#netgalley review

[elliepassmore]

Someone You Can Build a Nest In review

5/5 stars Recommended if you like: fantasy, light horror, monster main characters, LGBTQ+ characters

Big thanks to Netgalley, DAW, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

TW: gore, animal cruelty, abuse

I definitely thought this was a novella going into this and didn't realize it wasn't until I got past all the acknowledgements, ARC stuff, and table of contents and the book was still on 1%. Most of the horror I read is in novella format, so I was a little worried I was going to end up with more than I'd bargained for, but luckily that wasn't the case!

This book definitely has gore in it, at times quite a bit, but I wouldn't really classify this as a gorey novel and, in that same vein, while Shesheshen is a monster and devours people, I wouldn't classify this book as 'horror' necessarily. I suppose it is somewhat in the same vein as The Salt Grows Heavy, though Shesheshen and the mermaid are very different. I actually thought some of the scenes of Shesheshen eating were funny at times, she has an interesting outlook to things that can be humorous.

Shesheshen herself is the only one of her kind that she knows. Her mother was killed when she was young and she devoured her siblings before they could devour her and has lived in monster solitude ever since. It's clear that her early life has a great impact on her since she wants to find someone to build a nest in who will be a better parent than her father was (and whom she views as just a setting, albeit a nice nest), how she wants to be able to be there for her offspring, and how she questions some things about her own existence since she had no one to teach her otherwise. I found Shesheshen to be interesting, particularly in the way that she can absorb items around her and utilize them to build her body's structure.

Despite being a 'monster,' Shesheshen clearly has empathy and feelings. Her best friend is a blue bear named Blueberry and the two are obviously close and Shesheshen definitely loves her. Likewise, she's able to recognize the hypocrisy of humans calling her a monster while killing what- and whoever they feel and being mean to one another. Shesheshen is also drawn to Homily's kindness and it quickly becomes clear that she has a strong protective streak when it comes to the people and things she cares about.

Homily is depicted as kindhearted and even expresses similar sentiments about hunting animals and monsters that Shesheshen does. These two are two of the things that most strongly draw Shesheshen to her. But Homily has also been through some shit and has a hard time around people as well as the tendency to let people hurt her, either in a "go along to get along" kind of way or because she thinks she deserves it. Despite this, Homily also has a strong protective streak and protects Shesheshen and others on multiple occasions.

While not a main character, I have to give a shoutout to Laurent, whom I find hilarious. May he be happily terrorized for the rest of his days.

I enjoyed reading about Shesheshen's attempts to stay close to Homily, and confess that she's the 'monster' who Homily thinks cursed her family (but definitely didn't), and how major hijinks ensue as a result of this decision. Shesheshen definitely has gotten herself into a situation here and it was funny to read her desperately attempting to outmaneuver the humans trying to hunt her down. She shows some remarkable cunning, and it's clear she has a good mind for strategy. But I did find her attempts to get out of the situation without devouring the whole hunting party to be quite hilarious.

While this is ostensibly a humorous story about a queer monster falling in love with a human, this book also tackles themes like abuse and the cycle of abuse. Shesheshen has suffered at the hands of humans who have come to kill her, which is one kind of abuse, but Homily has suffered through having a truly demonic set of family members who seem to delight in harming her, both physically and emotionally. A large part of this story is about healing from that and not falling into the same cycles, wittingly or unwittingly.

Overall I enjoyed this book and found it to be fairly light-hearted, despite its contents. There is some gore, but it's not too bad, and Shesheshen's 'monster' shenanigans are done very matter-of-factly and with a great deal of attention paid toward whether Homily would think it too weird.

#book #book review #books #book recommendations #fantasy #booklr #bookstagram #bookblr #bookaholic #bookish #book addict #fantasy novel #fantasy books #someone you can build a nest in #netgalley #netgalley reads #netgalley review #advanced readers copy #lgbtq characters #cw: gore #monster fic

[bookishfreedom]

Happy Pub day to a book as delightful as its cover suggests! 🪴✨🩷

Finally Fitz follows Ava "Fitz" Fitzgerald, a teen fashion influencer following her dreams - and her girlfriend, Dani - to New York City for a competitive summer fashion program.

But shortly after arrives, her picture-perfect summer falls apart when Dani breaks up with her, taking Fitz's confidence and inspiration along with her.

After a chance run-in with her long-long childhood best friend Levi, also going through his own breakup, Fitz concocts the perfect solution: fake dating to make both of their exes jealous enough to want them back. What could possibly go wrong?

Admittedly it took me a while to really get into this one, but after sticking with it, I ended up really enjoying it!!

Fitz is messy and complicated and real. She is someone simply trying to figure out her place in the world, in a way that I think we can all relate to. (Anyone who can't handle second-hand embarrassment from books? Consider yourself warned.)

I absolutely fell in love with Levi and all of his plant-rescuing, tour guiding dorkiness. If anything, I felt like we didn't get enough of Levi. Understandably so; Fitz deals with lots of challenges during her time in New York, challenges that are equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. Still, I would ve loved to see even more depth to Levi outside of his relationship with Fitz.

This was the first YA novel I've read that has made me feel old - apparently Paramore is considered "retro" now? - but I also felt it went a little too heavy on the pop culture references for my taste. (Even as someone living through the social media age, SIX references to TikTok felt like overkill.)

Other than that, I greatly enjoyed Marisa Kanter's writing style. The dialogue (especially the banter!!) was delightful and natural. And boy, does she know how to set a scene! Even as someone who has never been the biggest NYC fan, I left this book feeling a little bit in love with the place.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for a YA romcom with some deeper themes.

Endless thanks to Netgalley and SimonTeen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review <3

#finally fitz #marisa karter #netgalley #netgalley review #book review #book reviews #book rec #book recommendation #bookblr #bookish #mine #booklr #reading on the train

[oracleofmadness]

This was wild! I really got sucked into this one from the beginning. The idea of the spores, the gruesome consequences of coming in contact with them. And, really, at the center of it all is the hulking Marigold. This place is evil, that's certain, and if you dare to read this twisted tale, be ready for multiple angles looking at evil.

I liked this. I thought it was twisted, which is something I love. I love getting into the heads of characters and seeing the world through such a twisted viewpoint. This book has a lot packed in it and hops around to different points of view.

Okay, how many times did I use the word twisted in this? Lol. But, that's just the perfect description!

Out April 18, 2023!

#book #bookish #books #bookworm #book review #currently reading #read #bookblogger #reading #fantasy #horror stories #horror novels #horror story #horror #The Marigold #Andrew F. Sullivan #netgalley review #netgalley

[the-worlds-between-pages]

Teen Titans: Robin by Kami Garcia art by Gabriel Picolo

Published by: DC Comics I absolutely squealed when I got the chance to review this one! I loved the Raven and Beast Boy one and to get to read about the Robins? Dick and Damien? Please! Suffice it to say this was just as fantastic as the other was. If not more so just because of the development the characters have had up to this point. While on the run from H.I.V.E, the kids have become very…

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#book review #Damien Wayne Al Ghul #dc comics #Dick Grayson #five stars #gabriel picolo #kami garcia #netgalley review #teen titans

[rivermoose-vlogs]

Book Review: Thornehedge

Pub Date 15 Aug 2023  From USA Today bestselling author T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge is the tale of a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways. There’s a princess trapped in a tower. This isn’t her story. Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of…

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#adult fiction #book blog #book blogging #book review #books #books and reading #netgalley #netgalley review #retelling #review

[zoe-carolina]

I would like to start off my review by stating that I received an E-Arc through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Artifacts of an Ex by Jennifer Chen is a cute, quirky romance based in L.A. The main female lead, Chloe, has been uprooted from New York City and finds herself in a completely new community full of vibrant characters, eye opening art, and amazing food ( yum! ).

I went into this book blind, the cover completely drew me in and I knew that I didn’t need to know anything else. The opening of the book is just as charming as the cover suggests, giving you a main character that’s easy to relate to and has a typically positive outlook on her situation. Until her ex breaks up with her THROUGH THE MAIL!!!!

Now the character is relatable in a completely different way, showing a bit more of their insecurity and how negative their thoughts can be even when they’re doing amazing things with the friends that they’re making along the way.

At first, when Daniel was introduced, I thought he was going to be one of those totally cringe film bros, but I was pleasantly surprised by their charismatic dialogue and caring attitude towards their friends. I related to Daniel a bit more than Chloe in terms of getting used before people get back together with their ex. I also liked how this slowed the pace a little bit more, making it a bit of a slow burn.

This is a cute, fluffy romance that will make you grit your teeth and swoon within the same chapter. Parts of this book are absolutely tragic, creating a depth to this novel that draws you in and makes you want to finish it as soon as possible so you can find out how everything works out between Chloe and Daniel! ( I literally could not sleep until I knew they were endgame )

I would 100% recommend this to friends and family with common interests. Thank you for the opportunity!

#artifactsofanex #jenniferchen #netgalley

#netgalleyreview

#artifacts of an ex #jennifer chen #romance books #netgalley #netgalley review

[thebookishmum]

3.5 stars

The Valkyrie by Kate Heartfield is a beautifully poetic retelling of the story of Brynhildr and Gudrun. The story reads as a conversation between two women in love as they discuss their lives before they meet again in the end. There are battles fought, lost and won. There are historical moments mentioned throughout and visceral descriptions of war and the battlefield. When we first meet the two narrators of the story, Brynhildr is an exiled Valkyrie, punished for not following Odin’s orders and Gudrun is a princess off to marry Atilla’s brother Bleda in an attempt to garner peace. ‘The Valkyrie’ is bathed in Norse mythology with Odin, Loki, Freyja and Hel appearing throughout.

There was a reflective tone to the story, as two people who are looking back at the end of it all. There were sweet moments but if the characters hadn’t been telling me in their narrative what their feelings for each other were I wouldn’t have thought for a second that they cared for each other at all.

Thank you so much to the Author, Harped Collins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. I can see that there was a lot of work and love put into the books creation.

#bookshelf #beautiful books #arc review #queer books #sapphic novel #sapphic literature #historical fantasy #fantasy books #fantasyreader #standalone fantasy #netgalley review #books and literature #books #netgalley #book tumblr #bookish #bookworm #booklr

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐

❝ You don't understand what it's like to have your identity so tied to someone else you forget who you are. I still don't really know who I am. I'm working on it, but I'm not there yet. ❞

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite atypical dessert? ❓ 🦇 When Chloe Brown rolls into the small town of Fantasie in her big, purple food truck, she doesn't expect to make such a strong first impression on everyone so soon. Unfortunately, her in-need-of-repair truck sputters to a stop in Lucas Donovan's parking spot, who isn't keen on the eyesore or its sassy owner. Though they drive one another crazy, that passion quickly sizzles into sexual tension. Is Chloe ready for a relationship when she still has the taste of a bad relationship on her tongue?

💜 Chloe's journey toward self-actualization and independence is what drives the book forward; not the ship. The strongest part of the writing is the backstory, which is the only bit of information we don't get immediately. Given Chloe's previous relationship, her motivations make sense. We get to watch her recognize what she wants in life, and eventually, who she wants it with. Even Lucas' backstory and familial responsibilities explain his demeanor. Their histories, while different, are exactly what makes these two so alike. The first page (and book synopsis you'll find online) is better written than any other page in the book, despite the food puns, though.

🦇 Unfortunately, this book was all spice without any real flavor. The entire relationship sizzles based on a physical spark. There's no tantalizing, sweet, slow tension when Lucas gets a hard-on every time he so much as looks at Chloe, or when Chloe's nipples peak at the thought of Lucas; it's just awkward. More awkward is the word choice; the dialogue seems unnatural and stilted, full of cliches and colloquialisms that feel randomly sprinkled into conversations. Every "baby," "undies," and "panties" thrown in makes it difficult to swallow the rest of the story. The main characters don't have a real, emotional conversation until after their first time; did they really know anything of value about one another before then? Chloe seems so headstrong in her convictions, only to change her mind pages later. Meanwhile Lucas seems analytical and responsible, only to melt like a puddle at Chloe's feet. It's not character development when nothing happens for the characters to earn those changes. The writing is also repetitive; not only does Chloe have a tendency to echo what people say to her, but we're TOLD so much information that there's no suspense, no surprise.

🦇 If you're looking for a quick read that's all sizzle without memorable flavor, this book is for you. It's a great, easy read between more intense novels. Unfortunately, it might leave a bad taste in your mouth if you're looking for impressive prose.

🌮 Enemies to lovers 🍫 Dual POV 🌻Grumpy vs sunshine (not really) ‎‍⚖️ Small town romance

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

#arc book review #book review #netgalley #netgalley arc #netgalley review #books #book: taco bout love #author: lily kate #battyaboutbooks #batty about books

[broetry]

Rebel Girls Rock- 25 tales of women in music

Book review

“Rebel Girls Rock- 25 Tales of Women in Music” is a beautifully curated collection of stories about a diverse group of women who have made a difference in the music scene.

While I’ve heard of some of the musicians mentioned, I got to learn about many that I never heard of. Like all of the Rebel Girls books, the art was colorful and beautiful, and I really enjoyed the many different styles of art that were used. I was very excited to read this and it definitely lived up to my expectations.

At the end of the book there is information encouraging young ones to write their own music, with different resources to help out, and I’m always a sucker for interactive books.

I’m excited for more future editions of this series. 5 stars.

#book #bookstagram #author #booklr #rebel girls #informal book review #book review #book reviews #netgalley #netgalley review

[liber---monstrorum]

A Review of Briardark by S.A. Harian.

SUMMARY

For Dr. Siena Dupont and her ambitious team, the Alpenglow glacier expedition is a career-defining opportunity. But thirty miles into the desolate Deadswitch Wilderness, they discover a missing hiker dangling from a tree, and their satellite phone fails to call out. Then the body vanishes without a trace. The disappearance isn’t the only chilling anomaly. Siena’s map no longer aligns with the trail. The glacier they were supposed to study has inexplicably melted. Strange foliage overruns the mountainside, and a tunnel within a tree hollow lures Siena to a hidden cabin, and a stranger with a sinister message… Holden Sharpe’s IT job offers little distraction from his wasted potential until he stumbles upon a decommissioned hard drive and an old audio file. Trapped on a mountain, Dr. Siena Dupont recounts an expedition in chaos and the bloody death of a colleague. Entranced by the mystery, Holden searches for answers to Siena’s fate. But he is unprepared for the truth that will draw him to the outskirts of Deadswitch Wilderness—a place teeming with unfathomable nightmares and impossibilities. (source)

Official content warnings: Gore, character death, terror, language, existential dread, mental illness, emotional abuse; more content warnings listed on Storygraph

REVIEW (disclaimer: I recieved a digital review copy of Briardark through Netgalley in exchange for a review.) Whatever I expected from Briardark, it wasn't this.

To tell the truth, I went in not knowing what to expect; the publishers introduce it as "perfect for fans of LOST and House of Leaves," two properties which I haven't yet touched (I know, I know, HoL is on my TBR this year). Based on my scant knowledge of these properties I assumed that meant people would be lost in a weird place.

In Briardark, people sure are lost in a weird place, but it gets so much wilder and bizarre than I could have ever dreamed of. Typically when a book is shilled as a horror thriller, it's just a horror book with a bit of thriller or a thriller book lumped into the horror category because it's a thriller. This, however, is a true horror thriller; the twists in this book are insane, and this is from someone who usually sees "twists" coming from a million miles away. Every single one not only ramps up the tension but also does something clever to tweak an aspect of reality we thought we could trust. Harian is also very patient when it comes to the reveal. Nothing's ever rushed, and the payoff for elements introduced or revealed can take chapters, if not hundreds of pages.

It's a quick read, too, despite its length (350+ pages, 10+ hour audiobook!). The pacing is excellent, knowing when to slow and take in the view and when to hurtle forward over the edge. Several times while reading, I would go to update my reading progress and realize that I'd only read five pages, but with all that had happened I'd expected 20+. In Briardark, stuff just keeps happening and doesn't stop.

THE PEOPLE While the blurb implies that there will only be two POVs, Briardark actually gives every character in Seina's team a POV. Siena and Holden are the main characters, yes, and most of the narrative is told from their perspective, but the narrative also isn't afraid to shift over to another character when necessary--usually when folks split up (or get split up). The reader isn't being shuffled around character's heads willy-nilly.

Normally I'm not a fan of multiple POVs; for me, more than two POV characters is pushing it. Briardark, however, does a really excellent job of handling multiple POVs. It establishes the characters firmly from Siena's POV first, allowing readers to become familiar with who they are before swapping. Also (and this important), every character is both unique and enjoyable.

Out of all the cast, Cam is my favorite. She's a well written lesbian character, something I always appreciate and rarely see. She's allowed to have a close, meaningful relationship with Siena, a straight woman, without ever being attracted to her. Siena never even considers the possibility. Cam's capable, respected in her field and her colleagues, and the trauma she has from her involvement with Briardark in the past is handled really well. I know these things can seem low bar to hurdle, but I'm starved for good lesbian rep, especially in horror/thriller books. I really hope to see more from her in the second book--her plotline was, to me, one of the ones I'm most invested in.

THE PLACE The establishment of place is beautifully done. The book is set in an absolutely awe-inspiring wilderness. Despite the fact I would definitely die immediately (and not even due to anything eldritch, just from the hiking), I'd love to visit.

One of the best pieces of advice I got from my writing classes was to treat place as another character. It's just as important as the human characters in a story, if not more so; the Deadswitch Wild, Briardark, even individual rooms all have their own character. This, of course, goes double for when the wild starts to get weird and eldritch (in more ways than one).

Honestly, I'm usually not one to be pro-map in books. I think they're fine, but I usually don't use them. I think that Briardark would benefit greatly from having a map included; maybe not necessarily in the beginning, but several maps are mentioned over the course of the book, and I was just dying for them to be included as an illustration or in the back. I read an advanced digital reader's copy through Netgalley, so they may be included in the final product. If not, I really hope the second book comes with a map or gets map illustrations. The textual description of them was well-done, of course, making them not strictly necessary, but they'd be cool.

That said, a lot of what is set up in this first book lore-wise recieves no payoff. It's the first book in a series (thank God), so having to wait for reveals is to be expected, but it's going to be hard to wait. Luckily, the second book, Waywarden, comes out in 2024. I can't wait to return to the Briardark in a year.

FINAL THOUGHTS I can't say if the comparison to LOST or House of Leaves is accurate. What I can say is that if you enjoyed titles like The Dark Between the Trees or short stories like "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains" and "A Psychological Shipwreck" you'll love Briardark even more. It's weird, tense, and has some fantastic characters I can't wait to read more about.

Briardark released 16 January 2023. If you're interested in the book, check out the official website (https://briardark.com/), request the book from your local library, or buy yourself a copy!

#briardark #sa harian #bookblr #book review #netgalley #netgalley review #liber monstrorum reviews #horror book #book rec #horror book rec #horror fiction #thriller fiction

[elliepassmore]

The Water Outlaws review

4/5 stars Recommended if you like: Wuxia fantasy, action adventure, renegade heroes, political intrigue Big thanks to Netgalley, Tordotcom, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! TW attempted sexual assault This book is interesting because the characters, by and large, don't turn out to be who you think they're going to be. I don't mean in a bait and switch kind of way or that the characters experience growth, but rather a realistic way. The characters themselves have their own self-conceptions about who they are and what they would do in certain circumstances, just like we form perceptions of the characters, and then over the course of the book, those self-perceptions are repeatedly and thoroughly challenged to get at the heart of who the character actually is. Lin Chong, for instance, has a very strict code of values and believes in both justice and the law, but as the synopsis says, she ends up as a criminal running from the empire. So how does what she's experienced and what she does next fit into her self-conception, if at all? I really enjoy how the characters answer these questions for themselves and it's interesting to see internal conflict dealt with in this manner. The story is told in multiple POV, so we get multiple angles of the things happening both in the capital and in Liangshan. While it might seem redundant to have two POVs for both locations, I actually think it adds to the story because then we can see the various schemes and layers that are going into each move on both sides. Lin Chong is definitely a character that grew on me. She's a straight arrow and believes the law, and empire, is just and that criminals are criminals for a reason. Unfortunately, she still struggles with the idea that the law can be wrong, that the government can be corrupt, even after she's branded a criminal. I'm not a fan of characters who think like that, especially when the corruption is right in front of them, but Lin Chong grew on me. She started to question her own line of thinking and began putting those martial arts skills to use for a good, albeit illegal, cause. Once she decides to be loyal, then she's loyal, and I liked seeing her friendships grow with the other women. Lu Junyi is a savvy intellectual who is a friend of Lin Chong's before she has to go on the run. Surprisingly, Lu Junyi remains an important character throughout the story. When the book opens, Lu Junyi is a socialite who hosts salons where intellectuals can gather and debate anything from science to poetry to politics, with Lu Junyi often taking an active and liberal role in these meetings. As the book goes on, however, she's faced with needing to put that knowledge to use in a dangerous endeavor. Like Lin Chong, she has to examine who she thinks she is and who she actually is. Lu Da is introduced as a friend of Lu Junyi's but ends up becoming sworn-sisters with Lin Chong. In contrast to the other two women, Lu Da is brasher and more impulsive, interested more getting things done than in thinking things over thenacting. She's an exceptionally loyal character and willing to fight to the end to protect those she cares about. Lu Da is also someone who isn't afraid of owning up to their mistakes. At times her narrative did make her feel younger than she actually is, like a child in an adult's body, which I wasn't a fan of. Wu Yong is another bandit with Liangshan and is the major strategist of the group. While we did get her POV, it was hard to fully grasp her plans and motivations since so much was left unsaid. I didn't really like her at first, but once we got a peek inside her head, I ended up liking Wu Yong a lot more. She has, as mentioned, a tactician's mind and I liked seeing how she schemed and came up with contingency upon contingency. Cai Jing is the grand chancellor for the empire and is really a mixed bag. He's definitely not a good person, but he's also not totally unlikable (which is kind of shocking). He fully believes that everything he's doing is for the good of the empire, which makes him a dangerous enemy to have. And like Wu Yong, he's good at planning for multiple contingencies. With him as one of the antagonists, I really did question whether the Liangshan Bandits could/would win. The last 20% or so is probably my favorite. There's a lot going on there but it's fast paced and interesting. I liked the battle in particular since we get to see a lot of different strategies brought out and it's really the only major showdown in the book, so I enjoyed being able to root for the bandits. I will say that I think this book could've been shorter. It was hard for me to get going and the action doesn't really pick up until ~40-50% of the way through. I would've liked to see some of the earlier parts compressed so that we can get to the main plot faster. The science bits were kind of hard for me to follow. There was a lot of technical work going on and some of the speakers weren't always coherent, so I had difficulty understanding what was happening. I know what the end goal of the experiments was, but I suppose I'm kind of confused still about what exactly the scientists were doing and how they were doing it. Overall this is a good book, particularly if you're looking for an action/adventure. Some parts of it dragged and I found some parts hard to follow, but the Liangshan Bandits definitely make up for it and I enjoyed reading their parts.

#book #book review #book blog #book quotes #books and reading #book recommendation #booklr #bookblr #bookish #bookaholic #book addict #fantasy #fantasy book #asian fantasy #the water outlaws #netgalley #netgalley review #netgalley read #wuxia fantasy

[liv-fatale]

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Abby Jimenez knows what she's doing.

This book is an emotional roller coaster and an AMAZING one at that. I haven't cried over a book like I did over this one in so long. I was seriously sobbing all throughout the epilogue, because Yours Truly not only broke me but it healed me all at once.

Briana Ortiz can't trust men. After her father left her and her family when she was young and her husband left her for her best friend, she has sworn off serious relationships for life. She doesn't have time for serious relationships anyway, not with her brother being in the hospital in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Meanwhile, Jacob Maddox is in the midst of a hard breakup: his ex-wife leaving him for his brother. When his brother announces his engagement, he has to prove that he is over his ex, and what better way to do that than with a girl who doesn't want any strings attached.

When I say I had no issues with this book, I mean it. It was perfect. The relationship between Briana and Jacob was beautifully crafted and it was wonderful to read about it. And might I just say, it was refreshing for the male MC to be the insecure one in the relationship for once. I absolutely adored every second of this novel and I would 100% recommend that EVERYONE give it a try.

Five stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#netgalley review #netgalley #book reviews #book review #review #reading #yours truly #abby jimenez #bookreview #book reviewer #arc #arc review

[oracleofmadness]

Holy cow. This was unexpected. I am shocked at the amount of emotion that this book pulled from me.

The main character, Kyr, is a stickler for the rules. In a bad way. The lack of outward emotion had me confounded and in extreme dislike of her. She was head of her mess in a military setting. Always arguing with her rival, Cleo, but remaining her unit's leader always.

She is fighting to avenge earth, a distant home planet that was destroyed by the Wisdom. When she finally gets her appointment to a particular long-term job... she is speechless. But, on learning of her brothers disappearance, this sets off a tide.. a tsunami... of events that change absolutely everything.

I had no idea how attached to this character I would become. No idea the depths of this story. This is a masterpiece and led me to thinking of all sorts of issues relatable. Great read!

Out April 11, 2023!

#book #bookish #books #bookworm #book review #currently reading #read #bookblogger #reading #fantasy #sci fi #scifibooks #scifi #sci fi books #scififantasy #science fiction #emily tesh #tor publishing #some desperate glory #netgalley review #netgalley

[the-worlds-between-pages]

Sign Of The Slayer by: Sharina Harris

Published by: Entangled Publishing Publication Date: August 29 2023 This book is advertised as Fullmetal Alchemist meets The Vampire Diaries ad that feels pretty accurate. It’s also what drew me into the story. That’s my favorite anime after all. Add in that the main character is Black and I was sold! The FMA influence is strong. And there were some things about the vampires that I really…

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#book review #fullmetal alchemist #netgalley review #Sharina Harris #sign of the slayer #vampires #ya fantasy #ya fiction

[fairrryprose]

faerie silver, iron cold // vic malachai

⭐⭐⭐⭐

read if you like: worldbuilding (Faerie🔮🪄), fae, character-driven stories (vibes✨)

a fairytale-like read about love and learning to love; fae, humans, and the ways in which they try to bridge their cultural divide; choice and empowerment.

in this book's world, fae and their land of Faerie are thought to be dangerous or beguilingly pretty and pleasant. everyone knows the fae can be tricky. everyone knows the fae-touched don't come back. but do they really know the fae?

little Ciar, whose perspective we follow throughout the book, is enchanted with the fae, as a young girl befriending the Unseelie child Mael. we follow as they grow together, as Ciar crosses over into Faerie day after day despite all warnings to the contrary. we see the blossoming seeds of love between Ciar and Mael, and we see how that impacts the rest of the fae. choice and empowerment also come into play throughout the rest of the book, as Ciar and her school friends, seeking to break free of the constraints of a society where women's worth lie solely in their purity and marriage prospects, end up being empowered to make their own choices. the worldbuilding of Faerie also takes center-stage here, as we explore it through Ciar's unafraid eyes, and explore the differences between fae and humans - an allegory, to me, for cross-cultural appreciation.

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Book Review - Milk & Mocha: Our Little Happiness Comics Collections

Official Synopsis: Cozy up with a warm cup of tea and follow the sweet scenes of Milk and Mocha, from the popular webcomic @milkmochabear. Milk and Mocha share their sweet slice-of-life moments in this new collection, including never-before-seen comics! Milk and Mocha are charming bears with opposite personalities. These uplifting comics remind us of the sweet moments we share with our friends,…

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