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gee_reads_books's reviews
609 reviews
A Legacy of Storms and Starlight by Victoria J. Price
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
4.5
"I didn't mean for him to die". With such a powerful opening line starts what might be one of my favourite New Adult fantasy reads ever: Victoria J. Price's "A Legacy of Storms and Starlight", an action-packed tale of intrigue, love, and justice.
Sentenced for a crime she didn't mean to commit, Zylah Reinfall somehow manages to survive being hanged, and runs away to a village where she hopes to escape the King's clutches. Along the way, she's rescued by Holt, a mysterious, charming man who turns out to be involved in the Fae Uprising . Zylah just wanted to make a new life for herself, but she'll be caught in the crossfire and forced to decide whether she wants to stand up for what's right.
Since this is my first VJP book ever, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was absolutely fascinated by what I was reading! The writing was excellent, and kept me glued to the book, dying to see what happened next. My heart pounded as I followed Zylah's adventures! Victoria has created a whimsical world, full of Fae, vampires, and such lush creatures, and it's brimming with magic and charm. Every single character was deep and three-dimensional - Rose, Raif, Kopi, Safi, Holt -, and I really enjoyed the pacing. There was never a boring moment, and the stakes were high without feeling unrealistic. There were a few very clever plottwists here and there that had me clutching my chest very dramatically, too!
This is a series I'm SO going to recommend to anyone who has five minutes to spare! I'm dying to see what happens next!
Sentenced for a crime she didn't mean to commit, Zylah Reinfall somehow manages to survive being hanged, and runs away to a village where she hopes to escape the King's clutches. Along the way, she's rescued by Holt, a mysterious, charming man who turns out to be involved in the Fae Uprising . Zylah just wanted to make a new life for herself, but she'll be caught in the crossfire and forced to decide whether she wants to stand up for what's right.
Since this is my first VJP book ever, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was absolutely fascinated by what I was reading! The writing was excellent, and kept me glued to the book, dying to see what happened next. My heart pounded as I followed Zylah's adventures! Victoria has created a whimsical world, full of Fae, vampires, and such lush creatures, and it's brimming with magic and charm. Every single character was deep and three-dimensional - Rose, Raif, Kopi, Safi, Holt -, and I really enjoyed the pacing. There was never a boring moment, and the stakes were high without feeling unrealistic. There were a few very clever plottwists here and there that had me clutching my chest very dramatically, too!
This is a series I'm SO going to recommend to anyone who has five minutes to spare! I'm dying to see what happens next!
The Great Austen Adventure by Tomi Tabb
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
I cried with this book! I actually cried!
Tabb's "The Great Austen Adventure" follows Sabrina Hill, a twenty-four-year-old Austenite who just got fired from a prestigious company for a minor mistake. Hurt and not all too sure about what to do next, Sabrina decides to take a break and visit Europe, where her online best friend Nora has offered to host her for a few months so they can attend the Jane Austen Convention in Bath together. When Sabrina sets foot in Italy, she runs into Lorenzo, a handsome man that looks like a dream, and makes her feel cherished and loved. After spending all her life pleasing others, Sabrina's time in Florence may be exactly what she needs to realise that what will make you happy is following your own heart.
After reading Tomi Tabb's "The Mysterious Mister Marcellus", I knew that I was gonna find excellent writing and a compelling main character. Indeed, I had such fun reading this book! We start out with a very relatable MC - who hasn't felt lost and anxious in their twenties, re: figuring out how life is gonna look like? - who just wants to take a break from a lifetime of trying to be enough for her mum. She's balancing out the concerns about her future with the wonders of exploring the Old Continent, and I could relate so much to her! It's exactly how I felt when I took a six-week trip to Australia this Christmas. There's something so unique about this sort of experience, and Tabb captured it perfectly well in this book. It made me feel like the story was speaking to me personally. Besides, Sabrina was a deep, three-dimensional character with her own struggles and difficulties, which she tackled head-on as the novel progressed, and I loved that about her.
Lorenzo, the love interest, was a really sweet and caring man. Sometimes I felt like he was a bit too good to be true, in fact, because other than his and Sabrina's argument halfway through the novel, he didn't seem to have any catches or defects whatsoever. Still, he was quite a swoonworthy gentleman, and I was so glad to have a modern Mister Darcy of sorts as the lead!
The plot was pretty easy to follow, but still had enough emotional moments that it didn't feel flat or boring. In retrospective, this was exactly the kind of book I needed right now - something soft, and mushy, to get me through a rough patch -, and I couldn't be happier to have chosen it. I'll most definitely watch out for more Tomi Tabb books, and I recommend you to follow suit!
Tabb's "The Great Austen Adventure" follows Sabrina Hill, a twenty-four-year-old Austenite who just got fired from a prestigious company for a minor mistake. Hurt and not all too sure about what to do next, Sabrina decides to take a break and visit Europe, where her online best friend Nora has offered to host her for a few months so they can attend the Jane Austen Convention in Bath together. When Sabrina sets foot in Italy, she runs into Lorenzo, a handsome man that looks like a dream, and makes her feel cherished and loved. After spending all her life pleasing others, Sabrina's time in Florence may be exactly what she needs to realise that what will make you happy is following your own heart.
After reading Tomi Tabb's "The Mysterious Mister Marcellus", I knew that I was gonna find excellent writing and a compelling main character. Indeed, I had such fun reading this book! We start out with a very relatable MC - who hasn't felt lost and anxious in their twenties, re: figuring out how life is gonna look like? - who just wants to take a break from a lifetime of trying to be enough for her mum. She's balancing out the concerns about her future with the wonders of exploring the Old Continent, and I could relate so much to her! It's exactly how I felt when I took a six-week trip to Australia this Christmas. There's something so unique about this sort of experience, and Tabb captured it perfectly well in this book. It made me feel like the story was speaking to me personally. Besides, Sabrina was a deep, three-dimensional character with her own struggles and difficulties, which she tackled head-on as the novel progressed, and I loved that about her.
Lorenzo, the love interest, was a really sweet and caring man. Sometimes I felt like he was a bit too good to be true, in fact, because other than his and Sabrina's argument halfway through the novel, he didn't seem to have any catches or defects whatsoever. Still, he was quite a swoonworthy gentleman, and I was so glad to have a modern Mister Darcy of sorts as the lead!
The plot was pretty easy to follow, but still had enough emotional moments that it didn't feel flat or boring. In retrospective, this was exactly the kind of book I needed right now - something soft, and mushy, to get me through a rough patch -, and I couldn't be happier to have chosen it. I'll most definitely watch out for more Tomi Tabb books, and I recommend you to follow suit!
No Place for Fairy Tales by Edd Tello
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"There are no thorns to cut. Some flowers just BOOM on TOP of them. Azul is one of those flowers."
In his sophomore novel, which is written in verse just like his first one was, Edd Tello tells us about Azul, a trans Mexican girl who wants to have a quinceañera party; and her cousin Yuriel, who desperately wants to act as a fairy godmother and help his cousin celebrate her fifteenth birthday.
This was an extremely soft, touching read, which I suspect is a distinctive trait of Edd's works. While one may think that it's just about the cousins' quest to set up the quinceañera party for Azul, this story actually addresses many more topics. From domestic violence to forced migration, we explore different issues surrounding the life of a Mexican family who nonetheless manages to come together for Azul's sake. I loved the way Edd didn't need extensive paragraphs to make a point, as well as how he managed to capture the complexity of issues such as verbal abuse or homophobia in just a few verses.
If you haven't read Edd's works yet, what are you waiting for!?
In his sophomore novel, which is written in verse just like his first one was, Edd Tello tells us about Azul, a trans Mexican girl who wants to have a quinceañera party; and her cousin Yuriel, who desperately wants to act as a fairy godmother and help his cousin celebrate her fifteenth birthday.
This was an extremely soft, touching read, which I suspect is a distinctive trait of Edd's works. While one may think that it's just about the cousins' quest to set up the quinceañera party for Azul, this story actually addresses many more topics. From domestic violence to forced migration, we explore different issues surrounding the life of a Mexican family who nonetheless manages to come together for Azul's sake. I loved the way Edd didn't need extensive paragraphs to make a point, as well as how he managed to capture the complexity of issues such as verbal abuse or homophobia in just a few verses.
If you haven't read Edd's works yet, what are you waiting for!?
The Forgotten Dagger of Azula by Stephanie Anne
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Set right after the events that unfolded at the end of "The Lost Prince Of Cadira", "The Forgotten Dagger of Azula" follows further adventures of Eliza, Celia, Thorne, and the rest of the gang.
Despite the fact that she managed to find the Prince and bring him home, Eliza does not feel victorious in the slightest. After she was revealed to be the Ecix, and granted bethrotal to the Prince in acknowledgement of her heroic feat, neither the Blood Witches nor King Bastian are all too eager to leave her out of their sight; but the Dark Master is still out there, plotting what might very well be Cadira's next Great War, and Eliza can't stand the fact that she isn't doing much to stop him. When the only way to stop the Dark Master is revealed to be the Forgotten Dagger of Azula, a legendary relic that once belonged to a powerful goddess and has been lost since immemorial times, Eliza and the rest of the gang decide to try and retrieve it. But where could the Dagger be? How can they possibly hope to beat the Dark Master to it?
Although I read the first installment in the series two to three years ago, it was easy for me to get back to Cadira, and plunge into its magic! In little to no time, I had become reacquainted with all the characters we came to love in the first installment. Once thought to be a necromancer, Eliza is now known for being the Ecix, a Blood Witch with an extraordinary power that might change the course of Cadiran history. As such, she carries a heavy burden upon her shoulders, which weighs her down perhaps more than she realises. Moreover, she's struggling with the heavy heart she got from the betrayal and the gruesome battle that she endured in the desert; and with the thought that her life belongs to everyone but herself now. Which, put together, translates into a main character who was struggling to carry on, but persisted nonetheless. The way she grapples with everything that happens, yet remains standing at the end of the day, made her a really strong heroine I could empathise with and root for.
We get more than just her point of view in this book, though. Celia, her Blood Witch sister, also tells a significant chunk of the story, and we get to understand how her undying support for Eliza is an extraordinary thing in the face of the shadow disease that weakens her with every passing day. Her point of view definitely balanced Eliza's out, since we got out of the Chosen One mindset and got to experience the story from a different angle: that of the sidekick who can't help wanting to help, and can't figure out how to do so. I won't spoil it, but I have to say that she ends up meeting a new character due to unfortunate circumstances and that they're starting to have the cutest chemistry!
Out of all the other characters, I simply must highlight Amitel and Alicsar. Both of them charmed me in their own way, and I admit to having been unable to determine whose team I'm on! On the one hand, there's Amitel's kindness and soft heart; on the other, Alicsar's banter and mischievous demeanour are simply too good to lose. It's actually hard to make me like both potential love interests, so I have to give it up for Stephanie here.
The plot itself was definitely slower than the first book's. I felt like the different things that happened, which weren't many in terms of key plot points, were setting up the stage for whatever the third book will bring. This didn't necessarily make the book weak, or bad, but it did affect my reading speed because I just wanted some meaningful kabooms or discoveries. Still, the final 100 pages or so were so loaded with action and twists and turns that they left me struggling to catch my breath! After finishing the book, I couldn't stop muttering, 'What! What!'. Can't wait for book 3!
Despite the fact that she managed to find the Prince and bring him home, Eliza does not feel victorious in the slightest. After she was revealed to be the Ecix, and granted bethrotal to the Prince in acknowledgement of her heroic feat, neither the Blood Witches nor King Bastian are all too eager to leave her out of their sight; but the Dark Master is still out there, plotting what might very well be Cadira's next Great War, and Eliza can't stand the fact that she isn't doing much to stop him. When the only way to stop the Dark Master is revealed to be the Forgotten Dagger of Azula, a legendary relic that once belonged to a powerful goddess and has been lost since immemorial times, Eliza and the rest of the gang decide to try and retrieve it. But where could the Dagger be? How can they possibly hope to beat the Dark Master to it?
Although I read the first installment in the series two to three years ago, it was easy for me to get back to Cadira, and plunge into its magic! In little to no time, I had become reacquainted with all the characters we came to love in the first installment. Once thought to be a necromancer, Eliza is now known for being the Ecix, a Blood Witch with an extraordinary power that might change the course of Cadiran history. As such, she carries a heavy burden upon her shoulders, which weighs her down perhaps more than she realises. Moreover, she's struggling with the heavy heart she got from the betrayal and the gruesome battle that she endured in the desert; and with the thought that her life belongs to everyone but herself now. Which, put together, translates into a main character who was struggling to carry on, but persisted nonetheless. The way she grapples with everything that happens, yet remains standing at the end of the day, made her a really strong heroine I could empathise with and root for.
We get more than just her point of view in this book, though. Celia, her Blood Witch sister, also tells a significant chunk of the story, and we get to understand how her undying support for Eliza is an extraordinary thing in the face of the shadow disease that weakens her with every passing day. Her point of view definitely balanced Eliza's out, since we got out of the Chosen One mindset and got to experience the story from a different angle: that of the sidekick who can't help wanting to help, and can't figure out how to do so. I won't spoil it, but I have to say that she ends up meeting a new character due to unfortunate circumstances and that they're starting to have the cutest chemistry!
Out of all the other characters, I simply must highlight Amitel and Alicsar. Both of them charmed me in their own way, and I admit to having been unable to determine whose team I'm on! On the one hand, there's Amitel's kindness and soft heart; on the other, Alicsar's banter and mischievous demeanour are simply too good to lose. It's actually hard to make me like both potential love interests, so I have to give it up for Stephanie here.
The plot itself was definitely slower than the first book's. I felt like the different things that happened, which weren't many in terms of key plot points, were setting up the stage for whatever the third book will bring. This didn't necessarily make the book weak, or bad, but it did affect my reading speed because I just wanted some meaningful kabooms or discoveries. Still, the final 100 pages or so were so loaded with action and twists and turns that they left me struggling to catch my breath! After finishing the book, I couldn't stop muttering, 'What! What!'. Can't wait for book 3!
Nous Sommes les Braises by Rash.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Un roman éxcellent par une autrice qui vous adorerez!
"Nous Sommes les Braises" nous présent l'histoire de trois adolescents: le sorcier Eugene, la herboriste Alice, et le mystérieux Yuri. Quand Yuri aide Alice à sauver son frère Eugene de mourir dans un accident avec son magique, tous les trois commencent a développer une amitié qui les conduira à des secrets obscurs sur le passé d'Yuri.
Je suis une grosse fan des livres de urban fantasy, mais c'est difficile de trouver des romans qui font quelque chose de différent. Dans un monde plein de shifter romances, c'était merveilleux de lire une histoire sur sorciers qui n'ont pas la responsabilité d'éviter une prédiction rocambolesque sur le destin du monde. "Nous Sommes les Braises" a été comme un câlin qui prenait toute mon attention pendant la lecture, et aussi après de fermer le livre pour le jour! J'ai aimé tous les personnages, qui étaient complexes et avait bien de développement.
Mon personnage préféré a dû être Eugene. Il était un jeune en cherchant de soi-même, qui manque d'assurance sur son futur, et en avant besoin d'un câlin. J'ai aimé l'exploration de sa bisexualité, et aussi son fier amour pour sa soeur n'importe combien des disputes ils avaient. Sa peur du futur, et sa confusion en regardant ce qu'il veut vraiment, étaient racontés d'une façon très proche à laquelle j'ai pu m'identifier, et j'ai aimé bien son progrés à travers le roman. J'ai aussi été très amoureuse d'Alice, qui est une femme autistique qui est en train d'explorer son asexualité. Sa journée pour comprendre lui-même était poignante, et m'a fait pleurer plus d'une fois!
Avec un style d'écriture impeccable, des personnages tellement émouvantes, et bien de magie, "Nous Sommes les Braises" a été un vrai plaisir.
Je voudrais remercier l'autrice, Rash., pour me contacter pour un service presse. Toutes les opinions exposées ici sont les miennes
"Nous Sommes les Braises" nous présent l'histoire de trois adolescents: le sorcier Eugene, la herboriste Alice, et le mystérieux Yuri. Quand Yuri aide Alice à sauver son frère Eugene de mourir dans un accident avec son magique, tous les trois commencent a développer une amitié qui les conduira à des secrets obscurs sur le passé d'Yuri.
Je suis une grosse fan des livres de urban fantasy, mais c'est difficile de trouver des romans qui font quelque chose de différent. Dans un monde plein de shifter romances, c'était merveilleux de lire une histoire sur sorciers qui n'ont pas la responsabilité d'éviter une prédiction rocambolesque sur le destin du monde. "Nous Sommes les Braises" a été comme un câlin qui prenait toute mon attention pendant la lecture, et aussi après de fermer le livre pour le jour! J'ai aimé tous les personnages, qui étaient complexes et avait bien de développement.
Mon personnage préféré a dû être Eugene. Il était un jeune en cherchant de soi-même, qui manque d'assurance sur son futur, et en avant besoin d'un câlin. J'ai aimé l'exploration de sa bisexualité, et aussi son fier amour pour sa soeur n'importe combien des disputes ils avaient. Sa peur du futur, et sa confusion en regardant ce qu'il veut vraiment, étaient racontés d'une façon très proche à laquelle j'ai pu m'identifier, et j'ai aimé bien son progrés à travers le roman. J'ai aussi été très amoureuse d'Alice, qui est une femme autistique qui est en train d'explorer son asexualité. Sa journée pour comprendre lui-même était poignante, et m'a fait pleurer plus d'une fois!
Avec un style d'écriture impeccable, des personnages tellement émouvantes, et bien de magie, "Nous Sommes les Braises" a été un vrai plaisir.
Je voudrais remercier l'autrice, Rash., pour me contacter pour un service presse. Toutes les opinions exposées ici sont les miennes
All Princesses Die Before Dawn by Quentin Zuttion
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Since I loved Quentin Zuttion's "Appellez-moi Nathan", a graphic novel about a trans man's journey to figuring himself out, I didn't hesitate to request "All Princesses Die Before Dawn". And I'm so, so glad that I did. Quentin has a special talent not only for drawing and creating strangely moving illustrations, but also for conveying queerness in his stories in unique ways.
APDBD follows three members of the same family. Eight-year-old Lulu likes to try on lipstick, plays with dolls, and thinks about kissing the boy at the end of the street; meanwhile, teenager Cam turns the volume up so nobody can hear her boyfriend sneaking into her room through the window, whereas their mother hasn't sung for the long time her marriage has been crumbling down. Over the course of twenty-four hours, each of them faces tragedy in their own way; and despite the fact that they're facing their demons alone, it brings them together in a special way.
This was an incredible story from beginning to end. I appreciated how the different issues Quentin addressed were handled; from queerness in early childhood, to abusive relationships, to divorce, each character faces a traumatic situation, and yet they manage to heal in unexpected ways. It was a quiet, tranquil read that progressed at its own pace, and left me feeling satisfied and pensive.
APDBD follows three members of the same family. Eight-year-old Lulu likes to try on lipstick, plays with dolls, and thinks about kissing the boy at the end of the street; meanwhile, teenager Cam turns the volume up so nobody can hear her boyfriend sneaking into her room through the window, whereas their mother hasn't sung for the long time her marriage has been crumbling down. Over the course of twenty-four hours, each of them faces tragedy in their own way; and despite the fact that they're facing their demons alone, it brings them together in a special way.
This was an incredible story from beginning to end. I appreciated how the different issues Quentin addressed were handled; from queerness in early childhood, to abusive relationships, to divorce, each character faces a traumatic situation, and yet they manage to heal in unexpected ways. It was a quiet, tranquil read that progressed at its own pace, and left me feeling satisfied and pensive.
Tears in the Water by Margherita Scialla
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Heartwarming, diverse, and poignant, "Tears in the Water" was an incredible read from front to back. In this book we follow Alex, a professional swimmer who struggles with anxiety and refuses to acknowledge that she's also struggling with her gender. Even though Alex keeps mostly to herself, and to her best friend Xiujing, she finds herself hanging out with volleyball players Uriah and Tate despite having started with the wrong foot with Tate. As Alex begins to develop feelings for Tate, and the swimming championships approach, different ups and downs will put her to the test.
One of the key strengths this novel has to offer is its diversity. We have a gender-questioning protagonist, and a transmasc love interest; we have pan, bi, ace, demi, and aro representation; and half of the main cast is not White. It was absolutely incredible to see this much diversity in one place, since it felt like an accurate depiction of today's world. Regarding gender, it was particularly lovely to see a genderqueer main character who only starts to realise this as an adult—since it was a genuine and much needed reflection of the reality of many genderqueer people, many of whom don't get access to the vocabulary and concepts they need to figure themselves out until later in life.
There was also a lot of focus on mental health. Our main character struggled with anxiety, and unspecified neurodivergent symptoms; they also go non-verbal at a certain point. As someone who has only recently realised that what happens to me is non-verbality, I can't express just how much it meant to see it represented and accurately depicted. Alex's anxiety was also depicted with nuance and care, although sometimes I felt like her thoughts and verbalisations about it leaned towards info-dumping, and thus took me out of the story a bit.
Alex's romance with Tate was beautiful. I was moved by the amount of communication and consent that they had, with frequent check-ins before exchanging any sort of physical affection and unwavering support through the other's struggles. Even though I would've liked to see a bit more graduality in the development of Alex's feelings for Tate, and for it to have been shown rather than told, I still really enjoyed them once they were together, and I rooted for them enthusiastically. In contrast, I found it hard to feel invested in Xiujing's relationship, since we got little to no background on the love interest and they were dating almost right away.
A particular conversation that struck me as really positive, and kind, was that in which Uriah figured his identity out. I found it to be really well-written, nuanced, and informed.
Definitely a must read!
One of the key strengths this novel has to offer is its diversity. We have a gender-questioning protagonist, and a transmasc love interest; we have pan, bi, ace, demi, and aro representation; and half of the main cast is not White. It was absolutely incredible to see this much diversity in one place, since it felt like an accurate depiction of today's world. Regarding gender, it was particularly lovely to see a genderqueer main character who only starts to realise this as an adult—since it was a genuine and much needed reflection of the reality of many genderqueer people, many of whom don't get access to the vocabulary and concepts they need to figure themselves out until later in life.
There was also a lot of focus on mental health. Our main character struggled with anxiety, and unspecified neurodivergent symptoms; they also go non-verbal at a certain point. As someone who has only recently realised that what happens to me is non-verbality, I can't express just how much it meant to see it represented and accurately depicted. Alex's anxiety was also depicted with nuance and care, although sometimes I felt like her thoughts and verbalisations about it leaned towards info-dumping, and thus took me out of the story a bit.
Alex's romance with Tate was beautiful. I was moved by the amount of communication and consent that they had, with frequent check-ins before exchanging any sort of physical affection and unwavering support through the other's struggles. Even though I would've liked to see a bit more graduality in the development of Alex's feelings for Tate, and for it to have been shown rather than told, I still really enjoyed them once they were together, and I rooted for them enthusiastically. In contrast, I found it hard to feel invested in Xiujing's relationship, since we got little to no background on the love interest and they were dating almost right away.
A particular conversation that struck me as really positive, and kind, was that in which Uriah figured his identity out. I found it to be really well-written, nuanced, and informed.
Definitely a must read!
The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker by Marilyn Bordelon
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Torture, Death of parent, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Child abuse
The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner
In Sarah Penner's sophomore novel, "The London Séance Society", we meet one miss Lenna Wickes who is trying to find out who murdered her sister. Despite being a skeptic regarding anything afterlife-related, the need to solve Evie's death sees Lenna becoming renowned medium Vaudeline d'Allaire's apprentice. Under Vaudeline's tutorship, Lenna will find out that another gruesome murder took place the night Evie died; that there's a lot more to the mysterious London Séance Society than it seems; and that the spirit world might be more real, and more dangerous, than she ever thought.
Through the winding streets of Victorian London, and in the hushed backrooms of upperclass houses, this novel takes place in an exquisitely Gothic manner. There's a certain melancholy to Penner's writing, a certain delight in the dark details of the tale, that make this a perfect read for stormy nights in front of a fireplace—or, if you're like me and don't have one, in front of a YouTube video of fireplace ASMR. Filled with ghosts, mystery, and tangled deceit, this was an excellent read for the rainy week we've had where I live, and I was mesmerised by the tale Penner has spun.
Our main character, Lenna, is an exceptionally intelligent young woman who loved her sister enough to plunge into a supernatural world of séances and mediumships she doesn't believe in, if only in case it'll lead her to Evie's murderer. Despite her lack of belief in anything that can't be explained by science, Lenna finds herself growing ever closer to her mentor, the elegant and renowned Vaudeline d'Allaire, who has more than one trick up her sleeve. Even though Lenna and Vaudeline start off student and teacher, they soon develop a much tighter bond, which evolved right before my eyes in a heartwarming way. I was really fond of these two women—but also really intrigued about whether they would get this or that resolution, since more than one character's doings kept twisting reality and messing with Lenna's head. I was really glad to find that, despite being women in a Victorian society that held little to no sympathy towards females, Lenna and Vaudeline didn't allow any man to step on them and their skills. As misogynistic as many male characters were, this book was also filled with strong female characters who stood their ground, and I was absolutely delighted to watch them thrive.
This book has another narrator: mister Morley, one of the most important men in the London Séance Society, who hides a deep insecurity and secrets he would do anything to keep safe. Morley's chapters, unlike Lenna's, were told in first person, and it was really intriguing to go down that path and see things from his point of view. I believe that seeing things through his eyes really added to the mystery, and the eventual unfolding of the truth—no matter how much I disliked him personally, I was really fascinated by him as a character.
Although the story took a bit to truly capture me, once I got into the rhythm of it I was hooked. I felt like I would've liked a slightly broader plot, but everything tied up nicely; and there were a couple of plottwist that, although previsible, nonetheless made me gasp and hold my chest. I was entertained all along, and I would, without a doubt, recommend this book to everyone who enjoys good murder mysteries, spirit world reads, and strong females proving misogynistic times wrong!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
"Established in 1860, the mission of the London Séance Society is to provide clairvoyance and mediumship services throughout the city of London, with the intent of providing peace to mourners and satisfying the populace's growing curiosity about the afterlife."
In Sarah Penner's sophomore novel, "The London Séance Society", we meet one miss Lenna Wickes who is trying to find out who murdered her sister. Despite being a skeptic regarding anything afterlife-related, the need to solve Evie's death sees Lenna becoming renowned medium Vaudeline d'Allaire's apprentice. Under Vaudeline's tutorship, Lenna will find out that another gruesome murder took place the night Evie died; that there's a lot more to the mysterious London Séance Society than it seems; and that the spirit world might be more real, and more dangerous, than she ever thought.
Through the winding streets of Victorian London, and in the hushed backrooms of upperclass houses, this novel takes place in an exquisitely Gothic manner. There's a certain melancholy to Penner's writing, a certain delight in the dark details of the tale, that make this a perfect read for stormy nights in front of a fireplace—or, if you're like me and don't have one, in front of a YouTube video of fireplace ASMR. Filled with ghosts, mystery, and tangled deceit, this was an excellent read for the rainy week we've had where I live, and I was mesmerised by the tale Penner has spun.
Our main character, Lenna, is an exceptionally intelligent young woman who loved her sister enough to plunge into a supernatural world of séances and mediumships she doesn't believe in, if only in case it'll lead her to Evie's murderer. Despite her lack of belief in anything that can't be explained by science, Lenna finds herself growing ever closer to her mentor, the elegant and renowned Vaudeline d'Allaire, who has more than one trick up her sleeve. Even though Lenna and Vaudeline start off student and teacher, they soon develop a much tighter bond, which evolved right before my eyes in a heartwarming way. I was really fond of these two women—but also really intrigued about whether they would get this or that resolution, since more than one character's doings kept twisting reality and messing with Lenna's head. I was really glad to find that, despite being women in a Victorian society that held little to no sympathy towards females, Lenna and Vaudeline didn't allow any man to step on them and their skills. As misogynistic as many male characters were, this book was also filled with strong female characters who stood their ground, and I was absolutely delighted to watch them thrive.
This book has another narrator: mister Morley, one of the most important men in the London Séance Society, who hides a deep insecurity and secrets he would do anything to keep safe. Morley's chapters, unlike Lenna's, were told in first person, and it was really intriguing to go down that path and see things from his point of view. I believe that seeing things through his eyes really added to the mystery, and the eventual unfolding of the truth—no matter how much I disliked him personally, I was really fascinated by him as a character.
Although the story took a bit to truly capture me, once I got into the rhythm of it I was hooked. I felt like I would've liked a slightly broader plot, but everything tied up nicely; and there were a couple of plottwist that, although previsible, nonetheless made me gasp and hold my chest. I was entertained all along, and I would, without a doubt, recommend this book to everyone who enjoys good murder mysteries, spirit world reads, and strong females proving misogynistic times wrong!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Classism