corabookworm's reviews
236 reviews

No Turning Back: The History of Feminism and the Future of Women by Estelle B. Freedman

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informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

If you're looking for a broad examination of women's issues across the world and across history, this is a wonderful book. While very repetitive and sometimes a tad contradictory, Freedman has written a great introduction to the topic of feminism that covers a wide range of ideas and perspectives. I found it a bit dense and hard to get through, but it was genuinely very fascinating. If you're interested in the subject, I'd definitely check it out!
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang

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

3.5

e-ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

I’m going to be honest, I have very conflicted feelings about this book. On one hand, it’s a debut novel, so I’m inclined to give it some grace. The plot was interesting, with intriguing political schemes and mysteries twisted around the main conflict. I only wish we could’ve seen the main character and her magic in action more. (She murders so many people? But all of it’s off-page? What?) There were also some super interesting concepts that were only hinted at, like bits of mythology and the details of their magic, that were left as loose ends, hopefully for the sequel. 

The writing also had a lot of potential. I wasn’t a huge fan of the style–there was a lot of info-dumping, repetition, and internal-monologuing, all in a bit of an overdramatic voice–but given it’s a debut, I’m not too upset about it! I particularly liked Chang’s use of metaphors and descriptions in weaving her world and its magic. (Which I also have mixed feelings about.)

The world of Pangu was super cool and had a really interesting magic system! I’m a sucker for magic based around some kind of element/theme like wind, fire, healing, or, in Ruying’s case, death, and the Asian-inspired mythology and world was awesome. But the invading world? Rome? That’s where she lost me. These places are different “worlds” (planets?) and I’m not sure if Rome is supposed to be Earth? Or some made up place? It feels like Earth? But…an alternate version of Earth? And they lean into the Roman theme (mostly with mythology and names) while having *incredibly* advanced technology, which was just disorienting? I don’t know, the explanations there just felt lacking, and I’d love to see it expanded upon in book 2!

Finally, like many other readers, the romance just didn’t sit right with me. (Mild spoilers ahead?) The author has said her intention was to make Ruying an unreliable narrator, and if this WAS the intention, it was done pretty well. The main character comes off frustratingly naive because of it. Stockholm syndrome to the extreme. The real problem is that this book was STILL marketed as a romance. By the author. Like if you’re genuinely recognizing that it’s an abusive and unhealthy relationship (which it is), it feels very weird to call it “enemies to lovers” as part of your marketing scheme? Idk.

Overall, this book had a lot of potential! It suffers from some common debut novel and YA book flaws, but it’s pretty decent otherwise. I’m not sure if I’m interested enough to continue the series, especially if the author continues with the “love-triangle”, but we’ll see!
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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

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adventurous dark sad tense slow-paced

3.75

Some thoughts:
1. Just so you know, this book is just a bunch of men talking about how sad and lonely they are and telling each other stories. 
2. Frankenstein. Bro. Even if she’s adopted, if you call her “Cousin” and compare your relationship to siblings, you SHOULD NOT marry her. (Especially if someone said they’d come kill her on your wedding night?? Like? Just don’t get married???) 

Jokes aside, this was a wonderful little classic and I really enjoyed reading it!!
Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

While this book does have the flaws of any book written in the 1870s (lesbian love story written by a man ew), it's pretty damn good. This fast-paced mystery set the stage for both lesbian and vampire literature, and I highly enjoyed reading it. I recommend Carmilla if you want to try out a short, quick classic, or if you're a fan of Gothic books.
The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.0

I honestly thought this book was 5-star worthy for the most part. The writing was fantastic, the historical elements interesting but not boring, the story fast paced, and the plot intriguing. The explicit sex scenes threw me off and, due to personal preference, lowered the rating of the book to 3 stars. But otherwise I really liked it! If you're looking for short, queer horror with elements of religion, romance, monsters, and history, this one's pretty damn good!
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Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

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emotional sad slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

Honestly so confused about how to feel about this book. It was beautiful and unsettling and very very depressing, less horror than I expected, more about grief and loss than anything else. And just plain weird. I loved it. But also I'm sad now. And a little disappointed that there wasn't a full plot with an end to the mystery. It was more just vibes. Which I respect. But also rahhh.

(Might write a more sensible review later we'll see.)
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Godslayers by Zoe Hana Mikuta

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

  • Big focus on character dynamics, cute found family and romance 
  • Definitely felt like two complete books pressed into one (a whole new story began around the 50% mark)
  • Interesting story
  • Giant robots!! Lesbians!! Cute lil guys!!
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Windup Pilots control giant robot deities under Godolia’s tyrannical rule, keeping order among the people of the Badlands. Eris is a Gearbreaker who destroys these Windups, while Sona is a Windup pilot trying to destroy Godolia from the inside. Unlikely alliance (and romance) builds between them as they attempt to take down the empire.

I think I forgot how to enjoy YA books. Don’t get me wrong, this book is fantastic! The worldbuilding is super interesting, the found family is ADORABLE, and all of the characters are so lovely.

But to me, the story just felt silly. The older I get, the more concerned I get about books like this. Like besties. Why are all these kids murdering people? Who let them do that? The conflict wasn’t as fleshed out as I wish it had been, and the romance just fell flat for me. It was so all-consuming for them, and it was cute, but like not excusing-mass-murder cute. I don’t know. Just felt weird. 

The sequel was solid, too. Godslayers felt like two complete books pressed into one (a whole new story began around the 50% mark) which made the whole thing feel like a trilogy.

But yay! Giant robots and lesbians! Cute found family dynamics!! If you like YA sci-fi, you’ll enjoy this one. It was just harder for me to enjoy it with my changing reading tastes.
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Not horrible but very clearly the author's debut. I didn't vibe with the writing style or most of the characters and the constant chapter breaks made the story feel choppy. It did, however, have potential, and if Casati publishes again, I'll definitely give her next book a chance. The execution of this one just wasn't for me.
Venus and Aphrodite: History of a Goddess by Bettany Hughes

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informative reflective

3.75

This book was really interesting! I loved how the author connected changing perspectives on Aphrodite to historical events and locations. It was especially fascinating learning about Aphrodite's roots in Eastern mythology and her shift to Venus and conflict with the Catholic Church. My only problem with this book is that sometimes I couldn't really tell what point the author was trying to make? Which might just be because I'm sick and tired and nonfiction is hard to read. But it sometimes felt like she was just listing facts without drawing any conclusions. Which I forgive, because, like I said, super interesting book! 

(ALSO: I loved all of the art included in this book so much. Wish more of it had been in color because it's all so pretty!)