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bookishpriest's reviews
202 reviews
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
This is a wonderful retelling of a classic fairytale by Elizabeth Lim. The audiobook is excellently narrated by Emily Woo Zeller.
I had a great time being transported into this retelling of "The Wild Swans" set in a world inspired by Chinese history and mythology. Dragons from the depths of the ocean, a shadowy sorceress, family curses, a missing princess... This was great fun from start to finish.
There were a few points where the excellent, accessible writing bumped up against some of the "because fairytale" details in a way that felt awkward. Didn't derail the story or anything but felt like a bump in an otherwise very smooth ride. There is a sequel, but it also felt like a somewhat hurried setup at the end of this book. I think this one would work perfectly as a standalone, if that's what a reader was looking for.
Definitely recommended reading for anyone who likes fairytale retellings and magical adventures!
I had a great time being transported into this retelling of "The Wild Swans" set in a world inspired by Chinese history and mythology. Dragons from the depths of the ocean, a shadowy sorceress, family curses, a missing princess... This was great fun from start to finish.
There were a few points where the excellent, accessible writing bumped up against some of the "because fairytale" details in a way that felt awkward. Didn't derail the story or anything but felt like a bump in an otherwise very smooth ride. There is a sequel, but it also felt like a somewhat hurried setup at the end of this book. I think this one would work perfectly as a standalone, if that's what a reader was looking for.
Definitely recommended reading for anyone who likes fairytale retellings and magical adventures!
Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book was a fun read. The world-building reflects a great deal of work and planning, besides which I love a heist story. The incorporation of traditional Nigerian mythology with modern ideas and structures made for interesting commentary on colonialism and capitalism. The idea of the spirit world structured as corporations with "pray pay" and spirit-eating freelancers was intriguing and a fun way to think about the shadow world. Really well done, there.
I found the regular timeline jumps a bit jarring, rather than the clever device that I hoped they would prove to be. The bouncing around required extra effort from me as a reader and, most of the time, I wasn't invested enough in the story for that to be an easy ask.
While the timeline jumps fleshed out some of the histories of Nneoma and Shigidi, they didn't do enough to get me invested in the relationship. It wasn't a distraction from the main plot, but I also wasn't convinced that it added much to the story either.
Overall, this is an interesting premise and I'd be interested to see more in this genre from Talabi.
I was provided with a free digital copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found the regular timeline jumps a bit jarring, rather than the clever device that I hoped they would prove to be. The bouncing around required extra effort from me as a reader and, most of the time, I wasn't invested enough in the story for that to be an easy ask.
While the timeline jumps fleshed out some of the histories of Nneoma and Shigidi, they didn't do enough to get me invested in the relationship. It wasn't a distraction from the main plot, but I also wasn't convinced that it added much to the story either.
Overall, this is an interesting premise and I'd be interested to see more in this genre from Talabi.
I was provided with a free digital copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Gore
Cackle by Rachel Harrison
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
The blurb persuaded me that this would be a good addition to my autumn reading and the atmosphere is right. Unfortunately, the rest of the book was a let down.
There's no real plot to speak of, just a paper-thin pretense to put the main character in a new setting. The story revolves around the protagonist's relationship with a new friend. Our protagonist, Anne, is an exceptionally basic woman suffering after a recent break-up. Her new friend, Sophie, is older, wiser, and very mysterious. There are red flags almost immediately upon their meeting and so much toxic behaviour that I found myself constantly disbelieving that Anne was still engaging with any of this.
There were some genuinely creepy moments in the first 1/3 of the book, but those petred out in the slog that was the middle section. It felt like we were circling the same character development issues for a very long time before taking off and going anywhere. Then, in the last 10% of the book, a great many things happen that feel wildly inconsistent with the first 90%. I can think of some plausible explanations for these developments, but they weren't offered by the author.
I think the author was trying to make a statement about self-love, self-worth, self-discovery, and feminism, but what I read came across more like wildly irresponsible selfishness excused with a juvenile "They hit me first so beating them to death and taking all of their stuff is okay" kind of logic.
There were a few issues with diction which should have been caught by an editor. Very much of the "I do not think that word means what you think it means" variety. For me, these kinds of errors are jarring and pull me out of the story quickly and thoroughly.
I had high hopes for Cackle but was ultimately disappointed. If you're dying for a mysterious, witchy story, this might work for you but otherwise I'd give it a pass.
There's no real plot to speak of, just a paper-thin pretense to put the main character in a new setting. The story revolves around the protagonist's relationship with a new friend. Our protagonist, Anne, is an exceptionally basic woman suffering after a recent break-up. Her new friend, Sophie, is older, wiser, and very mysterious. There are red flags almost immediately upon their meeting and so much toxic behaviour that I found myself constantly disbelieving that Anne was still engaging with any of this.
There were some genuinely creepy moments in the first 1/3 of the book, but those petred out in the slog that was the middle section. It felt like we were circling the same character development issues for a very long time before taking off and going anywhere. Then, in the last 10% of the book, a great many things happen that feel wildly inconsistent with the first 90%. I can think of some plausible explanations for these developments, but they weren't offered by the author.
I think the author was trying to make a statement about self-love, self-worth, self-discovery, and feminism, but what I read came across more like wildly irresponsible selfishness excused with a juvenile "They hit me first so beating them to death and taking all of their stuff is okay" kind of logic.
There were a few issues with diction which should have been caught by an editor. Very much of the "I do not think that word means what you think it means" variety. For me, these kinds of errors are jarring and pull me out of the story quickly and thoroughly.
I had high hopes for Cackle but was ultimately disappointed. If you're dying for a mysterious, witchy story, this might work for you but otherwise I'd give it a pass.
Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and its Origins by Jacob L. Wright
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
File received as ARC was unreadable.
Everything the Darkness Eats by Eric LaRocca
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
This felt like two half-conceived short stories stitched together for the sake of making something long enough to publish as a book. Two parallel storylines that suddenly meet up in the last 10% of the book. Some of the ideas were interesting, but fell flat and didn't recieve their due. There were references to Sandman and Needful Things that could have been very compelling but did not deliver.
There were several depictions of extreme violence and homophobia (check the trigger warnings before reading!) that did very little for the story or character advancement,didn't get much treatment and, in the end, were hand-waved away without any real follow-up. This felt to me like a version of trauma porn and not at all helpful.
Whatever the author's intent, I couldn't find it in these pages and it was disappointing enough that I won't be looking for more of their work.
The narration of the audiobook is well done and a pleasant listen.
There were several depictions of extreme violence and homophobia (check the trigger warnings before reading!) that did very little for the story or character advancement,
Whatever the author's intent, I couldn't find it in these pages and it was disappointing enough that I won't be looking for more of their work.
The narration of the audiobook is well done and a pleasant listen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Ableism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, and Death
Minor: Pedophilia
The Men Can't Be Saved by Ben Purkert
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Seth is an up-and-coming advertising writer who's had some recent success. He's convinced that this will be the pattern of his life. Unfortunately for him, it is not to be so. The tides of fortune change and his success begins to dissipate. This is obvious to everyone but Seth.
As his life begins to change and then disintegrate, Set remains convinced that he is winnipeg and everything is going his way. This delusional, unreliable point of view is the one we see the story through. Seth's tale is both funny and horrifying, often at the same time. One feels sorry for the man, but also realizes that much of his woe is self-inflicted.
"The Men Can't Be Saved" is an entertaining take on toxic masculinity, workplace culture, and the pressure to succeed. The writing is good, though I found the pacing inconsistent. This, along with the likeable unlikeability of the characters may be intentional on the author's part to heighten the sense of Seth's delusions.
This one's a good read if you're looking for something entertaining, occasionally unbelievable, and a little bit dark.
As his life begins to change and then disintegrate, Set remains convinced that he is winnipeg and everything is going his way. This delusional, unreliable point of view is the one we see the story through. Seth's tale is both funny and horrifying, often at the same time. One feels sorry for the man, but also realizes that much of his woe is self-inflicted.
"The Men Can't Be Saved" is an entertaining take on toxic masculinity, workplace culture, and the pressure to succeed. The writing is good, though I found the pacing inconsistent. This, along with the likeable unlikeability of the characters may be intentional on the author's part to heighten the sense of Seth's delusions.
This one's a good read if you're looking for something entertaining, occasionally unbelievable, and a little bit dark.
Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 by Ryoko Kui
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
When Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation beyond More Money, Programs, and Innovation by Andrew Root, Blair D. Bertrand
This book is not a series of tips and tricks for reviving a declining congregation. Nor is it a step-by-step manual to successful stewardship campaigns or anything like that. Rather, it is a persuasive suggestion that our calling as 21st century Christians may be to live in smaller, calmer, more intentional communities than we have done for many generations.
In summary, I think When Church Stops Working is a well-written, accessible, refreshing entry into the field of congregational development. Its focus on spirituality, relationship, and God certainly speaks to me and the challenges and opportunities I see in my parish, diocese, and church. This could make for an excellent book study for clergy groups, parish councils, or entire congregations. I hope that this book will be widely read and its ideas discussed by people in every order and ministry of the Church.
A longer review is available at bookishpriest.com
Thanks to Brazos Press and NetGalley for furnishing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Constant growth and expansion are the hallmarks of success in the 21st century. If your church hasn't seen double-digit increases in membership, if you're not planning a 20,000 square foot expansion to your building, if you're not planting a new 1,000-seat campus every year, you must be doing something wrong. Right? Not so, claim Andrew Root and Blair Bertrand, the authors of When Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation Beyond More Money, Programs, and Innovation. They suggest that calm, steadfast witness in response to God's movement might just be a suitable alternative to the boom-or-bust model of church.
The Church is not a Fortune 500 company and it should not seek to behave like one. Rather, the Church should focus its energy on God. Funny, that. A return to the relationship with God is a calm and steady theme throughout the book. Root and Bertrand are certain that God continues to speak to us through sacrament, scripture, prayer, learning, and ministry. They are persuaded that we can, again, learn from the liturgies and calendars, rhythms and patterns of our traditions. There is no call here to a radical reformation of the Church such as we saw tried 500 years ago, but rather a reminder that we have an alternative model of how to be as church.
The Church is not a Fortune 500 company and it should not seek to behave like one. Rather, the Church should focus its energy on God. Funny, that. A return to the relationship with God is a calm and steady theme throughout the book. Root and Bertrand are certain that God continues to speak to us through sacrament, scripture, prayer, learning, and ministry. They are persuaded that we can, again, learn from the liturgies and calendars, rhythms and patterns of our traditions. There is no call here to a radical reformation of the Church such as we saw tried 500 years ago, but rather a reminder that we have an alternative model of how to be as church.
This book is not a series of tips and tricks for reviving a declining congregation. Nor is it a step-by-step manual to successful stewardship campaigns or anything like that. Rather, it is a persuasive suggestion that our calling as 21st century Christians may be to live in smaller, calmer, more intentional communities than we have done for many generations.
In summary, I think When Church Stops Working is a well-written, accessible, refreshing entry into the field of congregational development. Its focus on spirituality, relationship, and God certainly speaks to me and the challenges and opportunities I see in my parish, diocese, and church. This could make for an excellent book study for clergy groups, parish councils, or entire congregations. I hope that this book will be widely read and its ideas discussed by people in every order and ministry of the Church.
A longer review is available at bookishpriest.com
Thanks to Brazos Press and NetGalley for furnishing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
This is a fun, short read about Edison Rooker, a young man looking for community and hoping to find it among the sorcerers in his city. Alas, he has been tested many times and is told he is not magical. A relationship with a willing sorcerer and a bit of illegal inventiveness on his part gets Rook caught up all sorts of controversy with the local magical authorities. It also sets him on a path to some romance with Sun, another sorcerer's apprentice.
In short, this is a good book. The writing is engaging, the plot pacing is consistent and enjoyable, the characters are interesting and lovable (even the difficult ones). There is also an honesty about the people in this book and their idiosyncracies that I found refreshing and helpful in getting to know them. The plot and characters were not mind-blowing and didn't represent anything especially new or innovative to me, but it was a good book that did what it meant to do.
There is plenty of LGBTQ+ representation in Spell Bound and, thankfully, it is not used solely in service to the plot or for representation's sake. The characters feel genuine, warts and all.
The romance subplot was cute, meaningful, and enjoyable to track. I am often wary of romance becuase it frequently feels wedged into the larger story as though it were a requirement somehow. This is not the case here and F. T. Lukens has done an excellent job weaving the developing romance into the larger web of relationships and plot.
I found the volume differential in the two narrators difficult to manage much of the time. This is not a comment on Neo Cihi or Kevin R. Free, both of whom do very fine jobs of the narration, but rather poor work on Simon & Schuster Audio's part for producing such unbalanced tracks.
In short, this is a good book. The writing is engaging, the plot pacing is consistent and enjoyable, the characters are interesting and lovable (even the difficult ones). There is also an honesty about the people in this book and their idiosyncracies that I found refreshing and helpful in getting to know them. The plot and characters were not mind-blowing and didn't represent anything especially new or innovative to me, but it was a good book that did what it meant to do.
There is plenty of LGBTQ+ representation in Spell Bound and, thankfully, it is not used solely in service to the plot or for representation's sake. The characters feel genuine, warts and all.
The romance subplot was cute, meaningful, and enjoyable to track. I am often wary of romance becuase it frequently feels wedged into the larger story as though it were a requirement somehow. This is not the case here and F. T. Lukens has done an excellent job weaving the developing romance into the larger web of relationships and plot.
I found the volume differential in the two narrators difficult to manage much of the time. This is not a comment on Neo Cihi or Kevin R. Free, both of whom do very fine jobs of the narration, but rather poor work on Simon & Schuster Audio's part for producing such unbalanced tracks.