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kathleenabby's reviews
389 reviews
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
4.0
Betty by Tiffany McDaniel
5.0
I don't think I have the words to give this book the Justice it deserves. This was devastating but also so beautiful.
📖 Born in a bathtub in 1954 to a Cherokee father and white mother, Betty is the sixth of eight siblings. A haunting coming of age tale, Betty charts the path of a young woman who, growing up amidst racism and poverty, discovers the power of storytelling.
✨ Review ✨
This a story inspired by the authors mother. It's a powerful and poignant coming-of-age story of resilience, hope, and the unbreakable human spirit. Shaped around the Native American experience and confronted with the harsh realities of racism and family violence Betty discovers the power of finding your own voice.
If you need to I would check trigger warnings because this was devastating but I will say I think everything is treated with care and respect. And although this family goes through so much trauma and hardship there is also so much love in this story.
The relationship between Betty and her Father in particular was beautiful. Her father is a Cherokee storyteller who passes on his gift to Betty. He is loving, humble and his stories on the world around him are beautiful and inspiring.
As someone who was raised by a single dad who was my best friend this hit him in the feelings hard.
This family faces so much and every time Landon is there to comfort and guide his family to stand back up.
I don't know what else to say. This story was poignant, powerful, emotional and impactful. Haunting and yet beautiful. It's not a book I'll forget.
📖 Born in a bathtub in 1954 to a Cherokee father and white mother, Betty is the sixth of eight siblings. A haunting coming of age tale, Betty charts the path of a young woman who, growing up amidst racism and poverty, discovers the power of storytelling.
✨ Review ✨
This a story inspired by the authors mother. It's a powerful and poignant coming-of-age story of resilience, hope, and the unbreakable human spirit. Shaped around the Native American experience and confronted with the harsh realities of racism and family violence Betty discovers the power of finding your own voice.
If you need to I would check trigger warnings because this was devastating but I will say I think everything is treated with care and respect. And although this family goes through so much trauma and hardship there is also so much love in this story.
The relationship between Betty and her Father in particular was beautiful. Her father is a Cherokee storyteller who passes on his gift to Betty. He is loving, humble and his stories on the world around him are beautiful and inspiring.
As someone who was raised by a single dad who was my best friend this hit him in the feelings hard.
This family faces so much and every time Landon is there to comfort and guide his family to stand back up.
I don't know what else to say. This story was poignant, powerful, emotional and impactful. Haunting and yet beautiful. It's not a book I'll forget.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
2.5
I was convinced I was going to love this one and it was just alright I guess. I definitely don't understand the hype for this one.
📖 This follows Eva and Shane as teenagers they spent one drug filled week together and were apparently in love. 15 years ago by before they see each other again and sparks fly.
✨ Review ✨
Firstly what I did love about this was that our FMC has a chronic migraine condition. To see representation for an invisible illness was fantastic. I thought it was really well done.
However that is the only thing I liked.
For a start I didn't believe this romance at all. It did nothing for me. The characters are extremely flat and card board cutouts. There voices and internal monologues felt very interchangeable.
I also don't believe they loved eachother in anyway. What they did was form a trauma bond and this book just lacked the depth and complexity necessary to carry the story.
It was like reading a shopping list of traumatic things happening and at no point did it pause to explore any of it.
I just don't see what everyone else is seeing is this book.
📖 This follows Eva and Shane as teenagers they spent one drug filled week together and were apparently in love. 15 years ago by before they see each other again and sparks fly.
✨ Review ✨
Firstly what I did love about this was that our FMC has a chronic migraine condition. To see representation for an invisible illness was fantastic. I thought it was really well done.
However that is the only thing I liked.
For a start I didn't believe this romance at all. It did nothing for me. The characters are extremely flat and card board cutouts. There voices and internal monologues felt very interchangeable.
I also don't believe they loved eachother in anyway. What they did was form a trauma bond and this book just lacked the depth and complexity necessary to carry the story.
It was like reading a shopping list of traumatic things happening and at no point did it pause to explore any of it.
I just don't see what everyone else is seeing is this book.
For She is Wrath by Emily Varga
3.75
I had a lot of fun with this one.
For She Is Wrath is a Pakistani romantic fantasy reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, its a tale of dark magic, daring escapes, and the complicated dance of revenge and love.
📖 The story follows Dania, who, after a deep betrayal by the boy she once loved and a false imprisonment for a crime she didn't commit, sets out to exact her revenge. But how much of herself is she willing to lose in the name of revenge.
✨ Review ✨
I don't think this is a perfect book but is one an incredibly fun one and I absolutely flew through it. Now Ive never read the count of Monte Cristo so I can't compare but judging on page count along suggests that these two books are very different.
Dania was a fun strong character and I was rooting for her all the way. I do however think the characters around her were lacking. Noor for example who was basically Dania sidekick was just a vehicle to info dump at us. I would have liked to see depth to the surrounding cast.
I really liked the world and the culture elements that were woven throughout. I think the magic system was solid and fun. I would have liked some history to the lore of this world and to gain a deeper understanding of things but it was still fun.
This was a fast-paced easy read and despite its flaws I had a really good time with it. Is it a new favourite? No. Would I recommend? yes.
For She Is Wrath is a Pakistani romantic fantasy reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, its a tale of dark magic, daring escapes, and the complicated dance of revenge and love.
📖 The story follows Dania, who, after a deep betrayal by the boy she once loved and a false imprisonment for a crime she didn't commit, sets out to exact her revenge. But how much of herself is she willing to lose in the name of revenge.
✨ Review ✨
I don't think this is a perfect book but is one an incredibly fun one and I absolutely flew through it. Now Ive never read the count of Monte Cristo so I can't compare but judging on page count along suggests that these two books are very different.
Dania was a fun strong character and I was rooting for her all the way. I do however think the characters around her were lacking. Noor for example who was basically Dania sidekick was just a vehicle to info dump at us. I would have liked to see depth to the surrounding cast.
I really liked the world and the culture elements that were woven throughout. I think the magic system was solid and fun. I would have liked some history to the lore of this world and to gain a deeper understanding of things but it was still fun.
This was a fast-paced easy read and despite its flaws I had a really good time with it. Is it a new favourite? No. Would I recommend? yes.