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cat_rector's reviews
76 reviews
Thunder, Blood, and Goats by Lyra Wolf
5.0
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novella from the author in exchange for an unbiased review. I also am a friend of the author, so unbiased is always a relative term.
This novella was just what I needed. While it’s a short, fun read for people just discovering Lyra Wolf’s work, it’s also a gut punch for anyone familiar with The Nine Worlds Rising series.
Wolf plays on a lot of the things I love to see in a story: morally grey choices, characters whose self-interest drives them to make bad decisions, and examination of human psychology. It’s hard to get too deep into this without spoiling this tiny novella’s plot, but if you’ve already read Truth and Other Lies, you’ll find yourself wanting to punch a certain someone over and over again. I may even have called Wolf a monster several times because of the emotional distress I had over several scenes, but I have forgiven them. Afterall, what else is an author’s life purpose but to make people feel things?
I also adored that Wolf took a myth that I’ve never much cared for and turned it into something fantastic. My only gripe now is that the novella is over and I have nothing left TO READDDDD
This novella was just what I needed. While it’s a short, fun read for people just discovering Lyra Wolf’s work, it’s also a gut punch for anyone familiar with The Nine Worlds Rising series.
Wolf plays on a lot of the things I love to see in a story: morally grey choices, characters whose self-interest drives them to make bad decisions, and examination of human psychology. It’s hard to get too deep into this without spoiling this tiny novella’s plot, but if you’ve already read Truth and Other Lies, you’ll find yourself wanting to punch a certain someone over and over again. I may even have called Wolf a monster several times because of the emotional distress I had over several scenes, but I have forgiven them. Afterall, what else is an author’s life purpose but to make people feel things?
I also adored that Wolf took a myth that I’ve never much cared for and turned it into something fantastic. My only gripe now is that the novella is over and I have nothing left TO READDDDD
Hall of Smoke by H.M. Long
5.0
Hall of Smoke is an exciting adventure that hinges on the ideas of familial love, trust, rage, and fighting for the right reasons. Inspired by Norse myth, the landscape and characters will feel comfortingly familiar, while at the same time the story will take you to new and interesting places.
The book is great for fans of classic fantasy, but not so epic in style that newer Adult Fantasy genre readers will be overwhelmed by it. The structure is interesting and detailed without bogging readers down with hundreds of characters and plot threads, which is the ideal level of Adult Fantasy for me.
This book also focuses on the plot and characters without weaving in a love subplot, so it's a great option for people who don't enjoy romance, or for readers searching for ace-friendly reading materials. It allows the book to be perfectly what it was designed to be: a small glimpse into a vast, interesting world where gods are real, people are complicated, and alliances are fragile. One of my favourite aspects was the very realistic temperament of the gods, and the moments where we got to see the details of their own power struggles. I love when super-powerful beings are fallible, and that's part of what we get here.
While the book isn't part of a series in a traditional sense, Temple of No God promises to expand what we know of these empires. I'm eager to learn more about what's happened since we last visited, and to see more of the world beyond the scope of Hall of Smoke.
The book is great for fans of classic fantasy, but not so epic in style that newer Adult Fantasy genre readers will be overwhelmed by it. The structure is interesting and detailed without bogging readers down with hundreds of characters and plot threads, which is the ideal level of Adult Fantasy for me.
This book also focuses on the plot and characters without weaving in a love subplot, so it's a great option for people who don't enjoy romance, or for readers searching for ace-friendly reading materials. It allows the book to be perfectly what it was designed to be: a small glimpse into a vast, interesting world where gods are real, people are complicated, and alliances are fragile. One of my favourite aspects was the very realistic temperament of the gods, and the moments where we got to see the details of their own power struggles. I love when super-powerful beings are fallible, and that's part of what we get here.
While the book isn't part of a series in a traditional sense, Temple of No God promises to expand what we know of these empires. I'm eager to learn more about what's happened since we last visited, and to see more of the world beyond the scope of Hall of Smoke.
Truth and Other Lies by Lyra Wolf
5.0
I love this book from start to finish. The tricky part with myth retellings is always bringing something new to the table. A new perspective, a new lesson. And Lyra does this perfectly, bending things ever so slightly to keep us guessing. Loki's inner monologue felt authentic, with that perfect layer of snark to hide all those vulnerabilities. Her work's clear appreciation for the more recent LGBTQA+ interpretations for Norse Myth and the gods is evident and it pays off in spades. I was so pleased not just to see it, but to think of the skirt-clutching reactions some readers might have to some of their favourite Gods XD
Loki walks a fine line between the sassy, problematic bad boy, and "being good is a novel concept, let's try." Sigyn, however, is likely my favourite because of a litany of reasons too fun to spoil. The magical concept of elements is something I appreciated as both a reader and a writer, and I loved that the magic system felt believable and immersive, even without a litany of rules and regulations of use.
When I reached the end of the book and discovered a little more about the author, like that she studied history and has a Swiss background, it made perfect sense to me. Lyra's settings are vivid and the details are enthralling. I actually had to Google a few words, like Snood. (Turns out I have a few snoods. Snooooood, what a word.) In fact, some of my favourite parts of the book were the ones that took place in Switzerland and with a certain lady that I am now a fierce fan of, where these types of details were plentiful.
I'm so glad that I read this close to the release of book 2. I have the novella to tide me over, but at this point, I feel ravenous for more of the story.
Loki walks a fine line between the sassy, problematic bad boy, and "being good is a novel concept, let's try." Sigyn, however, is likely my favourite because of a litany of reasons too fun to spoil. The magical concept of elements is something I appreciated as both a reader and a writer, and I loved that the magic system felt believable and immersive, even without a litany of rules and regulations of use.
When I reached the end of the book and discovered a little more about the author, like that she studied history and has a Swiss background, it made perfect sense to me. Lyra's settings are vivid and the details are enthralling. I actually had to Google a few words, like Snood. (Turns out I have a few snoods. Snooooood, what a word.) In fact, some of my favourite parts of the book were the ones that took place in Switzerland and with a certain lady that I am now a fierce fan of, where these types of details were plentiful.
I'm so glad that I read this close to the release of book 2. I have the novella to tide me over, but at this point, I feel ravenous for more of the story.
Sedition by E.M. Wright
5.0
Sedition is definitely a book for fans of introspective, deep characters who are enraged by the injustice of the world. Wright uses a steampunk alternative London to examine the intricacies of humanity, what makes us human, and the horrors that some of us inflict on others. Some lines struck me as too honest and raw to be anything but a true feeling of the author, and I think that it speaks to a lot of the moments of rage and helplessness we all feel (hopefully only from time to time ;) ) I was also able to spot a few "loose ends" that will surely show up in later books, which I find very intriguing! You should definitely give this book a shot!
Also, I listened to the audiobook and the quality of the reading is fantastic, so you should check out that option as well!
Also, I listened to the audiobook and the quality of the reading is fantastic, so you should check out that option as well!
That Good Mischief by Lyra Wolf
5.0
Lyra once again knocks it out of the park with Book 3 of their series.
Disclaimer: I'm a colleague and writing partner of Lyra's. I had the joy of helping out with one of the final drafts of the book, and I probably a bit biased toward their work. But I don't care, Lyra's a genius and you should read this book. MWAH.
Just like every book in the series, That Good Mischief is a great mix of pain and humour, with a dash of desire. Fans of the series will know how On Brand this is, but rest assured that Lyra has turned up the pain in order to give Sigyn The Worst Time Ever.
Lyra has many skills, but my absolute favourite in the way in which they take godly figures and display them as raw, passionate, human-like beings. The book is full of introspection and very relatable emotional moments. The serrated edges of the Loki-Sigyn-Odin dynamics cuts the reader and the characters in equal measure. These moments are skillfully done, and you'll find yourself looking forward to them just as much as dreading them. There were several times during my reading that I DM'd Lyra to let them know how much of a monster they were and also HOW DARE THEY.
If you like getting hurt, but also rewarded for it, you're going to love this book.
Oh and there's two fight scenes that now live rent free in my head, and the end of the book will leave you begging Lyra to write faster.
That Good Mischief is an excellent addition to Lyra's series, and you should absolutely be reading it.
Disclaimer: I'm a colleague and writing partner of Lyra's. I had the joy of helping out with one of the final drafts of the book, and I probably a bit biased toward their work. But I don't care, Lyra's a genius and you should read this book. MWAH.
Just like every book in the series, That Good Mischief is a great mix of pain and humour, with a dash of desire. Fans of the series will know how On Brand this is, but rest assured that Lyra has turned up the pain in order to give Sigyn The Worst Time Ever.
Lyra has many skills, but my absolute favourite in the way in which they take godly figures and display them as raw, passionate, human-like beings. The book is full of introspection and very relatable emotional moments. The serrated edges of the Loki-Sigyn-Odin dynamics cuts the reader and the characters in equal measure. These moments are skillfully done, and you'll find yourself looking forward to them just as much as dreading them. There were several times during my reading that I DM'd Lyra to let them know how much of a monster they were and also HOW DARE THEY.
If you like getting hurt, but also rewarded for it, you're going to love this book.
Oh and there's two fight scenes that now live rent free in my head, and the end of the book will leave you begging Lyra to write faster.
That Good Mischief is an excellent addition to Lyra's series, and you should absolutely be reading it.
Hex by Rebecca Dinerstein Knight
Gave up. This one isn't for me. My expectation was not what it delivered.
The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith
Came for the premise, but the premise doesn't last all the long as a central piece of the story. I also feel like this book probably fell victim to the Trad Pub habit of asking the author to cut a ton of words, leaving me wanting more at certain junctions. The writing style is gorgeous though!
Sundial by Catriona Ward
5.0
This author has *such skill* and I love it.
This review is going to be just feels because I can't function. I'm so pleased with this book. The way the author weaves all these details into the plot, like a master crime novelist, it's phenomenal. My mind is blown. The ending leaves me with a bit of anger, the kind that makes my head spin and my heart burst, so like... good anger.
Thank you for this book Catriona Ward. The themes were cathartic and horrific, and I loved it.
This review is going to be just feels because I can't function. I'm so pleased with this book. The way the author weaves all these details into the plot, like a master crime novelist, it's phenomenal. My mind is blown. The ending leaves me with a bit of anger, the kind that makes my head spin and my heart burst, so like... good anger.
Thank you for this book Catriona Ward. The themes were cathartic and horrific, and I loved it.