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78 reviews
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Honey Witch is a sapphic fantasy novel set in the early 1830’s, following twenty one year old Marigold as she leaves her home in Bardshire to learn magic from her grandmother, Althaea, the Honey Witch of Innisfree. Marigold begins The Honey WItch quite naive, but matures through the novel’s exploration of themes like: grief, loneliness, found family, love, and self-discovery.
This is a queernormative world, though prior to her departure from Bardshire, Marigold’s mother expects her to attend debutante balls to find a suitable spouse because, lacking some sort of talent, she has only the potential to become a wife (in Marigold’s words). This seems like a strangely misogynistic framework for a world where women must certainly be allowed to hold regular employment, own property, etc. so Marigold should surely also have opportunities available to herself beyond just marriage.
The antagonist has potential, but ultimately feels more like a spectral presence than an actual threat until very near the end of the novel, and her motivations and objectives are not always abundantly clear. Similarly, the love interest is not introduced until about one third of the way through the novel, and behaves rather antagonistically for a length of time, so the full scope of the curse afflicting Marigold is not revealed until quite near the end of The Honey Witch.
The prose was not as flowery as might be expected from a novel about tending plants and caring for honeybees, but still manages to be atmospheric and lush. The land of Innisfree seems to be based on the poem ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’ by W.B. Yeats, and author Sidney J. Shields does convey a similar sense of peaceful solitude within her version.
The Honey Witch is likely to be best enjoyed by those seeking sapphic representation, who might also enjoy elements reminiscent of: Practical Magic, Halloweentown, and loose references to the regency era.
Thank you to NetGalley, Redhook Books, and author Sidney J. Shields for providing me with a digital copy of this novel to review. All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
The antagonist has potential, but ultimately feels more like a spectral presence than an actual threat until very near the end of the novel, and her motivations and objectives are not always abundantly clear. Similarly, the love interest is not introduced until about one third of the way through the novel, and behaves rather antagonistically for a length of time, so the full scope of the curse afflicting Marigold is not revealed until quite near the end of The Honey Witch.
The prose was not as flowery as might be expected from a novel about tending plants and caring for honeybees, but still manages to be atmospheric and lush. The land of Innisfree seems to be based on the poem ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’ by W.B. Yeats, and author Sidney J. Shields does convey a similar sense of peaceful solitude within her version.
The Honey Witch is likely to be best enjoyed by those seeking sapphic representation, who might also enjoy elements reminiscent of: Practical Magic, Halloweentown, and loose references to the regency era.
Thank you to NetGalley, Redhook Books, and author Sidney J. Shields for providing me with a digital copy of this novel to review. All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Miscarriage
Evocation by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
2.0
Buddy read with zana_reads_arcs!
Evocation has a backdrop of mysticism, and it is initially presented in a manner that makes the ritualistic environment all the more atmospheric. The juxtaposition between the ceremonial occultism practiced by Rhys and David, and the more familial (and familiar, to me) magic practiced by Moira, is well written and interesting. As Evocation progresses, however, the detailed focus on mysticism begins to fade into the periphery more and more. Beyond initial exposition, relatively little detail is given to ceremonial and ritual spaces and processes, even as new systems of practice are introduced (e.g. Chaos Magic). This extends into the central conflict driving the plot– the Aristarkhov deal– which is given unclear terms and treated with little urgency until very near the end.
Evocation is heavily character-focused, and the relationships cultivated by David, Rhys, and Moira are very clearly the intended focal point of the novel. The ‘Polyamorous V’ centers on Rhys, which unfortunately feels especially undeserved by the end of the novel— though David and Moira do have incredible chemistry, albeit non-romantic. Moira is underutilized as a character, ultimately feeling as though her purpose is to accept the inevitability of, and to help facilitate, the romantic reunion of Rhys and David (after infidelity has already occurred).
Evocation is the first book in The Summoner's Circle series, so there is tremendous space for character growth and plot development in the subsequent novels, but Evocation does suffer from lacking this depth as the introductory novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot Books for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this novel to review. All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Evocation has a backdrop of mysticism, and it is initially presented in a manner that makes the ritualistic environment all the more atmospheric. The juxtaposition between the ceremonial occultism practiced by Rhys and David, and the more familial (and familiar, to me) magic practiced by Moira, is well written and interesting. As Evocation progresses, however, the detailed focus on mysticism begins to fade into the periphery more and more. Beyond initial exposition, relatively little detail is given to ceremonial and ritual spaces and processes, even as new systems of practice are introduced (e.g. Chaos Magic). This extends into the central conflict driving the plot– the Aristarkhov deal– which is given unclear terms and treated with little urgency until very near the end.
Evocation is heavily character-focused, and the relationships cultivated by David, Rhys, and Moira are very clearly the intended focal point of the novel. The ‘Polyamorous V’ centers on Rhys, which unfortunately feels especially undeserved by the end of the novel— though David and Moira do have incredible chemistry, albeit non-romantic. Moira is underutilized as a character, ultimately feeling as though her purpose is to accept the inevitability of, and to help facilitate, the romantic reunion of Rhys and David (after infidelity has already occurred).
Evocation is the first book in The Summoner's Circle series, so there is tremendous space for character growth and plot development in the subsequent novels, but Evocation does suffer from lacking this depth as the introductory novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot Books for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this novel to review. All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Misogyny and Toxic friendship
Minor: Transphobia
Brief mention of prior transphobia by older society members.
A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A Sweet Sting of Salt is a work of queer historical fiction set in coastal Nova Scotia in the 1830’s, and retells the Scottish folktale, “The Selkie Wife,” as well as Selkie folklore more generally. While this does mean that one of the greatest mysteries at the heart of the novel is known to readers familiar with the folklore, it is not known to the protagonist Jean, a midwife, who wakes late in the night to find her neighbor’s new wife, Muirín, distraught and in labor at the edge of the salt marshes on her property.
Sutherland’s writing in A Sweet Sting of Salt is atmospheric and evocative, with a thematic emphasis on longing (from the topics for discussion at the end: longing for the sea, longing for home, longing for family, longing for a place to belong). Though initially slow in pace, there is a foreboding undercurrent to the narrative that helps to keep the novel engaging.
Jean and Muirín are both characterized quite well (as are the secondary and tertiary characters), which makes it easy to empathize with their individual choices, and to yearn for their pairing alongside them. However, Jean’s reaction to the moment of reveal did feel somewhat out-of-character, and at odds with what would be expected for a member of a seemingly superstitious fishing village (particularly given that Jean mentions knowledge of Selkie folklore). Even so, A Sweet Sting of Salt has a cathartic resolution (especially for Muirín) and a very sweet epilogue.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House/Dell, and author Rose Sutherland for providing me with an advanced digital copy of A Sweet Sing of Salt to review. All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Sutherland’s writing in A Sweet Sting of Salt is atmospheric and evocative, with a thematic emphasis on longing (from the topics for discussion at the end: longing for the sea, longing for home, longing for family, longing for a place to belong). Though initially slow in pace, there is a foreboding undercurrent to the narrative that helps to keep the novel engaging.
Jean and Muirín are both characterized quite well (as are the secondary and tertiary characters), which makes it easy to empathize with their individual choices, and to yearn for their pairing alongside them. However, Jean’s reaction to the moment of reveal did feel somewhat out-of-character, and at odds with what would be expected for a member of a seemingly superstitious fishing village (particularly given that Jean mentions knowledge of Selkie folklore). Even so, A Sweet Sting of Salt has a cathartic resolution (especially for Muirín) and a very sweet epilogue.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House/Dell, and author Rose Sutherland for providing me with an advanced digital copy of A Sweet Sing of Salt to review. All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Homophobia, Kidnapping, and Confinement
Moderate: Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent, Suicide, and Sexual assault
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Profound and heartbreaking. Discusses the importance of remembering and passing on a people’s history, and what it means to bear a significant, collective trauma— and more specifically, how that applies to the descendants of the victims of the Trans Atlantic slave trade. A genuinely important piece of modern mythology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Slavery, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Worldbuilding effortlessly woven into the narrative. At times, a painfully accurate reflection of my own experience navigating the world as a neurodivergent person. The only “shortcoming” was that some of the alternate POVs did not feel as fully realized as Aster’s POV.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
The Seep by Chana Porter
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A weird, wonderful exploration of grief and transition more than a story of alien invasion (though obviously it does deal with alien invasion). I did expect this book to take a more decisive sci-fi/horror approach after reading the synopsis, but Trina’s journey with grief in a post-alien invasion world was still extremely compelling.
Orphia and Eurydicius by Elyse John
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper 360, and author Elyse John for providing me with a digital copy of this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Animal death and Sexual assault
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Child death and Miscarriage
Monster Mixer by Robin Jo Margaret
I’ve read and enjoyed other stories featuring clubs, parties, etc. with a similar purpose to Monster Mixer (A Long Time Dead by Samara Breger, and An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson, off the top of my head), and so I appreciated an anthology that provides a more eclectic view of a similar occasion. Monster Mixer Vol. One has excellent representation— a variety of queer identities (gay, pansexual, bisexual, trans man, trans woman), an autistic character, a polyamorous relationship, and diverse body types represented.
I did find myself left wanting when it came to River and Silas’s relationship— the ending of the anthology felt a bit abrupt, and this pairing seemed to have incredible chemistry! I would have loved a chapter for River and Silas similar to the chapter Jaime and Vance had following their initial meeting (even if their relationship dynamic is different from Jaime and Vance’s). I hope to see more of River and Silas in a future volume of Monster Mixer, though!
Also, I am generally not too keen on urban fantasy in a modern setting, and while I recognize that this is entirely a personal issue (and one that I am trying to move beyond, at that), it did impact my rating, so I felt as though I should mention it. Monster Mixer seems to take place on Earth in the near-present day, and so there are references to modern social media and modern life more generally (working office jobs, mentions of the gym) alongside the fantastical, which I am sure is the absolute dream to the right audience! And I look forward to growing more familiar with this setting in future volumes of Monster Mixer.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Thank you so much to author Robin Jo Margaret for allowing me to be a part of their permanent ARC team! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
“Five stories. Four relationships. One place where they all met.”
I’ve read and enjoyed other stories featuring clubs, parties, etc. with a similar purpose to Monster Mixer (A Long Time Dead by Samara Breger, and An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson, off the top of my head), and so I appreciated an anthology that provides a more eclectic view of a similar occasion. Monster Mixer Vol. One has excellent representation— a variety of queer identities (gay, pansexual, bisexual, trans man, trans woman), an autistic character, a polyamorous relationship, and diverse body types represented.
I did find myself left wanting when it came to River and Silas’s relationship— the ending of the anthology felt a bit abrupt, and this pairing seemed to have incredible chemistry! I would have loved a chapter for River and Silas similar to the chapter Jaime and Vance had following their initial meeting (even if their relationship dynamic is different from Jaime and Vance’s). I hope to see more of River and Silas in a future volume of Monster Mixer, though!
Also, I am generally not too keen on urban fantasy in a modern setting, and while I recognize that this is entirely a personal issue (and one that I am trying to move beyond, at that), it did impact my rating, so I felt as though I should mention it. Monster Mixer seems to take place on Earth in the near-present day, and so there are references to modern social media and modern life more generally (working office jobs, mentions of the gym) alongside the fantastical, which I am sure is the absolute dream to the right audience! And I look forward to growing more familiar with this setting in future volumes of Monster Mixer.
Content Warnings
Content warnings from author Robin Jo Margaret:
All stories include public sexual acts, sex without protection (but a magic contraceptive is taken—don’t take their example in real life), dirty talk, lots of body fluids, and both oral and penetrative sex. In addition to those, specifically in chapter one and three, you’ll also find: pegging, size difference, body dysphoria, insecurity, overthinking. In chapter two, you’ll find: degradation, knotting, one joke about kidnapping. In chapter four: threesome, praise kink. In chapter five, you’ll find: overthinking, extreme size difference.
A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Violence