Scan barcode
athenathestorier's reviews
27 reviews
The Necromancer's Light by Tavia Lark
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Self harm
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Death
Minor: Gore, Murder, and Death of parent
Wolf Born by J.N. Moon
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
None of the sentences/paragraphs really flowed together, and the narrator/mc’s voice sounded too unpolished. This was made all the worse by the fact that the sentences were interrupted by really poorly placed commas that made me have to keep rereading in order to figure out what was actually trying to be said.
The Call of the Sea by Kate Schumacher
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I think many people who found themselves picking up this book are like me. And what I mean by that is someone who had a big Camelot/King Arthur/Merlin period where they picked up every adaptation, retelling, fanfiction, etc. they could get their hands on. In fact, it's something we share in common with the author, according to the author's note at the beginning of the book.
In that author's note, Kate Schumacher speaks a lot of truth.
"Within this series, you will find Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere. You will find Merlin and the Lady of the Lake and Mordred. You will find Morgaine Le Fey. You will find the quest for the Grail, the Knights of the Round Table, and Camelot. But you may not recognise them at first glance."
Indeed. This is unmistakably a Camelot reimagining. But it's been turned on it's head in such a way that it is both recognizable and surprising. The way these characters develop, come together, interact with each other, etc. is all very fascinating to watch. And I'm so curious to see how the story develops throughout the series, as I'm sure we're in for more than a few surprises.
And this isn't easily won praise either. The beginning of this book legitimately made me rather sick to my stomach. The legends of King Arthur and Camelot have always had a heavy prevalence of Christianity and oppression. It is something that makes absolute sense for the time period and context of the tale. But it is something that I found myself forgetting about, as many retellings tend to water it down. "The Call of the Sea" does no such thing. The fantasy rebrand of Christianity was very real, very present, and very cruel. I found myself thinking that Jen is far more patient and resilient than me. And that the author is very brave to write in such a transparent and condemning way on this topic. And I am craving for that final battle in the upcoming books.
But despite it all, I kept reading. I found myself absolutely NEEDING to know what happens next. I loved connecting the dots to the original legends, myths, and tales. I loved the way the author did away with that dreaded love triangle. I love the way we get queer rep, fantasy, and a focus on character discovery and development. These aspects thrilled me throughout the read, and even after as I found myself just having to gush about this read to someone.
You can bet that the sequel will be getting pre-ordered as soon as it becomes available.
Quotes:
“That morning, ten-year-old Arthur knew for certain the One God was not the God of beauty and strength, for what beauty was there in bloodshed and pain, and what true strength was there in a hand that flexed with violent darkness?”
“‘There are many different types of suffering. You know that already. Do not measure your own pain against that of others.’”
In that author's note, Kate Schumacher speaks a lot of truth.
"Within this series, you will find Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere. You will find Merlin and the Lady of the Lake and Mordred. You will find Morgaine Le Fey. You will find the quest for the Grail, the Knights of the Round Table, and Camelot. But you may not recognise them at first glance."
Indeed. This is unmistakably a Camelot reimagining. But it's been turned on it's head in such a way that it is both recognizable and surprising. The way these characters develop, come together, interact with each other, etc. is all very fascinating to watch. And I'm so curious to see how the story develops throughout the series, as I'm sure we're in for more than a few surprises.
And this isn't easily won praise either. The beginning of this book legitimately made me rather sick to my stomach. The legends of King Arthur and Camelot have always had a heavy prevalence of Christianity and oppression. It is something that makes absolute sense for the time period and context of the tale. But it is something that I found myself forgetting about, as many retellings tend to water it down. "The Call of the Sea" does no such thing. The fantasy rebrand of Christianity was very real, very present, and very cruel. I found myself thinking that Jen is far more patient and resilient than me. And that the author is very brave to write in such a transparent and condemning way on this topic. And I am craving for that final battle in the upcoming books.
But despite it all, I kept reading. I found myself absolutely NEEDING to know what happens next. I loved connecting the dots to the original legends, myths, and tales. I loved the way the author did away with that dreaded love triangle. I love the way we get queer rep, fantasy, and a focus on character discovery and development. These aspects thrilled me throughout the read, and even after as I found myself just having to gush about this read to someone.
You can bet that the sequel will be getting pre-ordered as soon as it becomes available.
Quotes:
“That morning, ten-year-old Arthur knew for certain the One God was not the God of beauty and strength, for what beauty was there in bloodshed and pain, and what true strength was there in a hand that flexed with violent darkness?”
“‘There are many different types of suffering. You know that already. Do not measure your own pain against that of others.’”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual content, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Physical abuse, Blood, Cursing, Confinement, and Death of parent
The Sum of Our Parts by Micaela Vee
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.5
If anyone ever thought webnovels are inherently poorly thought out and written, "The Sum of Our Parts" is one of the novels that will gladly prove you wrong. I haven't read the connected "Find Me" yet, so granted, I was briefly confused by all the characters thrown at me at once. But once you get past that, it's easy to get into this novel. We get explanations for any past events that bear any relevance, in a nice and concise way that's easy to digest and move on from (although... major spoilers for Find Me, I believe).
Eddie is one of those characters who has a certain magnetism to him - both to his fellow characters and to us readers. He knows he's broken. And even while he hides this under masks of exuberance and sass, he doesn't deny that fact to himself.
In fact, the acknowledgement is so engrained in his narrative, so off-handed in reference, that it still keeps some of the suspense alive for readers. We know what happened, but we're on the edge of our seats waiting for the truth to be revealed to other key players/characters. We're waiting on baited breath for those masks to slip so Eddie can find true happiness. And it was brilliantly and emotionally done. I could not put this down for a second.
Support characters are relatively poorly established though, with little page presence. don't know if it's because those qualities are supposed to carry over from Find Me, if it's because it's so Eddie-focused, or if it was an oversight on behalf of the short length.
Memorable Quotes:
- Home is where the scars from our childhood are the easiest to see.”
-"It's gravity; falling just happens. And the longer you're falling, the faster you get, and the harder it hits when you hit the ground."
"That sounds pleasant." Eddie had replied sarcastically.
She had only shrugged. "It's alright if someone is there to catch vou."
- “This went deep, past his sense and logic. This was the coalescing of moments and intimacies that resolved themselves into the figure that was Ember. The kind of love that happened in odd moments when Eddie would be staring at Ember's profile and suddenly his chest felt too small for all the air he needed to breathe.”
- “Eddie stared up at the man who had managed to catch him without even chasing.”
-“Eddie's smile threatened to climb off his face and dance indecently.”
- “Ember nudged him with his foot in the water, earning him a lazy glance, the kind of look made of long summer days and endless starry nights.”
- “This went deep, past his sense and logic. This was the coalescing of moments and intimacies that resolved themselves into the figure that was Ember. The kind of love that happened in odd moments when Eddie would be staring at Ember's profile and suddenly his chest felt too small for all the air he needed to breathe.”
- “Eddie stared up at the man who had managed to catch him without even chasing.”
-“Eddie's smile threatened to climb off his face and dance indecently.”
- “Ember nudged him with his foot in the water, earning him a lazy glance, the kind of look made of long summer days and endless starry nights.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Rape, and Sexual content
A Betrayal of Storms by Ben Alderson
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping, Abandonment, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Sexual content, Violence, Gore, and Confinement
Minor: War and Torture
Beastkeeper by Cat Hellisen
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Death
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Cancer scare , Extended periods of anxious, depressed, and self-deprecating thoughts
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
What happens when two broken-down men enter into a fake relationship of mutual benefit? This humorous novel tells us. It tells us that love might not cure all, and definitely not overnight, but having someone to support you, defend you, cheer for you, and be there through the rough parts definitely helps - whether that be a complementary-opposite romantic partner, a gaggle of teasing and sarcastic friends, or family members that show unconditional love. It shows that healing dominoes into a variety of parts of your life. It shows that not all single-parent families are a mess, nor that all happily-married-parent homes are healthy.
I'm all for these valuable messages, especially in the way that they wove together throughout the book. I also loved the reoccurring scenes where Luc tries to tell his literal-minded coworker(s) jokes, before having to give up with promises to do better next time. It was a quirk that I surprisingly enjoyed, and reminded me of the energy found in old sitcoms. It was all relatable and humorous, and sometimes I even laughed out loud. Also, did I spot a QPR in there?
But the same sarcasm and wit that Luc used to keep people from getting too close, also kept us readers from getting too emotionally attached. It made the moments of conflict, climaxes, and even romantic moments felt rather muted. In fact, I feel like I was more consistently onboard with the friendships and mother-son moments than the romance. But that might also be because of the pacing: the first climax happened around 50% into the book, and was resolved quickly. The final climax happened at 90% of the book and, on behalf of being so close to the end, felt rather easily resolved as well.
In another old sitcom-like gesture, we also get some supporting characters who had about 1/4 of a functioning braincell - so much so that they struggled to follow simple lines of conversations. This is a particular character archetype that I've personally never been fond of and rather forgot that it existed.
Memorable Quotes:
"I've never seen the point of fancy dress parties. You have two choices: either you make a massive effort and wind up looking like a disk, or you make no effort and wind up looking like a dick. And my problem, as always, was not knowing what kind of dick I wanted to be."
"Someone else's actions may affect you. But what other people choose to do is about them."
"Will it ever stop hurting?"
"Non." Mum shook her head. "But it will stop mattering."
"Are we really bad at this?" I asked. "We've been fake broken up once."
"Yes, but we fake resolved our difficulties and fake got back together, and I'm hoping it's made us fake stronger."
"Awkward as this is, I like to feel that 'slightly more friends than you can fit around your table' is exactly the right number of friends to have."
I'm all for these valuable messages, especially in the way that they wove together throughout the book. I also loved the reoccurring scenes where Luc tries to tell his literal-minded coworker(s) jokes, before having to give up with promises to do better next time. It was a quirk that I surprisingly enjoyed, and reminded me of the energy found in old sitcoms. It was all relatable and humorous, and sometimes I even laughed out loud. Also, did I spot a QPR in there?
But the same sarcasm and wit that Luc used to keep people from getting too close, also kept us readers from getting too emotionally attached. It made the moments of conflict, climaxes, and even romantic moments felt rather muted. In fact, I feel like I was more consistently onboard with the friendships and mother-son moments than the romance. But that might also be because of the pacing: the first climax happened around 50% into the book, and was resolved quickly. The final climax happened at 90% of the book and, on behalf of being so close to the end, felt rather easily resolved as well.
In another old sitcom-like gesture, we also get some supporting characters who had about 1/4 of a functioning braincell - so much so that they struggled to follow simple lines of conversations. This is a particular character archetype that I've personally never been fond of and rather forgot that it existed.
Memorable Quotes:
"I've never seen the point of fancy dress parties. You have two choices: either you make a massive effort and wind up looking like a disk, or you make no effort and wind up looking like a dick. And my problem, as always, was not knowing what kind of dick I wanted to be."
"Someone else's actions may affect you. But what other people choose to do is about them."
"Will it ever stop hurting?"
"Non." Mum shook her head. "But it will stop mattering."
"Are we really bad at this?" I asked. "We've been fake broken up once."
"Yes, but we fake resolved our difficulties and fake got back together, and I'm hoping it's made us fake stronger."
"Awkward as this is, I like to feel that 'slightly more friends than you can fit around your table' is exactly the right number of friends to have."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Eating disorder, Alcohol, and Sexual content
The Demon Catchers of Milan by Kat Beyer
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Very well-written prose and quite a promising beginning. But I started wondering a bit too much where this story was going. The momentum and suspense wasn’t well kept - especially since the FMC seemingly moved past everything happening with such ease, even while being a 1st-person narrative.
And, while I’m aware that they are very distantly cousins, the repetitive mention of the FMC and her crush being cousins was a bit off-putting.
And, while I’m aware that they are very distantly cousins, the repetitive mention of the FMC and her crush being cousins was a bit off-putting.
Everyone Wants to Know by Kelly Loy Gilbert
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
The premise is intriguing, for sure. But the scenes are really disjointed. And despite being a 1st person narrative, the story is executed in a very cut-and-dry, telling manner that makes it hard to get a sense of who our MC is on a deeper level and connect with her.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
With the most classic take on enemies-to-lovers (that where they're enemies because they're repressing their actual feelings), this book shines in the realm of character writing. Everyone here felt fully flushed out, consistent, and like everyone had a story beyond the scope of what was covered on these pages. The tone shifted from comedy that had me wrestling in silent hysterics long after the rest of my household had went to sleep, to love letters and confessions that had me both feeling lonely and history-curious (some of which I will be looking up promptly after I finish this review), to unfair circumstances that had my eyes feeling hot and my arms itching to comfort fictional characters like they were real.
And I think part of the thing, right? They felt real. Everyone had nuances and interests and stories. And while Alex is significantly more crass, reckless, and rebellious than me, I saw myself in him perhaps most of all. He dreams of a inspired and honest future, observing and calculating everything in the hopes of watching that future take shape. He's so focused on this dream and where he fits in it, that he plans and plans and plans. He's repeated it to himself so much, painting it in his mind with as much permanence as the paintings in the white house, that when circumstances change, he has a hard time adjusting. It makes him question everything.
Between Alex's lists and Henry's prose, both of them bonded over popular culture, queer history references, and shared societal pressures, I easily got swept away in their developing friendship and romance equally.
Memorable Quotes:
- What kind of garbage country eats bland beans on white toast for breakfast? He can't decide if his Mexican blood or his Texan blood is more offended.
-"Er," Henry says, adding to the list of vowel sounds he has to show for himself. It is, unfortunately, also sexy. After all these weeks, the bar is low.
- He's sure he used to know quite a lot of words, in more than one language, in fact, but he can't seem to recall any of them.
- Exploring your sexuality: healthy, but does it have to be with the prince of England?
- Thinking about history makes me wonder how I'll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too.
- I used to think, if I pictured the person I wanted to be and took all the crazy anxiety in my brain and narrowed it down to that point, I could rewrite it. Use it to power something else. It's like I never learned how to just be where I am.
- "Nora, what's the math?" June says, rounding on her, a slightly frantic look in her eyes. "I majored in nouns."
And I think part of the thing, right? They felt real. Everyone had nuances and interests and stories. And while Alex is significantly more crass, reckless, and rebellious than me, I saw myself in him perhaps most of all. He dreams of a inspired and honest future, observing and calculating everything in the hopes of watching that future take shape. He's so focused on this dream and where he fits in it, that he plans and plans and plans. He's repeated it to himself so much, painting it in his mind with as much permanence as the paintings in the white house, that when circumstances change, he has a hard time adjusting. It makes him question everything.
Between Alex's lists and Henry's prose, both of them bonded over popular culture, queer history references, and shared societal pressures, I easily got swept away in their developing friendship and romance equally.
Memorable Quotes:
- What kind of garbage country eats bland beans on white toast for breakfast? He can't decide if his Mexican blood or his Texan blood is more offended.
-"Er," Henry says, adding to the list of vowel sounds he has to show for himself. It is, unfortunately, also sexy. After all these weeks, the bar is low.
- He's sure he used to know quite a lot of words, in more than one language, in fact, but he can't seem to recall any of them.
- Exploring your sexuality: healthy, but does it have to be with the prince of England?
- Thinking about history makes me wonder how I'll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too.
- I used to think, if I pictured the person I wanted to be and took all the crazy anxiety in my brain and narrowed it down to that point, I could rewrite it. Use it to power something else. It's like I never learned how to just be where I am.
- "Nora, what's the math?" June says, rounding on her, a slightly frantic look in her eyes. "I majored in nouns."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Racism, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Gaslighting