A Reading Journal
Source: Netgalley - Thank you so much to the publisher for reaching out to me!TL;DR: Such a slow build but I really think it was worth it. A Holmesian mystery with lots of fantasy and plant magic/science! Plot: This was slow. It started with a single gruesome murder and evolved to a bigger, empire risking... Continue Reading →
Source: NetGalley - So many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: If you’ve a fear of being alone, have intense feelings of the pandemic or enjoy more topical mental hellscape type of horrors - this is for you. If you’re here for the creepy, the supernatural, or any type of humor or human endurance? Pass on this.... Continue Reading →
Source: NetGalley, Thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: Slow but satisfying romance of two women helping each other (but not fixing each other), and falling in love. Plot: A gentle but very involved one of two women learning how to take control of their lives and come togetherCharacters: Anita's characters are so good, I'm always a... Continue Reading →
Source: NetGalley, thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: An excellent follow-up to the second, and a very good setup for a third Plot: Emily & Wendell go on a search for the Nexus to find Wendell's door and happen to solve a few mysteries along the wayCharacters: I love Emily & Wendell quite a bit, but... Continue Reading →
Source: NetGalley - My thanks, as always, to the wonderful publisher!TL;DR: A cold, disconnected story with a reactionary character, this was a frustrating read for me. Plot: Hans and Greta having grown up after the gingerbread. Misogyny, fancy red hair, and witchcraft!Characters: Hard pass on these guys, it was the greatest flaw for me. Cold... Continue Reading →
Source: NetGalley - Many, many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: A fascinating concept but the characters truly let this one down for me Plot: I really enjoyed the idea behind this one, trapped in a library due to murderous owls, but I'm not sure I'm sold on executionCharacters: Fairly flimsy? I never completely connected, either due... Continue Reading →
Source: Netgalley- Many many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: This was incredibly readable, short, and filled with joy. There was conflict and stakes but ultimately it felt joyful. Plot: Very similar to the source material - except it focuses on Oliver and his identity as the real conflictCharacters: True to the original, though no one had... Continue Reading →
Source: NetGalley - Many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: It's starting to get old, and we genuinely need to return to our main cast. Plot: Meanders a bit to be honest. Returning to Antsy's world, with a short stint in Stephanie's (see cover). It felt very lacking for me.Characters: Antsy is fine, and we do get... Continue Reading →
Source: Netgalley - Thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: A big improvement for me over book one! I really didn't want to put this one down! Plot: We follow both Cego at the academy and Sol out in the world itself as they both search for answers about their families (plus one mystery character I will... Continue Reading →
Source: Netgalley! Many thanks to the publisherTL;DR: While an absolute banger of an idea (and cover), the pacing on this made it a miss for me Plot: A complicated net of PoVs following the politics and scheming of the native folks called Kin, and the empire that rules them. Add dragons.Characters: The most disappointing part.... Continue Reading →
