was okay. I'm not sure why it won so many awards to be honest. It's not amazing. It has a unique narrative style I suppose; and the interviews are well positioned to give details to the story without experiencing each instance inside the core narrative. But overall I was a bit underwhelmed by Every Knows Your Mother is a Witch given how much praise I've heard for it.
I think I expected a bit more horror to be involved. It's possible I've just read too many witch trial books over the years (which could easily be true); or maybe I just wasn't in the mood at the time I read it. I'm not totally sure what it is about this book that didn't hit it for me. It could even be that it got over hyped and I am sooo late to the party that my expectations were far too high. Whatever the reason I can only barely give this four stars.
It's worthy of a read; but if I were to have missed out on it in the end that would not be a tragedy. The unique letter/interview format is what elevates Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch past a banal, meh three star level. I certainly do not understand why it was so hyped and given so many awards. That said, I would check out future books by Rivka Galchen if the plot/story was my thing. It wasn't the writing that was subpar but more that I just didn't care about the story or the characters really. Maybe that is the downfall of the interview script and letter writing used here is that you don't have the voice of a main character(s) or even a narrator to tie it all together.
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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Stitching, reading and comics! All at epic proportions. From giant projects, thick books, and a lot of comics this is a chronicle of hobbies. Current counts: +1,300 physical books, +6,000 comics, +300 trade paperback comics, +300 stitching patterns!
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Monday, November 21, 2022
Book Review: The House of Fortune
The House of Fortune
by Jessie Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A good read… but not near as amazing as the first. The gothic, eeriness of the first book, The Miniaturist, is missing here. The last 1/3 of the book didn’t have the same tone as I loved in The Miniaturist. I can’t quite put my finger on it; but something is missing. Maybe Jessie Burton just got a bit softer in the last ten years? And so that is represented in her writing? Maybe there needed to be more death or tragic events? (I know I’m morbid…)
After thinking on this for about a month I can honestly say that my biggest concern is that The House of Fortune was forgettable. Whereas The Miniaturist is will a book, even having read it 10 years ago, that comes to mind and has moments I can remember. This might be one of those times when a sequel was not needed; but the publisher wanted one? Whatever the reason it's a good read. I wouldn't not recommend it, but I would say only if you love The Miniaturist is this one worth picking up.
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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by Jessie Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A good read… but not near as amazing as the first. The gothic, eeriness of the first book, The Miniaturist, is missing here. The last 1/3 of the book didn’t have the same tone as I loved in The Miniaturist. I can’t quite put my finger on it; but something is missing. Maybe Jessie Burton just got a bit softer in the last ten years? And so that is represented in her writing? Maybe there needed to be more death or tragic events? (I know I’m morbid…)
After thinking on this for about a month I can honestly say that my biggest concern is that The House of Fortune was forgettable. Whereas The Miniaturist is will a book, even having read it 10 years ago, that comes to mind and has moments I can remember. This might be one of those times when a sequel was not needed; but the publisher wanted one? Whatever the reason it's a good read. I wouldn't not recommend it, but I would say only if you love The Miniaturist is this one worth picking up.
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, November 4, 2022
Book Review: Small Spaces
Small Spaces
by Katherine Arden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a ride!!! This first in a series by Katherine Arden (Bear and the Nightingale) is crazy good. Easily up there with Lockwood and Co. for spooky, creepy, but still appropriate for middle grade ages.
I read most of this in one night between midnight and 2am. In my very secure home, with my husband sleeping upstairs and my pitbull dog sleeping next to me; and I STILL got shivers. Now that is impressive for a middle grade book!
The best part of this book? It had bullying turned positive, real friendships being mad, grief handled well, AND very little (if arguably any) love interest. I just couldn’t ask for better. Plus the lead girl is a reader and there are lots of random literature Easter eggs and many overt callouts to Alice in Wonderland.
I have had Arden’s adult fantasy series on my to be read print shelf for a couple years. It has just skyrocketed to the top of my pile to read!! If it’s even half as good as this I’ll be happy. Although now my expectations are higher. (Lol)
I’ve got book 2 on hold at the library and already looking at how I secure a few copies of this for Christmas so all the is middle grade kiddos in my life can get scared by it too!! Seriously go read this like right now (it’s currently October as I write this and the perfect time)!
Above all, don’t forget, to stay to small spaces… where THEY can’t reach you. And don’t forget a smiling, kind person isn’t always good…
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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a ride!!! This first in a series by Katherine Arden (Bear and the Nightingale) is crazy good. Easily up there with Lockwood and Co. for spooky, creepy, but still appropriate for middle grade ages.
I read most of this in one night between midnight and 2am. In my very secure home, with my husband sleeping upstairs and my pitbull dog sleeping next to me; and I STILL got shivers. Now that is impressive for a middle grade book!
The best part of this book? It had bullying turned positive, real friendships being mad, grief handled well, AND very little (if arguably any) love interest. I just couldn’t ask for better. Plus the lead girl is a reader and there are lots of random literature Easter eggs and many overt callouts to Alice in Wonderland.
I have had Arden’s adult fantasy series on my to be read print shelf for a couple years. It has just skyrocketed to the top of my pile to read!! If it’s even half as good as this I’ll be happy. Although now my expectations are higher. (Lol)
I’ve got book 2 on hold at the library and already looking at how I secure a few copies of this for Christmas so all the is middle grade kiddos in my life can get scared by it too!! Seriously go read this like right now (it’s currently October as I write this and the perfect time)!
Above all, don’t forget, to stay to small spaces… where THEY can’t reach you. And don’t forget a smiling, kind person isn’t always good…
Follow me on Goodreads
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