White's writing is addictive, and he has a knack for crafting characters and worlds that stick with you. His books are consistent4.5 stars, rounded up
White's writing is addictive, and he has a knack for crafting characters and worlds that stick with you. His books are consistently excellent, and this one was no exception. It's very much recommended, though you should take a look at the trigger warnings before you pick it up, as it gets very heavy and dark.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review...more
This is a very angry book. It's also a very good book. It wouldn't be quite right to say I enjoyed it, considering the subject matter, but it was gripThis is a very angry book. It's also a very good book. It wouldn't be quite right to say I enjoyed it, considering the subject matter, but it was gripping and well-written.
I'm really looking forward to reading this author's third book (and since I was lucky enough to get approved for an arc of it I won't have to wait long to read it, I just need something lighter as a palate cleanser).
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review...more
Like all anthologies, this is a bit of a mixed bag. There are some stand-outs (Seanan McGuire's absolutely terrifying entry in pa3.5 stars, rounded up
Like all anthologies, this is a bit of a mixed bag. There are some stand-outs (Seanan McGuire's absolutely terrifying entry in particular, but I also loved "The Fastest Horse in the World", "The Scent of Cotton Candy" and "Waii-Chan and Sparklepony") some duds (particularly "Other Earth", which was extremely simplistic and featured a rushed enemies-to-lovers romance starring the Lorax and the Onceler as human teenagers, "My Science Project", which was just trying to do too much all at once and "Precious Treasure" which read younger and less sophisticated than its source material) and a lot of pleasant, middle-of-the-road stuff.
There will definitely be something in there for every reader, and it's a pleasant, quick read. Definitely recommended if you enjoy retellings, or if you need a palate cleanser between longer works!
I received an advance copy of this books from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review...more
K.J. Charles does it again (and in a new genre this time)! This is well-written, fast-paced and with fantastic characters. Recommended for fans of darK.J. Charles does it again (and in a new genre this time)! This is well-written, fast-paced and with fantastic characters. Recommended for fans of dark academia books in the style of the Secret History and If We Were Villains....more
This is a really fun romp, and the narration absolutely brought it to the next level for me. This is definitely recommended for fans of Our Flag MeansThis is a really fun romp, and the narration absolutely brought it to the next level for me. This is definitely recommended for fans of Our Flag Means Death, it's very similar in terms of mood and humor, even if the plot is very different.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review...more
The concept for this was really good, but the execution was lacking. The characters were flat, there was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, anThe concept for this was really good, but the execution was lacking. The characters were flat, there was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, and the stakes never felt real because the protagonists didn't seem to take them seriously.
This book clearly worked for some people judging by the reviews I've seen, but it didn't work for me.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review...more
I am enjoying this series, even if I haven't quite gotten attached to the characters yet. The world-building, the political int4.5 stars, rounded up.
I am enjoying this series, even if I haven't quite gotten attached to the characters yet. The world-building, the political intrigue and the plotting are all very good. ...more
This book covers a huge amount of creatures and characters from Japanese folklore and legends. It's organized in enThis was a really interesting read!
This book covers a huge amount of creatures and characters from Japanese folklore and legends. It's organized in entries in alphabetical order, and each entry explains what a particular figure looks like, their background, retells at least one popular folktale about them and finally gives some fun facts and an overview of how they've influenced modern pop culture. It's written in a fun, engaging way and for many creatures there are also absolutely stunning illustrations accompanying the text.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ...more
This novella retells the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, setting it during WWI and casting the knights of the round tab3.5 stars, rounded up
This novella retells the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, setting it during WWI and casting the knights of the round table as RAF pilots. There aren't any huge changes to the plot, save for the fact that this book is a (lowercase r) romance.
This was a fun read. I enjoyed the setting and the relationship between the characters, both the romances and the friendships, but it definitely suffers from novella syndrome. There just isn't enough space in this book for the romantic development to feel earned. It doesn't help that, this being Gawain and the Green Knight, we're dealing with a throuple, so we have to establish Gawain's romance with two different people, which requires even more space.
That being said, this is a short, sweet novella, so I do recommend it as a palate cleanser between longer books.
I read it for the r/fantasy 2024 bingo challenge, for the self-published or indie publisher square. It barely squeaks by on being hard mode, since that requires that the book have less than a hundred ratings on goodreads, and my rating is the 99th.
Very cozy, with many descriptions of cute dragons and delicious food. Overstays its welcome a bit and I think it could actually h3.5 stars, rounded up
Very cozy, with many descriptions of cute dragons and delicious food. Overstays its welcome a bit and I think it could actually have done without the antagonist/11th hour suspense plot. I will probably read the sequel, but not immediately. ...more
Tremendous fun, interesting world-building and a good mystery (though I did figure it out before the end). Extra points for the narration, which was fTremendous fun, interesting world-building and a good mystery (though I did figure it out before the end). Extra points for the narration, which was fantastic. Absolutely recommended! ...more
Starts strong, but loses steam. The politics are absolutely childish, and the book's repeated attempts at convincing the reader that the main characteStarts strong, but loses steam. The politics are absolutely childish, and the book's repeated attempts at convincing the reader that the main character is really a smart and cunning courtier don't help things.
I also found the worldbuilding really simplistic, with an evil homophobic and sexist culture and a good egalitarian queernormative one. The "good" culture also has laws allowing nobles to take justice into their own hands but hush we're not worrying about that and how it might be abused.
I did mostly enjoy the characters and the romance, which is why this gets 2 stars instead of 1.
I listened to this on audiobook, and the performance was ok. Nothing to write home about, but not book-ruining either. ...more
A fun romp with likable characters. Definitely recommended if you're looking for something light and easy to read. A fun romp with likable characters. Definitely recommended if you're looking for something light and easy to read. ...more
A fun book with creative world-building, but I wasn't entirely sold on the love story. There isn't a real reason for their dislike3.5 stars rounded up
A fun book with creative world-building, but I wasn't entirely sold on the love story. There isn't a real reason for their dislike of each other, and the non-letters part of it developed way to quickly. ...more
This feels almost cozy despite all the bloodshed and death. I love the found family aspect, and I really like the two main characters and their relatiThis feels almost cozy despite all the bloodshed and death. I love the found family aspect, and I really like the two main characters and their relationship....more
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