Source: Netgalley - many thanks to Orbit for the review copy!TL;DR: Full of promising themes and a beautiful world, however cold and distant characters truly killed the story. Plot: An actually fantastic idea - Fathomfolk (water dwelling folk) and human politics coming to a head.Characters: I've met cardboard cutouts more interesting than these characters. Big... Continue Reading →
Kindling by Traci Chee
Source: Netgalley - Thank you so much the publisher. I actually pre-ordered this on finishing it.TL;DR: I loved this. The unique narration style, the characters, everything was so good. Plot: Seven Samurai but make it magical and change the genders. It was fantastic. Loved the tightness and brutality of it.Characters: I loved all these girls.... Continue Reading →
The Stars Undying by Emery Lord
Source: NetGalley & owned - Thank you to the publisher TL;DR: I feel so bland on this. Meandering, with what should have been stellar themes and ideas. But little to no connection for the reader. Plot: Supposedly a Julius Caesar and Cleopatra inspired story, it's the story of a civil war, turned assassination/revenge story. Things... Continue Reading →
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
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 →
The Dragons of Deepwood Fen by Bradley P. Beaulieu
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 →
Thoughts: Abeni’s Song by P. Djèlà Clark
Source: NetGalley - Thank you Tor for the arc!TL;DR: An absolutely magical adventure novel about a young girl trying to save her family. Highly recommend. Plot: There are two distinct halves to the story, but it seems natural and reasonable for the setup. I liked that a lot, the plot is solid and well stitched... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: Translation State by Ann Leckie
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to Orbit!!TL;DR: I loved this introduction to the world, and it left me with cozy vibes? I can't wait to return Plot: Three perspectives come together as one individual works to solve a mystery from nearly 200 years ago.Characters: I loved these characters and their incredibly unique voices and struggles.... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
Source: Netgalley- MANY, many thanks to the publisherTL;DR: A beautiful but gruesome horror book about a mermaid and plague doctor who stumble upon a village of children and their twisted Saints. Loved this, beautiful but NOT for the faint of heart. Plot: A short travel story that leads to a mysterious village with creepy children... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten
Source: Netgalley & FairyLoot subscription! Thank you the publisher and myselfTL;DR: A fun fantasy romance idea that's bogged down by a SLOW middle. That last 10-15% though? Wild! Plot: An interesting take on the 'This one girl is vitally important for her special unique magic'. But also very standard in that way.Characters: Again, these are... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: The Mimicking of Known Success by Malka Older
Source: Netgalley, thank you very much Tor!TL;DR: A unique and very refreshing take on the Holmesian mystery genre, on Jupiter! Plot: An intriguing mystery of a missing man, that is compounded with a side of murder and thievery!Setting: Set on elaborate rings around Jupiter it was hard to picture in the larger scale, but the... Continue Reading →