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bleadenreads's reviews
422 reviews
Medea by Rosie Hewlett
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Wow
I've been waiting to write this review because I wanted to get it right - but I don't think I can do this book justice.
If I was going to do book maths like @jenvcampbell I would say this book was Lullaby by Leila Slimani meets Circe by Madeline Miller. It's dark, twisty and uncomfortable but in a brilliantly written way.
I thought this was paced brilliantly and rich in setting, emotion and pain. It was great to read another interpretation of the Golden Fleece after Jennifer Saint's Atalanta.
Hewlett's decision to make Medea's father Aeetes without any powers was a genius move as she made him into a jealous, violent bully who made your skin crawl. Jason was absolutely pathetic and smarmy - the ultimate sleeze on track to change and then ruin Medea's life.
I absolutely adored how Hewlett wrote about magic through Hecate, Circe and Medea, in particular the darker powers thar Medea begins to use...
These powers draw Medea to make decisions that lead many to fear and then leave her. It was heartbreaking like watching a very slow car crash and yet Hewlett doesn't try to whitewash or justify Medea's decisions, which I think was all the more brave.
People may start to roll their eyes at another myth retelling but this is because there are still women's stories to be told anew - Medea in particular. This was definitely a standout and I highly recommend!
Medea is out on 21/03/24
I've been waiting to write this review because I wanted to get it right - but I don't think I can do this book justice.
If I was going to do book maths like @jenvcampbell I would say this book was Lullaby by Leila Slimani meets Circe by Madeline Miller. It's dark, twisty and uncomfortable but in a brilliantly written way.
I thought this was paced brilliantly and rich in setting, emotion and pain. It was great to read another interpretation of the Golden Fleece after Jennifer Saint's Atalanta.
Hewlett's decision to make Medea's father Aeetes without any powers was a genius move as she made him into a jealous, violent bully who made your skin crawl. Jason was absolutely pathetic and smarmy - the ultimate sleeze on track to change and then ruin Medea's life.
I absolutely adored how Hewlett wrote about magic through Hecate, Circe and Medea, in particular the darker powers thar Medea begins to use...
These powers draw Medea to make decisions that lead many to fear and then leave her. It was heartbreaking like watching a very slow car crash and yet Hewlett doesn't try to whitewash or justify Medea's decisions, which I think was all the more brave.
People may start to roll their eyes at another myth retelling but this is because there are still women's stories to be told anew - Medea in particular. This was definitely a standout and I highly recommend!
Medea is out on 21/03/24
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Thank you to @headlinebooks and @netgalley
for enabling my Greek myth retelling obsession with this ARC 👏
First - I always find it hard to post a pic review of an e-book so I went for a landscape that I could imagine Atalanta running across 🏃♀️
Secondly - how had I never heard of Atalanta?! This is why myth retellings are so important, they give a voice to the hidden, belittled and under-celebrated women. I thought Atalanta was badasse, heroic and yet super relatable/human - such a great depiction by Jennifer Saint. Despite some reviews I've seen I did find this a strongly feminist retelling with the tenacious and determined Atalanta at the helm. It was realistic in the sexism and barriers she faced, with more of a focus on her sizeable contribution to the Argonauts & discovery of self, rather than rewriting the story. Jason definitely didn't emerge the hero and was lacklustre that I definitely think was intentional and brilliantly done by Saint.
I also really love how Saint imagines the gods - with all their petty squabbles, competitiveness and hypocritical generosity. Artemis would protect you, to an extent...
The ending left me absolutely speechless but in the best way as I didn't know what to expect. Overall - a fab retelling that has definitely got me intrigued to find out more about Atalanta, Medea and Jason.
I cannot wait to read Elektra next!
for enabling my Greek myth retelling obsession with this ARC 👏
First - I always find it hard to post a pic review of an e-book so I went for a landscape that I could imagine Atalanta running across 🏃♀️
Secondly - how had I never heard of Atalanta?! This is why myth retellings are so important, they give a voice to the hidden, belittled and under-celebrated women. I thought Atalanta was badasse, heroic and yet super relatable/human - such a great depiction by Jennifer Saint. Despite some reviews I've seen I did find this a strongly feminist retelling with the tenacious and determined Atalanta at the helm. It was realistic in the sexism and barriers she faced, with more of a focus on her sizeable contribution to the Argonauts & discovery of self, rather than rewriting the story. Jason definitely didn't emerge the hero and was lacklustre that I definitely think was intentional and brilliantly done by Saint.
I also really love how Saint imagines the gods - with all their petty squabbles, competitiveness and hypocritical generosity. Artemis would protect you, to an extent...
The ending left me absolutely speechless but in the best way as I didn't know what to expect. Overall - a fab retelling that has definitely got me intrigued to find out more about Atalanta, Medea and Jason.
I cannot wait to read Elektra next!
Babel by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
- 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
"Language was always the companion of empire, and as such, together they begin, grow and flourish. And later, together, they fall"
Where to begin?
Well, this was absolutely worth the hype for me!
The level of linguistic detail was outstanding and showed the academic strengths of the author and their expertise. I adored the passages about translation and etymology - many of my friends have studied languages so I wanted to share passages with them, and I also did some translation in my MA - it was honestly so fascinating but still kept me captivated as plot not a lecture!
The world building & lore about the silver was set up superbly to not only to embellish the plot but also to critique imperialism & colonialism. I found the way it explored the impact of globalisation on languages fascinating - in particular the spread of English.
There were wonderful plot twists & gasp out loud moments that were expertly drip fed throughout the novel, keeping me on the edge of my seat and making it hard to put down.
I really loved the footnotes throughout which had an air of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in the way they added "facts" & little nuances to the novel as well as adding to the academic setting.
The lack of justice & happy endings for the characters were brutal but realistic, keeping me hooked and devastated.
One of the most inventive novels I've read in a long long time and it was so moving & tragic - I didn't want it to end! It certainly left you questioning (& screaming at) the global exploitation & manipulation of the British Empire. What a great start to my 2024 reading year!
"Defying empire, it turned out, was fun"
Where to begin?
Well, this was absolutely worth the hype for me!
The level of linguistic detail was outstanding and showed the academic strengths of the author and their expertise. I adored the passages about translation and etymology - many of my friends have studied languages so I wanted to share passages with them, and I also did some translation in my MA - it was honestly so fascinating but still kept me captivated as plot not a lecture!
The world building & lore about the silver was set up superbly to not only to embellish the plot but also to critique imperialism & colonialism. I found the way it explored the impact of globalisation on languages fascinating - in particular the spread of English.
There were wonderful plot twists & gasp out loud moments that were expertly drip fed throughout the novel, keeping me on the edge of my seat and making it hard to put down.
I really loved the footnotes throughout which had an air of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in the way they added "facts" & little nuances to the novel as well as adding to the academic setting.
The lack of justice & happy endings for the characters were brutal but realistic, keeping me hooked and devastated.
One of the most inventive novels I've read in a long long time and it was so moving & tragic - I didn't want it to end! It certainly left you questioning (& screaming at) the global exploitation & manipulation of the British Empire. What a great start to my 2024 reading year!
"Defying empire, it turned out, was fun"
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I'd heard so much praise and hype from friends/bookstagram so I was very excited but also nervous to start reading! There are many things I loved about this book but to quickly summarise in no particular order:
1 - it was mostly set in Manchester and Yorkshire - more of this please
2 - the lore and myth around witches in the UK and in other cultures. The references to Gaia amd Anne Boleyn were amazing and such lovely little nods 👑
3 - portrayal of post-colonialism and misogyny in witch lore and culture
4 - the way it handled LGBTQ+ representation and transphobia from the antagonist
5 - the absolute audacity of that ending
I loved the modern setting and culture references - it worked really well with the different generations of witches and their different powers.
I also could not put this book down - I think I read the last 250 pages in one evening and it completely ended my reading slump!
Can highly recommend it for anyone who loves fiction about witches, female friendships, urban fantasy set in rhe North. Looking forward to reading the sequel and more of Juno Dawson's work
1 - it was mostly set in Manchester and Yorkshire - more of this please
2 - the lore and myth around witches in the UK and in other cultures. The references to Gaia amd Anne Boleyn were amazing and such lovely little nods 👑
3 - portrayal of post-colonialism and misogyny in witch lore and culture
4 - the way it handled LGBTQ+ representation and transphobia from the antagonist
5 - the absolute audacity of that ending
I loved the modern setting and culture references - it worked really well with the different generations of witches and their different powers.
I also could not put this book down - I think I read the last 250 pages in one evening and it completely ended my reading slump!
Can highly recommend it for anyone who loves fiction about witches, female friendships, urban fantasy set in rhe North. Looking forward to reading the sequel and more of Juno Dawson's work
Sprig Muslin by Georgette Heyer
3.75
A fun and silly Heyer novel - always love reading her Regency romances.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
3.75
This was sadly a victim of hype - I absolutely loved the book until the last fifth became one big cliche and I think the ending fell a little flat tbh.
I thought Elizabeth Zott was a fascinating and wonderful written character - she really felt unique and unlike anything I had read before. I loved her attitude to life and her determination to be herself.
the death of Calvin had me completely shocked- it really did come out of nowhere
I thought Elizabeth Zott was a fascinating and wonderful written character - she really felt unique and unlike anything I had read before. I loved her attitude to life and her determination to be herself.
The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle
3.25
My 2nd Sherlock Holmes and I have to admit to being a little confused on this one and I found it hard to follow at times!
Pandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman
4.0
Was really captivated by this wonderful Pandora retelling set in late 18th C London (More fiction set in this period please!).
I thought the ending was a bit rushed after a really slow start - and the Pandora myth could have been better explained / resolved
I thought the ending was a bit rushed after a really slow start - and the Pandora myth could have been better explained / resolved