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dobbsthedog's reviews
1729 reviews
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
5.0
I loved this book. I absolutely loved it.
It’s a book about love; loving yourself, loving your friends, the love of your family, love of your art. I feel like it had a lot of nuanced things to say about love, life, death, and identity, and I’m not quite sure how to properly express it. I feel like I just read something quite profound, but am unsure of how to talk about it.
The book is about Cyrus Shams, an Iranian immigrant whose mother was killed when her plane was shot down when he was an infant. His father immigrates with him to the US, and he grows up mostly American. Cyrus is a poet, is in recovery, and is at loose ends, obsessed with the idea of death. He has the idea to write a book about martyrs, then learns about an artist who has terminal cancer and is living her last days as an art exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, so he goes to speak with her. This turns into something hugely profound to him, but I can’t say more than that, because of spoilers!
The book jumps around a lot, and while it’s mostly told from Cyrus’ POV, we also get glimpses into other lives as well; his mother and father, his best friend. There are also snippets from his WIP book, small bits about different martyrs throughout history. Through these time jumps, we get a pretty clear picture of Cyrus’ life. I’m not always the biggest fan of these sorts of timeline jumps, but it worked very well in this story.
This is the first I’ve ever read from Kaveh Akbar, and I will absolutely be on the lookout for any future books by him. I don’t know that I’ve accurately described just how good this book is, so just take my word for it, it really is excellent.
It’s a book about love; loving yourself, loving your friends, the love of your family, love of your art. I feel like it had a lot of nuanced things to say about love, life, death, and identity, and I’m not quite sure how to properly express it. I feel like I just read something quite profound, but am unsure of how to talk about it.
The book is about Cyrus Shams, an Iranian immigrant whose mother was killed when her plane was shot down when he was an infant. His father immigrates with him to the US, and he grows up mostly American. Cyrus is a poet, is in recovery, and is at loose ends, obsessed with the idea of death. He has the idea to write a book about martyrs, then learns about an artist who has terminal cancer and is living her last days as an art exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, so he goes to speak with her. This turns into something hugely profound to him, but I can’t say more than that, because of spoilers!
The book jumps around a lot, and while it’s mostly told from Cyrus’ POV, we also get glimpses into other lives as well; his mother and father, his best friend. There are also snippets from his WIP book, small bits about different martyrs throughout history. Through these time jumps, we get a pretty clear picture of Cyrus’ life. I’m not always the biggest fan of these sorts of timeline jumps, but it worked very well in this story.
This is the first I’ve ever read from Kaveh Akbar, and I will absolutely be on the lookout for any future books by him. I don’t know that I’ve accurately described just how good this book is, so just take my word for it, it really is excellent.
Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon
4.0
CW: gore, child abuse
I liked this book, though it was not at all what I was expecting! For it being YA fantasy, it is quite graphically gory throughout, so be aware!
Basically, we have our protagonist, Gem, who is a trans teen. The book starts with Gem having a graphically gory dream, and we soon learn that Gem is actually a god from another world and these horrific dreams they’ve been having are actually memories from past lives.
I really love the premise, I think it’s really unique. I am also loving the parallels to one of my favourite X-Files episodes, Never Again, where Scully gets an ouroboros tattoo and there are a lot of discussions on reincarnation and how each time you’re reincarnated you are still surrounded by the people who were important to you in past lives. Because in Godly Heathens, this group of otherworldly gods are always drawn to each other in each life, and a ouroboros knife is central to the storyline.
I also like the questions it asks throughout the book, about good vs evil, what is good and what is evil, especially when past lives are involved; does this new incarnation bear the responsibility for choices they made in the past?
I loved that the ending was a complete twist (sort of) and I’m so glad that I have the second (and final book) available to jump right into.
I liked this book, though it was not at all what I was expecting! For it being YA fantasy, it is quite graphically gory throughout, so be aware!
Basically, we have our protagonist, Gem, who is a trans teen. The book starts with Gem having a graphically gory dream, and we soon learn that Gem is actually a god from another world and these horrific dreams they’ve been having are actually memories from past lives.
I really love the premise, I think it’s really unique. I am also loving the parallels to one of my favourite X-Files episodes, Never Again, where Scully gets an ouroboros tattoo and there are a lot of discussions on reincarnation and how each time you’re reincarnated you are still surrounded by the people who were important to you in past lives. Because in Godly Heathens, this group of otherworldly gods are always drawn to each other in each life, and a ouroboros knife is central to the storyline.
I also like the questions it asks throughout the book, about good vs evil, what is good and what is evil, especially when past lives are involved; does this new incarnation bear the responsibility for choices they made in the past?
I loved that the ending was a complete twist (sort of) and I’m so glad that I have the second (and final book) available to jump right into.
Up All Night by Annabeth Albert
3.0
Received from the author’s PR person, thanks!
I enjoyed this one! It’s the first in a new series with many of the MCs being on the slightly older side (late 30s-early 40s), which I indefinitely appreciate.
I also like that, while the main couples in Albert’s more recent books have been M/M, she is mixing it up with having well-written non-binary side characters, as well as other queer folks on the periphery. While I’m all here for books that are all queer folks, it definitely comes off in some sort of way when the entire town is made of gay, allo, cis men.
In this one we have Sean who is recently divorced and moved back to his small hometown, and Denver, who is a short order cook at the local diner and who always has one foot out the door. Grumpy/Sunshine doesn’t always work as a trope for me, but it did this time. Though Denver is basically a big, scared marshmallow and the grumpiness is just a façade. I really appreciate the lack of angst and lack of third act breakups in Albert’s books; it makes for a very easy read, which is exactly what I needed right now.
I also appreciated how grief was discussed, as it seemed authentic and realistic. I also liked the discussions of the foster care system, showing how it can really work and also really not work.
Overall, an enjoyable read that covered some more serious topics. I’ll definitely be reading the rest in this series as they come out!
I enjoyed this one! It’s the first in a new series with many of the MCs being on the slightly older side (late 30s-early 40s), which I indefinitely appreciate.
I also like that, while the main couples in Albert’s more recent books have been M/M, she is mixing it up with having well-written non-binary side characters, as well as other queer folks on the periphery. While I’m all here for books that are all queer folks, it definitely comes off in some sort of way when the entire town is made of gay, allo, cis men.
In this one we have Sean who is recently divorced and moved back to his small hometown, and Denver, who is a short order cook at the local diner and who always has one foot out the door. Grumpy/Sunshine doesn’t always work as a trope for me, but it did this time. Though Denver is basically a big, scared marshmallow and the grumpiness is just a façade. I really appreciate the lack of angst and lack of third act breakups in Albert’s books; it makes for a very easy read, which is exactly what I needed right now.
I also appreciated how grief was discussed, as it seemed authentic and realistic. I also liked the discussions of the foster care system, showing how it can really work and also really not work.
Overall, an enjoyable read that covered some more serious topics. I’ll definitely be reading the rest in this series as they come out!
The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
1.0
I did not enjoy this book. I guess the premise was fine, but I didn’t like that there was no resolution, that it would appear an entire community of women are being murdered and replaced by “perfect” robots.
There were certain aspects of the book that haven’t aged well; “I want my kids to meet some Black people!”. Yikes.
Also, this is very much a book that’s supposed to be from a woman’s POV that is very clearly written by a man. Any time they are talking about sex it feels really off, the way anytime a new female character is introduced she’s described as being attractive, the way every single man in this community apparently has the exact same idea of what their “perfect” woman is (large, pushed up breasts, small waist, small ass, lots of makeup).
With the way the book ended, with no resolution, it really just gave the impression that it doesn’t matter what you do (as a woman), all that men want are “prefect” wives who only care about keeping the house clean. Maybe I’m missing some nuance here, but that’s what I’m getting from this. That even if you’re strong, independent, intelligent, you’re just going to end up a wife who spends her entire day cleaning.
For how short the book was, I was surprised by the amount of sex in it? Nothing graphic, but lots of discussion on it, and it is very much not what I would consider to be a sex positive book. One of the husbands is said to be quite kinky, and this is seen as this terrible thing that the wife must endure. And this is before she’s replaced with a housework robot! Again, this is likely something that just hasn’t aged well, but I really didn’t like the idea that wives are portrayed as just being there to be of service to their husbands.
Overall, didn’t like any of it, would not read again.
There were certain aspects of the book that haven’t aged well; “I want my kids to meet some Black people!”. Yikes.
Also, this is very much a book that’s supposed to be from a woman’s POV that is very clearly written by a man. Any time they are talking about sex it feels really off, the way anytime a new female character is introduced she’s described as being attractive, the way every single man in this community apparently has the exact same idea of what their “perfect” woman is (large, pushed up breasts, small waist, small ass, lots of makeup).
With the way the book ended, with no resolution, it really just gave the impression that it doesn’t matter what you do (as a woman), all that men want are “prefect” wives who only care about keeping the house clean. Maybe I’m missing some nuance here, but that’s what I’m getting from this. That even if you’re strong, independent, intelligent, you’re just going to end up a wife who spends her entire day cleaning.
For how short the book was, I was surprised by the amount of sex in it? Nothing graphic, but lots of discussion on it, and it is very much not what I would consider to be a sex positive book. One of the husbands is said to be quite kinky, and this is seen as this terrible thing that the wife must endure. And this is before she’s replaced with a housework robot! Again, this is likely something that just hasn’t aged well, but I really didn’t like the idea that wives are portrayed as just being there to be of service to their husbands.
Overall, didn’t like any of it, would not read again.
Salt Kiss by Sierra Simone
3.5
3.5 stars, maybe 4?
*SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!*
I’m feeling kind of unsure of how I feel about this series…. I love the idea of a queer, erotic retelling of the Tristan and Isolde legend, but I’m not sure that the overall story is working for me?
Apparently both Tristan and Isolde are in love with Mark, who is this demanding Dom with no refractory period. But then Tristan is also in love in Isolde and maybe Isolde is in love with Tristan, which is a story I can get behind more than the love story with Mark. Like, I just don’t see Mark’s appeal? So far he hasn’t been written in a way that makes him appealing. He runs a kink club, trades in secrets, is apparently a Very Scary Dom™️ (how he describes himself), but he mostly just seems like a dick?
In this book especially, the lack of communication between Mark and Tristan was really frustrating. Mark tells Tristan absolutely nothing, and though we are sort of lead to believe that maybe Mark has feelings for Tristan, he never says anything, leaving Tristan to think of himself as nothing but Mark’s toy.
I’m also not sure that the shady, dark secrets aspect of the book is working for me, either. It really feels like there are all of these things that are hinted at, but not actually said, and I’m finding it quite annoying.
There is a ton of graphic, on page sex, some kink, though mostly it’s described after the fact. There’s also a whole section of dub-con, which is a choice, and even though I think it’s meant to show how much Mark wants Tristan, it seems a bit unrealistic for this to happen to an experienced Dom who runs a kink club. Also, and this is a totally personal thing for me, I just really dislike how often Simone uses the word cunt. I don’t object to the word itself, it just seems like such a crass word to use as a descriptor.
Despite all of the things I didn’t love about this book, I will probably read the rest of the series, because I am curious. I assume we are heading for a poly relationship, which isn’t something I get to see too often in romance, and I’m curious how it will play out.
*SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!*
I’m feeling kind of unsure of how I feel about this series…. I love the idea of a queer, erotic retelling of the Tristan and Isolde legend, but I’m not sure that the overall story is working for me?
Apparently both Tristan and Isolde are in love with Mark, who is this demanding Dom with no refractory period. But then Tristan is also in love in Isolde and maybe Isolde is in love with Tristan, which is a story I can get behind more than the love story with Mark. Like, I just don’t see Mark’s appeal? So far he hasn’t been written in a way that makes him appealing. He runs a kink club, trades in secrets, is apparently a Very Scary Dom™️ (how he describes himself), but he mostly just seems like a dick?
In this book especially, the lack of communication between Mark and Tristan was really frustrating. Mark tells Tristan absolutely nothing, and though we are sort of lead to believe that maybe Mark has feelings for Tristan, he never says anything, leaving Tristan to think of himself as nothing but Mark’s toy.
I’m also not sure that the shady, dark secrets aspect of the book is working for me, either. It really feels like there are all of these things that are hinted at, but not actually said, and I’m finding it quite annoying.
There is a ton of graphic, on page sex, some kink, though mostly it’s described after the fact. There’s also a whole section of dub-con, which is a choice, and even though I think it’s meant to show how much Mark wants Tristan, it seems a bit unrealistic for this to happen to an experienced Dom who runs a kink club. Also, and this is a totally personal thing for me, I just really dislike how often Simone uses the word cunt. I don’t object to the word itself, it just seems like such a crass word to use as a descriptor.
Despite all of the things I didn’t love about this book, I will probably read the rest of the series, because I am curious. I assume we are heading for a poly relationship, which isn’t something I get to see too often in romance, and I’m curious how it will play out.
Salt in the Wound by Sierra Simone
3.0
This book was fine.
I have to say that I’m not a huge fan of a lot of religion in my romance, as I am not a religious person. It obviously plays a large role in this story, so I get it, but it’s not my favourite.
This is Isolde’s origin story, I suppose. I must say that I’m very curious if the Catholic Church actually has an assassins branch, as this book seems to suggest? Like, I honestly can’t tell if this is supposed to be realistic or not?
Gotta say, not a fan of Mark. I’m wondering if we will get a book in the series from his POV, because currently he seems kind of, idk, one dimensional?
Anyway, I’ll likely read the rest of the series, as I’m curious about how everything will resolve.
I have to say that I’m not a huge fan of a lot of religion in my romance, as I am not a religious person. It obviously plays a large role in this story, so I get it, but it’s not my favourite.
This is Isolde’s origin story, I suppose. I must say that I’m very curious if the Catholic Church actually has an assassins branch, as this book seems to suggest? Like, I honestly can’t tell if this is supposed to be realistic or not?
Gotta say, not a fan of Mark. I’m wondering if we will get a book in the series from his POV, because currently he seems kind of, idk, one dimensional?
Anyway, I’ll likely read the rest of the series, as I’m curious about how everything will resolve.
Delay of Game by Ari Baran
4.0
I enjoyed this one. I tend to be quite leery of hockey romance, because I’ve read several where they really don’t understand hockey AT ALL, and it really takes me out of the story when there are errors. I only found one in this book, but it was pretty minor, so I’m not even going to say what it was.
I’m usually not a fan of friends to lovers, but I did like this one. And I did find Zach’s rational for him and Nate to hook up to be pretty funny (we have to do it for the team!). However, the fact that neither of them could actually talk to each other about their feelings was incredibly frustrating. Miscommunication is one of my most disliked tropes, so I just found it really annoying.
Overall, solid hockey romance and I will definitely be reading the next in the series when it comes out.
I’m usually not a fan of friends to lovers, but I did like this one. And I did find Zach’s rational for him and Nate to hook up to be pretty funny (we have to do it for the team!). However, the fact that neither of them could actually talk to each other about their feelings was incredibly frustrating. Miscommunication is one of my most disliked tropes, so I just found it really annoying.
Overall, solid hockey romance and I will definitely be reading the next in the series when it comes out.
Doll Bones by Holly Black
3.0
Not bad for middle grade horror. I keep expecting these horror stories to be like, oh, you just thought this was freaky/haunted/etc, but it’s actually something totally normal, but no, this was straight up a doll made from dead girl bones.