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aforestofbooks's reviews
498 reviews
Palestine by Joe Sacco
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
A very informative read in a format that is slightly more accessible if you don't have the brain energy to read a whole non-fiction book with a bunch of text and chapters.
Reading this as events unfold in Gaza and the West Bank was haunting in a way, especially seeing how nothing has changed from when Joe was in Palestine taking note of people's stories of imprisonment, resistance, and ethnic cleansing.
At one point he describes Gaza's cramped conditions holding less than a million Palestinians, whereas now there are over 2 million in that same concentration camp...
The last chapter where he discusses this whole "conflict" with some Israelis felt so similar to the last few weeks of watching people trying to debate that genocide isn't that bad. At one point, one white zionist Israeli settler says she's "tired" and just wants to live her life and not discuss whether Palestinians deserve to be free...Honestly, very close to reality.
Reading this as events unfold in Gaza and the West Bank was haunting in a way, especially seeing how nothing has changed from when Joe was in Palestine taking note of people's stories of imprisonment, resistance, and ethnic cleansing.
At one point he describes Gaza's cramped conditions holding less than a million Palestinians, whereas now there are over 2 million in that same concentration camp...
The last chapter where he discusses this whole "conflict" with some Israelis felt so similar to the last few weeks of watching people trying to debate that genocide isn't that bad. At one point, one white zionist Israeli settler says she's "tired" and just wants to live her life and not discuss whether Palestinians deserve to be free...Honestly, very close to reality.
A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Trying to write this review as all telecommunications and wifi access in Gaza has been shut off to allow Israel to commit war crimes and genocide without the world watching feels so wrong. But as I sit here, all I can think about is the similarities I saw in ADOFN and what has been happening in this genocide against Gaza the last few weeks and the many decades prior.
There is war. A war between many nations and the wyrms that came out of the Dreadmount. We see plague, we see mass casualties, we see lack of food and water and infrastructure. The entire time I was reading this book, all I could think about was Gaza and the genocide we're witnessing live on social media.
When everyone started to wash their hands with vinegar to prevent the plague from spreading, all I could think about was how hospitals in Gaza have resorted to using vinegar to clean wounds and disinfect instruments because they have run out of medical supplies.
When food is scarce, crops destroyed, water contaminated, all I could think about is how there is no food or water in Gaza and people are starving and dying from thirst.
When Glorian marries in order to have financial support from her husband to save her people, I'm reminded of how the world argues whether Gaza even deserves medical supplies, food, water, electricity, and fuel.
When I read the many battle scenes in this book and a side character/background character loses an arm/leg, or their bodies are mutilated, blood everywhere, all I can think about is the hundreds and thousands of Palestinians, men, women, and children who's bodies have been recovered under the rubble in pieces.
The history that Galian Berethnet created of his defeat of the Nameless One, his marriage to Cleolind and her subsequent death which resulted in him removing every figure, painting, image of her from Inysh history reminds me of the propaganda and misinformation that has been spread by western media and the terrorist zionist colonial state of Israel.
When Canthe murdered Meren to kidnap Tunuva's son and use him for her own purposes I was reminded of the thousands of Palestinian children who've been imprisoned without charges, separated from their families, and tortured.
When Glorian's parents are burnt to death by Fyredel and Wolf finds their bodies on the beach in Hroth, all I could think about were the 3rd and 4th degree burns caused by white phosphorus and who knows what other chemical weapons Israel is testing on Palestinians in Gaza.
When Wolf runs off with baby Sabran to protect the future of Inysh, all I can think about is the hundreds of nameless babies and children, and the premature babies in incubators in hospitals in Gaza, who are the future of Palestine. And how that that future is cut short because unlike a comet to stop the wyrms, the world is actively supporting a genocide and ethnic cleansing of millions of Palestinians.
When I think about the Kuposa and the War Lord, and how he took advantage of chaos and destruction to take over Seikii, I think about how Israeli settlers are killing Palestinians in the West Bank, destroying their homes, attacking their funerals, and arresting hundreds because the world is focused on Gaza and can't see how this is a bigger, broader issue of settler colonialism and apartheid.
When I think about Dumai dying alone on the sands of Seikii, I think about the hundreds and thousands of Palestinians dying alone under rubble in pain, thirsty, and with no one to help them.
I don't know what else to say about this book. It mirrors real life, as so many fantasy and dystopian books have in the past. And yet we still have to fight for our voices to be heard because people would rather support the oppressed in some fictional world, than support the oppressed in real life. When we speak up we're censored. We lose our jobs. We're called terrorist sympathizers. We can't protest or wave a flag. We can't even use terminologies like "concentration camp" and "genocide" because zionists have decided to co-opt those words for only their suffering. Many of us don't have the power to do anything except use our words. And those in power either fully support genocide, or do nothing despite having the resources to stop this. It's sickening. If you read a book like this one, and can't figure out if genocide irl is bad or not, you honestly don't deserve to read anything, let alone deserve any joy in this life.
There is war. A war between many nations and the wyrms that came out of the Dreadmount. We see plague, we see mass casualties, we see lack of food and water and infrastructure. The entire time I was reading this book, all I could think about was Gaza and the genocide we're witnessing live on social media.
When everyone started to wash their hands with vinegar to prevent the plague from spreading, all I could think about was how hospitals in Gaza have resorted to using vinegar to clean wounds and disinfect instruments because they have run out of medical supplies.
When food is scarce, crops destroyed, water contaminated, all I could think about is how there is no food or water in Gaza and people are starving and dying from thirst.
When Glorian marries in order to have financial support from her husband to save her people, I'm reminded of how the world argues whether Gaza even deserves medical supplies, food, water, electricity, and fuel.
When I read the many battle scenes in this book and a side character/background character loses an arm/leg, or their bodies are mutilated, blood everywhere, all I can think about is the hundreds and thousands of Palestinians, men, women, and children who's bodies have been recovered under the rubble in pieces.
The history that Galian Berethnet created of his defeat of the Nameless One, his marriage to Cleolind and her subsequent death which resulted in him removing every figure, painting, image of her from Inysh history reminds me of the propaganda and misinformation that has been spread by western media and the terrorist zionist colonial state of Israel.
When Canthe murdered Meren to kidnap Tunuva's son and use him for her own purposes I was reminded of the thousands of Palestinian children who've been imprisoned without charges, separated from their families, and tortured.
When Glorian's parents are burnt to death by Fyredel and Wolf finds their bodies on the beach in Hroth, all I could think about were the 3rd and 4th degree burns caused by white phosphorus and who knows what other chemical weapons Israel is testing on Palestinians in Gaza.
When Wolf runs off with baby Sabran to protect the future of Inysh, all I can think about is the hundreds of nameless babies and children, and the premature babies in incubators in hospitals in Gaza, who are the future of Palestine. And how that that future is cut short because unlike a comet to stop the wyrms, the world is actively supporting a genocide and ethnic cleansing of millions of Palestinians.
When I think about the Kuposa and the War Lord, and how he took advantage of chaos and destruction to take over Seikii, I think about how Israeli settlers are killing Palestinians in the West Bank, destroying their homes, attacking their funerals, and arresting hundreds because the world is focused on Gaza and can't see how this is a bigger, broader issue of settler colonialism and apartheid.
When I think about Dumai dying alone on the sands of Seikii, I think about the hundreds and thousands of Palestinians dying alone under rubble in pain, thirsty, and with no one to help them.
I don't know what else to say about this book. It mirrors real life, as so many fantasy and dystopian books have in the past. And yet we still have to fight for our voices to be heard because people would rather support the oppressed in some fictional world, than support the oppressed in real life. When we speak up we're censored. We lose our jobs. We're called terrorist sympathizers. We can't protest or wave a flag. We can't even use terminologies like "concentration camp" and "genocide" because zionists have decided to co-opt those words for only their suffering. Many of us don't have the power to do anything except use our words. And those in power either fully support genocide, or do nothing despite having the resources to stop this. It's sickening. If you read a book like this one, and can't figure out if genocide irl is bad or not, you honestly don't deserve to read anything, let alone deserve any joy in this life.
Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I am so glad I waited until October to read Bonesmith. The undead vibes were the perfect backdrop for my night-time, insomnia-driven reading. This book was creepy, fast-paced, and violent in all the best ways. Nicki has always been good at writing fight sequences–as seen in Crown of Feathers–and this book did not disappoint in the slightest. It was refreshing and unique seeing the different ways Wren and Julian fought.
Honestly, that iron sword/whip thing is my favourite weapon to ever exist now. And the scene with Wren and Julian swinging across the bridge has been imprinted into my memory. If this book was ever turned into a movie/tv show, it would be one hell of an epic scene.
The mix of magic with raw ability was also really cool. But the thing that stands out to me the most, is the historical/political backdrop to this story. It's something we saw in Crown of Feathers, and I knew we would get more of that lovely complicated mess of plots and secrets in Bonesmith. It's why I love Nicki's books so much. They have plots that remind me of adult fantasy books, but are still digestible and familiar. Also, her romance subplots do not take over the story, which I appreciate so much.
Wren is a hilarious character. She loves a fight and not following the rules. And the dynamic between her and Leo and her and Julian were honestly my favourite parts of this book. The back-and-forth was perfection. It made me laugh and squeal in all the best ways, and it really makes each of the characters endearing to the reader. They felt like a found family (almost) by the end. And I can't wait to see what happens next.
Wren's whole background with how she's treated by her grandmother and father was super frustrating to read, but created a great motivation to kickstart the plot of this book. Her need to be recognized and noticed, and to be the best, all so she could maybe receive the love she knew she should be getting anyway was so sad. Wren grows a lot as a character throughout this book. She begins by being purely self-motivated, and slowly starts to unravel a plot against her, her friends, and the rest of the Dominions, only to realize the life she thought she wanted for herself, isn't the life she wants anymore. Which is honestly such a mood.
The romance between her and Julian made sense. They definitely had chemistry, and while I don't think it was 100% squeal-worthy, it didn't make me annoyed and I do think they are kind of cute, even though they're doing the whole "this is a bad idea" trope, which tbh is fair considering everyone is trying to kill and use them and maybe focusing on the plot for now is a better idea lol
As for the plot. I did predict some of the reveals, and other reveals I got totally wrong lol. The scene we get near the end where we finally got some answers was shocking but also made complete sense. Wren's father is really something, and while I wasn't a huge fan of him for most of the book–mainly because he let his mother abuse his daughter without standing up for her–by the very end, I had a whole list of reasons to hate him. He is selfish and power-hungry, and the insight we get from Odile about his relationship with Locke was very enlightening. I do feel bad for Wren. She really is related to a bunch of awful people, but I'm interested to see where this story goes in the next book, because Nicki has a way of showing how people twist stories to suit their own purposes and I'm curious to hear the Corpse Queen's side of the story and whether she is the actual victim being played by two power-hungry men.
A special shout-out to Leo. I have yet to read a book or fic with a character named Leo who I didn't love. Leo is a charming rascal. He flirts with everyone and as a result is a very unsuspecting kind of character, who always has some trick up his sleeve. I love him. I want more of him. I can't wait for him to be a third-wheel in the next book.
Julian is the classic love-interest. Mysterious. Troubled. Dark past. You know he's hiding something or multiple somethings. He's a strong fighter. He's cool, level-headed. His trauma makes it difficult to trust people, and he's been abused my people in power, very similar to Wren in a way. I really, really enjoyed his character. He fights for his people, and it was nice to see a different perspective about the Breach and the Uprising. While the end definitely puts a strain on his relationship with Wren, I'm excited to see what happens next and maybe get to see more of the Breachlands and Julian's past.
4.75/5 stars. I anxiously anticipate the next book!
The mix of magic with raw ability was also really cool. But the thing that stands out to me the most, is the historical/political backdrop to this story. It's something we saw in Crown of Feathers, and I knew we would get more of that lovely complicated mess of plots and secrets in Bonesmith. It's why I love Nicki's books so much. They have plots that remind me of adult fantasy books, but are still digestible and familiar. Also, her romance subplots do not take over the story, which I appreciate so much.
Wren is a hilarious character. She loves a fight and not following the rules. And the dynamic between her and Leo and her and Julian were honestly my favourite parts of this book. The back-and-forth was perfection. It made me laugh and squeal in all the best ways, and it really makes each of the characters endearing to the reader. They felt like a found family (almost) by the end. And I can't wait to see what happens next.
Wren's whole background with how she's treated by her grandmother and father was super frustrating to read, but created a great motivation to kickstart the plot of this book. Her need to be recognized and noticed, and to be the best, all so she could maybe receive the love she knew she should be getting anyway was so sad. Wren grows a lot as a character throughout this book. She begins by being purely self-motivated, and slowly starts to unravel a plot against her, her friends, and the rest of the Dominions, only to realize the life she thought she wanted for herself, isn't the life she wants anymore. Which is honestly such a mood.
The romance between her and Julian made sense. They definitely had chemistry, and while I don't think it was 100% squeal-worthy, it didn't make me annoyed and I do think they are kind of cute, even though they're doing the whole "this is a bad idea" trope, which tbh is fair considering everyone is trying to kill and use them and maybe focusing on the plot for now is a better idea lol
As for the plot. I did predict some of the reveals, and other reveals I got totally wrong lol. The scene we get near the end where we finally got some answers was shocking but also made complete sense. Wren's father is really something, and while I wasn't a huge fan of him for most of the book–mainly because he let his mother abuse his daughter without standing up for her–by the very end, I had a whole list of reasons to hate him. He is selfish and power-hungry, and the insight we get from Odile about his relationship with Locke was very enlightening. I do feel bad for Wren. She really is related to a bunch of awful people, but I'm interested to see where this story goes in the next book, because Nicki has a way of showing how people twist stories to suit their own purposes and I'm curious to hear the Corpse Queen's side of the story and whether she is the actual victim being played by two power-hungry men.
A special shout-out to Leo. I have yet to read a book or fic with a character named Leo who I didn't love. Leo is a charming rascal. He flirts with everyone and as a result is a very unsuspecting kind of character, who always has some trick up his sleeve. I love him. I want more of him. I can't wait for him to be a third-wheel in the next book.
Julian is the classic love-interest. Mysterious. Troubled. Dark past. You know he's hiding something or multiple somethings. He's a strong fighter. He's cool, level-headed. His trauma makes it difficult to trust people, and he's been abused my people in power, very similar to Wren in a way. I really, really enjoyed his character. He fights for his people, and it was nice to see a different perspective about the Breach and the Uprising. While the end definitely puts a strain on his relationship with Wren, I'm excited to see what happens next and maybe get to see more of the Breachlands and Julian's past.
4.75/5 stars. I anxiously anticipate the next book!
Twistwood Tales by A.C. Macdonald
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I really truly wanted to love this book. After reading Juniper and Thorn I had such high hopes, but unfortunately this book just didn't live up to my exceptions. Ava discusses a lot of important themes in her stories, and this book is no exception. My main issue was with the main character and the enemies-to-lovers romance. Effy was just not very likeable, and while she has reasons for being the way she is, it made it really difficult to enjoy the story. Her interactions with Preston in the beginning felt almost forced, like the author was really trying to push the "enemies" part of their relationship. It wasn't until chapter 7/8 when I finally started to feel a little more invested in the story. Considering the book is 17 chapters long, that's pretty much the halfway mark. The romance made me roll my eyes a little, but that's definitely me. I think after reading Emily Wilde, my romance expectations were higher, and everything about Effy and Preston constantly touching annoyed me. Like at one point I just wanted to shake them and tell them to hurry up lol. I did kind of guess where things were headed, so the ending wasn't super shocking to me, and while the vibes were definitely there to an extent (I mostly mean spooky vibes, I don't know if I would personally classify this book as dark academia), it didn't improve my overall experience of reading this book.
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I have heard incredible things about this book, but had no plans to pick it up just yet. Except Libby, of course, told me my hold was expiring in 4-5 days, and my brain went "challenge accepted!"
Turns out, apparently the stress of my hold automatically being returned makes me read a lot quicker. That, and I was in postpartum my last set of shifts, so I wasn't as mentally and physically exhausted.
I'll admit, I was not the biggest fan of Emily at first. I did wonder if the author was writing a commentary about academics and the way they treat their work/research as priority over everything and everyone else. It did bother me a bit that both Emily and Wendell were not able to take care of themselves and had to rely on other people to keep the cottage warm, do their laundry, cook, etc. And their main motivation was their research, over the people who had invited them into their home. While Wendell, I could kind of understand considering the time period–he definitely gave off privileged white boy vibes–I also understand how my bias that women should at least know how to take care of themselves has a lot to do with the way I was raised. So in a way, it kind of made Wendell and Emily more equal if anything. I also think Emily might be autistic though I haven't really looked into whether that was done intentionally or not. It does explain a bit about the hyperfocus on her work that sometimes took precedence over everything else. That being said, Emily grows a lot in this book and I loved following her journey from being super focused on her book, to developing relationships with the people in Hrafnsvik, to doing her best to save their lives, all while still motivated by her work. I think as a character, she's very complex and real, and I think most people make decisions that are self-motivated, but just don't admit to it because it's seen as a "bad thing". When in reality decisions/choices aren't always black or white and can have multiple motivations behind them.
The world this book takes place in so rich and interesting to read. I loved all the tidbits we get about different Fair Folk and their customs. And I liked seeing Emily use her knowledge of these stories to get out of her messes. We learn all stories are intertwined with a bit of truth, and this book doesn't brush all Fair Folk as hot, sexy fae lol. They're dangerous and deadly, but also sometimes caring and helpful. Poe was honestly my favourite side character and I really hope we get to see more of him in the next book. (His bread made me crave freshly baked bread, which I do not have and I'm still sad about.)
Now for the dynamic between Emily and Wendell. Aqsa and Namra described their relationship as Sophie and Howl and I totally agree. Wendell and his dramatics were hilarious to read about, and their back-and-forth banter was absolutely precious. I couldn't put this book down because of them, and eventually grew to love them both. The reveal we do get approximately midway through the book made it even more fun and I'm still asfskfjdskfjks about so many things, but I don't want to spoil.
This book is just plain fun. Yeah, it's dark sometimes, and sad, but you have a grand time reading it, and the relationship between the two main characters really leads the story. The book itself was fast-paced. Something was always going on, and I kept wanting to pick it up to find out what would happen next. The villagers were so endearing and caring. And just overall this book felt like it could be a Studio Ghibli movie. The vibes were there. And I could see this being a great book to read during a winter storm.
4.25/5 stars.
Turns out, apparently the stress of my hold automatically being returned makes me read a lot quicker. That, and I was in postpartum my last set of shifts, so I wasn't as mentally and physically exhausted.
I'll admit, I was not the biggest fan of Emily at first. I did wonder if the author was writing a commentary about academics and the way they treat their work/research as priority over everything and everyone else. It did bother me a bit that both Emily and Wendell were not able to take care of themselves and had to rely on other people to keep the cottage warm, do their laundry, cook, etc. And their main motivation was their research, over the people who had invited them into their home. While Wendell, I could kind of understand considering the time period–he definitely gave off privileged white boy vibes–I also understand how my bias that women should at least know how to take care of themselves has a lot to do with the way I was raised. So in a way, it kind of made Wendell and Emily more equal if anything. I also think Emily might be autistic though I haven't really looked into whether that was done intentionally or not. It does explain a bit about the hyperfocus on her work that sometimes took precedence over everything else. That being said, Emily grows a lot in this book and I loved following her journey from being super focused on her book, to developing relationships with the people in Hrafnsvik, to doing her best to save their lives, all while still motivated by her work. I think as a character, she's very complex and real, and I think most people make decisions that are self-motivated, but just don't admit to it because it's seen as a "bad thing". When in reality decisions/choices aren't always black or white and can have multiple motivations behind them.
The world this book takes place in so rich and interesting to read. I loved all the tidbits we get about different Fair Folk and their customs. And I liked seeing Emily use her knowledge of these stories to get out of her messes. We learn all stories are intertwined with a bit of truth, and this book doesn't brush all Fair Folk as hot, sexy fae lol. They're dangerous and deadly, but also sometimes caring and helpful. Poe was honestly my favourite side character and I really hope we get to see more of him in the next book. (His bread made me crave freshly baked bread, which I do not have and I'm still sad about.)
Now for the dynamic between Emily and Wendell. Aqsa and Namra described their relationship as Sophie and Howl and I totally agree. Wendell and his dramatics were hilarious to read about, and their back-and-forth banter was absolutely precious. I couldn't put this book down because of them, and eventually grew to love them both. The reveal we do get approximately midway through the book made it even more fun and I'm still asfskfjdskfjks about so many things, but I don't want to spoil.
This book is just plain fun. Yeah, it's dark sometimes, and sad, but you have a grand time reading it, and the relationship between the two main characters really leads the story. The book itself was fast-paced. Something was always going on, and I kept wanting to pick it up to find out what would happen next. The villagers were so endearing and caring. And just overall this book felt like it could be a Studio Ghibli movie. The vibes were there. And I could see this being a great book to read during a winter storm.
4.25/5 stars.
Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I know I've said this before, but I regret not picking up this series sooner. As soon as I finished Sunbolt, I knew I needed to read the next book immediately because I could not stop thinking about this world and these characters.
Intisar writes books that are diverse, but still have that older fantasy vibe that I fell in love with as a child. I grew up reading Tamora Pierce and C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and all the other classics. My heart goes all warm and fuzzy thinking about that period of my life and those books and how attached I became to the world and the characters. The only thing that was lacking was diversity and representation that I could relate to. I think one of the reasons I'm so hesitant about reading newer YA releases is because of how romance-focused publishing has become, which is definitely influenced by booktok. Tropes sell. And enemies-to-lovers and smut in YA is a thing now, and if you don't have either of those or the other tropes that people are obsessed with, publishing won't want your book. It's actually really sad.
Intisar's books feel so refreshing but also familiar. And this book was no different.
I had trouble putting it down because I was so immersed in what was happening and what was going to happen. Hitomi is now one of my all-time favourite characters. She dives right into trouble, determined to help the people she loves even at the expense of her own life. She's definitely a "main character" in the sense her magic doesn't act like other mages, but she's down-to-earth and loveable because she doesn't see herself as above the people around her.
Because I'm obsessed with one (1) fanfic series, aka The Rigel Black Chronicles, I spent the entirety of this book feeling like Hitomi was just like Rigel Black/Harriet Potter. And Kenta is Leo. The similarities were striking and honestly made me scream sometimes. So I've totally done my best to convince the HGSS discord server to read the series.
The one-line that really summarizes this book and also The Rigel Black Chronicles:
<blockquote>"Even though you have the annoying habit of nearly getting yourself killed for other people on a regular basis."</blockquote>
Just AHHHHHsdjfsklfjskf
Anyway, back to the book. As a Tamora Pierce fan–this is not shocking–my least favourite book of hers was A Woman Who Rides Like a Man because of the Bazhir rep. And while Tammy has addressed this, it is still something I have to brace myself for every time I pick up that book.
Memories of Ash though is 'what if A Woman Who Rides Like a Man was done well'. The plot is not exactly the same, but we do get a glimpse of the desert tribes and their hospitality. Their culture is clearly influenced by Middle Eastern/Arab culture. And it was done so well! It actually made me smile and so happy, and I have a feeling we're going to see even more in the third book, which makes me even more excited.
I think I mentioned in my review for Sunbolt how resourceful Hitomi is. Well, that doesn't stop in this book. Whenever I know Hitomi has a plan or is up to something, but as the reader we don't exactly know all the details yet, I get so giddy. It does remind me a lot of Rigel, so that's probably why, but also, there's something so thrilling about not knowing what the character is up to, but also knowing at the same time that whatever they're going to do will be epic in some way. I just love Hitomi so much and get so excited whenever she's planning how to take down evil people.
I think my favourite side characters were the lycan guards, especially Osman Bey. I just had a feeling about them and it turned out to be right and I'm still sdfdksjfsdklf about their role in this book.
We finally get to see some old friends again, which was so bittersweet because Hitomi doesn't have a lot of her memories. I really, really love Kenta so much and his determination to not let Hitomi do things on her own and protect her was also very Leo-esque. We also get to see a reunion of a sorts, that was more painful than I was expecting. And we get to see a certain breather again!!!
Honestly the interrogation scene under the truth-spell was probably my favourite scene in this book. I get chills thinking about it.
Hitomi herself goes through so much in this book, but I also thinks she learns to accept help from others instead of trying to do everything on her own. She still struggles with putting others at risk, but by the end I think she learns that people are more than capable of understanding risk and it's not her job to try and protect everyone all the time.
I cannot wait to see what happens next. I miss this world and these characters already and I can't stop thinking about them. I wish the third book was already out in the world, but I'm even more excited to reread this series. Also, I badly need a map of this world. LIKE BADLY.
10/5 stars for this book.
Intisar writes books that are diverse, but still have that older fantasy vibe that I fell in love with as a child. I grew up reading Tamora Pierce and C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and all the other classics. My heart goes all warm and fuzzy thinking about that period of my life and those books and how attached I became to the world and the characters. The only thing that was lacking was diversity and representation that I could relate to. I think one of the reasons I'm so hesitant about reading newer YA releases is because of how romance-focused publishing has become, which is definitely influenced by booktok. Tropes sell. And enemies-to-lovers and smut in YA is a thing now, and if you don't have either of those or the other tropes that people are obsessed with, publishing won't want your book. It's actually really sad.
Intisar's books feel so refreshing but also familiar. And this book was no different.
I had trouble putting it down because I was so immersed in what was happening and what was going to happen. Hitomi is now one of my all-time favourite characters. She dives right into trouble, determined to help the people she loves even at the expense of her own life. She's definitely a "main character" in the sense her magic doesn't act like other mages, but she's down-to-earth and loveable because she doesn't see herself as above the people around her.
Because I'm obsessed with one (1) fanfic series, aka The Rigel Black Chronicles, I spent the entirety of this book feeling like Hitomi was just like Rigel Black/Harriet Potter. And Kenta is Leo. The similarities were striking and honestly made me scream sometimes. So I've totally done my best to convince the HGSS discord server to read the series.
The one-line that really summarizes this book and also The Rigel Black Chronicles:
<blockquote>"Even though you have the annoying habit of nearly getting yourself killed for other people on a regular basis."</blockquote>
Just AHHHHHsdjfsklfjskf
Anyway, back to the book. As a Tamora Pierce fan–this is not shocking–my least favourite book of hers was A Woman Who Rides Like a Man because of the Bazhir rep. And while Tammy has addressed this, it is still something I have to brace myself for every time I pick up that book.
Memories of Ash though is 'what if A Woman Who Rides Like a Man was done well'. The plot is not exactly the same, but we do get a glimpse of the desert tribes and their hospitality. Their culture is clearly influenced by Middle Eastern/Arab culture. And it was done so well! It actually made me smile and so happy, and I have a feeling we're going to see even more in the third book, which makes me even more excited.
I think I mentioned in my review for Sunbolt how resourceful Hitomi is. Well, that doesn't stop in this book. Whenever I know Hitomi has a plan or is up to something, but as the reader we don't exactly know all the details yet, I get so giddy. It does remind me a lot of Rigel, so that's probably why, but also, there's something so thrilling about not knowing what the character is up to, but also knowing at the same time that whatever they're going to do will be epic in some way. I just love Hitomi so much and get so excited whenever she's planning how to take down evil people.
I think my favourite side characters were the lycan guards, especially Osman Bey. I just had a feeling about them and it turned out to be right and I'm still sdfdksjfsdklf about their role in this book.
We finally get to see some old friends again, which was so bittersweet because Hitomi doesn't have a lot of her memories. I really, really love Kenta so much and his determination to not let Hitomi do things on her own and protect her was also very Leo-esque. We also get to see a reunion of a sorts, that was more painful than I was expecting. And we get to see a certain breather again!!!
Honestly the interrogation scene under the truth-spell was probably my favourite scene in this book. I get chills thinking about it.
Hitomi herself goes through so much in this book, but I also thinks she learns to accept help from others instead of trying to do everything on her own. She still struggles with putting others at risk, but by the end I think she learns that people are more than capable of understanding risk and it's not her job to try and protect everyone all the time.
I cannot wait to see what happens next. I miss this world and these characters already and I can't stop thinking about them. I wish the third book was already out in the world, but I'm even more excited to reread this series. Also, I badly need a map of this world. LIKE BADLY.
10/5 stars for this book.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I requested this book because <i>spooky vibes</i>. The premise kind of reminded me of Mexican Gothic (minus the mushrooms), and it's been a while since I've read a spooky book, so I thought I would give this a chance.
I pretty much went in with zero expectations and only a vague idea of what this book was about. And boy did it take me by surprise.
So to start off...
1. Spooky House duh
2. Grumpy warden of said Spooky House who is mysterious and lonely and no he doesn't need anyone and the mc is annoying and she needs to leave him alone but also 👀
3. And a cat who likes to bite and scratch and hates everyone except a certain grumpy man
So pretty much, a recipe for a great book.
I was not expecting to feel so many feelings. Opal, our mc, is the kind of character you can't help root for. She's very abrasive, speaks her mind, and is always willing to put up a fight for the things she wants to protect. You feel so much for her and her story, both the past and present. Her motivations are very relatable and understandable, and she's overall a very captivating character.
I laughed out loud so many times in this book thanks to Opal, but also thanks to Arthur. There's something about a lonely, tortured, self-sacrificing man that just gets to me. <s>Definitely don't see myself in that at all.</s> He's constantly fighting himself and denying his feelings, and while usually this trope annoys me, this was done really well, and Opal was a good counterbalance to his moodiness, so I fell in love with the two of them instead. Their back and forth is just so good, and the yearning is so <i>yearning</i> I ended up having to scream about it on my Instagram stories.
I think what carries this book is the narrative style and Opal. She has such a unique voice, that without it, I don't think I would have enjoyed this book as much. I think it would listen quite well as an audiobook. The vibes are spooky and creepy, but if you scare easy like me, Opal and Arthur make it more digestible and funny.
This book reads fast and is kind of an "edge of your seat" read, which fulfills all my expectations when it comes to spooky books. There is more depth and history to the storyline than I was expecting, and I really appreciated the mystery behind it and watching Opal try to figure out the truth among all the different stories surrounding Starling House.
The ending wrapped things up nicely, though it wasn't as action-heavy as I was hoping for.
Overall, I highly recommend if you're trying to figure out a tbr for October and want a book that is a bit creepy, but won't give you nightmares!
I pretty much went in with zero expectations and only a vague idea of what this book was about. And boy did it take me by surprise.
So to start off...
1. Spooky House duh
2. Grumpy warden of said Spooky House who is mysterious and lonely and no he doesn't need anyone and the mc is annoying and she needs to leave him alone but also 👀
3. And a cat who likes to bite and scratch and hates everyone except a certain grumpy man
So pretty much, a recipe for a great book.
I was not expecting to feel so many feelings. Opal, our mc, is the kind of character you can't help root for. She's very abrasive, speaks her mind, and is always willing to put up a fight for the things she wants to protect. You feel so much for her and her story, both the past and present. Her motivations are very relatable and understandable, and she's overall a very captivating character.
I laughed out loud so many times in this book thanks to Opal, but also thanks to Arthur. There's something about a lonely, tortured, self-sacrificing man that just gets to me. <s>Definitely don't see myself in that at all.</s> He's constantly fighting himself and denying his feelings, and while usually this trope annoys me, this was done really well, and Opal was a good counterbalance to his moodiness, so I fell in love with the two of them instead. Their back and forth is just so good, and the yearning is so <i>yearning</i> I ended up having to scream about it on my Instagram stories.
I think what carries this book is the narrative style and Opal. She has such a unique voice, that without it, I don't think I would have enjoyed this book as much. I think it would listen quite well as an audiobook. The vibes are spooky and creepy, but if you scare easy like me, Opal and Arthur make it more digestible and funny.
This book reads fast and is kind of an "edge of your seat" read, which fulfills all my expectations when it comes to spooky books. There is more depth and history to the storyline than I was expecting, and I really appreciated the mystery behind it and watching Opal try to figure out the truth among all the different stories surrounding Starling House.
The ending wrapped things up nicely, though it wasn't as action-heavy as I was hoping for.
Overall, I highly recommend if you're trying to figure out a tbr for October and want a book that is a bit creepy, but won't give you nightmares!
Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
ahhhh another great book by one of the greats 🥺
After reading Shadow Thief, I knew Sunbolt was going to be good, but I had no idea where things were headed.
The world is so expansive and interesting, and while we got a glimpse of it in Shadow Thief, I wasn't expecting to see more of the Eleven Kingdoms so soon. I'm so curious to know if there's a map of this world. You know me and my maps 😂 I wanna see where Hitomi ends up.
Hitomi is a very loveable character you can't help rooting for. She finds her way out of every single mess, and her resourcefulness and ability to think on the spot and not take "no" for an answer makes me love her even more. I wish we got to spend more time with Kenta and the Ghost though, because after reading Shadow Thief, I really loved the dynamic we saw between the the three characters. That being said, I was not a fan of the Ghost sidelining Hitomi on all their missions, even though half the time he meant for her to follow them anyway. In a way, without the Ghost and Kenta, Hitomi was able to have so much more agency throughout this book, and I really liked seeing her problem solve and strategize.
The whole seen with Kol and Alia in the holding cells was absolutely terrifying. First of all, I was not expecting vampires to show up in this book. Secondly, this book is DARK. And intense. And disturbing. But it keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes it very difficult to put it down. I felt like I was watching a scary movie with my hands covering most of my eyes, but in book form. The torture, the murder, the violence...all of it was so engaging, but also absolutely necessary to the plot. I love how Intisar doesn't shy away from stuff like this. We saw it in her Dauntless Path and we see it here too. Both series have very similar vibes, with disappearances and evil mages, and magic that's tied with the environment, but they're also different. I just love the familiarity of it though and if you miss Dauntless Path, the re-release of this series, will definitely be one you'll enjoy.
Anyway, this book took turns I wasn't expecting. Every time I think Hitomi will escape, she doesn't, and I'm literally SO STRESSED for her. But the whole thing with Val...like dsjfskdjfskdfj. I got major Graceling vibes in the last bit of the book and it made me squeal so much. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book, and while I was thinking of waiting until the re-release, I'm going to read it now and then reread everything when the third book comes out.
I'm so glad I finally got around to reading the Sunbolt Chronicles. I'm honestly disappointed in myself for waiting this long to start them, but if you've been putting it off too, and you're feeling slumpy and want something that'll hold your attention, definitely add this book to your tbr!
After reading Shadow Thief, I knew Sunbolt was going to be good, but I had no idea where things were headed.
The world is so expansive and interesting, and while we got a glimpse of it in Shadow Thief, I wasn't expecting to see more of the Eleven Kingdoms so soon. I'm so curious to know if there's a map of this world. You know me and my maps 😂 I wanna see where Hitomi ends up.
Hitomi is a very loveable character you can't help rooting for. She finds her way out of every single mess, and her resourcefulness and ability to think on the spot and not take "no" for an answer makes me love her even more. I wish we got to spend more time with Kenta and the Ghost though, because after reading Shadow Thief, I really loved the dynamic we saw between the the three characters. That being said, I was not a fan of the Ghost sidelining Hitomi on all their missions, even though half the time he meant for her to follow them anyway. In a way, without the Ghost and Kenta, Hitomi was able to have so much more agency throughout this book, and I really liked seeing her problem solve and strategize.
The whole seen with Kol and Alia in the holding cells was absolutely terrifying. First of all, I was not expecting vampires to show up in this book. Secondly, this book is DARK. And intense. And disturbing. But it keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes it very difficult to put it down. I felt like I was watching a scary movie with my hands covering most of my eyes, but in book form. The torture, the murder, the violence...all of it was so engaging, but also absolutely necessary to the plot. I love how Intisar doesn't shy away from stuff like this. We saw it in her Dauntless Path and we see it here too. Both series have very similar vibes, with disappearances and evil mages, and magic that's tied with the environment, but they're also different. I just love the familiarity of it though and if you miss Dauntless Path, the re-release of this series, will definitely be one you'll enjoy.
Anyway, this book took turns I wasn't expecting. Every time I think Hitomi will escape, she doesn't, and I'm literally SO STRESSED for her. But the whole thing with Val...like dsjfskdjfskdfj. I got major Graceling vibes in the last bit of the book and it made me squeal so much. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book, and while I was thinking of waiting until the re-release, I'm going to read it now and then reread everything when the third book comes out.
I'm so glad I finally got around to reading the Sunbolt Chronicles. I'm honestly disappointed in myself for waiting this long to start them, but if you've been putting it off too, and you're feeling slumpy and want something that'll hold your attention, definitely add this book to your tbr!
Shadow Thief by Intisar Khanani
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I think this broke my reading slump.
Intisar Khanani's writing and world-building are so comforting and exactly what I needed to feel like reading again.
I haven't gotten around to reading Sunbolt, so when I got the opportunity to read the prequel I hopped on it because it seemed like a good time. There's just something so familiar about this new world. In some ways it reminds me of Dauntless Path. It's refreshing and different, but filled with the same loveable and charming characters. Prequels aren't usually my favourite books to read because they're kind of an awkward length, but Shadow Thief has the perfect build up for what I think Sunbolt will continue. It ended off so well and as a prequel I think it gives us a good background on Hitomi before jumping into her story.
I'm really looking forward to picking up Sunbolt now. I guess sometimes you have to revisit your favourite authors to get out of a reading slump.
Intisar Khanani's writing and world-building are so comforting and exactly what I needed to feel like reading again.
I haven't gotten around to reading Sunbolt, so when I got the opportunity to read the prequel I hopped on it because it seemed like a good time. There's just something so familiar about this new world. In some ways it reminds me of Dauntless Path. It's refreshing and different, but filled with the same loveable and charming characters. Prequels aren't usually my favourite books to read because they're kind of an awkward length, but Shadow Thief has the perfect build up for what I think Sunbolt will continue. It ended off so well and as a prequel I think it gives us a good background on Hitomi before jumping into her story.
I'm really looking forward to picking up Sunbolt now. I guess sometimes you have to revisit your favourite authors to get out of a reading slump.