bookforthought's reviews
723 reviews

A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall

emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is one of those books I actually had to think long and hard about after finishing it because I was so conflicted over how to rate it, since there quite a few things I enjoyed but also at least as many I was frustrated with.

Starting with the positives, I was immediately hooked on the premise for this book: a light academia epistolary underwater fantasy mystery romance sounds like a mouthful, but also exactly like the type of book I would enjoy. Told entirely through letters, the book revolves around the disappearance of reclusive E. and scholar Henerey Clel following a mysterious discovery they made, and their siblings' attempts at making sense of this.

The relationships that develop between the different characters, which readers can witness slowly unfurling through their correspondence, were by far my favourite part of the book. Interactions between the different characters are realistic and rich, whether that's the sisterly relationship between E. and her Sophy, the budding romance between Henerey and E., or the friendship between Sophy and Henerey's brother Vyerin, bound together by grief and the need for closure. It is hard to convey such deep levels of human connections only through letters, but the author did a wonderful job of it.

The world is also intriguing and lavishly built, with many natural wonders and sea creatures being thoroughly presented throughout the book as the different characters engage in their research, and I was keen to learn as much as possible about them. What comes across as less clear in the world building is the way society is structured and functions, despite references to academia and its structure throughout. Now, it is entirely possible that this will become clearer in the next book (or books?) in the series, since this is only the first one - something which I realised very late on, as for some reason I was convinced I was reading a standalone.

What I struggled most with in reading this book were the writing style and the pacing. As the characters are all scholars or researchers, their use of language reflects this, with a prose reminiscent of Victorian English laced with academic jargon. This isn't typically an issue for me, since I'm used to reading academic papers for work, and I enjoyed other books written in a similar style: for instance, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is narrated through research journal entries and I had a great time with it. With A Letter to the Luminous Deep though, the sparks just didn't fly, and I ended up finding the style verbose and overly weighed down by unnecessary formalities, even in letters between siblings.

I was also completely unable to distinguish between the different voices, as all the characters sounded exactly the same in their writings. At one point, I had to switch to the audiobook version (which is excellent, by the way), as the production featuring multiple narrators finally allowed me to understand whose letter I was reading without constantly having to go back to check. This made me feel as though the book was just dragging along, something which wasn't helped by the extremely slow pace. Now, I generally prefer character development to plot so maybe this was a case of me reading this book at the wrong time, but I really struggled to get through it for large sections in which it felt as though nothing at all was happening. And then, everything happened all at once, ending on a pretty huge cliffhanger, which I found pretty frustrating.

I think I'll probably pick up the next book in the series since I am somewhat curious as to where the story might go next. This is also a debut and I see some great potential for the author in the next books, especially given how the relationships in this book were some of the best written I have come across recently. I also liked the queer normative society and the mental health rep (with depictions of OCD and anxiety), so there's definitely a lot to save here!

I received an advanced review copy of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Content Warnings

Of Warriors and Sages Arlan's Pledge Book Two by Jenn Lees

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery.

Picking up shortly after the events of the previous book, Of Warriors and Sages takes readers back to Dál Gaedhle where Arlan and his faithful companions must face a perilous quest in order for him to win the high kingship and save his land from Lord Ciarán's nefarious plans. Meanwhile, in modern-day Scotland, Rhiannon has been waiting for two years for Arlan's return so she may finally join him in his world - her true home. But with her past still shrouded in mystery, will she even be allowed to be with Arlan? Or can their love surpass all obstacles?

In this second instalment in the series, the author displays tremendous skills in building on the previous book while avoiding the dreaded second-book crisis to deliver an even richer tale. As more time is spent in Dál Gaedhle, the world building takes centre stage, fully displaying the richness of this setting inspired by medieval Scotland. The different peoples, customs and history are presented without descending into pure exposition, but rather are seamlessly woven into the narrative.

The secondary characters, particularly members of Arlan's war band, are also much more present, allowing readers a chance to get to know them better and fleshing out the different relationships. The introduction of some new characters - especially Lady Leynarve and former assassin Vygeas - alongside others whom readers had already met offered new group dynamics as well as some truly fascinating subplots. Arlan and Rhiannon remained the focal points and, although their romance has to contend with a host of other pressing matters, the challenges they face (both individually and jointly) allow them to grow and adapt. The narration through multiple perspectives works truly well to allow a glimpse into different characters' thoughts, feelings and fears, forging a bond between them and readers. Action abounds in this book and, between battles, crimes, and a quest, there is never a dull moment.

Of Warriors and Sages is a fast-paced novel brimming with excitement and magic that will leave readers guessing right up to the end and aching for the next instalment. Perfect for anyone who ever wished Outlander had dragons.

I received an advance review copy of this book for free from the author via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Content Warnings

Of Myths and Portals: Arlan's Pledge Book One by Jenn Lees

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Dál Cruinne is a land of warriors, mages and dragons, connected to our world through well-hidden portals which occasionally let a traveller pass. As happens to Arlan, second son of the high sovereign of Dál Gaedhle, thrown into modern Scotland mid-battle just in time to meet Rhiannon as she fights off a creep. Brought together by chance - or destiny - Arlan and Rhiannon will need to work out how to get Arlan back where he is needed to save his world from a terrible fate, and what that will mean for their future.

Of Myths and Portals is a well-built clean romance fantasy, combining classic elements of the genre with time travel and reflections on war, peace and finding one's way. The worldbuilding is rich and well constructed, giving Dál Cruinne a medieval Scotland feel while incorporating the fantastical elements. It is also interesting to see the modern world seen through Arlan's eyes, though he seems to adapt to it awfully quickly avoiding the "fish out of water" effect. Though off to a rocky start, the budding romance between him and Rhiannon is sweet and believable, adding an extra layer to the story.

What I struggled with slightly from a style point of view was the alternating between Rhiannon's POV in the first person and Arlan's POV in the third person, which often felt unnecessary as both character's thoughts and feelings were presented all the same by a seemingly omniscient narrator, which rendered the occasional sudden switch to first-person narration somewhat confusing.

Still, this is a captivating read and after that ending I'm really glad to already have the second book ready to start!

I received an advance review copy of this book for free from the author via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Content Warnings

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

As a teenager, I was obsessed with everything related to Ancient Egypt and I can very easily trace that back to The Mummy, which came out around that time (please don't remind me exactly how long ago that was). I loved Evelyn and Rick and their dynamic from the start, and soon I fell in love with the richness and mysteries surrounding Ancient Egypt itself. So you can imagine just how calmly I took the news of the release of a book such as What the River Knows which promised to be The Mummy meets Death on the Nile.

Although this book fell in my "review overload" period - hence the very late review - I did enjoy it, and was struck by just how much it reminded me of the film and the definite Mummy vibes I got from it, the male protagonist especially. Inez is just the sort of plucky MC I tend to enjoy: she's smart, determined and won't take no for an answer, even if that means heading straight into danger. Her love for her parents and her loyalty to them leads her to travel all the way from Buenos Aires to Cairo on her own in an attempt to discover what happened to them, as she is the only one feeling that something might be wrong with the account of their presumed deaths.

There are secrets aplenty to keep readers interested and guessing throughout the book, every character hiding something from the others as tensions and drama unfold. I particularly enjoyed Inez's interactions with a wide range of side characters - from her family members to the locals in Cairo and members of her uncle's expedition - which often added a bit of humour and infused the story with colour and depth. The romance was cute but didn't fully convince me, as something in the interactions between Inez and Whit didn't quite click, while the settings are vivid and the vibes are absolutely on point, bringing the Egyptian setting to life.

The book is classified as historical fantasy, and this is one of the things I most struggled with: the magic system is barely developed, being mostly limited to the explanation that magic existed in the past and certain objects became infused with it, carrying that magic forward through touch. As a result, the book for the most part functions with little to no reference to this magical element - so much so that at one point I ended up forgetting I was reading a fantasy - with it popping up every so often when a difficult situation needs resolving.

The writing felt very young, even for the standards of a YA book: younger readers will probably enjoy it, but as an older reader I definitely noticed this, especially compared to other YA books which display significantly higher levels of writing. The pacing also didn't really work for me, with the story barely moving an inch for a significant portion of the book and then everything happening towards the end, delivering a series of sharp twists and shocking revelations that honestly felt a bit too much all at once. Still, with the cliffhanger the book ended on I really wanted to get my hands on the second book as soon as possible.

Overall, What the River Knows is a pleasant enough read that will appeal to readers feeling The Mummy nostalgia and looking for those Ancient Egypt vibes a little good, old-fashioned archeological adventure.

I received an advance review copy of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Time Watcher by Kate Serzenta

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emotional mysterious fast-paced

4.0

This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery.

Fabienne Beaumont wakes up in 1864 Connecticut with no memory of how she got there nor anything that happened after she was shot in New York City two years earlier. Her husband is a complete stranger to her, and she is consumed by grief and guilt at discovering her siblings both died on the day she was shot as they were trying to secure passage to France in a last-ditch effort to leave a country ravaged by the Civil War.

In 2008 Georgia, Emily is trying hard to keep up with her studies when she stumbles upon an old diary while doing research for a history assignment on the Civil War. A diary which, it turns out, was written by none other than her ancestor Fabienne and contains the secrets of time travel - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Emily to attempt saving her dying mom. But danger lurks in every corner, and Emily's present efforts might just tear Fabienne's past life apart.

Time Watcher builds a fascinating story following these intersecting dual timelines to deliver a captivating read which is sure to keep readers guessing right up until the very end. Both Fabienne and Emily are compelling protagonists, each facing some truly heartbreaking choices while dealing with extremely painful circumstances, accompanying readers on a reflection on love, loss and the lengths to which people might go to get it back.

As with most novels centred around time travel, the plot is intricate and requires some attention on the reader's part not to miss the clues the author cleverly disseminates throughout the novel. Still, the author did a great job in making even the most complex temporal twists and turns easy to follow, with clear explanations seamlessly woven through the narrative mostly avoiding excessive reliance on exposition. The historical background of the American Civil War perfectly conveys the sense of urgency and the climate of mistrust which allows the story to develop, while the contrast with the modern setting allows for some "fish out of water" type humour that balances the overall more dramatic tone. The romance is also sweet and works well within the story, complementing but never overshadowing it.

Overall, Time Watcher is a twisty read combining time travel, romance, history and family which is likely to appeal to readers seeking a multilayered story reminiscent of The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.

I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the author via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Content Warnings

Dieci cose che ho imparato da Jessica Fletcher by Alice Guerra

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

Sui libri scritti da influencer parto sempre un po' prevenuta, perché spesso finiscono per essere solo una trovata commerciale di poca sostanza spinta dal nome in copertina. Però seguo Alice Guerra su Instagram e apprezzo i suoi contenuti, per cui ho deciso di dare una possibilità a questo libro in un momento in cui avevo bisogno di una lettura leggera.

La storia è accattivante e a tratti anche molto divertente, e i followers dell'autrice ritroveranno la sua voce in questo libro. Pur non avendo sentito l'audiolibro (che è narrato da Alice Guerra), mi sembrava talvolta di sentirla parlare mentre leggevo. L'uso del dialetto veneto - uno dei suoi tratti distintivi - è molto presente qui, con delle comode note esplicative per coloro che non avessero familiarità con le espressioni citate. Sebbene a tratti ciò funzioni molto bene per restituire l'impressione di genuinità del testo, alla lunga risulta pesante e mi è stato impossibile non pensare a più riprese che il libro avrebbe avuto bisogno di un editing più serio. L'autrice non è una scrittrice professionista e, purtroppo, questo è molto evidente: più che un libro sembra a tratti di leggere una serie di didascalie di reel sui social, e la povertà della scrittura si riflette negativamente sulla qualità del testo finale.

Nonostante questo, è una lettura leggera e anche molto godibile a tratti. I personaggi sono fortemente stereotipati e macchiettistici, ma in linea di massima questo funziona nel restituire l'effetto comico desiderato anche se rimane il desiderio di vederli maggiormente sviluppati. Ho anche apprezzato come l'autrice abbia inserito cenni autobiografici e riflessioni personali sul voler bene a se stessi: benché anche qui la sensazione di leggere una collezione di post sia quasi onnipresente e a tratti sembrino leggermente forzate e fuori luogo, queste riflessioni nel complesso aggiungono una maggiore profondità a un testo che altrimenti rischierebbe di risultare eccessivamente banale.

Spero veramente che l'autrice sia maggiormente supportata nella stesura del secondo libro per valorizzare i suoi talenti ed evitare di essere nuovamente penalizzata da una scrittura ancora troppo acerba.

Dark Earth by Rebecca Stott

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dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This is one of those books that ended up being caught in my backlog, as I read it and somehow never reviewed it. These are the moments I'm really thankful for my reading notes, as I definitely could not write up my thoughts about this book without them!

Dark Earth is one of those books that, for me, might work if I focused purely on vibes. It's dark, eery and unsettling, more due to human behaviour than any supernatural elements. Isla and Blue, two sisters in a world where being a woman can be extremely dangerous, learn to uncover their power and wield it to protect themselves from the men who would seek to destroy them, discovering the power of community and female friendships along the way.

In this, the book certainly succeeds, fully conveying all the ruthlessness and the mysticism of the world it seeks to portray through its vivid descriptions and its mythical narrative style. The rest was unfortunately not quite as satisfactory for me. After an intriguing start, the pace almost completely grinds to a halt, inching forward ever so slowly but leaving the sense that no progress was made at all until a very abrupt ending. I could forgive this if it meant giving more space to character development but, alas, this was not the case.

The characters, who should have been the centre around which the whole book revolves, felt utterly flat, bland and interchangeable. It didn't really seem as if there was any proper development, remaining mostly surface-level and passive, with no bond ever flourishing between me and the characters. By the end of the book, I honestly did not care about either of them. I did like the sapphic storyline that was introduced later on, although like everything else it could have been better developed to convey more emotions.

Essentially, this came down to me just not being able to engage emotionally with this book at all. The dark forest vibes were all there, but there was just nothing more than that for me... there not enough tension at any point to make me connect to this story, nor did I find the characters' interactions particularly interesting. Attempts at introducing a (maybe) supernatural element were also highly confused and confusing, and ended up not working for me at all.

It is a real shame because it is clear the author put an enormous amount of effort in the research for this, and it shows in the historical setting and the authentic feel it gives (which was the only redeeming point for me). Sadly this didn't stop me being utterly bored and frustrated with this book.

I received an advanced review copy of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Content Warnings

The Phoenix and the Firebird by Scott Forbes Crawford, Alexis Kossiakoff

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The Phoenix and the Firebird is a magical adventure set in 1920s China, perfect for young readers and young-at-heart older ones alike!

Having fled her life in Russia to find haven in China, Lucy has already lost much. So when she receives news that her father will finally join her, she understandably rejoices. Except things don't quite go as planned: when the train he was travelling on is attacked and her father is taken prisoner by a cruel warlord who has set his sights on the Chinese capital, Lucy must decide whether to lose everything she has left or risk it all and take action. Accompanied by her quick-witted and courageous best friend Su and by the mysterious gangster known as Vlad the Deathless, and guided only by a mysterious feather, Lucy must set out on an adventure that might change all their lives.

I had a great time with this book! Lucy and Su's friendship is incredibly sweet and their different personalities complement each other beautifully, and their adventures were lots of fun to read about. I think younger me would have loved spending time with them.

The book also mixed historical elements with folklore very well, and I particularly appreciated the inclusion of both Chinese and Slavic mythological elements and creatures in this story. The appendix at the end giving a bit more information on the different creatures was also a really nice touch and super helpful to learn more about those readers may be less familiar with.

Some of the dialogues felt slightly unnatural and a few passages read as a tad clunky, which is the only reason I'm not giving this a full 5 stars, but it wasn't a major issue at all, taking nothing away from my enjoyment of this refreshing tale.

I received an advance review copy of this book for free via BookSirens. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence

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challenging mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

Beautifully written and developed marvellously, this is an original and intriguing book which defies genre labels (primarily mixing sci-fi and fantasy) and challenges beliefs and preconceptions. I was very confused at times, but losing myself in this story was nonetheless a beautiful experience. That ending is brutal though - I’ll need to pick the next book up soon!

Content Warnings

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I've recently developed a real taste for all things cosy - whether mystery, romance or fantasy - maybe because of how utterly full-on real life has been in these past few months, maybe because they feel safe and comforting and leave me buzzing with warm, fuzzy, positive feelings. Or maybe both. Regardless, when I read the blurb for Can't Spell Treason Without Tea, I immediately knew I had to read it, because it sounded exactly like the type of book I would love. Perhaps that's why the disappointment I felt over this book stung worse than others, but it was probably the worst let-down of the year so far.

For starters, I feel this was mislabelled as cosy fantasy. The fact that the main characters drop everything to open a bookstore and tea room in a remote town is not enough for this to be a cosy fantasy: the main plot lines are rife with danger and the stakes are high - life-threatening even - involving both a vengeful royal and dragons, whereas everything related to Reyna and Kianthe's new life is so easy and conflict-free it would almost be laughable if it weren't boring. This is, essentially, a fantasy with some cosy elements and, in truth, not even a great one at that.

The worldbuilding is insufficiently developed, and when we do get any information it's usually through exposition, either in dialogue or in one of the main characters' internal monologue - of which there is a lot. I was also incredibly annoyed by the blatant attempts to be "woke" and diverse by continuously drawing attention to any elements pointing in that direction, some of which frankly made no sense in the context of a semi-medieval-feeling world. One clear example is a lengthy passage in which the use of pronoun pins by a very minor non-binary character is discussed. Pronoun pins, seriously?? Couldn't characters just, you know, use the correct pronouns? But perhaps was that too radical a choice for a fantasy world…

The main characters also came across as really bland. Any conflict between them is immediately resolved with a lengthy conversation and the use of great communication tactics, which of course comes with a side of commentary on just how good they are at communicating and a detailed list of all the things they do to keep such a good level of communication between them. The book is told in alternating POVs and, at least in theory, we're told just how different these two characters' personalities are but, in practice, I sometimes had trouble distinguishing between the two voices and forgot whose POV I was supposed to be following at that moment. I did like the idea of them having a pre-existing relationship, but I didn't really feel as if I got to see them being in love - though I was repeatedly told just how much they loved each other and how good they were together.

This was, essentially, the main flaw of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea for me: everything was told, nothing (or very little) was shown. The overarching storylines are not even resolved in this book, leaving everything hanging in anticipation for the next one, while the cosy fantasy plot is solved even too quickly: everyone in town immediately loves Kianthe and Reyna, including the local lords; the shop is magically fixed in one afternoon; suppliers are secured with one trip to the neighbouring city.

I listened to the audiobook for this one and I did like the narrator: Jessica Threet did a great job at trying to infuse some life in these characters and differentiating between them in some way, but she couldn't fix everything else that just didn't work here. It was a real shame as I was truly looking forward to this book and I think it had great potential, but it just ended up not working for me.

I received an advanced review copy of this audiobook for free from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Content Warnings

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bookforthought's reviews 723 reviews

bookforthought's reviews
723 reviews