ginalucia's reviews
414 reviews

The House Witch by Delemhach

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.

Just not working for me right now.

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

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challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Spells for Forgetting is a slow, rambling cozy mystery, sprinkled with just a touch of fantasy. It's the kind of book you can curl up with on a rainy day.

This book is dripping with atmosphere - it's like you're transported to another world with every turn of the page. And despite the rich atmosphere, it's surprisingly easy to read.

The small-town vibes in this book remind me of A River Enchanted, but with a twist of small town politics woven in alongside the fantasy elements. The fantasy aspect is subtle, like an undercurrent waiting to surge to the surface.

Spells for Forgetting is a brilliant winding road of a book that's an absolute joy to read. If you're in the mood for a cozy mystery with a hint of fantasy, this one's for you.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

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Lilith by Nikki Marmery

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informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Lilith offers a unique take on biblical mythology, but it's not without its flaws. While the language and storytelling are fantastic, there are moments of disconnect that detract from the overall experience.

The language in this book flips between biblical and modern. There are moments when it really works, adding depth to the story, but there are also times when it throws you off a bit.

As for the character of Lilith, there was a disconnect between her divine-like nature and my ability to truly experience her story. It often feels like we're being told her story rather than fully immersing ourselves in it.

The latter half of the book does drag a bit, which is understandable given the vast expanse of Lilith's long life. There's a lot to cover, and it can feel a bit overwhelming.

In general, I loved the feel of this book. It gave me a taste for biblical mythology in the style of Greek retellings, which was fun. But the overall story structure and message didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

The Many Deaths of Laila Starr #1 by Ram V

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I didn't expect to feel so much in such a short burst of story, but I did.

The artwork is gorgeous, colourful, and expressive. The story itself is mythology woven with modern-day to create something relatable and otherworldly all at the same time.

A delicious combination, and I want more.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

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Horses of Fire by A.D. Rhine

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Is it possible to have so many retellings of The Battle of Troy and have them all be different?

Yes, okay? So keep them coming!

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Horses of Fire as much as I did. The battle and build-up to it are so vast and encompass so many characters, you could easily get lost in it.

But with this book, it simply isn’t possible because the main focus isn’t the battle. It’s the characters.

The three women Horses of Fire focuses on are each unique, complex, and distinctive. Not an easy feat when their stories are so interwoven.

I listened to the audiobook, which likely helped with their individual voices (literally). But regardless, I couldn’t help but love each one - even with their flaws.

This book contains one of my favourite forms of writing - character-focused world-building. You get a scope and feel for the location through the characters. They tell us how it feels to be there, they show us what they see and what to make of it - I love that.

This book doesn’t let up, you’re given very brief rests in between a lot of intensity, so bear that in mind. But honestly, I’m convinced. A.D. Rhine, sign me up for the next one!

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

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The Goddess of Nothing At All by Cat Rector

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I've been craving exactly this type of Norse Mythology retelling for such a long time, and now that I have it, I couldn't be more thrilled.

Instead of seeing the story of Ragnarok from a male god or character’s perspective. We get to see it unfold through the eyes of Sigyn. A character that Cat Rector has perfected into one that’s relatable, strong, and full of feminine rage.

If you love feminine rage in Greek Myth retellings and have been seeking that out in your Norse books - this is it guys!

The writing style is effortless, making it easy to get lost in the story. But what really stands out are the characters - they're front and center, driving the story forward, and everything else flows around them seamlessly. I had an absolute blast immersing myself in their world.

The Goddess of Nothing at all is absolutely fantastic. I loved every moment of this long and winding journey, and what's even better, there’s queer rep throughout.

If you're a fan of Norse Mythology, but want a different perspective, or you’re a fan of myth retellings that focus on women, this book is a must-read.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

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Furies: Stories of the Wicked, Wild and Untamed by Margaret Atwood

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challenging hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

The stories within Furies are a mixed bag, as they often are with collections. So take my thoughts here with a pinch of salt. Some were really enjoyable, leaving me wanting more, while others fell a bit flat.

What I did appreciate, though, was the diversity of women and stories within the collection. Each one offers a new experience, which is rewarding in its own right. I enjoyed that

However, this variety in styles, genres, and tone does leave the collection feeling a bit disjointed. I’m not sure if that really matters, but it made the flow from one story to the other a little difficult.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.75

If you’re looking for an introduction to African mythology that’s beautifully-written and emotional, this is it.

First off, I have to say that I absolutely love the portrayal of the orisha in this book. They're depicted as divine and otherworldly, yet still maintain a sense of humanity - a perfect balance that keeps you on your toes and adds layers of depth to the story.

I adored the inclusion of additional African mythology throughout the narrative. It's beautifully written and incredibly immersive, adding richness and authenticity to the world the author has created.

The writing itself is intense, emotional, and undeniably beautiful. It draws you in from the very first page and doesn't let go until the very end.

And don't even get me started on the author's note - it's a gem worth reading. Not only does it provide valuable context and insight, but it also showcases the inspiration behind the story and solidifies the mythology within the book.

Can’t wait to read the next one.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

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The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

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adventurous emotional 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

The Gilded Ones is a fantastic read that excels in both world-building and character development. If you're in the mood for a thrilling fantasy adventure with a strong protagonist and a richly crafted magical world, look no further.

I have to commend the exceptional world-building and magic system in this book. It's truly remarkable how the author gradually builds and reveals the intricacies of the world and its magic alongside the main character - it's perfection.

I thoroughly enjoyed the protagonist's journey and character development. It's a gradual and complex process, which only serves to make her more relatable and engaging. As she navigates through challenges and discoveries, we're right there with her, rooting for her every step of the way.

I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to get stuck into the next book in the series.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

Wrath Goddess Sing by Maya Deane

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.

*Marking as DNF*

Let me start by saying that I wanted to love this. A trans retelling of the Illiad, yes, please! Give it to me. I just didn't quite expect what I was given.

The writing is good, but it's not the most accessible if you don't know a lot about ancient Greece. The sheer number of names and places in the first few chapters is quite something, and they're all piled together in sentences you have to read multiple times to understand.

It puts a barrier in place using different translations of place and people names. In other words, it requires work to consume. I don’t really have a problem with this because you get used to it, but worth noting if you’re completely new to Ancient Greece or Greek Mythology in general.

It’s a strange take on Achilles' parentage, considering Athena was one of the virgin goddesses. The gods and their roles are completely switched up, which threw me off quite a bit.

But the real reason I decided to DNF this was how it handled slavery. I get that it happened, and I get that it can be included in the story. What I don’t like is how it was handled. There’s a right way to handle it, and this wasn’t it.

I’d also like to mention that the book could do with coming with a huge trigger warning. For trans people, it’s not gentle and doesn’t shy away. I cannot speak for what that’s like, but just be warned.

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ginalucia's reviews 414 reviews

ginalucia's reviews
414 reviews