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amy_reading_23's reviews
73 reviews
Shanghai Immortal by A.Y. Chao
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
This is a fun book, and it was interesting to learn more about Chinese folklore. The main character was a bit immature, which I guess kind of makes sense since she's led mostly quite a sheltered life, but yeah I can see why people say it reads more like YA than adult fiction. I think my favourite bit was when they were in mortal Shanghai.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Child death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death of parent, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Emotional abuse
The Gathering by C.J. Tudor
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This is a well written and fast paced book. I'd say it fits more the crime genre than fantasy, it just happens to have vampires in it. I think it was an interesting take on vampires and they were certainly used as a device to explore real life issues like prejudice, inequality, and scapegoating. The vampire colony shared a lot of similarities to native American reservations and how indigenous people of America have been treated - I am not indigenous or American so can't really say if this was done sensitively but it seemed to be to me. It was certainly interesting, and it's one of my favourite things magical books does - is to hold a mirror up to society and make us think.
I thought it was refreshing to have a middle aged plus sized lesbian protagonist and I mostly enjoyed her character, however I was dissapointed by one throw away comment towards the end that she should cut down on calories. I would love it if one day we could have a plus sized character who isn't told or isn't thinking about losing weight.
This book doesn't shy away from the heavy topics, and some content is quite explicit, so if you are worried about finding some things triggering then check out the content warnings first.
I thought it was refreshing to have a middle aged plus sized lesbian protagonist and I mostly enjoyed her character, however I was dissapointed by one throw away comment towards the end that she should cut down on calories. I would love it if one day we could have a plus sized character who isn't told or isn't thinking about losing weight.
This book doesn't shy away from the heavy topics, and some content is quite explicit, so if you are worried about finding some things triggering then check out the content warnings first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Body horror, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Hate crime, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, and Kidnapping
Minor: Body shaming, Torture, Violence, Gun violence, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Medical content, and Rape
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Before anything else, I'd just like to say that this is a sad book. Someone else had mentioned it having cosy vibes which is why I picked it up during a depressive episode -- but it's actually pretty sad, and I struggled through it a bit because of that.
I think the ending was my favourite part. Because that bit was hopeful and included some beautiful moments in nature in the spring passage.
The book overall had an interesting premise and some nice bits, but it felt a bit lacking. I would have liked to have had more insights into the protagonists history, more grounding in the day to day of how the school actually works, just more detail so that I could actually be fully immersed. Instead it read like a hazy reflection which didn't always work.
Something interesting about reading it in a depressive episode was linking what Clara is feeling to mental health. The descriptions of not feeling in control of your body and power was relatable for me when I feel out of control of my emotions. And the ending being hopeful and admitting that even though there will be bad days and suffering its still worth fighting for something better -- I did really appreciate that message. In this way it resonated with me.
It was also interesting as Clara felt the responsibility and weight of the world when it came to the climate crisis, and I think a lot of people who have experienced climate anxiety can relate to that. Like if you don't do something, who will? How can you help when the world is ending? Feelings like this can be overwhelming and dehabilitating, and Clara finding hope among them was important.
Overall it was a fine read and I found the link between witches and the climate crisis to be interesting, however it just felt a bit underdeveloped to me.
I think the ending was my favourite part. Because that bit was hopeful and included some beautiful moments in nature in the spring passage.
The book overall had an interesting premise and some nice bits, but it felt a bit lacking. I would have liked to have had more insights into the protagonists history, more grounding in the day to day of how the school actually works, just more detail so that I could actually be fully immersed. Instead it read like a hazy reflection which didn't always work.
Something interesting about reading it in a depressive episode was linking what Clara is feeling to mental health. The descriptions of not feeling in control of your body and power was relatable for me when I feel out of control of my emotions. And the ending being hopeful and admitting that even though there will be bad days and suffering its still worth fighting for something better -- I did really appreciate that message. In this way it resonated with me.
It was also interesting as Clara felt the responsibility and weight of the world when it came to the climate crisis, and I think a lot of people who have experienced climate anxiety can relate to that. Like if you don't do something, who will? How can you help when the world is ending? Feelings like this can be overwhelming and dehabilitating, and Clara finding hope among them was important.
Overall it was a fine read and I found the link between witches and the climate crisis to be interesting, however it just felt a bit underdeveloped to me.
Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.25
The ending made me cry. I'm still reeling.
I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the first, but I still really enjoyed it. The first half was a little slow but it picked up around the middle and then raced towards the end. At some points I thought maybe it was becoming predictable, bit then the unexpected would happen.
I enjoyed the whole lore around Pheobe's clans. Since book one was so heavily monotheistic and christian-like, it was interesting for this book to have some focus on a matriarchal society who is pagan and believes in multiple gods, yet still has a prophecy about Dior, hinting that maybe all could be true.
I think something the writer does well is complicated characters. Even though some of the characters themselves believe in a black and white world of good and evil, its shown throughout the books that this isn't the reality, and every character comes with as many flaws as redeemable qualities. Even some of the more "villanious" characters can be enjoyable (like the Marquis and Kiara) and understandable in their own way. Book one very much was anti vampire - all vampires are evil - whereas this one was a bit more complex in that regard.
These books are so rich with world building, lore, love, loss and emotion. I'll truly miss this world when the third one is finished.
I genuinely cried at the end when Dior called Gabriel Papa. So hard. And cried again when she passed. I don't know what to make of the last few pages, although it made me reflect on one thing. Both Gabriel and his sister have said how the other is an unreliable narrator. And there's definitley things they're hiding from the historian. I'm intrigued for book 3 as I imagine it will combine both the events that happened after Dior's "death", how Gabriel killed Fabien, but also I think there will be some plot set in the present as we finally find our what Gabriel's plan is here.
I also think his sister is in on it. I think their fight is a rouse and I think maybe the grail isn't truly lost. But what keeps me afraid is that the author has said he doesn't believe in happy endings. So whether the dark days end or Gabriel lives or dies in book three I really don't know.
There is more explicit horror in this book. I didn't find the first book too disturbing horror-wise but this one does contain more torture and brutal deaths so definitley check the trigger warnings.
I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the first, but I still really enjoyed it. The first half was a little slow but it picked up around the middle and then raced towards the end. At some points I thought maybe it was becoming predictable, bit then the unexpected would happen.
I enjoyed the whole lore around Pheobe's clans. Since book one was so heavily monotheistic and christian-like, it was interesting for this book to have some focus on a matriarchal society who is pagan and believes in multiple gods, yet still has a prophecy about Dior, hinting that maybe all could be true.
I think something the writer does well is complicated characters. Even though some of the characters themselves believe in a black and white world of good and evil, its shown throughout the books that this isn't the reality, and every character comes with as many flaws as redeemable qualities. Even some of the more "villanious" characters can be enjoyable (like the Marquis and Kiara) and understandable in their own way. Book one very much was anti vampire - all vampires are evil - whereas this one was a bit more complex in that regard.
These books are so rich with world building, lore, love, loss and emotion. I'll truly miss this world when the third one is finished.
I also think his sister is in on it. I think their fight is a rouse and I think maybe the grail isn't truly lost. But what keeps me afraid is that the author has said he doesn't believe in happy endings. So whether the dark days end or Gabriel lives or dies in book three I really don't know.
There is more explicit horror in this book. I didn't find the first book too disturbing horror-wise but this one does contain more torture and brutal deaths so definitley check the trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Violence, Gore, War, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Cannibalism, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Abandonment, Cursing, Miscarriage, and Religious bigotry
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
It might partly be because this book was so hyped up, but I was a bit disappointed. I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped and found some bits pretty dull. I enjoyed the end the most and that's because - for a book that's meant to be about vampires - it finally centered vampires.
I think it's a shame as the core concept of a teahouse that doubles as a bloodhouse is really interesting and could have been developed a lot more, but we only got a very small glimpse of it.
I found some of the characters a bit hollow and some of the plot was a little predictable.
There were some interesting themes and a couple of surprises along the way. There were certainly good ideas. But yeah this just didn't hit as hard as I would have expected with all the hype. Maybe if I re-read it in a few years without those expectations I might enjoy it more.
I still am interested to see where they will go with it in book two as it left a lot of questions unanswered. But yeah, overall, not what I expected from this book.
I think it's a shame as the core concept of a teahouse that doubles as a bloodhouse is really interesting and could have been developed a lot more, but we only got a very small glimpse of it.
I found some of the characters a bit hollow and some of the plot was a little predictable.
There were some interesting themes and a couple of surprises along the way. There were certainly good ideas. But yeah this just didn't hit as hard as I would have expected with all the hype. Maybe if I re-read it in a few years without those expectations I might enjoy it more.
I still am interested to see where they will go with it in book two as it left a lot of questions unanswered. But yeah, overall, not what I expected from this book.
The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
I accidentally left my copy of the book on the bus ðŸ˜
Youngblood by Sasha Laurens
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
I enjoyed the first half of this book a lot, it was fun and the world building concepts were interesting, but then the characters started to annoy me in the middle and it felt a bit slower before completely rushing the ending.
Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Just not in the right headspace for this book right now, it's quite horror and sadness intense without much comic relief. Will try it again another time :)