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Benvolio and Mercutio Turn Back Time by Elle Beaumont
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The idea behind this book is engaging and immediately captured my attention: we all know how Romeo and Juliet's story plays out, but what if there was a way for two friends-turned-lovers to go back in time and prevent the tragedy from unfolding?
Any readers familiar with the original tale should be aware that the setting in this retelling differs from the original, to a more modern 1900s steampunk version of Verona, which promised to be an interesting change. Starting from this premise, I was looking forward to following Benvolio and Mercutio on their journey through time, and especially seeing how their relationship would play out. Unfortunately, I was seriously disappointed by the execution.
The pacing of this book is messy, with the first part essentially being devoted solely to Benvolio and Mercutio jumping around through time with no connection to the stated aim, which was to prevent Mercutio's death, but also with no time being devoted to exploring any of the timelines further. The book itself moves frantically from one thing to the next, with no breathing room nor space to delve deeper, leaving the sense that it remained consistently surface-level, leaving me unsatisfied.
The worldbuilding is also severely lacking, with no clear sense of how anything works nor the rules of the world. I was especially frustrated when a demon was suddenly summoned, when there had been no previous indication of the existence of magical creatures within this world.
The characters could have been better developed. As they were, they appeared to be largely one-dimensional, their dialogues often stilted and their behaviour nonsensical. The romantic element is cute though, and I did enjoy watching it develop although I would have appreciated it more if more time was spent significantly developing this instead of meandering through a messy plot.
I received an advanced review copy of this book for free via BookSirens. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Any readers familiar with the original tale should be aware that the setting in this retelling differs from the original, to a more modern 1900s steampunk version of Verona, which promised to be an interesting change. Starting from this premise, I was looking forward to following Benvolio and Mercutio on their journey through time, and especially seeing how their relationship would play out. Unfortunately, I was seriously disappointed by the execution.
The pacing of this book is messy, with the first part essentially being devoted solely to Benvolio and Mercutio jumping around through time with no connection to the stated aim, which was to prevent Mercutio's death, but also with no time being devoted to exploring any of the timelines further. The book itself moves frantically from one thing to the next, with no breathing room nor space to delve deeper, leaving the sense that it remained consistently surface-level, leaving me unsatisfied.
The worldbuilding is also severely lacking, with no clear sense of how anything works nor the rules of the world. I was especially frustrated when a demon was suddenly summoned, when there had been no previous indication of the existence of magical creatures within this world.
The characters could have been better developed. As they were, they appeared to be largely one-dimensional, their dialogues often stilted and their behaviour nonsensical. The romantic element is cute though, and I did enjoy watching it develop although I would have appreciated it more if more time was spent significantly developing this instead of meandering through a messy plot.
I received an advanced review copy of this book for free via BookSirens. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Weyward by Emilia Hart
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Let me start by saying that there should be so many trigger warnings for this book, as virtually every conceivable bad thing happens to women, and some scenes are quite vividly depicted and can be graphic. I have listed some content warnings, but I'm sure there may be some I've missed as so many things happen throughout the book. Please be mindful of your own wellbeing before approaching this.
Weyward was a slow start for me but eventually it drew me in and kept me going to the end, even though I contemplating abandoning this fairly early on. I listened to this in audiobook and the narrators do a great job keeping the three POVs distinct, something which might not have worked quite as well if I'd only read this. I liked how the three storylines came together in the end, tying up all the loose knots and having the story come full circle. The author definitely shows a lot of potential for a debut, with vivid descriptions of the natural world and the settings carrying most of the book.
The underlying themes of female resilience and embracing one's true nature and self were interesting (albeit not innovative) but they were slightly undermined by the magical realism element in my view, and came across as rather simplistic in their development and resolution. I would also have liked for the side characters to be better developed and nuanced, especially for a book ostensibly focused on the power of female relationships, as well as a larger focus on the good men in these women's lives. They absolutely didn't need to take centre stage, but it would have been nice to see some more attention being given to recognising their existence and support instead of sidelining them to focus almost exclusively and in excruciating detail on the (also one-note) men who wish to hurt the Weyward women.
Overall, an interesting read but not the most memorable book I've read on the topic. Perhaps my expectations were too high after all the hype surrounding this and I would have enjoyed it more had I expected less… still worth a read if you're curious about it though.
Weyward was a slow start for me but eventually it drew me in and kept me going to the end, even though I contemplating abandoning this fairly early on. I listened to this in audiobook and the narrators do a great job keeping the three POVs distinct, something which might not have worked quite as well if I'd only read this. I liked how the three storylines came together in the end, tying up all the loose knots and having the story come full circle. The author definitely shows a lot of potential for a debut, with vivid descriptions of the natural world and the settings carrying most of the book.
The underlying themes of female resilience and embracing one's true nature and self were interesting (albeit not innovative) but they were slightly undermined by the magical realism element in my view, and came across as rather simplistic in their development and resolution. I would also have liked for the side characters to be better developed and nuanced, especially for a book ostensibly focused on the power of female relationships, as well as a larger focus on the good men in these women's lives. They absolutely didn't need to take centre stage, but it would have been nice to see some more attention being given to recognising their existence and support instead of sidelining them to focus almost exclusively and in excruciating detail on the (also one-note) men who wish to hurt the Weyward women.
Overall, an interesting read but not the most memorable book I've read on the topic. Perhaps my expectations were too high after all the hype surrounding this and I would have enjoyed it more had I expected less… still worth a read if you're curious about it though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical trauma, Car accident, Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide attempt, War
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5/5 on a re-read.
Even though this doesn't quite reach the level of the first one, it's still a pretty great book. The characters are drawn to perfection and I feel as though I am left with so much to think about and so many different layers that I hadn't really captured on my first read. The audiobook narrated by Tatiana Maslany is incredibly immersive and she does a fantastic job capturing exactly what I think Katniss sounds like. Can't wait to dive into the next book now (especially after that ending!), as I remember so very little about it.
Even though this doesn't quite reach the level of the first one, it's still a pretty great book. The characters are drawn to perfection and I feel as though I am left with so much to think about and so many different layers that I hadn't really captured on my first read. The audiobook narrated by Tatiana Maslany is incredibly immersive and she does a fantastic job capturing exactly what I think Katniss sounds like. Can't wait to dive into the next book now (especially after that ending!), as I remember so very little about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder
The Book of Perilous Dishes by Doina Ruști
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Occasionally I like to challenge myself to read something that isn't quite in my comfort zone, so when the opportunity to be part of this blog tour came up I jumped at the chance to approach Romanian literature - one I definitely can't say I know all too well.
The Book of Perilous Dishes starts from an interesting premise that instantly captured me. We meet young Pâtca as she departs in haste and secret from her hometown as her grandmother is accused of witchcraft and arrested, making her way to Bucharest to her uncle. Except, when she arrives in the city, she finds her uncle and his staff murdered and a series of misfortunes awaiting her. Soon, Pâtca meets an eccentric cook who is sought after by the richest and most powerful people in town, becoming embroiled in a net of secrets, intrigue and occult powers.
I enjoyed the vivid setting and the historical elements incorporated into the story, as they made me feel closer to the action and gave me a chance to learn something new - always a bonus in my view! The recipes and the folklore elements connected to them also added a nice touch and enriched the narrative, and I liked immersing myself in the food preparations.
However, I have to admit that I really struggled to get into this book. The narration lost me in several places, leaving me feeling overwhelmed with events, information and character names that I had a hard time remembering or placing in the narrative aside from the main characters. The cast is varied and eccentric, but the first-person narration didn't always work well for me, nor did the dual timeline (even though the timeline shifts were very clear, which was super helpful!). Things did start to pick up around halfway through, but by that point reading already felt much more of a struggle than it should be for me and definitely hindered my enjoyment of this book.
I received a digital review copy of this book for free from the publisher as part of the blog tour organised by The Write Reads. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
I received a digital review copy of this book for free from the publisher as part of the blog tour organised by The Write Reads. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Ghostly by Kate Serzenta
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery.
Gabriel Vane has everything he desires: he is a renowned lawyer about to win a huge case, he has a glamorous apartment and an even more glamorous lover, and the promotion he's worked so hard for is finally about to come his way. Until a massive scandal threatens to take everything away from him. So, Gabriel needs to lay low for a while, hiding out for just a few months in an old house in a sleepy town, with no plans to meet another living soul.
Gabriel Vane has everything he desires: he is a renowned lawyer about to win a huge case, he has a glamorous apartment and an even more glamorous lover, and the promotion he's worked so hard for is finally about to come his way. Until a massive scandal threatens to take everything away from him. So, Gabriel needs to lay low for a while, hiding out for just a few months in an old house in a sleepy town, with no plans to meet another living soul.
Except he didn't quite account for Ida, a sprightly Victorian ghost haunting the house, and even less for the fact that he might actually be the only one in over a century to be able to see and hear her. In order to regain his peace and quiet so he can work on getting his old life back, Gabriel agrees to help Ida fulfill the terms of a mysterious contract that will allow her to pass on peacefully to the Great Beyond. But when things take an unexpected turn, Gabriel and Ida might be forced to re-evaluate their plans...
Ghostly is a cute, warm and fuzzy read filled with humour and heart. Gabriel and Ida are charming protagonists, their banter and interactions delightful and their chemistry absolutely on point. Ida in particular is a fabulous main character, displaying great resolve and curiosity while working to confront the challenges facing her, and the mental health element is tactfully handled. The small-town setting with its colourful cast of inhabitants is also deeply endearing, and the side characters add some variety and extra sparkle to the novel.
The plot is highly predictable, even though the contract and the rituals connected to it added an element of novelty, yet this somehow works in the novel's favour instead of against it. The romance is constructed impeccably and in such a way that it feels believable despite the paranormal element, urging the reader to root for the main couple to make it against all odds, assisted by the fast-paced and engaging prose.
In a way, Ghostly is a "comfort blanket" book: pleasant, reassuring, and the perfect defence against the bleak outside world. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a light, heartwarming read.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from the author via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from the author via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Captivating and engaging, this book confirms the impression I'd had from reading The Once and Future Witches: Alix E. Harrow's writing is so atmospheric! I still need to catch up on her other books, but I have a feeling I could read anything she writes and enjoy the ride.
Starling House starts from an intriguing premise and delivers an enjoyable and entertaining (if not overly creepy) read rich in gothic vibes. There is an abundance of themes, which maybe could have used a tad more space for fleshing out and nuance, some underdeveloped side plots, and characters that feel way too YA for an adult book, all of which prevented me from fully appreciating this. Also, there is a heavy reliance on non-communication as a plot device, which is a big no-no for me since it's one of my most disliked tropes.
Still, there is a mystery and Big Family Secrets, half-truths mixing with full-on lies and legend, which were very well-constructed and layered, leading to a mostly satisfying resolution and character arcs.
Overall, not a new favourite but a pleasant read nonetheless. I'll need to check out The Ten Thousand Doors of January next!
Starling House starts from an intriguing premise and delivers an enjoyable and entertaining (if not overly creepy) read rich in gothic vibes. There is an abundance of themes, which maybe could have used a tad more space for fleshing out and nuance, some underdeveloped side plots, and characters that feel way too YA for an adult book, all of which prevented me from fully appreciating this. Also, there is a heavy reliance on non-communication as a plot device, which is a big no-no for me since it's one of my most disliked tropes.
Still, there is a mystery and Big Family Secrets, half-truths mixing with full-on lies and legend, which were very well-constructed and layered, leading to a mostly satisfying resolution and character arcs.
Overall, not a new favourite but a pleasant read nonetheless. I'll need to check out The Ten Thousand Doors of January next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death, Violence, Abandonment
Minor: Racism
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
emotional
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Well, this was just as good on a second reading so many years later. I'm quite surprised because I feared I wouldn't enjoy it quite as much now I was more grown-up, but I just couldn't stop listening to it. The audiobook narrated by Tatiana Maslany is amazing, by the way: she did such a fantastic job bringing Katniss to life! Her singing in *that* scene actually made me tear up.
There was a lot more nuance to the characters and the worldbuilding than I remembered, and the social justice element was really evident - maybe even a bit too much at times but hey, it still works considering it's a YA novel. I'll continue my re-read with the next book in the series, which I'm even more curious to revisit since I remember very little about it.
There was a lot more nuance to the characters and the worldbuilding than I remembered, and the social justice element was really evident - maybe even a bit too much at times but hey, it still works considering it's a YA novel. I'll continue my re-read with the next book in the series, which I'm even more curious to revisit since I remember very little about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Torture, Vomit
Minor: Cannibalism, War
Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dragon Lawyer: Scales of Justice by Julian Worker
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery.
Wendy Draig is tired of stereotypes and is determined to do all she can to fight all forms of injustice, whether against a human, animal or any other sentient being. That is why she decides to become the first dragon lawyer of the Land of Fair E, travelling through different towns to offer free legal assistance to anyone in need. Between meetings, court hearings and even some investigations, Wendy comes across a wide range of characters, some already beloved protagonists of well-known fairytales and some perhaps lesser known, but all in need of counsel and joined in the desire to make their land a better place for all.
Wendy Draig is tired of stereotypes and is determined to do all she can to fight all forms of injustice, whether against a human, animal or any other sentient being. That is why she decides to become the first dragon lawyer of the Land of Fair E, travelling through different towns to offer free legal assistance to anyone in need. Between meetings, court hearings and even some investigations, Wendy comes across a wide range of characters, some already beloved protagonists of well-known fairytales and some perhaps lesser known, but all in need of counsel and joined in the desire to make their land a better place for all.
The starting point for Dragon Lawyer: Scales of Justice - a dragon lawyer providing legal assistance to fairytale characters - is intriguing and original, holding much promise for a fun and engaging read, as does the clever wordplay in the title. Unfortunately, its execution does not allow it to reach its full potential, leaving the feeling that the book would have greatly benefited from some further editing prior to publication.
The writing flits between overly simplistic and verbose, often relying on complex sentences and legal jargon, unnecessarily or on occasion even inaccurately (for example, at one point a character talks about something being hearsay when in fact they are referring to speculation). The dialogues are also stilted and deeply unnatural, and are often relied upon as an exposition technique to allow different characters to convey multiple points of information to Wendy.
The story itself feels too condensed to allow any character's storyline sufficient space for them to truly develop. There is hardly any conflict that is not almost immediately resolved, Wendy welcomed with open arms and instantly trusted by everyone she meets, resulting in a complete lack of tension and virtually no stakes.
One of the biggest problems with this book seems to be its indecision over who its audience is: at times, it seems as though what we are reading is a fairytale with little depth beyond relaying a series of events; at other times, however, this reads more like a satirical work aimed at an adult public, with frequent references to real-life modern issues (such as immigration, social networks and environmental issues, to name only a few). This confusion in its tone ensures that the story ultimately works for neither public, resulting too complex and lacklustre for a younger audience while far too simplistic and lacking depth for an adult one.
I received an advanced 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.
I received an advanced 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.
The Epic of Brigid Callahan by Beau Wallis
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery.
Brigid Callahan is special: at sixteen, she's been training all her life with her legendary guardians Cú Chulainn and Fionn Mac Cumhaill so she may be ready to defeat the one-eyed giant Balor as foretold by an ancient prophecy. That is if Balor ever does show up during her lifetime. Brigid would much rather do normal teenage things since Balor is probably dead anyway and so, with Set the Egyptian God of Chaos by her side, she enacts a cunning plan to free herself from destiny's grasp. Surely nothing bad can happen in the meantime... right?
Brigid Callahan is special: at sixteen, she's been training all her life with her legendary guardians Cú Chulainn and Fionn Mac Cumhaill so she may be ready to defeat the one-eyed giant Balor as foretold by an ancient prophecy. That is if Balor ever does show up during her lifetime. Brigid would much rather do normal teenage things since Balor is probably dead anyway and so, with Set the Egyptian God of Chaos by her side, she enacts a cunning plan to free herself from destiny's grasp. Surely nothing bad can happen in the meantime... right?
The Epic of Brigid Callahan is a light-hearted and refreshing take on the reluctant hero trope. As one of the few remaining people with fae blood, Brigid has dedicated all her life so far to training to defeat Balor and yet, she is only a typical teenager seeking to find her place in the world and to understand who she is beyond what others tell her. The themes of identity, belonging and family blend beautifully with the high-stakes action plot. Brigid is a charming protagonist, full of wit and cunning, determined not to appear fragile in front of her mythological guardians. Even though some of her interactions with her guardians appeared slightly repetitive after a while, she embarked on a deeply satisfying growth arc right up to its conclusion.
The world of this book is rich in characters drawn from different mythological traditions - blending Celtic, Egyptian, Greek, Norse, and many more - providing a vivid mosaic of side characters even though in some cases this felt a bit more like name-dropping than building fully fleshed-out characters. The initial set-up could also have been tidied up slightly to make the introduction a little less confusing, particularly for readers who might not be overly familiar with the lore. Balor is also a fairly typical villain seeking world domination and could have benefited from a slightly more complex characterisation. Still, he plays his role well in all his evilness.
With action aplenty, humour, and heart, The Epic of Brigid Callahan is a deeply entertaining novel perfect for both its YA audience and young-at-heart adults.
I received an advanced 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.
I received an advanced 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
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: War