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savage_book_review's reviews
225 reviews
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The voices of Achilles, Patroclus, Agamemnon, Odysseyus, Ajax and all of the other heroes (or villains depending on your allegiances) of the Trojan War have echoed down the millenia into myth and legend. But what about those silent women, orphaned and widowed by a war they had no part in starting and forced into serving the men who took the lives of their loved ones? Briseis' name is well known, but her story? Well, for once, let the tale not be told by the victor, but the victim.
One day I'll find a Greek myth retelling I don't like. But today is not that day. This is beautifully written; lyrical, heartfelt, epic prose that runs over with emotion and buries its way into your consciousness. It's not poetry, but it is definitely poetic and so feels like it has almost perfect tone to complement the source material. There is something about the best authors writing these retellings (Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint to name but two); they all have their own style, but they all embody this same tone in their work. So as soon as I 'felt' it, I knew I was in for a good read!
The only caveat to this praise is that there are moments where speech sounds almost too modern. I understand that it's meant to be soldiers talking in their own rough and ready way, but there was something about certain turns of phrase that jolted me out of the serene state the rest of the writing put me in. I'm all for a good round of turning the air blue, but even the cursing felt out of place in certain moments. It all still works and doesn't ruin the story or the flow, but I think the rest of the story feels so authentic the modern parlance sticks out like a sore thumb.
Each character is wonderfully rendered; Briseis herself comes across as a strong, capable woman, utterly defeated by circumstances, resigned to her fate and yet still with an independent streak that means while she might bend, she won't break. Her interactions with Achilles manage to find that sweet spot, where he is neither slave master that sees her as nothing but chattel, nor the dashing romantic hero that she can't help but fall in love with. It's a fabulous rendering of their relationship. Patroclus does come across a little more as the sweet, shy boy who befriends the slaves rather than beats them, but it's a great contrast to the rest of the Greek warriors. While the nature of Achilles and Patroclus' relationship is never explicitly stated, the small illustrations of their love for one another, whether platonic or romantic, are just gorgeous. Once again, I found myself hoping that the author might just flip the myth on its head... and this in a book that's not meant to be as sympathetic to them!
The book also conveys the harsh realities of 10 years living in a war camp and the bloodiness of battle, without being overly graphic or sensationalist. It's atmospheric and not pleasant at times, but it's never difficult to read.
There is a dual POV set up, alternating chapters between Briseis in the first person, and Achilles in the third. Switching between first and third person is one of the writing devices I struggle with, and yet it STILL manages to flow and keep me engaged.
This book deserves its accolades and is one I would definitely recommend. Book two is on order at the library, so I'll look forward to continuing this series soon!
One day I'll find a Greek myth retelling I don't like. But today is not that day. This is beautifully written; lyrical, heartfelt, epic prose that runs over with emotion and buries its way into your consciousness. It's not poetry, but it is definitely poetic and so feels like it has almost perfect tone to complement the source material. There is something about the best authors writing these retellings (Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint to name but two); they all have their own style, but they all embody this same tone in their work. So as soon as I 'felt' it, I knew I was in for a good read!
The only caveat to this praise is that there are moments where speech sounds almost too modern. I understand that it's meant to be soldiers talking in their own rough and ready way, but there was something about certain turns of phrase that jolted me out of the serene state the rest of the writing put me in. I'm all for a good round of turning the air blue, but even the cursing felt out of place in certain moments. It all still works and doesn't ruin the story or the flow, but I think the rest of the story feels so authentic the modern parlance sticks out like a sore thumb.
Each character is wonderfully rendered; Briseis herself comes across as a strong, capable woman, utterly defeated by circumstances, resigned to her fate and yet still with an independent streak that means while she might bend, she won't break. Her interactions with Achilles manage to find that sweet spot, where he is neither slave master that sees her as nothing but chattel, nor the dashing romantic hero that she can't help but fall in love with. It's a fabulous rendering of their relationship. Patroclus does come across a little more as the sweet, shy boy who befriends the slaves rather than beats them, but it's a great contrast to the rest of the Greek warriors. While the nature of Achilles and Patroclus' relationship is never explicitly stated, the small illustrations of their love for one another, whether platonic or romantic, are just gorgeous. Once again, I found myself hoping that the author might just flip the myth on its head... and this in a book that's not meant to be as sympathetic to them!
The book also conveys the harsh realities of 10 years living in a war camp and the bloodiness of battle, without being overly graphic or sensationalist. It's atmospheric and not pleasant at times, but it's never difficult to read.
There is a dual POV set up, alternating chapters between Briseis in the first person, and Achilles in the third. Switching between first and third person is one of the writing devices I struggle with, and yet it STILL manages to flow and keep me engaged.
This book deserves its accolades and is one I would definitely recommend. Book two is on order at the library, so I'll look forward to continuing this series soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Excrement, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Classism
Be Still My Heart by Emily McIntire, Sav R. Miller
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Lincoln Porter is just trying to keep his late father's floundering lobster business afloat and keep himself to himself. Which is made all the harder when a body is caught up in his traps. A police investigation ensues, with Lincoln as an obvious suspect. But no matter how much he wants to stay away, something draws him to the lead detective on the case and, once he looks into her eyes, his past, present and future collide..
This is the first of Emily McIntire's books I've read outside the 'Never After series, so I wasn't completely sure what to expect going in. I have conflicting views which I can't really explain... I LOVE her storytelling, and I really enjoy reading her books - I get all the vibes and the feels from the characters and the plots are generally great. In fact, I'd say she's one of my favourite authors. But at the same time I'm never completely sold on her actual writing. It's like I totally get what she's trying to do and my brain compensates for the fact that I don't necessarily get everything I need from just the words on the page. Does that make any sense at all? I don't know. But this book falls squarely into that description.
The imagery it evokes really feels like the set up for one of those Scandinavian crime dramas - small community, abandoned (sort of) lighthouse, outsider cop come to investigate grizzly unalivings, loner main character who might or might not be a bad guy, and a mystery within a mystery. It's so atmospheric! I could really easily picture the setting and the various scenes in my head, and the reader's mood is absolutely shifted accordingly.
Lincoln and Sloane, our main characters, have sparks flying from the moment they meet. I don't think their chemistry is entirely consistent throughout, but when it's on, it's ON. It's immediately obvious where things are going to lead between them (for the most part), so you're just happy to be along for the ride. The romantic element is the glue that holds the story together, but at the same time there is enough of an intrigue about these characters and the crimes being committed that it's fot the potential for wider appeal. And of course there are a few spicy moments to saitaiate your (and the characters') need to break the tension. Individually, I think Lincoln is a fine broody male, and he's the one I'd like to see more of - his history is interesting and I'd love to read a prequel! Sloane I didn't find as alluring, but as the book progresses you can't help but be drawn into her story.
I wasn't as enamoured by the supporting cast; there's quite a lot of stock characters. They have been given personalities and do play their roles well enough, but they don't quite add enough to the world we're in to make it fully real.
Returning to the plot, I did enjoy the layering of the current case over the old mystery that still haunts Lincoln, but it is clear where the authors' hearts and specialties lie. The criminal element does run like a thread throughout everything, but equally there are moments where it feels like the writers forgot about their instigating event and suddenly jerk back to attention by throwing in a new body. The 'old' case is far more interesting than the new in my opinion, and I did enjoy how that slowly unravelled.
Overall, I did like this book, but it does reinforce that contemporary dark(ish) romance isn't really my genre (I like my fictional men with wings, or shadows, or magic, or all three). For those who do like it though, I'm certain that this would be a great book for you!
This is the first of Emily McIntire's books I've read outside the 'Never After series, so I wasn't completely sure what to expect going in. I have conflicting views which I can't really explain... I LOVE her storytelling, and I really enjoy reading her books - I get all the vibes and the feels from the characters and the plots are generally great. In fact, I'd say she's one of my favourite authors. But at the same time I'm never completely sold on her actual writing. It's like I totally get what she's trying to do and my brain compensates for the fact that I don't necessarily get everything I need from just the words on the page. Does that make any sense at all? I don't know. But this book falls squarely into that description.
The imagery it evokes really feels like the set up for one of those Scandinavian crime dramas - small community, abandoned (sort of) lighthouse, outsider cop come to investigate grizzly unalivings, loner main character who might or might not be a bad guy, and a mystery within a mystery. It's so atmospheric! I could really easily picture the setting and the various scenes in my head, and the reader's mood is absolutely shifted accordingly.
Lincoln and Sloane, our main characters, have sparks flying from the moment they meet. I don't think their chemistry is entirely consistent throughout, but when it's on, it's ON. It's immediately obvious where things are going to lead between them (for the most part), so you're just happy to be along for the ride. The romantic element is the glue that holds the story together, but at the same time there is enough of an intrigue about these characters and the crimes being committed that it's fot the potential for wider appeal. And of course there are a few spicy moments to saitaiate your (and the characters') need to break the tension. Individually, I think Lincoln is a fine broody male, and he's the one I'd like to see more of - his history is interesting and I'd love to read a prequel! Sloane I didn't find as alluring, but as the book progresses you can't help but be drawn into her story.
I wasn't as enamoured by the supporting cast; there's quite a lot of stock characters. They have been given personalities and do play their roles well enough, but they don't quite add enough to the world we're in to make it fully real.
Returning to the plot, I did enjoy the layering of the current case over the old mystery that still haunts Lincoln, but it is clear where the authors' hearts and specialties lie. The criminal element does run like a thread throughout everything, but equally there are moments where it feels like the writers forgot about their instigating event and suddenly jerk back to attention by throwing in a new body. The 'old' case is far more interesting than the new in my opinion, and I did enjoy how that slowly unravelled.
Overall, I did like this book, but it does reinforce that contemporary dark(ish) romance isn't really my genre (I like my fictional men with wings, or shadows, or magic, or all three). For those who do like it though, I'm certain that this would be a great book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Vomit, Car accident, Alcohol, and War
Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Villain has been captured by the Valiant Guard and awaits his unmasking. But his assistant has other ideas. She's about to score a big promotion... and her own Wanted poster.
I've been looking forward to reading this since the moment I finished 'Assistant to the Villain' earlier in the year, and I was not disappointed. The writing has the same comedic joy pouring from every page, while at the same time managing to be heartfelt, action-packed, faintly ridiculous and with a frustratingly good slow burn. There are moments where it does feel like the author's attention has wandered slightly, or where the flow of the writing is a bit lost, but generally it's a fun, lighthearted read that leaves you desperate for the concluding instalment!
The relationship between Evie and The Villain is brilliant pitched; their relentless banter and flirting makes you giggle like a schoolgirl, and the UST makes you want to bang their heads together (or take a leaf out of Lyssa's book and lock them in a cupboard for a few hours)... Equally, the character development of each individual is fab too. We haven't had the full 'Sandra Dee to smoking, leather trouser wearing Sandy' transformation yet, but there are flashes of attitude from Evie that really make you think it's on its way. And I cannot wait to see The Villain's jaw hit the floor when it does.
I will say that I was a little disappointed by the secondary characters in this one. The majority carry over from 'Assistant' so it's not like they are unfamiliar, but to me they felt like they were just there to populate the world in this one, rather than with any truly meaningful role in mind. It really is all about the Villain and his apprentice. Likewise, some elements of the plot aren't quite as developed as they could be, as they seem to have been designed almost exclusively to get Evie and The Villain in close proximity, rather than dealing with the overarching plot of the series.
I'd recommend rereading 'Assistant' before you pikc this one up. I only read it a few months ago, but enough of the detail had slipped my mind to leave gaps where some context might be useful.
And now another year's wait commences... *sighs*
I've been looking forward to reading this since the moment I finished 'Assistant to the Villain' earlier in the year, and I was not disappointed. The writing has the same comedic joy pouring from every page, while at the same time managing to be heartfelt, action-packed, faintly ridiculous and with a frustratingly good slow burn. There are moments where it does feel like the author's attention has wandered slightly, or where the flow of the writing is a bit lost, but generally it's a fun, lighthearted read that leaves you desperate for the concluding instalment!
The relationship between Evie and The Villain is brilliant pitched; their relentless banter and flirting makes you giggle like a schoolgirl, and the UST makes you want to bang their heads together (or take a leaf out of Lyssa's book and lock them in a cupboard for a few hours)... Equally, the character development of each individual is fab too. We haven't had the full 'Sandra Dee to smoking, leather trouser wearing Sandy' transformation yet, but there are flashes of attitude from Evie that really make you think it's on its way. And I cannot wait to see The Villain's jaw hit the floor when it does.
I will say that I was a little disappointed by the secondary characters in this one. The majority carry over from 'Assistant' so it's not like they are unfamiliar, but to me they felt like they were just there to populate the world in this one, rather than with any truly meaningful role in mind. It really is all about the Villain and his apprentice. Likewise, some elements of the plot aren't quite as developed as they could be, as they seem to have been designed almost exclusively to get Evie and The Villain in close proximity, rather than dealing with the overarching plot of the series.
I'd recommend rereading 'Assistant' before you pikc this one up. I only read it a few months ago, but enough of the detail had slipped my mind to leave gaps where some context might be useful.
And now another year's wait commences... *sighs*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
The Fairy Tale Collection: Contemporary MM Retellings by Helen Juliet
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A scarred and angry war veteran forced into an arranged marriage with the son of his father's business partner... a dashing prince and a working class Essex boy whose relationship could destabilise the monarchy, or restore its reputation... and an enby who dreams of the world finally gets to set foot into it, along with his bodyguard who must protect him from the inept assassins out to get him before he can claim his birthright. These contemporary retellings of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Rapunzel tell the stories of handsome princes who don't need a princess to have a happy ending.
I'm in my Romance era... after a weekend at #RARE24Edinburgh, I'm all about the love, in whatever form it comes. So it felt like a good time to pick up this book, which has been on my Kindle Unlimited subscription for a while now. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed these - I went in with relatively low expectations, and found that both the BatB and Cinderella retellings far exceeded them. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the Rapunzel retelling; it was a very cute and fuzzy story, but it felt less 'real' than the others: while I'm very clear that none of the premises are particularly realistic, this one did stretch the bounds of believability just a little bit. For example, the completely useless assassins which just came across as badly written slapstick, playing to the peanut gallery. There was just no need - having "proper" assassins would probably have made the story more dramatic IMO!
That being said, each of the main characters were beautifully built upon, relying on your knowledge of the traditional fairytale for their base but then branching out and making them into something different. There's certainly familiar tropes involved in setting up the relationship and and power dynamic, but even with all of these familiar elements none of the characters were simply stock parts. Plus their chemistry is hot!
The author also manages to explore and enlighten on several facet of the LGBTQIA+ experience without it feeling forced. The relationship development feels totally natural (if expedited for the sake of pacing) - the characters' sexuality is what it is and there is no reason for the reader to question otherwise. Bringing to the foreground issues of gender identity, bisexuality, age differences, homophobia and social/moral expectations, every difficult moment that arises is dealt with with the utmost respect.
I'd probably say that Cinderella is the strongest of the three stories. It's certainly something that should be reflected upon; it's bound to happen one day that a person in the direct line of succession to a throne somewhere in the world identifies as something other than heterosexual and cisgender, and it will be interesting to see what the reaction is.
Very pleased to have read this, and I may go looking for some more of the author's work...
I'm in my Romance era... after a weekend at #RARE24Edinburgh, I'm all about the love, in whatever form it comes. So it felt like a good time to pick up this book, which has been on my Kindle Unlimited subscription for a while now. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed these - I went in with relatively low expectations, and found that both the BatB and Cinderella retellings far exceeded them. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the Rapunzel retelling; it was a very cute and fuzzy story, but it felt less 'real' than the others: while I'm very clear that none of the premises are particularly realistic, this one did stretch the bounds of believability just a little bit. For example, the completely useless assassins which just came across as badly written slapstick, playing to the peanut gallery. There was just no need - having "proper" assassins would probably have made the story more dramatic IMO!
That being said, each of the main characters were beautifully built upon, relying on your knowledge of the traditional fairytale for their base but then branching out and making them into something different. There's certainly familiar tropes involved in setting up the relationship and and power dynamic, but even with all of these familiar elements none of the characters were simply stock parts. Plus their chemistry is hot!
The author also manages to explore and enlighten on several facet of the LGBTQIA+ experience without it feeling forced. The relationship development feels totally natural (if expedited for the sake of pacing) - the characters' sexuality is what it is and there is no reason for the reader to question otherwise. Bringing to the foreground issues of gender identity, bisexuality, age differences, homophobia and social/moral expectations, every difficult moment that arises is dealt with with the utmost respect.
I'd probably say that Cinderella is the strongest of the three stories. It's certainly something that should be reflected upon; it's bound to happen one day that a person in the direct line of succession to a throne somewhere in the world identifies as something other than heterosexual and cisgender, and it will be interesting to see what the reaction is.
Very pleased to have read this, and I may go looking for some more of the author's work...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Amelia Collins is an accountant, it's tax season, and she's been stuck with a nightmare client who can't seem to grasp even the basics of what she needs. And then she gets the even more wonderful news that yet another cousin is getting married. Which means constant grilling from her mother about why she hasn't got a plus one. A chance meeting leads her to Reggie, a slightly strange but drop dead gorgeous guy, and a madcap idea that they fake a relationship for the festivities. Except Reggie's got people after him for a crime they think he committed... a hundred and fifty years ago...
As with Levine's debut novel, 'My Roommate is a Vampire', this is a light, fluffy, cute romcom that requires very little brainpower or concentration, but absolutely fits into its own little niche and nails the brief 100%. It makes you smile, makes you giggle and makes you swoon just a little!
Inevitably, with the descriptions offered of Reggie's build and mannerisms, I could not help but picture David Tennant playing this role - the character is like a perfect blend of Crowley and Aziraphale from 'Good Omens' and so there's not really any other choice in my head! And while I'm a lawyer rather than an accountant, I could certainly relate to Amelia's personality and work stressors, so... yeah... again, the inevitable happened 😊
The relationship between the two characters, after the initial hurdle of setting up the story, is really believable and develops as a great pace - the clueless innocence of Reggie when it comes to relationships with a human just adds the icing on the cake to an already fab build up. The vampirism element does add a little bit of spice at the appropriate times, which really makes their chemistry leap off of the page, but it's not particularly shocking or scandalous. There are tropes galore, all of which are immensely satisfying to read through to their conclusion; it's very easy to tell where the the story is headed, but that in no way detracts from the journey to get there!
I honestly wasn't expecting there to be any direct crossover with the first book - I figured it'd be in the same world only. So to see the return of Frederick and Cassie as supporting characters in this one was hugely satisfying, especially as the small issue I had with the finale of that book gets resolved nicely in here. Nevertheless, it is very much Amelia and Reggie's story - at no point did I wish that Frederick and Cassie would return to the foreground. Likewise, all of the other supporting characters are well drawn and do their jobs, but none of them steal focus or drag the story down.
The only bit I really struggled with was the sub-plot about the people after Reggie. Specifically, the resolution thereof. I can see that it gives Reggie a good backstory and introduced a small amount of jeopardy into the tale, but it didn't seem entirely necessary, nor did the resolution feel like it was firing on all cylinders. But I guess that's the risk you run when you're talking about tax law! Conversely, the ending once again felt just a little too rushed to me. But I hold out hope that we'll get a nice resolution in the next one!
Very enjoyable.
As with Levine's debut novel, 'My Roommate is a Vampire', this is a light, fluffy, cute romcom that requires very little brainpower or concentration, but absolutely fits into its own little niche and nails the brief 100%. It makes you smile, makes you giggle and makes you swoon just a little!
Inevitably, with the descriptions offered of Reggie's build and mannerisms, I could not help but picture David Tennant playing this role - the character is like a perfect blend of Crowley and Aziraphale from 'Good Omens' and so there's not really any other choice in my head! And while I'm a lawyer rather than an accountant, I could certainly relate to Amelia's personality and work stressors, so... yeah... again, the inevitable happened 😊
The relationship between the two characters, after the initial hurdle of setting up the story, is really believable and develops as a great pace - the clueless innocence of Reggie when it comes to relationships with a human just adds the icing on the cake to an already fab build up. The vampirism element does add a little bit of spice at the appropriate times, which really makes their chemistry leap off of the page, but it's not particularly shocking or scandalous. There are tropes galore, all of which are immensely satisfying to read through to their conclusion; it's very easy to tell where the the story is headed, but that in no way detracts from the journey to get there!
I honestly wasn't expecting there to be any direct crossover with the first book - I figured it'd be in the same world only. So to see the return of Frederick and Cassie as supporting characters in this one was hugely satisfying, especially as the small issue I had with the finale of that book gets resolved nicely in here. Nevertheless, it is very much Amelia and Reggie's story - at no point did I wish that Frederick and Cassie would return to the foreground. Likewise, all of the other supporting characters are well drawn and do their jobs, but none of them steal focus or drag the story down.
The only bit I really struggled with was the sub-plot about the people after Reggie. Specifically, the resolution thereof. I can see that it gives Reggie a good backstory and introduced a small amount of jeopardy into the tale, but it didn't seem entirely necessary, nor did the resolution feel like it was firing on all cylinders. But I guess that's the risk you run when you're talking about tax law! Conversely, the ending once again felt just a little too rushed to me. But I hold out hope that we'll get a nice resolution in the next one!
Very enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.0
Captured in her youth, Tisaanah dances for her master and his cronies for the chance to buy her freedom and join the Orders, to learn how to use her magic and return to free her fellow slaves. Foisted upon Maxantarius Farlione, a reclusive Wielder who wants nothing to do with the Orders, can she learn enough from him to fulfil her desires? And can he protect her from the darker side of magic?
I have to say I LOVED the female narrator on this audiobook. Her voice was light, gentle and sweet, well spoken and clear. She manages to bring to life the fact that Tisaanah doesn't speak the language of the realm she ends up in by putting on a hesitant 'foreign' accent, but it's done with care and really added an extra layer to her story, that I'm not entirely sure would have come through in the physical book. Likewise, her voice for Maxantarius is, IMO, better than the male narrator's! He has a very slight accent in places which, after a long while of uninterrupted Esther Wane, falls a bit short of the character she's built. Likewise, he's a bit breathy and rushed, whereas the character feels like it needs a more steady pace. He puts me in mind of Jodie Whittaker's Doctor in 'Doctor Who' - constantly sounds like they've just sprinted in and haven't had a chance to catch their breath. He's not bad at all, it just didn't vibe with me, which isna shame as the character absolutely did!
As for the story, it has a very cosy, domestic feel once you get the two main characters together. Even the more action-packed sequences are made to feel quite sedate in the audiobook; the focus is very much on Tisaanah and Max, with whatever wider action very much taking a back seat. Watching their relationship grow and change is gorgeous, and I do get the hype about Max being a good book boyfriend.
This book does have the feel of an extended introduction though. While it can stand alone as a good story, you can clearly see the building blocks for future episodes. And while things do happen, aside from the finale they do feel like they will have more of an impact once you've read the whole series. I would have liked to see more of a focus on the immediate, as I think so much more could have been added to really stretch out the slow burn. But conversely, it also lacks context. I could desperately do with more explanation about certain elements of the plot as I'll admit to being a bit lost. For this element, I think perhaps reading the physical book might be better for me.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the series progresses!
I have to say I LOVED the female narrator on this audiobook. Her voice was light, gentle and sweet, well spoken and clear. She manages to bring to life the fact that Tisaanah doesn't speak the language of the realm she ends up in by putting on a hesitant 'foreign' accent, but it's done with care and really added an extra layer to her story, that I'm not entirely sure would have come through in the physical book. Likewise, her voice for Maxantarius is, IMO, better than the male narrator's! He has a very slight accent in places which, after a long while of uninterrupted Esther Wane, falls a bit short of the character she's built. Likewise, he's a bit breathy and rushed, whereas the character feels like it needs a more steady pace. He puts me in mind of Jodie Whittaker's Doctor in 'Doctor Who' - constantly sounds like they've just sprinted in and haven't had a chance to catch their breath. He's not bad at all, it just didn't vibe with me, which isna shame as the character absolutely did!
As for the story, it has a very cosy, domestic feel once you get the two main characters together. Even the more action-packed sequences are made to feel quite sedate in the audiobook; the focus is very much on Tisaanah and Max, with whatever wider action very much taking a back seat. Watching their relationship grow and change is gorgeous, and I do get the hype about Max being a good book boyfriend.
This book does have the feel of an extended introduction though. While it can stand alone as a good story, you can clearly see the building blocks for future episodes. And while things do happen, aside from the finale they do feel like they will have more of an impact once you've read the whole series. I would have liked to see more of a focus on the immediate, as I think so much more could have been added to really stretch out the slow burn. But conversely, it also lacks context. I could desperately do with more explanation about certain elements of the plot as I'll admit to being a bit lost. For this element, I think perhaps reading the physical book might be better for me.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the series progresses!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Rape, Sexual content, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Athena's Child by Hannah Lynn
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Another day, another Greek myth retelling... I just can't help loving this particular trend! Medusa does seem to be particularly popular at present, and as I've already read another retelling of her story this year and both claim to be 'feminist' retellings, I was interested to compare the authors' approaches.
The author of this book hasn't wasted words - it's only 208 pages long - and yet the writing is beautiful detailed, emotive and paints a wonderful picture of the events described. The flow of the writing is brilliant; it flies by, but the story doesn't feel rushed, and the change in perspectives is less jolting than others I've read (although at the same time it does come with no warning, so if you are unfamiliar with the tale you might find yourself momentarily confused). If you're looking for a quick read that is more than just a bit of fluff, this would be a great one to pick up!
One of the best things about retellings is that, although the characters and settings might be familiar, everyone has their own approach. Even better with mythology, ther tends to be multiple versions of the same myth to start with, so there are many different threads a subsequent version can pick up on and run with. In this case, I really enjoyed the human family of Medusa, and the fact you get to see her as a human for more than just the awful moment which draws Athena's wrath. I found that this meant you could identify more with the characters after they undergo their transformation as you had a tangible thread of humanity to cling onto. It also helps portray the distinct unfairness of Athena when she chooses to punish Medusa for being the victim of assault, and the ultimate weakness of humans against the power of the gods.
It is likely that, when Perseus shows up for the first time as an adult, you will be likely to think "here we go again... they've turned the Greek hero into a moaning, frustratingly self-centred little boy". And to an extent you'd be right; he's definitely not portrayed as a proper Greek hero should be. But, after the initial immaturity, he does become far more likeable as a character. Ny the time of the final 'showdown' between Medusa and Perseus, your opinion of him should have changed a fair bit, it's a great bit of writing which just goes to prove that you can be feminist and still have a man there to support you.
If I could ask for something to make this book a 5⭐️ read, it'd be an extension. The pace and length of the book does mean that there is very little depth or room for exploration. The book doesn't need it, but it doesn't stop me from wanting to see more of the author's thought processed and individual flair.
Very good!
The author of this book hasn't wasted words - it's only 208 pages long - and yet the writing is beautiful detailed, emotive and paints a wonderful picture of the events described. The flow of the writing is brilliant; it flies by, but the story doesn't feel rushed, and the change in perspectives is less jolting than others I've read (although at the same time it does come with no warning, so if you are unfamiliar with the tale you might find yourself momentarily confused). If you're looking for a quick read that is more than just a bit of fluff, this would be a great one to pick up!
One of the best things about retellings is that, although the characters and settings might be familiar, everyone has their own approach. Even better with mythology, ther tends to be multiple versions of the same myth to start with, so there are many different threads a subsequent version can pick up on and run with. In this case, I really enjoyed the human family of Medusa, and the fact you get to see her as a human for more than just the awful moment which draws Athena's wrath. I found that this meant you could identify more with the characters after they undergo their transformation as you had a tangible thread of humanity to cling onto. It also helps portray the distinct unfairness of Athena when she chooses to punish Medusa for being the victim of assault, and the ultimate weakness of humans against the power of the gods.
It is likely that, when Perseus shows up for the first time as an adult, you will be likely to think "here we go again... they've turned the Greek hero into a moaning, frustratingly self-centred little boy". And to an extent you'd be right; he's definitely not portrayed as a proper Greek hero should be. But, after the initial immaturity, he does become far more likeable as a character. Ny the time of the final 'showdown' between Medusa and Perseus, your opinion of him should have changed a fair bit, it's a great bit of writing which just goes to prove that you can be feminist and still have a man there to support you.
If I could ask for something to make this book a 5⭐️ read, it'd be an extension. The pace and length of the book does mean that there is very little depth or room for exploration. The book doesn't need it, but it doesn't stop me from wanting to see more of the author's thought processed and individual flair.
Very good!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity and Blood
Ekaterinburg by Helen Rappaport
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.5
In the time I've been reviewing my reads and keeping a WTR list, it's become increasingly clear that I'm a cyclical reader. I read one book on a subject or theme, and add another load on the same subject to my WTR list. Get to those books, start reading, add a few more. So right now we're back in my Russian history phase and so my next few library books are all based on the lives of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of the Romanov dynasty.
This particular book is a concise approach to the last fourteen days or so of the Romanov family, while imprisoned in the 'House of Special Purpose'. Day by day, it counts you down to their brutal end, while also taking the time to explore each of the characters in detail and providing wider context of the events going on in Ekaterinburg and Russia more widely, as well as the UK and USA. Everything is linked back to the central premise, which makes this a very well controlled, tight narrative.
The author explains that she has been able to draw on sources that are not widely available, including Russian sources that are centralised around Ekaterinburg and that are almost contemporaneous with the events. This means it feels like you are getting a fresh perspective on events, and a balance between Western perspectives and that of the Bolsheviks who saw this family as the cause of many of the country's problems. I found the information she included about just how botched the plan for the burial was especially interesting - I feel like I knew this was the case, but to read in detail how badly planned it was doesn't feel like something I've read before.
While there are some fairly standard inclusions in terms of descriptions and perceptions, the author does do a good job at limiting these to a 'necessary' level. Yes, the Tsaritsa is perhaps a bit of a hypochondriac, but the descriptions of her weaknesses are couched in predominantly practical terms, actually painting a picture of her being ill in bed rather than just listing her ever growing hoard of symptoms. This makes her feel more 'real' off the page than a lot of other books I've read. Another example is the family's piety - there is a description of their last sermon with a priest (taken from the words of the priest himself as I understand it), which is incredibly moving and a beautiful illustration of the strength they found in their faith.
However, I will admit that, as short as this book is, I did find myself zoning out when the 'action' switched to Lenin, the Boleshevik attempts to keep control of Russia and their differing thoughts on what to do with the ex-Tsar. Don't get me wrong, I find that era of Russian history fascinating too, but I didn't get the same depth of interest from the writer when reading these sections - the book seemed to go from quite moving a quite moving narrative to fairly a fairly dry history tome. Clearly there is only so much that can be said about the Romanov imprisonment, given that access was incredibly restricted and all of the prisoners bar one ended up in the cellar on that fateful night, and so I totally get that some wider context needs to be included or it would be an incredibly sparse book! But I wonder if these parts could have been a little more focused.
Another interesting read about this tragic family.
This particular book is a concise approach to the last fourteen days or so of the Romanov family, while imprisoned in the 'House of Special Purpose'. Day by day, it counts you down to their brutal end, while also taking the time to explore each of the characters in detail and providing wider context of the events going on in Ekaterinburg and Russia more widely, as well as the UK and USA. Everything is linked back to the central premise, which makes this a very well controlled, tight narrative.
The author explains that she has been able to draw on sources that are not widely available, including Russian sources that are centralised around Ekaterinburg and that are almost contemporaneous with the events. This means it feels like you are getting a fresh perspective on events, and a balance between Western perspectives and that of the Bolsheviks who saw this family as the cause of many of the country's problems. I found the information she included about just how botched the plan for the burial was especially interesting - I feel like I knew this was the case, but to read in detail how badly planned it was doesn't feel like something I've read before.
While there are some fairly standard inclusions in terms of descriptions and perceptions, the author does do a good job at limiting these to a 'necessary' level. Yes, the Tsaritsa is perhaps a bit of a hypochondriac, but the descriptions of her weaknesses are couched in predominantly practical terms, actually painting a picture of her being ill in bed rather than just listing her ever growing hoard of symptoms. This makes her feel more 'real' off the page than a lot of other books I've read. Another example is the family's piety - there is a description of their last sermon with a priest (taken from the words of the priest himself as I understand it), which is incredibly moving and a beautiful illustration of the strength they found in their faith.
However, I will admit that, as short as this book is, I did find myself zoning out when the 'action' switched to Lenin, the Boleshevik attempts to keep control of Russia and their differing thoughts on what to do with the ex-Tsar. Don't get me wrong, I find that era of Russian history fascinating too, but I didn't get the same depth of interest from the writer when reading these sections - the book seemed to go from quite moving a quite moving narrative to fairly a fairly dry history tome. Clearly there is only so much that can be said about the Romanov imprisonment, given that access was incredibly restricted and all of the prisoners bar one ended up in the cellar on that fateful night, and so I totally get that some wider context needs to be included or it would be an incredibly sparse book! But I wonder if these parts could have been a little more focused.
Another interesting read about this tragic family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Torture, Violence, Antisemitism, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Classism
Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Excrement, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
I saw the musical 'Wicked' a couple of months ago and, while I did enjoy it, I wanted a little more depth of story so I did have half a mind to read the book. It was therefore a no brainer to add to my Audible library when I spotted it was included with my membership. At this point, I am incredibly glad I didn't pay for it! I will give credit to the people who wrote the musical... how they managed to extract their inspiration from this is something I will never understand!
First and foremost, my goodness is this slow going! It takes 3 hours for the book to do what the musical does in, oh, 10 minutes max and actually get Elpheba and Galinda to their first day at university. And in the 8 hours I listened to, I couldn't really tell you about any major plot points that happened - they were just heading off to the Emerald City when I gave up. It's like the author kept getting distracted and going off on unnecessary tangents; in fact, his writing reminds me of the dull professors he talks about! There was just NOTHING to keep you engaged as a reader/listener.
I also found the tone of the writing very odd. Now, I'll admit that I haven't read the original Wizard of Oz books, so my thoughts here could be a result of the gap in my knowledge. But I couldn't get my head around the semi-frequent swearing, allusions to sex and various instances of more 'adult' material, all of which feels completely at odds with some elements which feel very childish and simplistic. I was expecting more on the YA end of the spectrum, if I'm honest, so while I'm by no means a pearl-clutcher, the grown up stuff just threw me for a loop! It's like the author couldn't pick his audience, so we've got a random mashup of everything.
I also remember being slightly disconcerted by the seemingly racist, sexist and trasphobic undertones, all of which made an appearance within the first hour. There are also questionable depictions of disability (physical and mental), and I got really bored with the repeated assaults of thinly veiled religious theology. It's not a new book, I know, but it was still published within my lifetime and so with each instance it just felt less and less comfortable.
The characters were all pretty bland too. Galinda is your mean girl with her back up b*tches, Boq is the geek in love with the popular kid, Fiero has apparently been given one hell of a glow up in the musical, and Elpheba is actually quite unlikeable. There was just no character I felt a connection with or able to root for.
While the narrator was fairly easy to listen to and had plenty of animation in his voice, I just felt that it would have been better if the story had been narrated by a woman. I felt like I might have been able to connect with the main characters more if I could hear their voice, rather that (in my head at least) the Wizard speaking on their behalf. I'd also say that the sound quality was not the greatest (lots of swallowing, loud breathing etc), and his timing was really odd in places, with large pauses where there was no need, and no pauses where there should have been.
All of this ties up in the moment I decided to DNF. The gang of secondary characters have just held a wake for a minor character and decide that the most appropriate thing to do thereafter is go to a sex club. After drinking and dancing, they get taken into a 'special room', where one of their number is pulled onto the stage with a sentient Tiger and a woman on her honeymoon. The woman is tied up by her hands, our secondary character is wrapped around the Tiger koala style, they're all blindfolded and it's inferred that the evening's entertainment begins with the Tiger performing oral sex on the woman. And then, without a breath, suddenly we're with Elpheba and Galinda on their way to the Emerald City.
Yup, at that point my brain went 'we're DEFINITELY not in Kansas anymore!'
First and foremost, my goodness is this slow going! It takes 3 hours for the book to do what the musical does in, oh, 10 minutes max and actually get Elpheba and Galinda to their first day at university. And in the 8 hours I listened to, I couldn't really tell you about any major plot points that happened - they were just heading off to the Emerald City when I gave up. It's like the author kept getting distracted and going off on unnecessary tangents; in fact, his writing reminds me of the dull professors he talks about! There was just NOTHING to keep you engaged as a reader/listener.
I also found the tone of the writing very odd. Now, I'll admit that I haven't read the original Wizard of Oz books, so my thoughts here could be a result of the gap in my knowledge. But I couldn't get my head around the semi-frequent swearing, allusions to sex and various instances of more 'adult' material, all of which feels completely at odds with some elements which feel very childish and simplistic. I was expecting more on the YA end of the spectrum, if I'm honest, so while I'm by no means a pearl-clutcher, the grown up stuff just threw me for a loop! It's like the author couldn't pick his audience, so we've got a random mashup of everything.
I also remember being slightly disconcerted by the seemingly racist, sexist and trasphobic undertones, all of which made an appearance within the first hour. There are also questionable depictions of disability (physical and mental), and I got really bored with the repeated assaults of thinly veiled religious theology. It's not a new book, I know, but it was still published within my lifetime and so with each instance it just felt less and less comfortable.
The characters were all pretty bland too. Galinda is your mean girl with her back up b*tches, Boq is the geek in love with the popular kid, Fiero has apparently been given one hell of a glow up in the musical, and Elpheba is actually quite unlikeable. There was just no character I felt a connection with or able to root for.
While the narrator was fairly easy to listen to and had plenty of animation in his voice, I just felt that it would have been better if the story had been narrated by a woman. I felt like I might have been able to connect with the main characters more if I could hear their voice, rather that (in my head at least) the Wizard speaking on their behalf. I'd also say that the sound quality was not the greatest (lots of swallowing, loud breathing etc), and his timing was really odd in places, with large pauses where there was no need, and no pauses where there should have been.
All of this ties up in the moment I decided to DNF. The gang of secondary characters have just held a wake for a minor character and decide that the most appropriate thing to do thereafter is go to a sex club. After drinking and dancing, they get taken into a 'special room', where one of their number is pulled onto the stage with a sentient Tiger and a woman on her honeymoon. The woman is tied up by her hands, our secondary character is wrapped around the Tiger koala style, they're all blindfolded and it's inferred that the evening's entertainment begins with the Tiger performing oral sex on the woman. And then, without a breath, suddenly we're with Elpheba and Galinda on their way to the Emerald City.
Yup, at that point my brain went 'we're DEFINITELY not in Kansas anymore!'
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I absolutely adore the premise of this series, but it feels like we have strayed quite a long way from the story that was seemingly set up in 'Poison Study'. The world just feels too big; like the author had a lot of genuinely brilliant ideas, but tried to include them all in one trilogy rather than sifting through them to streamline the story. As a result, we have more zig-zagging in the narrative and, again, it can be very difficult to keep on top of. An example is the fact that Yelena was meant to be going to the Magician's Keep to learn about her magic and how to control it. But by my count she's actually had maybe half a dozen lessons in her whole time there? In this book alone, she is assigned to two different teachers for lessons, but she only has one interrupted lesson with each of them thanks to other aspects of plot getting in the way! So it does raise the question, what was the point of introducing the 'Magic school' anyway?
Likewise, it become really frustrating when characters seem to change allegiances at the drop of a hat! This could be a brilliant plot device, adding to the tension as you can't be sure whether the character is being genuine or not. But some of the changes come from no-where, and it's done so many times over the course of the series that it rather loses its effect, and just adds to level of concentration you have to muster to keep everything straight in your head.
The characters introduced in 'Poison Study' continue to be interesting and a joy to read about - their relationships are well established and they give off a great 'found family' vibe. I do love Valek in particular, but he's just another example of where the story seems to have gotten away from the author... there needs to be a hell of a lot more of him! What's the point in an established love interest if he only pops up to stage a daring rescue and then disappears again?! The relationship between him and Yelena is lovely, but I just need two or three chapters of them together, alone, being a couple. It would add to the jeopardy and the tension at crucial moments if you had had the chance to watch their feelings bloom in closer quarters, with Ari and Janco in the background being the annoying big brothers.
On the other hand, the supporting cast didn't add a huge amount of value for me. Yelena's real family and the others that she encounters on her travels seem to be missing that depth altogether and come across as fairly generic. And there are a couple of characters that are just left hanging around. I know there are more books set in this world and so I'm hoping that the author chooses to elaborate a bit more, but the most disappointing thing for me is the lack of follow through on the set up of Commander Ambrose. Had potential to be so, so good, but again that storyline just seems to peter out.
The series is definitely worth a read, and I will be picking up the follow ups as and when they reach the top of my WTR list. Although I may try and find the little short stories that fill in the gaps between these books in the meantime.
Likewise, it become really frustrating when characters seem to change allegiances at the drop of a hat! This could be a brilliant plot device, adding to the tension as you can't be sure whether the character is being genuine or not. But some of the changes come from no-where, and it's done so many times over the course of the series that it rather loses its effect, and just adds to level of concentration you have to muster to keep everything straight in your head.
The characters introduced in 'Poison Study' continue to be interesting and a joy to read about - their relationships are well established and they give off a great 'found family' vibe. I do love Valek in particular, but he's just another example of where the story seems to have gotten away from the author... there needs to be a hell of a lot more of him! What's the point in an established love interest if he only pops up to stage a daring rescue and then disappears again?! The relationship between him and Yelena is lovely, but I just need two or three chapters of them together, alone, being a couple. It would add to the jeopardy and the tension at crucial moments if you had had the chance to watch their feelings bloom in closer quarters, with Ari and Janco in the background being the annoying big brothers.
On the other hand, the supporting cast didn't add a huge amount of value for me. Yelena's real family and the others that she encounters on her travels seem to be missing that depth altogether and come across as fairly generic. And there are a couple of characters that are just left hanging around. I know there are more books set in this world and so I'm hoping that the author chooses to elaborate a bit more, but the most disappointing thing for me is the lack of follow through on the set up of Commander Ambrose. Had potential to be so, so good, but again that storyline just seems to peter out.
The series is definitely worth a read, and I will be picking up the follow ups as and when they reach the top of my WTR list. Although I may try and find the little short stories that fill in the gaps between these books in the meantime.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Rape, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Transphobia, Excrement, Vomit, Trafficking, and Alcohol