egkaetzel's reviews
173 reviews
Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The premise of Gaze Upon Wicked Gods is very strong, and I love the idea of epic fantasy within Chinese culture. The main character has the power to bring death, and is faced with the moral dilemma of how to use that power amidst a colonial takeover of her home in China. Unfortunately this book just did not come together for me. The writing style is very choppy, overly flowery in some places and underdeveloped in others. It also struggled with pacing, the plot doesn’t really begin moving until 1/3 of the way in. I also agree with other reviewers that a romance with a morally gray colonizer did not sit well, and overall I felt myself taken out of the story than I was able to sit in it. Ultimately I would have liked to see more fantasy elements and tie ins with Chinese culture, as well as more development/world building of her magic. For fans of morally gray characters and strong female protagonist I think there is interesting elements, I just wish the whole thing had felt more cohesive. Thank you to Random House Ballantine for the ARC and the opportunity for an honest review.
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I feel like this book was written specifically for me, though I can see why some people wouldn’t love it. For fans of Alix Harrows books, her writing style is very different in this novella, it is a modern perspective and has an academic snark to it (that I love). I’m also a folklorist, as is Harrow, and this book felt at times for fellow folklore “know it alls” which I LOVED. Definitely best to read in all one go to fully immerse. Loved it.
The Gilded Crown by Marianne Gordon
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I read this book as an ARC - thank you to Harper Voyager.
Review summary: Overall, there are many things to enjoy about this book, but I do think it sometimes struggles with adjusting character motivations for the sake of the plot which can be frustrating. The book follows a girl who can raise the dead when she is thrust into court politics and a growing tension between a new monotheistic religion and the old pagan tradition. Ultimately I think lovers of YA and new adult dark fantasy will really enjoy this, but for me I would have ditched one of the subplots to dive deeper into her magic and her relationships.
Review summary: Overall, there are many things to enjoy about this book, but I do think it sometimes struggles with adjusting character motivations for the sake of the plot which can be frustrating. The book follows a girl who can raise the dead when she is thrust into court politics and a growing tension between a new monotheistic religion and the old pagan tradition. Ultimately I think lovers of YA and new adult dark fantasy will really enjoy this, but for me I would have ditched one of the subplots to dive deeper into her magic and her relationships.
More details: The writing style is very good, the author I very capable and handles well the tricky balance in fantasy between world building, characters, and plot. However it feels that in trying to navigate threads of the characters relationship with death, her relationship with Sullivan, the conflict with the church, and a plot to overthrow the crown, I felt like there were some crucial underdeveloped pieces. I would agree with other reviewers that is does feel more YA or “new adult” as those books, like this one, tend to gloss over very troubling relationships such as those between Hellevir and Sullivan. It was just very very hard to believe in Hellevir’s love to someone who felt truly so evil.
I also wish that there had been more time spent developing Hellevir relationship with her magical and healing abilities outside of raising the dead. Ultimately I think lovers of YA and new adult dark fantasy will really enjoy this, but for me I would have ditched one of the subplots to dive deeper into her magic and her relationships. Also she should have talked to more animals because that is a COOL power she really never used.
I also wish that there had been more time spent developing Hellevir relationship with her magical and healing abilities outside of raising the dead. Ultimately I think lovers of YA and new adult dark fantasy will really enjoy this, but for me I would have ditched one of the subplots to dive deeper into her magic and her relationships. Also she should have talked to more animals because that is a COOL power she really never used.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I read this book as an ARC- thanks to Random House for providing the opportunity.
I loved the first of Emily Wildes adventures, and I was pleased to love the sequel just as much. The author launches you straight into the adventure, and although I would have liked Emily to have dealt with what was surely outstanding trauma from her fae experience from the last book, the benefit to readers is that this book has the ability in many ways to standalone. Emily and Wendell are off to find the door to his realm, along with a few new characters and new types of fairie. Emily has clearly been softened some by the events of the 1st book and I liked seeing that although she is still very much awkward and pedantic, her feelings towards others has become a bit warmer. If you liked the 1st book you will be sure to enjoy this follow up and I’m already looking forward to the next stage of the groups adventure.
The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County: A Novel by Claire Swinarski
medium-paced
3.5
I read this as ARC from Avon Harper.
It’s hard to really say what this book is about. I thought it would be a light hearted read, but it is not and anyone reading should look carefully at the trigger warnings. Namely it focuses heavily on characters dealing with PTSD gun violence. It isn’t dark though, it also centers the stories of different generations of women and the power of community. And the power of cooking! I think it’s a portrait of life in small towns all over the country where the church ladies believe everything can be cured by a good casserole.
It’s hard to really say what this book is about. I thought it would be a light hearted read, but it is not and anyone reading should look carefully at the trigger warnings. Namely it focuses heavily on characters dealing with PTSD gun violence. It isn’t dark though, it also centers the stories of different generations of women and the power of community. And the power of cooking! I think it’s a portrait of life in small towns all over the country where the church ladies believe everything can be cured by a good casserole.
I feel like there are several places it could have gone that it just didn’t and that left the book feeling a bit uneven. I would have liked more focus and detail on the cookbook rather than Coopers story. Overall though the character all felt very real and familiar and that kept me reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
The Getaway List by Emma Lord
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I got to read this as an ARC - thanks to St Martins Press!
The Getaway List is a love letter to being 18, New York, summer, and finding yourself in a way that is gentle and warm where it could be harsh and jaded. There are multiple cute friends to lovers stories within the book, and I love that the kids really felt like they were 18 freshly in the city. Gorging themselves on sour patch kids and going to concerts but drinking milkshakes, that type of explore that happens when you’re freshly on your own but still very much a teenager. It’s a book I would have enjoyed as a teen and really had fun with now. It covers figuring love, relationships with parents, and loneliness while letting the reader off the hook when things could get too heavy. A great summer reader.
The Getaway List is a love letter to being 18, New York, summer, and finding yourself in a way that is gentle and warm where it could be harsh and jaded. There are multiple cute friends to lovers stories within the book, and I love that the kids really felt like they were 18 freshly in the city. Gorging themselves on sour patch kids and going to concerts but drinking milkshakes, that type of explore that happens when you’re freshly on your own but still very much a teenager. It’s a book I would have enjoyed as a teen and really had fun with now. It covers figuring love, relationships with parents, and loneliness while letting the reader off the hook when things could get too heavy. A great summer reader.