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A review by dc_guevara13
The Goddess of Nothing At All by Cat Rector
5.0
If I could give this book a 6 star rating, I would. This book got me out of a reading slump, this book helped me restore my love for Dark Fantasy, this book ruined me emotionally in so many ways that it made me realize I needed some form of catharsis and Cat Rector was (not-so) gently delivering me a method on how to do so.
I do not say this lightly. It's very hard for a book to sink itself into my bones and make a home out of me. It's even harder for a book of this length to accomplish all of that, and yet Cat Rector did it.
You ever read a book so good you're just a tad bit jealous that you didn't write it?
Okay, so what is this book about? Sigyn is the daughter of Odin, jack of all trades but master of nothing (not by choice) who seeks out guidance and help and finds it in the mischievous, daring and handsome Loki, renowned for mischief and lies. In their encounters they eventually fall in love and we watch them grow, fall apart and re-shape their love into something, perhaps not whole, but real and tangible.
Love never is as pretty as the songs make it out to be after all.
I think the thing that mostly grips me about this book and does not let me go is how immersive this is. Rector's writing style manages to capture such elegance and grace that is not easily bestowed on anyone. This truly feels like a great, big fantasy epic in all senses of the word. The world is lush and vibrant, descriptions made in such a manner that I could perfectly picture them in my head.
(And may I suggest accompanying this book with various atmospheric music compilations such as "Dark Fantasy music" and the likes? They really add to the atmosphere)
The characters are remarkable, all real and rounded in many different ways. They are kind, they are cruel, they are lively, they are frustrating, they are magical, they are painful-- Rector's evocation for characters in all of their facets gives way for a myriad of characters that feel alive and real, all believable in all of their triumphs and failures.
My favorite aspect of this novel is Sigyn herself, because as she progresses in the narrative one can really feel the change in attitude/tone in her voice. Once again, it must be pointed out that this is all Cat Rector's masterful skill at weaving in voice and perspective in a way that Sigyn feels tangible and real-- like an actual person you want to reach out towards and envelop in an embrace. She is resilient, she is kind, she is strong and she's everything I ever wanted in a dark fantasy protagonist and more.
While I do, heavily, recommend this book from Hel (eh
I do not say this lightly. It's very hard for a book to sink itself into my bones and make a home out of me. It's even harder for a book of this length to accomplish all of that, and yet Cat Rector did it.
Okay, so what is this book about? Sigyn is the daughter of Odin, jack of all trades but master of nothing (not by choice) who seeks out guidance and help and finds it in the mischievous, daring and handsome Loki, renowned for mischief and lies. In their encounters they eventually fall in love and we watch them grow, fall apart and re-shape their love into something, perhaps not whole, but real and tangible.
Love never is as pretty as the songs make it out to be after all.
I think the thing that mostly grips me about this book and does not let me go is how immersive this is. Rector's writing style manages to capture such elegance and grace that is not easily bestowed on anyone. This truly feels like a great, big fantasy epic in all senses of the word. The world is lush and vibrant, descriptions made in such a manner that I could perfectly picture them in my head.
(And may I suggest accompanying this book with various atmospheric music compilations such as "Dark Fantasy music" and the likes? They really add to the atmosphere)
The characters are remarkable, all real and rounded in many different ways. They are kind, they are cruel, they are lively, they are frustrating, they are magical, they are painful-- Rector's evocation for characters in all of their facets gives way for a myriad of characters that feel alive and real, all believable in all of their triumphs and failures.
My favorite aspect of this novel is Sigyn herself, because as she progresses in the narrative one can really feel the change in attitude/tone in her voice. Once again, it must be pointed out that this is all Cat Rector's masterful skill at weaving in voice and perspective in a way that Sigyn feels tangible and real-- like an actual person you want to reach out towards and envelop in an embrace. She is resilient, she is kind, she is strong and she's everything I ever wanted in a dark fantasy protagonist and more.
While I do, heavily, recommend this book from Hel (eh