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antigoniselena's reviews
271 reviews
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
I am not giving this a rating… but I didn’t get passed 60 pages… I’ll try again some day
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
4.0
This novel is about young viable women being part of an alien abduction. They are abducted by these aliens for their galactic sex trafficking ring. (Knowing this, please be sure to check your triggers for this novel, there are a few) While in space, headed somewhere in the unknown, there seems to be a fuel issue. The aliens are therefore forced to dump the women they abducted, or rather their “cargo” as they refer to them, on a random planet. The protagonist, Georgie, somehow finds herself to be the leader of these women. So when they land on an unknown Ice Planet, she finds herself treading out to find help, or a way home… The story then begins when she meets this James Cameron-looking horned Avatar hunk of an alien.
Now, as far as what to expect in this novel, there is a lot of spice… a lot. While it doesn’t overshadow the plot, because surprisingly there is a decent plot around trying to save her fellow humans and communicating with alien life, and overall survival, the story really focusses on the erotic alien sex and explicit scenes. One thing I do have to say though, is that this novel doesn’t take itself too seriously, especially with lines like: "It wasn’t a monster come to eat me. It was this monster. Who’s come to eat me out." - which was extremely hilarious. (Yeah, the alien literally starts eating her out upon saving her because apparently she smelled good? I cannot make this stuff up.) Reading this, you may be thinking… ok… then why is this a 4.5/5? Well that is sort of hard to explain, but mainly because within the structure of the novel, it doesn’t feel cringey. The style of writing is super easy to read and really follows a logical train of thought. It doesn’t feel like the author was forcing certain ideas on a character in order for the novel to make sense, but rather flows quite accurately. I am not sure if that makes sense to anyone else but myself, but oh well. The other element that made this a 4.5 for me, is while the plot is really not explored as much as it could have been, it had the basis for a very good plot even without the spice. What I mean by this is, while I do love authors like Katee Robert her novels without the spice wouldn’t have much of a plot. In those novels, the plot was the spice, which again, sometimes I really love. In this instance though, this is what makes this novel outshine the rest.
If you want to read this novel out in public, I recommend either and ebook or purchasing the new special edition which honestly if you look at the cover, makes the novel look like a teen sci-fi novel. Have you read this novel? Let me know what you think!
Now, as far as what to expect in this novel, there is a lot of spice… a lot. While it doesn’t overshadow the plot, because surprisingly there is a decent plot around trying to save her fellow humans and communicating with alien life, and overall survival, the story really focusses on the erotic alien sex and explicit scenes. One thing I do have to say though, is that this novel doesn’t take itself too seriously, especially with lines like: "It wasn’t a monster come to eat me. It was this monster. Who’s come to eat me out." - which was extremely hilarious. (Yeah, the alien literally starts eating her out upon saving her because apparently she smelled good? I cannot make this stuff up.) Reading this, you may be thinking… ok… then why is this a 4.5/5? Well that is sort of hard to explain, but mainly because within the structure of the novel, it doesn’t feel cringey. The style of writing is super easy to read and really follows a logical train of thought. It doesn’t feel like the author was forcing certain ideas on a character in order for the novel to make sense, but rather flows quite accurately. I am not sure if that makes sense to anyone else but myself, but oh well. The other element that made this a 4.5 for me, is while the plot is really not explored as much as it could have been, it had the basis for a very good plot even without the spice. What I mean by this is, while I do love authors like Katee Robert her novels without the spice wouldn’t have much of a plot. In those novels, the plot was the spice, which again, sometimes I really love. In this instance though, this is what makes this novel outshine the rest.
If you want to read this novel out in public, I recommend either and ebook or purchasing the new special edition which honestly if you look at the cover, makes the novel look like a teen sci-fi novel. Have you read this novel? Let me know what you think!
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
4.0
RATING: 4/5 STARS
GENRE: ROMANCE, LGBTQ, Historical Fiction
This was a slow novel, but I really love how this novel progressed, although it was very slow. Most stories about the Trojan War, mainly focus on the perspective of Achilles. This novel follows Patroclus and his romance with Achilles.
The narration really gives off Greek. Even the dialogue, it has that precise and straight forward quality that Greek has. I also appreciated the details that were included that most retellings tend to keep out (such as Achilles’s son). It was romantic in that classical way, not overly word and there weren’t those grand gestures… It really touched my heart. It gave an alternate view to a beloved story. I also appreciated the different types of love that were also presented in the story. For instance, the love between Patroclus and Briseis. While she had romantic feelings for him, Patroclus still loved her although it was not in the same way he adored Achilles. There were moments he pictured even a future with her, marriage and a child. Madeline Miller is a beautiful writer and she took a very familiar story (at least to me) and was able to give it new depth and dimension.
If you are a fan of Greek mythology, I do recommend this read. If you haven’t been able to read the classics, it is a somewhat lighter narration. If you would like to further your knowledge and read Homer’s The Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson
GENRE: ROMANCE, LGBTQ, Historical Fiction
This was a slow novel, but I really love how this novel progressed, although it was very slow. Most stories about the Trojan War, mainly focus on the perspective of Achilles. This novel follows Patroclus and his romance with Achilles.
The narration really gives off Greek. Even the dialogue, it has that precise and straight forward quality that Greek has. I also appreciated the details that were included that most retellings tend to keep out (such as Achilles’s son). It was romantic in that classical way, not overly word and there weren’t those grand gestures… It really touched my heart. It gave an alternate view to a beloved story. I also appreciated the different types of love that were also presented in the story. For instance, the love between Patroclus and Briseis. While she had romantic feelings for him, Patroclus still loved her although it was not in the same way he adored Achilles. There were moments he pictured even a future with her, marriage and a child. Madeline Miller is a beautiful writer and she took a very familiar story (at least to me) and was able to give it new depth and dimension.
If you are a fan of Greek mythology, I do recommend this read. If you haven’t been able to read the classics, it is a somewhat lighter narration. If you would like to further your knowledge and read Homer’s The Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll, Roger Lancelyn Green
3.0
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
5.0
RATING: 5/5 STARS
TROPE: ENEMIES TO LOVERS / GRUMPY LOVE
I am going to begin by stating that Book Lovers by Emily Henry, is as of yet, my favourite book for 2022. There are so many elements that Henry brings to this novel, that make it an near perfect summer read. Book Lovers is not only a romance, but a story about the relationship between sisters; specifically when the elder sister takes on a more maternal role, and how that can cause issues within the relationship. As an elder sister myself, a lot of the ideas, thoughts and feelings that Nora, our heroine experiences, are similar to what I have experienced with my own younger sister.
Now, the premise of the novel is, Nora Stevens is an agent for authors. Her younger sister, Libby, convinces her to spend an entire summer with her in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. Why? Well, this happens to be the setting of one of Libby’s favourite novels, whom the author is actually one of Nora’s clients. Libby, pregnant with her third child, sets off this summer adventure in order to spend time with her sister before the baby comes, but also have her sister experience the “small-town transformation” trope seen in so many of the novels she loves. This along with her rival, Charlie Lastra, being in town has Nora in fun, awkward and exciting places.
Seems like a simple enough plot, but with Emily Henry’s amazing easy-to-read and detailed writing style, it is easy to speed through this book this book and miss the amazing gems within it. I had to actively slow myself down because I wanted to devour it. There are so many hilarious lines. This novel is so quotable, with things like “Nothing more intimidating than a forehead.” “If you’re the wrong kind of woman, than I am the wrong kind of man.” “Your nightmare brain is my absolute favourite.” If these haven’t won you over, just know that if you’re the millennial older sister who doesn’t want to have kids, loves sarcasm and that grumpy kind of love, then this novel is for you.
TROPE: ENEMIES TO LOVERS / GRUMPY LOVE
I am going to begin by stating that Book Lovers by Emily Henry, is as of yet, my favourite book for 2022. There are so many elements that Henry brings to this novel, that make it an near perfect summer read. Book Lovers is not only a romance, but a story about the relationship between sisters; specifically when the elder sister takes on a more maternal role, and how that can cause issues within the relationship. As an elder sister myself, a lot of the ideas, thoughts and feelings that Nora, our heroine experiences, are similar to what I have experienced with my own younger sister.
Now, the premise of the novel is, Nora Stevens is an agent for authors. Her younger sister, Libby, convinces her to spend an entire summer with her in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. Why? Well, this happens to be the setting of one of Libby’s favourite novels, whom the author is actually one of Nora’s clients. Libby, pregnant with her third child, sets off this summer adventure in order to spend time with her sister before the baby comes, but also have her sister experience the “small-town transformation” trope seen in so many of the novels she loves. This along with her rival, Charlie Lastra, being in town has Nora in fun, awkward and exciting places.
Seems like a simple enough plot, but with Emily Henry’s amazing easy-to-read and detailed writing style, it is easy to speed through this book this book and miss the amazing gems within it. I had to actively slow myself down because I wanted to devour it. There are so many hilarious lines. This novel is so quotable, with things like “Nothing more intimidating than a forehead.” “If you’re the wrong kind of woman, than I am the wrong kind of man.” “Your nightmare brain is my absolute favourite.” If these haven’t won you over, just know that if you’re the millennial older sister who doesn’t want to have kids, loves sarcasm and that grumpy kind of love, then this novel is for you.