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thebiasedbibliophile's reviews
665 reviews
Neverscape: Bewilderness Book Three by Kevin Cox
5.0
If there was ever a book that represents why I love science fiction and fantasy so much, it is Neverscape by Kevin Cox! Out of Cox’s three books, this one is definitely my favorite, which officially brings my “favorite books” total up to four!
The novel follows Malidora, an intriguing character we meet in book 2, Shadowsphere. After she had helped Tavarian defeat the blight whidge, she was overtaken by the Nuthereals and transported to another world. On this new world she must navigate power imbalances in an attempt to survive. Her adventures lead her to meet new friends, defeat formidable enemies, and rise to daunting challenges.
While it’s difficult to pick a favorite aspect of this wonderful book, I think Malidora’s character wins that title for me. She is unlike any character I’ve read before, without falling into the stereotype of “not being like other girls.” Her flaws make her relatable, and the fact that she is aware of those flaws makes her character that much more powerful. Throughout the story, we get to see her evolve and grow. But my favorite thing about her is that her personality stays intact despite that growth. Too often, character growth results in a drastic personality change that, quite frankly, doesn’t make sense. In sharp contrast, by the end of Neverscape, Malidora is still the feisty and headstrong character we all know and love, with the added bonus of having evolved into a more complex and vulnerable person.
Additionally, the theme of ignorance that is woven throughout the book is stellar. Not only did Cox intertwine this theme with Malidora’s experiences, he also included it in the cultures of the people in the novel. There are a few different groups of people in the book, and each is distinct and unique, adding a lot of depth to the universe. Having the theme of ignorance relate back, not only to the protagonist, but also to many other characters in the novel, made it very compelling.
Finally, I could go on about this book for days, but the last feature I will mention is the force of Cox’s writing. Something that sets aside the great authors from the good is their ability to write moving lines that stay with a reader. I was elated to find many such lines throughout this book, often interlaced with philosophical ideas (which, of course, made the philosopher in me very happy).
As a whole, Neverscape is such a work of art! If you’re a fan of science fiction and fantasy, and you haven’t already read Bewilderness and Shadowsphere, you’re going to want to pick up a copy of each as soon as possible so you can start Neverscape when it releases on May 16th!
The novel follows Malidora, an intriguing character we meet in book 2, Shadowsphere. After she had helped Tavarian defeat the blight whidge, she was overtaken by the Nuthereals and transported to another world. On this new world she must navigate power imbalances in an attempt to survive. Her adventures lead her to meet new friends, defeat formidable enemies, and rise to daunting challenges.
While it’s difficult to pick a favorite aspect of this wonderful book, I think Malidora’s character wins that title for me. She is unlike any character I’ve read before, without falling into the stereotype of “not being like other girls.” Her flaws make her relatable, and the fact that she is aware of those flaws makes her character that much more powerful. Throughout the story, we get to see her evolve and grow. But my favorite thing about her is that her personality stays intact despite that growth. Too often, character growth results in a drastic personality change that, quite frankly, doesn’t make sense. In sharp contrast, by the end of Neverscape, Malidora is still the feisty and headstrong character we all know and love, with the added bonus of having evolved into a more complex and vulnerable person.
Additionally, the theme of ignorance that is woven throughout the book is stellar. Not only did Cox intertwine this theme with Malidora’s experiences, he also included it in the cultures of the people in the novel. There are a few different groups of people in the book, and each is distinct and unique, adding a lot of depth to the universe. Having the theme of ignorance relate back, not only to the protagonist, but also to many other characters in the novel, made it very compelling.
Finally, I could go on about this book for days, but the last feature I will mention is the force of Cox’s writing. Something that sets aside the great authors from the good is their ability to write moving lines that stay with a reader. I was elated to find many such lines throughout this book, often interlaced with philosophical ideas (which, of course, made the philosopher in me very happy).
As a whole, Neverscape is such a work of art! If you’re a fan of science fiction and fantasy, and you haven’t already read Bewilderness and Shadowsphere, you’re going to want to pick up a copy of each as soon as possible so you can start Neverscape when it releases on May 16th!
ABC Pride by Elly Barnes, Louie Stowell
5.0
I’m so glad I came across this while looking for a pride themed book for my cousin’s baby. I really enjoyed the diverse representation not only in relation to LGBTQIA+ identities but also in regard to other aspects such as disability, religion, body type, and more. The illustrations were beautiful, and I adored the fact that there are discussion questions at the end. While it’s a little too advanced for my cousin’s baby, I’m excited that she will be able to enjoy it in the future!
Enchanted Flames by Lyndsey Hall
5.0
If I loved Enchanted Forests, then I’m absolutely enamored by Enchanted Flames! The authors really raised the bar with this anthology, and I couldn’t have been more pleasantly surprised (not to mention that all the proceeds go to the World Land Trust’s Wildfire Appeal). Here are my mini-reviews for each story:
“In the Ashes” by Jo Holloway: I really enjoyed this twist on a Cinderella retelling! I love that Juliet’s story does not follow the original fairytale. I would’ve liked to see one of her relationships develop a little more (perhaps with Paris or her younger stepbrother). I also would’ve liked to see more of her growing closer to her people, but ultimately I appreciated the open-endedness to the story.
“Hero of the Wyverns” by Alice Ivinya (TOP 3): I loved everything about this story from Theresa’s character to the premise behind it. I would’ve been happy to read endless books with these characters. I know this story is one that is going to stick with me for a long time to come!
“A Candle Burns in Herboshi” by Ben Lang": This story was so unique and incorporated the theme of fire subtly but effectively. The characters and plot really drew me in. I did not see the plot twist coming at all, and Lang is certainly a very talented author to be able to craft such an unexpected twist in a short story!
“To Steal a Kiss” by Sky Sommers: This was a really cute story, and I love that it was related to Sommers’ story in Enchanted Forests. I did feel like the romance was a bit rushed toward the end, but otherwise I enjoyed the dynamic between Eddie and Greta. I was also curious about the backstory and magic system. I look forward to reading more by Sommers soon!
“Gold Apples” by Astrid V.J.: I was lucky enough to have the chance to beta read this story, and I had a lot of fun reading it again! The story is inspiring, and I was blown away by Astrid’s ability to create such a wonderful character arc in a short story. She also has an uncanny knack for writing beautiful descriptions, truly bringing the story to life.
“Ping and the Phoenix” by Xander Cross: This story was a great continuation of Cross’s story from Enchanted Forests! Ping’s character growth is so compelling and I love the lines of wisdom scattered throughout. The way that Daoism was woven into the story was phenomenal!
“Cajun Cold Flames” by Donna White: This was a fast-paced, unique, and fun story! The setting of New Orleans was wonderful, and I enjoyed the various mystical creatures that were included. I particularly appreciated the humor woven throughout the story!
“Palace of Embers” by NDT Casale: Another story I was honored to beta read! I really enjoyed the sensory details in this story, along with some of the magical creatures. I would’ve liked to see more character agency in the protagonist. Likewise, the magic system is not always clear throughout the story. That being said, it was a cute tale!
“The Wyvern and the Woodwitch” by Lyndsey Hall (TOP 3): This was another story I had the pleasure of beta reading, and again, I was so excited to have the chance to revisit it at different stages! The plot is so intriguing, the characters lovable, and the writing exquisite. I adored the fact that the protagonist is a little older than many protagonists within the fantasy genre, and I loved the way the story took me to another world!
“The Scorch Tournament” by Elena Shelest (TOP 3): This apocalyptic story certainly strays from Shelest’s previous story in Enchanted Forests, and I won’t lie, I was nervous at first. However, Shelest demonstrated an impressive ability to write wonderfully across genres! This was another story in which I became completely immersed while reading. The depth of the characters was fantastic, the setting was vivid, and the plot was robust. There was just enough romance to add a fun element to the story. Overall, a truly wonderful take on what our future could look like on this planet!
“In the Ashes” by Jo Holloway: I really enjoyed this twist on a Cinderella retelling! I love that Juliet’s story does not follow the original fairytale. I would’ve liked to see one of her relationships develop a little more (perhaps with Paris or her younger stepbrother). I also would’ve liked to see more of her growing closer to her people, but ultimately I appreciated the open-endedness to the story.
“Hero of the Wyverns” by Alice Ivinya (TOP 3): I loved everything about this story from Theresa’s character to the premise behind it. I would’ve been happy to read endless books with these characters. I know this story is one that is going to stick with me for a long time to come!
“A Candle Burns in Herboshi” by Ben Lang": This story was so unique and incorporated the theme of fire subtly but effectively. The characters and plot really drew me in. I did not see the plot twist coming at all, and Lang is certainly a very talented author to be able to craft such an unexpected twist in a short story!
“To Steal a Kiss” by Sky Sommers: This was a really cute story, and I love that it was related to Sommers’ story in Enchanted Forests. I did feel like the romance was a bit rushed toward the end, but otherwise I enjoyed the dynamic between Eddie and Greta. I was also curious about the backstory and magic system. I look forward to reading more by Sommers soon!
“Gold Apples” by Astrid V.J.: I was lucky enough to have the chance to beta read this story, and I had a lot of fun reading it again! The story is inspiring, and I was blown away by Astrid’s ability to create such a wonderful character arc in a short story. She also has an uncanny knack for writing beautiful descriptions, truly bringing the story to life.
“Ping and the Phoenix” by Xander Cross: This story was a great continuation of Cross’s story from Enchanted Forests! Ping’s character growth is so compelling and I love the lines of wisdom scattered throughout. The way that Daoism was woven into the story was phenomenal!
“Cajun Cold Flames” by Donna White: This was a fast-paced, unique, and fun story! The setting of New Orleans was wonderful, and I enjoyed the various mystical creatures that were included. I particularly appreciated the humor woven throughout the story!
“Palace of Embers” by NDT Casale: Another story I was honored to beta read! I really enjoyed the sensory details in this story, along with some of the magical creatures. I would’ve liked to see more character agency in the protagonist. Likewise, the magic system is not always clear throughout the story. That being said, it was a cute tale!
“The Wyvern and the Woodwitch” by Lyndsey Hall (TOP 3): This was another story I had the pleasure of beta reading, and again, I was so excited to have the chance to revisit it at different stages! The plot is so intriguing, the characters lovable, and the writing exquisite. I adored the fact that the protagonist is a little older than many protagonists within the fantasy genre, and I loved the way the story took me to another world!
“The Scorch Tournament” by Elena Shelest (TOP 3): This apocalyptic story certainly strays from Shelest’s previous story in Enchanted Forests, and I won’t lie, I was nervous at first. However, Shelest demonstrated an impressive ability to write wonderfully across genres! This was another story in which I became completely immersed while reading. The depth of the characters was fantastic, the setting was vivid, and the plot was robust. There was just enough romance to add a fun element to the story. Overall, a truly wonderful take on what our future could look like on this planet!
Cinders: Necessary Evil by Belle Manuel, Sky Sommers, Shreeya Nanda
4.0
This review is a long time coming because I’ve had this book for over a year! A special thanks to Sky Sommers for sending me a copy of her gorgeous book and being so patient while it took me forever to read and review it!
This Cinderella retelling is like none I’ve read before! The main story is told from Grace’s (the evil stepmother’s) perspective, but here’s the twist: she isn’t actually evil! In order to save her own life after a terrible car accident, Grace made a deal with a guardian angel to be the “necessary evil” in three children’s lives in order to continue living. The three children don’t know this detail, and Ella cannot stand her stepmother.
I loved so many aspects of this novel. First, I appreciated the unique perspective on the fairy tale, and the addition of Grace being the “necessary evil” was very inventive and well-written. Sommers also explores other fairy tales in this story, which was a lot of fun.
Grace was a very interesting character, and I found myself going back and forth between liking her and hating her. That being said, the ending helps explain some of her behavior, so I actually enjoyed this feature of the book. One minute she would be absolutely horrible to the children and the next she sincerely cared about them. Deep down, it was clear that she wanted what was best for Ella, Greta, and Hans. As the story progresses, it’s obvious that she will do whatever it takes for Ella to live a happy life, which was really endearing.
There were a couple instances of Grace judging Ella for her sex life that I wasn’t super fond of. And, at one point, Grace appears to be okay with giving Ella a potion that would permanently prevent pregnancy, which was not only wrong but also strange considering her own struggles with infertility. Despite that, I think some of this behavior was explained at the end.
Speaking of Ella, I absolutely HATED her character! This was actually one of my favorite parts of the novel because readers should hate Ella. That is the whole point of the book being told from Grace’s perspective. I thought Sommers did an exceptional job of portraying her as a spoiled brat, while also painting her in a different light in the section from Ella’s point of view. She is definitely one of the best written antagonists I’ve read in a long time!
As a whole, I really enjoyed this book, and the ending has me wanting to read the sequel immediately!
This Cinderella retelling is like none I’ve read before! The main story is told from Grace’s (the evil stepmother’s) perspective, but here’s the twist: she isn’t actually evil! In order to save her own life after a terrible car accident, Grace made a deal with a guardian angel to be the “necessary evil” in three children’s lives in order to continue living. The three children don’t know this detail, and Ella cannot stand her stepmother.
I loved so many aspects of this novel. First, I appreciated the unique perspective on the fairy tale, and the addition of Grace being the “necessary evil” was very inventive and well-written. Sommers also explores other fairy tales in this story, which was a lot of fun.
Grace was a very interesting character, and I found myself going back and forth between liking her and hating her. That being said, the ending helps explain some of her behavior, so I actually enjoyed this feature of the book. One minute she would be absolutely horrible to the children and the next she sincerely cared about them. Deep down, it was clear that she wanted what was best for Ella, Greta, and Hans. As the story progresses, it’s obvious that she will do whatever it takes for Ella to live a happy life, which was really endearing.
There were a couple instances of Grace judging Ella for her sex life that I wasn’t super fond of. And, at one point, Grace appears to be okay with giving Ella a potion that would permanently prevent pregnancy, which was not only wrong but also strange considering her own struggles with infertility. Despite that, I think some of this behavior was explained at the end.
Speaking of Ella, I absolutely HATED her character! This was actually one of my favorite parts of the novel because readers should hate Ella. That is the whole point of the book being told from Grace’s perspective. I thought Sommers did an exceptional job of portraying her as a spoiled brat, while also painting her in a different light in the section from Ella’s point of view. She is definitely one of the best written antagonists I’ve read in a long time!
As a whole, I really enjoyed this book, and the ending has me wanting to read the sequel immediately!