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librovermo's reviews
227 reviews
Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk
3.5
Even Though I Knew the End is a supernatural noir mystery set in the 1940s. I listened to the audiobook and I don’t think the narrator, January LaVoy, couldn’t possibly have done a more perfect job of helping to set that 1940s tone. The book is written in first person from the POV of a magical detective and January LaVoy uses that recognizable “now, see here, kid” gumshoe voice from those old black and white noir movies. It’s not over done, it’s absolutely *chef’s kiss*.
I also really loved the MC’s dedication to and relationship with her girlfriend, and the ways in which they are able to celebrate their love even though they have to hide it.
The supernatural aspect started off strong for me, then veered into territory I wasn’t expecting and didn’t enjoy as much as I wanted to, but it was absolutely a me thing. It was overall a solid story and
I loved the ending.
I also really loved the MC’s dedication to and relationship with her girlfriend, and the ways in which they are able to celebrate their love even though they have to hide it.
The supernatural aspect started off strong for me, then veered into territory I wasn’t expecting and didn’t enjoy as much as I wanted to, but it was absolutely a me thing. It was overall a solid story and
I loved the ending.
The Branded by Jo Riccioni
Here we go: I enjoyed the writing and loved every character. We get the most of Nara, as the book is written from her point of view. She can be a bit prickly but she’s got some of that feminine rage I love to see and she’s easy to root for. The world-building is well-done, with a great balance between fantastical elements and believability. There’s some romance, but I wouldn’t say the book is romantasy as it’s more of a side thing.
I love speculative fiction and The Branded speculates in spades. From the control and use of women as breeders to the segregation of the Pure and the Branded, which creates a thought-provoking commentary on societal hierarchies, discrimination, and the value placed on health and strength, the book provides a whole lot to think about in addition to a fantastic adventure.
This book gave me such a hangover. I couldn’t even touch a book the day after I finished it because I simply hadn’t had enough time to process everything yet. The Isfalki women, pampered like princesses so they don’t realize they are just breeding machines expected to pop out a baby a year until they’re no longer able to do so. Nara’s resistance to this way of life and longing to be something more than some random Pure man’s property. The disturbing twist that completely rocked me and highlighted the deep corruption of the leaders of Isfalk. The mysterious motivations of the Wrangler…
There’s a second book, so of course there are a whole lot of unanswered questions I’m looking forward to having answered next year!
5.0
I’d like to thank both NetGalley and Angry Robot Books, from whom I received an ARC of The Branded. These opinions are my own.
I finished The Branded a few days ago and while I loved it, I’ve been dreading writing this review because there’s so much I want to say and I can’t say it all. I’m going to have to leave some things out and that’s going to be very difficult.
I finished The Branded a few days ago and while I loved it, I’ve been dreading writing this review because there’s so much I want to say and I can’t say it all. I’m going to have to leave some things out and that’s going to be very difficult.
Here we go: I enjoyed the writing and loved every character. We get the most of Nara, as the book is written from her point of view. She can be a bit prickly but she’s got some of that feminine rage I love to see and she’s easy to root for. The world-building is well-done, with a great balance between fantastical elements and believability. There’s some romance, but I wouldn’t say the book is romantasy as it’s more of a side thing.
I love speculative fiction and The Branded speculates in spades. From the control and use of women as breeders to the segregation of the Pure and the Branded, which creates a thought-provoking commentary on societal hierarchies, discrimination, and the value placed on health and strength, the book provides a whole lot to think about in addition to a fantastic adventure.
This book gave me such a hangover. I couldn’t even touch a book the day after I finished it because I simply hadn’t had enough time to process everything yet. The Isfalki women, pampered like princesses so they don’t realize they are just breeding machines expected to pop out a baby a year until they’re no longer able to do so. Nara’s resistance to this way of life and longing to be something more than some random Pure man’s property. The disturbing twist that completely rocked me and highlighted the deep corruption of the leaders of Isfalk. The mysterious motivations of the Wrangler…
There’s a second book, so of course there are a whole lot of unanswered questions I’m looking forward to having answered next year!
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
2.5
I did the thing. I read a Freida McFadden book. I wanted to see what the big deal was and I had a migraine yesterday so I decided to start one of her audiobooks. I chose this one because even though the subject matter is uh, beyond messed up and super gross, it’s something that interests me as a past student of a less than trustworthy teacher as well as on a “for science” level.
I can definitely see how these books are considered page-turners, and the audiobook made it even better because Leslie Howard did a great job, especially with Addie’s chapters.
The Teacher didn’t feel especially suspenseful as I pretty much knew where it was going (aside from the epilogue, which I did not see coming and I can see why some people don’t like it though I can’t decide where I stand), but it’s one of those thrillers you can just have a quick, fun time with.
I’m not saying it’s bad, but it’s almost on par with something you like because it’s so bad it’s good. Again, not saying it’s one of those things, it just kind of gave me that guilty pleasure feeling I get from those things, and that feels good sometimes!
EDIT: omg I just read a review that talked about the epilogue and pointed out some EXTREMELY odd things about it that I can’t get over and now I am laughing so hard like wtf how did she even write that epilogue? My only excuse for not realizing sooner is that my brain was completely melted from my migraine. I 100% understand why it ruined the book for so many people it’s so hilarious like please read this book just to be mad at the epilogue it will kill you. I’m dead.
I can definitely see how these books are considered page-turners, and the audiobook made it even better because Leslie Howard did a great job, especially with Addie’s chapters.
The Teacher didn’t feel especially suspenseful as I pretty much knew where it was going (aside from the epilogue, which I did not see coming and I can see why some people don’t like it though I can’t decide where I stand), but it’s one of those thrillers you can just have a quick, fun time with.
I’m not saying it’s bad, but it’s almost on par with something you like because it’s so bad it’s good. Again, not saying it’s one of those things, it just kind of gave me that guilty pleasure feeling I get from those things, and that feels good sometimes!
EDIT: omg I just read a review that talked about the epilogue and pointed out some EXTREMELY odd things about it that I can’t get over and now I am laughing so hard like wtf how did she even write that epilogue? My only excuse for not realizing sooner is that my brain was completely melted from my migraine. I 100% understand why it ruined the book for so many people it’s so hilarious like please read this book just to be mad at the epilogue it will kill you. I’m dead.
My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen
3.5
I think my favorite thing about My Darling Dreadful Thing is the overall idea. If I just read an outline of the concept with the biggest plot points and the ending, I’d love it. So basically I’d love a synopsis, I guess.
Agnes and Willemijn felt very one-dimensional, and even Roos, the MC, didn’t feel fully developed to me. We got more information about her than anyone else, and it was easier to understand her and relate to or sympathize with her because of that, but it’s still not enough as I think it could have been. I felt bad for Roos because of her upbringing and her life experiences, but I also found her kind of annoying and it was hard to get past that.
Every couple chapters, there’s a short transcript of an interview between Roos and a doctor that takes place after the events of the book. The interviews make it clear that Roos is an unreliable narrator, and I did enjoy that aspect quite a bit.
I did love Ruth, and that Johanna van Veen took inspiration from bog bodies to explain her origins and why there aren’t a ton of spirits wandering around everywhere. Ruth’s fierce overprotection of and loyalty towards Roos was creepy, but kind of in a sweet way, considering the lack of affection Roos had all her life. I loved the descriptions of the way Ruth possessed Roos and used her body for various tasks, like performing the séances.
The writing in general was great, in first person from Roos’ perspective (with the exception of the interview transcriptions). The story takes place in the 50s but Roos uses somewhat antiquated language which is both lovely and a bit haunting. There’s some descriptive language in My Darling Dreadful Thing which paints a beautiful picture I truly wish I could see. For those who can visualize, I bet something wonderful can be found in the descriptions of the house Roos is brought to live.
Aside from a few character complaints, I feel like this is a book I should have loved, but I when I ask myself if I liked it and attempt to answer the question simply, my answer is “it was okay.”
Agnes and Willemijn felt very one-dimensional, and even Roos, the MC, didn’t feel fully developed to me. We got more information about her than anyone else, and it was easier to understand her and relate to or sympathize with her because of that, but it’s still not enough as I think it could have been. I felt bad for Roos because of her upbringing and her life experiences, but I also found her kind of annoying and it was hard to get past that.
Every couple chapters, there’s a short transcript of an interview between Roos and a doctor that takes place after the events of the book. The interviews make it clear that Roos is an unreliable narrator, and I did enjoy that aspect quite a bit.
I did love Ruth, and that Johanna van Veen took inspiration from bog bodies to explain her origins and why there aren’t a ton of spirits wandering around everywhere. Ruth’s fierce overprotection of and loyalty towards Roos was creepy, but kind of in a sweet way, considering the lack of affection Roos had all her life. I loved the descriptions of the way Ruth possessed Roos and used her body for various tasks, like performing the séances.
The writing in general was great, in first person from Roos’ perspective (with the exception of the interview transcriptions). The story takes place in the 50s but Roos uses somewhat antiquated language which is both lovely and a bit haunting. There’s some descriptive language in My Darling Dreadful Thing which paints a beautiful picture I truly wish I could see. For those who can visualize, I bet something wonderful can be found in the descriptions of the house Roos is brought to live.
Aside from a few character complaints, I feel like this is a book I should have loved, but I when I ask myself if I liked it and attempt to answer the question simply, my answer is “it was okay.”
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
4.5
One of my favorite things to wonder is what a random person from the distant past would think of today’s world. If plucked from their time and dropped into ours, what would they think of electricity, internet, modern medicine? What about smaller stuff, like the way we talk, current fashion, and, depending on when exactly they’re from, how long everyone lives? It’s a fascinating thing to think about. And now I have a new thing to wonder: What on earth gave Kaliane Bradley the right to take this concept and break my heart with it!?
The Ministry of Time is a great example of a book whos author knows exactly what they’re doing. Kaliane Bradley has researched the time periods of her characters so well that they feel completely real and alive (and in the case of Graham Gore, he actually was alive in the 1800s as a member of the Royal Navy and an explorer, though very little is known about his life other than that). They jump off the page and say “Look at me! I’m from the past and I’m amazed by your world!” This is especially the case with Margaret, a woman from the 1600s, which we all know is a time when women weren’t treated very well. Margaret absolutely thrives in the 21st century, taking great interest in feminism, crop tops, and the freedom she never saw or even dreamed of in her life before time travel. I loved reading about her adventures and how she took to modern life with such gusto.
The romance between the MC and Graham is an extremely slow burn and I enjoyed every minute of it. Between the MC’s ‘modern-day woman’ views and Graham’s ‘man from the 1800s’ morals, they had some incredible, laugh out loud banter. Their relationship is complicated, but sweet, and I love that their romance isn’t the main focus. As the daughter of a woman from Cambodia, our MC is half british, half Cambodian, and she experiences thinly-veiled racism and xenophobia on a regular basis. As she shares her experiences, there are parallels between her story and that of Graham’s who, as an ‘expat’ (as they call the time-travelers), is something of a migrant himself, though he has come from the past rather than another country, which I found very interesting.
Although there was a part towards the end of the book that felt a little cliché, I am overall very happy with The Ministry of Time and I loved the ending. I’d easily recommend this one to anyone who loves speculative fiction, slow burn romance, or the concept of bringing people forth from the past to see what the heck they’d think of the future.
The Ministry of Time is a great example of a book whos author knows exactly what they’re doing. Kaliane Bradley has researched the time periods of her characters so well that they feel completely real and alive (and in the case of Graham Gore, he actually was alive in the 1800s as a member of the Royal Navy and an explorer, though very little is known about his life other than that). They jump off the page and say “Look at me! I’m from the past and I’m amazed by your world!” This is especially the case with Margaret, a woman from the 1600s, which we all know is a time when women weren’t treated very well. Margaret absolutely thrives in the 21st century, taking great interest in feminism, crop tops, and the freedom she never saw or even dreamed of in her life before time travel. I loved reading about her adventures and how she took to modern life with such gusto.
The romance between the MC and Graham is an extremely slow burn and I enjoyed every minute of it. Between the MC’s ‘modern-day woman’ views and Graham’s ‘man from the 1800s’ morals, they had some incredible, laugh out loud banter. Their relationship is complicated, but sweet, and I love that their romance isn’t the main focus. As the daughter of a woman from Cambodia, our MC is half british, half Cambodian, and she experiences thinly-veiled racism and xenophobia on a regular basis. As she shares her experiences, there are parallels between her story and that of Graham’s who, as an ‘expat’ (as they call the time-travelers), is something of a migrant himself, though he has come from the past rather than another country, which I found very interesting.
Although there was a part towards the end of the book that felt a little cliché, I am overall very happy with The Ministry of Time and I loved the ending. I’d easily recommend this one to anyone who loves speculative fiction, slow burn romance, or the concept of bringing people forth from the past to see what the heck they’d think of the future.
I'm F*cking Amazing by Anoushka Warden
4.0
When I picked up I’m F*cking Amazing, I thought I was in for a lighthearted and hilarious story of the sexual escapades of a woman in her late twenties to early thirties. And while I did get something hilarious, I also got something with much more depth than I expected.
The book reads very much like a memoir, or actually, it felt very much like an extremely long text from my best friend in the world. The one I used to have, anyway. We told each other everything and we were brutally honest about it all. That’s what reading this book felt like. I was being trusted with some deep, dark secrets that no one, not even the narrator’s other best friends knew.
While there were some exciting (and humorous!) sexcapades, the bulk of the story was about how the unnamed narrator dealt with her complex emotions surrounding her incredibly toxic relationships with two separate men and how she struggles with repeating patterns in her relationships and making the changes and progress she desperately hopes for. It’s a realistic portrayal of real life, where personal growth can be a messy, non-linear process. With a hilariously unhinged, vulnerable, and yes, deeply flawed, narrator, Anoushka Warden shows us that it’s okay to acknowledge that.
The book reads very much like a memoir, or actually, it felt very much like an extremely long text from my best friend in the world. The one I used to have, anyway. We told each other everything and we were brutally honest about it all. That’s what reading this book felt like. I was being trusted with some deep, dark secrets that no one, not even the narrator’s other best friends knew.
While there were some exciting (and humorous!) sexcapades, the bulk of the story was about how the unnamed narrator dealt with her complex emotions surrounding her incredibly toxic relationships with two separate men and how she struggles with repeating patterns in her relationships and making the changes and progress she desperately hopes for. It’s a realistic portrayal of real life, where personal growth can be a messy, non-linear process. With a hilariously unhinged, vulnerable, and yes, deeply flawed, narrator, Anoushka Warden shows us that it’s okay to acknowledge that.