You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
t_a_timothys's Reviews (60)
adventurous
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, this trilogy is a masterpiece.
Honestly I don't love that I'm dnfing this book, but I just really struggled with the prose. I absolutely love the overall premise, the setting, and the ideas for the characters, but just couldn't settle into this. Every time I put it down I didn't feel particularly drawn to picking it back up to the point that I'm just giving up on it.
dark
emotional
funny
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
Disclosure: This audiobook was provided as an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
My review can also be found on my blog here: https://tatimothys.com/review/debut/fantasy/horror/LtYS/
You'll have to forgive me if this review is a little incoherent, because I feel like I could gush about this book for hours. The only place to begin is with the characters. Calla, Dre, and Jamie are quite possibly best written siblings that I have ever read. They are all the heroes in their own heads, and despite their love for each other, they all have their own complex resentments about each other. Splitting the narrative between their PoVs works unbelievably well, and when one sibling is being a little shit, you get that moment of catharsis when they are put in their place. Just like twisting the knife against your own sibling, you immediately regret it, since you know how badly it will hurt them. That dynamic is beautifully written and is the focus of the plot, driving it in perfect tandem with the supernatural horror elements. I don't want to spoil any of those elements, so suffice to say that they serve multiple functions and you just have to experience them for yourself. It's hard to say enough how well crafted this book is. I can't think of a single scene or detail that was wasted, and that in itself is an incredible achievement.
I do think it is worth knowing going in that this is not a straight horror book, and the Stranger Things comparison really does it justice. While there are moments of true horror and grotesque scenes, it is somewhat diffused by the humor, which comes in many forms, internality, dialogue, and sometimes in the scene setting itself. One scene in the book had a particularly creative lighting source that had me legit laughing at the setup. Having read this, I'm a little sad that it's over and I will be there day one for whatever Neena Viel writes next. The only downside is now I have a strong desire to rewatch the first season of Stranger Things.
My review can also be found on my blog here: https://tatimothys.com/review/debut/fantasy/horror/LtYS/
You'll have to forgive me if this review is a little incoherent, because I feel like I could gush about this book for hours. The only place to begin is with the characters. Calla, Dre, and Jamie are quite possibly best written siblings that I have ever read. They are all the heroes in their own heads, and despite their love for each other, they all have their own complex resentments about each other. Splitting the narrative between their PoVs works unbelievably well, and when one sibling is being a little shit, you get that moment of catharsis when they are put in their place. Just like twisting the knife against your own sibling, you immediately regret it, since you know how badly it will hurt them. That dynamic is beautifully written and is the focus of the plot, driving it in perfect tandem with the supernatural horror elements. I don't want to spoil any of those elements, so suffice to say that they serve multiple functions and you just have to experience them for yourself. It's hard to say enough how well crafted this book is. I can't think of a single scene or detail that was wasted, and that in itself is an incredible achievement.
I do think it is worth knowing going in that this is not a straight horror book, and the Stranger Things comparison really does it justice. While there are moments of true horror and grotesque scenes, it is somewhat diffused by the humor, which comes in many forms, internality, dialogue, and sometimes in the scene setting itself. One scene in the book had a particularly creative lighting source that had me legit laughing at the setup. Having read this, I'm a little sad that it's over and I will be there day one for whatever Neena Viel writes next. The only downside is now I have a strong desire to rewatch the first season of Stranger Things.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An absolute banger.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclosure: This book was provided as an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
My review can also be found on my blog here: https://tatimothys.com/review/debut/fantasy/mythology/gt/
To be quite honest, I'm really not sure how to rate this book. I believe that the book largely hits the marks it wants to, but as a complete work it seems to defy categorization, beyond the apt T. Kingfisher comp. There is an early voiceyness in the first person narration by the titular character, Jenny Greenteeth, that I found entertaining in its own right. However that unique narration falls away after the first chapters, reappearing in fits and starts through the book, but never really coming home to roost. It then settles into a quite cozy narrative, where Jenny finds herself on a quest with a witch and a hobgoblin, carried more by fun banter between the characters than by any tension between them or within the plot. The quest follows a fairly straightforward fetch quest design that never quite lives up to the heroic epics that clearly inspired it. At best, the tasks feel linked to the characters own struggles, and there are moments where it feels like a myth told around a campfire. Those moments prove too rare for me, and often the quest feels more like a D&D campaign that went a little off the rails, the game master stepping in to save the characters from their own mistakes and get things back on track. Surprisingly, the stakes ramp up quickly as the book nears its end, throwing off its cozy exterior and never quite recapturing that magic. I tend to enjoy stories that start as one thing, but morph their way into another, but it never felt quite justified here, landing a bit flat on what could have been a more triumphant finish.
On the other hand, there is still so much to love in this book, and you can feel the author's passion for British folklore, myth, and geology leaping off the pages. When everything in this book is working together, it is a delight, and I think that will raise this to a 5 star read for some readers. There is such a sweet joy in the character's journey through the British countryside, and the beautiful landscapes they discover, their banter flying freely as they frow from acquaintances into fast friends. Although this book was not my favorite read of the year so far, I am genuinely looking forward to what O'Neill will write next. Another potential T. Kingfisher writing in the space is never something I'll complain about.
My review can also be found on my blog here: https://tatimothys.com/review/debut/fantasy/mythology/gt/
To be quite honest, I'm really not sure how to rate this book. I believe that the book largely hits the marks it wants to, but as a complete work it seems to defy categorization, beyond the apt T. Kingfisher comp. There is an early voiceyness in the first person narration by the titular character, Jenny Greenteeth, that I found entertaining in its own right. However that unique narration falls away after the first chapters, reappearing in fits and starts through the book, but never really coming home to roost. It then settles into a quite cozy narrative, where Jenny finds herself on a quest with a witch and a hobgoblin, carried more by fun banter between the characters than by any tension between them or within the plot. The quest follows a fairly straightforward fetch quest design that never quite lives up to the heroic epics that clearly inspired it. At best, the tasks feel linked to the characters own struggles, and there are moments where it feels like a myth told around a campfire. Those moments prove too rare for me, and often the quest feels more like a D&D campaign that went a little off the rails, the game master stepping in to save the characters from their own mistakes and get things back on track. Surprisingly, the stakes ramp up quickly as the book nears its end, throwing off its cozy exterior and never quite recapturing that magic. I tend to enjoy stories that start as one thing, but morph their way into another, but it never felt quite justified here, landing a bit flat on what could have been a more triumphant finish.
On the other hand, there is still so much to love in this book, and you can feel the author's passion for British folklore, myth, and geology leaping off the pages. When everything in this book is working together, it is a delight, and I think that will raise this to a 5 star read for some readers. There is such a sweet joy in the character's journey through the British countryside, and the beautiful landscapes they discover, their banter flying freely as they frow from acquaintances into fast friends. Although this book was not my favorite read of the year so far, I am genuinely looking forward to what O'Neill will write next. Another potential T. Kingfisher writing in the space is never something I'll complain about.
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclosure: This book was provided as an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This review does not include any spoilers. My thoughts including spoilers can be found on my blog here: https://tatimothys.com/review/tff/
I can't help but think that this book will be my "hear me out" pick from now on. When I read the premise, a mashup of Greco-Roman myth and the Roanoke colony, I was skeptical, but *Those Fatal Flowers* exceeded my expectations and really did pull it off in an interesting way. The main character, the siren Thelia, has clear motivations that are unraveled well in the dual timeline, giving enough insight into the character to keep things interesting without overwhelming the reader with backstory. Understandably, the core of this book revolves around female relationships, both romantic and platonic, as Thelia navigates the politics of the Roanoke colony, exploring how the women of the colony are restricted by their society, often choosing the lesser of two evils for the future of their lives. Thelia's storyline mirrors these women, often putting her in situations without a clear right answer. This is where the book is at its best, and fits well within the thematic elements highlighting female rage, all while a slow burn sapphic romance simmers in the background, where you almost don't dare to hope that these women can find happiness in such a patriarchal, structured society.
Speaking of the romance, this book is messy in the best ways. What starts as a bit of a love triangle becomes a love square, then a pentagon, then maybe a pentagram? Either way you have people finding themselves in relationships for relatable and realistic reasons, while still pining after other characters. Given the themes and setting of the novel, I was constantly wondering how this mess could be unraveled, and delighted that I could see a hundred different ways for it to end.
While the book far outstripped my expectations for the premise, there were still places that the book stumbled. I found the prose interesting, occasionally reaching the heights of the comped Madeline Miller, and just as often proving frustrating that it wasn't reaching those same heights. Along with that, the plot and character development felt well earned for the majority of the book, except one specific point that left me feeling whiplash, flipping back to see if I had skipped a chapter. Honestly I was able to overlook these issues and enjoy it nonetheless, but there has been one aspect that didn't quite fit for me thematically. Without spoilers, there are a few character elements around finding love and comfort where you can, even when in love with another, that were explored deeply in one context, but not extended through to one of the central relationships in the book. I really wish that had been addressed/interrogated in some way, as it completely colors my view of the ending.
Overall, this book was such an interesting read, and I only wish that I had convinced a few friends to read it with me. While I am rating this book 3.5/5, I think this would be an exceptional book club read, where you could soak in the messiness and rage with your friends. And who knows, maybe it will inspire some patriarchy toppling in modern day America.
This review does not include any spoilers. My thoughts including spoilers can be found on my blog here: https://tatimothys.com/review/tff/
I can't help but think that this book will be my "hear me out" pick from now on. When I read the premise, a mashup of Greco-Roman myth and the Roanoke colony, I was skeptical, but *Those Fatal Flowers* exceeded my expectations and really did pull it off in an interesting way. The main character, the siren Thelia, has clear motivations that are unraveled well in the dual timeline, giving enough insight into the character to keep things interesting without overwhelming the reader with backstory. Understandably, the core of this book revolves around female relationships, both romantic and platonic, as Thelia navigates the politics of the Roanoke colony, exploring how the women of the colony are restricted by their society, often choosing the lesser of two evils for the future of their lives. Thelia's storyline mirrors these women, often putting her in situations without a clear right answer. This is where the book is at its best, and fits well within the thematic elements highlighting female rage, all while a slow burn sapphic romance simmers in the background, where you almost don't dare to hope that these women can find happiness in such a patriarchal, structured society.
Speaking of the romance, this book is messy in the best ways. What starts as a bit of a love triangle becomes a love square, then a pentagon, then maybe a pentagram? Either way you have people finding themselves in relationships for relatable and realistic reasons, while still pining after other characters. Given the themes and setting of the novel, I was constantly wondering how this mess could be unraveled, and delighted that I could see a hundred different ways for it to end.
While the book far outstripped my expectations for the premise, there were still places that the book stumbled. I found the prose interesting, occasionally reaching the heights of the comped Madeline Miller, and just as often proving frustrating that it wasn't reaching those same heights. Along with that, the plot and character development felt well earned for the majority of the book, except one specific point that left me feeling whiplash, flipping back to see if I had skipped a chapter. Honestly I was able to overlook these issues and enjoy it nonetheless, but there has been one aspect that didn't quite fit for me thematically. Without spoilers, there are a few character elements around finding love and comfort where you can, even when in love with another, that were explored deeply in one context, but not extended through to one of the central relationships in the book. I really wish that had been addressed/interrogated in some way, as it completely colors my view of the ending.
Overall, this book was such an interesting read, and I only wish that I had convinced a few friends to read it with me. While I am rating this book 3.5/5, I think this would be an exceptional book club read, where you could soak in the messiness and rage with your friends. And who knows, maybe it will inspire some patriarchy toppling in modern day America.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence