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moonlightcupofcocoa's Reviews (247)
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
Special thank you to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for the ARC. All thoughts below are 100% my own!
Where There Be Monsters is a sweet middle-grade fantasy adventure featuring Glory Brown, a neurodivergent eleven-year-old who's long dreamed of following in her mother's footsteps only to realize just how dangerous, even unfair, the world is. The setting offers a cozy steam-punkish vibe both in Glory's homeworld as well as in the Parliamentarium, a school for children to learn about the Outersphere and how to embrace their strengths and knowledge.
There is clearly a lot of love, passion and thought that went into the world-building and the magic system. The book features wonderful characters and creative creatures that are wonderfully illustrated across the pages. The story itself has just the right balance of action with emotional growth. Adults are just as active and impactful in this book as the young heroine and her friend. The children aren't the sole drivers, but of course, play the most important roles still.
Throughout the plot, the book takes important pauses to instill important lessons such as empathy, understanding and learning when to let go. I also admire how neurodivergence was handled, allowing the readers to not only relate but hopefully learn techniques to help them be productive and stay focused.
While the magic system and the world building are great, I can't help but wonder if younger readers especially might end confused. I found myself flipping back and forth trying to connect the dots at times. It could be because there are several threads going on at once that sometimes their resolution feel a bit rushed. It's a little odd because I can't say there aren't enough descriptions. If anything, towards the beginning, I felt we may be getting too much lore dump at once.
The other thing I'm not so sure about is the relationship between Marcus and Gloria. While I understand the conflicts between them were supposed to be used to show that they're still children but also as a way to teach young readers important life lessons, at the end of the day it left me feeling puzzled. Gloria appears very self-centered when it comes to their friendship that it's hard to feel for her. Between constantly blaming him for his curse, when she herself was cursed despite him trying to stop her, to her jealousy but still screaming that he's her friend.
Still I really adored the universe and found it very creative and fun. I would love to see what the author comes up with next and I'm definitely considering a copy for my niece.
Where There Be Monsters is a sweet middle-grade fantasy adventure featuring Glory Brown, a neurodivergent eleven-year-old who's long dreamed of following in her mother's footsteps only to realize just how dangerous, even unfair, the world is. The setting offers a cozy steam-punkish vibe both in Glory's homeworld as well as in the Parliamentarium, a school for children to learn about the Outersphere and how to embrace their strengths and knowledge.
There is clearly a lot of love, passion and thought that went into the world-building and the magic system. The book features wonderful characters and creative creatures that are wonderfully illustrated across the pages. The story itself has just the right balance of action with emotional growth. Adults are just as active and impactful in this book as the young heroine and her friend. The children aren't the sole drivers, but of course, play the most important roles still.
Throughout the plot, the book takes important pauses to instill important lessons such as empathy, understanding and learning when to let go. I also admire how neurodivergence was handled, allowing the readers to not only relate but hopefully learn techniques to help them be productive and stay focused.
While the magic system and the world building are great, I can't help but wonder if younger readers especially might end confused. I found myself flipping back and forth trying to connect the dots at times. It could be because there are several threads going on at once that sometimes their resolution feel a bit rushed. It's a little odd because I can't say there aren't enough descriptions. If anything, towards the beginning, I felt we may be getting too much lore dump at once.
The other thing I'm not so sure about is the relationship between Marcus and Gloria. While I understand the conflicts between them were supposed to be used to show that they're still children but also as a way to teach young readers important life lessons, at the end of the day it left me feeling puzzled. Gloria appears very self-centered when it comes to their friendship that it's hard to feel for her. Between constantly blaming him for his curse, when she herself was cursed despite him trying to stop her, to her jealousy but still screaming that he's her friend.
Still I really adored the universe and found it very creative and fun. I would love to see what the author comes up with next and I'm definitely considering a copy for my niece.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Violence
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I needed to sit with this book for a bit before trying to gather my thoughts for a review. Isn't it strange how difficult it is to truly capture your feelings about a new favourite?
Circe by Madeline Miller had been recommended to me by so many people! But especially after reading "The First Witches" by Alexis Prescott, and with renewed appreciation of Circe, it was finally time.
I can safely say I regret not reading this book sooner. This is a book about Circe the Witch. But it's also about Circe the daughter, the lover, the mother and, finally, the woman. While on paper, it's a mythological retelling of Circe's journey from birth to banishment and witchcraft, I'd argue that it's a love letter to girlhood and womanhood.
I can't tell you how many times I had to pause because my heart was aching. Not just for Circe, but because I could see myself or someone I know in her actions. While Circe has divinity coursing through her, the author managed to shine the light on her humanity. She finds success. She attempts to find acceptance and love. She makes mistakes. And it's all so relatable even though I don't think any of us can turn humans into pigs.
The writing is gorgeous. The sense of place and time is phenomenal. The character growth is illuminating. The pacing was so well done, I stayed up to 2 AM at least twice because I just needed one more chapter.
All in all, if you haven't read the book yet, don't be like me and keep postponing it. Do yourself a favour and read it today.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Circe by Madeline Miller had been recommended to me by so many people! But especially after reading "The First Witches" by Alexis Prescott, and with renewed appreciation of Circe, it was finally time.
I can safely say I regret not reading this book sooner. This is a book about Circe the Witch. But it's also about Circe the daughter, the lover, the mother and, finally, the woman. While on paper, it's a mythological retelling of Circe's journey from birth to banishment and witchcraft, I'd argue that it's a love letter to girlhood and womanhood.
I can't tell you how many times I had to pause because my heart was aching. Not just for Circe, but because I could see myself or someone I know in her actions. While Circe has divinity coursing through her, the author managed to shine the light on her humanity. She finds success. She attempts to find acceptance and love. She makes mistakes. And it's all so relatable even though I don't think any of us can turn humans into pigs.
The writing is gorgeous. The sense of place and time is phenomenal. The character growth is illuminating. The pacing was so well done, I stayed up to 2 AM at least twice because I just needed one more chapter.
All in all, if you haven't read the book yet, don't be like me and keep postponing it. Do yourself a favour and read it today.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy
Minor: Slavery, Vomit, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
During my post-Circe by Madeline Miller haze and not feeling quite ready to say goodbye yet, I came across a post by circesalchemy on instagram about this short story. I had actually saved this a while ago but somehow forgot to read it, oops! I think it was just waiting for the perfect time.
The Daughter of Necessity by Marie Brennan is only around 10 pages long in total and covers Penelope's wait for Odysseus' return and the heavy burden on her shoulders. Her weaving process has much stronger links to fate and a more dreamlike quality as she explores and undoes threads she feels would lead to destruction and loss.
I am unclear as to how Penelope has that influence but admittedly I enjoyed it. This gave her more agency and choice.
I found myself wishing it didn't end so soon. I wish we had a full-length novel with the same lyrical writing and strong emotional delivery.
If you are craving a Greek mythology story you can read in 15-30 minutes, I recommend picking this up.
You can also find me on: Instagram
The Daughter of Necessity by Marie Brennan is only around 10 pages long in total and covers Penelope's wait for Odysseus' return and the heavy burden on her shoulders. Her weaving process has much stronger links to fate and a more dreamlike quality as she explores and undoes threads she feels would lead to destruction and loss.
I am unclear as to how Penelope has that influence but admittedly I enjoyed it. This gave her more agency and choice.
I found myself wishing it didn't end so soon. I wish we had a full-length novel with the same lyrical writing and strong emotional delivery.
If you are craving a Greek mythology story you can read in 15-30 minutes, I recommend picking this up.
You can also find me on: Instagram
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the ARC! As always, all thoughts below are 100% my own.
As someone who's basically obsessed with cats, and a cat-mom of two kittens, I admit that it was the cover of 'Poets Square' that pulled me in. I hadn't heard of Courtney Gustafson before, but anyone that pours so so much love, time and energy into caring for cats is immediately wonderful in my book.
This memoir follows how cats (thirty of them to be exact) quite literally took over the author's life after she and her partner moved into a new home during the pandemic. Yep, you read that right: *thirty stray cats*.
What follows is a moving, very often heart-wrenching, story of how the author slowly embraced the chaos and learned the ropes of animal rescue. And ultimately how that transformed her life and career. Each chapter spotlights a different cat (or group of cats), using their stories to dive into broader reflections. Sometimes the topic is about animal welfare, others about society, and often about the author herself.
One chapter that I personally liked was "Men Call Cats Sluts". It was an insightful piece that connects how female cats in heat are treated with how society tends to view women. The other chapter I appreciated was "Hunger", a powerful reminder of th struggle for basic needs among both animals and humans.
I ended up crying so often throughout the book. I did end up having to skip one chapter. From my whole heart, I appreciated that the author made it very clear what the topic would be about helping me avoid it as it is a major trigger for me. Some chapters did feel like they had a slower pacing or could be a tiny bit repetitive, but as a whole, the pacing worked for me and the stories were pretty powerful.
This isn't a light or fluffy read despite the charming cover. It is a tribute to cats and animal rescuers as well as a reminder that so many beings out there, furry or otherwise, are in desperate need of care, compassion and a second chance.
You can also find me on: Instagram
As someone who's basically obsessed with cats, and a cat-mom of two kittens, I admit that it was the cover of 'Poets Square' that pulled me in. I hadn't heard of Courtney Gustafson before, but anyone that pours so so much love, time and energy into caring for cats is immediately wonderful in my book.
This memoir follows how cats (thirty of them to be exact) quite literally took over the author's life after she and her partner moved into a new home during the pandemic. Yep, you read that right: *thirty stray cats*.
What follows is a moving, very often heart-wrenching, story of how the author slowly embraced the chaos and learned the ropes of animal rescue. And ultimately how that transformed her life and career. Each chapter spotlights a different cat (or group of cats), using their stories to dive into broader reflections. Sometimes the topic is about animal welfare, others about society, and often about the author herself.
One chapter that I personally liked was "Men Call Cats Sluts". It was an insightful piece that connects how female cats in heat are treated with how society tends to view women. The other chapter I appreciated was "Hunger", a powerful reminder of th struggle for basic needs among both animals and humans.
I ended up crying so often throughout the book. I did end up having to skip one chapter. From my whole heart, I appreciated that the author made it very clear what the topic would be about helping me avoid it as it is a major trigger for me. Some chapters did feel like they had a slower pacing or could be a tiny bit repetitive, but as a whole, the pacing worked for me and the stories were pretty powerful.
This isn't a light or fluffy read despite the charming cover. It is a tribute to cats and animal rescuers as well as a reminder that so many beings out there, furry or otherwise, are in desperate need of care, compassion and a second chance.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment, Pandemic/Epidemic
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A wonderful sequel that is both entertaining and actuslly has a good message for younger readers!
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book has been haunting me for days now. And I think it might be one of the most heavily highlighted and annotated books I've ever read.
Read this if you're looking for a journey of subtleties, sinister small-town vibes and the slow descent into unease, the kind that wraps itself around quietly. This book is filled with that creeping kind of unsettling that sneaks up on you before you even realize it.
You know that feeling when everything seems fine, but the anxiety is rising in your chest that it's almost suffocating. And you don't even know why?! Then, suddenly, everything is as clear as day and you wonder how you ever missed it. Yeah. That.
This is written from the main character's POV. As she interacts more and more with the other people in town, but especially Mr. Malone, her employer, you watch as she gradually changes. The transformation happens so subtly that you may find yourself doing a double take wondering if her words meant what you thought they meant. What adds to the fun is, in my opinion anyways, she's a pretty unreliable narrator. Her own thoughts and perceptions are clouded and influenced by the sinister presences she is exposed to.
The writing style is deceptively simple and descriptive, but laced with hidden meaning. If you're the type of reader that enjoys reading between the lines, this book rewards you for it. I found myself awake at 2 AM, turning over a single sentence I barely noticed while reading, but the truth, I believe, was staring me in the eye. Both me and the main character simply missed it.
And the more I thought about it, the higher the book climbed in my mental ranking.
Ultimately, this is a story about the dark side of humanity. The ugliness that rears its head behind your back and slowly manipulates you until you're not even sure who you are anymore. It subtly tackles themes such as misogyny, emotional manipulation, emotional and physical abuse as well as power imbalance.
If you’re into weird, literary fiction that lingers long after the final page, if you enjoy vagueness that lets you mind wander in directions you wish it didn't, this is the book for you.
Read this if you're looking for a journey of subtleties, sinister small-town vibes and the slow descent into unease, the kind that wraps itself around quietly. This book is filled with that creeping kind of unsettling that sneaks up on you before you even realize it.
You know that feeling when everything seems fine, but the anxiety is rising in your chest that it's almost suffocating. And you don't even know why?! Then, suddenly, everything is as clear as day and you wonder how you ever missed it. Yeah. That.
This is written from the main character's POV. As she interacts more and more with the other people in town, but especially Mr. Malone, her employer, you watch as she gradually changes. The transformation happens so subtly that you may find yourself doing a double take wondering if her words meant what you thought they meant. What adds to the fun is, in my opinion anyways, she's a pretty unreliable narrator. Her own thoughts and perceptions are clouded and influenced by the sinister presences she is exposed to.
The writing style is deceptively simple and descriptive, but laced with hidden meaning. If you're the type of reader that enjoys reading between the lines, this book rewards you for it. I found myself awake at 2 AM, turning over a single sentence I barely noticed while reading, but the truth, I believe, was staring me in the eye. Both me and the main character simply missed it.
And the more I thought about it, the higher the book climbed in my mental ranking.
Ultimately, this is a story about the dark side of humanity. The ugliness that rears its head behind your back and slowly manipulates you until you're not even sure who you are anymore. It subtly tackles themes such as misogyny, emotional manipulation, emotional and physical abuse as well as power imbalance.
If you’re into weird, literary fiction that lingers long after the final page, if you enjoy vagueness that lets you mind wander in directions you wish it didn't, this is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
informative
fast-paced
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the ARC! As always all thought shared are 100% my own.
This was a fun, quick read that exposes the reader to the various roles women have played throughout history. And by 'work', the book doesn’t just mean traditional careers. It also highlights the countless tasks women did (and still do!) for themselves, their homes and their families.
The historical focus is mainly focused on women in England with a few nods to other countries and cultures sprinkled in. With some exceptions, most chapters center on the period from the 1500s onward, with a lot more focus on the 19th century.
The material is presented in the form of mostly standalone chapters that read almost like mini-articles. Each one spotlights a different job or task or role. They work great as quick introductions to their topics. Personally, I was especially into the cheese-making and dairy chapter (what can I say? I love cheese. Cheese = joy).
Seeing that I read a lot of history and historical fiction books (especially around the 19th century), most of the content was already familiar to me. That said, I still picked up a few facts along the way especially about the less commonly discussed occupations such as 'Straw Plaiting'.
At first, I thought the chapters were arranged in a specific order or followed a theme, but that didn’t really seem to be the case (at least in the ARC I received!). This means that you could totally dip in and out, jumping to whatever chapter catches your eye. Especially that the chapters are mostly short (around ten pages or so).
Some chapters also feature stories about real woman from history. I especially loved those as they were often about lesser-known, everyday women that most history books tend to ignore. I wish there were more of those as I think I only read these in a few chapters.
All in all, I recommend this to anyone who's dipping their toes into learning about women's roles throughout history. It's fun, quick and would be easy to pick up whenever you have a few minutes to spare.
This was a fun, quick read that exposes the reader to the various roles women have played throughout history. And by 'work', the book doesn’t just mean traditional careers. It also highlights the countless tasks women did (and still do!) for themselves, their homes and their families.
The historical focus is mainly focused on women in England with a few nods to other countries and cultures sprinkled in. With some exceptions, most chapters center on the period from the 1500s onward, with a lot more focus on the 19th century.
The material is presented in the form of mostly standalone chapters that read almost like mini-articles. Each one spotlights a different job or task or role. They work great as quick introductions to their topics. Personally, I was especially into the cheese-making and dairy chapter (what can I say? I love cheese. Cheese = joy).
Seeing that I read a lot of history and historical fiction books (especially around the 19th century), most of the content was already familiar to me. That said, I still picked up a few facts along the way especially about the less commonly discussed occupations such as 'Straw Plaiting'.
At first, I thought the chapters were arranged in a specific order or followed a theme, but that didn’t really seem to be the case (at least in the ARC I received!). This means that you could totally dip in and out, jumping to whatever chapter catches your eye. Especially that the chapters are mostly short (around ten pages or so).
Some chapters also feature stories about real woman from history. I especially loved those as they were often about lesser-known, everyday women that most history books tend to ignore. I wish there were more of those as I think I only read these in a few chapters.
All in all, I recommend this to anyone who's dipping their toes into learning about women's roles throughout history. It's fun, quick and would be easy to pick up whenever you have a few minutes to spare.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Excrement, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the ARC! As always, all opinions shared are 100% my own.
As a Jane Austen fan, and an addict to anything about her life, the moment I laid my eyes on this cover, I knew I had to read it. I had read some material about her father especially before, but never really about her siblings. All I knew about Henry was that he was a priest.
While I was curious just how much material we have about him (considering I feel that we barely know enough about Jane herself), I was delighted to see that the author did extensive research about the socioeconomical and cultural environment that the Austens lived in. From traditions about pregnancy, childbirth and childrearing to banks, taxes and loans, the book immerses the readers into the world that both Jane and Henry grew up in allowing us to learn more about them. Some moments and subjects were lighthearted, others were painful to read about such as slavery.
In addition to that, through Jane's letters and Henry's writings (as well as sermons later), we start to form a much more comprehensive idea about not only who they were but also their beliefs. Was Henry as religious as we think he was? Why was Henry her favourite? What about their relationship with their father and what were some of his beliefs? How did Jane come to publishing her books?
The author presented the information in an accessible, friendly manner that engages the reader to form their own opinion while learning about the late 18th century and 19th century. Henry was not put on a pedestal in this biography, and I appreciated that.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading the book. While there is still much we don't know about Henry, and Jane herself, I learned a lot. Many resources and references were also shared at the end of the book so I know I will dig even deeper now.
As a Jane Austen fan, and an addict to anything about her life, the moment I laid my eyes on this cover, I knew I had to read it. I had read some material about her father especially before, but never really about her siblings. All I knew about Henry was that he was a priest.
While I was curious just how much material we have about him (considering I feel that we barely know enough about Jane herself), I was delighted to see that the author did extensive research about the socioeconomical and cultural environment that the Austens lived in. From traditions about pregnancy, childbirth and childrearing to banks, taxes and loans, the book immerses the readers into the world that both Jane and Henry grew up in allowing us to learn more about them. Some moments and subjects were lighthearted, others were painful to read about such as slavery.
In addition to that, through Jane's letters and Henry's writings (as well as sermons later), we start to form a much more comprehensive idea about not only who they were but also their beliefs. Was Henry as religious as we think he was? Why was Henry her favourite? What about their relationship with their father and what were some of his beliefs? How did Jane come to publishing her books?
The author presented the information in an accessible, friendly manner that engages the reader to form their own opinion while learning about the late 18th century and 19th century. Henry was not put on a pedestal in this biography, and I appreciated that.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading the book. While there is still much we don't know about Henry, and Jane herself, I learned a lot. Many resources and references were also shared at the end of the book so I know I will dig even deeper now.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My brother and I have a tradition of gifting each other Diary of a Wimpy Kid books since childhood. As a lover of all things mythology, when a friend recommended it to us, I honestly couldn't resist. It was very fun! I can absolutely see younger readers loving this. Well-paced, has a good message and the audiobook especially was very well done.
informative
slow-paced
Thank you to NetGalley and Prometheus Books for the ARC! As always, all opinions below are 100% my own!
This book was meaty. In a good way! It digs deep into the lives and works of some of the biggest names in Romanticism, giving you a real sense of who they were and where they came from. It's not exactly light reading, but it does a good job easing the readers into each figure. Some chapters were definitely trickier than others (yes, I am glaring at you, Hegel -- Not that anyone should be surprised about that).
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I took my times with it so I could really soak it all in. If I'm being honest, I probably would've gotten even more out of it if I'd read an intro to Romanticism first (I believe the author wrote one actually) and maybe even read some of the works myself before reading about them here.
If you intend on reading one of the included works, I suggest you do that first to avoid spoilers then come back to this book for a deeper dive. I believe you will find the experience very rewarding. That's what I intend on doing myself in the near future!
This book was meaty. In a good way! It digs deep into the lives and works of some of the biggest names in Romanticism, giving you a real sense of who they were and where they came from. It's not exactly light reading, but it does a good job easing the readers into each figure. Some chapters were definitely trickier than others (yes, I am glaring at you, Hegel -- Not that anyone should be surprised about that).
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I took my times with it so I could really soak it all in. If I'm being honest, I probably would've gotten even more out of it if I'd read an intro to Romanticism first (I believe the author wrote one actually) and maybe even read some of the works myself before reading about them here.
If you intend on reading one of the included works, I suggest you do that first to avoid spoilers then come back to this book for a deeper dive. I believe you will find the experience very rewarding. That's what I intend on doing myself in the near future!