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sauvageloup's reviews
526 reviews
Sappho by Sappho
lighthearted
reflective
3.5
bit difficult to give a star rating on the quality of it, so i've just given one marking my enjoyment
Pros:
- some very beautiful turns of phrase, and the translation (from my ignorant POV) seemed good
- intrigued me enough to want to look stuff up and wish that i'd studied it at school or uni
- some of the fragments did alight my imagination as I wondered about the ambiguities and the layers meanings that seemed to be there.
- reading the notes and looking things up helped me learn a couple things
cons:
- very sparse and not much quantity (with the additions of all the ambiguity of meaning and translation), so it's hard to judge whether i like her work or not. after all the hype over the years, bit disappointing
- many fragments did feel too bare, too prosaic, though I'm sure there's an art to making it seem natural, as is stated in the translator's comments. a lot of them, i didn't really want to hover over as they didn't much strike me.
(- after all the talk about Sappho being a famous lesbian, it seemed very much to me as if she were more likely to be bi or pan?)
so too high expectations probably ruined it a bit for me, but i would like to revisit them, perhaps with more research and context.
Pros:
- some very beautiful turns of phrase, and the translation (from my ignorant POV) seemed good
- intrigued me enough to want to look stuff up and wish that i'd studied it at school or uni
- some of the fragments did alight my imagination as I wondered about the ambiguities and the layers meanings that seemed to be there.
- reading the notes and looking things up helped me learn a couple things
cons:
- very sparse and not much quantity (with the additions of all the ambiguity of meaning and translation), so it's hard to judge whether i like her work or not. after all the hype over the years, bit disappointing
- many fragments did feel too bare, too prosaic, though I'm sure there's an art to making it seem natural, as is stated in the translator's comments. a lot of them, i didn't really want to hover over as they didn't much strike me.
(- after all the talk about Sappho being a famous lesbian, it seemed very much to me as if she were more likely to be bi or pan?)
so too high expectations probably ruined it a bit for me, but i would like to revisit them, perhaps with more research and context.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
mentions of loss of virginity and pain or regret afterwards.
In Control: Dangerous Relationships and How They End in Murder by Jane Monckton-Smith
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
4.0
an important and interesting book
Pros:
- definitely challenged my assumptions about domestic violence and femicide - the crime of passion myth and the idea that victims of domestic violence behave in unexplainable ways. the author does a very good and comprehensive job of explaining exactly why victims behave as they do and focuses on them (and protecting them) throughout, not their killers.
- her homicide timeline is very interesting and the clear pattern is as scary as it is useful. the sheer numbers of domestic intimate partner murders are awful, but the timeline she proposes does offer some hope in starting to combat it.
- i've known that the courts aren't a good place for victims and families suffering from domestic abuse, but the author does a great job of explaining it and arguing why change is needed.
- though the writing is plain, it's still obvious how much the author is passionate about helping people and the stories she provides, and the sheer number of them, is painful to read (in a good way).
cons:
- the information was a bit repetitive at times, probably because Monckton smith was very keen to get her viewpoint and research across.
- the writing is also pretty bland and stiff at times (unlike the more compelling style of The Body Keeps the Score), but is informative and gets all the necessary points across. i did feel like some of the impact of the horrible deaths and circumstances the author was describing wasn't given enough emotional punch in the book, but then the author herself might be inured to it from the years she's spent studying it and training herself to look at such stories and statistics in an academic matter. it was clear that she cared very deeply for these victims, but i didn't feel that was imparted very well on the reader.
- i was left still with the question of how a person who identifies that they are controlling might help themselves to end their behaviour patterns and stop the timeline from happening. but i think the author wasn't trying to answer this, just what society and victims can do to get themselves out of there, which is fair enough.
overall, a very worthwhile and disturbing yet powerful book that i think everyone should read, not just women.
Pros:
- definitely challenged my assumptions about domestic violence and femicide - the crime of passion myth and the idea that victims of domestic violence behave in unexplainable ways. the author does a very good and comprehensive job of explaining exactly why victims behave as they do and focuses on them (and protecting them) throughout, not their killers.
- her homicide timeline is very interesting and the clear pattern is as scary as it is useful. the sheer numbers of domestic intimate partner murders are awful, but the timeline she proposes does offer some hope in starting to combat it.
- i've known that the courts aren't a good place for victims and families suffering from domestic abuse, but the author does a great job of explaining it and arguing why change is needed.
- though the writing is plain, it's still obvious how much the author is passionate about helping people and the stories she provides, and the sheer number of them, is painful to read (in a good way).
cons:
- the information was a bit repetitive at times, probably because Monckton smith was very keen to get her viewpoint and research across.
- the writing is also pretty bland and stiff at times (unlike the more compelling style of The Body Keeps the Score), but is informative and gets all the necessary points across. i did feel like some of the impact of the horrible deaths and circumstances the author was describing wasn't given enough emotional punch in the book, but then the author herself might be inured to it from the years she's spent studying it and training herself to look at such stories and statistics in an academic matter. it was clear that she cared very deeply for these victims, but i didn't feel that was imparted very well on the reader.
- i was left still with the question of how a person who identifies that they are controlling might help themselves to end their behaviour patterns and stop the timeline from happening. but i think the author wasn't trying to answer this, just what society and victims can do to get themselves out of there, which is fair enough.
overall, a very worthwhile and disturbing yet powerful book that i think everyone should read, not just women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
none of the descriptions are gratuitous but its still a hard read. heavy focus on stalking, abuse and murder by nature of the book's contents.
Here the Whole Time by Vitor Martins
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
a quick, easy read that was a bit young for me but fun all the same
Pros:
- the characters were cute and felt real. the book does a good job of expressing that just because someone has one thing you would love to have (being thin, having an accepting mom), doesn't fix everything in their life, and they have struggles of their own. it's a big body-positivity book and Filipe grows a lot.
- the growth of their relationship felt pleasantly natural and not rushed, even though it happens over fifteen days. Filipe still has anxieties but they end at a happy place and talk through their thoughts and worries really well, so it didn't feel frustrating, like in romance books when a single good conversation would fix all their problems.
cons:
- the writing was pretty bland, basic and stiff. this might be because of the translation, because it wasn't written in English, and maybe it works much better in Brazilian Portuguese, but it did feel very young to me. that was my biggest issue with it really.
- the plot was also pretty basic and nothing too original. romance books often follow a pretty traditional formula, but it's nicest when they have their own twist - a different setting, a new set-up or poetic writing. there were parts where the story felt too realistic, in that it was pretty dull when Filipe was just floundering in awkward silences and not doing anything. it did help the story not feel too rushed but books shouldn't be exactly like reality, because then they wouldn't be readable.
- it would've been good to see more of the Brazilian setting. maybe because it was written in Brazilian Portuguese, the author didn't feel the need to expand on the setting because he assumed his readers would know, but as an English person who hasn't been to Brazil, a bit more visual description would've been good.
overall, not a new fav but nice and easy and important rep.
Pros:
- the characters were cute and felt real. the book does a good job of expressing that just because someone has one thing you would love to have (being thin, having an accepting mom), doesn't fix everything in their life, and they have struggles of their own. it's a big body-positivity book and Filipe grows a lot.
- the growth of their relationship felt pleasantly natural and not rushed, even though it happens over fifteen days. Filipe still has anxieties but they end at a happy place and talk through their thoughts and worries really well, so it didn't feel frustrating, like in romance books when a single good conversation would fix all their problems.
cons:
- the writing was pretty bland, basic and stiff. this might be because of the translation, because it wasn't written in English, and maybe it works much better in Brazilian Portuguese, but it did feel very young to me. that was my biggest issue with it really.
- the plot was also pretty basic and nothing too original. romance books often follow a pretty traditional formula, but it's nicest when they have their own twist - a different setting, a new set-up or poetic writing. there were parts where the story felt too realistic, in that it was pretty dull when Filipe was just floundering in awkward silences and not doing anything. it did help the story not feel too rushed but books shouldn't be exactly like reality, because then they wouldn't be readable.
- it would've been good to see more of the Brazilian setting. maybe because it was written in Brazilian Portuguese, the author didn't feel the need to expand on the setting because he assumed his readers would know, but as an English person who hasn't been to Brazil, a bit more visual description would've been good.
overall, not a new fav but nice and easy and important rep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual content
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
an absolutely compelling and disturbing ride of a book
(spoilers throughout this review)
Pros:
- the whole book is written like a tragedy, unfolding in a meta way that isn't obvious at first but becomes slowly clearer. the more we learn about the characters - Oliver's obsession with James, Richard's anger, Alexander's substance use, Filippa's unflappability and desperation for a family, James' steady collapse and Wren's fragility - the more inescapable the ending is. i sensed from the first time it's stated that James and Oliver meet in the bathroom that it might've been James but that didn't make it any less gripping. it doesn't end as tragically as a tragedy could have but it kept me wrapped up and guessing throughout, utterly hooked into the early hours. the sense of being totally immersed in the poetry and the cultish world the characters inhabit is as obsessively compelling as the characters themselves find it and the book was impossible to put down.
- the writing is direct and simple, in-between beautiful figurative turns of phrase and the quotes and verse. the dialogue is very convincing as Shakespeare-obsessed thespians and i'm not surprised to find out that the author is a Shakespeare scholar. the poetry was woven into the prose and James being unable to escape the words of Edmund, the villain, at the end was so well-written and perfect for the story. like the characters, I was drawn into the quotations, with all their layers, and then eventually trapped within them. the plays and the story become one and the same as the characters can't escape their roles, just as the title quotes says in the later pages - that the characters become as they were cast.
- at the start, i wasn't impressed with the type casting - the dull sidekick, the angelic hero, the angry drunkard boyfriend, the seductress, etc. - but that's the point. the whole story is a meta reflection on how Shakespearean, extreme emotions might play out in a dark academia scenario. the premise or even the plot isn't that complicated or original, but the writing and how it unfolds really makes it something special.
- bits i also enjoyed was the queer aspect, in that it wasn't strictly put into a box for James or Oliver but wasn't brushed under the rug either. it signals to the homoerotic tension that's never realised in classical lit that you can do a tragedy with the queerness out there in the open.
- the trauma was also dealt with, through all of their breaking-aparts, though perhaps Oliver is the most composed of them really, or maybe Filippa. whilst it's partly the guilt that makes them breakdown like Macbeth, there's also the PTSD from the death itself that's addressed and explored in the different ways it comes up in each of the characters.
Cons:
- the ending confused me. i suppose its supposed to be a glimpse of hope - that real life doesn't have to be a tragedy if only James asks for help, like any of them could've earlier on (Meredith and James after Richard's abuse, Alexander with his substance abuse, Wren with her nerves, etc.) But i felt it was also kind of circular and tragic in a different way - just as we see the possibility of Oliver living a new life with Meredith in NYC, there's this new shock. Will Oliver ever escape James' influence as long as James is alive?
- i did read it quickly and struggled not to skip bits, but i did find the number of characters confusing. I'm still not sure who Camilo was exactly, and i didn't get a good feeling of who Filippa and Wren were really, except as fairly vague side characters - i had more of a sense of Frederick and Gwendolyn than the other two members of the seven.
- whilst Oliver got better, I still felt like he was the dullest of the characters. I suppose that's part of his role - Nick to James' Gatsby - always the sidekick to the hero, but i did think it might've been better if there'd been switching POVs, or if Oliver had been more active from earlier on.
- Oliver is very disrespectful towards eating disorders, which makes him really dislikable. i assume the author doesn't really condone such behaviour, but it felt unnecessary, and the book didn't really show any consequences for his callousness towards his seriously ill sister. There were other bits of insensitivity too and whilst maybe they were supposed to have a narrative purpose, some bits just felt carelessly cruel and unneeded.
- i wasn't convinced that 10 years of prison really had such little impact on Oliver, he seems unchanged between the before and after and that seemed odd. that he and Meredith fall right back into it was strange too, but i guess the idea is that time has been suspended for them (?).
(- personally, i'm still not a fan of the first person, i find it difficult to get a real idea of the main character when 'I' is being used all the time, but that's my preference, not a fault with the story.)
overall its a hugely unnerving and fascinating book that made me want to reread Shakespeare, to save the book to read again sometime, and to read anything else Rio has written. it wasn't perfect but it was definitely addictive and there were some absolutely beautiful lines in there.
(spoilers throughout this review)
Pros:
- the whole book is written like a tragedy, unfolding in a meta way that isn't obvious at first but becomes slowly clearer. the more we learn about the characters - Oliver's obsession with James, Richard's anger, Alexander's substance use, Filippa's unflappability and desperation for a family, James' steady collapse and Wren's fragility - the more inescapable the ending is. i sensed from the first time it's stated that James and Oliver meet in the bathroom that it might've been James but that didn't make it any less gripping. it doesn't end as tragically as a tragedy could have but it kept me wrapped up and guessing throughout, utterly hooked into the early hours. the sense of being totally immersed in the poetry and the cultish world the characters inhabit is as obsessively compelling as the characters themselves find it and the book was impossible to put down.
- the writing is direct and simple, in-between beautiful figurative turns of phrase and the quotes and verse. the dialogue is very convincing as Shakespeare-obsessed thespians and i'm not surprised to find out that the author is a Shakespeare scholar. the poetry was woven into the prose and James being unable to escape the words of Edmund, the villain, at the end was so well-written and perfect for the story. like the characters, I was drawn into the quotations, with all their layers, and then eventually trapped within them. the plays and the story become one and the same as the characters can't escape their roles, just as the title quotes says in the later pages - that the characters become as they were cast.
- at the start, i wasn't impressed with the type casting - the dull sidekick, the angelic hero, the angry drunkard boyfriend, the seductress, etc. - but that's the point. the whole story is a meta reflection on how Shakespearean, extreme emotions might play out in a dark academia scenario. the premise or even the plot isn't that complicated or original, but the writing and how it unfolds really makes it something special.
- bits i also enjoyed was the queer aspect, in that it wasn't strictly put into a box for James or Oliver but wasn't brushed under the rug either. it signals to the homoerotic tension that's never realised in classical lit that you can do a tragedy with the queerness out there in the open.
- the trauma was also dealt with, through all of their breaking-aparts, though perhaps Oliver is the most composed of them really, or maybe Filippa. whilst it's partly the guilt that makes them breakdown like Macbeth, there's also the PTSD from the death itself that's addressed and explored in the different ways it comes up in each of the characters.
Cons:
- the ending confused me. i suppose its supposed to be a glimpse of hope - that real life doesn't have to be a tragedy if only James asks for help, like any of them could've earlier on (Meredith and James after Richard's abuse, Alexander with his substance abuse, Wren with her nerves, etc.) But i felt it was also kind of circular and tragic in a different way - just as we see the possibility of Oliver living a new life with Meredith in NYC, there's this new shock. Will Oliver ever escape James' influence as long as James is alive?
- i did read it quickly and struggled not to skip bits, but i did find the number of characters confusing. I'm still not sure who Camilo was exactly, and i didn't get a good feeling of who Filippa and Wren were really, except as fairly vague side characters - i had more of a sense of Frederick and Gwendolyn than the other two members of the seven.
- whilst Oliver got better, I still felt like he was the dullest of the characters. I suppose that's part of his role - Nick to James' Gatsby - always the sidekick to the hero, but i did think it might've been better if there'd been switching POVs, or if Oliver had been more active from earlier on.
- Oliver is very disrespectful towards eating disorders, which makes him really dislikable. i assume the author doesn't really condone such behaviour, but it felt unnecessary, and the book didn't really show any consequences for his callousness towards his seriously ill sister. There were other bits of insensitivity too and whilst maybe they were supposed to have a narrative purpose, some bits just felt carelessly cruel and unneeded.
- i wasn't convinced that 10 years of prison really had such little impact on Oliver, he seems unchanged between the before and after and that seemed odd. that he and Meredith fall right back into it was strange too, but i guess the idea is that time has been suspended for them (?).
(- personally, i'm still not a fan of the first person, i find it difficult to get a real idea of the main character when 'I' is being used all the time, but that's my preference, not a fault with the story.)
overall its a hugely unnerving and fascinating book that made me want to reread Shakespeare, to save the book to read again sometime, and to read anything else Rio has written. it wasn't perfect but it was definitely addictive and there were some absolutely beautiful lines in there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Homophobia
the eating disorder part is brief but painful and the MC is dismissive and cruel to the person with an ED. there's mentions of weigh-ins and comments on the MC's body in the story, but it's brief.
the homophobia and biphobia is brief but there's a theme of repression throughout.
Life after Life by Kate Atkinson
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
A very compelling, if strange, book
pros:
- the prose and imagery is definitely it's strongest point. as one of the reviewers says, the scenes from the blitz in London are very vivid in my mind, as well as Ursula's awful time in london. and made me realise how truly awful it was for everyone - anyone who compares covid to the world wars has no idea.
- the characters were also wonderfully done, they were all imperfect but well rounded and unique, especially Sylvie, Ursula herself and the rest of the family.
- the idea itself is brilliant, and very well executed, with Ursula's slow realisation of what was happening and how the plots all came together.
- though many references went over my head, I did enjoy the classical and cultural nods where I recognised them.
cons:
-there were a lot of characters and storylines and it was confusing at times, especially because I had a break in the middle. but that added the palimpsest it was creating.
- I found the ending strange and unpoignant, though Atkinson's note at the end helped with this.
overall, very vivid and moving and I want to read more books by her in the future.
pros:
- the prose and imagery is definitely it's strongest point. as one of the reviewers says, the scenes from the blitz in London are very vivid in my mind, as well as Ursula's awful time in london. and made me realise how truly awful it was for everyone - anyone who compares covid to the world wars has no idea.
- the characters were also wonderfully done, they were all imperfect but well rounded and unique, especially Sylvie, Ursula herself and the rest of the family.
- the idea itself is brilliant, and very well executed, with Ursula's slow realisation of what was happening and how the plots all came together.
- though many references went over my head, I did enjoy the classical and cultural nods where I recognised them.
cons:
-there were a lot of characters and storylines and it was confusing at times, especially because I had a break in the middle. but that added the palimpsest it was creating.
- I found the ending strange and unpoignant, though Atkinson's note at the end helped with this.
overall, very vivid and moving and I want to read more books by her in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Antisemitism, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
A very smooth read, quite gripping, didn't take too long
Pros:
- the writing flowed nicely and made it easy to read. The dialogue always felt realistic and the story carried along nicely.
- it also had quite an original premise which was executed well and I got caught up in seeing how it would all turn out. and I'm glad it turned out well
- the side characters, Raymond, Laura, Bob, etc. were all well developed and made it feel like a little slice of life.
Cons:
- Didn't really love Eleanor (though the name didn't help) and while feeling vaguely bad for her, i definitely didn't 'sob and sob' like the one reviewer did. Some bits did hit too hard and just made me feel bad. The tone really reminded me of 'A man called Ove' and it was given to me by the same person. Unfortunately I don't think I'm a massive fan of this type of book really - the reality is too painful for me, too personal.
So I think my main disappoint was that I didn't feel much for the book and I won't be reading it again I'm afraid, though it was good for a break after the complicated 'Ninth house' book.
Pros:
- the writing flowed nicely and made it easy to read. The dialogue always felt realistic and the story carried along nicely.
- it also had quite an original premise which was executed well and I got caught up in seeing how it would all turn out.
- the side characters, Raymond, Laura, Bob, etc. were all well developed and made it feel like a little slice of life.
Cons:
- Didn't really love Eleanor (though the name didn't help) and while feeling vaguely bad for her, i definitely didn't 'sob and sob' like the one reviewer did. Some bits did hit too hard and just made me feel bad. The tone really reminded me of 'A man called Ove' and it was given to me by the same person. Unfortunately I don't think I'm a massive fan of this type of book really - the reality is too painful for me, too personal.
So I think my main disappoint was that I didn't feel much for the book and I won't be reading it again I'm afraid, though it was good for a break after the complicated 'Ninth house' book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
I literally can't wait for the next one
Pros:
- my favourite part of the book was definitely Alex. Her characterisation is brilliant, she felt so fleshed out and real, it was almost uncanny in itself. I could picture her really well (unusual for me), and while many books and shows I think try to show a damaged, wild girl, Bardugo really hits it. How Alex acts and reacts to everything in the book, everything she says alongside her past and her abilities - it all perfectly made up her characterisation as a feral survivor. Her vulgarity isn't overused but perfect for hitting a punch, her emotions are all over the place and complex, she hardly knows who she really is but we get a clear sense of her absolute determination, its all so well done. Some MCs can be a bit dull, not really fleshed out and always reacting to the plot, but Alex comes into herself massively and finds her feet, and i love how she becomes a force to be recognised.
- the characters overall were great, from Darlington's charm to Dawes' awkward care. Hellie's gentle but damaged sunshine, Belbalm's promises and grotesquely awful Blake. I really hope Darlington is okay!!! can't wait to see what demon!Darlington turns out like
- the worldbuilding, though complex, was also fabulous. I felt like the brilliant details were lost a bit in the maybe too complex overall fabric, but it was great overall. The prognostications were gory but fascinating, the hell hounds, all the lore around the Greys and Alex's abilities, the compact mirror, the magic nexuses, portals and all the rest. The big magic was great but the details, like the library's summoning charm, were brill too.
- I also enjoyed the sharp tang of social commentary. Dawes calling out Sandow's victim blaming, Alex fiercely advocating for the town girl and how the book never condemns Tara - she came from nothing and had some ambition. Alex generally being a champion for the oppressed, because she understands exactly what its like, and how it feels to be the outcast, the forgotten, the mad one, the addict and the desperate.
- Bardugo's writing just felt like a big glow up. I don't think I could ever hope to write with such maturity and poetry, let alone with such an ambitious plot. One of those books I feel sick with envy when I'm reading it, but love it all the same.
- I also loved the depth of Alex's past. Her mother loves her, but her all over the place ways hurt Alex, even though it wasn't the same as the trauma from the ghosts. Alex clearly has issues with food now she's in college, and her mother didn't help her with the basic, practical things, like buying clothes, life skills and making lunch boxes. This was another part of how Alex was fully fleshed out - she doesn't leave Len when she could've with Hellie and she's never blamed for that, but she doesn't have other options. She's a survivor but her experiences with school, adults, her mom, friends, the ghosts, abusers like Ariel and others all stopped her from thriving and making a life - not until she got some power. Power and money, she says.
Cons:
- slow to start and complicated. I struggled to follow all the names, places and worldbuilding being thrown at me and I'm not sure we really jump into Alex's story at the right time (or maybe we do... im not sure). either way, I did have to struggle to follow the early bits, trying to remember who everyone was.
- and the book does continue this way. i forgot who Michelle was near the end and other characters got confused in my head too. A character list alongside the map might've been good.
(- I did guess it was Belbalm from the moment we met her. She was too perfect within the messed up scene. The impact she had on Alex felt supernatural and I just knew there was something about her. I suppose this is a con because there wasn't any surprise for me at the end, but it didn't really negatively impact my reading that much. Dean Sandow was a strong suspect too, but I came round to thinking it was him more slowly. Oh and the minute Dawes said that a demon could survive being eaten, I knew Darlington was gonna be a demon)
(- i am bumping it up to 5 stars i've decided, because despite it's flaws it was overall brilliant and i want more so badly)
Despite a slow start, very good, very gripping, very enjoyable. Cannot wait for book 2.
Pros:
- my favourite part of the book was definitely Alex. Her characterisation is brilliant, she felt so fleshed out and real, it was almost uncanny in itself. I could picture her really well (unusual for me), and while many books and shows I think try to show a damaged, wild girl, Bardugo really hits it. How Alex acts and reacts to everything in the book, everything she says alongside her past and her abilities - it all perfectly made up her characterisation as a feral survivor. Her vulgarity isn't overused but perfect for hitting a punch, her emotions are all over the place and complex, she hardly knows who she really is but we get a clear sense of her absolute determination, its all so well done. Some MCs can be a bit dull, not really fleshed out and always reacting to the plot, but Alex comes into herself massively and finds her feet, and i love how she becomes a force to be recognised.
- the characters overall were great, from Darlington's charm to Dawes' awkward care. Hellie's gentle but damaged sunshine, Belbalm's promises and grotesquely awful Blake.
- the worldbuilding, though complex, was also fabulous. I felt like the brilliant details were lost a bit in the maybe too complex overall fabric, but it was great overall. The prognostications were gory but fascinating, the hell hounds, all the lore around the Greys and Alex's abilities, the compact mirror, the magic nexuses, portals and all the rest. The big magic was great but the details, like the library's summoning charm, were brill too.
- I also enjoyed the sharp tang of social commentary. Dawes calling out Sandow's victim blaming, Alex fiercely advocating for the town girl and how the book never condemns Tara - she came from nothing and had some ambition. Alex generally being a champion for the oppressed, because she understands exactly what its like, and how it feels to be the outcast, the forgotten, the mad one, the addict and the desperate.
- Bardugo's writing just felt like a big glow up. I don't think I could ever hope to write with such maturity and poetry, let alone with such an ambitious plot. One of those books I feel sick with envy when I'm reading it, but love it all the same.
- I also loved the depth of Alex's past. Her mother loves her, but her all over the place ways hurt Alex, even though it wasn't the same as the trauma from the ghosts. Alex clearly has issues with food now she's in college, and her mother didn't help her with the basic, practical things, like buying clothes, life skills and making lunch boxes. This was another part of how Alex was fully fleshed out - she doesn't leave Len when she could've with Hellie and she's never blamed for that, but she doesn't have other options. She's a survivor but her experiences with school, adults, her mom, friends, the ghosts, abusers like Ariel and others all stopped her from thriving and making a life - not until she got some power. Power and money, she says.
Cons:
- slow to start and complicated. I struggled to follow all the names, places and worldbuilding being thrown at me and I'm not sure we really jump into Alex's story at the right time (or maybe we do... im not sure). either way, I did have to struggle to follow the early bits, trying to remember who everyone was.
- and the book does continue this way. i forgot who Michelle was near the end and other characters got confused in my head too. A character list alongside the map might've been good.
(- i am bumping it up to 5 stars i've decided, because despite it's flaws it was overall brilliant and i want more so badly)
Despite a slow start, very good, very gripping, very enjoyable. Cannot wait for book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Antisemitism
the main character doesn't have an eating disorder but there's some food insecurity for her and her eating habits are unusual.
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
A gripping and beautiful book!
Pros:
- the writing is gorgeous! if i highlighted books, it would be filled with highlighter. Some sentences and metaphors were just stunning, it's really poetic whilst still being grounded, brutal without being gratuitous, and really poignant too. The plot was perfect too, enough happening to keep it moving without it being rushed, the final twist totally surprising me.
- the characters were perfect too, especially Miigwans, Rose and the narrator, Francis/Frenchie himself. The trauma they've been through is obvious though not leaned heavily on, and Frenchie's crush is a reminder that he's still so young.
- the worldbuilding is original and brilliant, hugely awful but with hope through the Native Americans' survival.
- i loved the inclusion of Story, the language, the reverence the younger ones show their elders and the learning and how the community pulled together. I've never read a book by a Native American but this was a brilliant reason for why I should find more of them.
(- the worldbuilding and beautiful language reminded me loosely of Station Eleven, and that can only be a very good thing!)
Cons:
- I wasn't too impacted when RiRi died... i don't rly know why, whether it was a fault with me or the writing. Was much more impacted when Miigwans and Isaac were reunited at the end <3
- sometimes the worldbuilding verged on a bit too tell-y for me and a little unoriginally presented maybe? but it was a minor detail
(not a pro or con, but I was suprised by how often the narrator/author used 'Indians' to describe themselves. I really thought that was considered a slur and Native American the "proper" term? something to look into i guess)
Overall, a wonderful book, i think maybe my first 5 star of the year, definitely want to read more by this author!
Pros:
- the writing is gorgeous! if i highlighted books, it would be filled with highlighter. Some sentences and metaphors were just stunning, it's really poetic whilst still being grounded, brutal without being gratuitous, and really poignant too. The plot was perfect too, enough happening to keep it moving without it being rushed, the final twist totally surprising me.
- the characters were perfect too, especially Miigwans, Rose and the narrator, Francis/Frenchie himself. The trauma they've been through is obvious though not leaned heavily on, and Frenchie's crush is a reminder that he's still so young.
- the worldbuilding is original and brilliant, hugely awful but with hope through the Native Americans' survival.
- i loved the inclusion of Story, the language, the reverence the younger ones show their elders and the learning and how the community pulled together. I've never read a book by a Native American but this was a brilliant reason for why I should find more of them.
(- the worldbuilding and beautiful language reminded me loosely of Station Eleven, and that can only be a very good thing!)
Cons:
-
- sometimes the worldbuilding verged on a bit too tell-y for me and a little unoriginally presented maybe? but it was a minor detail
(not a pro or con, but I was suprised by how often the narrator/author used 'Indians' to describe themselves. I really thought that was considered a slur and Native American the "proper" term? something to look into i guess)
Overall, a wonderful book, i think maybe my first 5 star of the year, definitely want to read more by this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Torture and Pregnancy
overall tone is hopeful, but some brief but very heavy bits, particularly with the sexual assault
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A difficult book to rate because the start felt so different to the end
Pros:
- it really picked up by the end, I was fully gripped and just finished it now after hours of reading. The story and the action is definitely there, and really gets going.
- the worldbuilding and the fantasy were interesting and I appreciated the map in the front. I liked the side-characters too, Britta, Keita and the others, and whilst Deka didn't grab me, I did like her. The plot twists were such that I definitely didn't expect the reveal of White Hands being a Firstborn. I thought she was gonna turn out to be evil, working for the emperor .
- Ixu was very cute
Cons:
- Deka is very passive and seems to get pushed around by whoever is the first to tell her anything. She makes no steps to seek information for herself, but only when others are willing to tell her or allow her access (like to the heraldry). I thought she was a bit dim telling the other alaki all about her special abilities (she's pretty overpowered) from the off, but that worked out I guess. She also trusts White Hands way more than I thought she ought, considering the woman had some mysterious big plan and wouldn't tell Deka anything. I fully expected her to screw Deka over and was a bit underwhelmed when that didn't happen.
- the start felt very amateurishly written, with very typical YA tropes used in an unoriginal way, and way, way too much exposition. The author introduces far too many characters who barely have a role and there was way too much telling. Every other paragraph had several sentences just narrating about the world.
- I hear what Forna is trying to say about feminism but it didn't carry off for me. The comments on the real world were too heavy-handed
- the trauma throughout didn't feel realistically handled. There's moments of dwelling on it, but it felt shallow and didn't affect Deka nearly as much as could have been expected. The ongoing impact of trauma was much better shown in The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, imo.
- Deka's character also seems to change in the space between one chapter and the next. In the previous ones, she prays to Okoyo, she wants to be pure, she hates being a demon. And then suddenly she's having all these rebellious thoughts and calling all the other girls to face their natures. That character development felt totally rushed and provoked by nothing at all.
This one definitely improved and I don't know whether I'll check out no.2 when it's out or not. It felt like a book with a lot of potential, but it fell short, feeling too shallow and awkward to be really brilliant. There was also not really enough angst for me - a lot of torture and pain but very little of the actual struggling to deal and heal with it.
Pros:
- it really picked up by the end, I was fully gripped and just finished it now after hours of reading. The story and the action is definitely there, and really gets going.
- the worldbuilding and the fantasy were interesting and I appreciated the map in the front. I liked the side-characters too, Britta, Keita and the others, and whilst Deka didn't grab me, I did like her. The plot twists were such that I definitely didn't expect the reveal of
- Ixu was very cute
Cons:
- Deka is very passive and seems to get pushed around by whoever is the first to tell her anything. She makes no steps to seek information for herself, but only when others are willing to tell her or allow her access (like to the heraldry). I thought she was a bit dim telling the other alaki all about her special abilities (she's pretty overpowered) from the off, but that worked out I guess.
- the start felt very amateurishly written, with very typical YA tropes used in an unoriginal way, and way, way too much exposition. The author introduces far too many characters who barely have a role and there was way too much telling. Every other paragraph had several sentences just narrating about the world.
- I hear what Forna is trying to say about feminism but it didn't carry off for me. The comments on the real world were too heavy-handed
- the trauma throughout didn't feel realistically handled. There's moments of dwelling on it, but it felt shallow and didn't affect Deka nearly as much as could have been expected. The ongoing impact of trauma was much better shown in The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, imo.
- Deka's character also seems to change in the space between one chapter and the next. In the previous ones, she prays to Okoyo, she wants to be pure, she hates being a demon. And then suddenly she's having all these rebellious thoughts and calling all the other girls to face their natures. That character development felt totally rushed and provoked by nothing at all.
This one definitely improved and I don't know whether I'll check out no.2 when it's out or not. It felt like a book with a lot of potential, but it fell short, feeling too shallow and awkward to be really brilliant. There was also not really enough angst for me - a lot of torture and pain but very little of the actual struggling to deal and heal with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Walking Ollie by Stephen Foster
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
2.5
A very easy little read
Pros:
- there's some good info in there for people like me, who like dogs but didn't grow up with them. I never knew the definition of a lurcher before, for example
- the writing style was very readable and the story flows well
- despite the narrator's frustration, Ollie remained very lovable
- though I didn't much like the narrator for much of it, he does clearly come around to dogs a lot, Ollie included.
- also, i did relate a lot to his frustration with a dog who won't come back. It is really frustrating, embarrassing, worrying and hurtful when a dog won't come when called. I do get jealous of other owners who can free roam their dogs no problem, trusting a dog to do that is the dream honestly, and it feels like a failure of a dog walker not to be able to trust that (though the dog who i have a problem with isn't actually mine).
Cons:
- i'm sure some of it is exaggerated, for comic or dramatic effect, but it really seems that the author didn't like dogs much. He focuses on the issues, on the time he 'loses' to the dog (rather than what he gains from the dog), and doesn't seem to like either walking or other dog walkers much at all. A lot of it didn't relate to me - I love walking, have found dog walkers very friendly and helpful overall - and i couldn't help but feel that if the author had actually liked dogs more, Ollie mightn't been so afraid of him. The eventual cure is Ollie and him actually spending time together, which happens once the author accepts doing this more than absolutely necessary. this would've been my first port of call *shrug*
- there's also some really non-politically correct bits, including a particular bit of homophobia by the author's son which is played for comic effect, random bits of sexism, and various untactful comments about autism and ADHD in relation to Ollie's struggles.
- also, the author writes at the end about looking at rescues for thier next dog... but in the postscript, they get a pure-bred Saluki that's worth significantly more than £500, as the author says. Which was a shame.
- and saying that, the author really puts down rescue dogs. He relays all the "horror stories" told to him about rescues by other dog owners and his account of Ollie certainly doesn't make them seem favourable. Considering how difficult it is for rescue dogs to get adopted as it is, I didn't think this was very kind. Rescue dogs might need more patience, more love, more training, but they're worth it. I know plenty of purebreds that are so much worse than rescues. It's all in the owner and the work they're willing to put it, that's what makes or breaks a dog's behaviour.
Overall, an interesting little book, but I did judge the author a fair bit, so sue me. hopefully he's come on a bit since 2006, when he wrote the book.
Pros:
- there's some good info in there for people like me, who like dogs but didn't grow up with them. I never knew the definition of a lurcher before, for example
- the writing style was very readable and the story flows well
- despite the narrator's frustration, Ollie remained very lovable
- though I didn't much like the narrator for much of it, he does clearly come around to dogs a lot, Ollie included.
- also, i did relate a lot to his frustration with a dog who won't come back. It is really frustrating, embarrassing, worrying and hurtful when a dog won't come when called. I do get jealous of other owners who can free roam their dogs no problem, trusting a dog to do that is the dream honestly, and it feels like a failure of a dog walker not to be able to trust that (though the dog who i have a problem with isn't actually mine).
Cons:
- i'm sure some of it is exaggerated, for comic or dramatic effect, but it really seems that the author didn't like dogs much. He focuses on the issues, on the time he 'loses' to the dog (rather than what he gains from the dog), and doesn't seem to like either walking or other dog walkers much at all. A lot of it didn't relate to me - I love walking, have found dog walkers very friendly and helpful overall - and i couldn't help but feel that if the author had actually liked dogs more, Ollie mightn't been so afraid of him. The eventual cure is Ollie and him actually spending time together, which happens once the author accepts doing this more than absolutely necessary. this would've been my first port of call *shrug*
- there's also some really non-politically correct bits, including a particular bit of homophobia by the author's son which is played for comic effect, random bits of sexism, and various untactful comments about autism and ADHD in relation to Ollie's struggles.
- also, the author writes at the end about looking at rescues for thier next dog... but in the postscript, they get a pure-bred Saluki that's worth significantly more than £500, as the author says. Which was a shame.
- and saying that, the author really puts down rescue dogs. He relays all the "horror stories" told to him about rescues by other dog owners and his account of Ollie certainly doesn't make them seem favourable. Considering how difficult it is for rescue dogs to get adopted as it is, I didn't think this was very kind. Rescue dogs might need more patience, more love, more training, but they're worth it. I know plenty of purebreds that are so much worse than rescues. It's all in the owner and the work they're willing to put it, that's what makes or breaks a dog's behaviour.
Overall, an interesting little book, but I did judge the author a fair bit, so sue me. hopefully he's come on a bit since 2006, when he wrote the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Excrement
Minor: Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
There's a lot of the narrator being frustrated and angry at their fearful dog, which might trigger someone who's experienced domestic abuse.