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saraverboom's reviews
397 reviews
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Mrs England by Stacey Halls
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Echo is the first book since Voyager that kept me wanting to read more. I usually have a few moments of “get on with it, Gabaldon” while reading her books, but this time that never really happened. It was an enjoyable read with many interesting side characters and their stories all come together perfectly!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Colonisation
Minor: Rape
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Fantastic read. I was afraid it was going to be depressing but it was anything but! It’s a very inspirational and uplifting story, despite the heavy topics of suicide, self-harm, depression, illness, and addiction.
This book teaches us that there is always hope and as long as there is life, there is possibility.
This book teaches us that there is always hope and as long as there is life, there is possibility.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
To Poison a King by S.G. Prince
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was sent an e-book copy in exchange for an honest review.
An entertaining read that pulls you in right from the start!
I enjoyed reading this book and thought it started off really promising, as it immediately starts with something very dramatic.
The main characters are likeable and interesting enough, but I’m not a huge fan of the side characters. I missed depth and background stories for many of the characters, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.
As I’m a fan of a slow burn romance and the enemies to lovers trope, I enjoyed the relationship between Selene and Elias (okay, they weren’t really enemies but their relationship did have a rocky start, so I’m counting this as an “enemies-to-lovers trope”). I kept forgetting that there was a 9 year age gap though, which is why I wasn’t creeped out all the time. The actual romance doesn’t start until Selene is somewhat of age. When I think about Selene being 14 when she starts interacting with her love interest (who was in his twenties), it does creep me out though.
One thing that bothers me about the story is the villain. The villain’s reasons behind their evil plans don’t seem believable enough to me. Spoilers ahead!
I am not a fan of loved ones suddenly turning evil without good reason, and this case is no different. Selene’s mum leaves her daughter behind to poison the king and suffer the consequences on her own. When she comes back she is suddenly 100% evil, to the point where she tries her best to have her daughter killed. It is later explained why she acted like this, but the given reason was not believable or realistic to me. I love a good villain, but especially when you can see parts of yourself in them; villains who aren’t actually all that bad in every aspect. Selene’s mother however has no redeeming qualities and is therefore an underdeveloped character in my eyes, who doesn’t interest me in the slightest.
As the story is set in a fictional world, I would have liked more world building. I feel like I only caught glimpses of this world and how things work there.
The pace of this book is rather fast, which I enjoyed.
If you are into slow burn romance, a touch of magic, and the intrigue that a royal court has to offer, then this book is for you!
An entertaining read that pulls you in right from the start!
I enjoyed reading this book and thought it started off really promising, as it immediately starts with something very dramatic.
The main characters are likeable and interesting enough, but I’m not a huge fan of the side characters. I missed depth and background stories for many of the characters, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.
As I’m a fan of a slow burn romance and the enemies to lovers trope, I enjoyed the relationship between Selene and Elias (okay, they weren’t really enemies but their relationship did have a rocky start, so I’m counting this as an “enemies-to-lovers trope”). I kept forgetting that there was a 9 year age gap though, which is why I wasn’t creeped out all the time. The actual romance doesn’t start until Selene is somewhat of age. When I think about Selene being 14 when she starts interacting with her love interest (who was in his twenties), it does creep me out though.
One thing that bothers me about the story is the villain. The villain’s reasons behind their evil plans don’t seem believable enough to me. Spoilers ahead!
As the story is set in a fictional world, I would have liked more world building. I feel like I only caught glimpses of this world and how things work there.
The pace of this book is rather fast, which I enjoyed.
If you are into slow burn romance, a touch of magic, and the intrigue that a royal court has to offer, then this book is for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This book made me ugly cry like I never ugly cried before
The story starts when young Hamnet finds his twin sister Judith's health is getting worse. He rushes downstairs to find help but there is no one around. His mother is out in her garden across town, his father is off to London, his older sister and grandmother are away as well and the local doctor is not available either. The only adult he can reach is his quick to anger grandfather, who he was told to stay clear off. As the story progresses, Judith's health is getting worse. Hamnet's mother Agnes' medicinal skills are legendary but even she is powerless against the dreadful plague. While Agnes is doing whatever she can, Hamnet's older sister summons their father to come home quickly, and Hamnet wishes he could switch roles with his twin sister like they always used to. When tragedy strikes the family, they all deal with their grief in their own way.
The reader is treated to a detailed history of how Hamnet's parents met and got married, how they started their family and how his father's career and his mental health developed over the years. I really appreciated how, even though it's clear from the start that the book is about Shakespeare's family, his actual name is never mentioned. He is always referred to as "the father", "her husband", "the son", "the brother", etc. It gave way to the other characters' emotions and developments.
The writing is absolutely wonderful. Hamnet's panic while desperately seeking help for his sister was nearly tangible. Emotions were beautifully conveyed. O'Farrell chose her metaphors and similes very carefully which ensured that they hit home (for me, at least). Her description of twins being two halves of a walnut was painfully accurate and absolutely added to the emotions I felt when tragedy struck. Being one half of a walnut myself, I think I might
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction and who is not afraid to be emotionally destroyed. Fans of Shakespeare will also appreciate the Bard's background story, albeit mostly fictional.
The story starts when young Hamnet finds his twin sister Judith's health is getting worse. He rushes downstairs to find help but there is no one around. His mother is out in her garden across town, his father is off to London, his older sister and grandmother are away as well and the local doctor is not available either. The only adult he can reach is his quick to anger grandfather, who he was told to stay clear off. As the story progresses, Judith's health is getting worse. Hamnet's mother Agnes' medicinal skills are legendary but even she is powerless against the dreadful plague. While Agnes is doing whatever she can, Hamnet's older sister summons their father to come home quickly, and Hamnet wishes he could switch roles with his twin sister like they always used to. When tragedy strikes the family, they all deal with their grief in their own way.
The reader is treated to a detailed history of how Hamnet's parents met and got married, how they started their family and how his father's career and his mental health developed over the years. I really appreciated how, even though it's clear from the start that the book is about Shakespeare's family, his actual name is never mentioned. He is always referred to as "the father", "her husband", "the son", "the brother", etc. It gave way to the other characters' emotions and developments.
The writing is absolutely wonderful. Hamnet's panic while desperately seeking help for his sister was nearly tangible. Emotions were beautifully conveyed. O'Farrell chose her metaphors and similes very carefully which ensured that they hit home (for me, at least). Her description of twins being two halves of a walnut was painfully accurate and absolutely added to the emotions I felt when tragedy struck. Being one half of a walnut myself, I think I might
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction and who is not afraid to be emotionally destroyed. Fans of Shakespeare will also appreciate the Bard's background story, albeit mostly fictional.
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of this book. Thank you to Caitlin Raynor from Headline books for sending me this proof. This book will be released on 13 April 2023.
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint is a beautifully written account of the only female Argonaut. If you're a fan of Saint's earlier books "Ariadne" and "Elektra", then you won't be disappointed by "Atalanta". Out of Saint's three books, Atalanta is my new favourite.
Synopsis (spoiler free)
When a daughter is born to a king who desperately wants a male heir, he abandons the girl in the wild. A mother bear finds the child and adopts her. Years later, the child is taken in by Artemis, virgin goddess of the hunt. She teaches her how to hunt and names her Atalanta. Atalanta grows up in the forest among Artemis and her nymphs, who advise her to stay away from men. When she reaches womanhood, Artemis tells her of Jason, an untried lad who is recruiting a crew to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Artemis encourages Atalanta to be her champion on this quest and to join the men on the Argo, but warns her: she must remain a virgin if she wants to rejoin Artemis after the quest is concluded. The goddess also informs her of a prophesy; if Atalanta were to marry, it would be her downfall. Atalanta's dedication to the goddess is unrivaled, so she volunteers to join Jason and his band of heroes and she promises not to marry. At first she is denied and laughed at by Jason and his crew, but eventually she is given the chance to prove her worth. She joins the Argonauts and sets sail for adventure and glory. During the quest, Atalanta meets friend, foe, and lover. Atalanta must decide whether to stay true to Artemis and the life she's always known, or to choose her own path in life.
--------------------------------
Fans of Greek mythology must have noticed that the ancient classics mostly focus on male narratives, but as we have entered what I like to call "the golden age of retellings", we now get to read the classic myths from the long awaited perspective of women. Atalanta is a perfect example.
Atalanta is often associated with the story of Jason and the Argonauts. All versions seem to agree that she volunteered to join the quest for the Golden Fleece, but most versions deny her role in the heroic journey, explaining how she was rejected for being a woman. Jennifer Saint chose to work with the version in which she did join, and this novel is the wonderful result.
Jennifer Saint has outdone herself again. Her eloquent writing, fast pace, and strong characters make this such a fantastic read. Atalanta's character is admirable and impressive, but not without fault. Despite her love for the goddess who raised her, Atalanta struggles with keeping her promises as she discovers more of what the world has to offer and as she learns more about what drives her. The flaws in her character make Atalanta a character who I can relate to, which makes her so much more interesting to me.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Greek mythology, feminist retellings, a strong female lead, and adventure. This book is a solid 5 stars for me.
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint is a beautifully written account of the only female Argonaut. If you're a fan of Saint's earlier books "Ariadne" and "Elektra", then you won't be disappointed by "Atalanta". Out of Saint's three books, Atalanta is my new favourite.
Synopsis (spoiler free)
When a daughter is born to a king who desperately wants a male heir, he abandons the girl in the wild. A mother bear finds the child and adopts her. Years later, the child is taken in by Artemis, virgin goddess of the hunt. She teaches her how to hunt and names her Atalanta. Atalanta grows up in the forest among Artemis and her nymphs, who advise her to stay away from men. When she reaches womanhood, Artemis tells her of Jason, an untried lad who is recruiting a crew to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Artemis encourages Atalanta to be her champion on this quest and to join the men on the Argo, but warns her: she must remain a virgin if she wants to rejoin Artemis after the quest is concluded. The goddess also informs her of a prophesy; if Atalanta were to marry, it would be her downfall. Atalanta's dedication to the goddess is unrivaled, so she volunteers to join Jason and his band of heroes and she promises not to marry. At first she is denied and laughed at by Jason and his crew, but eventually she is given the chance to prove her worth. She joins the Argonauts and sets sail for adventure and glory. During the quest, Atalanta meets friend, foe, and lover. Atalanta must decide whether to stay true to Artemis and the life she's always known, or to choose her own path in life.
--------------------------------
Fans of Greek mythology must have noticed that the ancient classics mostly focus on male narratives, but as we have entered what I like to call "the golden age of retellings", we now get to read the classic myths from the long awaited perspective of women. Atalanta is a perfect example.
Atalanta is often associated with the story of Jason and the Argonauts. All versions seem to agree that she volunteered to join the quest for the Golden Fleece, but most versions deny her role in the heroic journey, explaining how she was rejected for being a woman. Jennifer Saint chose to work with the version in which she did join, and this novel is the wonderful result.
Jennifer Saint has outdone herself again. Her eloquent writing, fast pace, and strong characters make this such a fantastic read. Atalanta's character is admirable and impressive, but not without fault. Despite her love for the goddess who raised her, Atalanta struggles with keeping her promises as she discovers more of what the world has to offer and as she learns more about what drives her. The flaws in her character make Atalanta a character who I can relate to, which makes her so much more interesting to me.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Greek mythology, feminist retellings, a strong female lead, and adventure. This book is a solid 5 stars for me.
Upon a Waking Dream by J.S. Bailey
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This collection of short stories is an entertaining read indeed. Most of the stories are science fiction, which I don’t usually seek out, but I did enjoy them. Some stories contained quite a few clichés and were rather predictable, while others were very original. I specifically enjoyed the story about the flat earther, the story about the magic pen, and the one about Jay.