Gina Lucia

Oof, my heart.

  Thank you Gollancz for my advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
I had high expectations for The Hymn to Dionysus, but it still surprised me. Rather than a straight retelling, it's more of a mythology-inspired story, blending ancient Greece with unexpected mechanical elements. It took a bit to adjust to, but it added an interesting layer to the world.
The characters are what really made the book for me. Phaidros, a soldier dealing with PTSD after years of war, is such a well-drawn, complex character. His struggle to adjust to life after battle - especially in a society that values control and discipline above all else - was really compelling. Then there's Dionysus, who is the complete opposite: chaotic, otherworldly, and untamed. Their dynamic was fascinating to watch unfold, shifting from wary tension to something much more meaningful.
Pulley's writing is fantastic. Though the book is on the slower side, it lingers on moments, giving the characters and world time to breathe, which makes the emotional beats feel earned. It won't be for everyone, but I found it powerful.
This is definitely one that's going to stick with me.
Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here's some at-a-glance info:
* Spice levels: More suggestive than anything. * Fantasy levels: Magic features heavily. * Rep: Disability rep, queer rep, and more. * Trigger warnings: War, violence, slavery, and quite a lot more. * The format I read it in: Physical.
 

Flabbergasted. That was amazing. Creepy, weird, and unsettling, but amazing.

  I've missed Jordan Ifueko and her beautiful Raybearer world.
While The Maid and the Crocodile is a stand-alone book, I highly recommend reading the Raybearer duology first. Not because you need to, but because you should - okay?!
There are layers to this book! Our main protagonist talks to us every now and then which is intriguing, and each character is so complicated and in-depth it makes you root for them and despair for them at the same time.
The multi-layered political and societal undertones are woven in beautifully. It deals with ableism and classism particularly well. 
I loved every part of it. The deep and varied characters, the extra dose of world-building in the world I already enjoyed from Raybearer, the relationships and how they build. 
Plus, the added romance is done particularly well with all its dangers and excitement. It doesn't steer the story or take away from it. It's like a little sprinkle of something extra.
Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here's some at-a-glance info:
* Spice levels: Hinted at, but romance is there. It's YA-appropriate. * Fantasy levels: High and constant. * Rep: Disability rep, queer rep (side characters), and more. * Trigger warnings: Ableism, classism, emotional and physical abuse. * The format I read it in: Physical.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt 
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here:  https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/ 

Much like the previous installment, this selection of poetry was fun, reflective, and enjoyable to read. Made even better by the gorgeous illustrations.

 Daughters of Bronze is the conclusion to A.D. Rhine's brilliant A Novel of Troy duology, and it was everything I wanted it to be.
It took me a little while to finish this one because, honestly, I didn't want to rush, I wanted to savour the story.
I'll talk about the duology as a whole here because if you've not picked up the first book, you absolutely should. 
While this duology is a retelling of The Battle of Troy, the focus of the story isn't really this - it's the characters. Our attention is fixed on four women and how they navigate their lives in tragic circumstances.
It's a book filled with inner monologue. So character motivations become complicated and drive the story forward as they become interwoven with each other.
If you're looking for a series that explores the resilience of women while delivering a certain amount of hope and companionship in tragedy, this is it.
Plus, the author's note right at the end is chef's kiss delicious.
Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here's some at-a-glance info:
* Spice levels: Closed door, quite vague. * Fantasy levels: None - historical focus. * Rep: Mental health. * Trigger warnings: War, death, sexual assault, and more (like most Troy retellings honestly). * The format I read it in: Audio (I actually wasn't keen on one of the voice actors but I've not let that impact my rating).
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt 
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here:  https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/ 
 

Welp, that was a rollercoaster.

Fantastic book with plenty of advice and wisdom. Plus, if you're a Stephen King fan, you'll get a greater understanding of the author through this book. 

4.5 stars and only downgraded slightly because the he/she mention constantly was a little irritating. ‘They' works so much better these days. 

The Cat and the City is an unsettling yet incredibly real and gritty book that gives you a shot of some solid and realistic Japanese culture. The magical realism is kinda fun and intriguing, but I would say, if you're looking for a lot of cat content, you won't be getting it. Doesn't mean it's not worth a read though! 

Carries on the dark and twisting story of the first book and doesn't hold back on the action. Almost as though you're still reading the first, with no break for breath.
Love the characters, the magic system, and character development. A great duology.

I'm not sure what I just read, but the writing was beautiful and atmospheric. 

What a freakin' ride! Golden Son is even better than the first book. So, if you weren't all that keen on the first, then please try this! It's like the author has had time to flex and have fun with the story and characters. 
It's gripping, on the edge of your seat, addictive storytelling that's complex and intricate. The politics and strategy are a particular highlight. It's not heavy or a slog to read at all. It's dramatic and unexpected, like you can't really predict anything which makes it exciting. A thrill of a book.
I'm onto the next already.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt 

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy is a beautiful book that while didn't have quite the same impact as the first, was still a wonderful read.
It's peaceful, thought-provoking, and a genuine joy.

 Red Rising is a book filled with political intrigue, war strategy, and dystopian rage smushed into one. 
It gave me some of the same feelings I got from reading The Hunger Games as a teen. That inner rage at injustice. That on the edge of your seat feeling. 
This is not a light-hearted book. It's detailed, complicated, and focuses heavily on character development. Which honestly, I love. It's also very lacking in any romance, so if you're looking for that, you won't find it here.
I have a feeling this is one of those epic investment series. You get to grips with the characters so deeply, it kind of changes you, and I'm looking forward to the ride.

  Graveyard Shift was a quick in-between read. At only around 3 hours of audio, it was a no-brainer for a gothic fan.
However, I found the whole thing a little hard to grasp hold of. There are a lot of characters for such a short story, which means there's not much room for actual story because we need to get to know them.
I listened to the audiobook so some of the voice actors weren't my favourite. It made it hard to grasp hold of the character's age and personality.
Loved the gothic vibes, and the writing is great. I just felt the story couldn't have the impact it needed because there were too many moving pieces.
 

I absolutely loved Voyage of the Damned. The humour, the developing characters, the twists and turns that I predicted very few of honestly. Brilliant. 
The solid and frequent representation throughout was a huge bonus. Intentionally done, woven in seamlessly. I want more.

  This is How You Lose the Time War is lyrical, verging on purple, and incredibly poetic. For this reason, it's a challenge to read, but a beautiful one that's totally worth the effort.
These kinds of books make me feel stupid, which I weirdly enjoy. It's like a puzzle, one you know you're not meant to be able to work out until the end.
It gave me Gideon the Ninth vibes, which just so happens to be my favourite book. Basically, you have no idea what's going on, but the banter is real fun, and there are plenty of memes and modern references thrown in. Plus, there's the whole sapphic sci-fi thing.
An amazing read, I wish I had picked up sooner.
 

  I barely wrote any notes on Empire of the Damned because I was so absorbed in the story.
This series has been thrilling, dark, twisting, and unexpected. Vampires and world-building and gore. Loving it.

 Sister Spirit is a story that focuses on identity, belonging, and self-discovery, all mixed with the supernatural.
It's a fast and easy read, so if you're looking to get some West African myth in your reading life, this is a great book to pick up.
The characters we follow closely within the book are complicated but feel very real. I enjoyed the journey they went on. It handles some complicated topics with grace, but gives you the emotion and sense of adventure a young character feels when trying to find themselves.
I did struggle a little with the main character's relationship with her adoptive parents though. I wanted a little more of that, to go deeper so it would give the story more weight and grounding. That part felt rushed to get us to the ‘better' part of the story faster. 
I enjoyed learning more about West African Mythology through the lens of what felt like a lived experience. Getting to see some Nigerian representation and being immersed in that world was a huge pull for this book.
Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here's some at-a-glance info:
* Spice levels: Very low levels, just kissing. * Fantasy levels: West African spirits and ancestors galore! * Rep: Queer rep. * Trigger warnings: Mental health, homophobia, death, grief. * The format I read it in: Physical.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt 
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here:  https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/   

 Young Gothic took me by surprise. I didn't read the blurb, so I went in without knowing how many gothic references would be throughout. I guess that's on me. After all, it's in the title.
I'm going to be honest, it took me a while to get into this one because the language and characters are very Gen Z, but once I got used to that (it's just a switch-up from what I usually read), I had a great time.
It's a very immersive and fun (but obviously creepy) read. You feel like you could be in the room with these characters, like you're one of them, but nobody references you. 
The story is slightly predictable, but I think it's meant to be. You'll see why if you give it a go.
I did have a few issues that reduced my star rating though. I won't mention them because they're spoilers, but just make sure to check the trigger warnings.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt 
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here:  https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/ 

 The Invocations is gruesome, unsettling, and honestly quite gross. But in a good way.
Krystal Sutherland is a master at writing grim, goopy, and chilling descriptions coupled with strangely empowering yet real women. 
This is an unsettling book that has House of Usher and Umbrella Academy vibes but less superhero and more outcast witches.
It's heart pounding and head spinning. The only thing bringing it down for me is the slightly slow pacing at times.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt 
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here:  https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/ 

 Babylonia is one of those books I will continue to think about for a long time. 
Costanza Casati is a magnificent writer. Not only is her writing fluid, beautiful, and very immersive, but the care she takes with any and all source material is admirable.
Babylonia is completely different in tone and style from her other myth-based book, Clytemnestra. It's poetic and very reflective, which suits the story and the characters. Babylonia is almost elevated in a way. Not better, but different. 
In contrast to this style are the depictions of war and violence. These scenes are not gentle. They're pershaps some of the most disturbing I've ever read. They're not sugar-coated. They're horrifying.
It feels weird to say, but the inclusion of these scenes and Casati's handling of them, make the book better. Especially when, as a result, you see the fallout from this. How the characters react and navigate them makes for a deeper and more realistic idea of what it was like.
The book does slow down at parts, but stick with it because this is a book to savour, not rush through. If you're a mythology, retelling, or ancient historical fiction fan, this has to be on your list.
Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here's some at-a-glance info:
* Spice levels: I'd say closed door for the most part. * Fantasy levels: None. The gods are mentioned a lot, but they are not present. * Rep: Queer rep throughout. * Trigger warnings: A lot! Intense violence and depictions of war, addiction, and child abuse.  * The format I read it in: Physical.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt 
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here:  https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/   

 At first, I was a little annoyed that a second book came out after The House in the Cerulean Sea. I knew I'd like it because it's T.J. Klune, but I didn't feel it was needed. 
I still don't think it was needed for the story, but the book has a bigger purpose than that, and I think it can serve as something incredibly healing for a lot of people. Not just the people he dedicated it to (which was beautiful, by the way), but anyone who feels like they didn't fit in as a child. It healed a little something even in me.
I don't think the book is perfect though. It was a little too cheesy at times, I felt Linus took a bit too much of a backseat, and some of the more villainous characters were a little too cliche in their villainy for my liking. However, I understand that making this book more realistic in that respect might make it too difficult of a read, and a little too challenging when it should be comforting and empowering.
Amazing writing as per usual though, the banter was perfect, and all the kids are amazing. I love each and every one.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt   

Eh, this wasn't really for me.
As a friend said, this is like the Hallmark film of books but with added spice. It's harmless reading that could be a quick pallet cleanse if you need it, but it was too predictable and cheesy for me.

 Helen's Judgement is the second installment in The House of Atreus series, but honestly, it could be read alone. Either way, it's worth every page.
If you've been desperate for a more detailed and intimate experience of what it was like for Helen of Troy, this is it. As a bonus, you get Achilles' side of the story, which is as detailed as it is harrowing.
This book is harsh, so if you're looking for a romantic retelling, you're not going to get it. But that's exactly what makes it so good. It's unsettling and upsetting. Less fantasy and more gritty reality mixed with ancient myth.
It does get a little slow towards the middle, but the story requires it because the last quarter needs all that built-up to bring the drama to its peak.
If you want to feel a thousand things, give this a go.
Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here's some at-a-glance info:
* Spice levels: Open door scenes, some a little more detailed than others. * Fantasy levels: None, gods are talked about but do not appear. * Rep: Queer rep throughout, although it's a bit more subtle. * Trigger warnings: Sexual abuse, war, grief, death. * The format I read it in: Physical.
Thank you Neem Tree Press, for my advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt 
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here:  https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/