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joana_stormblessed's review
Dnf at 30%
It's not that i wasn't liking it but i was just not really invested in it either. Plus the abuse was hard to read.
It's not that i wasn't liking it but i was just not really invested in it either. Plus the abuse was hard to read.
charlotekerstenauthor's review
2/28/22 - you can now get a print copy of S&B on Amazon; the other two books will be available in print soon!
12/1 - Sweetness and Blessings is now out! Thank you so much to everyone who has accepted an ARC/helped me get to this place. <3
Hello everyone!!!!!!
I'm so excited to announce that my first book, Sweetness and Blessings, is almost ready for release. This book means a tremendous amount to me, and I hope you will enjoy it, too. I want to share some info that will help you decide whether or not this book will be a good fit for you as a reader.
So What's It About?
Saved from ruin after fleeing from a terrible mistake, Iraluri is grateful for her husband, and that gratitude is equaled only by her dread of disappointing him with more mistakes. Together they fumble through magic once practiced by her fallen people in the hopes of finding the forgotten offerings that will make them rich. As this search continues, a kind stranger on the street and a solitary ghost challenge Iraluri to begin thinking beyond the fear and careful rules that she has lived by for so long. It becomes more and more impossible for Iraluri to ignore wrongs in her world and her life, but what use is this knowledge when acting upon it is so dangerous?
Sweetness and Blessings will probably be a good fit if you like:
➼Gaslamp fantasy- it is set in a world based on Victorian England and explores the world’s gender dynamics, race dynamics and colonialism
➼Character-driven stories with more internal growth than action
➼Fictional explorations of abuse, trauma and recovery
➼Complex female characters who are not stereotypically strong
➼New takes on fantasy staples like elves and different planes of reality
➼Emotionally fraught sapphic yearning
Sweetness and Blessings will probably be a bad fit if you dislike:
➼Depictions of emotional, verbal, physical or (non-graphic) sexual abuse, racism or colonialism
➼Books with very little plot and lots of introspection - I really cannot overemphasize how little plot there is in this book
➼Passionate explorations of the aforementioned themes (gender, abuse, race, colonialism) that maybe-possiblyyyyyy border on the polemical
➼Dream sequences
Trigger warnings
➼Intimate partner violence including emotional, verbal, physical and (non-graphic) sexual abuse
➼PTSD
➼Sexual harassment
➼Racism
➼Colonialism
➼Homophobia
➼Mentions of slavery
➼Mentions of genocide
➼Eugenics
➼Alcohol use and drug use
➼Starvation and deprivation of food
➼A murder by stabbing with a description of blood
➼Someone cutting their palm with a knife
➼Execution by hanging
➼Military violence against citizens
I would like to mention that the beautiful cover art and illustrations are by Indicreates. Finally, my proceeds from this book will be donated to causes that support survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, colonialism, and racism. To read more about the causes I have chosen, you can visit my author website here.
12/1 - Sweetness and Blessings is now out! Thank you so much to everyone who has accepted an ARC/helped me get to this place. <3
Hello everyone!!!!!!
I'm so excited to announce that my first book, Sweetness and Blessings, is almost ready for release. This book means a tremendous amount to me, and I hope you will enjoy it, too. I want to share some info that will help you decide whether or not this book will be a good fit for you as a reader.
So What's It About?
Saved from ruin after fleeing from a terrible mistake, Iraluri is grateful for her husband, and that gratitude is equaled only by her dread of disappointing him with more mistakes. Together they fumble through magic once practiced by her fallen people in the hopes of finding the forgotten offerings that will make them rich. As this search continues, a kind stranger on the street and a solitary ghost challenge Iraluri to begin thinking beyond the fear and careful rules that she has lived by for so long. It becomes more and more impossible for Iraluri to ignore wrongs in her world and her life, but what use is this knowledge when acting upon it is so dangerous?
Sweetness and Blessings will probably be a good fit if you like:
➼Gaslamp fantasy- it is set in a world based on Victorian England and explores the world’s gender dynamics, race dynamics and colonialism
➼Character-driven stories with more internal growth than action
➼Fictional explorations of abuse, trauma and recovery
➼Complex female characters who are not stereotypically strong
➼New takes on fantasy staples like elves and different planes of reality
➼Emotionally fraught sapphic yearning
Sweetness and Blessings will probably be a bad fit if you dislike:
➼Depictions of emotional, verbal, physical or (non-graphic) sexual abuse, racism or colonialism
➼Books with very little plot and lots of introspection - I really cannot overemphasize how little plot there is in this book
➼Passionate explorations of the aforementioned themes (gender, abuse, race, colonialism) that maybe-possiblyyyyyy border on the polemical
➼Dream sequences
Trigger warnings
➼Intimate partner violence including emotional, verbal, physical and (non-graphic) sexual abuse
➼PTSD
➼Sexual harassment
➼Racism
➼Colonialism
➼Homophobia
➼Mentions of slavery
➼Mentions of genocide
➼Eugenics
➼Alcohol use and drug use
➼Starvation and deprivation of food
➼A murder by stabbing with a description of blood
➼Someone cutting their palm with a knife
➼Execution by hanging
➼Military violence against citizens
I would like to mention that the beautiful cover art and illustrations are by Indicreates. Finally, my proceeds from this book will be donated to causes that support survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, colonialism, and racism. To read more about the causes I have chosen, you can visit my author website here.
mimosaeyes's review
4.0
I simultaneously appreciate and feel frustrated by this book. Both emotions are in response to the same aspect of it: its commitment to realistically depicting an abusive relationship, and how difficult it is to escape one.
As someone who was once in a toxic, manipulative friendship, I think Iraluri's headspace is written very well. There is a lot of nuance and insight into how another person, even or especially someone you care(d) about, can chip away at your sense of self and make you feel helpless enough that you submit to their control.
However, once I'd understood that this was a textbook case of abuse, I waited for the story to go somewhere with it, and... it didn't go in a particularly interesting direction. I don't mean in terms of plot - I knew going in that this book is heavier on character development and introspection, so that's what I was looking for. What I found was a slightly repetitive sequence of Iraluri visiting Ser, each time finding out a tiny bit more about her but mainly, being exposed to discourse about feminism (well, female liberationism), sexuality, intersectionality, and colonialism. This nudges Iraluri towards rebelling against Harlan. Ultimately, I feel like the relationship between her and Ser doesn't amount to much more than some attraction and a lot of convenient exposition. I didn't find their encounters very compelling to read.
But the dynamic between Iraluri and Solaufein - now, that I find fascinating. Partly because as it shifts, a lot of information is spooled out about the Dreonians' religio-racial colonialism across both countries and planes (which is one of the most unique parts of the worldbuilding). And partly because there's just so much inbuilt conflict in how they first meet, but also common ground, and the potential for a really powerful story over the whole trilogy if Iraluri learns more Miz'ri magic from him, going back to her roots and hopefully rediscovering herself among them.
I've talked a lot around my opening sentence, but going back to it: I appreciate so much that this isn't one of those stories where a clearly traumatised character escapes into another relationship with someone who's obviously better for them, and we're supposed to believe that this makes them better. Because realistically, it doesn't work that way. Getting out and recovering is a journey you have to take yourself, and it's a torturous and tortuous (that 'r' makes a difference) path. It's great that this book is committed to taking no shortcuts with Iraluri. But also, ahhhhh whyyy?
I received an ARC from the author; this has not affected my review.
As someone who was once in a toxic, manipulative friendship, I think Iraluri's headspace is written very well. There is a lot of nuance and insight into how another person, even or especially someone you care(d) about, can chip away at your sense of self and make you feel helpless enough that you submit to their control.
However, once I'd understood that this was a textbook case of abuse, I waited for the story to go somewhere with it, and... it didn't go in a particularly interesting direction. I don't mean in terms of plot - I knew going in that this book is heavier on character development and introspection, so that's what I was looking for. What I found was a slightly repetitive sequence of Iraluri visiting Ser, each time finding out a tiny bit more about her but mainly, being exposed to discourse about feminism (well, female liberationism), sexuality, intersectionality, and colonialism. This nudges Iraluri towards rebelling against Harlan. Ultimately, I feel like the relationship between her and Ser doesn't amount to much more than some attraction and a lot of convenient exposition. I didn't find their encounters very compelling to read.
But the dynamic between Iraluri and Solaufein - now, that I find fascinating. Partly because as it shifts, a lot of information is spooled out about the Dreonians' religio-racial colonialism across both countries and planes (which is one of the most unique parts of the worldbuilding). And partly because there's just so much inbuilt conflict in how they first meet, but also common ground, and the potential for a really powerful story over the whole trilogy if Iraluri learns more Miz'ri magic from him, going back to her roots and hopefully rediscovering herself among them.
I've talked a lot around my opening sentence, but going back to it: I appreciate so much that this isn't one of those stories where a clearly traumatised character escapes into another relationship with someone who's obviously better for them, and we're supposed to believe that this makes them better. Because realistically, it doesn't work that way. Getting out and recovering is a journey you have to take yourself, and it's a torturous and tortuous (that 'r' makes a difference) path. It's great that this book is committed to taking no shortcuts with Iraluri. But also, ahhhhh whyyy?
I received an ARC from the author; this has not affected my review.
melcat's review
3.0
There is a dichotomy in my mind with this book which was at the same time intriguing and frustrating.
Charlotte Kersten delivers a very important insight into the mind of a victim of domestic violence. It can be difficult for someone who has been fortunate enough not to experience abuse to truly understand why some people stay, why some people keep coming back, and why it is SO HARD to run away. On this very hard and sensitive subject, Kersten writes with great subtlety and care. The inclusion at the end of a resource list is a very thoughtful and useful touch.
I always rate books for how much pleasure they give me, whether it was happiness or sadness. Sweetness and Blessings is a perfect example of a story that would be rewarding in its entirety, but not really in its divided parts. It is very rare that I start an unfinished series, first because I really like to immerse myself completely in a story from start to finish, even if I feel extremely empty afterwards, and also because waiting is not fun.
What I am trying to say here is that this book seems to be in a bigger frame, a big multidimensional story, and the first book is a good starting point but doesn’t work on its own at all. It is a character study first (with a huge world building behind, but the internal monologue is the most important emphasis here).
There seems to be very little change in the emotional state of the main protagonist through the book, which can create some frustration for the reader. There are few details here and there, and small acts of rebellion (premises for a future emancipation, or failure to), but overall most sensations I got went toward stillness, or regression.
Of course, I understand that the author is actually going through a more realistic path here. The path of escaping abuse is not always a straight line. But story-wise, it felt very frustrating, it can get repetitive, especially toward the second half. I did not like any of the characters, especially the main one. I can understand and empathize with her suffering and all the pain she is going through, but the development of the story so far does not give me any reason to like and connect with her, excepting of course the obvious sympathy toward her unjust suffering.
I firmly believe that it would definitely be a more enjoyable read as a trilogy, so that you have a sense of accomplishment (or hopelessness, if the other way is taken). Alone, it feels unfinished, unresolved and it can get a little frustrating for me. I can't wait to read Volumes 2 and 3 for this reason, and maybe get a better feel for the journey and character change with the trilogy completed.
Many thanks to Charlotte Kersten for giving me an ARC copy and trusting me with my honest review of her work. You are working on a very difficult subject that should get more attention, and for that I really thank you.
Charlotte Kersten delivers a very important insight into the mind of a victim of domestic violence. It can be difficult for someone who has been fortunate enough not to experience abuse to truly understand why some people stay, why some people keep coming back, and why it is SO HARD to run away. On this very hard and sensitive subject, Kersten writes with great subtlety and care. The inclusion at the end of a resource list is a very thoughtful and useful touch.
I always rate books for how much pleasure they give me, whether it was happiness or sadness. Sweetness and Blessings is a perfect example of a story that would be rewarding in its entirety, but not really in its divided parts. It is very rare that I start an unfinished series, first because I really like to immerse myself completely in a story from start to finish, even if I feel extremely empty afterwards, and also because waiting is not fun.
What I am trying to say here is that this book seems to be in a bigger frame, a big multidimensional story, and the first book is a good starting point but doesn’t work on its own at all. It is a character study first (with a huge world building behind, but the internal monologue is the most important emphasis here).
There seems to be very little change in the emotional state of the main protagonist through the book, which can create some frustration for the reader. There are few details here and there, and small acts of rebellion (premises for a future emancipation, or failure to), but overall most sensations I got went toward stillness, or regression.
Of course, I understand that the author is actually going through a more realistic path here. The path of escaping abuse is not always a straight line. But story-wise, it felt very frustrating, it can get repetitive, especially toward the second half. I did not like any of the characters, especially the main one. I can understand and empathize with her suffering and all the pain she is going through, but the development of the story so far does not give me any reason to like and connect with her, excepting of course the obvious sympathy toward her unjust suffering.
I firmly believe that it would definitely be a more enjoyable read as a trilogy, so that you have a sense of accomplishment (or hopelessness, if the other way is taken). Alone, it feels unfinished, unresolved and it can get a little frustrating for me. I can't wait to read Volumes 2 and 3 for this reason, and maybe get a better feel for the journey and character change with the trilogy completed.
Many thanks to Charlotte Kersten for giving me an ARC copy and trusting me with my honest review of her work. You are working on a very difficult subject that should get more attention, and for that I really thank you.
catsy2022's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Colonisation
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Blood and War
sugamamachris's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
rheah's review
dark
3.0
This book was not really what I expected. It's high fantasy set in a Victorian elven world (apparently the Victorian aspect did not really shine through besides like weird race science) where we follow our protagonist in an abusive marriage.
The worldbuilding is confusing and it's clear that the real plot is the abusive marriage which is depicted in a very realistic and and brutal way which was too much for me. The fantasy aspect was either too much or not enough.
The pace is also weird, it took me forever to go through the beginning of the book.
I was initially drawn by the prospect of a lesbian romance but it's nothing more than a tool to help the main character out of her abusive relationship
The worldbuilding is confusing and it's clear that the real plot is the abusive marriage which is depicted in a very realistic and and brutal way which was too much for me. The fantasy aspect was either too much or not enough.
The pace is also weird, it took me forever to go through the beginning of the book.
I was initially drawn by the prospect of a lesbian romance but it's nothing more than a tool to help the main character out of her abusive relationship
lisagna's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
This was a great start to the series! The world is very intriguing and I'm sure we'll get to see more of it in the following books. Exploring colonialism across different planes of reality is definitely not something I've read before.
It's obviously a character focused book so I quickly grew to love Iraluri and felt very deeply for her. The topic of domestic violence/abusive relationships felt extremely real and raw in this book, truly heartbreaking in parts. Iraluri had some growth but obviously there is much more for her to do.
The conversations with Solaufein were my favourite part of the book, showing different views of the world and helping Iraluri grow. Solaufein is probably my favourite character, I just love him.
I think Iraluri's and Ser's relationship could have had a little more developement, but that really is my only problem.
Also, the cover is beautiful and I hope there will be physical version someday because I need it on my shelf!
Thank you to Charlotte for providing me with an ARC, I'm not much of a reviewer but I hope I did the book justice.
It's obviously a character focused book so I quickly grew to love Iraluri and felt very deeply for her. The topic of domestic violence/abusive relationships felt extremely real and raw in this book, truly heartbreaking in parts. Iraluri had some growth but obviously there is much more for her to do.
The conversations with Solaufein were my favourite part of the book, showing different views of the world and helping Iraluri grow. Solaufein is probably my favourite character, I just love him.
I think Iraluri's and Ser's relationship could have had a little more developement, but that really is my only problem.
Also, the cover is beautiful and I hope there will be physical version someday because I need it on my shelf!
Thank you to Charlotte for providing me with an ARC, I'm not much of a reviewer but I hope I did the book justice.
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