#book reivews

[wttnblog]

"I Want You More" Plays Into Our Innate Desire To Be Desired

It’s been a long time since I’ve picked up a thriller, but the cover of Swan Huntley’s I Want You More drew me in immediately. This sapphic story is about a ghostwriter, Zara, who goes to the house of her client, Jane, to interview her for her memoir. This isn’t a thriller in the traditional sense of the word. Instead, it’s marked more by a persistent sense of uneasiness. This feeling is…

[thisworldisablackhole]

The Book of the New Sun #1-4, by Gene Wolfe (1980-83) - 5/5

This one is hard to write about. If you know, you know, but I'll be honest - y'all set me up for thinking this was going to be the most difficult to understand series of all time. I was terrified. But when I finally dived in, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The water was cool, and the current was easy to follow. This is your sign! If you are on the fence and put off by all the reviews making it sound like you need a PhD in astrophysics or a bunch of in-depth guides to understand the book; don't be afraid. Gene Wolfe will swaddle you like a little baby and whisper dark poetry in your ears.

The Book of the New Sun, underneath all of its complexities, has the wire frame of an adventure novel. In a way, it plays out quite like a video game. Severian commits a crime, gets exiled from his guild, and on his journey out into the world becomes entwined with interesting characters and gets his attention pulled by side quests and love interests that all end up being important and interconnected later down the road. I think any avid sci-fi fantasy reader who is comfortable with holding on to multi-threaded narratives and even vaguely familiar with the concept of parallel timelines and simultaneity shouldn't have a problem. The ability to be okay with confusion and trust in the author is also a requirement, which shouldn't be new to you if you're even considering this. I also have to shout out the Teixcalaan duology by Arkady Martine for priming me for the idea of assimilated memories from another consciousness that emerge in thought as well as harder to detect endocrine and nervous system responses.

So I don't mean to undersell the complexity of The Book of the New Sun at all, for it is indeed rich with high concepts. There are so many layers to be found that make you consistently look back and recontextualize older parts of the story to look for hints or signs of influence, and putting the pieces together is a huge part of the fun. The reader is almost forced into becoming a detective, but if you catch onto these things early and learn to question basically everything you read, Severian doesn't end up sounding as unreliable as people make him out to be.

Regardless, it is still not a breezy read. Gene Wolfe's prose is dense, chewy and archaic, including lots of forgotten historical words that honestly aren't that intimidating as long as you can loosely group them into terms that relate to position and rank and which ones are the names of weapons or beasts. Like bittersweet toffee, every paragraph gets stuck in your teeth, sometimes requiring multiple jabs of the tongue just to make sure you actually grasped the bare concept. Wolfe forces you to pay attention, and that is part of what makes this such an engaging read. I read both of these in less time than I usually read a much shorter stand-alone, because I just found myself addicted to the way that Gene Wolfe paints his world - the dark, gritty, philosophical nature of the story, and all of the biblical symbolism on top of it. This also has one of my favourite settings in sci-fi that doesn't get explored nearly enough; a future so far ahead that humanity has experienced a sort of rubber banding effect, doubling back on itself until the disparity and destruction creates a dichotomy of swords and space ships.

Overall though, TBOTNS is basically one big character development arc. It's a redemption story, albeit an ambiguous one with many interpretations. Gene Wolfe takes someone who is part of possibly the most depraved and morally bankrupt positions in society (in this case, a torturer and executioner), and follows him as he leaves the brutal and insular culture of his upbringing and is guided toward a higher purpose. It's not a quick process. Severian is self aware of his shortcomings, often recognizing his own mistakes and noting the moments when he acts in poor judgement. But like most people, he is also sometimes unaware of when he hurts people. He’s a very real character, full of all the pitfalls of the average man. Yes this includes some misogyny and oversexualization of female characters, and I don’t blame anyone for getting caught up on those points, but it’s important to remember that Severian is a product of his environment (an all-male guild of torturers ffs), and and his behaviour does improve in the third and fourth books. He also frequently expresses his struggle to understand the difference between love and lust.

Severian does terrible, terrible things repeatedly throughout his journey, but he consistently reflects on his actions and emotions and over time his morality becomes more guided by a desire to do good as he is haunted by his past (and future). There is also a noticeable tone shift in the books as this development occurs, and by the time you reach the end you will really feel as though you traversed the absolute blackest pits of humanity and climbed toward spiritual enlightenment. It's one of the most brilliant and drawn out character studies of all time. But Gene Wolfe didn't only pour his attention into Severian. Almost every character, no matter how brief, is portrayed in such a complex and ambiguous light, where their motives and history are hard to know or understand, but they are all so memorable nonetheless.

I'm just ranting at this point, but there is truly so much to discuss with these books, and I can only imagine how many more details could be illuminated by a second read. I've hardly scratched the surface as it is. I ordered Urth of the New Sun, the final book that Wolfe tacked on a few years later, and I'm very excited. This is a cult classic for a reason.

[teenageread]

Review: Fourth Wing

Initial Thoughts:

Recommended by a friend, and it was a wild recommendation worth every page. Rebecca Yarros introduces us to the world of Dragon College, where death rates and graduation rates seem to be competing. From the lengthy introduction to the map at the beginning, you can already tell this is going to be a long and epic series. Yarros grips readers not only with a captivating plot but also with well-developed characters. The story features a physically weak but mentally strong heroine, a dark and brooding bad boy love interest, dragons, and rich history. There’s so much to love about this long, dark novel, with just the right amount of smutty romance to offer hope for true love. It’s fantastic, and one I’m grateful my friend recommended. This book, which won the 2023 Goodreads Award for Best Romantasy, is definitely deserving of the praise and highly recommended.

Characters:

Violet Sorrengail is a character to fall in love with. Though physically weak—she has brittle bones and easily torn ligaments—Violet is mentally strong. She was never meant to be a Rider, but after the death of her father, her mother, General Sorrengail, forces her into this role, just as she did with Violet's older sister, Mira, and her deceased brother, Brennan. This dynamic shows just how complicated Violet’s relationship with her mother is, while also highlighting the bond between the sisters. Violet may be fragile physically, but she’s sharp, witty, and compassionate, particularly towards her friends.

Violet’s childhood best friend, Dain, becomes an unlikeable character as he constantly tells her she doesn’t belong in the Riders Quadrant, even as she proves him wrong time and again. His protective instincts go too far, and he’s unable to see just how capable Violet is. Enter Xaden Riorson, the dark and brooding bad boy with a tragic past. His father led the rebellion that Violet’s mother crushed, resulting in Xaden being forced into the Riders Quadrant to prove his loyalty to the crown or die. Despite their history, Xaden doesn’t hate Violet, and their relationship follows the well-loved enemies-to-lovers trope. As Yarros delves into Xaden’s past, you start to see his vulnerability—his heart may be dark, but it’s also big, and he’s willing to risk everything for the right cause, even if it means breaking the rules.

Plot:

As mentioned, this novel is set in Dragon College, a place where dragon riders are trained. The story follows Violet’s journey from her arrival at the college to surviving brutal training and even more brutal classmates. One of the biggest events is the Treashing, where students bond with a dragon—or die trying. But the Treashing only happens in October, and there are still ten months left in the novel after that. So, while bonding with a dragon could have been the central plot point, Yarros keeps us on our toes with other events like squad games, war games, and the challenge of manifesting a dragon’s power. Death rates at the college are high, and Violet’s survival is constantly at risk, whether from her peers or her dragon. It’s a dark, action-packed world, and it’s clear that Violet’s not meant to make it, yet she keeps proving everyone wrong.

Writing:

At over 500 pages, this novel is long, but Yarros does an excellent job of keeping the plot moving, even with the slower moments that build the world. Like most fantasy novels, there’s a lot of world-building to do, from the complex governmental system and quadrant codex to the backstories of the Sorrengail and Riorson families. This takes time, but the journey is well worth it. The writing is clear and easy to follow, even with the fantasy names and terminology. Yarros keeps things engaging through character development, interactions between friends, and the growing tension between Violet and Xaden. Big events like the Threshing keep the action flowing, and the novel ends on a cliffhanger, making it clear that this is the start of an epic series. I can’t wait to read what comes next.

Conclusion:

There’s very little that Yarros doesn’t hit with this novel. It has romance, action, dragons, and fantasy that’s off the charts. Those smutty scenes add just the right amount of tension and heat to make the long journey worth it. This is a book I would definitely recommend, as Yarros' writing completely pulls you into the world she’s created. Like Violet, you’ll want to see justice served in a world that’s seen too much cruelty—and, of course, you’ll want to root for the boy who doesn’t yet see his worth, but you know he has so much to offer.

[readthebookfirstpodcast]

Amanda joins us in analyzing Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. This novel has been turned into a hit Broadway play and recently a movie-musical (both will be discussed in an episode next week).

What did Maguire add to the rich world of Baum's Oz? How does Elphaba develop from a misunderstood girl to a wicked witch? Who truly decides your fate?

[allbookedupblogstuff]

Laozi's Dao Di Jing translated by Ken Liu

TL;DR: A very friendly exploration of a philosophy I’ve heard of but didn’t know many details. Source: Netgalley! Thank you so much! I also purchased my own copy after completion. Structure: This includes essays from Ken Liu about the translation and his thoughts on several of the chapters which really helped add to the overall message and understanding.Readability: This is very newbie friendly…

[nemuibibliophile]

Legends & Lattes

This is the sequel to the recent book I've read, Bookshops Bonedust by Travis Baldree.

When I first finished Bookshops Bonedust, I knew off the bat that I would love to know what Viv, the young female orc was up to. I love how her character was portrayed, the adventurous kind, and yet while recovering, getting into books and knowing people from Murk as a mystery pops along the way.

So I was pretty excited when the second book came and I have to say that Legends & Lattes did not disappoint me one bit. I was glad that the book skipped the gory part of her adventure and went straight into her next divulge at which she decided to stay put in one place called Thunes and open up a cafe.

Here is the thing, the place where she decided to establish the cafe has yet to introduce coffee to society, she first got into it in a place called Azimuth via a friendly gnome she met when she entered the cafe through the exotic "bean" she smelled.

That's when she decided to own a cafe and sell coffee but she had another idea along with it. She came about a song that bards used to sing about Scalvert Stone and if it is placed along the ley lines it will produce a "ring of fortune" with the aspect of the heart.

Along the way as she established her cafe, she met a few kindred characters whom I truly love how they grew with Viv and became her lucky stars. I feel I should name one of the characters that I am very fond of. He is a rattkin and his name is Thimbles. He's such a cute and lovely character in the story. Love it when he appears. So keep a lookout on him.

Here is my spot of tea, it is a very lovely book and I finished it in a sitting. Got to show how much I really enjoyed this book. The sad thing is it did not link the previous book's characters like the rattkin Fern except for the short introduction to Legends & Lattes in the first book. I would love to see them interact in a way but it does not dampen the atmosphere it has established in the story. Would recommend getting both books to enjoy

Sleepy review: 4.5/5

[books-in-a-storm]

Paranormal Star Review

Title: Dino Magic #1 Dinosaurs, Disasters & Albert Einswine

Author: Sedona Ashe

Pages: 190

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

Synopsis:

I have huge man problems. Literally, since one of my mates is a T-Rex.

Things are about to get interesting, because my day job happens to be in a museum. A museum full of dinosaur bones, if you know what I mean.

It turns out my bloodline is older than dirt, and ancestral matchmaker decided to send me some gifts…aka, men. And not just any men, but dinosaur shifters from the past.

I’ve read enough paranormal romance to know all about fated mates, but I’ve never heard of fated dinosaur mates. These men are supposed to be my perfect match, here to help me learn about my magic. Rawr. Yes, they are as sexy as you are imagining.

My life had been a routine of working and spending time watching TV with my pet pig, Albert Einswine. Now I needed to learn to control the magic I never knew I had, learn more about my family line, and help these sexy dino shifters adjust to modern society.

All while hiding a T-Rex sized secret from the world.

To make matters worse, detectives are looking into the explosion I may or may not have caused when my blood mixed with some magic-infused ancient dust, which is a serious problem since the sexy green-eyed detective has my heart flip-flopping in my chest.

First And Last Sentence: Here

[asummerofstories]

When I was a kid, I desperately wanted to be an archeologist and adventurer discovering lost ruins across the world. I also wanted to be a librarian, a police officer, a writer. The list was inspired by the books I was reading and the television I was consuming at the time, changing almost every other day as I acquired new information.   

What’s striking when reading ‘Bad Blood’ is that when Elizabeth Holmes was asked the question about what she wanted to be when she grew up, the answer was not about a particular field or job role. She wanted to be a billionaire. The term doesn’t describe much about what a person with this status would do day-to-day but when we think about the term there are a few obvious names that come to mind.  

Inspired by Steve Jobs, Elizabeth set out to change the world with an idea that would revolutionize the medical field.  

Theranos was the next Silicon Valley “Unicorn” - experiencing a meteoric rise gaining attention and investments from the rich and powerful. Everything was in place for Elizabeth Holmes to realize her dream of becoming a billionaire, the only problem? The technology didn’t work.  

‘Bad Blood’ is the triumph of investigative journalism – it was John Carreyrou’s articles in the Wall Street Journal that exposed the fraudulent claims made by Elizbeth Holmes and Theranos. This book is fast paced and breathtaking, after each chapter you will find yourself asking why no one had caught on as the years went by.  

Even though the heart of the book is one case, the story points to a much bigger issue with attitudes and investment within Silicon Valley. In an attempt to chase the next gold rush from new technology corners were and due diligence forgotten while real patients were put at risk.  

As a side note, I’d also highly recommend ‘The Smartest Guys in the Room’ by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind if you enjoy reading about corporate fraud!  

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

Part dark gothic fantasy, part journey into the bizarre, this delicious blending of tall tales and Latin American surrealism will haunt you as you devour it!

"Highly imaginative and powerfully affecting."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

1836, Wisconsin. Catalina lives with her pa and brother in a ramshackle cabin on the edge of the wilderness. Harsh winters have brought the family to the brink of starvation, and Catalina has replaced her poet's soul with an unyielding determination to keep Pa and her brother alive.

When a sudden illness claims Pa, a strange man appears—a man covered in bark, leaves growing from his head, and sap dripping from his eyes. He scoops up her brother and disappears, leaving behind a bird with crimson wings. Catalina can’t let this man—if that’s what he is—have her brother. So, she grabs Pa’s knife and follows the bird.

Along the way, she finds help from a young lumberjack, who has his own reasons for hunting the Man of Sap. As their journey takes them deeper into the woods, they encounter strange beasts and tormented spirits. The more they uncover about the Man of Sap, the more they learn how deeply Catalina’s fate is entwined with his, planted long ago in cursed seeds.

An enchanting mixture of American tall tales and Faustian elements, Before the Devil Knows You’re Here centers a fierce Mexican American poet on a quest to save her brother. Autumn Krause’s vivid, haunting prose and rich symbolism make this a must-read for fans of Maggie Stiefvater and Erin Craig.

Review:

A unique dark gothic fantasy take on the story of Johnny Appleseed? I am in! The story follows Catalina, a young woman in 1836, Wisconsin who lives with her father and brother in a cable in the wilderness. They have been struggling to just get by, crops failing, and hunger gnawing at them... but their father has always told them to be weary of the Sap Man and his apples, apples that will kill them. When her father suddenly becomes sick, a strange man covered in bark appears with sap dripping from his eyes and kidnaps her brother. Catalina knows it is the Sap Man and now she must find a way to get her brother back. Along the way she meets a lumberjack also hunting this man down... and together they journey deeper into the woods and encounter strange beasts and tortured souls. The story is also told from the point of view of Johnny, the Sap Man, detailing his life from before he became what he was and the deal with the devil that he made, and ultimately the cost. Catalina must find a way to save her brother but there will be a cost to getting what she wants and that might mean making a deal with the same devil that made Johnny what he is now. This was such a fascinating story and honestly so unique. I love the take on the story of Johnny Appleseed and the gothic fantasy tones in this were amazing. I really had a great time with this one and think it would make a great autumn read! If you like gothic fairytales, a little bit of romance, and good atmospheric writing, pick this one up!

*Thanks Netgalley and Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink, Peachtree Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[readingcottage]

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general - also known as her tough-as-talons mother - has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you're smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away . . . because dragons don't bond to 'fragile' humans. They incinerate them. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother's daughter - like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. She'll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise. Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret. Alliances will be forged. Lives will be lost. Traitors will become allies . . . or even lovers. But sleep with one eye open because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

Goodreads 4.69/5 | Amazon 4.8/5

BUY IT NOW

[ishouldreadthat]

The Black Swan Mystery by Tetsuya Ayukawa

Cults! Trains! Trade Unions! Murder! A twisty, translated crime thriller #booksky #bookreview

Book review1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 3.5 out of 5. Early one morning, the owner of a local mill is found lying next to the railway tracks just outside of Kuki Station. Suspicion initially falls on the workers’ union, with whom the man had been embroiled in a labour dispute, then on a new religious sect that has been gaining followers recently. Chief Inspector Onitsura and his assistant Tanna are called…

[wttnblog]

Absorbed: Dreaming of Love and Drowning in Bad Decisions

In Absorbed, by Jaime Townzen, lifeguard Stacey Chapman is living through a summer full of confusion, bad choices, and the weight of invisible struggles. “Dreaming of love and drowning in bad decisions” perfectly sums her trajectory throughout the book. This story hit me in ways I wasn’t prepared for. Like Stacey, I’ve battled body image issues and faced a traumatic experience—someone I trusted…

[teenageread]

Review: A Court of Silver Flames

Initial Thoughts:

At first, I couldn’t help but feel like this novel was just a "money grab." After all, why would Sarah Maas continue a series that already had an epilogue and a Christmas special? But, despite that, I really do love Nesta, so I decided it was worth reading. It's important to approach this novel not as an extension of the series (though it might eventually turn into one—who knows?), but as a standalone story within the world we already know and love, set after the main drama has concluded. Honestly, if you're not particularly invested in the other characters or the world’s history, this novel could easily be read independently. Nesta is so much better than Feyre, and I will gladly defend that opinion. However, you’ll still want to read it if you're a fan of the series because, while it lacks any major twists, the story is simple and straightforward, with little action or adventure beyond Nesta’s personal journey. The plot can be summarized as “Nesta needs to get her act together and help out the Night Court”—and that’s pretty much exactly what happens, taking over seven hundred pages to do so. The length is largely due to the character development of both old favorites and new ones, which makes the novel worth it if you've been following these characters since Feyre’s initial kidnapping (the beginning of the series).

Character:

I adore Nesta and her entire backstory, so getting a novel entirely from her (and Cassian’s) perspective was a dream come true. The reason I rated this novel so highly isn’t because of the plot or because I’m in love with Maas’s world—it’s because of the characters and the development they undergo. Told from Nesta’s point of view, we get a deeper understanding of the girl who once wanted nothing to do with the Night Court, now thrust into a world where she possesses immense magical powers she is reluctant to master. An alcoholic and somewhat of a sex addict, Nesta is deeply flawed, and her actions are often self-destructive. Through her inner monologue, Maas allows us to see why Nesta behaves the way she does, causing pain and struggling with her general unhappiness. It makes you truly empathize with the character who was previously only seen as Feyre’s bitter, silent older sister—the one who lost everything when their family’s wealth was taken away. In this novel, we finally get to understand the past and present of Nesta, which gives her the chance for a meaningful character arc. Maas really shines here by making her a better person.

Beyond Nesta, this novel also has a strong focus on female friendships. It shifts the narrative away from the romantic relationship with Cassian and emphasizes the importance of female empowerment. Nesta forms meaningful friendships and builds a network of elite female warriors, which the community desperately needs. I also appreciated the natural progression of Cassian and Nesta’s relationship. Given the novel’s length, Maas had plenty of time to develop this, and it was well worth it. While I loved Cassian as a character, I didn’t necessarily need to hear his inner thoughts. He’s great, but his inner monologue often felt unnecessary or overly simplistic in certain parts. That said, the interactions between the Court of Nightmares were fantastic, and I loved seeing the brothers interact. Azriel, my true love, I missed you.

Plot and Writing:

As I mentioned earlier, the plot is straightforward: Nesta needs to get her life together and contribute to the Night Court. Maas’s writing is easy to follow and engaging, but the plot doesn’t offer many surprises. There are no major twists, but Nesta undergoes a significant self-healing journey, which is divided into several phases, each with its own theme. Unfortunately, Nesta’s journey takes a while to unfold, which accounts for the book’s length—or perhaps Maas just enjoys taking her time. One thing I did appreciate about the plot is how consistently forward-moving it is; there’s no backtracking with Nesta’s character development. Sure, her relationship with Cassian experiences ups and downs, but as a character, Nesta is constantly improving, growing stronger, trusting her friends more, and becoming a better warrior with each chapter. Cassian’s character also progresses, though there’s one major setback (a typical third-act breakup), which was predictable. The novel's length can be attributed to Maas taking her time, not rushing anything. Even the romance and smut scenes are frequent and explicit, which pushes this novel out of the YA category. The frequency of these scenes, though, seems to detract from their earlier quality. In the beginning, they are well-written and impactful, but later, as they become more frequent, they feel less polished and at times, unnecessary.

Conclusion:

Was this novel necessary? Probably not. Was it enjoyable? Honestly, yes. Maas is known for writing extremely long books, and much like Tower of Dawn, this novel wasn’t really needed, but it was fun to read if you care about Nesta and want to see her redemption arc. Additionally, if you’re curious about how Maas concludes Feyre and Rhys’s story, you’ll get a little more of that here as well.

[readthebookfirstpodcast]

Isaac and Jenessa break down Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle and discuss how it's different (better?) than the book it's based on. Listen to find out which scene made Jenessa cry. 

All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com

[allbookedupblogstuff]

Sisters in Science by Olivia Campbell

TL;DR: This one had me tense, sad, and fascinated all in different turns. A very good read. Source: Netgalley – Thanks so much to the publisher! Plot: We follow four women (who are mostly forgotten by popular history) who fled Nazi Germany. Subjects: These three women were all fascinating and important to scientific history. I’d like to read more about them. Setting: We stayed primarily in…

[doodlesink]

A Year of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher -- A Book Review

Happy Tuesday!  A Year of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher is out today!  Pop by to see what I thought about this touching set of tales.  Happy Reading!

https://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2024/11/a-year-of-flowers-by-suzanne-woods.html#google_vignette