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jillselwyn's reviews
208 reviews
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes
5.0
The first in a new, witty thriller series by Rupert Holmes, Murder Your Employer sets the tone - from the writing style, to the type of humor, to the "in world book" set up it boasts. Throughout my reading, I had to pause an absurd amount of times to either take a picture of a page due to the hilarity of a scene - to send to a friend or family member - or to turn to a coworker and fully read the scene out loud to them. (I work at my university library and yes I did actually bring this book to work...) and very nearly accidentally created an entire book club based on those selected scenes.
When I was asked about the genre of the book, after I'd mention it as a mystery thriller, I'd add that it was specifically British literature. Except that for some reason I'd always trip over the word literature and accidentally say "witerature" so now I've made a completely separate genre in my friend group called Brit Wit. Early on, and throughout, I even found myself comparing the writing style to that of Neil Gaiman's witty style in some of his books - and was promptly told that it was specific to British writing, a sort of dry wit.
As for the story itself, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't just a murder school story, but that the book didn't even just end with the characters leaving to complete their "finals" but that a good chunk of the book was dedicated to Gemma, Doria, and Cliff's elaborate planning and , for lack of a better term, execution of those plans - and finally, their deletions. Each one shockingly creative and well thought out, the book is tied up perfectly with an extremely satisfying close, and an exciting promise to look forward to more of this exquisite writing in book two - Murder Your Mate (not listed on Goodreads so far but it was confirmed that he was working on a second volume of that title in an interview article).
When I was asked about the genre of the book, after I'd mention it as a mystery thriller, I'd add that it was specifically British literature. Except that for some reason I'd always trip over the word literature and accidentally say "witerature" so now I've made a completely separate genre in my friend group called Brit Wit. Early on, and throughout, I even found myself comparing the writing style to that of Neil Gaiman's witty style in some of his books - and was promptly told that it was specific to British writing, a sort of dry wit.
As for the story itself, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't just a murder school story, but that the book didn't even just end with the characters leaving to complete their "finals" but that a good chunk of the book was dedicated to Gemma, Doria, and Cliff's elaborate planning and , for lack of a better term, execution of those plans - and finally, their deletions. Each one shockingly creative and well thought out, the book is tied up perfectly with an extremely satisfying close, and an exciting promise to look forward to more of this exquisite writing in book two - Murder Your Mate (not listed on Goodreads so far but it was confirmed that he was working on a second volume of that title in an interview article).
Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles
4.0
"Perfect for fans of Moulin Rouge and The Phantom of the Opera, Angeles's debut is spectacular, spectacular!" - Buzzfeed
Yes I know not to trust Buzzfeed... but if I see something compared to Moulin Rouge, I'm buying it without hesitation. For brief context, my youngest sibling asked me a few weeks ago what my favorite movie was. I could only narrow it down to my top five and in no particular order. Ever After, Coraline, Stardust, Moulin Rouge, and Divergent. Now what I haven't seen is The Phantom of the Opera. Which now I really really want to, because when I was a kid my mom said if I was *that* scared of Coraline (yes I used to be scared of it and now its one of my favorite books and movies of all time) then I couldn't handle the Phantom of the Opera... oooh now I really want to watch it. But onto this piece of gorgeousness.
This book was so much goddamn fun that I just ordered the second in hardcover and am willing to spend however much is necessary for those owlcrate special editions on ebay because they are stunning. This was sitting on my tbr for over a year! Then I organized my tbr physically and finally started going through it and I'm so glad I did. I was worried at one point when I peeked at the non-spoiler reviews for this book because it seemed so 50/50... I had nothing to be worried about, there's a reason I didn't even hesitate when I saw Moulin Rouge mentioned. I absolutely LOVED it. Like to the point its on my list of top 10 of all time. (which if you're curious, currently those are Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, Coraline (Graphic Novel) by Neil Gaiman, and Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson)
Honestly, if for some reason, anyone is hesitant but Moulin Rouge is one of their favorite movies, I HIGHLY recommend they try it. Even just the writing itself is GORGEOUS. And that ENDING. I need more books like this, and it may have pushed me out of my writer's block in small ways! If I say much more this will be yet another giant spoiler review but I won't because I want people to read my review and decide to read the book. I cannot wait for the second to be safely in my hands!
Yes I know not to trust Buzzfeed... but if I see something compared to Moulin Rouge, I'm buying it without hesitation. For brief context, my youngest sibling asked me a few weeks ago what my favorite movie was. I could only narrow it down to my top five and in no particular order. Ever After, Coraline, Stardust, Moulin Rouge, and Divergent. Now what I haven't seen is The Phantom of the Opera. Which now I really really want to, because when I was a kid my mom said if I was *that* scared of Coraline (yes I used to be scared of it and now its one of my favorite books and movies of all time) then I couldn't handle the Phantom of the Opera... oooh now I really want to watch it. But onto this piece of gorgeousness.
This book was so much goddamn fun that I just ordered the second in hardcover and am willing to spend however much is necessary for those owlcrate special editions on ebay because they are stunning. This was sitting on my tbr for over a year! Then I organized my tbr physically and finally started going through it and I'm so glad I did. I was worried at one point when I peeked at the non-spoiler reviews for this book because it seemed so 50/50... I had nothing to be worried about, there's a reason I didn't even hesitate when I saw Moulin Rouge mentioned. I absolutely LOVED it. Like to the point its on my list of top 10 of all time. (which if you're curious, currently those are Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, Coraline (Graphic Novel) by Neil Gaiman, and Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson)
Honestly, if for some reason, anyone is hesitant but Moulin Rouge is one of their favorite movies, I HIGHLY recommend they try it. Even just the writing itself is GORGEOUS. And that ENDING. I need more books like this, and it may have pushed me out of my writer's block in small ways! If I say much more this will be yet another giant spoiler review but I won't because I want people to read my review and decide to read the book. I cannot wait for the second to be safely in my hands!
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
3.0
Woah. I've had the physical book sitting on a shelf or in a box since it came out. Partly because college did not allow for reading 800 page books in whatever spare time I had between it and work, and partly because the books following the third ACOTAR book disappointed me. So I caved and used a credit to listen to it. I figured, if I don't like it, what's the harm. I also anticipated not enjoying it due to the let down of the entire ACOTAR series compared to Throne of Glass, and was so pleasantly surprised. I still can't believe I was right about the mayor, and I cried on and off for the last 20 minutes (mind you I listen on 2x speed) of the book. This was amazing. It also gave extreme Ninth House vibes for some weird reason? That opening definitely did. So that probably helped me settle into this book easier as well. As far as the ending and it being "Wrapped up too well" I thought the same - at first. But I can see how it's not a standalone, as I at least hope the second will deal with the aftermath of last like. ten chapters of the book. Anyway, please excuse me as I debate if I want to read the second in physical copy or wait til my birthday to get the audio, and add some stuff to my etsy cart for a cosplay....