Source: NetGalley, thank to Harper for the arc!TL;DR: A collection of very fun, classic fantasy stories about a knight and a magical puppet. It surprised me and made me laugh out loud several times. If Fantasy shorts are your cup of tea - this is a great pickup. Plot: The nucleus of each story is... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: The Judas Blossom by Stephen Aryan
Source: NetGalley! Many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: Plot: All setup, but interesting setup. There is a lot of politics and hints of the magic to come with an ending that promises a LOT more of the magicCharacters: I really liked all our Points of View characters and especially enjoyed the General and how our view... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: A tense and action packed horror novel I loved, highly recommend. Plot: Survive, a simple plot but one that Philip Fracassi packs a lot into with character choices and questions about futures that keep you reading.Characters: There were a lot of characters and while some didn't get... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: Babel by R.F. Kuang
Source: Netgalley - Thank you so much to the publisher and omg I'm sorry for the delay. I also purchased a digital and Fairyloot edition.TL;DR: A good book, great even. But not perfect or subtle in the least. Plot: Filled with anger and a message to convey, the plot is driven primarily for that and... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: The Book of Gems by Fran Wilde
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: A dry series with an interesting idea - read it for the ideas not the magic or you'll be disappointed. Plot: Interesting! A scholar taking advantage of by her mentor is on a quest to vindicate herself and take back what she believes to be hersCharacters: The... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: The Rise and Reign of the Mammals by Steve Brusatte
Source: Netgalley - SO LONG AGO, I'M SO SORRY! But Thank you so much!TL;DR: I adored it. This is a highly recommend one for other armchair scientists such as myself who loves dinos and dino-adjacent topics. Readability: This is incredibly readable, the language and style is simple and friendlyStructure: Sectioned into large eras of time... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: The Scarlet Circus by Jane Yolen
Source: Netgalley - Thank you to the publisher!!TL;DR: A short collection of shorts all around the idea of love that feel very much fairy tale like and classic in style. Plot: Each story is incredibly short with traditional almost fairy tale plots - save the village from the dragon, the princess, etc.Characters: I sadly won't... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: Making More by Katherine Roy
Source: NetGalley - Many thanks to the publisher!TL:DR: A beautifully drawn middle grade book about creating new life - probably best suited to school situations as opposed to personal collections. Artwork: Absolutely stunningScience: It's the barebones of what you need to understand the topic, just enough for the target age-rangeWriting: The actual science pages are... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: Episode 13 by Craig DiLouie
Source: NetGalley - Many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: Diet House of Leaves - Not for me Plot: The first quarter was great but it slowly devolved in the House of Leaves of it all and I was outCharacters: I did like the characters! I really enjoyed the insight into their thoughts thanks to the format... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire (Wayward Children Book 8)
Source: Netgalley & the Publisher - Many thanks!TL;DR: Ultimately felt as if trauma was present for nothing besides the sake of trauma. This caused the story to feel disjointed and lacking. Plot: The first five chapters ultimately felt needless to the larger plot - Antsy forgets everything that happened for the next 90% of the... Continue Reading →