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tej_reads's reviews
673 reviews
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Blood Over Bright Haven nearly ruined me.
BOBH is a fantasy, academia standalone set in a world where magic takes a mathematical spin that feels a lot like coding, mages use a spellograph to program their magic to achieve certain ends. The city of Tiran is a protected safe space away from the blight that affects that otherworld’s.
I found the magic system interesting and very entertaining as someone who understands the fundamentals of coding, it felt familiar and so easy to understand and even if you didn't the way that Wang uses characters to explain the magic system is also wonderful in its simplicity. Without spoiling anything, there's no large information dump at the start, instead what you need to know about the world is broken into extracts at the end of a chapter and through Sciona's conversations with other characters. It does make that first few chapters slow as we find out feet in the new fantasy world but stick with this book you will be rewarded.
Don't credit me or anyone else for your success. As it is, other people will try to credit me in order to tear you down. Be cold, be hard, and don't give them an inch.
The main characters of Sciona and Thomil were so interesting because of Sciona's racism against the Kwen and how she had to educated herself on the Kwen to overcome her racism, which in my opinion she never did. Sciona is just as proud at the end as she is at the start, you do kind of hate her but that the same time you want her to succeed, it's odd. Part of me roots for her to fight against the sexism, misogyny, racism, religious and academic supremacy, colonialism. I enjoyed how bold some of the sexism and racism was written because often in reality, it's not hidden and it's not subtle it's overt. I am also aware that she never lost that ego that made her superior to everyone else and I'm glad. She is a character that defines "complex female main character", she is imperfect and wonderfully so. BOBH is a perfect example of anti-hero done well, also she's a woman in STEM so how could I not race through this.
Truth over delusion. Growth over comfort.
Thomil's journey was heartbreaking to read, and we never really find closure in that story line but I'm glad, it truly emphasised for me, the want and hope for a better life, free from oppression.
You are going to suffer, BOBH will have you feeling everything but you are going to enjoy every second of it.
Blood Over Bright Haven publishes 29 Oct 2024.
Thank you to M. L. Wang, Del Rey and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Blood Over Bright Haven publishes 29 Oct 2024.
Thank you to M. L. Wang, Del Rey and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Woven Song by Rachael Krotec
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Unfortunately, I had to dnf this book.
From the beginning we are told that a high importance has been place on Japanese Honorifics and yet on the first page of the prologue we see “Mr Usagi-san”, there is also no consistency with the use of these honorifics where sometimes they are used to convey respect and on the next page that character is no longer referenced with the honorific. The whole thing therefore felt flat.
The book is also marketed as a fantasy novel however I think it’s better placed as a Young Adult book, the way that the characters speak to each other felt far too immature.
I did give the book a fair go but ultimately had to stop around chapter 3.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nib and Feather and Rachael Krotec for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
From the beginning we are told that a high importance has been place on Japanese Honorifics and yet on the first page of the prologue we see “Mr Usagi-san”, there is also no consistency with the use of these honorifics where sometimes they are used to convey respect and on the next page that character is no longer referenced with the honorific. The whole thing therefore felt flat.
The book is also marketed as a fantasy novel however I think it’s better placed as a Young Adult book, the way that the characters speak to each other felt far too immature.
I did give the book a fair go but ultimately had to stop around chapter 3.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nib and Feather and Rachael Krotec for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Antiquity by Hanna Johansson
Antiquity has been compared to a female Call Me By Your Name and Lolita, therefore the themes can be divisive so be mindful of that before reading. The behaviour is not condoned or promoted.
Thank you to Johansson, Scribe UK and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.25
Antiquity is a queer Lolita story, following an unnamed narrator in her mid thirties as she becomes obsessed with Olga, aged fifteen the daughter of an older artist named Helena. The story takes place on the Greek Island of Ermoupoli, where the narrator joins Helena.
The devolution of the narrator as she looses herself to her obsession and becomes all consumed by her insecurities. The narrator is self deprecating from the start by as the story moves along her sense of self worth is completely obliterated.
The writing is lovely and there are quotes that I found myself reflecting on. The later of the novel was a hard and uncomfortable read so I do warn you before reading.
The devolution of the narrator as she looses herself to her obsession and becomes all consumed by her insecurities. The narrator is self deprecating from the start by as the story moves along her sense of self worth is completely obliterated.
The writing is lovely and there are quotes that I found myself reflecting on. The later of the novel was a hard and uncomfortable read so I do warn you before reading.
Time wasn't logical. A span of time that felt, back then, in the beginning, like several weeks, was in fact just a few days. A span of time that felt, later, like a few days or even less, only a few brief moments, was in fact unfolding for much longer than that, enormous expanses of time that I greedily swallowed and demanded more of, which I couldn't get enough of, which I didn't want to end, which I wanted to stretch and become forever.
Antiquity has been compared to a female Call Me By Your Name and Lolita, therefore the themes can be divisive so be mindful of that before reading. The behaviour is not condoned or promoted.
Thank you to Johansson, Scribe UK and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur 허주은
Daehyun, is the Prince and is trying to conduct a coup to overthrow the King, there's just one problem: he needs support. We see Daehyun work with Wonsik and Yul to gather support. Daehyun is a well rounded character and his backstory is heart breaking. Hur does an amazing job showing his silent strength and love for Iseul. Whilst the romance is secondary, Daehyun falls first and harder and it's wonderful to see him grow to care for Iseul. He is thoughtful and calculating, and builds a plan around keeping Iseul safe.
A Crane Among Wolves broke my heart and put it back together again. I loved seeing the plan come together and both Daehyun and Iseul working together but also Iseul growing and solving mysteries. The ending was just heart clutching and I'm so glad to have read this.
A Crane Among Woves releases on the 14th of May 2024.
Thank you to Netgalley, June Hur and Headline for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
5.0
A Crane Among Wolves is a Korean Historical Fiction Young Adult Novel set in the Joseon Era. It is based on Prince Yeonsan the 10th monarch of the Joseon dynasty, and one of the worst tyrants in Korean history.
ACAW is a must read, a histrocial political drama, with murder mystery and romance. I would liken it to ATLA in it's ability to discuss darker themes within a young adult genre, Hur makes the history behind the novel accessible it's clear how much work has gone into ACAW.
The story begins with Iseul searching for her older sister who has been taken by Prince Yeonsan, Iseul intends to bring her home. At the beginning and through I suppose a majority of the novel Iseul is a spoiled younger sister who has never undertaken any physical labour after being cared for by her older sister, she's finds manual labour below her. However, once her sister is taken Iseul leaves her home to find her and bring her back. Soon after Iseul is embroiled in a murder mystery: if she can find and capture the serial killer Namless Flower maybe she can bargain for her sister. Iseul is a complex character, I admit to being annoyed with her but that's just how well she was written, her entitlement and ignorance make it so easy for her to be slightly hated at the start. But then she starts to grow and you see her learn how to be a detective from Wonsik; brave the City for a glimpse of her sister; she becomes politically aware and tactical finally coming into her own.
ACAW is a must read, a histrocial political drama, with murder mystery and romance. I would liken it to ATLA in it's ability to discuss darker themes within a young adult genre, Hur makes the history behind the novel accessible it's clear how much work has gone into ACAW.
The story begins with Iseul searching for her older sister who has been taken by Prince Yeonsan, Iseul intends to bring her home. At the beginning and through I suppose a majority of the novel Iseul is a spoiled younger sister who has never undertaken any physical labour after being cared for by her older sister, she's finds manual labour below her. However, once her sister is taken Iseul leaves her home to find her and bring her back. Soon after Iseul is embroiled in a murder mystery: if she can find and capture the serial killer Namless Flower maybe she can bargain for her sister. Iseul is a complex character, I admit to being annoyed with her but that's just how well she was written, her entitlement and ignorance make it so easy for her to be slightly hated at the start. But then she starts to grow and you see her learn how to be a detective from Wonsik; brave the City for a glimpse of her sister; she becomes politically aware and tactical finally coming into her own.
“I swear,” he whispered in a low voice, as though to himself, “the next person to harm you will die by my own hands.”
Daehyun, is the Prince and is trying to conduct a coup to overthrow the King, there's just one problem: he needs support. We see Daehyun work with Wonsik and Yul to gather support. Daehyun is a well rounded character and his backstory is heart breaking. Hur does an amazing job showing his silent strength and love for Iseul. Whilst the romance is secondary, Daehyun falls first and harder and it's wonderful to see him grow to care for Iseul. He is thoughtful and calculating, and builds a plan around keeping Iseul safe.
A Crane Among Wolves broke my heart and put it back together again. I loved seeing the plan come together and both Daehyun and Iseul working together but also Iseul growing and solving mysteries. The ending was just heart clutching and I'm so glad to have read this.
A Crane Among Woves releases on the 14th of May 2024.
Thank you to Netgalley, June Hur and Headline for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thunderhead by Miranda Darling
Thunderhead is an experience and at 160 pages a quick read.
Thunderhead releases 2nd May.
Thank you to Scribe UK and to Netgalley for thr ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.75
This was my first time reading a stream of consciousness style work and it was a memorable experience.
Darling, writes as Winona a woman whose day we experience with her, through a doctors appointment, the school pick to a party from the moment of her waking. We are privy to Winona's inner workings as she experiences emotional and psychological abuse, alongside raising her children. Darling, addresses issues such as motherhood and the concept of suburbia but also the patriarchy and toxic masculinity.
You don't really know what is going on Winona's mind felt like everything all at once. Constantly, thinking moving in quick succession from thought to thought. In some cases you get a glimpse of a thought never to return again. The only order you experience in the form of lists Winona makes throughout the day but even they overlap, different thoughts and sub-categories together.
Darling, writes as Winona a woman whose day we experience with her, through a doctors appointment, the school pick to a party from the moment of her waking. We are privy to Winona's inner workings as she experiences emotional and psychological abuse, alongside raising her children. Darling, addresses issues such as motherhood and the concept of suburbia but also the patriarchy and toxic masculinity.
You don't really know what is going on Winona's mind felt like everything all at once. Constantly, thinking moving in quick succession from thought to thought. In some cases you get a glimpse of a thought never to return again. The only order you experience in the form of lists Winona makes throughout the day but even they overlap, different thoughts and sub-categories together.
It makes a difference to me whom I love
Thunderhead is an experience and at 160 pages a quick read.
Thunderhead releases 2nd May.
Thank you to Scribe UK and to Netgalley for thr ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Evocation by S.T. Gibson
4.5
Evocation is my third S. T. Gibson read and one I very much enjoyed.
I was honestly skeptical how Gibson was going to wrap up what in my mind was several plot lines but I think the pacing worked and Gibson pulled it out the bag. I enjoyed this, David did annoy me at first but once you carry on reading you just can't help but care for each and everyone of them. They dynamic works and they each bring out the best in each other - well once Rhys and David sort themselves out.
The standout character for me was Moira, she was single handedly keeping the team together dealing with Rhys and David with the project management skill that can only come from someone who had clearly done all the work in a group project.
Also I had great time annotating this book, I would definitely recommend this. I have a physical copy on the way to join my Gibson collection. I'm definitely a fan.
Thank you to Angry Robot, Netgalley and S. T Gibson for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was honestly skeptical how Gibson was going to wrap up what in my mind was several plot lines but I think the pacing worked and Gibson pulled it out the bag. I enjoyed this, David did annoy me at first but once you carry on reading you just can't help but care for each and everyone of them. They dynamic works and they each bring out the best in each other - well once Rhys and David sort themselves out.
The standout character for me was Moira, she was single handedly keeping the team together dealing with Rhys and David with the project management skill that can only come from someone who had clearly done all the work in a group project.
Also I had great time annotating this book, I would definitely recommend this. I have a physical copy on the way to join my Gibson collection. I'm definitely a fan.
Thank you to Angry Robot, Netgalley and S. T Gibson for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Nectar of the Wicked by Ella Fields
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
Absolutely not. How one person can be this daft, I do not know.
A Curse of Blood and Wolves by Melissa McTernan
2.75
I'm a weirdo, I'm weird, I don't fit in but I'm also quirky and not like other girls.
I read this just so I could know if I should skip an upcoming subscription book - the answer is yes.
I read this just so I could know if I should skip an upcoming subscription book - the answer is yes.