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Model Home by Rivers Solomon
Model Home feels reminiscent of Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House, in that it has a similar and particular focus on the dynamics of the dysfunctional family at the heart of the story— both the family as a whole, and the members individually. The family in Model Home, however, is Black, and their experience as a Black family in a white, ‘affluent’ neighborhood plays a pivotal role in the narrative. Obviously, not an experience that I can resonate with on a personal level, but its exploration throughout the novel amounts to a narrative that is haunting and heartbreaking in equal measure.
Model Home is far more ‘standard’ fiction-forward in genre than speculative (or horror, as I might have assumed before reading this novel), unlike the two other titles I’ve read by Rivers Solomon— The Deep, and An Unkindness of Ghosts— but their authorial ‘voice’ is so distinct that it does seem like a natural extension of the narratives they typically explore.
Thank you so much to Rivers Solomon, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and NetGalley for providing me with an uncorrected digital galley of this novel! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
“How cruel that our parents, unexorcisable, go on inside of us. How cruel that we cannot dis-imbricate their ghosts from our being.”
Model Home feels reminiscent of Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House, in that it has a similar and particular focus on the dynamics of the dysfunctional family at the heart of the story— both the family as a whole, and the members individually. The family in Model Home, however, is Black, and their experience as a Black family in a white, ‘affluent’ neighborhood plays a pivotal role in the narrative. Obviously, not an experience that I can resonate with on a personal level, but its exploration throughout the novel amounts to a narrative that is haunting and heartbreaking in equal measure.
Model Home is far more ‘standard’ fiction-forward in genre than speculative (or horror, as I might have assumed before reading this novel), unlike the two other titles I’ve read by Rivers Solomon— The Deep, and An Unkindness of Ghosts— but their authorial ‘voice’ is so distinct that it does seem like a natural extension of the narratives they typically explore.
Thank you so much to Rivers Solomon, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and NetGalley for providing me with an uncorrected digital galley of this novel! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Child abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Grief, and Death of parent
This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This Fatal Kiss is a YA fantasy novel recounting and reimagining folklore of the Slavic rusałka (water nymph). It seems to blend pre- and post-19th century depictions of rusałki— but, thankfully, while actively challenging the perception of them as “unclean spirits”.
The focus of this novel is primarily on the perspective characters and their interpersonal relationships, but This Fatal Kiss could have benefitted from a greater focus on worldbuilding. There is very little sense of setting— both in its intended time period and its detailing of the characters’ surroundings. The characters are charming, and their banter is enjoyable (“What do you water nymphs usually do when you’re not trying to trick unsuspecting humans into falling in love with you?” “Sometimes we entertain ourselves by capsizing the little rowboats the tourists take out on the river to scare them.” “Don’t do that,” Kazik said immediately.)— a bit of flowery, whimsical prose in the worldbuilding could have rounded out the modern folkloric atmosphere quite nicely, I think.
Several plot threads were left unresolved, though the conclusion to the novel seems open-ended enough to allow for a sequel. I did expect this to be a standalone novel, so the lack of momentum and resolution did feel frustrating, at times. That being said, if a sequel novel is ever published, I will absolutely seek it out for exactly that reason!
Thank you to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
The focus of this novel is primarily on the perspective characters and their interpersonal relationships, but This Fatal Kiss could have benefitted from a greater focus on worldbuilding. There is very little sense of setting— both in its intended time period and its detailing of the characters’ surroundings. The characters are charming, and their banter is enjoyable (“What do you water nymphs usually do when you’re not trying to trick unsuspecting humans into falling in love with you?” “Sometimes we entertain ourselves by capsizing the little rowboats the tourists take out on the river to scare them.” “Don’t do that,” Kazik said immediately.)— a bit of flowery, whimsical prose in the worldbuilding could have rounded out the modern folkloric atmosphere quite nicely, I think.
Several plot threads were left unresolved, though the conclusion to the novel seems open-ended enough to allow for a sequel. I did expect this to be a standalone novel, so the lack of momentum and resolution did feel frustrating, at times. That being said, if a sequel novel is ever published, I will absolutely seek it out for exactly that reason!
Thank you to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Content Warnings
CWs (as provided by author Alicia Jasinska): brief depictions of fantasy violence and death, drowning and near drowning, abusive relationships, a history of sexual assault, physical assault, struggles with sexual identity, and suicidal ideation.
Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
Disfigured explores disability representation and ableism in fantasy media and pop culture, more than critically analyzing disability representation in fairytales specifically– especially as it begins to introduce superheroes (Marvel) near the end. Author Amanda Leduc does mention in the introduction that this is NOT meant to be a work of disability or fairytale scholarship, but I think that neither the foreword nor title accurately represent the scope of this novel— which I suppose is really just an issue of my own mismatched expectations.
The breadth of fairytales represented is quite narrow, and the explorations into the individual stories is often shallow— at times seemingly dismissive of certain important aspects of character disabilities (Ariel’s mutism: “Did no one in the palace think to teach the ‘little dumb foundling’ how to read and write? In the Disney version, Ariel signs a contract with Ursula in order to give up her voice. Couldn’t she have written Prince Eric a letter?”), and entirely overlooking other disabled characters (like Captain Hook).
Disfigured is obviously a very personal work by author Amanda Leduc, and the sections of the book focused on her experience navigating the world as a disabled person (and how the fairytales connected with different moments of her life growing up disabled) were incredibly interesting.
But as the book went on, there was less of a focus on the way that disability and fairytales are related at all, focusing more on the way that modern lexicon influences perception of disability. Obviously, an absolutely worthwhile conversation, but out of place in the last half of a book on disability relating to fairytales (in my opinion), and almost made it seem like two different books attempting to meet in the middle.
(Want to note here that I am a chronically ill/disabled reader.)
The breadth of fairytales represented is quite narrow, and the explorations into the individual stories is often shallow— at times seemingly dismissive of certain important aspects of character disabilities (Ariel’s mutism: “Did no one in the palace think to teach the ‘little dumb foundling’ how to read and write? In the Disney version, Ariel signs a contract with Ursula in order to give up her voice. Couldn’t she have written Prince Eric a letter?”), and entirely overlooking other disabled characters (like Captain Hook).
Disfigured is obviously a very personal work by author Amanda Leduc, and the sections of the book focused on her experience navigating the world as a disabled person (and how the fairytales connected with different moments of her life growing up disabled) were incredibly interesting.
But as the book went on, there was less of a focus on the way that disability and fairytales are related at all, focusing more on the way that modern lexicon influences perception of disability. Obviously, an absolutely worthwhile conversation, but out of place in the last half of a book on disability relating to fairytales (in my opinion), and almost made it seem like two different books attempting to meet in the middle.
(Want to note here that I am a chronically ill/disabled reader.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Medical content
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 2 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
PET by Akwaeke Emezi
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
Blessed by the Cupid Distribution System by Robin Jo Margaret
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you so much to author Robin Jo Margaret for allowing me to be on their permanent ARC team! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own. This novella releases July 23rd, 2024!
A sweet, lighthearted (and spicy) sapphic romance between Iris, an autistic trans woman, and Jaya, a cupid (in this novella, a divine species that act as a sort of professional workforce following in the footsteps of the mythological Cupid).
Blessed by the Cupid Distribution System feels somewhat like a sapphic companion to Robin Jo Margaret’s previous novella, In the Care of Magic. The two novellas don’t share very many elements, and ultimately depict quite different relationship structures, but I enjoyed both novellas for similar reasons (well-written sex, and explorations of unique relationships between interesting characters).
A sweet, lighthearted (and spicy) sapphic romance between Iris, an autistic trans woman, and Jaya, a cupid (in this novella, a divine species that act as a sort of professional workforce following in the footsteps of the mythological Cupid).
Blessed by the Cupid Distribution System feels somewhat like a sapphic companion to Robin Jo Margaret’s previous novella, In the Care of Magic. The two novellas don’t share very many elements, and ultimately depict quite different relationship structures, but I enjoyed both novellas for similar reasons (well-written sex, and explorations of unique relationships between interesting characters).
Content Warnings
CW, as provided by author Robin Jo Margaret: Blessed by the Cupid Distribution System is a slice-of-life, low stakes feel good story, but it still touches topics that might be upsetting for some people. It includes description of animal mutilation (fish), mention of cheating (not related to the main characters, but a background character), explicit sexual content, public sex, unprotected sex (not to be taken as an example), rejection sensitivity, frequent mention and description of food, ableism, brief mentions of acephobia and transphobia.
Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 by Ryoko Kui
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Lucy Undying by Kiersten White
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.25
Lucy Undying contains the more expected luxuriant prose typical of vampire novels, alongside a modern approach and setting. In how it chooses to explore its sometimes-epistolary narrative style, Lucy Undying falls somewhere between Interview with the Vampire and Dracula, and is similarly told through several perspective characters (accounting for the variance in prose and tone). At times the prose is very compelling (“I cannot bring myself to care about or trust in a distant God, fickle and unreachable and unknowable.”), but at other moments falls quite flat (“Calm your tits, Iris.”), generally faltering when attempting modern inclusions.
The characters themselves are incredibly charming— and in particular, Lucy and Vanessa. A novel with just the transcriptions of the faux-therapy session(…s?) with Vanessa, and entries from the journal of Lucy Westenra, would honestly have been captivating enough, narratively, to stand on its own. It is within these sections that (I think) author Kiersten White’s writing is strongest and most engrossing.
Thank you to Kiersten White, Del Rey, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
The characters themselves are incredibly charming— and in particular, Lucy and Vanessa. A novel with just the transcriptions of the faux-therapy session(…s?) with Vanessa, and entries from the journal of Lucy Westenra, would honestly have been captivating enough, narratively, to stand on its own. It is within these sections that (I think) author Kiersten White’s writing is strongest and most engrossing.
Thank you to Kiersten White, Del Rey, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Terminal illness
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Death of parent
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 1 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is incredibly rich in its worldbuilding, and with a narrative voice that is especially satisfying to read. Oral storytelling is a vital component of this novel, being the way that a considerable amount of expository worldbuilding is conveyed. There are lengthy stretches of exposition, but because these moments are most often presented as educational moments to Anequs, the protagonist, it very rarely feels like a hindrance to plot progression.
Though decidedly set in another world, this novel feels very much like an alternate history fantasy novel, as there are many clear parallels to real-world events, cultures, places, etc. There is also exploration of the disparity in colonizer and indigenous views of societal expectation, community, and utility, and the struggle to retain cultural identity in the face of (violent, subsuming) modernization and colonization. Nampeshiweisit (Masquisit dragoneers), Anglish dragoneers, and their distinct approaches to working alongside dragons, provide a really interesting fantasy vector for further exemplifying this.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is particularly remarkable in how effectively Moniquill Blackgoose manages to portray the European-inspired fantasy elements as foreign and confusing , despite the likelihood of readers having already had an overexposure to European-inspired fantasy media, European mythology, etc.
Thank you so much to author Moniquill Blackgoose, Del Rey, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this novel to read and review! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Though decidedly set in another world, this novel feels very much like an alternate history fantasy novel, as there are many clear parallels to real-world events, cultures, places, etc. There is also exploration of the disparity in colonizer and indigenous views of societal expectation, community, and utility, and the struggle to retain cultural identity in the face of (violent, subsuming) modernization and colonization. Nampeshiweisit (Masquisit dragoneers), Anglish dragoneers, and their distinct approaches to working alongside dragons, provide a really interesting fantasy vector for further exemplifying this.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is particularly remarkable in how effectively Moniquill Blackgoose manages to portray the European-inspired fantasy elements as foreign and confusing , despite the likelihood of readers having already had an overexposure to European-inspired fantasy media, European mythology, etc.
Thank you so much to author Moniquill Blackgoose, Del Rey, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this novel to read and review! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Xenophobia, and Police brutality
Minor: Genocide
Anti-indigenous and anti-Black racism, indentured servitude, mention of past slavery, mention of past genocide, threatened hate crime, police brutality (in this case by guards)