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savage_book_review's reviews
245 reviews
Hexed by Emily McIntire
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It's time for 'The Little Mermaid' to get the Emily McIntire treatment! Enzo comes to Atlantic Cove engaged to the beautiful but vapid Aria, daughter to the boss of the state's organised crime ring. He's the son of a New York mafia Don, and is content to do his duty. But when he meets Vanesa, Aria's witch of a cousin, sparks begin to fly as their dark deeds come to light.
Immediately, I can say that this takes the crown as my favourite of the Never After series. The story has the best feel and flow, the relationship is really engaging and keeps you invested, and the characters all evoke strong emotions from the reader. Considering the personal difficulties experienced by the author during the writing of this book, I actually think this may be the best writing of the series too.
I love the fact that the attraction and UST between Enzo and Vanesa is sizzling from literally the moment they officially meet for the first time. We were warned that this was going to be a slow burn and it absolutely is, but it's not a frustrating wait; it feels naturally inevitable and reading about their attraction and back-and-forth just makes you want a relationship like theirs! Both characters have wonderful appeal individually too - Enzo appears incredibly well put together, sexy and confident, with a hint of that vulnerability which makes women melt and a violent dark streak, ultimately making him an almost perfect morally grey man!
Vanesa, although seeking validation from her Uncle, is an incredibly strong woman, determined to only be reliant upon herself until she meets the one person who can match and compliment her without smothering her. What I really love about her though is that she encompasses a lot of diversity within one character; an out and proud bisexual, even in the face of people who don't support or accept that aspect of her; a curvy girl who is still portrayed as gorgeous and sexy; and a woman who wants to remain childless by choice who isn't made to feel guilty about it! And the way it's written, nothing comes across as controversial, but rather it's readily accepted.
The secondary characters are great too. Aria REALLY annoys me; she's a horrible character, a spoiled brat and an almost stereotypical mean girl... but that is precisely why she works! Both Enzo and Vanesa's underlings have great personalities, and are a riot when they come together, and the two family heads are just utter b*****ds. There isn't a single character that feels like filler or a placeholder; they've all been well developed and have a clear purpose. And there are moments throughout where you do question some of their motives, which adds an extra edge to the narrative.
I did manage to pre-empt the majority of the twists, but nevertheless I enjoyed watching the story unfold and reward me for my correct guessing. There are a couple of small moments in the narrative which feel underdeveloped, but what I feel is missing from those moments is more character development / backstory / motivation, rather than a lack of driving the plot forward. Overall though, the pace feels pretty much spot on.
It wouldn't be a Never After novel without a few good spicy scenes. Again, the magnetic draw between the two characters is electric, so when they do get down to business, it really is a release of tension! And I love the fact that they don't shy away from PDA - the fact that their underlings keep having to leave the apartment because they can't keep their hands off of eachother just gives me the warm fuzzies!
I know this is meant to be the last of the series, but I really hope it isn't - I will continue to buy books by this author as long as they keep being released!
Immediately, I can say that this takes the crown as my favourite of the Never After series. The story has the best feel and flow, the relationship is really engaging and keeps you invested, and the characters all evoke strong emotions from the reader. Considering the personal difficulties experienced by the author during the writing of this book, I actually think this may be the best writing of the series too.
I love the fact that the attraction and UST between Enzo and Vanesa is sizzling from literally the moment they officially meet for the first time. We were warned that this was going to be a slow burn and it absolutely is, but it's not a frustrating wait; it feels naturally inevitable and reading about their attraction and back-and-forth just makes you want a relationship like theirs! Both characters have wonderful appeal individually too - Enzo appears incredibly well put together, sexy and confident, with a hint of that vulnerability which makes women melt and a violent dark streak, ultimately making him an almost perfect morally grey man!
Vanesa, although seeking validation from her Uncle, is an incredibly strong woman, determined to only be reliant upon herself until she meets the one person who can match and compliment her without smothering her. What I really love about her though is that she encompasses a lot of diversity within one character; an out and proud bisexual, even in the face of people who don't support or accept that aspect of her; a curvy girl who is still portrayed as gorgeous and sexy; and a woman who wants to remain childless by choice who isn't made to feel guilty about it! And the way it's written, nothing comes across as controversial, but rather it's readily accepted.
The secondary characters are great too. Aria REALLY annoys me; she's a horrible character, a spoiled brat and an almost stereotypical mean girl... but that is precisely why she works! Both Enzo and Vanesa's underlings have great personalities, and are a riot when they come together, and the two family heads are just utter b*****ds. There isn't a single character that feels like filler or a placeholder; they've all been well developed and have a clear purpose. And there are moments throughout where you do question some of their motives, which adds an extra edge to the narrative.
I did manage to pre-empt the majority of the twists, but nevertheless I enjoyed watching the story unfold and reward me for my correct guessing. There are a couple of small moments in the narrative which feel underdeveloped, but what I feel is missing from those moments is more character development / backstory / motivation, rather than a lack of driving the plot forward. Overall though, the pace feels pretty much spot on.
It wouldn't be a Never After novel without a few good spicy scenes. Again, the magnetic draw between the two characters is electric, so when they do get down to business, it really is a release of tension! And I love the fact that they don't shy away from PDA - the fact that their underlings keep having to leave the apartment because they can't keep their hands off of eachother just gives me the warm fuzzies!
I know this is meant to be the last of the series, but I really hope it isn't - I will continue to buy books by this author as long as they keep being released!
Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The leader of Olympus' security forces is dead, and so a new Ares must be crowned in a spectacular contest. Zeus also adds a sweetener to the deal; whoever wins the title also wins the hand of his sister, the beautiful Helen. Achilles has been training his whole life for this opportunity, and his lover Patroclus is determined to help him achieve it. But when Helen submits herself as a contender, the game changes and it's not just a title they're fighting for...
While I did still enjoy this one immensely (I'm almost as big a sap for Achilles and Patroclus as I am for Hades and Persephone), I found myself thinking throughout that this story is essentially the Triwizard Tournament plus elements of the Hunger Games, only with less death and more sex! Three tasks, whittling down the candidates until a winner is crowned.And they essentially boil down to Ninja Warrior (with added actual ninjas), the Triwizard maze (where your fellow competitors might just attack you at any moment), and the obligatory gladiatorial battle (but where your main characters choose nightsticks as their weapons rather than swords, knives or anything else pointy and sharp). It just doesn't quite flow as well as a story; it reads more like a series of one off scenes that have been stitched together, with the bridge between each being the characters enjoying eachother. Still a fun read, but just not quite as emotionally engaging as the previous books.
I did very much like the balance of personalities between Helen, Achilles and Patroclus though. The triad really works, each contributing something to their relationship to make them a strong and believable unit. Equally, each of them are strong characters in their own right, and it was very easy to fall into each of their POVs and understand their perspectives. In particular, I strangely liked the slightly hypocritical stance Achilles takes whereby he's sure that Helen will forgive him when he wins the tournament, without ever giving thought to what he would do if she wins. When you're in his head, the thought process makes absolute sense, even if objectively it's a bit ridiculous! The writing really brings to life these character foibles for each of them.
However, I wasn't always convinced by the development of the relationship; there are a couple of places where things just feel too 'easy', or are glossed over to get them to where they need to be which does detract from their story. Likewise, there are some moments where the reasons for a character doing/not doing something feel very weak... there are some convenient excuses used that just feel a wee bit lazy. I almost feel like this book could have been a lot more of an emotional rollercoaster and given the reader a whole lot more depth if the pace had been slowed a little, or if the book had been twice the length!
This book also introduces a thread of what I assume will be an ongoing story arc throughout the rest of the series. It's cleverly done by introducing 'outsiders' into Olympus, but those outsiders are still familiar to the reader as characters from Greek myth. It does raise the stakes a little, and I'm interested to see how it might play out. I'm fully invested and can't wait to keep reading!
While I did still enjoy this one immensely (I'm almost as big a sap for Achilles and Patroclus as I am for Hades and Persephone), I found myself thinking throughout that this story is essentially the Triwizard Tournament plus elements of the Hunger Games, only with less death and more sex! Three tasks, whittling down the candidates until a winner is crowned.
I did very much like the balance of personalities between Helen, Achilles and Patroclus though. The triad really works, each contributing something to their relationship to make them a strong and believable unit. Equally, each of them are strong characters in their own right, and it was very easy to fall into each of their POVs and understand their perspectives. In particular, I strangely liked the slightly hypocritical stance Achilles takes whereby he's sure that Helen will forgive him when he wins the tournament, without ever giving thought to what he would do if she wins. When you're in his head, the thought process makes absolute sense, even if objectively it's a bit ridiculous! The writing really brings to life these character foibles for each of them.
However, I wasn't always convinced by the development of the relationship; there are a couple of places where things just feel too 'easy', or are glossed over to get them to where they need to be which does detract from their story. Likewise, there are some moments where the reasons for a character doing/not doing something feel very weak... there are some convenient excuses used that just feel a wee bit lazy. I almost feel like this book could have been a lot more of an emotional rollercoaster and given the reader a whole lot more depth if the pace had been slowed a little, or if the book had been twice the length!
This book also introduces a thread of what I assume will be an ongoing story arc throughout the rest of the series. It's cleverly done by introducing 'outsiders' into Olympus, but those outsiders are still familiar to the reader as characters from Greek myth. It does raise the stakes a little, and I'm interested to see how it might play out. I'm fully invested and can't wait to keep reading!
Electric Idol by Katee Robert
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Eros is a monster. The son and enforcer of Aphrodite, he's used to having blood on his hands. So turning up to a party injured is no big deal. Except he's met on arrival by Psyche who, despite his reputation, offers to help him clean up. But her mother is still determined to set up one of her daughters as Hera, which enrages Aphrodite, as matchmaker is her job. Taking out Psyche offers too many advantages, and she has the perfect assassin on hand. But when kindness is such a rare thing in his life, will Eros be able to strike the killing blow?
The literal only reason this book doesn't get the full five stars is because there are a couple of small moments that stick out as a bit too contrived , and my favourite couple don'tmake quite enough of an appearance. Other than that, I loved this book! I don't even know where to start with my praise!
Psyche is a wonderful character, well rounded and 'real'. I've never really been bothered about what size the characters I read about are described as; it just doesn't matter to me. But having Psyche as an overt plus-size character, who still has amazing body confidence and is generally considered to be gorgeous and desirable... it feels important, and gave me an image to aspire to. It made her so easy to identify with, despite all the other madness going on in the story. Likewise, Eros leaps off the page and, right from the start, it's obvious there is more to him than his reputation would suggest. His protective instincts are written to perfection, and yes, you get a little shiver down the spine with every claim of 'mine'.
Yes, the story is chock full of tropes, most obviously 'marriage of convenience'. And despite the slightly bizarre leap from 'I've been ordered to unalive you' to 'marry me', the logic makes just enough sense for the set up to work. But once you're there, the characters themselves carry ypu off so well that the plot is a secondary concern. While there is a story arc and a thread to follow, the background just dropped away as my focus fixed on Eros and Psyche and their realisation that they might just be meant for each other. I'm fairly confident that there are some seeds planted for future books in the series in here, so you do have to pay a little bit of attention, but overall it's the developing relationship and cute moments where it's just the two of them that really hold your attention.
The world of Olympus continues to grow in this book, with new haunts and new lore being introduced which makes the city start to feel more immersive. Seeing fresh characters' takes on the structure and machinations of the Thirteen, the way the city works and the things that are important to them also helps bring the whole vision to life, and I love it! Where it's still early days in the series for me, I am still getting used to the way these Olympians 'rule' (I.e. their not being actual Gods and Goddesses), but I think it's a clever and original take on the theme.
The literal only reason this book doesn't get the full five stars is because there are a couple of small moments that stick out as a bit too contrived , and my favourite couple don'tmake quite enough of an appearance. Other than that, I loved this book! I don't even know where to start with my praise!
Psyche is a wonderful character, well rounded and 'real'. I've never really been bothered about what size the characters I read about are described as; it just doesn't matter to me. But having Psyche as an overt plus-size character, who still has amazing body confidence and is generally considered to be gorgeous and desirable... it feels important, and gave me an image to aspire to. It made her so easy to identify with, despite all the other madness going on in the story. Likewise, Eros leaps off the page and, right from the start, it's obvious there is more to him than his reputation would suggest. His protective instincts are written to perfection, and yes, you get a little shiver down the spine with every claim of 'mine'.
Yes, the story is chock full of tropes, most obviously 'marriage of convenience'. And despite the slightly bizarre leap from 'I've been ordered to unalive you' to 'marry me', the logic makes just enough sense for the set up to work. But once you're there, the characters themselves carry ypu off so well that the plot is a secondary concern. While there is a story arc and a thread to follow, the background just dropped away as my focus fixed on Eros and Psyche and their realisation that they might just be meant for each other. I'm fairly confident that there are some seeds planted for future books in the series in here, so you do have to pay a little bit of attention, but overall it's the developing relationship and cute moments where it's just the two of them that really hold your attention.
The world of Olympus continues to grow in this book, with new haunts and new lore being introduced which makes the city start to feel more immersive. Seeing fresh characters' takes on the structure and machinations of the Thirteen, the way the city works and the things that are important to them also helps bring the whole vision to life, and I love it! Where it's still early days in the series for me, I am still getting used to the way these Olympians 'rule' (I.e. their not being actual Gods and Goddesses), but I think it's a clever and original take on the theme.
Voyage of the Damned: A Shocking True Story of Hope, Betrayal, and Nazi Terror by Max Morgan-Witts, Gordon Thomas
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Was in one of those moods where I just needed a standalone book that wasn't inkeeping with the last few books I've read. I came across this on KU, and the blurb sparked enough of an interest for me to read on. On the eve of WW2, a ship leaves Hamburg Harbour for Cuba. On board are around 900 Jewish refugees, fleeing persecution either by choice or after being forced out of the country. But circumstances beyond their control mean that, while they've sailed half way round the world to escape the shadow of the far right, there is no guarantee that their final destination will be where they desire.
I do enjoy reading this sort of book; a non-fiction work that picks up on a little-known event and changes your perception of the wider period. It's a reminder that history is a) not black and white, and b) written by the winners. For while the people on this ship are seeking a safe port in a storm, even the "good guys" show an incredible lack of interest in offering a helping hand. It's terrifying how politics and back room deals seems to have more impact than the direct threat to the lives of these people, and yet the best the land of the free and home of thr brave (along with her allies) can do is shrug its shoulders.
The authors do an amazing job at bringing the various people on the St Louis to life in the reader's mind. This is in part helped by the sheer amount of primary testimonies they've gathered and the huge amount of research that appears to have gone into the book. It may have been written in 1974, but it remains a tight, concise examination of events that aims to convey the story and the facts as far as possible, rather than sensationalise. It is a little hard to follow in places as there are a few members of the Cuban authorities with similar-ish names, and generally there are just a lot of people involved in negotiations, but generally speaking it's set out as a day by day chronology of events and so it remains easy to follow the developments, twists and turns of the story.
They've managed to capture the idea that the ship is a microcosm of 1930s Germany; we meet a Jewish family who board the ship in their finest clothes, and another who is freshly out of Dachau and hiding from the authorities. One of the crew is a fully paid up member of the N*zi party and wannabe spy, and the Captain is the stand up gentleman who is determined to treat his current crop of passengers in exactly the same way he would on any other trip. It's wonderful to read the experiences of ordinary people who are being persecuted for their beliefs, and their shock and awe at the fact that the majority of the crew actually treat them like human beings. Similarly, the authors don't shy away from describing the effects of a concentration / forced labour camp on a person's physical and mental health, but every instance is treated with respect and care, and doesn't feel sensationalist, but rather just a reporting of the sad consequences.
What's particularly effective is how well it still resonates with modern events. Refugees being turned away or barred entry from every port because of isolationist policies and a fear that they're going to be reliant upon the state rather than standing on their own two feet. How is this same story being told with the same consequences 85 years later?! The book was written closer in time to the events it describes than today, and yet it's still going on. It's particularly hard to stomach when you consider the 'luck of the draw' outcomes of the passengers - though all found a 'safe' harbour to disembark from the ship, the likelihood is a majority of passengers ultimately failed to escape. Whereas if Cuba and/or the USA had opened a port to them, the vast majority would have likely survived the war.
It's not light reading, but it is easy reading and very, very insightful.
I do enjoy reading this sort of book; a non-fiction work that picks up on a little-known event and changes your perception of the wider period. It's a reminder that history is a) not black and white, and b) written by the winners. For while the people on this ship are seeking a safe port in a storm, even the "good guys" show an incredible lack of interest in offering a helping hand. It's terrifying how politics and back room deals seems to have more impact than the direct threat to the lives of these people, and yet the best the land of the free and home of thr brave (along with her allies) can do is shrug its shoulders.
The authors do an amazing job at bringing the various people on the St Louis to life in the reader's mind. This is in part helped by the sheer amount of primary testimonies they've gathered and the huge amount of research that appears to have gone into the book. It may have been written in 1974, but it remains a tight, concise examination of events that aims to convey the story and the facts as far as possible, rather than sensationalise. It is a little hard to follow in places as there are a few members of the Cuban authorities with similar-ish names, and generally there are just a lot of people involved in negotiations, but generally speaking it's set out as a day by day chronology of events and so it remains easy to follow the developments, twists and turns of the story.
They've managed to capture the idea that the ship is a microcosm of 1930s Germany; we meet a Jewish family who board the ship in their finest clothes, and another who is freshly out of Dachau and hiding from the authorities. One of the crew is a fully paid up member of the N*zi party and wannabe spy, and the Captain is the stand up gentleman who is determined to treat his current crop of passengers in exactly the same way he would on any other trip. It's wonderful to read the experiences of ordinary people who are being persecuted for their beliefs, and their shock and awe at the fact that the majority of the crew actually treat them like human beings. Similarly, the authors don't shy away from describing the effects of a concentration / forced labour camp on a person's physical and mental health, but every instance is treated with respect and care, and doesn't feel sensationalist, but rather just a reporting of the sad consequences.
What's particularly effective is how well it still resonates with modern events. Refugees being turned away or barred entry from every port because of isolationist policies and a fear that they're going to be reliant upon the state rather than standing on their own two feet. How is this same story being told with the same consequences 85 years later?! The book was written closer in time to the events it describes than today, and yet it's still going on. It's particularly hard to stomach when you consider the 'luck of the draw' outcomes of the passengers - though all found a 'safe' harbour to disembark from the ship, the likelihood is a majority of passengers ultimately failed to escape. Whereas if Cuba and/or the USA had opened a port to them, the vast majority would have likely survived the war.
It's not light reading, but it is easy reading and very, very insightful.
Stone Heart by Katee Robert
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a novella set before Neon Gods, briefly telling the story of Medusa, a special ops bod under the command of Athena, and her target, Calypso, the spurned mistress of Odysseus. Again, there's no holding back on the storytelling - it's a very quick and yet very effective look at one night that changes their lives.
This is probably a little too fast paced for me - as much as I can enjoy the love at first sight trope, in this case there's nothing much more than that and so, at this point, I don't necessarily believe in their relationship. However, I understand one of the later novels in the series returns to these characters, and so I shall reserve full judgement until then.
That bring said, I love the twist on Medusa's story, with Athena actually standing up for her rather than abandoning her. But it also still manages to stay true to the myth by having Athena's help come at a cost.
This is probably a little too fast paced for me - as much as I can enjoy the love at first sight trope, in this case there's nothing much more than that and so, at this point, I don't necessarily believe in their relationship. However, I understand one of the later novels in the series returns to these characters, and so I shall reserve full judgement until then.
That bring said, I love the twist on Medusa's story, with Athena actually standing up for her rather than abandoning her. But it also still manages to stay true to the myth by having Athena's help come at a cost.
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In this version of my favourite myth, Hades has been erased from the history of the city of Olympus, but no-one dares cross the River Styx into what was once his territory. Until Persephone, trying to escape from a nasty surprise, runs straight into his arms. Both have reasons to want to see Zeus suffer, but can they work together to bring about his downfall in the limited time they have available?
Once again, Hades is everything you want in a morally grey man in this book. Dark, dominant and dangerous on the outside, and ooey-gooey squishiness once you get past his steel defences. Throw in the brooding sexiness, tragic backstory and a penchant for exhibitionism, and yeah, this version ranks definitely top 3 on my 'Hades as book boyfriend' list! What surprises me though is that Persephone actually comes across quite well in here too. She's still a little immature if I'm being picky, but the role she inhabits in Hades' life suits that.
I always find it fun exploring a new author's version of Olympus and working out what's unique to them. In this case, there's a good mix of contemporary fantasy and mythology; while Olympus is (on the face of it) somewhere in the USA, it appears to be shielded to make it hard for people to get in and out. Within the city, the 'gods' are the Thirteen; leaders of the various sources of infrastructure, agriculture and support. With a mix of elected, selected and hereditary positions, the name is a title passed on. In places I did find this bit of worldbuilding a little patchy, but seriously if you're reading this for the depth, you've probably picked up the wrong book. I did also enjoy the introduction of other characters from the mythology; for example, in this book Persephone has three sisters; Callisto, Psyche and Euridyce. And of course Cerberus as a cute lil puppy makes an appearance! That does seem to be one of thr big rules in these retellings; Cerberus must ALWAYS be a very good dog.
Plot-wise, there are no great surprises. While there are some changes to fit the tone and this author's needs, generally speaking you're going into this knowing exactly what's going to happen, and that it's going to be spicy! My preference would have been to have it as a slower burn than it is, but this absolutely works! The writing is punchy, getting you exactly where you need to be while still letting you inside your character's heads and feel their emotions; it's a great balancing act.
But what a shame... it's not on KU and my library doesn't stock the next books in the series, either physically or on Borrowbox. So I've had to order the set myself *sighs dramatically*. Can't wait for my book mail!!!
Full of positive representations of different sexualities, genders, races, ages and body types, I think this is quickly going to become a new favourite series. I've even signed up to the author's Patreon to get access to all of the other short stories, artwork etc she's got going... and as a surprise bonus I found out I get access to the audio versions of her fairytale retelling series, which is also on my WTR list! Woop!!!
Once again, Hades is everything you want in a morally grey man in this book. Dark, dominant and dangerous on the outside, and ooey-gooey squishiness once you get past his steel defences. Throw in the brooding sexiness, tragic backstory and a penchant for exhibitionism, and yeah, this version ranks definitely top 3 on my 'Hades as book boyfriend' list! What surprises me though is that Persephone actually comes across quite well in here too. She's still a little immature if I'm being picky, but the role she inhabits in Hades' life suits that.
I always find it fun exploring a new author's version of Olympus and working out what's unique to them. In this case, there's a good mix of contemporary fantasy and mythology; while Olympus is (on the face of it) somewhere in the USA, it appears to be shielded to make it hard for people to get in and out. Within the city, the 'gods' are the Thirteen; leaders of the various sources of infrastructure, agriculture and support. With a mix of elected, selected and hereditary positions, the name is a title passed on. In places I did find this bit of worldbuilding a little patchy, but seriously if you're reading this for the depth, you've probably picked up the wrong book. I did also enjoy the introduction of other characters from the mythology; for example, in this book Persephone has three sisters; Callisto, Psyche and Euridyce. And of course Cerberus as a cute lil puppy makes an appearance! That does seem to be one of thr big rules in these retellings; Cerberus must ALWAYS be a very good dog.
Plot-wise, there are no great surprises. While there are some changes to fit the tone and this author's needs, generally speaking you're going into this knowing exactly what's going to happen, and that it's going to be spicy! My preference would have been to have it as a slower burn than it is, but this absolutely works! The writing is punchy, getting you exactly where you need to be while still letting you inside your character's heads and feel their emotions; it's a great balancing act.
But what a shame... it's not on KU and my library doesn't stock the next books in the series, either physically or on Borrowbox. So I've had to order the set myself *sighs dramatically*. Can't wait for my book mail!!!
Full of positive representations of different sexualities, genders, races, ages and body types, I think this is quickly going to become a new favourite series. I've even signed up to the author's Patreon to get access to all of the other short stories, artwork etc she's got going... and as a surprise bonus I found out I get access to the audio versions of her fairytale retelling series, which is also on my WTR list! Woop!!!
The Voyage Home by Pat Barker
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The war is over and Agamemnon can finally return home with his army and spoils of war in tow. With him is is greatest prize; Cassandra, King Priam's daughter, priestess of Apollo and his war bride. Waiting for him, his wife and Queen, Clytemnestra, who has never forgiven him for the murder of their eldest daughter in exchange for a fair wind. Both dream of the King's death, but what do thr Gods and fate have in store for them all?
Similar to the first two books in the series, we see the story primarily through the eyes of one person. Unfortunately, that person is not Brieseis. Instead, we follow her friend, Ritsa, who acts as Cassandra's slave, servant and eventually friend. While she is recognisable from the previous books, I don't feel that she was given a huge amount of character development or an overly crucial role in the narrative to date. And there are a couple of additions that I found questionable - for example the hint of romance, while well done and quite sweet, is a little tainted by the reminiscences that she and her love interest have about the time he played games with her (now deceased) husband when he was a child. It's quite a change to suddenly be experiencing a totally different person's take on the situation, so there is an automatic disconnect between this 'finale' and the other stories; indeed, it reads more like a standalone, or the start of a new series rather than a continuation of the old.
While Briseis is mentioned, she only makes a cameo appearance right at the outset of the story. This left me feeling quite disappointed, as the narrative voice throughout the previous books has been of her 'reminiscing' (for want of a better word) about her time in Troy from what seemed to be many years later. As a result, there was plenty of scope for a third book from her POV, or to at least somehow reunite her and Ritsa so that both could reach a satisfying conclusion.
I was concerned that having Cassandra as the leading protagonist would be less enjoyable, as I didn't take to her character at all previously. However, while I still can't say I liked her, she was seemingly a more rational character in this book. I could understand her better, agree with more of her actions and actually enjoyed her more straightforward style. Likewise, Agamemnon is somehow less abrasive in this book, although just as horrible a man.
The story itself is well written, but it's not quite as intense as the previous instalments. The story takes place over a relatively short space of time (only a few days, by my count), and essentially you only have two real settings; the ship travelling home, and the royal palace and surroundings. So it feels like there's a lot of "busy work" going on; it's all heading to the inevitable conclusion and, while it is a lovely retelling, that's really all it is. There's very little extra added to the tale by the author to make you see the story from a fresh perspective. I found myself wanting more throughout, but it never arrived. And while Ritsa's story does seem to get a fitting conclusion, the book itself is left open-ended.
It is definitely worth a read, but I can't say I'll be rushing to buy this series.
Similar to the first two books in the series, we see the story primarily through the eyes of one person. Unfortunately, that person is not Brieseis. Instead, we follow her friend, Ritsa, who acts as Cassandra's slave, servant and eventually friend. While she is recognisable from the previous books, I don't feel that she was given a huge amount of character development or an overly crucial role in the narrative to date. And there are a couple of additions that I found questionable - for example the hint of romance, while well done and quite sweet, is a little tainted by the reminiscences that she and her love interest have about the time he played games with her (now deceased) husband when he was a child. It's quite a change to suddenly be experiencing a totally different person's take on the situation, so there is an automatic disconnect between this 'finale' and the other stories; indeed, it reads more like a standalone, or the start of a new series rather than a continuation of the old.
While Briseis is mentioned, she only makes a cameo appearance right at the outset of the story. This left me feeling quite disappointed, as the narrative voice throughout the previous books has been of her 'reminiscing' (for want of a better word) about her time in Troy from what seemed to be many years later. As a result, there was plenty of scope for a third book from her POV, or to at least somehow reunite her and Ritsa so that both could reach a satisfying conclusion.
I was concerned that having Cassandra as the leading protagonist would be less enjoyable, as I didn't take to her character at all previously. However, while I still can't say I liked her, she was seemingly a more rational character in this book. I could understand her better, agree with more of her actions and actually enjoyed her more straightforward style. Likewise, Agamemnon is somehow less abrasive in this book, although just as horrible a man.
The story itself is well written, but it's not quite as intense as the previous instalments. The story takes place over a relatively short space of time (only a few days, by my count), and essentially you only have two real settings; the ship travelling home, and the royal palace and surroundings. So it feels like there's a lot of "busy work" going on; it's all heading to the inevitable conclusion and, while it is a lovely retelling, that's really all it is. There's very little extra added to the tale by the author to make you see the story from a fresh perspective. I found myself wanting more throughout, but it never arrived. And while Ritsa's story does seem to get a fitting conclusion, the book itself is left open-ended.
It is definitely worth a read, but I can't say I'll be rushing to buy this series.
Mother of Death and Dawn by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The climax of the 'War of Lost Hearts' series, we pick up about six months after the end of the last book. Tisaanah and Max find themselves separated, both facing their own demons, and war is no longer a threat, but an inevitability. But in this conflict, there are more than two sides to the story...
I'll admit to struggling to get into this one, mainly because I didn't really absorb enough of the previous book to stick in my memory. So there was the immediate issue of trying to remember who some of the secondary characters were and what role they played, and where everyone was and why. It wasn't hard to pick up, but that initial awkwardness did have some affect on my overall enjoyment. And once you have got there, to some extent I felt this book had the same issue as book two, in that I just couldn't quite keep my finger on the pulse of the story. It skips along quite happily, and the narrative is there to enjoy, but it feels like it's missing some depth, or that baited hook that drags you heart and soul into the tale.
There are certainly moments of great beauty and feeling, mostly those quieter scenes between Max and Tisaanah or other characters, where it's not about the action, war and death. These pauses do so much more for me as a reader, as these are the moments that make me invested in the characters. Conversely, the villains of the piece never really got the time to develop their megalomania and so I didn't quite get the desired satisfaction levels when people receive their comeuppance. Likewise, as much as I like the idea of Aefe as a character, I feel she was woefully underdeveloped and the climax of her story left a lot to be desired.
The overall storyline of this one was also fairly predictable. There are some nice twists and turns along the way, but ultimately it's not hard to figure out the majority of the endgame as you go. It's good because you can see 'the light stop the end of the tunnel' as you read, but equally the scope of this story is one that would have suited a big old plot twist at some stage. I'd say the writing feels like the author had a whole bunch of amazing images and ideas to set down on paper and, while she has managed to paint a good picture and the tale is engaging and enjoyable enough to carry the reader through the series, ultimately something has been lost in translation between the author's mind and the page. I can almost see the vividness that should be there, but there's just not quite enough in the description to get me all the way.
I'm still here for one main reason; Max. My goodness, I love him! Yes, he's got magic powers and a great body (complete with tattoos, although no wings...), but it's the fact that he doesn't quite fit the mould of other fantasy MMCs - somehow he feels more like a real person. He's a bit brooding, but can have a laugh and open up. He talks like a man far older than he actually is, and just wants a quiet life pruning his garden. He's quiet strength and stability, rather than a bold brash hero. And it all just works for me! Now I've finished, I've signed up to the author's newsletter so I can access Max's prequel story, 'Ashen Son', as I want more if this character in my life!
Will I read the books again? Probably not. But I will give the audiobooks of 2 and 3 a go in future!
I'll admit to struggling to get into this one, mainly because I didn't really absorb enough of the previous book to stick in my memory. So there was the immediate issue of trying to remember who some of the secondary characters were and what role they played, and where everyone was and why. It wasn't hard to pick up, but that initial awkwardness did have some affect on my overall enjoyment. And once you have got there, to some extent I felt this book had the same issue as book two, in that I just couldn't quite keep my finger on the pulse of the story. It skips along quite happily, and the narrative is there to enjoy, but it feels like it's missing some depth, or that baited hook that drags you heart and soul into the tale.
There are certainly moments of great beauty and feeling, mostly those quieter scenes between Max and Tisaanah or other characters, where it's not about the action, war and death. These pauses do so much more for me as a reader, as these are the moments that make me invested in the characters. Conversely, the villains of the piece never really got the time to develop their megalomania and so I didn't quite get the desired satisfaction levels when people receive their comeuppance. Likewise, as much as I like the idea of Aefe as a character, I feel she was woefully underdeveloped and the climax of her story left a lot to be desired.
The overall storyline of this one was also fairly predictable. There are some nice twists and turns along the way, but ultimately it's not hard to figure out the majority of the endgame as you go. It's good because you can see 'the light stop the end of the tunnel' as you read, but equally the scope of this story is one that would have suited a big old plot twist at some stage. I'd say the writing feels like the author had a whole bunch of amazing images and ideas to set down on paper and, while she has managed to paint a good picture and the tale is engaging and enjoyable enough to carry the reader through the series, ultimately something has been lost in translation between the author's mind and the page. I can almost see the vividness that should be there, but there's just not quite enough in the description to get me all the way.
I'm still here for one main reason; Max. My goodness, I love him! Yes, he's got magic powers and a great body (complete with tattoos, although no wings...), but it's the fact that he doesn't quite fit the mould of other fantasy MMCs - somehow he feels more like a real person. He's a bit brooding, but can have a laugh and open up. He talks like a man far older than he actually is, and just wants a quiet life pruning his garden. He's quiet strength and stability, rather than a bold brash hero. And it all just works for me! Now I've finished, I've signed up to the author's newsletter so I can access Max's prequel story, 'Ashen Son', as I want more if this character in my life!
Will I read the books again? Probably not. But I will give the audiobooks of 2 and 3 a go in future!
Medical Downfall of the Tudors: Sex, Reproduction & Succession by Sylvia Barbara Soberton
informative
medium-paced
2.0
The health of the Tudor monarchs leaves a lot to be desired. From Henry VIII's stinking leg ulcers to Mary I's phantom pregnancies and Elizabeth's poisonous makeup and terrible dental hygiene, this book purports to examine each ruler's medical history and try to provide some clarity as to just what might have been the cause of the dynasty's downfall.
To start with, it seems like it's going to give you quite detailed and considered accounts of the possible medical maladies and causes of death. It feels quite focused and informative, sprinkling in enough background and 'general' history to ground you in the period. The sections on Elizabeth of York and Prince Arthur are fairly interesting, if a little over-stuffed with long quotes from primary or near-contemporary secondary sources. But, Henry VII was forgettable, and when you reach Henry VIII and start wading your way through his six wives, the wheels start to fall off. As is usual, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn get a fairly in-depth examination, but thereafter the women are only given cursory glances. And by the time you get to the children, it seemed to me that the author had essentially given up on the medical viewpoint and was just providing a brief potted history of the Tudors. Mary I did get a little more than the other two, but it felt half-hearted at best.
The best example I can give is that, when discussing Elizabeth of York and Catherine of Aragon, the author takes the time (more than once), to define the difference between a miscarriage and a stillbirth, and seems to get very frustrated with historians who use the wrong term to describe the various losses. This sets you up with the belief that the author is going to be quite specific in her descriptions and medically minded. But by the time we get to Mary I, she's content to talk about her depression as 'mental instability' and her phantom pregnancies in such a way that actually feels quite dismissive. It may be my personal experiences that are shaping my viewpoint, but it does come across as being written by someone who doesn't equate physical and mental illness.
I absolutely appreciate that it's impossible to come up with accurate diagnoses 400 years plus after the events, but I wouldn't say there's anything original or even originally insightful in here. The refrain of 'historians say...' followed by a general consensus of the medical issue that affected a particular monarch is littered throughout the text and, the first few times, I was expecting the narrative to follow that thought and examine why they might be right vs why they might be wrong, and what other options there might be. But the majority of the time it boils down to the author going 'yup, what everyone else thinks sounds about right to me!'.
Speaking of refrains, the sheer volume of repeated phrases, descriptions, quotes etc is bordering on the ridiculous. Yes, Eustace Chapuys is the Imperial Ambassador. I got that the first hundred times you told me! And I'm not just talking a couple of words - there are a few cases where almost whole paragraphs are repeated, if not word for word then closely enough, and even basic facts, like Anne Boleyn being executed, are inserted each time as if this is new information. Because of this, the book didn't 'read' like a tight, cohesive narrative - it read more like a series of journal articles that have been collated. I suspect if you were to narrow your focus to one ruler, and only read that section, you'd find it a far more insightful read.
Unfortunately, the narrator didn't help with this. Going back to our Imperial Ambassador (sorry to keep picking on you Eustace!), it felt like every time he was mentioned in the text, the narrator was taking a deep breath and saying to herself 'it's OK, we've practiced this, we know how to pronounce the name!'. So, the pronunciation feels forced and is said with exactly the same tone every time. Likewise, when the quotes from older sources are so long, it very quickly becomes easy to get lost as to what is a quote and what is this author's work. The whole thing just felt stilted. It's not that the narrator droned on or had an awful voice, but there was just something about the pacing that was off for me.
I'm glad I got to this while it was still on the Audible Plus catalogue, as I think I would have begrudged using a credit. There are definitely better considerations of the medical conditions of the Tudors out there, even within 'general' books about the period.
To start with, it seems like it's going to give you quite detailed and considered accounts of the possible medical maladies and causes of death. It feels quite focused and informative, sprinkling in enough background and 'general' history to ground you in the period. The sections on Elizabeth of York and Prince Arthur are fairly interesting, if a little over-stuffed with long quotes from primary or near-contemporary secondary sources. But, Henry VII was forgettable, and when you reach Henry VIII and start wading your way through his six wives, the wheels start to fall off. As is usual, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn get a fairly in-depth examination, but thereafter the women are only given cursory glances. And by the time you get to the children, it seemed to me that the author had essentially given up on the medical viewpoint and was just providing a brief potted history of the Tudors. Mary I did get a little more than the other two, but it felt half-hearted at best.
The best example I can give is that, when discussing Elizabeth of York and Catherine of Aragon, the author takes the time (more than once), to define the difference between a miscarriage and a stillbirth, and seems to get very frustrated with historians who use the wrong term to describe the various losses. This sets you up with the belief that the author is going to be quite specific in her descriptions and medically minded. But by the time we get to Mary I, she's content to talk about her depression as 'mental instability' and her phantom pregnancies in such a way that actually feels quite dismissive. It may be my personal experiences that are shaping my viewpoint, but it does come across as being written by someone who doesn't equate physical and mental illness.
I absolutely appreciate that it's impossible to come up with accurate diagnoses 400 years plus after the events, but I wouldn't say there's anything original or even originally insightful in here. The refrain of 'historians say...' followed by a general consensus of the medical issue that affected a particular monarch is littered throughout the text and, the first few times, I was expecting the narrative to follow that thought and examine why they might be right vs why they might be wrong, and what other options there might be. But the majority of the time it boils down to the author going 'yup, what everyone else thinks sounds about right to me!'.
Speaking of refrains, the sheer volume of repeated phrases, descriptions, quotes etc is bordering on the ridiculous. Yes, Eustace Chapuys is the Imperial Ambassador. I got that the first hundred times you told me! And I'm not just talking a couple of words - there are a few cases where almost whole paragraphs are repeated, if not word for word then closely enough, and even basic facts, like Anne Boleyn being executed, are inserted each time as if this is new information. Because of this, the book didn't 'read' like a tight, cohesive narrative - it read more like a series of journal articles that have been collated. I suspect if you were to narrow your focus to one ruler, and only read that section, you'd find it a far more insightful read.
Unfortunately, the narrator didn't help with this. Going back to our Imperial Ambassador (sorry to keep picking on you Eustace!), it felt like every time he was mentioned in the text, the narrator was taking a deep breath and saying to herself 'it's OK, we've practiced this, we know how to pronounce the name!'. So, the pronunciation feels forced and is said with exactly the same tone every time. Likewise, when the quotes from older sources are so long, it very quickly becomes easy to get lost as to what is a quote and what is this author's work. The whole thing just felt stilted. It's not that the narrator droned on or had an awful voice, but there was just something about the pacing that was off for me.
I'm glad I got to this while it was still on the Audible Plus catalogue, as I think I would have begrudged using a credit. There are definitely better considerations of the medical conditions of the Tudors out there, even within 'general' books about the period.
The Scandalous Lady W by Hallie Rubenhold
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.0
The story of Lady Seymour Worsley sounds like it should be a sub-plot in Bridgerton or Pride and Prejudice, but has the advantage of being fact. She shocks the establishment by abandoning her home for her lover, Captain Bissett. When her cuckolded husband sues the Captain for 'criminal conversation', the trial explodes in the press due to the salacious details and all not being quite as it seems...
I watched the BBC drama based on this story, starring Natalie Dormer, when it aired years ago. So when I saw that the audiobook was included in my Audible subscription (but only for a few more days!), and I saw who the author was, I was intrigued enough to have a listen. Where I recall the drama being very well done, the book is something of a game of two halves. The initial chapters set the scene, detailing Richard Worsley and Seymour's childhoods, family circumstances, marriage etc., along with the instigating event - her disappearance with Captain Bissett. There then follows a detailed account of the trial, witness statements and the revelations of the story behind her absconding. Up to this point, the narrative is captivating and attention-grabbing; it paints a really clear picture of their part in society, the characters involved and the twists and turns of their story.
However, I found it much harder to summon interest in the second half, after the trial has been concluded. It then reverts to something of a dual biography, alternating chapters between Richard and Seymour's lives thereafter. Given that Richard is described at the outset as something of a meticulous bore, as you can imagine his chapters do come across as rather dull. On the other hand, while Seymour continues to live a more interesting life, it appears that much of the detail is lost to time and so there just isn't the depth that you'd perhaps hope for. Overall, this section feels much more meandering and full of side characters and tangential events, and comes across to me as mote padding to increase the word count. I think I could have coped with just Seymour's sections, given that I was expecting the book to be predominantly about her given the title, and there are some interesting tidbits in there, but I do question the logic of following Richard too (apart from where he directly affecting Seymour's life, of course) once the trial is over.
This book does do a really good job at illustrating the mores and expectations of society on women at that time, and the imbalance of power and respect between men and women, and the vastly different reactions to indiscretions experienced by the sexes. Lary Worsley's actions at trial would likely still be considered shocking today, but for very different reasons. And yet it is quite possible that, in today's world, if there had been a good relationship between husband and wife, there may not have been any reason for a divorce or trial at all!
I do think the narrator has a great voice for this sort of subject-matter - her tone, pronunciation and accent would not sound out of place in a Jane Austen adaptation! Indeed, it did remind me somewhat of Julia Sawalha as Lydia Bennett! This definitely added to my enjoyment of listening as it helped me immerse myself more in the world. I don't know if it was deliberately, but it definitely worked!
I'd say this is definitely worth a read/listen, but only if you're already interested in the period, themes or characters concerned and have some knowledge of one or all.
I watched the BBC drama based on this story, starring Natalie Dormer, when it aired years ago. So when I saw that the audiobook was included in my Audible subscription (but only for a few more days!), and I saw who the author was, I was intrigued enough to have a listen. Where I recall the drama being very well done, the book is something of a game of two halves. The initial chapters set the scene, detailing Richard Worsley and Seymour's childhoods, family circumstances, marriage etc., along with the instigating event - her disappearance with Captain Bissett. There then follows a detailed account of the trial, witness statements and the revelations of the story behind her absconding. Up to this point, the narrative is captivating and attention-grabbing; it paints a really clear picture of their part in society, the characters involved and the twists and turns of their story.
However, I found it much harder to summon interest in the second half, after the trial has been concluded. It then reverts to something of a dual biography, alternating chapters between Richard and Seymour's lives thereafter. Given that Richard is described at the outset as something of a meticulous bore, as you can imagine his chapters do come across as rather dull. On the other hand, while Seymour continues to live a more interesting life, it appears that much of the detail is lost to time and so there just isn't the depth that you'd perhaps hope for. Overall, this section feels much more meandering and full of side characters and tangential events, and comes across to me as mote padding to increase the word count. I think I could have coped with just Seymour's sections, given that I was expecting the book to be predominantly about her given the title, and there are some interesting tidbits in there, but I do question the logic of following Richard too (apart from where he directly affecting Seymour's life, of course) once the trial is over.
This book does do a really good job at illustrating the mores and expectations of society on women at that time, and the imbalance of power and respect between men and women, and the vastly different reactions to indiscretions experienced by the sexes. Lary Worsley's actions at trial would likely still be considered shocking today, but for very different reasons. And yet it is quite possible that, in today's world, if there had been a good relationship between husband and wife, there may not have been any reason for a divorce or trial at all!
I do think the narrator has a great voice for this sort of subject-matter - her tone, pronunciation and accent would not sound out of place in a Jane Austen adaptation! Indeed, it did remind me somewhat of Julia Sawalha as Lydia Bennett! This definitely added to my enjoyment of listening as it helped me immerse myself more in the world. I don't know if it was deliberately, but it definitely worked!
I'd say this is definitely worth a read/listen, but only if you're already interested in the period, themes or characters concerned and have some knowledge of one or all.