effingunicorns's reviews
397 reviews

Vengeful by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

3.5

I feel like there was something fundamentally missing from this book versus the first one, and I can't decide how much of that was an actual mechanical thing versus me getting thrown out of it by the stronger British Flavor this time around. Marcella felt kind of hollow despite all the time we spent with her, and a lot of the plot felt more like wheel-spinning than something that needed to happen even as I recognized the points that needed addressing. I may check out the third book whenever it lands, but it's not a high priority.

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar

4.5

It was really fun to read through this and keep going "heyyyy" when I recognized even vaguely what stories El-Mohtar was referencing, as if I didn't specifically preorder this for the fairy tale elements. The realness of the characters in comparison makes the fantastical parts seem that much nearer to reality, and then immediately following up with John Hollowback and the Witch as the preview for El-Mohtar's upcoming short story collection brings the whole thing home. (Technically I skipped it this time, since I just read it in The Book of Witches last year, but it was one of the standouts of that collection for me so I Remember.)

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

challenging dark emotional hopeful tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I can't imagine this was anything less than a brutal read even when it first came out, but surprise! The current political climate makes it even more painfully relevant! The range of potential dangers was well-broadcast to the point that I spent a good portion of the book dreading something that ultimately never happened.

I hate that Redbone died, but I appreciate the suggestion that he helped Miz Lottie recover (and defy/recontextualize Gloria's earlier prediction) in the same way Mama helped Robbie reach the creek. I love that Robert's more dramatic escape also provided a distraction that let some of the other boys get away. I love that, at least this one time, most everybody got a happy ending.

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.25

I'm regrettably not completely feral over this the way the friend who recommended it is, but it is really good and you can tell Schwab has some appreciation for more mainstream superhero media. Got a couple other books lined up to read next, but after those I'm definitely going for Vengeful.

Revenants, the Ghost Issue by Bradford Morrow, Joyce Carol Oates

dark reflective slow-paced

2.5

Honestly if I'd remembered Joyce Carol Oates is a fucking transphobe I would've skipped this, but here we are! Anyway, some of these stories are pretty good to great and some of them are the literary equivalent of that guy who wanders into the true ghost stories thread to say everyone needs to check their carbon monoxide detectors. Could've been worse, but it could've been way better, too.

The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke

4.0

Weird and blasphemous but in a fun, relatable way.

Yuletide hauntings 2024 by

4.0

Hellebore: Yuletide Hauntings by Maria J. Pérez Cuervo

4.0

Hellebore #4: The Yuletide Special by Maria J. Pérez Cuervo

4.0

Some of the essays felt a little aimless but overall this was a pleasant read, firmly settled in that rare space that's academic and analytical without being firmly non-believing. Also the aesthetics and format are peak, a little 90-page perfect-bound A5 magazine is just extremely satisfying to hold in my opinion.

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

Strong middle book energy and multiple places where it felt like either I was expected to follow along better than I did or I was meant to be confused in a way that didn't actually help the story any, or maybe like Herbert had plans for a far more intricate court drama that his deadline couldn't accommodate. Chani in particular is such a set piece here (not that that's a change from the first book) that I look forward to the movie version mostly just for the chance to see her be an actual person again.