Ironside review

 

Book: Ironside

Author: Holly Black

Pages: 277

Date(s) Read: November 9^th, 2024 to November 23^rd, 2023

Date Published: October 20^th, 2020

Rating: 4/5

Favorite Quotes:

“I’m right about Adair, they love to hurt people. People like Janet.”

“The child’s fey nature becomes harder and harder to conceal as it grows. In the end they all return to Faerie.”

Review:

Kayes story continues in this novel. I admit the second novel in this series was a dnf around 40 percent in. Valiant made me feel like I needed to take a shower. It had all the atmosphere and appeal of a rat decaying in a filthy dingy subway, probably surrounded by discarded needles. That being said, this book was good and you could still follow along without needing to read Valiant. You just miss some backstory on characters that show up in this book.

 

Kayes impetuous actions lead her into more trouble in Ironside when she makes a declaration of love for Roiben publicly at his coronation in drunken stupor. He sends her on a seemingly impossible quest she must complete before she can be reunited with him, as his consort. Along the adventure is her friend Cornelius. Cornelius is still traumatized from events in the tithe, and he's dealing with his trauma in some pretty unproductive ways. Together they get swept up in fey court politics, handle family drama, and meet a new ally.

 

A lot happened in this book, making it a little hard to describe but overall I enjoyed it. It was as strong a book as Holly Blacks book Tithe. If you enjoyed that book then this one is definitely worth picking up.

The Scarlet Alchemist review

 

Book: The Scarlet Alchemist

Author: Kylie Lee Baker

Pages: 432

Date Read: July 22^nd, 2024 to August 1^st, 2024

Date Published: October 3^rd, 2023

Rating: 5/5

Review

Set in an alternative China, Fan Zilans story is an exciting spectacular full of magic, monsters, an evil queen, and even a deep and expansive magic system.

 In this truly dark tale Fan Zilan works to achieve her goals, falls in love, and battles a truly evil queen or in this case, empress. This story was full of so many twists and turns, I couldn't get enough of it. The ending, while leaving room for the upcoming sequel, still was well written and satisfying.

This story has a lot of important themes such as family, morality, classism, race and gender. The story itself is an excellent blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and horror where the true horror isn't the monsters but the ruling elite. 

Zilan is an interesting character that has tremendous growth. Her story is fascinating and she herself is a well crafted, deep and unique heroine. 

This is a book so good you'll preorder the next one before finishing it. 

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Murder in the Forbidden City review

 

Book: Murder in the Forbidden City

Author: Amanda Roberts

Pages: 202

Date(s) Read: November 8^th, 2024 to November 20^th, 2024

Date Published: June 28^th, 2017

Rating: 4/5

Review:

This was a good, short mystery. I enjoyed it. It's not the most complex detective story ever but for an old timey whodunit it was great.

 

When Lady Li's sister-in-law Suyi, a lady in waiting to the empress, is murdered it's up to detective Gong to solve the crime. With Gong himself barred from the Forbidden City for being a man he must enlist Lady Li's help in infiltrating the palace and finding out who murdered Suyi and why.

 

Lady Li and Gong are both likable characters with some good chemistry. I enjoyed the dual perspectives, it helped keep things going at a fast pace.

 

It's not a particularly brilliant or memorable novel but I enjoyed my time reading this book and recommend it if historical fiction and detective stories interest you.

My Darling Dreadful Thing review

 

Book: My Darling Dreadful Thing

Author: Johanna Van Veen

Pages: 384

Date(s) Read: November 6^th, 2024 to November 19^th, 2024

Date Published: May 14^th, 2024

Rating: 5/5

Favorite Quotes:

“The seances were shameful because we abused the suffering of others for our own gain.”

 

 

Review:

My Darling Dreadful Thing is both romantic and horrific. It is the epitome of Gothic horror. I found this unique and atmospheric gothic love story hard to put down. I found myself reading it during work hours, I was so enthralled.

 

In this peculiar and aberrant romance we follow Roos, a mistreated young woman forced to help her mother swindle the innocent and grieving in her sordid seances. Roos is starved for both food and love by her mother and turns to her spirit companion Ruth for intimacy. That is, until she meets the beautiful and generous Agnes who has more in common with Roos than she realizes.

 

I found this novel to be completely engrossing. It deals with many deep and dark themes such as racism, toxic relationships, oppression, and childhood trauma. Characters are all unique, varied, whole people that you really get a feel for. Interspersed throughout the novel are present day patient/doctor interviews that help move the story and mystery along creating a novel that is well paced and constantly moving. There's never a moment that lulls or overstays it's welcome.

 

This sapphic affaire is both deep and moving as well as atmospheric, dark, and eerie. It is not to be missed whether you're looking for an emotional love story or a somber tale of ghosts and spirits.

We Love The Night Life review

 

Book: We Love the Night Life

Author: Rachel Koller Croft

Pages: 400

Date Read: July 22^nd 2024, to September 22^nd, 2024

Date Published: August 20^th, 2024

Rating: 5/5

We love the night life is everything you could want in a vampire story. It’s decadent, glamorous, alluring, dazzling, seductive and flashy – with bite. It’s a booming tale of dysfunctional friendship and codependency that reverberates long after you’ve finished it.

Amid the sizzling and scintillating magical ambiance of the Disco scene in the late 1970’s, alluring and captivating Amber with her gorgeous, good looks enchants the stunning vampire Nicola. Instantly they have chemistry on and off the dance floor becoming fast friends. Flickering between the past and present we see a friendship in retrograde. What was once a fun and effervescent relationship has turned into a virulent bond where Nicola desperately hangs on to control over her prepossessing partying paramour.  Amber, our sensational stunner is betrayed by Nicola, a fashionable femme fatale. While reeling from the betrayal Amber takes a deeper look at her concord with Nicola and wonders if maybe it’s time she strike out on her own.

This book had me completely enraptured. From the glamor and beauty to the toxicity a friendship can take on I was engrossed from the first page. We Love the Night Life is everything I ever wanted in a vampire novel: Bombshell beauties, violence, trauma, and drama. 

 

Broke Bones Review

 

Book: Broke Bones

Author: Lauretta Hignett

Pages: 238

Date(s) Read: November 6^th, 2024 to November 12^th, 2024

Date Published: May 11^th, 2023

Rating:  4/5

This was a fun, fast paced romp. It's not brilliant or genius, it doesn't really bring anything new to the table either and the romance is very cliche with the possessiveness of the alpha love interest. But all that being said, for what it is it's another solid entry in a really fun series. It's the book equivalent of Wendy's. It's not gourmet food, but for fast food it's pretty damn good.

 

Prudence goes through a lot of turmoil in this book as she finds out a huge life changing secret, battles an angry ifrit on a rampage, and deals with her best friend turned murdering psychopath...oh and I forgot to mention her sister is suing her. Prues gotta save the world while dealing with a bitter and contentious court case, when is she finally gonna get a break?

 

It's a fun book but there's not really anything more to say. If you like urban fantasy this is a series worth checking out. It's not gonna rock your world but it's not meant to.

I'll Be The One Review

 

Book: I’ll Be the One

Author: Lyla Lee

Pages: 328

Date Read: August 4^th, 2024 to September 4^th, 2024

Date Published: June 16^th, 2020

Rating: 5/5

'I'll Be the One' is everything a good teen book should be and more. It's fun, romantic, positive, diverse, and empowering. Not a moment on the book overstays it's welcome.

'I'll Be the One' follows Skye, a size 16 teenager with aspirations to be a K-pop dancing and singing sensation. When a K-pop contest is being produced locally she enters with dreams of winning. Along the way she meets unique new friends, finds romance, learns to love herself, battles insecurity and deals with a parent that's less than they should be.

Skye, our heroine is one of my favorite females leads ever. 16-year-old me would have loved her. She's got everything: talent, perseverance, confidence, and passion. When others, including her own mother try to discourage her she shows amazing tenacity and determination to continue working towards her goals with her sense of self-worth intact. As someone who struggles with my weight and confidence seeing a character like Skye was what I needed. Owning not only her size but who she is as a person was truly inspirational. It never occurred to me that a teen book could rouse such feelings in me.

This book is a must read for any teenage girl. Not only is the book itself positive but also our main characters’ supporters and love interest are positive too. I don't see enough healthy friendships and relationships in general in media geared towards women, teens in pa

The Blood Orchid Review

 

Book: The Blood Orchid

Author: Kylie Lee Baker

Pages: 400

Date(s) Read: October 23^rd, 2024 to November 17^th, 2024

Date Published: October 22^nd, 2024

Rating: 5/5

Favorite Quotes:

“None of us knew how to accept grand gestures of love, because we simply didn’t need them. We loved as we poured our uneaten soup into each others bowls, as we stood in the sun to let the other rest in the shade.”

“I didn’t die for nothing.” “I died for you, and you’re still here, so none of it was a waste.”

Review:

The Blood Orchid was just as riveting and exciting as the Scarlet Alchemist. It's fabulous end to a great story. I truly loved these two books. Fan Zilan is a wonderful female main character whose tough and resilient but also highly empathetic. She's definitely a standout heroine.

 

In this sequel to The Scarlet Alchemist we see Fan Zilan go on a grand adventure to discover Penglai Island in the hopes of resurrecting her beau and others. Along the way she must again battle the evil Empress Wu. Joining Fan Zilan on this adventure is her brother Wenshu, her sister Yufei, rival alchemist Zheng Sili and of course, most importantly...Durian, the alchemy duck Zilan created in the first book. This book was so wild. I loved every moment of it. Wenshu and Zheng Sili in particular have such good chemistry with each other and Zilan. Everyone plays off each other so well, the dialogue is fun and fluid. There are so many moments that are funny, as well as deep, poignant, and action packed. Really this book has it all.

 

I can't rave about this duology enough, it's exciting, unique, interesting, and a lot of fun. I really loved the characters, especially Fan Zilan. If you're looking for a strong but empathetic female lead than Zilan's story is worth checking out. She definitely ranks high on my list of amazing heroines. Joining her is an equally loveable well-rounded cast that make this story memorable. If you love strong fmc's, a well-rounded supporting cast, cute animal sidekicks, fantasy, and historical fiction then this duology needs to be your next read.

 

The Queen of Nothing Review

 

Book: The Queen of Nothing

Author: Holly Black

Pages: 320

Date(s) Read: October 28^th, 2024 to November 10^th, 2024

Date Published: November 19^th, 2019

Rating: 5/5

Favorite Quotes:

“for all our conflicts, there are moments when we understand each other entirely too well”

“That’s one reason I didn’t want to believe you’d joined Madoc. The other is that I want you here by my side, as my queen

Review: 

This book was so good and so much fun.  The conclusion to Judes story was better than I could have hoped for and this book is just as strong and compelling as the previous two.

 

At the beginning of this book we see Jude left reeling after three major betrayals. She's back in the human world, exiled. Presumed dead in the mortal world with no social security number Jude is left doing odd jobs for the solitary fey that live amongst the humans to make ends meet. While languishing in the human world Taryn runs into some pretty big trouble in Faerie. She comes to Jude for help and suddenly Jude is to traverse into Faerie for her sister. War, politics, and romance complicate Judes precarious return.

 

In this book there's a lot more character development with everyone really, but especially Jude. We see real vulnerability as she deals with her feelings for Cardan, Taryn, and Madoc. Well paced and exciting with lots of twists and turns this book will have you reading late into the night.

 

The Scourge Between Stars Review

 

Book: The Scourge Between Stars

Author: Ness Brown

Pages: 165

Date Read: September 29^th, 2024 to October 10^th, 2024

Date Published: April 4^th, 2023

Rating: 5/5

The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown is the perfect read for Halloween. This book is an atmospheric, pulse pounding, thrill ride. If you like sci-fi and horror than this book is perfect for you.

 

In this novella Jacklyn Albright becomes the de facto captain of the ship 'The Calypso' when the captain, her father, mysteriously stops showing up to work. With no answer from his room and no way to get in his daughter is left to lead the ship through unrest and mutiny among the crew, but those are the least of Jacks problems when a horribly mutilated corpse of a crewman is found. When it becomes apparent there's intruders on board Jacklyn must make some very difficult decisions to save her ship and crew from total disaster.

 

Not only was this fast paced, but it was also fun and exciting too. I enjoyed this as much the second read through as I did the first time. If you liked the movie 'Aliens' you will love this book. It's tense, action packed, moody, and full of scares in a sci-fi setting.

Witchblade #3 Review

 

Book: Witchblade #3

Author: Marguerite Bennette

Pages: 32

Date Read: October 11^th, 2024 to October 12^th, 2024

Date Published: September 18^th, 2024

Rating: 4/5

 Witchblades Sara Pezzini will always be my favorite character...the original one I mean. I'm not sure what to make of this new Pezzini. She's more hardened than the original and just as tough but it feels like there's something missing. Maybe it's just because I'm only three issues in.

This issue was interesting and delves more into Sara's work as an undercover dirty cop. That spin on the character is definitely unique and shakes things up. It makes for some very interesting reading. We are introduced to Siry this issue as well.

The writing for this issue was really on point and the story moves well. That being said, the art sucks. Again all characters are completely unappealing, I can't tell if that's on purpose or not. Even the cover was unattractive and usually the cover has the best art to attract new readers. If I hadn't read the first two issues based on the cover art alone I would have passed this up in a shop without even bothering to look through it. The colors don't make up for the bad art but they make it tolerable.

Another really good issue writing wise but again another artistic disappointment. The original Witchblades is still leagues better but if you're looking for a good story with a strong female main character I'd recommend this one (but I'd also suggest you pick up the original series first).

The Other Empress Review

 

Book: The Other Empress

Author: Amanda Roberts

Pages: 451

Date Read: September 30^th, 2024 to November 4^th, 2024

Date Published: March 21^st, 2023

Rating: 5/5

The Other Empress was an interesting novel in that it goes into the perspective of the other empress, Cian, during the reign of empress Cixi. This book focuses on the dysfunctional relationship between Cixi and Cian which makes it unique for a historical fiction as people and events are usually the focus, not relationships.

 

In this book we see Cian, known before her time as empress as Zhenxiu. Zhenxiu is an amiable, pragmatic, and pleasant girl but there are sparks of jealousy and moments of classism. She's hard to properly describe with so many different and conflicting sides of her showing. One moment she is a wonderful friend and doting mother, the next she is in a fit of jealousy and decrying the servants at the forbidden palace for being of a lesser class. After reading this 451 page book I'm still not sure how much I liked Cian, especially when compared to Cixi, known early on as Lanhua. Lanhua is bold, ambitious, clever, and calculating. I felt a little like maybe I wasn't supposed to like Lanhua but I couldn't help it. She was so cunning and courageous, her love for her eunuch Little An was also quite touching and made her a much more empathetic character than you'd think a ruler would be.

 

The relationship between the two girls is somewhat dysfunctional with the brazen Lanhua getting help and advice from Zhenxiu whose primary motivation is to keep Lanhua as a friend to quell her own loneliness. I found Zhenxiu to be frustrating at times, unable to speak for herself and standup on her own feet. It isn't until the very last two chapters that Zhenxiu finally comes into her own as confident and capable.

 

I thought the characters and history were interesting as was the relationship between Cian and Cixi. The biggest complaint I have though is the ending is just so abrupt. I know when and how Cian died can't be altered because it's a historical event, but I felt that the writing could have given the reader more because the abrupt writing makes the reading feel almost unfulfilling.