Scan barcode
bookwormsandbiblios's reviews
22 reviews
The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
N.E. Davenport knows her stuff. The Blood Trials is a rich and diverse world filled with complex and flawed characters, and the mystery of a big bad (the Blood Emperor) will leave you dying to read the next book. Luckily for you, unlike me, you won't have to wait as The Blood Gift will be hitting shelves (digital and physical) on April 10, 2023.
Ikenna Amari is an orphan twice over. Her mother was killed when she was just a baby leaving her to be raised by her grandfather, Verne Amari. The book opens the night before Ikenna is set to graduate from the military training academy and still reeling from the recent death of the Legatus, leaving her with no family. If this wasn't bad enough, Ikenna is harboring a secret - one that could get her killed. Ikenna is blood gifted, a trait outlawed in Mareen, her home country. And with so much suspicion surrounding the nature of her grandfather's death, she's not sure who she can trust.
However, Ikenna will not let a little thing like a duplicitous nation of racists derail her from finding out the truth and seeking revenge. So, with her friends at her side, she joins the Praetorians, an elite group of soldiers charged with protecting Mareen by any means necessary. But before officially joining their ranks, she must first undergo the most harrowing trials of her life, where the price of her failure means death.
The allegorical "isms" in this book are very on the nose. Still, much deeper conversations are happening in the book, such as spirituality vs. technology, cultural identity vs. nationalism, the ethics of violence, nepotism, and generational legacy. The book delves into various forms of institutionalized biases and the consequences of such power structures. The book also looks at how bigotry can be quiet and almost unnoticeable. Overall, there is much criticism of the status quo.
Ikenna is unapologetically bold. There is a level of callousness in her, but at her core, she is exceptionally solicitous. Her headstrong pragmatism often war with her kind-heartedness. While she can be myopic and reckless, her sense of justice makes her a likable character, even if her decisions are frustrating. The reader also sees her growth as she walks the tightrope of learning how to utilize and continue to conceal her blood gift. It would be very easy for her to fall into "the Chosen One" cliche, but the rashness and singlemindedness with which she often acts humanizes her. (From lived experience, it is extraordinarily challenging to remain calm and think clearly when facing multiple forms of bigotry, particularly when occurring all at once).
This narrative is an exciting mashup of magic and science fiction. While the magical system of the blood gift is clearly at the forefront of the story, it spends much of its time juxtaposed with the technological advancements in Mareen society. I'm reserving judgment on the Patheon (the gods of The Major Continent) because there's time to address that in the second book. I genuinely wish there had been more detail on the government and military structure of Mareen. (This is my second read-through, and I'm still unsure about the internal working of the War Houses). However, it's certainly not a dealbreaker regarding the book's enjoyment.
This is an excellent read for anyone looking for an action-packed straightforward writing style. Figuring out the murder subplot makes it a good fit for those who enjoy whodunit. And while there is one spicy scene, it won't make or break the book, so feel free to enjoy or skip it.
Ikenna Amari is an orphan twice over. Her mother was killed when she was just a baby leaving her to be raised by her grandfather, Verne Amari. The book opens the night before Ikenna is set to graduate from the military training academy and still reeling from the recent death of the Legatus, leaving her with no family. If this wasn't bad enough, Ikenna is harboring a secret - one that could get her killed. Ikenna is blood gifted, a trait outlawed in Mareen, her home country. And with so much suspicion surrounding the nature of her grandfather's death, she's not sure who she can trust.
However, Ikenna will not let a little thing like a duplicitous nation of racists derail her from finding out the truth and seeking revenge. So, with her friends at her side, she joins the Praetorians, an elite group of soldiers charged with protecting Mareen by any means necessary. But before officially joining their ranks, she must first undergo the most harrowing trials of her life, where the price of her failure means death.
The allegorical "isms" in this book are very on the nose. Still, much deeper conversations are happening in the book, such as spirituality vs. technology, cultural identity vs. nationalism, the ethics of violence, nepotism, and generational legacy. The book delves into various forms of institutionalized biases and the consequences of such power structures. The book also looks at how bigotry can be quiet and almost unnoticeable. Overall, there is much criticism of the status quo.
Ikenna is unapologetically bold. There is a level of callousness in her, but at her core, she is exceptionally solicitous. Her headstrong pragmatism often war with her kind-heartedness. While she can be myopic and reckless, her sense of justice makes her a likable character, even if her decisions are frustrating. The reader also sees her growth as she walks the tightrope of learning how to utilize and continue to conceal her blood gift. It would be very easy for her to fall into "the Chosen One" cliche, but the rashness and singlemindedness with which she often acts humanizes her. (From lived experience, it is extraordinarily challenging to remain calm and think clearly when facing multiple forms of bigotry, particularly when occurring all at once).
This narrative is an exciting mashup of magic and science fiction. While the magical system of the blood gift is clearly at the forefront of the story, it spends much of its time juxtaposed with the technological advancements in Mareen society. I'm reserving judgment on the Patheon (the gods of The Major Continent) because there's time to address that in the second book. I genuinely wish there had been more detail on the government and military structure of Mareen. (This is my second read-through, and I'm still unsure about the internal working of the War Houses). However, it's certainly not a dealbreaker regarding the book's enjoyment.
This is an excellent read for anyone looking for an action-packed straightforward writing style. Figuring out the murder subplot makes it a good fit for those who enjoy whodunit. And while there is one spicy scene, it won't make or break the book, so feel free to enjoy or skip it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.75
Let’s just get this out of the way: some of you will be appalled that this book is classified as Young Adult. There is bloody violence, abundant colorful language, sex, and (some off-page) drug use. I can see you clutching your pearls from here, aghast that Macmillan has set the age range from 13-18. Unclench. No one is saying your thirteen-year-old has to read it. If you feel this book is inappropriate for your young reader, save it for a later date. And I do mean save it because Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker is not a story to be missed. This novel is chalked full of representation and reckoning with the sordid history of racism in the United States, specifically NOLA. There are plenty of fantastical elements, but the story is grounded in the veritable experiences of the not-so-distant history of the South and the mark they have left on the present.
Christina (Chris) and Clement (Clem) are fraternal twins whose relationship has become strained after the death of their father and their mother’s severe and mysterious illness. But that is hardly the only trouble to befoul their family. This magical world of New Orleans in which they live is home to Generational or Gen magic and the seat of the magic counsel. A counsel of which their grandmother was the queen until she was dethroned and her family disgraced. But the reader quickly learns all is not what it seems. While misfortune has caused Chris to retreat from magic, Clem rejoices in it, becoming yet another source of conflict for the siblings. However, with trouble brewing all around them, they’ll need to find a way to unite.
This book is a love letter to Black folks. It is unflinching in its examination of oppressive systems while being a celebration of the grit and vibrant tenacity of the Black community. It validates all the feelings of culture, family, and frustration. It explores intergenerational trauma and the effect of present-day racism. The peruser gets to observe thoughtful characterization of intersecting identities. It lives up to the Author’s Note, in which the reader will have to sit and ponder the many nuanced issues introduced in this novel. And it does so in such a way that younger readers will be able to take part in these conversations about morality and liberation.
I am always super impressed when an author weaves multiple complex storylines into a cohesive and satisfying end product. Sure there are a couple of loose threads, but that has more to do with leaving the door open for a sequel. Clem and Chris feel like real teenagers, even with magic involved. The magical system that Benton-Walker created is rooted in Black spirituality and religious practices. The pantheon of gods is both helpful and meddlesome, and it will be interesting to see where Benton takes them in the next book.
Having the pleasure of listening to the audiobook, I really enjoyed the narration. Because there were so many characters (some with similar names), I had to go back several times to figure out who was who. Although not necessary to the story, I would have loved a glossary of the gods and magical terms. The language used throughout the book prioritizes authenticity and accessibility, so there is no flowery prose to be found here. And while I had no pages to turn, it certainly left me staying up later than I had intended wanting to know what happened next.
Blood Debts is the perfect read for those looking for BIPOC and queer representation who love magical realism and urban fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Gore and Blood
Minor: Death of parent, Car accident, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Gun violence
Will by Will Smith, Mark Manson
5.0
A beautiful story of an extraordinary life. Will Smith shows us that he's a masterful storyteller managing to be relatable while describing experiences most of us can only dream of. At times, he can come off as a bit of a braggart, but honestly, with what he's accomplished, it would be hard not to be at least a bit boastful. The story truly comes alive in the audiobook. The narration will have you laughing aloud and shedding a tear or two.
The Kindred by Alechia Dow
4.0
The novel starts with the reader being far across to the universe, in another planetary system where all people of a particular planetary system are born with a voice in their head. Just one voice, though, just them and another until death do they part.
Joy and Felix are star-crossed lovers in almost the literal sense. Not only is their seemingly doomed connection a product of their social stations, but they live on different planets. Joy is the only child of a poor single mother from a poor planet in a system ruled by Felix, who is a duke, extended family. While Joy must work for a living, Felix spends his time avoiding his royal duties, moonlighting as a rockstar. Where Felix enjoys the intimate company of any attractive being he comes across, Joy planet demands her betrothal and, as such doesn’t participate in dalliances.
If you hang out in fandom spaces, you are no stranger to the soulmates. However, Dow uses a fresh take rather than using fate to seal two people together; it is good old fashion humanoid ingenuity brought to you by classism. At times, the story can feel burdensome; we travel lightyears and galaxies just to get “space racism.” But then again, that is the point, to shine a light on the absolute absurdity of these fake social constructs that we have allowed to destroy so many lives.
Dow’s writing can be a little heavy-handed but because she so explicitly details certain parts of her narration, the overt way in which she engages the reader makes the themes of the book unmissable, opening the book up to a wider (and younger audience.) The straightforward prose makes for an easy, quick read for anyone looking for a meaningful, but lighthearted read.
Joy and Felix are star-crossed lovers in almost the literal sense. Not only is their seemingly doomed connection a product of their social stations, but they live on different planets. Joy is the only child of a poor single mother from a poor planet in a system ruled by Felix, who is a duke, extended family. While Joy must work for a living, Felix spends his time avoiding his royal duties, moonlighting as a rockstar. Where Felix enjoys the intimate company of any attractive being he comes across, Joy planet demands her betrothal and, as such doesn’t participate in dalliances.
If you hang out in fandom spaces, you are no stranger to the soulmates. However, Dow uses a fresh take rather than using fate to seal two people together; it is good old fashion humanoid ingenuity brought to you by classism. At times, the story can feel burdensome; we travel lightyears and galaxies just to get “space racism.” But then again, that is the point, to shine a light on the absolute absurdity of these fake social constructs that we have allowed to destroy so many lives.
Dow’s writing can be a little heavy-handed but because she so explicitly details certain parts of her narration, the overt way in which she engages the reader makes the themes of the book unmissable, opening the book up to a wider (and younger audience.) The straightforward prose makes for an easy, quick read for anyone looking for a meaningful, but lighthearted read.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
5.0
Writing this review was challenging, to say the least. Mainly because I’m still stewing in my thoughts about the book and planning a reread sooner rather than later. It’s the sort of book you get so caught up in that you get lost. At least I did. While knowing it was brilliant, I’m struggling to tell you why. To be sure, Morgenstern is a masterful writer. There was something of an out-of-body experience where I could see the dynamic use of literary techniques, but it all felt secondary to the intricately woven stories. (Which, of course, was the point).
Relegating The Starless Sea to simply a fantasy novel doesn't do it justice; it is its own beast. This work is a delicious fantastical stew of existentialism, and folklore, with a pinch of romance. It's a book that will have you lost in your thoughts days after its completion. Morgenstern writes in such a way it is hard to believe there isn't some shadowy society of story-keepers.
Our protagonist, Zachary Ezra Rawlings, is incredibly ordinary. He’s a grad student, an introvert, and friendly. Then slowly, his world is upended by a chance encounter with a book in his school library. We know he’s a central character: the book makes it clear he must be. But the story moves around him rather than having him act as the catalyst. It was a unique and refreshing take on the hero’s arc so commonly found in sweeping epics.
I loved this novel’s endless juxtapositions, particularly its approach to time. Time is a character. It moves quickly, slowly, and not at all. Time is treated as tangible and elusive, which is precisely how most of us perceive it. It was interesting to see it used in these variable circumstances rather than a constant. The word that kept circulating in my mind during this novel was cerebral. For whatever else this novel is, it is undoubtedly an ode to storytelling.
I highly recommend getting the audiobook version -- as the casting is perfect. (Although I did a combination of the e-book and audiobook).
Relegating The Starless Sea to simply a fantasy novel doesn't do it justice; it is its own beast. This work is a delicious fantastical stew of existentialism, and folklore, with a pinch of romance. It's a book that will have you lost in your thoughts days after its completion. Morgenstern writes in such a way it is hard to believe there isn't some shadowy society of story-keepers.
Our protagonist, Zachary Ezra Rawlings, is incredibly ordinary. He’s a grad student, an introvert, and friendly. Then slowly, his world is upended by a chance encounter with a book in his school library. We know he’s a central character: the book makes it clear he must be. But the story moves around him rather than having him act as the catalyst. It was a unique and refreshing take on the hero’s arc so commonly found in sweeping epics.
I loved this novel’s endless juxtapositions, particularly its approach to time. Time is a character. It moves quickly, slowly, and not at all. Time is treated as tangible and elusive, which is precisely how most of us perceive it. It was interesting to see it used in these variable circumstances rather than a constant. The word that kept circulating in my mind during this novel was cerebral. For whatever else this novel is, it is undoubtedly an ode to storytelling.
I highly recommend getting the audiobook version -- as the casting is perfect. (Although I did a combination of the e-book and audiobook).
Rules of Arrangement by Maren Mackenzie
4.0
I'm not going to lie, when I first started reading this book, I was a little worried. The plot seemed a bit muddled— it was a classic "enemies to lovers" trope, that seemingly threw in some academia and mental illness. But I was pleasantly surprised! The characters were engaging, although I felt that Jack was a little too unlikeable, Declan a little too likable, and Adelaide could have used a tad more character development. The spice was spicy with clear chemistry between Addie and Jack. The book definitely gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes, but make the Beast a grumpy art dealer, and Beauty a down on her luck college student - in that aspect, it was more like Cinderella.
There were a few things that kept me from giving this book five stars: the pacing was off with the ending feeling rushed and it may have benefited from sensitivity reader when tackling the issue of mental illness. That being said, I think the portrayal of how people speak and think about mental illness was fairly realistic. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. It’s a quick read, that balances drama and romance, and has a satisfying ending.
Overall though? A good debut novel! I would definitely read other things by this author!
There were a few things that kept me from giving this book five stars: the pacing was off with the ending feeling rushed and it may have benefited from sensitivity reader when tackling the issue of mental illness. That being said, I think the portrayal of how people speak and think about mental illness was fairly realistic. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. It’s a quick read, that balances drama and romance, and has a satisfying ending.
Overall though? A good debut novel! I would definitely read other things by this author!
Rent Boys by Hadley Field
4.0
3 1/2 stars.
This is a very cute story, but it could benefit from another round of editing and a beta reader. There are some inconsistencies that are easily addressed that would make the story seamless. Also, it tries to cover too much ground, packing too many plot point in too few pages.
The story itself is charming and the spice is spicy, with realistic dialogue that rings true for college-age men. I really liked Adam and Sean's dynamic, there was a nice juxtaposition between characters without falling heavily on the trope of the prince and the pauper.
I appreciated the trigger warning at the beginning of the book, but there isn't any abuse "on screen." There is some discussion of abuse that happened before the narrative begins, but it happens off-screen (so to speak) in previous years when Adam was a child.
There are some issues with POV throughout the book—it's hard sometimes to figure out who is narrating at any given time because there aren't enough cues to know whose perspective your following, but overall it doesn't detract from enjoying the story.
All-in-all, it was an enjoyable little read and nice a way to spend a Sunday morning.
This is a very cute story, but it could benefit from another round of editing and a beta reader. There are some inconsistencies that are easily addressed that would make the story seamless. Also, it tries to cover too much ground, packing too many plot point in too few pages.
The story itself is charming and the spice is spicy, with realistic dialogue that rings true for college-age men. I really liked Adam and Sean's dynamic, there was a nice juxtaposition between characters without falling heavily on the trope of the prince and the pauper.
I appreciated the trigger warning at the beginning of the book, but there isn't any abuse "on screen." There is some discussion of abuse that happened before the narrative begins, but it happens off-screen (so to speak) in previous years when Adam was a child.
There are some issues with POV throughout the book—it's hard sometimes to figure out who is narrating at any given time because there aren't enough cues to know whose perspective your following, but overall it doesn't detract from enjoying the story.
All-in-all, it was an enjoyable little read and nice a way to spend a Sunday morning.
I Am Ace: Advice on Living Your Best Asexual Life by Cody Daigle-Orians
5.0
I first discovered Cody on TikTok, so when I saw his book was available on NetGalley, I leapt at the chance to review it. As a new reviewer, I didn't hold out much hope I'd get it, but I had to try because his unique content resonated with me. I was thrilled when I received a copy; that excitement didn't diminish after finishing the book.
I Am Ace is great for people who are interested in learning about asexuality. It spends a lot of time validating it as an identity, and it doesn't try to "other" it as something that needs to be overcome. My only slight critique is that it doesn't talk much about aromanticism, but it makes sense, given that the author is polyamorous. There's also a plethora of resources available at the end, which is terrific for those who want to explore further.
The book is very informative, but since they are writing about their own experience as an asexual person, it doesn't feel academic or clinical, which is especially important since society tends to pathologize asexuality. Instead, it covers everything from what it means to be an asexual person, common misconceptions about asexuality, and how it's experienced differently by each person who identifies as such. It also does a fantastic job of discussing how asexuality fits into the larger umbrella of queerness.
One of my favorite things about this book is how it mirrors their online content. They are very honest, open, and vulnerable in their writing. It feels like they are speaking to the reader as a friend or mentor. There are many analogies and anecdotes, but what stood out to me was the story at the end. I feel like there is often a lot of focus on coming out, but not as much on stepping in to the queer community. That can be a big scary step that can be made easier by the compassion of other queer persons. Paul was that for Cody, and now Cody does that for others with his platform and this book.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to learn more about asexuality, who is ace or who has an asexual partner.
I Am Ace is great for people who are interested in learning about asexuality. It spends a lot of time validating it as an identity, and it doesn't try to "other" it as something that needs to be overcome. My only slight critique is that it doesn't talk much about aromanticism, but it makes sense, given that the author is polyamorous. There's also a plethora of resources available at the end, which is terrific for those who want to explore further.
The book is very informative, but since they are writing about their own experience as an asexual person, it doesn't feel academic or clinical, which is especially important since society tends to pathologize asexuality. Instead, it covers everything from what it means to be an asexual person, common misconceptions about asexuality, and how it's experienced differently by each person who identifies as such. It also does a fantastic job of discussing how asexuality fits into the larger umbrella of queerness.
One of my favorite things about this book is how it mirrors their online content. They are very honest, open, and vulnerable in their writing. It feels like they are speaking to the reader as a friend or mentor. There are many analogies and anecdotes, but what stood out to me was the story at the end. I feel like there is often a lot of focus on coming out, but not as much on stepping in to the queer community. That can be a big scary step that can be made easier by the compassion of other queer persons. Paul was that for Cody, and now Cody does that for others with his platform and this book.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to learn more about asexuality, who is ace or who has an asexual partner.