Queer, cozy fantasy with a female fighter orc getting injured and forced to recuperate in a sleepy town, where she makes friends, a lo3.5 rounded down
Queer, cozy fantasy with a female fighter orc getting injured and forced to recuperate in a sleepy town, where she makes friends, a lover, and still manages to get up to shenanigans. Fun read, though I do think the cozy vibes ended up feeling a little too low-stakes for me, and I was glad there was at least some necromancer plotting. This is a prequel novel, and I hadn't quite processed what that would mean for the ending -- it added a bit of a bittersweet twist to the end which I liked. I enjoyed this enough that I'll probably plan to read the main book, but it didn't totally absorb me, which I think it more a testament to the tone/genre not totally being my bag....more
Another solid edition to this series! I was a little bummed that we didn't really get anything at all about the death of the god that was sort of the Another solid edition to this series! I was a little bummed that we didn't really get anything at all about the death of the god that was sort of the cliffhanger at the end of the previous book, but instead are sent on a totally different adventure. Enjoyable, of course, with lots of great cameos, but I think this is one of my least favorites so far. I really enjoyed both of the main characters a lot, but the pacing of the relationship development here didn't totally resonate, particularly on Marguerite's side -- it really felt like she went from lust to love really quickly, particularly for somebody so careful and guarded. Honestly, I was most captivated by the two female paladins of the God of Steel, and I'm very much hoping that one of them (Wren!!) features in the next book!...more
Around the World Reading Challenge: ESTONIA === 2.5 rounded up
This was... fucking bizarre. It's a sort of fantasy book set in medieval Estonia, with a lAround the World Reading Challenge: ESTONIA === 2.5 rounded up
This was... fucking bizarre. It's a sort of fantasy book set in medieval Estonia, with a lot of fairy-tale like elements and a fairly simplistic writing style that would make you think it's a YA or children's book, but it's definitely adult--there are some quite gruesome and horrifying scenes, and references to smut, though it's all off-screen. It's a sort of treatise on progress, and the things we lose and give up for so-called civilization. Fascinating themes, and even content, but overwhelming depressing on the whole. Certainly a unique book!...more
I quite enjoyed the first 40% or so. The world seemed interesting, and while I found the main character a little frustrating at times with her inabiliI quite enjoyed the first 40% or so. The world seemed interesting, and while I found the main character a little frustrating at times with her inability to take on people's advice, she's also like 15? 16? IDK, she's an annoying teenager, she gets some slack. The whole start of the book felt like a fairly standard YA set-up, and though I found the pacing a bit off--I think more time could have/should have been devoted to building this section out a bit--on the whole, I was enjoying it and felt it had promise. The shamanism aspect in particular seemed ripe for some really cool exploration
BUT THEN.
This book goes off the motherfucking rails. We don't get hardly any cool shamanism shit, we just get war and addiction and a level of gruesome violence that I was absolutely not prepared for. The marketing, age of protagonist, and first 40% of the book scream YA, but the level of graphic violence and abject cruelty on screen was truly gratuitous and sickening--no way would I classify this book as YA. I know the author had some lofty ambitions about the thematic explorations in this book, but I just don't feel like she delved deep enough to make it successful. The Mugen people are overwhelmingly described as truly inhuman (and in a fantasy book, I genuinely thought they were perhaps *not* actually human) which is clearly meant to try and "justify" Rin's actions at the end of the book, but other than a token resistance by basically the only redeemable character in the entire book, there's really no humanity afforded to the "other" side. This was particularly upsetting given that Nikan and Mugen are extremely clearly meant to represent China and Japan, which already feels a little appropriative and gross given it was SUCH an very explicit and clear "inspiration" but then to actively paint one side so brutally was just... IDK, it felt a bit gross to me. I found Rin to be an utterly tedious and unsympathetic character, and ultimately, the story being told here of her like, IDK, villain origin story?? It's just not one I have any interest in reading. The plot was boring, the war lacked emotional nuance or connection, and the characters felt like bland caricatures. I think part of why I'm feeling so disappointed and outraged is that this book has overwhelmingly amazing reviews, including from people whose opinions I tend to agree with... I can see how people could enjoy this book, but I did not at all enjoy the last 60% and have negative interest in reading more of this series, or really anything else from this author. ...more
Cute and charming middle grade read with a fun magic system and interesting concept. I always forget that middle grade reads just don't resonate as muCute and charming middle grade read with a fun magic system and interesting concept. I always forget that middle grade reads just don't resonate as much with me lately, so though I enjoyed it, I didn't love it. I was also pretty disappointed in the ending. (view spoiler)[It really seemed like there was a great opportunity to win the Scarling over to their side and reform them, and instead they get buried under concrete and essentially tortured for all eternity... maybe that's the curse of middle grade, but it felt so reductive and cruel and like a real missed opportunity for a richer ending, and I was left disappointed that the author took the easy and obvious route of vanquishing evil... (hide spoiler)]...more
Absolutely loved it! Brilliant conclusion that starts pretty much right after the last book ends and wraps everything up beautifully while still leaviAbsolutely loved it! Brilliant conclusion that starts pretty much right after the last book ends and wraps everything up beautifully while still leaving just enough open for imagination. I really enjoyed learning more about all of the avatars, as well as getting to meet some of the other cities. Manny continues to be my favorite, and the resolution to everything was quite interesting and another one of those perfect Jemisin solutions that I never see coming but work so well! I devoured this in one sitting--so good!...more
Around the World Reading Challenge: UK - WALES === This was a really interesting book told diary-style by a 15-year-old girl after a tragedy ends with hAround the World Reading Challenge: UK - WALES === This was a really interesting book told diary-style by a 15-year-old girl after a tragedy ends with her in a boarding school that's totally alien from how she grew up. It's got a lot of the classic trappings of a YA boarding-school coming of age, fantasy-elements included, but there was something quite unique and fresh about the concept, everything sort of tilted on its side. Lots of meta on sci-fi writers and books, which was simultaneously fun and a little exhausting. The writing is quite sparse--you get the sense that every word was chosen with care, which is a style that I actually don't usually enjoy, but I thought it worked here. I found it quite engaging and readable, and the tone and atmosphere were particularly effective....more
I thought this was really excellent, and though it's very different from the other series of hers I read (which I quite enjoyed!) this h4.5 rounded up
I thought this was really excellent, and though it's very different from the other series of hers I read (which I quite enjoyed!) this has definitely shot to the top of my list! Really cleverly written urban fantasy, and I continue to be amazed by Jemisin's mind! Ensemble casts can be tricky, and I did feel like Queens felt the most under-developed here, but on the whole the author did an excellent job with each of the characters, making them interesting and unique and fully-fleshed out. Even the 'villains' have a lot of depth, which I always appreciate. I didn't see the twist at the end coming, and I really loved it, and on the whole the ending was super satisfying, though it did, for me, feel a little bit rushed compared to the rest of the book. Very much looking forward to the next!...more
Honestly, this whole series is such a delight and I 100% recommend listening to them on audiobook instead of reading t**spoiler alert** I ADORED this!
Honestly, this whole series is such a delight and I 100% recommend listening to them on audiobook instead of reading them, if you have the opportunity. The narrator is absolutely enchanting, and I think even the author has said that these books are meant to be heard.
Anyways, a really lovely conclusion that wraps things up quite nicely. The final caper was suitably grand and dangerous, and I did like that "finishing" finally came into play. Lots of wonderful twists and turns, and I really adored the Headmistress and what the author did with Monique.
As much as I do adore a good rake (and I did adore Felix/Sophronia) I do think that ending with Soap and Sophronia was the only option, and the way that came about was perfect and lovely. They do have a wonderful relationship! Though, honestly, I wish we'd at least had a little more Felix in the book overall, as I do so love his character. :D
There is a little bit of an epilogue at the end, that let's us know the futures of the professors and some others. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get any update on Dimity, Agatha, or Felix...I know the author writes extensively in this verse, so perhaps they'll show up in future works?
Definitely plan on reading more of Carriger's works when I have a chance!...more
Thank you to Sandy Claws for gifting this to me during the 2023 Secret Santa Book Exchange! === I tend to really enjoy this author's books, and this wasThank you to Sandy Claws for gifting this to me during the 2023 Secret Santa Book Exchange! === I tend to really enjoy this author's books, and this was no exception! Really fascinating and unique world-building with the main character unexpectedly inheriting a title and house after the suspicious death of all his relatives, and having to race against time to stop the destruction of the city, which is held up through bargains with demons. Scott's great at really trusting the reader to pick things up as we go, which sometimes led to me feeling a little lost as I tried to figure out the rules and world-building, but I appreciate the lack of big exposition dumps. Some really lovely and complex relationships, though I do wish the romance had been a bit more prominent, particularly since it was an established relationship and it felt more platonic than I'd have preferred. ...more
I liked it, but it was my least favorite of the series. There were some plotting and pacing issues that didn't work for me, and some of the narrative I liked it, but it was my least favorite of the series. There were some plotting and pacing issues that didn't work for me, and some of the narrative choices didn't have a clear purpose and I didn't enjoy them. Some similar issues as the past books with relationships and world-building that were more frustrating here given it was the conclusion. I liked this series overall, but didn't absolutely love it....more
I enjoyed this one a lot, but despite not having any glaring issues, for some reason, I still didn't absolutely love it. This definitely has dark fantI enjoyed this one a lot, but despite not having any glaring issues, for some reason, I still didn't absolutely love it. This definitely has dark fantasy vibes, with a sort of pervasive bleakness that reminded me a lot of Ginn Hale's work--I can enjoy that kind of thing in the right mood and if I'm prepared for it, and while it definitely wasn't quite as grimdark as Hale's stuff, something about the tone just wasn't what I was craving.
Interesting cast of characters and fascinating world-building for sure, even if there are quite a few open questions and the author definitely throws you into the deep end! This also is essentially told in two timelines, past & present, which as a narrative device I just don't like. I understand its purpose here, and it was well done, but it's rare that I love that format, and I do think it detracted from my personal enjoyment, which is absolutely just a me thing.
Some twists at the end that actually pulled it all together for me, and though this story felt complete, it's clear there are a lot of avenues and characters the author could explore should she choose to write more in this 'verse! I'd definitely give them a read....more
Enjoyable sequel, though I am very much not a fan of the expected ~romance~ angle, which felt very forced and for which the characters, IMO, have no aEnjoyable sequel, though I am very much not a fan of the expected ~romance~ angle, which felt very forced and for which the characters, IMO, have no actual chemistry. World-building continues to be interesting, though I really want more detail on how shard magic actually works. Relationships here feel like the author's weak spots, as I often find more of them to feel a little forced and awkward, but her characters themselves I think are super interesting and well rounded. Very curious to see what the final book brings!...more
Engaging and interesting start to a fantasy trilogy. Very unique magic system and world-building, with a varied set of compelling characters. Some reaEngaging and interesting start to a fantasy trilogy. Very unique magic system and world-building, with a varied set of compelling characters. Some really great twists, and an ending that makes you want to keep reading immediately! I did think it was somewhat slow to start, and there were places where the world-building and greater context is somewhat opaque, but I'm hopeful that will resolve itself as I get further into the series!...more
I enjoyed returning to this world, but I think this rating has more to do with nostalgia than anything. It felt like the author was tryi2.5 rounded up
I enjoyed returning to this world, but I think this rating has more to do with nostalgia than anything. It felt like the author was trying to have a slightly more adult approach while still keeping the vibe and feel of the original series, and it didn't quite work for me. I appreciated that he made attempts to dig into Murtagh's troubled history and how that affected him, but so much of those impacts felt so shallow that it felt a little hollow. There were SO many different threads happening, and while I did think the book was quite readable, I was left wondering why Murtagh was making the choices he was, or what relevance to the plot these little side quests had. I think the author lingered WAY too long (view spoiler)[once Murtagh gets captured with the torture-porn/mind-rape stuff, which felt so gratuitous and unnecessary (hide spoiler)] and I was disappointed by how little we got of Thorn, or of real expansion on world-building or the magical system. I'll be curious to see where the series goes, and if he continues it, and I'll likely keep reading for nostalgia's sake....more
I really enjoy this author's works, and this was no different! A novella retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with a twist, as you'd expect from Kingfisher! I really enjoy this author's works, and this was no different! A novella retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with a twist, as you'd expect from Kingfisher! I'll admit, I had thought this was a full-length novel when I began, and while I do think it was well crafted and mostly satisfying as a novella, I found myself wanting a bit more nuance and detail that perhaps a novel would have allowed. The climax felt a little anti-climactic and not quite as satisfying as I'd have liked with all the lovely build. But I found the Fae world-building to be really interesting, Toadling and her whole history were both wonderful, and the knight was lovely and charming--delightful as well to read about love without compulsory romance. ...more
Fun little bonus book full of character studies, deleted scenes, and new POVs! As with any collection, some of these were stronger than 3.5 rounded up
Fun little bonus book full of character studies, deleted scenes, and new POVs! As with any collection, some of these were stronger than others. I do think it possibly could have used a bit of a stronger hand when it came to edited, both technically and because several of the stories didn't actually add much value. I also did find myself wanting another story or two of "fresh" content--several of these really did have the feel of recycled material, which the author is very up-front about, but still left me wanting just a smidge more. Still, for fans of the series this was fun!...more
Really solid and enjoyable conclusion to the series!!
I really enjoyed the ending, and where we leave all of the characters--it feels solid and hopefulReally solid and enjoyable conclusion to the series!!
I really enjoyed the ending, and where we leave all of the characters--it feels solid and hopeful, but not tied up in a bow. I thought we'd get a different ending for Dara, but this feels more satisfying. Jamshid's grew on me, after a very weird departure in book 2 from his character in book 1. I did think Manizeh went a little *too* off the rails, but a minor quibble overall. I also appreciated that the door was left open for more in this universe, both with characters in this series, and beyond....more
Solid sequel/middle book, and I'm definitely very excited to keep reading!!
I enjoy El a lot as a narrator generally speaking, though I did sometimes fSolid sequel/middle book, and I'm definitely very excited to keep reading!!
I enjoy El a lot as a narrator generally speaking, though I did sometimes find the inner monologue style to be a little exhausting. It can feel a bit repetitive but I do think that's sort of just part of the authenticity. The deepening relationships here were really lovely, and I generally enjoyed the other characters, though for the most part there are SO many of them that they can feel a little flat/surface level. Continues to be a good amount of exposition/info-dump, which for the most part I felt was well integrated, but sometimes it did become a bit distracting. It's clear Novik knows a lot about this world, but not all of it felt like it *needed* to be explained to be honest. But I really do enjoy her writing--something about it is just so compelling and readable, and I binged this in one sitting....more
Solid update to this trilogy, and it definitely has me looking forward to the final book!
This is a long one and it covers a lot of ground, but I thougSolid update to this trilogy, and it definitely has me looking forward to the final book!
This is a long one and it covers a lot of ground, but I thought the pacing was pretty solid for the most part. Five years have passed since the end of the first book and this one, and while I can understand that necessity to get things to progress to a certain point, I did often find it jarring to have had SO much time pass that we hadn't been privy to, in terms of relationship and political developments etc. I also found myself really disliking a number of characters that I either liked or could at least empathize with in the first book, including several that I don't think I'm *meant* to dislike quite as much as I do. We're also introduced to a new POV in this book, and while again, I can understand why it was necessary to give us that different perspective, I found those sections to be the weakest overall, and I think partly it was supposed to make us empathize a bit with the situation Dara is in, but again, it actually just made me dislike him even more than I did in book 1, which was fairly considerable, TBH. Slightly more explicit queer rep in this one, building off the implications in book 1, but I'm still not totally wild about the way that the author's gone about it.
Still, the world building continues to be really well done and super fascinating and nuanced, and I felt super invested in the characters and the plot. ...more
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