athenezadam's reviews
168 reviews

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

In A Sorceress Comes to Call, a girl's cruel, sorceress mother attempts to lure a wealthy Squire into marriage, while his sister tries to save him from bewitchment and save the terrified daughter. All of the characters are exceptionally written, each of them unique and worth rooting for. The sorceress and her magic are unsettling, and the horse is particularly disturbing. This is a dark gothic fantasy that is delightful to read.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

All Systems Red is about a rogue AI security bot that protects a team of scientists on a distant planet when a neighbouring mission goes dark. The AI bot is a hilariously realistic, unmotivated employee, and its characterization is consistent and fulsome. The dynamic between the bot and the crew is nicely developed. The plot is engaging. This is a quick, fun read.

Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

In Ghost Station, a psychologist must survive an ancient abandoned planet, where all members of the crew are keeping secrets. The blurb is somewhat misleading, as the events of the novel take much longer than indicated. Also, the story is more mystery than horror, but this is subjective. There are good clues throughout the mystery. The characters are generally interesting and the main character's arc is adequate. The most insightful aspects of her character are her psychological assessments of the crew as well as well-timed revelations about her past.

The Truth of the Aleke by Moses Ose Utomi

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Truth of the Aleke is about a Junior Peacekeeper in the Forever Desert's last free city, who tries to defend his home from the Aleke, a Cult that has attempted to invade the city for three centuries. The storytelling in this dark fantasy novella is as compelling as the first in the series, exploring truth, power, and manipulation through the eyes of a flawed hero. The story is masterfully woven with the events of the first novella. This is a brilliant, gut-wrenching read.

River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

River Mumma is about a young black woman with no career prospects, who must find a river deity's missing comb within 24 hours. Jamaican diaspora, ancestral history, and cultural identity are all explored in this story. The folklore is vibrant, described through visions and mythical creatures. There isn't as much character development as expected, but a special mention goes to the protagonist's mother, who has a small role but is a delightful character to read. The Canadian references are also fun. Overall, this fantasy quest story is a joy to read.

The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

In The Lies of the Ajungo, a boy from the City of Lies sets out on a quest to find water to save his mother and his city. This novella is unique and compelling. The protagonist is relatable and has depth, and so do all the other characters. The fantasy element is mysterious, the descriptions are gory, and the plot comes together in a way that makes sense. The Lies of the Ajungo is a short but powerful read, an example of exquisite storytelling.

Shutter by Ramona Emerson

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Shutter is about a forensic photographer who can see ghosts, and one of these ghosts forces her on a quest for revenge against a murderer. The story alternates between past and present. Navajo cultural traditions are lovely and the story telling in this past timeline is poignant. However, this past storyline continues once the current timeline gains traction, which throws off the pacing. The ghostly encounters are delightfully creepy. Overall this is a good debut novel. Readers may want to be aware of its content warnings including grisly crime scenes.

Vengeful by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Vengeful is about an array of supernatural villains and includes a mob boss's wife who is determined to be the new power in town. The villains are varied and are generally fun to read, with unique abilities and no clear "superhero". At times, the storytelling is not exciting, and the chapter-by-chapter time shifts are even less necessary compared to the first book. Overall, though, this is a gritty and dark novel with a good premise.

Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin

slow-paced

4.0

Song of the Six Realms is a about a musician whose indenture is bought out by a young Duke, who whisks her away to his home in one of the Celestial Realms threatened by demonic beasts. The story is atmospheric and paced slowly, which is fine as the descriptions are vivid. But the love interest becomes less interesting as the story progresses, as does the plot which becomes muddled in the last third of the book.

Heir by Sabaa Tahir

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0

Heir takes place several years after the events of An Ember in the Ashes series. An orphan from the slums fights for her people, a tracker must magically hunt a murderer, and a crown prince must fight against a new threat that emerges against the empire. The fantasy world is nicely laid out. The story is intricate though slow at times. The characters aren't as intriguing as those in the original series, who play minor roles here, but it's exciting when the various characters cross paths.