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t_a_timothys's reviews
55 reviews
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
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
5.0
An absolute banger.
Greenteeth by Molly O'Neill
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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.
Those Fatal Flowers by Shannon Ives
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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
Eclipse of the Crown by A.K. Caggiano
You can also read my thoughts on my blog: https://tatimothys.com/review/v-and-v/
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
You can also read my thoughts on my blog: https://tatimothys.com/review/v-and-v/
There is true joy in a series that knows exactly what it’s aiming for and hits that mark perfectly. Tropey, steamy, and effortlessly funny, Virtues and Villains is the platonic ideal for a fantasy rom com. Dip your toe in the first couple chapters and you will know if these books are for you.
These books have a strong grumpy-sunshine pairing, and are a slow- sorry hold on- slooooooooooooow burn. And don’t get me wrong, both characters clearly want to tear each other’s clothes off after a while, but something just always seems to get into the way. In every moment alone, the characters are bouncing with frenetic energy and you cannot help but cheer for them.
Did I mention these books are funny? Humor is subjective and so often I find “funny” books just grating on me, but this series just always seems to find the perfect balance. With genre nods and fourth wall breaks, you can feel the author winking at you through the page, their love for fantasy romance tropes on full display, but not taken too seriously. The best part? Read the first few chapters and you will know if this series is for you. It’s like a tuning fork, ringing out the tone to expect for the rest of the books. And what a tone it is. Like your two funniest friends playing in a D&D campaign together while unbelievably horny for each other.
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
1.5
Brevity is the soul of wit. This book is 1300 pages long.
Half star for Adolin.
The big picture is good but the execution is painful.
Half star for Adolin.
The big picture is good but the execution is painful.