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bookbinch's reviews
204 reviews
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
5.0
Just as beautiful as the first in the series. Becky Chambers is an absolute master of giving an enriching twist to sci-fi narratives.
The world she built is full of parallels with ours and lessons to be learned. I love being immersed in it through this story.
The world she built is full of parallels with ours and lessons to be learned. I love being immersed in it through this story.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
5.0
This was such a beautiful stand-alone fantasy epic. The world building was perfect, the magic system was so unique, and the characters were endearing.
I’m not usually a fan of politic-heavy fantasy (maybe because of how male dominated they usually are), but this novel’s world is all Queendom, gay royalty and off with his head vibes.
This book takes a second to really take off, but once you’re in it’s a glorious ride! It reminds me of how you need to give Game of Thrones a chance to really grip you... This does the same.
I’m not usually a fan of politic-heavy fantasy (maybe because of how male dominated they usually are), but this novel’s world is all Queendom, gay royalty and off with his head vibes.
This book takes a second to really take off, but once you’re in it’s a glorious ride! It reminds me of how you need to give Game of Thrones a chance to really grip you... This does the same.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
4.0
I am not a person who normally enjoys this kind of memoir, but this is head and shoulders above the rest.
The honesty, the visceral depictions of abuse, the way the impacts of that abuse are clearly explained… such a compelling read.
Check trigger warnings and enter at your own risk, but this is worth the read for the brave honesty alone.
The honesty, the visceral depictions of abuse, the way the impacts of that abuse are clearly explained… such a compelling read.
Check trigger warnings and enter at your own risk, but this is worth the read for the brave honesty alone.
The Town of Babylon by Alejandro Varela
5.0
This tells the story of a suburb and the people who are "others" in that suburb, through various POVs and timelines. At its core it follows a man visiting his aging parents and stumbling into his 20 year high school reunion. Old flames, former bullies, past traumas, this book has it all and more.
One of my favourite books of the year, one of my favourite debuts ever, I cannot get over this book.
I cannot wait to read this book again.
One of my favourite books of the year, one of my favourite debuts ever, I cannot get over this book.
I cannot wait to read this book again.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
4.0
I finally picked this book up after months and months of seeing it everywhere. And I really liked it!
It was definitely more heady and quiet than your typical fantasy. It leans into the characters mix their psyche and their dynamics more than their special abilities. And when it does touch on those it’s with a very scientific and researched lens that really grounds it.
Very excited to read the next book!
It was definitely more heady and quiet than your typical fantasy. It leans into the characters mix their psyche and their dynamics more than their special abilities. And when it does touch on those it’s with a very scientific and researched lens that really grounds it.
Very excited to read the next book!
Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor
4.0
I am not typically a stories person, but this absolutely blew me away! The strongest stories are connected narratively yet undeniably stand on their own.
He writes relationship dynamics so well, especially nailing the ebb and flow of change in them. Brandon Taylor is a fantastic writer and this collection confirmed him as one of my favourites.
He writes relationship dynamics so well, especially nailing the ebb and flow of change in them. Brandon Taylor is a fantastic writer and this collection confirmed him as one of my favourites.
Goddess by Deborah Hemming
3.0
A thriller where a Gwyneth Paltrow type heath guru hosts a mysteriously discreet retreat on the remote Greek island she’s from. It has all the fixings of an absolute page turner, and it was!
This book had me hanging on right until the third act. Spoiler alert, there’s a supernatural element I just found a bit unnecessary. I actually found this kooky figure leading her loyal followers via pseudoscience believable, it didn’t need her being an actual goddess on earth twist.
This book had me hanging on right until the third act. Spoiler alert, there’s a supernatural element I just found a bit unnecessary. I actually found this kooky figure leading her loyal followers via pseudoscience believable, it didn’t need her being an actual goddess on earth twist.
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
4.0
If you’re holding off on picking this up because of the Shakespeare of it all, don’t!
This is a story about family, about marriage and about loss. It’s beautifully written and definitely deserves the attention it’s gotten.
I’m excited to read more from Maggie O’Farrell!
This is a story about family, about marriage and about loss. It’s beautifully written and definitely deserves the attention it’s gotten.
I’m excited to read more from Maggie O’Farrell!
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
4.0
I can’t believe this is a debut! I have Gyasi’s Transcendent Kingdom lined up because this was such a fantastic read.
It’s a beautifully written, with each vignette digging into the rich history of eight generations starting from two sisters in Ghana in the eighteenth century. At times difficult, this book feels important and stays poignant throughout.
It’s a beautifully written, with each vignette digging into the rich history of eight generations starting from two sisters in Ghana in the eighteenth century. At times difficult, this book feels important and stays poignant throughout.
A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon
5.0
Samantha Shannon has done it again!!!
This is a sweeping epic that digs through the history of the world we grew to live in The Priory of the Orange Tree. It cycles through three POVs, and not one of them is the weaker link.
If you wanted more dragons, you got ‘em. If you wanted more action, you got it. This really is another tour de force!
This is a sweeping epic that digs through the history of the world we grew to live in The Priory of the Orange Tree. It cycles through three POVs, and not one of them is the weaker link.
If you wanted more dragons, you got ‘em. If you wanted more action, you got it. This really is another tour de force!