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spiravirgo's Reviews (849)
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Trigger Warnings: Elitism, Family Abuse, Murder, Gore, Death.
‘Just because dragons and treasure fit together in stories, that doesn’t mean they fit together in real life,’ says Osian.
Christmas is the time where it brings together families, friends, and neighbors together. Everyone can be merry, forgot their worries for a while and just have a jolly old time. That is unless the holiday is set in a post apocalyptic world and your survival takes priorities. Last Christmas is such a marvelous short read. It is horrifying how this world was written so similarly to the recent changes in climate and the looming threats of floods and other disasters brewing in the making. Then, if that's not enough why not add big sea monsters swimming in the ponds waiting for a poor sap to endanger their life so foolishly?
Josie just knows how to steal my attention not only with her subtle world she written but with the plot. Mara has one goal, get the job done and stay alive. Of course when you plan a heist things will go badly, especially if its a creepy old abandon mansion. Nothing can possibly go wrong... Right? You want a different type of story to read for the holidays? Then look no further then this blood thrilling little tale all about Christmas, monsters and people.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3/5
Trigger Warnings: Elitism, Racisim, Misogamy, Murders, Terrorism.
I received this book for an exchange of an honest review from the lovely people at 47North and Netgalley.
His hand stilled. "You're a bright young woman, Elise. You have no ideathe things awaiting you in this life." And oddly... she felt better. They were simple words, but they carried a strange power. A firm assurance she didn't quite understand. She thought she felt... but no, that was a hair tickling her face.
Charlie N. Holmberg is an author I think alot of people can truly enjoy from. She writes various and unique stories about fascinating magical worlds, monstrous creatures to be shocked from and a delightful humorous writing to booth. I frankly only read The Paper Magician and sadly I feel abhorrent of not committing to reading her other books ever since. Thankfully, an opportunity has been given me by the powers that be and here I am, bragging about Spellbreaker! I was fervent to begin it as soon as possible. I finished it in 4 days, a bit preoccupied with work and my everyday depression but I was successful, pretty darn proud let me tell you. So What are my over whole thoughts? I think its good.
Spellbreaker is set in the era of the 19th century where the regency and industrial powers were blooming back in jolly old London. The idea of going back to the same setting and introducing the idea that magic is part of the norm is nothing new from Charlie. Her first series, the Paper Magician was about all about it and Spellbreaker is like that cousin that you meet up frequently and enjoy their company because you relate to them the most out of your other family members. The magic system is utterly fresh take on the concept, divided into physical, spiritual and temporal, three of basic forces in our known universes that magicians can manipulate but yet can't fully be all powerful due to the limitations the body can give out. I love when a magic system makes absolute sense in plot and world building and Mrs. Holmberg nailed it. You can't just take and not except to have nor backlash, hence why you got Spellmakers mirror opposites, Spellbreakers, who can tear runes, spells and are hunted heavily.
"Are you in trouble with your employer?"
Which one? She almost asked, but instead said, "No"
Which brings us to both the good and the bad of this book for me. Elise is a naive young woman who happens to be one of the detestable spellbreaker and she hiding it as best as she could. She utilize her skills however for a secret vigilante group called the Cowls who sent her letters and a target from time and time, who gave her finally a reason to feel proud of her powers. I felt her religion like belief in them was a fair lesson that a lot of people including me can relate. We want to sense that we doing great things and people can manipulate us for whatever devious intentions. She also happens to be an orphan and I felt her inexplicable hatred of herself, her unfair criticism she has over mind thinking she's driving people away because she has this ugliness inside her. I think this quote works best to describe how invested I am with this little sweet child:
Yet the soundest logic in the world could not heal her old wounds. It could not silence the voice that insisted she was unlovable. Unlovable. Unlovable.
Although I immensely enjoy Elise character, her growth and the world I did felt the plot lost me in the beginning. It felt like there was a reason for us to care for what happening to Bacchus, the love interest, who isn't bad mind you, me and Elise both agree he's quite a snack to lust for, but we just met him. The crimes occurring throughout London were basically written to be the main drive for both Elise and Bacchus storylines to collide and set them into each other lives. Not only that but I couldn't find an ounce of care out of me to feel surprised by the revelations of who's mastermind. I think that by the time Spellmaker will be released Charlie can amend some of those nitpicks I had. I urge you to pick a copy and give Spellbreaker a read, I think you'd have a fantastic time with it :)
Is it Diverse? A bi-racial love interest.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4/5
<b>Trigger Warnings:</b>Death, Depression, Emotional abuse, Neglect, PTSD,, Suicide and Trauma
<b>I received this advance reading copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for an exchange of an honest review.</b>
<b><i>"Knowing magic was about knowing yourself, she thought. If you could be honest with yourself, you could better predict what your magic could do. Only how was anyone supposed to know themselves that way?"</b></i>
Heroes and Villains are a concept as old as time itself. It's pretty easy to categorized who is the good guy and the baddie of the story thanks for the actions of the characters. Rare occasions we get a story that explore the gray morality of both sides, the complexity that lies in both the protagonist and the antagonist. But what about what comes after the chosen one finalized its journey? How do they fare from what they experience, the battles, the losses, the pain? What about the public image that comes with their victory or shall we say defeat? Veronica Roth decided to explore such interesting themes with her first adult novel, departing from the Young Adult genre for the first time.
<b><i>“I’m tired of being special,” Albie said with a shaky laugh. “I’m tired of being celebrated for the worst thing that ever happened to me.”</b></i>
I won't lie and say that I've grown up with Veronica since she was the one who introduced me to the Young Adult genre thanks for her debut with Divergent. I remember receiving the book from my sister when she came back from a trip to the USA with her future husband in law. I was so eager to tackle this beast and immediately became a fan of her. When I learned that my new author is releasing a new novel in 2020 I knew I can't miss it. I've to get a copy no matter what. Thankfully I was fortunate to received this ARC, hehe. Veronica uncovers to us in this book the implications that surrounds the role of the chosen one. We all think heroes are untouchable, that are pedestals to be worship that they can mended but they are not. Some suffer from reoccurring nightmares, never lasting flashbacks, depression, no hero is immune to it just as no person, even one who is methodical to a fault can't hide from such issues. I love how she presented to us that the chosen ones after defeating the dark one either accepted their infamy, cloistered back to their old life or are bothered by this persona the public fabricated for them.
Sloane, one of our heroes, is suffering from prolonged PTSD to what happened when the DARK ONE torture her and her friend. The aspect of that really grown on me since Veronica didn't shy to show us the vulnerability of Sloane and why her life was slowly falling apart. Her relationship with Matt, her friendship with Esther and Albie, not to mention her struggle with the magic that's burning inside her and on top of it all the public viewing her as champion or a nuisance in comparison to the others. Sloane to me was what lead me through the story, and it's also one of the many flaws of it. The pacing is not bad essentially but its too brisk, moving from a consistent point and suddenly everything shatters. Not to mention what I think majorly making people avoid the book is the fact that you can't talk freely about what happens due to spoilers since very early on we move to a different whole territory that either enriches the world setting or downright shots it in the leg.
Speaking of world building, the aspect of magic is a bit... odd. We don't completely get explanation as to how it works but we do get clarification that certain items can invoke magical powers, and each individual who shows symptoms of possessing magic can develop different blends of manipulation with it. Like for example, the ability to heal fast, your agility growing faster, producing fire from your finger tips. Fundamentally it works in context but also leaves you lost thanks to characters explaining and the numerous documentations and interviews that were added for the benefit of the world lore will render everything useful or downright waste of time. I do hope the sequel will fix that.
Then If I love this book why do I complain so much about it? Well, I can't talk about it but if you happened to read this book I would love to hear what are your thoughts about Chosen Ones in the comments below :)
<b>Is it Diverse? <i>One Black Character, One Lesbian character, One Muslim character.</i></b>
<b>Trigger Warnings:</b>
<b>I received this advance reading copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for an exchange of an honest review.</b>
<b><i>"Knowing magic was about knowing yourself, she thought. If you could be honest with yourself, you could better predict what your magic could do. Only how was anyone supposed to know themselves that way?"</b></i>
Heroes and Villains are a concept as old as time itself. It's pretty easy to categorized who is the good guy and the baddie of the story thanks for the actions of the characters. Rare occasions we get a story that explore the gray morality of both sides, the complexity that lies in both the protagonist and the antagonist. But what about what comes after the chosen one finalized its journey? How do they fare from what they experience, the battles, the losses, the pain? What about the public image that comes with their victory or shall we say defeat? Veronica Roth decided to explore such interesting themes with her first adult novel, departing from the Young Adult genre for the first time.
<b><i>“I’m tired of being special,” Albie said with a shaky laugh. “I’m tired of being celebrated for the worst thing that ever happened to me.”</b></i>
I won't lie and say that I've grown up with Veronica since she was the one who introduced me to the Young Adult genre thanks for her debut with Divergent. I remember receiving the book from my sister when she came back from a trip to the USA with her future husband in law. I was so eager to tackle this beast and immediately became a fan of her. When I learned that my new author is releasing a new novel in 2020 I knew I can't miss it. I've to get a copy no matter what. Thankfully I was fortunate to received this ARC, hehe. Veronica uncovers to us in this book the implications that surrounds the role of the chosen one. We all think heroes are untouchable, that are pedestals to be worship that they can mended but they are not. Some suffer from reoccurring nightmares, never lasting flashbacks, depression, no hero is immune to it just as no person, even one who is methodical to a fault can't hide from such issues. I love how she presented to us that the chosen ones after defeating the dark one either accepted their infamy, cloistered back to their old life or are bothered by this persona the public fabricated for them.
Sloane, one of our heroes, is suffering from prolonged PTSD to what happened when the DARK ONE torture her and her friend. The aspect of that really grown on me since Veronica didn't shy to show us the vulnerability of Sloane and why her life was slowly falling apart. Her relationship with Matt, her friendship with Esther and Albie, not to mention her struggle with the magic that's burning inside her and on top of it all the public viewing her as champion or a nuisance in comparison to the others. Sloane to me was what lead me through the story, and it's also one of the many flaws of it. The pacing is not bad essentially but its too brisk, moving from a consistent point and suddenly everything shatters. Not to mention what I think majorly making people avoid the book is the fact that you can't talk freely about what happens due to spoilers since very early on we move to a different whole territory that either enriches the world setting or downright shots it in the leg.
Speaking of world building, the aspect of magic is a bit... odd. We don't completely get explanation as to how it works but we do get clarification that certain items can invoke magical powers, and each individual who shows symptoms of possessing magic can develop different blends of manipulation with it. Like for example, the ability to heal fast, your agility growing faster, producing fire from your finger tips. Fundamentally it works in context but also leaves you lost thanks to characters explaining and the numerous documentations and interviews that were added for the benefit of the world lore will render everything useful or downright waste of time. I do hope the sequel will fix that.
Then If I love this book why do I complain so much about it? Well, I can't talk about it but if you happened to read this book I would love to hear what are your thoughts about Chosen Ones in the comments below :)
<b>Is it Diverse? <i>One Black Character, One Lesbian character, One Muslim character.</i></b>
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Trigger Warnings: Ableism, Attempted Sexual Assault, Death, Homophobia, Slavery, Misogyny, Parental Abuse, Miscarriage (mentioned twice), Romantic/ sexual relationship between a slave and a owner (presented as consensual), Romantic tension between step siblings (not raised together), implied Romantic relationship between unknowing siblings and Violence.
I received this advance reading copy from Josie Jaffery and Silver Sun Books for an exchange for an honest review.
"It was cool and dark, and the roar of the cascade gave Kala preserve sense of silence. This was a place in which words and noise meant nothing, because there was nothing to be heard except the crash of water. Here, the water ruled."
Atlantis is quite known in both fictional works and real life. I don't disregard the accounts of historians about this mythical fabulous city that was sank to the bottom of the sea eons ago or what we could at least salvage to prove its existence. Thankfully books are great way to explore the numerous possibilities of what happened to this once glorious isle and its inhabitants and what their culture was all about and Josie Jaffery delivers in this new duology no doubt about it.
The premise is quite simple for such an imaginative and seclusive world far away from the known civilization. A wall was built to divide the people of Kepos from the outside Valley. People were casted into 10 different tribes living under the guidance of the priesthood and the constant battle of power in this city. Kallista of Glakus leads a very mundane but sad life in her small home. People avoid her because of her deformity, "a curse" as they call it by the gods, think it's infectious, so they ignore she exists. Her only real person that ever loved her was her father and suddenly he is dead. Now her mother is being remarried and Kala's world is shifting around and she's in a race for a life to both survive the new family integrating into her home and the mystery behind this series of murder that might be connected to the wall and who was responsible for her father's death.
"You really do have a remarkable lack of empathy. Everyone thinks my parents should have abandoned me when I got sick. My life isn't worth anything here. Can you imagine how that feels?"
"Not really."
"Like I said: no empathy."
"But you don't care what people think, do you? You can do what you want. Isn't that liberating?"
She stared at him for a blink while irritation scratched under her skin. He didn't understand.
"I can do what I want as long as I don't bother anyone," she said. "You upset people all the time, and you're untouchable, but if I did that then one day I'd just disappear, like Dao's brother. I don't matter."
I never in my life felt more sorrowful for a character short coming then Kala. She never asked for any of this tremendous hostility from anybody. She is a smart, snarky little bean with incredible brilliant mind for both and nobody will ever bother to care about her opinion. Forgot for a minute how her society treats their women as tools for bargains and they can't be the leaders of their tribes or get a say to whom they marry, everyone wishes she was dead just because she is crippled. Her way of confronting it is brave in my opinion. Josie didn't glorified her disability, saying that she was special because it but shown us how fragile and frustrating it is to be a target all the time and yet proven time and again she is capable of doing everything she wants even with a limitation of her physicality. I really adore her determination.
Also can we just mention how incredible the take on the representation of bisexuality for this book we get? Kala is in love with her slave (consensually of course) Melissa and both women are so devastatingly in love that gave my heart so many flatters. Melissa was in love before with her ex husband, also a slave, but ever since she came to the household in Glakos she fallen for Kala as Kala felt that way for her too. Kala also starts developing feeling for Leon of Lykos, her new stepbrother (don't worry we aren't going into any incest territory) and their relationship, their attraction is so delicious. You need a knife to cut this sexual tension between them and I'm happy how Josie dealt with both their feelings in the end, at least for the upcoming sequel.
So I've mostly talked about Kala her relationship but what about the mystery, the main drive behind this little book? I'd say the murder case is a 'who done it' in a very smart outcome. You are certain just like Kala, our unreliable narrator that the solution finally around us but we are proven again and again that we were wrong and I must confessed, that revelation who was responsible for this entire series of events shocked me. You always gotta keep your eyes sharp because believe me, the key to this case is right in front of you and you don't even know it. As for the world setting, I think for me, as far as I love Dystopian fiction, this one with it's setting was a bit of a let down for me personally? I love Josie's writing and I was never unengaged from the book but the society, its rules, it all felt a bit disconnected but I can't blame an author for trying to piece up a new world so fast. There are always some hiccups here and there and that's fine, that's why we got sequels to built on those foundations to improve.
I hope you guys would be interested on checking The Wolf and The Water and support Josie's work, Oh and while at it why not check out her other words, like her recently released May Day that I reviewed 2 months ago? :)
Is it Diverse? Bi Main Heroine, F/F relationship, Protagonist with a Leg Disability.
I received this advance reading copy from Josie Jaffery and Silver Sun Books for an exchange for an honest review.
"It was cool and dark, and the roar of the cascade gave Kala preserve sense of silence. This was a place in which words and noise meant nothing, because there was nothing to be heard except the crash of water. Here, the water ruled."
Atlantis is quite known in both fictional works and real life. I don't disregard the accounts of historians about this mythical fabulous city that was sank to the bottom of the sea eons ago or what we could at least salvage to prove its existence. Thankfully books are great way to explore the numerous possibilities of what happened to this once glorious isle and its inhabitants and what their culture was all about and Josie Jaffery delivers in this new duology no doubt about it.
The premise is quite simple for such an imaginative and seclusive world far away from the known civilization. A wall was built to divide the people of Kepos from the outside Valley. People were casted into 10 different tribes living under the guidance of the priesthood and the constant battle of power in this city. Kallista of Glakus leads a very mundane but sad life in her small home. People avoid her because of her deformity, "a curse" as they call it by the gods, think it's infectious, so they ignore she exists. Her only real person that ever loved her was her father and suddenly he is dead. Now her mother is being remarried and Kala's world is shifting around and she's in a race for a life to both survive the new family integrating into her home and the mystery behind this series of murder that might be connected to the wall and who was responsible for her father's death.
"You really do have a remarkable lack of empathy. Everyone thinks my parents should have abandoned me when I got sick. My life isn't worth anything here. Can you imagine how that feels?"
"Not really."
"Like I said: no empathy."
"But you don't care what people think, do you? You can do what you want. Isn't that liberating?"
She stared at him for a blink while irritation scratched under her skin. He didn't understand.
"I can do what I want as long as I don't bother anyone," she said. "You upset people all the time, and you're untouchable, but if I did that then one day I'd just disappear, like Dao's brother. I don't matter."
I never in my life felt more sorrowful for a character short coming then Kala. She never asked for any of this tremendous hostility from anybody. She is a smart, snarky little bean with incredible brilliant mind for both and nobody will ever bother to care about her opinion. Forgot for a minute how her society treats their women as tools for bargains and they can't be the leaders of their tribes or get a say to whom they marry, everyone wishes she was dead just because she is crippled. Her way of confronting it is brave in my opinion. Josie didn't glorified her disability, saying that she was special because it but shown us how fragile and frustrating it is to be a target all the time and yet proven time and again she is capable of doing everything she wants even with a limitation of her physicality. I really adore her determination.
Also can we just mention how incredible the take on the representation of bisexuality for this book we get? Kala is in love with her slave (consensually of course) Melissa and both women are so devastatingly in love that gave my heart so many flatters. Melissa was in love before with her ex husband, also a slave, but ever since she came to the household in Glakos she fallen for Kala as Kala felt that way for her too. Kala also starts developing feeling for Leon of Lykos, her new stepbrother (don't worry we aren't going into any incest territory) and their relationship, their attraction is so delicious. You need a knife to cut this sexual tension between them and I'm happy how Josie dealt with both their feelings in the end, at least for the upcoming sequel.
So I've mostly talked about Kala her relationship but what about the mystery, the main drive behind this little book? I'd say the murder case is a 'who done it' in a very smart outcome. You are certain just like Kala, our unreliable narrator that the solution finally around us but we are proven again and again that we were wrong and I must confessed, that revelation who was responsible for this entire series of events shocked me. You always gotta keep your eyes sharp because believe me, the key to this case is right in front of you and you don't even know it. As for the world setting, I think for me, as far as I love Dystopian fiction, this one with it's setting was a bit of a let down for me personally? I love Josie's writing and I was never unengaged from the book but the society, its rules, it all felt a bit disconnected but I can't blame an author for trying to piece up a new world so fast. There are always some hiccups here and there and that's fine, that's why we got sequels to built on those foundations to improve.
I hope you guys would be interested on checking The Wolf and The Water and support Josie's work, Oh and while at it why not check out her other words, like her recently released May Day that I reviewed 2 months ago? :)
Is it Diverse? Bi Main Heroine, F/F relationship, Protagonist with a Leg Disability.
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4/5
Trigger Warnings: Blood, Gore, Decapitation.
Trigger Warnings: Blood, Gore, Decapitation.
"Marie might have been an angel in life, but right now she was a killer.
In my city.
If I found the person who decided to release Marie- or the woman with the syringe- I'd call the police. I tried to avoid killing the living. But if I found Marie, or others like her, I wasn't calling dispatch. When It came to venomous killers, I tended to be more of a behead first, ask later kind of woman."
I love Melissa Marr. I became a instant fan after reading one of her fairy series, Seven Black Diamond (which I highly recommend to check out) and she is just spectacular with her creative take on fae stories. Then in the early beginning of 2020 she announced that her new adult series was coming out and I couldn't stop myself and immediately purchase it. How could I refuse myself? It's an urban fantasy with a Jewish-Wiccan witch woman slaying the walking dead.
Genevieve Crowe is an interesting character, she is the textbook example of urban fantasy/paranormal lead who is magical and happens to be in the center of a mysterious case but what I didn't expect is how the case will be so little in compression to what's going on with her. Her powers that we suppose to know are getting out of control, her other biology is kicking in and she has no way of subduing it so what does she do? Going back home to her mother, learn a little bit more about herself, the bargain her mother made so she'd be safe and all the while deal with her fairy romantic love interest, Eli Stonecroft. I love seeing her vulnerability in not only from her struggling with her upbringing is a half witch half draguar (one of the dead she's killing in her everyday life) but her friendships with her friends and partnership or more precisely her romantic attraction to Eli and how hard it is to confine in them. She has trust issues and walls and she think she can manage everything in her life but Jesse, her childhood friend or her brother as he calls it, constantly there to remind her that she doesn't have to be alone and she can relay on him and her friends. Even her interaction with Eli which are so sweet are really thoughtful, they both want each other but they are too scared to commit to it. it such a slow pace romance I'm all here for.
But despite what I love, my problem lies with the mystery case and the world building of this story. I thought the murder mystery was actually compelling but its conclusion felt so out of nowhere for me. Genevieve did a lot of investigating but it feels so... rushed? I think that's the word. As for Genevieve being a earth witch like her mother that was pretty interesting take on witches in an urban fantasy I've seen for a long time. As for the rising dead, the Draugar, they sound nothing like your typical undead corpses you consume in creative media. Reptilian like with vampire like tendencies but with barley any control over themselves sounds terrifying but it is also... confusing. Where did they come from? How is it possible for a hybrid like Genevieve to be around? Are there Human-Draguar hybrids out there? What about Fairy-Draguar? However, this is but the first book so why do I rattle on about, THE ANSWERS WOULD BE REVEALED IN THE NEXT BOOK~~~
Is it Diverse? Jewish-Pagan main lead.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Trigger Warnings: Blood, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Murder, Dare drugs, Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse, Misogyny, brief mentioned of Miscarriage.
"As much as I love you, Jack, you're self-destructive. If something scares you, your first instinct is to run right at it without thinking so you can get the scary part out of the way."
I received this beautiful ARC copy for an exchange for an Honest Review.
Every since Josie announced that she was going to release her new series, Seekers and it was going to star with Jack, the protagonist from Killian's Dead, novella, I knew I'll love this book. That I won't stop thinking about it until it's release, and really how could I not? A vampire detective with an attitude who's bisexual, disastrous with her love life with a vindictive need to destroy the man who wreck her life and investigate this murder case on top of it? Yeah, sign me up, I'll read it. Josie simply knows where my favorite kinks lies with vampires and it's right here.
Jacqueline Valentine is not the same woman from the events of Killian's Dead. She's no longer human but one of the Silvers, thanks to the love of her life feeding on her in order to escape her trial. Ever since then, she had to prove her worth as a newly made vampire as part of the Seekers, think of them as the detectives and cops of the vampire world, ensuring that nobody will endanger the secrecy of their kind existence or go rouge and start massacring humans left and right. Jack is good at being a sleuth, she's passionate, driven and thinks right our of the box and her relationship with Cameron "Cam" Sawyer is such a lovable comedic cop comedic duo. Can't believe it was the same Cam me and my friend, Ruthie loved from the Sovereign series. He's a ball of sunshine and happier compare to his brooding and stoic demeanor in there but then it is a prequel series so let's wait for the angst to drop in, haha.
The murder case was really intriguing since the victim itself serve more as a way to connect all those that are affected by the man in question but nobody cares about him since he was a terrible man and I LOVE IT. You see how better it is that they are gone but the life they ruined in the process is gut wrenching and now the Seekers are in race to solve this case while preventing an exposure. It was such a well thoughtful constructive mystery that got me thinking alot. I didn't seen that ending though, god what a powerful way to end a book and a case! Josie will totally surprise you, I give you my word.
My only criticism though is the pacing. I felt it was moderated to say the least sometimes exactly for the over whole plot but for other chapters extremely slower. It made me feel like things were been dragging down, plus the lack of knowing enough of the Silver world and how it works which i suppose is do to me lacking the knowledge of the events happening in Josie's other series, Solis Invecti, which I probably should read now that I think about it.
As for the romance, yes there is one, I won't talk about since Jack's emotional turmoil of a life is the best entertainment i gotten in weeks. You'd either love the love interests, yes I said interest as in plurals and I wonder what will you think of it. Until then, I'll be waiting here, in my corner for the next book :)
Is it Diverse? A main POC bisexual lead, F/F Romance, Bisexual rep, Gay supporting character, Poly character.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4/5
Trigger Warning: [Torture, Attempted Rape, Childbirth (hide spoiler)]
History can be such a fickle subject to talk about. There's alot we don't fully know because we either don't have the full story of what happened or sadly some details have been forgotten. Luckily, Agent 355, gives us a little bit of clarity at the mystery behind the title of this alluded spy. If you don't know, Agent 355 serve as a espionage agent for the American Revolution when the British were in power. Said agent was an important asset that gave crucial information for the resistance and help enormously for the cause until she was captured and died on a prison ship. Her identity remained a big enigma during the years, nobody could tell who was that infamous spy but there were some records indicting a few women that fit the bill on that illusive character.
I heard about Marie Benedict and her Historical novels touching on women that history and society sadly omitted from their memories and giving them the proper headlight they deserve. I never had the opportunity of reading her books but now more then ever I am eager to pick it up. Her research on Agent 355 and her spin on the events with her character are remarkably cleaver, witty and emotionally investing and the performance thanks to the ever so skilled Narrator, Emily Rankin, you got yourself a lovely little novella to listen to. You should pick it up and while at it, why not try some of Marie's other works? :)
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5/5
Trigger Warnings: Alcohol abuse, Mild self-harm thought, Fantasy violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Anxiety and panic attacks, Parent death, Child death, Animal death.
"I think anything is worth protecting the people you love."
Not a lot of books, especially debuts can leave such a memorable impression on me. It depends really on my journey with the story and receiving this book during the time my sister was hospitalized helped a lot. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is a fabulous new Duology , the second installment coming shortly in 2021, and Roseanne A. Brown written such a fresh new story that I hope nobody will sleep on it. It has everything you'd want in a YA Fantasy, intriguing world, politics, rich and thoughtful magic system, a tournament, feelings to hurt us, great cast of characters and representation of black and biracial leads , gods and African mythology.
"He would have taken death a thousand times over if it meant his sister could live."
Karina and Malik are such polar opposites of one another that they mirror each other like the moon and the sun. Karina is dealing with the reminder that everyone would had prefer she was the one who died in that fire instead of her sister, the better sister and her father while Malik is seeing and hearing things and naivety will probably be the death of everyone around him. Both are incapable of facing their problem in the beginning of the novel, Karina abuses her sorrow through exposing herself to danger and alcohol consumption and Malik hafta make a deal with a dark spirit to reclaim back his sister but has to kill someone in cold blood and that's far behind his capabilities. I just love those two kids, Karina mourning and embracing finally her destiny as a princess and realizing that she might not be the right one for the job of protecting her country but god dammit she will do her best regardless of what everyone assumes of her reputation and Malik entering this world that would rather see him gone rise high and fulfill his promise at all costs even if it burns everything.
"Do not underestimate the strength it takes to be kind in a world as cruel as ours."
Roseanne decides to approach this story and sure it is a fantasy story but it is much more then that. In my opinion it deals with dynamics and complexity of family, the repercussions of loss and what it means to those that are left behind, mental health representations with both our leads, Malik with his anxiety and panic attacks and Karina never ceasing chronic episodes that has barley any solution and growth as a person. This author is not kind to our protagonists or anybody but she isn't cruel either, she wants them to mature through their own means, to teach them and us that no matter how impossible the path ahead of us is we can succeed if we just try. I love her for writing this beautiful story. I can't wait for A Psalm of Storms and Silence because I don't know how she's going to end this ballad. If my review convinced you even a little bit, give it a try, purchase a copy or loan it from the library, it is worth it!
Is it Diverse? Black and biracial leads, West African mythology, Mental Health representations.
Trigger Warnings: Alcohol abuse, Mild self-harm thought, Fantasy violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Anxiety and panic attacks, Parent death, Child death, Animal death.
"I think anything is worth protecting the people you love."
Not a lot of books, especially debuts can leave such a memorable impression on me. It depends really on my journey with the story and receiving this book during the time my sister was hospitalized helped a lot. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is a fabulous new Duology , the second installment coming shortly in 2021, and Roseanne A. Brown written such a fresh new story that I hope nobody will sleep on it. It has everything you'd want in a YA Fantasy, intriguing world, politics, rich and thoughtful magic system, a tournament, feelings to hurt us, great cast of characters and representation of black and biracial leads , gods and African mythology.
"He would have taken death a thousand times over if it meant his sister could live."
Karina and Malik are such polar opposites of one another that they mirror each other like the moon and the sun. Karina is dealing with the reminder that everyone would had prefer she was the one who died in that fire instead of her sister, the better sister and her father while Malik is seeing and hearing things and naivety will probably be the death of everyone around him. Both are incapable of facing their problem in the beginning of the novel, Karina abuses her sorrow through exposing herself to danger and alcohol consumption and Malik hafta make a deal with a dark spirit to reclaim back his sister but has to kill someone in cold blood and that's far behind his capabilities. I just love those two kids, Karina mourning and embracing finally her destiny as a princess and realizing that she might not be the right one for the job of protecting her country but god dammit she will do her best regardless of what everyone assumes of her reputation and Malik entering this world that would rather see him gone rise high and fulfill his promise at all costs even if it burns everything.
"Do not underestimate the strength it takes to be kind in a world as cruel as ours."
Roseanne decides to approach this story and sure it is a fantasy story but it is much more then that. In my opinion it deals with dynamics and complexity of family, the repercussions of loss and what it means to those that are left behind, mental health representations with both our leads, Malik with his anxiety and panic attacks and Karina never ceasing chronic episodes that has barley any solution and growth as a person. This author is not kind to our protagonists or anybody but she isn't cruel either, she wants them to mature through their own means, to teach them and us that no matter how impossible the path ahead of us is we can succeed if we just try. I love her for writing this beautiful story. I can't wait for A Psalm of Storms and Silence because I don't know how she's going to end this ballad. If my review convinced you even a little bit, give it a try, purchase a copy or loan it from the library, it is worth it!
Is it Diverse? Black and biracial leads, West African mythology, Mental Health representations.
