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moonlightcupofcocoa's Reviews (243)
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
I picked this book up originally because I have been searching for a fun middle-grade graphic novel series to share with my nieces and nephews. The moment my eyes locked with the Bawk-ness Monster on the cover, it was love at first sight.
And I am so glad the story itself did not disappoint.
Penny is moving away to a new city and is sad she never got to thank the Bawk-ness monster that saved her life. With help from her friends, Luc and K, and many objections from her mom, this is her last chance to see Bessie. But it seems like they're not the only ones pursuing Bessie!
The plot itself is straightforward, but the execution is phenomenal! As someone who grew up in the 90s/00s, the Saturday Morning cartoon vibes are strong here. Every character is unique, fun *and* relateable. The cryptids are memorable and cute. The humour worked even for a 30-something adult! The art is absolutely gorgeous on every page.
All I know is I'm hooked. I'm keeping myself a copy.
And I am so glad the story itself did not disappoint.
Penny is moving away to a new city and is sad she never got to thank the Bawk-ness monster that saved her life. With help from her friends, Luc and K, and many objections from her mom, this is her last chance to see Bessie. But it seems like they're not the only ones pursuing Bessie!
The plot itself is straightforward, but the execution is phenomenal! As someone who grew up in the 90s/00s, the Saturday Morning cartoon vibes are strong here. Every character is unique, fun *and* relateable. The cryptids are memorable and cute. The humour worked even for a 30-something adult! The art is absolutely gorgeous on every page.
All I know is I'm hooked. I'm keeping myself a copy.
You can also find me on: Instagram
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Thank you to BenBella Books and Netgalley for the advance copy! As always, all opinions shared below are 100% my own.
I think I found the coffee table book I've been searching for. For the longest time I've searched for a book that not only spoke to my interests but could spark conversation. I think this is it.
"Bad Bitches of Antiquity" by Lorelei Wilder is a collection of fifty bite-sized chapters featuring epic female and nonbinary figures from antiquity. While we have some names that are more familiar, such as Aphrodite, Athena and Clytemnestra, we're also introduced to many others that I personally hadn't heard of. I was impressed that so many cultures were covered: Greek, Egyptian, African, Indian, Mesopotamian, Hawaiian and more! That being said, the focus was still mostly on Ancient Greek mythology (I believe I counted 25 Greek Goddesses and Demigods out of the 50 entries).
While I wish we'd been able to dig deeper into the stories, especially that ones that were new to me, I understand that the focus of the book is lighthearted introductions that are accessible and fun. Because of that, some of the myths that have more than one telling or more nuanced details were at times distilled to a more generic, surface level. Think of them as an invitation to dig deeper into your favourite stories.
As the title of the book should indicate, the general tone of the book is casual and filled with modern slang. That makes this again a very accessible read, but can be a deterrent if one is expecting a more somber tone especially when it comes to darker topics covered in the stories. That being said, I knew exactly what to expect again from the title so I didn't mind this!
The absolute best thing about the book, however, is the art. Most of the stories are accompanied with gorgeous illustrations that I wish I could purchase as wall art. I thought they really captured the drama, beauty and strength of all of the figures and I was always looking forward to seeing the next one.
Overall, if you are looking for an accessible, beautifully illustration collection of epic goddesses, you will adore this. I just discovered there's an audiobook so I'm looking forward to trying that, as well!
You can also find me on: Instagram
I think I found the coffee table book I've been searching for. For the longest time I've searched for a book that not only spoke to my interests but could spark conversation. I think this is it.
"Bad Bitches of Antiquity" by Lorelei Wilder is a collection of fifty bite-sized chapters featuring epic female and nonbinary figures from antiquity. While we have some names that are more familiar, such as Aphrodite, Athena and Clytemnestra, we're also introduced to many others that I personally hadn't heard of. I was impressed that so many cultures were covered: Greek, Egyptian, African, Indian, Mesopotamian, Hawaiian and more! That being said, the focus was still mostly on Ancient Greek mythology (I believe I counted 25 Greek Goddesses and Demigods out of the 50 entries).
While I wish we'd been able to dig deeper into the stories, especially that ones that were new to me, I understand that the focus of the book is lighthearted introductions that are accessible and fun. Because of that, some of the myths that have more than one telling or more nuanced details were at times distilled to a more generic, surface level. Think of them as an invitation to dig deeper into your favourite stories.
As the title of the book should indicate, the general tone of the book is casual and filled with modern slang. That makes this again a very accessible read, but can be a deterrent if one is expecting a more somber tone especially when it comes to darker topics covered in the stories. That being said, I knew exactly what to expect again from the title so I didn't mind this!
The absolute best thing about the book, however, is the art. Most of the stories are accompanied with gorgeous illustrations that I wish I could purchase as wall art. I thought they really captured the drama, beauty and strength of all of the figures and I was always looking forward to seeing the next one.
Overall, if you are looking for an accessible, beautifully illustration collection of epic goddesses, you will adore this. I just discovered there's an audiobook so I'm looking forward to trying that, as well!
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Pregnancy
informative
medium-paced
Thank you to Pen and Sword and Netgalley for the advance copy! As always, all opinions shared here are 100% my own.
As someone who is still being introduced to Anne Boleyn (beyond the surface knowledge that I believe everyone knows of her by now), "The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn" by Helene Harrison was a great exploration of her legacy. This well-researched book is written by an author that did her master's on Anne Boleyn's image and perception throughout history!
In an academic, detail-oriented manner, we observe her through the eyes of her contemporaries all the way to modern historians and pop culture. Each chapter holds a magnifying glass to one facet of her life: her education, her childhood, her love life, her marriage life, her religious beliefs, etc. Through contemporary accounts and historical research, the reader is introduced to all information shared about her as well as why or why not a certain source or anecdote is plausible or was disproven. The book is very good at sharing all viewpoints, be it by those with a high opinion of her or otherwise.
After her death, the book turns our attention to her legacy leading up to the present day. Works that feature or depict Anne Boleyn are explored one by one sharing what they delivered accurately and wasn't. Works like SIX the musical, the Tudors (2007) as well as movies and books are all introduced to the reader. I've added several of the books especially to my ever-growing TBR.
The author's passion is clear on every page, while still providing an unbiased and comprehensive read for the reader. I learned a lot. If you're interested in Anne Boleyn and her life, this is a great book to add to your list.
You can also find me on: Instagram
As someone who is still being introduced to Anne Boleyn (beyond the surface knowledge that I believe everyone knows of her by now), "The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn" by Helene Harrison was a great exploration of her legacy. This well-researched book is written by an author that did her master's on Anne Boleyn's image and perception throughout history!
In an academic, detail-oriented manner, we observe her through the eyes of her contemporaries all the way to modern historians and pop culture. Each chapter holds a magnifying glass to one facet of her life: her education, her childhood, her love life, her marriage life, her religious beliefs, etc. Through contemporary accounts and historical research, the reader is introduced to all information shared about her as well as why or why not a certain source or anecdote is plausible or was disproven. The book is very good at sharing all viewpoints, be it by those with a high opinion of her or otherwise.
After her death, the book turns our attention to her legacy leading up to the present day. Works that feature or depict Anne Boleyn are explored one by one sharing what they delivered accurately and wasn't. Works like SIX the musical, the Tudors (2007) as well as movies and books are all introduced to the reader. I've added several of the books especially to my ever-growing TBR.
The author's passion is clear on every page, while still providing an unbiased and comprehensive read for the reader. I learned a lot. If you're interested in Anne Boleyn and her life, this is a great book to add to your list.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, Pregnancy
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
'How to Piss Off Men' is a short (and I do mean short, as its audiobook is only one hour long without the bonus hour-long interview) fun book. Self-prescribed 'reformed' author, Kyle Prue, shares short and sweet quips, comebacks and 'seemingly innocent' comments that may be used to disarm male egos. Often by poking fun at patriarchal and misogynistic views in subtle ways.
I will admit I am not familiar with the TikTok series, but I did enjoy some of the suggestions. While many of them are short, often summarized in a sentence or two, some included stories or even self-deprecating examples. Those were the ones I enjoyed as they were silly but were also more memorable than a 1-2 sentence passing advice/quip. When I picked up the book, those were the ones I was hoping for, so I admit I was a bit disappointed that we don't get more stories in the other entries.
As you go through them, you start noticing the themes which even the author acknowledges:
I will admit I am not familiar with the TikTok series, but I did enjoy some of the suggestions. While many of them are short, often summarized in a sentence or two, some included stories or even self-deprecating examples. Those were the ones I enjoyed as they were silly but were also more memorable than a 1-2 sentence passing advice/quip. When I picked up the book, those were the ones I was hoping for, so I admit I was a bit disappointed that we don't get more stories in the other entries.
As you go through them, you start noticing the themes which even the author acknowledges:
You might now feel inclined to say, “Hey, Kyle. I’m tracking a theme here. Are the majority of the things you can say to piss off men just repurposed language that men use to discuss women’s behavior and activities?” To which I would probably say, “Oh dang! Yeah, I guess so.”
This can become a bit repetitive especially that one would most probably listen to/read this book in one sitting, but because of how short the whole thing is, it doesn't overstay its welcome.
I'm not entirely sure if one should consider this a book as it does read more like one long 'Top 106 ways to shatter the male ego' article. I did enjoy my time with it, but would mostly recommend it for one-hour long drives or chores. It's ideal for a quick distraction where frequent interruptions won't really matter or get in the way.
You can also find me on: Instagram
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I must first say thank you to RDS Publishing and Netgalley for the advance copy. As always all opinions shared below are 100% my own.
I am so glad I came across this book! Let me explain why. "Bottling his Ghosts" by S. H. Cooper is a novella that's part of the 'Selected Papers from the Consortium for the Study of Anomalous Phenomena' series, which features novellas curated by editor, R. J. Joseph. There are currently eight books in this series, including this one, each written by a different author and all covering the peculiar and uncanny.
In this book, we are introduced to the recently widowed Henrietta who goes back to her family home to process her grief and put some distance between herself and those that knew her and her husband. Instead of peace and quiet however, she finds her cousin, Thorn, far removed from the man she once considered her brother. In an effort to help him escape the hold liquor has of him, she finds herself facing a terrifying haunting that threatens her and everyone she cares for.
The novella is very atmospheric and the author is very good at not just painting a dark, gothic setting, but explore in depth the emotional scars society inflicts on the individuals. What starts with Netta's grief (which I found to be one of the most realistic and honest portrayals of grief I've read so far) reveals much more about the dark side of humanity in a beautifully gothic ghost story.
I can't say that it left me terrified beyond the last page, but I did find myself tensing up sometimes during the read. What can I say, the paranormal will always be my obsession and weakness. I did feel that the ending was somewhat abrupt, but I can't decide if it's because I expected something darker and bigger or if I simply enjoyed the novella too much and wished for more.
All in all, I loved this novella and do plan on reading all the others in the series. I'm very curious to find out if any of the characters may be recurring.
If you're looking for a gothic exploration of grief, humanity and family, this is the novella for you!
You can also find me on: Instagram
I am so glad I came across this book! Let me explain why. "Bottling his Ghosts" by S. H. Cooper is a novella that's part of the 'Selected Papers from the Consortium for the Study of Anomalous Phenomena' series, which features novellas curated by editor, R. J. Joseph. There are currently eight books in this series, including this one, each written by a different author and all covering the peculiar and uncanny.
In this book, we are introduced to the recently widowed Henrietta who goes back to her family home to process her grief and put some distance between herself and those that knew her and her husband. Instead of peace and quiet however, she finds her cousin, Thorn, far removed from the man she once considered her brother. In an effort to help him escape the hold liquor has of him, she finds herself facing a terrifying haunting that threatens her and everyone she cares for.
The novella is very atmospheric and the author is very good at not just painting a dark, gothic setting, but explore in depth the emotional scars society inflicts on the individuals. What starts with Netta's grief (which I found to be one of the most realistic and honest portrayals of grief I've read so far) reveals much more about the dark side of humanity in a beautifully gothic ghost story.
I can't say that it left me terrified beyond the last page, but I did find myself tensing up sometimes during the read. What can I say, the paranormal will always be my obsession and weakness. I did feel that the ending was somewhat abrupt, but I can't decide if it's because I expected something darker and bigger or if I simply enjoyed the novella too much and wished for more.
All in all, I loved this novella and do plan on reading all the others in the series. I'm very curious to find out if any of the characters may be recurring.
If you're looking for a gothic exploration of grief, humanity and family, this is the novella for you!
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
informative
slow-paced
First things first, thank you to Pen and Sword and Netgalley for Advanced Copy! As always, all opinions shared are 100% my own.
When I picked up this book, it was out of curiousity as someone who's always adored masquerades in books and media. As a historical fiction reader, I was always aware that fiction often takes creative liberties. How, then, did masquerades unfold in reality?
This book is an excellent deeply researched study on masquerades in the regency era (arguably at the height of their popularity). You will find everything from venues, decor, costumes and refreshments to entertainment and even critical reception. I now know all about lighting up a masquerade for both social and critical reception as well as the reasons why floors were chalked and how. Just one of many details I learned from this.
In addition to that, the book digs into how masquerades reflect cultural and societal views, prejudices and national identity as well as how that evolved and changed in the Victorian era. It was especially interesting to look into 'gender play' and how that was approached and received.
I think my favourite part was the author's recommendations for how masquerades in fiction could be approached for a more realistic experience as well as actually more intrigue and fun. It was like the author could read the questions I had on mind when I picked up the book.
I will say that the only thing I wish was different was I felt there was some repetition that could at times bloat the reading experience. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if this was changed in the final copy as I must remind you, dearest review reader, that what I read was an ARC, not the published copy.
While the book can be a bit academic in writing style, a history hobbyist like me with curiousity in the topic still enjoyed it. So, do not let that deter you.
If you are interested in the history of masquerades in England, or you are a historical fiction author considering a masquerade for your plot, this is a highly recommended read!
You can also find me on: Instagram
When I picked up this book, it was out of curiousity as someone who's always adored masquerades in books and media. As a historical fiction reader, I was always aware that fiction often takes creative liberties. How, then, did masquerades unfold in reality?
This book is an excellent deeply researched study on masquerades in the regency era (arguably at the height of their popularity). You will find everything from venues, decor, costumes and refreshments to entertainment and even critical reception. I now know all about lighting up a masquerade for both social and critical reception as well as the reasons why floors were chalked and how. Just one of many details I learned from this.
In addition to that, the book digs into how masquerades reflect cultural and societal views, prejudices and national identity as well as how that evolved and changed in the Victorian era. It was especially interesting to look into 'gender play' and how that was approached and received.
I think my favourite part was the author's recommendations for how masquerades in fiction could be approached for a more realistic experience as well as actually more intrigue and fun. It was like the author could read the questions I had on mind when I picked up the book.
I will say that the only thing I wish was different was I felt there was some repetition that could at times bloat the reading experience. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if this was changed in the final copy as I must remind you, dearest review reader, that what I read was an ARC, not the published copy.
While the book can be a bit academic in writing style, a history hobbyist like me with curiousity in the topic still enjoyed it. So, do not let that deter you.
If you are interested in the history of masquerades in England, or you are a historical fiction author considering a masquerade for your plot, this is a highly recommended read!
You can also find me on: Instagram
informative
medium-paced
Thank you so much to Netgalley and W. W. Norton & Company for the advanced copy. As always 100% of the opinions presented in my review are my own.
This is how you write an informative, accessible and fun biography. I really enjoyed this book!
"Angelica" by Molly Beer is not only the story of Angelica Schuyler Church, the Schuyler sisters (I admit I can't help but sing that) and, of course, Alexander Hamilton. This book introduces the readers to the American revolution through the eyes of women. Women who wouldn't have the right to vote in the US till the 1920s (if my memory serves right), but (to the surprise of no one) they played major roles in the establishment of the United States of America from day one as well as helped influence and manage the diplomatic relationships of the budding country with the rest of the Europe, especially England and France.
The author did a fantastic job balancing what could've been a very dense book filled with dates and names with more personal and intimate moments of the titular Angelica. It gives much context to the lives of women living in US, England and France at the time as well as draw comparisons between their societies. This not only helped the book be very accessible but, also, painted a much fuller portrait of her. By the end of the book, I felt like I genuinely got to know her. Not just through her own words, letters and major life events, but also through the eyes of the many people around her.
This was a wonderful read that I recommend for anyone interested in US and Europe history, as well as, of course, women history.
You can also find me on: Instagram
This is how you write an informative, accessible and fun biography. I really enjoyed this book!
"Angelica" by Molly Beer is not only the story of Angelica Schuyler Church, the Schuyler sisters (I admit I can't help but sing that) and, of course, Alexander Hamilton. This book introduces the readers to the American revolution through the eyes of women. Women who wouldn't have the right to vote in the US till the 1920s (if my memory serves right), but (to the surprise of no one) they played major roles in the establishment of the United States of America from day one as well as helped influence and manage the diplomatic relationships of the budding country with the rest of the Europe, especially England and France.
The author did a fantastic job balancing what could've been a very dense book filled with dates and names with more personal and intimate moments of the titular Angelica. It gives much context to the lives of women living in US, England and France at the time as well as draw comparisons between their societies. This not only helped the book be very accessible but, also, painted a much fuller portrait of her. By the end of the book, I felt like I genuinely got to know her. Not just through her own words, letters and major life events, but also through the eyes of the many people around her.
This was a wonderful read that I recommend for anyone interested in US and Europe history, as well as, of course, women history.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, War
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Review coming very soon
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you to Netgalley and IPG for the advance copy! As always 100% of the thoughts below are my own.
I've always been curious about Irish folklore, but I am embarassed to confess that I don't think I've read any works by Irish authors. "Uncanny Ireland" by Maria Giakaniki is a perfect short story collection for anyone looking for poignant, uncanny tales by Irish authors from 1835 to 1990.
The book features twenty short stories by twenty different authors covering various themes, styles and subjects. What's impressive is, unlike most short story collections I've read, I liked every single included story. They were all beautifully lyrical and gothically dark. While I still enjoyed some more than other, either due to the writing style or the plot itself, all in all I found myself looking forward each night to read one of the stories and was never disappointed.
Since this is a short story collection, I will include brief notes for each of the stories and my rating for that individual story:
Evil Eye: 4
I would describe this more of an article that includes stories from various sources that describes the Evil Eye and its deadly force. It was overall very interesting, especially to someone with Egyptian roots, since I could see the similarities in our folktales and beliefs.
Unquiet Dead: 4
A tapestry of eerie oral tales and dialogue on the tongue of various people. All of them recount tales of those that linger after death. I really enjoyed the writing here despite all stories being around one paragraph or less short.
The Curse of the Fires and Shadows: 3.5
This story is set during the Irish Confederate Wars, which I only know very little about. An abbey set ablaze, brutal murders and a curse make for a grim supernatural story.
A Legend of Barlagh Cave: 3.5
This moody tale draws the readers into a tale of unrequited love and unintended consequences. A story of false hope and shattered dreams that is rich in symbolism and ambience. It continued to haunt me in the days after despite its short length.
The Monks of Saint Bride: 4.5
I was pleasantly surprised with some of the background humour in this one, but the tale itself is about a ruined monastery on All Souls’ Night and the lingering spirits of its long suffering monks. An important theme about redemption, moral reflection and humility.
The Drowned Fisherman: 4
Between the premonitions, the dialogue and the moody atmosphere, I found myself really enjoying this one despite how short it is and seeing how it would end. What starts with a gut feeling and dreams of future husbands takes a chilling turn when tragedy strikes.
A Scrap of Irish Folklore: 4
This was a short ghost story that primarily features Catholic spirituality and Irish superstition with a dose of maternal guilt. The haunting is sentimental and used as a warning against careless cursing. I enjoyed the writing especially and definitely would love to read more by Rose Mulholland.
The Strange Voice: 4
A chilling story about love beyond death and a descent to madness. This has strong gothic vibes. While maybe it doesn't offer much new when it comes to the haunting itself, it delivers it wonderfully and I genuinely enjoyed the lyrical prose and imagery.
The Wee Gray Woman: 4.5
There is something almost poetically beautiful about this tale being published posthumously. This is a tale about loss, loneliness and memory featuring a mysterious small, gray-cloaked visitor. The lyrical prose paints a quiet, almost colourless, atmosphere that potently delivers the sense of isolation. I really enjoyed this one.
Tale of the Piper: 3.5
An uncanny tale about, who else, a mysterious piper. I think it offered strong symbolism for the power of art and music. Ultimately, though, I felt it ended abruptly which, to be fair, I believe was the intention and it added to the strangeness.
The Last of Squire Ennismore: 4
A very atmospheric ghost story about an aging squire who returned to his ancestral home with a mysterious past and hidden secrets before the arrival of mysterious foreign visitors haunt him and his estate. It is hard for me to quite pinpoint the themes, but I got a strong sense of perhaps guilt and payback for one's vice and greed. There is an undercurrent of imbalance or unjust power and wealth decaying with time.
The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh: 4.5
A deliciously eerie gothic tale with strong themes of isolation and tormented souls. How far would one's ambition drive him? It offers accounts of a man that met his death under inexplicable circumstances. The ambiguity fuels the eeriness. I reread it twice because I enjoyed its delivery.
Watcher o' the Dead: 4.5
A haunting, melancholic story set in a remote cottage following a mask tasked with a ritual to watch over the dead through the night. With strong themes of accepting one's fate, keeping promises and facing mortality, this one hit deep for me.
The Sea's Dead: 4
After the death of her beloved husband, Moya Labella, an outcast young woman meets a mysterious fate. Her community believe they have learned her origins. It presents strong themes of nature's duality with a dose of grief and mourning.
Julia Cahill's Curse: 3.5
I am not sure if I can call this a supernatural story per se as it's more of symbolism for prejudices and loneliness. A tale told by a young priest who wishes to convince the priests of nearby parishes to assist him in establishing looms. Instead, he finds himself discovering more about the parish's scandals and a supposed curse.
The Return of Niav: 4.5
If you're familiar and interested with fae folkore, this is perfectly it. A single mother describes an encounter she and her daughter had with Niav, a changeling, that enchanted them both. The execution was wonderful sending a shiver down my spine. If you're looking for unsettling nature and a gothic cottagecore (is that a thing?), this would be perfect for it.
The Back Drawing-Room: 4.5
At an artistocratic party, the guests start to tell ghost stories. An unknown guest relates his own experience in the Irish countryside. I will say that the author mixes social commentary and some humour with the ghost story. The story itself is very short but ambient enough to deliver. The highlight for me was the characterization of the guests. Even though you know very little about them, they felt unique and lively. At least to me, they were memorable.
The Raising of Elvira Tremlett: 4.5
In this slowly unfolding unsettling modern story, a family's long-buried secrets are resurfaced. It's unclear if the haunting is by ghosts or shadows of the family's fears and dark memories. It explores how our imagnation and escapism can both protect and imprison us. I think a good description for this one is it's psychological gothic.
Encounter At Night: 4
A very short moody nighttime story that follows a chance meeting between the main character and a violent stranger. Despite, or perhaps because of, its short length, the story left me feeling uneasy after it was over. Strong themes of isolation and fear are potent in the quiet build up and continue to linger after the last paragraph.
A Ghost Story: 5
This was one of my favourite stories in the collection. Narrated by a newlywed man (a very questionable man, in my opinion) as he reflects on his first home with his wife. As the couple settles in the new home, uncanny events being to unfold. The social commentary intermixes with 'Haunted House' elements which ultimately meant a fun time for me. My only complaint was I wished it was longer.
You can also find me on: Instagram
I've always been curious about Irish folklore, but I am embarassed to confess that I don't think I've read any works by Irish authors. "Uncanny Ireland" by Maria Giakaniki is a perfect short story collection for anyone looking for poignant, uncanny tales by Irish authors from 1835 to 1990.
The book features twenty short stories by twenty different authors covering various themes, styles and subjects. What's impressive is, unlike most short story collections I've read, I liked every single included story. They were all beautifully lyrical and gothically dark. While I still enjoyed some more than other, either due to the writing style or the plot itself, all in all I found myself looking forward each night to read one of the stories and was never disappointed.
Since this is a short story collection, I will include brief notes for each of the stories and my rating for that individual story:
Evil Eye: 4
I would describe this more of an article that includes stories from various sources that describes the Evil Eye and its deadly force. It was overall very interesting, especially to someone with Egyptian roots, since I could see the similarities in our folktales and beliefs.
Unquiet Dead: 4
A tapestry of eerie oral tales and dialogue on the tongue of various people. All of them recount tales of those that linger after death. I really enjoyed the writing here despite all stories being around one paragraph or less short.
The Curse of the Fires and Shadows: 3.5
This story is set during the Irish Confederate Wars, which I only know very little about. An abbey set ablaze, brutal murders and a curse make for a grim supernatural story.
A Legend of Barlagh Cave: 3.5
This moody tale draws the readers into a tale of unrequited love and unintended consequences. A story of false hope and shattered dreams that is rich in symbolism and ambience. It continued to haunt me in the days after despite its short length.
The Monks of Saint Bride: 4.5
I was pleasantly surprised with some of the background humour in this one, but the tale itself is about a ruined monastery on All Souls’ Night and the lingering spirits of its long suffering monks. An important theme about redemption, moral reflection and humility.
The Drowned Fisherman: 4
Between the premonitions, the dialogue and the moody atmosphere, I found myself really enjoying this one despite how short it is and seeing how it would end. What starts with a gut feeling and dreams of future husbands takes a chilling turn when tragedy strikes.
A Scrap of Irish Folklore: 4
This was a short ghost story that primarily features Catholic spirituality and Irish superstition with a dose of maternal guilt. The haunting is sentimental and used as a warning against careless cursing. I enjoyed the writing especially and definitely would love to read more by Rose Mulholland.
The Strange Voice: 4
A chilling story about love beyond death and a descent to madness. This has strong gothic vibes. While maybe it doesn't offer much new when it comes to the haunting itself, it delivers it wonderfully and I genuinely enjoyed the lyrical prose and imagery.
The Wee Gray Woman: 4.5
There is something almost poetically beautiful about this tale being published posthumously. This is a tale about loss, loneliness and memory featuring a mysterious small, gray-cloaked visitor. The lyrical prose paints a quiet, almost colourless, atmosphere that potently delivers the sense of isolation. I really enjoyed this one.
Tale of the Piper: 3.5
An uncanny tale about, who else, a mysterious piper. I think it offered strong symbolism for the power of art and music. Ultimately, though, I felt it ended abruptly which, to be fair, I believe was the intention and it added to the strangeness.
The Last of Squire Ennismore: 4
A very atmospheric ghost story about an aging squire who returned to his ancestral home with a mysterious past and hidden secrets before the arrival of mysterious foreign visitors haunt him and his estate. It is hard for me to quite pinpoint the themes, but I got a strong sense of perhaps guilt and payback for one's vice and greed. There is an undercurrent of imbalance or unjust power and wealth decaying with time.
The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh: 4.5
A deliciously eerie gothic tale with strong themes of isolation and tormented souls. How far would one's ambition drive him? It offers accounts of a man that met his death under inexplicable circumstances. The ambiguity fuels the eeriness. I reread it twice because I enjoyed its delivery.
Watcher o' the Dead: 4.5
A haunting, melancholic story set in a remote cottage following a mask tasked with a ritual to watch over the dead through the night. With strong themes of accepting one's fate, keeping promises and facing mortality, this one hit deep for me.
The Sea's Dead: 4
After the death of her beloved husband, Moya Labella, an outcast young woman meets a mysterious fate. Her community believe they have learned her origins. It presents strong themes of nature's duality with a dose of grief and mourning.
Julia Cahill's Curse: 3.5
I am not sure if I can call this a supernatural story per se as it's more of symbolism for prejudices and loneliness. A tale told by a young priest who wishes to convince the priests of nearby parishes to assist him in establishing looms. Instead, he finds himself discovering more about the parish's scandals and a supposed curse.
The Return of Niav: 4.5
If you're familiar and interested with fae folkore, this is perfectly it. A single mother describes an encounter she and her daughter had with Niav, a changeling, that enchanted them both. The execution was wonderful sending a shiver down my spine. If you're looking for unsettling nature and a gothic cottagecore (is that a thing?), this would be perfect for it.
The Back Drawing-Room: 4.5
At an artistocratic party, the guests start to tell ghost stories. An unknown guest relates his own experience in the Irish countryside. I will say that the author mixes social commentary and some humour with the ghost story. The story itself is very short but ambient enough to deliver. The highlight for me was the characterization of the guests. Even though you know very little about them, they felt unique and lively. At least to me, they were memorable.
The Raising of Elvira Tremlett: 4.5
In this slowly unfolding unsettling modern story, a family's long-buried secrets are resurfaced. It's unclear if the haunting is by ghosts or shadows of the family's fears and dark memories. It explores how our imagnation and escapism can both protect and imprison us. I think a good description for this one is it's psychological gothic.
Encounter At Night: 4
A very short moody nighttime story that follows a chance meeting between the main character and a violent stranger. Despite, or perhaps because of, its short length, the story left me feeling uneasy after it was over. Strong themes of isolation and fear are potent in the quiet build up and continue to linger after the last paragraph.
A Ghost Story: 5
This was one of my favourite stories in the collection. Narrated by a newlywed man (a very questionable man, in my opinion) as he reflects on his first home with his wife. As the couple settles in the new home, uncanny events being to unfold. The social commentary intermixes with 'Haunted House' elements which ultimately meant a fun time for me. My only complaint was I wished it was longer.
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent
Minor: Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail
Tudor Princes and Princesses: The Early Lives of the Children of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York
informative
medium-paced
Thank you so much to Pen & Sword and Netgalley for the advanced copy! As always all opinions shared below are 100% my own.
I've only recently started digging into Tudor history so this book had the perfect timing. "Tudor Princes and Princesses" is a well-researched book detailing the lives of each of the children of Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York.
Through the chapters, we're introduced to the world those princes and princesses were brought up in, the influences that shaped their personalities and life decisions as well as what their lives led them to later as adults. The authors does a great job presenting all this information in an organized manner while still being very accessible.
I especially appreciated that the author didn't ignore the 'side' characters in the royal children's lives as these people not only shaped them growing up, but often continued to play important parts in their lives. The book also did a good job providing nuanced explanations to some of Henry Tudor's actions especially which helped paint a more complete picture of him.
All in all, this is a perfect read for someone new to Tudor history like me, but also a fun read for history lovers in general. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
You can also find me on: Instagram
I've only recently started digging into Tudor history so this book had the perfect timing. "Tudor Princes and Princesses" is a well-researched book detailing the lives of each of the children of Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York.
Through the chapters, we're introduced to the world those princes and princesses were brought up in, the influences that shaped their personalities and life decisions as well as what their lives led them to later as adults. The authors does a great job presenting all this information in an organized manner while still being very accessible.
I especially appreciated that the author didn't ignore the 'side' characters in the royal children's lives as these people not only shaped them growing up, but often continued to play important parts in their lives. The book also did a good job providing nuanced explanations to some of Henry Tudor's actions especially which helped paint a more complete picture of him.
All in all, this is a perfect read for someone new to Tudor history like me, but also a fun read for history lovers in general. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Pregnancy, War