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ancientbookseller's reviews
83 reviews
Mimosa by Archie Bongiovanni
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A beautifully queer graphic novel depicting the ebbs and flows of adult relationships.
Not really for me this one, but I can appreciate its message and for the right reader, this would be an excellent graphic novel to read.
Not really for me this one, but I can appreciate its message and for the right reader, this would be an excellent graphic novel to read.
Alone with You in the Ether by Olivie Blake
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Ok this was a struggle.
I can never deny that Olivie Blake's prose is beautiful. Her writing is smooth and aesthetically pleasing.
My problem with this book is that it takes a great deal of time to say very little. I can and do appreciate that this was a creation stemming from the author's own experiences, but it just didn't really hit for me.
Maybe it's just me? Maybe I'll read this later in life and it will work. At the moment, however, it was not a fun read.
I can never deny that Olivie Blake's prose is beautiful. Her writing is smooth and aesthetically pleasing.
My problem with this book is that it takes a great deal of time to say very little. I can and do appreciate that this was a creation stemming from the author's own experiences, but it just didn't really hit for me.
Maybe it's just me? Maybe I'll read this later in life and it will work. At the moment, however, it was not a fun read.
Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Fake Dates and Mooncakes is a gloriously self-indulgent meet-cute, combing imagery from Crazy Rich Asians and popular romance tropes (such as miscommunication) to create an easy read that's perfect for fans of the romance genre.
I highly recommend this to anyone after a fun, light-hearted read, or anyone in a bit of a reading slump. It's such a sweet, quick book, with little surprises but plenty in the way of food descriptions that will make you incredibly hungry, that I am looking forward to what the author writes next.
I would say however that the description likening it to Heartstopper feels not-quite correct: its true our main character is in high school (as is his love interest) but it does not centre around school life, coming-of-age, or some of the darker concepts presented in Oseman's later graphic novels, but instead focuses on characters who know who they are. This is to this book's credit, but besides a m/m main pairing, its parallels are minimal.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for this eARC in return for an honest review.
I highly recommend this to anyone after a fun, light-hearted read, or anyone in a bit of a reading slump. It's such a sweet, quick book, with little surprises but plenty in the way of food descriptions that will make you incredibly hungry, that I am looking forward to what the author writes next.
I would say however that the description likening it to Heartstopper feels not-quite correct: its true our main character is in high school (as is his love interest) but it does not centre around school life, coming-of-age, or some of the darker concepts presented in Oseman's later graphic novels, but instead focuses on characters who know who they are. This is to this book's credit, but besides a m/m main pairing, its parallels are minimal.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for this eARC in return for an honest review.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Epic of Helinthia by M.J. Pankey
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Combining Greek mythology with a varied cast of characters, M. J. Pankey brings a fresh take on the mythological-retelling genre, creating a fictional tale worthy of its epic namesake.
Epic of Helinthia presents a multitude of characters whose motivations vary widely - some, shy and humble, others, boastful or infuriating - but all benefit from an expertly crafted world wherein humans are, once more, at the whim of the gods. It is truly the characters that make this book what it is, and it is a credit to the author that they invoke such strong, and varied, emotional responses.
I say this because there is one character who just won't die and, whilst they're quite critical to the plot, their continued existence pains me (you know exactly who I mean if you've read it). But, again, this is to Pankey's credit, because I love to loathe this character.
Not only that, but the plot itself is excellent; slightly twisty in places, with the backdrop of ancient Greek life, it seems to line up the plotlines nicely for what is to come - I am excited to read on!
My profound thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing an electronic advanced reading copy in return for my honest feedback. I will be aggressively plugging this on my socials at the time of publication!
Epic of Helinthia presents a multitude of characters whose motivations vary widely - some, shy and humble, others, boastful or infuriating - but all benefit from an expertly crafted world wherein humans are, once more, at the whim of the gods. It is truly the characters that make this book what it is, and it is a credit to the author that they invoke such strong, and varied, emotional responses.
I say this because there is one character who just won't die and, whilst they're quite critical to the plot, their continued existence pains me (you know exactly who I mean if you've read it). But, again, this is to Pankey's credit, because I love to loathe this character.
Not only that, but the plot itself is excellent; slightly twisty in places, with the backdrop of ancient Greek life, it seems to line up the plotlines nicely for what is to come - I am excited to read on!
My profound thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing an electronic advanced reading copy in return for my honest feedback. I will be aggressively plugging this on my socials at the time of publication!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence
Dragonfall by L.R. Lam
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Dragonfall by L.R. Lam is a stunning example of how inclusivity can elevate the fantasy genre for the better; the gender non-conforming thief by the name of Arcady is fun, rebellious, and develops rather a begrudging like of Everen, our (incredibly hot?) dragon protagonist. With a compelling plot and excellent world-building, this first entry of the Dragon Scales Trilogy sets the tone for its successors.
I would rate this 4.5 stars, just shy of 5 for its magic system which, whilst fully fleshed out, seems restricted by Arcady's knowledge - my hope is to see it fully explored in the next book in the series.
Oh, and the third POV is from the perspective of a warrior-nun-esque figure - what more could you want?
My thanks to the author, Hachette Publishing, and to NetGalley for providing an electronic arc in return for honest feedback.
I would rate this 4.5 stars, just shy of 5 for its magic system which, whilst fully fleshed out, seems restricted by Arcady's knowledge - my hope is to see it fully explored in the next book in the series.
Oh, and the third POV is from the perspective of a warrior-nun-esque figure - what more could you want?
My thanks to the author, Hachette Publishing, and to NetGalley for providing an electronic arc in return for honest feedback.
Killing Jericho by William Hussey
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Boasting a loveable cast, a very human protagonist, and a resplendent catalogue of murders all linked by a haunting folktale, this is an excellent first tale in the saga of DCI Jericho - a gay ex-cop dragged into a mystery that may effect not only his future, but his family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Ancient Sorceries Deluxe Edition by Algernon Blackwood
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A delightful collection of short stories perfectly poised to instil disquiet in one's soul.
Blackwood doesn't much like cats though.
Blackwood doesn't much like cats though.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
the dog dies
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Gratuitous use of coincidence and our protagonist's inability to see that committing crimes to solve a crime isn't exactly the best route irritated me, but in respect for the intended age group of reader, 3 stars
Content Warnings
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Mixed; great premise undermined by pacing issues.