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selectedfictions's reviews
431 reviews
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
3.75
There was so much I enjoyed about this book. I loved the early twentieth century setting and the way that the human and the magic world was established. I particularly loved the connection between the land and the magic wielders living upon it, which I thought was a brilliant touch.
The LGBTQ rep was brilliant and handled so well, while acknowledging the societal constraints and prejudice of the time.
I keep going back and forth on whether I like Edwin. He was odd, weird and difficult but I enjoyed that about a MC, but might put others off. I liked how he wasn't naturally an all powerful wizard, who had to work hard at what he could do. I think him and Robin were extremely unlikely allies and lovers, and I wasn't fully convinced by their relationship, which is what knocks this down a star for me. I think the magic was quite complicated and a little inaccessible, especially to those who perhaps only dabble in fantasy.
I liked how Marske explored concepts of toxic masculinity and patriarchy within a fantasy context. So much of what is covered and explored here, such as Edwin's preference for quiet and learning, are still applicable today.
Overall, I think this was a really ambitious book with lots of gorgeous, period details and rich characters and I'll definitely be reading book 2.
The LGBTQ rep was brilliant and handled so well, while acknowledging the societal constraints and prejudice of the time.
I keep going back and forth on whether I like Edwin. He was odd, weird and difficult but I enjoyed that about a MC, but might put others off. I liked how he wasn't naturally an all powerful wizard, who had to work hard at what he could do. I think him and Robin were extremely unlikely allies and lovers, and I wasn't fully convinced by their relationship, which is what knocks this down a star for me. I think the magic was quite complicated and a little inaccessible, especially to those who perhaps only dabble in fantasy.
I liked how Marske explored concepts of toxic masculinity and patriarchy within a fantasy context. So much of what is covered and explored here, such as Edwin's preference for quiet and learning, are still applicable today.
Overall, I think this was a really ambitious book with lots of gorgeous, period details and rich characters and I'll definitely be reading book 2.
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik
4.5
Oof, this world. This book. I listened to this one on audio, having reread A Deadly Education in this format before getting to this.
I love how we see the pay off for El of the trials of book 1 - the deepening of friendships, the realisation of self and her own ethics. This is such a great book for El, it's a redemption for the trials of book 1 while throwing about 500 more her way.
As before, I love El. I love that she is beliegerant but kind. Arsey but resilient. Sarcastic but reasonable. She has so much female rage and the more you learn about her, the more you think, mate, I don't blame you. I also realise that she is not the most *likeable* of FMCs, but as someone in favour of difficult female characters who act from the heart but are spiky, I loved this about her.
So much of this writing style should annoy me. I feel like there is sooo much telling, so much description of detail and consequences that would ordinarily wear me out, especially with a first person POV. It's a lot. It did make it a tricky book to listen to when going about your life. I often found myself rewinding to re listen to important details.
I found it a little slow to get into a first but as soon as I was into the story it just swallowed me whole - much like the scholarmance itself. The pace of this book starts slow but then ricochets to an ending that had me throwing my hands up in despair. My only saving grace was that being a chronic slow finisher of series, the third book was already out.
This is a 4.5 for me but 5 on EMOTIONAL investment.
I love how we see the pay off for El of the trials of book 1 - the deepening of friendships, the realisation of self and her own ethics. This is such a great book for El, it's a redemption for the trials of book 1 while throwing about 500 more her way.
As before, I love El. I love that she is beliegerant but kind. Arsey but resilient. Sarcastic but reasonable. She has so much female rage and the more you learn about her, the more you think, mate, I don't blame you. I also realise that she is not the most *likeable* of FMCs, but as someone in favour of difficult female characters who act from the heart but are spiky, I loved this about her.
So much of this writing style should annoy me. I feel like there is sooo much telling, so much description of detail and consequences that would ordinarily wear me out, especially with a first person POV. It's a lot. It did make it a tricky book to listen to when going about your life. I often found myself rewinding to re listen to important details.
I found it a little slow to get into a first but as soon as I was into the story it just swallowed me whole - much like the scholarmance itself. The pace of this book starts slow but then ricochets to an ending that had me throwing my hands up in despair. My only saving grace was that being a chronic slow finisher of series, the third book was already out.
This is a 4.5 for me but 5 on EMOTIONAL investment.
True Biz by Sara Nović
3.5
I came away from this book with so so much more than I went into it with.
The story and the world were vivid and engaging. I am ashamed to say that before reading this book, I knew very little about deaf culture and the impact of modern ableist medical practices on this community. In particular, I loved how Sara Novice explores the role of language and, especially access, to language has on people and the impact its absence can have.
For me this book was a 4 because of how much I took from it. I think that the plot and in particular the sub plots of Elliot and Slash didn't add much. Elliot's POV is a huge story that is rushed through in a single chapter, which when he is signalled at the beginning as being one of three key characters was disappointing. The big climax event with Slash felt utterly unnecessary and anti-climatic. I think you could remove that sub-plot and the story would be stronger for it.
The story and the world were vivid and engaging. I am ashamed to say that before reading this book, I knew very little about deaf culture and the impact of modern ableist medical practices on this community. In particular, I loved how Sara Novice explores the role of language and, especially access, to language has on people and the impact its absence can have.
For me this book was a 4 because of how much I took from it. I think that the plot and in particular the sub plots of Elliot and Slash didn't add much. Elliot's POV is a huge story that is rushed through in a single chapter, which when he is signalled at the beginning as being one of three key characters was disappointing. The big climax event with Slash felt utterly unnecessary and anti-climatic. I think you could remove that sub-plot and the story would be stronger for it.
The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik
4.5
Wow, what a trilogy.
I was curious about this one as it was set after graduation from the scholarmance, the other main character in the previous two books and after THAT ending, I couldn't imagine where it would go and how it would keep the threads and characters together. But it did, it kept it all together and hit me with reveal after reveal, all intertwined with some of the darkest scenes from the series so far. This is not low stakes wand waving, this is visceral life altering, savage choices magic. This is the magic introduced in Book 1 of the scholarmance and book 3 delivers on this ten fold.
I think the high stakes of the scholarmance were lost in some senses and that this read more as a sequel to a duology than an end to a trilogy in that sense.
I found myself wanting to wrap El up a lot and just give her a break, especially when revelation after revelation kept coming. The reveals in this are GOLDEN.
This is another 4.5 for me but 5 because this story just stayed with me.
I was curious about this one as it was set after graduation from the scholarmance, the other main character in the previous two books and after THAT ending, I couldn't imagine where it would go and how it would keep the threads and characters together. But it did, it kept it all together and hit me with reveal after reveal, all intertwined with some of the darkest scenes from the series so far. This is not low stakes wand waving, this is visceral life altering, savage choices magic. This is the magic introduced in Book 1 of the scholarmance and book 3 delivers on this ten fold.
I think the high stakes of the scholarmance were lost in some senses and that this read more as a sequel to a duology than an end to a trilogy in that sense.
I found myself wanting to wrap El up a lot and just give her a break, especially when revelation after revelation kept coming. The reveals in this are GOLDEN.
This is another 4.5 for me but 5 because this story just stayed with me.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
emotional
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
3.75
What a deliciously weird book! It took me a little while to get into and when the You've Got Mail storyline kicked in, I wasn't super convinced. HOWEVER, somewhere along the way I got utterly swept up in this story and by the end during those scenes I was super emotional and invested.
I loved the characters of Hart and Mercy. Mercy was brilliant and feisty and I loved her style. Hart was just swoon worthy for me, all six foot nine of him! I loved that he was a demi-god *afraid* of immortality (rather than the usual tropes of chasing immortality). I loved the Mercy had an unconventional career where gave heart and meaning and peace to those in pain.
What stopped this being a 5 star for me was the world building, which was a little shaky and there were a few anachronistic moments that took me out.
If you like You've got mail but want it with demigods, adorable family dynamics and fiesty talking rabbit posties, this is for you!
I loved the characters of Hart and Mercy. Mercy was brilliant and feisty and I loved her style. Hart was just swoon worthy for me, all six foot nine of him! I loved that he was a demi-god *afraid* of immortality (rather than the usual tropes of chasing immortality). I loved the Mercy had an unconventional career where gave heart and meaning and peace to those in pain.
What stopped this being a 5 star for me was the world building, which was a little shaky and there were a few anachronistic moments that took me out.
If you like You've got mail but want it with demigods, adorable family dynamics and fiesty talking rabbit posties, this is for you!
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
This was a really engrossing read. I loved the Victorian creepy manor vibes and the Agatha Christie style who dunnit.
The premise of Signa being immune to Death and the object of death’s affections was so so good. I loved the imagery of him and the repositioning of being chilled as a promising and romantic thing. I have to admit I was a bit uncomfortable with her age and him knowing her from a baby, but it as far as this immortal/mortal age gap romance trope goes, this was handled quite well
I read this quickly and guessed at one of the reveals quite early on which I think lessened my enjoyment of that particular reveal at the climax. Although I didn’t guess who the murderer was.
The star of this book for me was Signa. I loved her journey and how she comes to question what she thought she wanted, because society conditioned her to want a particular life. Wear the red dress Sig! Where the red dress!
I’m so intrigued by the sequel, to see how the relationships develop and what the world will look like for Signa now she’s come into her power and her inheritance.
Overall, a great read. 🥰
The premise of Signa being immune to Death and the object of death’s affections was so so good. I loved the imagery of him and the repositioning of being chilled as a promising and romantic thing. I have to admit I was a bit uncomfortable with her age and him knowing her from a baby, but it as far as this immortal/mortal age gap romance trope goes, this was handled quite well
I read this quickly and guessed at one of the reveals quite early on which I think lessened my enjoyment of that particular reveal at the climax. Although I didn’t guess who the murderer was.
The star of this book for me was Signa. I loved her journey and how she comes to question what she thought she wanted, because society conditioned her to want a particular life. Wear the red dress Sig! Where the red dress!
I’m so intrigued by the sequel, to see how the relationships develop and what the world will look like for Signa now she’s come into her power and her inheritance.
Overall, a great read. 🥰
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
Oh this book was so good. Dark, gothic and primal, I devoured it. I love fantasy worlds that seem to step out of a fairytale and this is one of those.
The world building is lush and gritty. I feel like it’s going to leave this beautiful sense memory after I’ve read it of salt, yellow eyes and mist.
I loved the main character who is struggling to contain secrets that could get her and her family killed. She is loyal, feisty and careful. Her story with Ravyn is a beautiful slow burn and I loved them together. To begin with I wasn’t sure about the concept of the Nightmare in her head. Part of me was dreading him turning into a love interest 😂 but thankfully that was not the case and his presence in her mind was handled deftly so that it wasn’t a creepy, voyeuristic one.
I feel like this book came with its own mythology behind it and I would love to read it. Overall, a brilliant read that caught me off guard with how much I loved it.
The world building is lush and gritty. I feel like it’s going to leave this beautiful sense memory after I’ve read it of salt, yellow eyes and mist.
I loved the main character who is struggling to contain secrets that could get her and her family killed. She is loyal, feisty and careful. Her story with Ravyn is a beautiful slow burn and I loved them together. To begin with I wasn’t sure about the concept of the Nightmare in her head. Part of me was dreading him turning into a love interest 😂 but thankfully that was not the case and his presence in her mind was handled deftly so that it wasn’t a creepy, voyeuristic one.
I feel like this book came with its own mythology behind it and I would love to read it. Overall, a brilliant read that caught me off guard with how much I loved it.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.25
This book was lovely. It wrapped you up in a little bubble and made you dream of warm drinks and gorgeous baking. All I can think of now is those midnight crescents. Thimble was the absolute cutest!
This was my first cosy fantasy and I can see the appeal. There was just enough peril that it wasn’t dull but also not too much of an emotional ringer which a lot of high fantasy can be.
The strength of this book is in its simple setting and the beautiful characters. It had some wonderful representation and I loved that it was a queer norm world.
Where I thought it lacked was the writing where there were some really odd word choices like “the pain was incandescent” which seems contrary to the intention of showing her in pain, real, bad pain.
I found the romance subplot sweet but a little surprising because I didn’t get that vibe in their relationship. There wasn’t much chemistry. It felt very platonic.
Overall, a lovely read and I can’t wait for book 2!
This was my first cosy fantasy and I can see the appeal. There was just enough peril that it wasn’t dull but also not too much of an emotional ringer which a lot of high fantasy can be.
The strength of this book is in its simple setting and the beautiful characters. It had some wonderful representation and I loved that it was a queer norm world.
Where I thought it lacked was the writing where there were some really odd word choices like “the pain was incandescent” which seems contrary to the intention of showing her in pain, real, bad pain.
I found the romance subplot sweet but a little surprising because I didn’t get that vibe in their relationship. There wasn’t much chemistry. It felt very platonic.
Overall, a lovely read and I can’t wait for book 2!