Gina Lucia
I have never met a fiction book with footnotes I didn't love, and thankfully, that tradition will carry on because Starling House is magnificent.
If ever there was a gothic, come fantasy mystery kind-of book you wanted to add to your list, let it be this one.
Starling House is filled to the brim with deliciously descriptive atmosphere that somehow remains relatable and filled with humour. The balance of these two things, the haunting and the down-to-earth, is so well balanced, that it made for an incredibly smooth read.
Talking about balance, the perspective in this book shifts between two characters. It's masterfully done, like if it didn't happen, the story would be nothing without it.
Aside from the glorious writing, Starling House contains more Greek Mythology references than I knew what to do with. Not to mention Egyptian and some modern references, too - even ACOTAR gets a mention if you can believe it.
If you're looking for a book with an incredibly relatable cast, relationship-building that seems real, a twisting and windingly delicious plot, oh, and illustrations(!) - get this book.
Thank you Tor Books and Black Crow PR for my advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
I don't know why it took me so long to get to this.
Revisiting Neil Gaiman's knack for writing about Gods in the real world was an absolute joy. American Gods was a masterpiece. This, felt slightly different but was just as good.
Shoutout to Lenny Henry, who did an amazing job at the audiobook version of Anansi Boys - his voice and the story made me completely lose track of time.
Neil's writing has a lot of British humour to it, and while I know it's not for everyone. It's absolutely for me!
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
I have to say, Titan Books has a knack for putting together short story collections.
Mermaids Never Drown, much like one of their previous anthologies, Vampires Never Get Old, is filled with a whole host of stories that are not only inclusive but entertaining too.
Like all short story collections, there will always be a few that just don't click on a personal level. But rather than highlight those, I wanted to talk about two of my favourites:
Return to the Sea by Kalynn Bayron was fantastic. The characters were immediately likable and believable. Honestly, if I want to see more from the characters in a short story, I see that as a winner.
The Merrow by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker was my favourite out of the bunch. The hints at mythology, relationship building, and character interactions were just perfection.
If you're a mermaid fan and want some extra tales to give you a mermaid fix, give this one a go.
Thank you, Titan Books, for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
There comes a time in the reading year when all new releases contain a spooky house, dark fairytale vibes, and a smattering of dark academia.
Am I mad about it? No, I love all those things, and A Study in Drowning has every single one. However, I wasn't as taken as I had hoped.
A Study in Drowning lulls you into a false sense of security. Initially handing you spooky cosy vibes with a dilapidated house on a weather-beaten cliffside that needs not only repairs, but complete renovation. Yes, please!
However, this is soon made more complicated with connections to a fae king, a well-loved author, and a mystery that, of course, won't solve itself.
Honestly, the plot is pretty well-woven. There's a lot going on. It's atmospheric, intriguing, and generally a comfortable read.
The one thing, for me personally, that didn't quite work was the main character and her subsequent growth. I didn't like her setup or the situations she was put in. It felt on the nose, a little forced.
I know I'm meant to feel uncomfortable, but it seemed like there was no end in sight.
Honestly, I'd be curious to give reading the physical book a go. I read this as an audiobook, and I have a feeling the mannerisms of the main character would change in my mind, vs how she was read.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
Merged review:
There comes a time in the reading year when all new releases contain a spooky house, dark fairytale vibes, and a smattering of dark academia.
Am I mad about it? No, I love all those things, and A Study in Drowning has every single one. However, I wasn't as taken as I had hoped.
A Study in Drowning lulls you into a false sense of security. Initially handing you spooky cosy vibes with a dilapidated house on a weather-beaten cliffside that needs not only repairs, but complete renovation. Yes, please!
However, this is soon made more complicated with connections to a fae king, a well-loved author, and a mystery that, of course, won't solve itself.
Honestly, the plot is pretty well-woven. There's a lot going on. It's atmospheric, intriguing, and generally a comfortable read.
The one thing, for me personally, that didn't quite work was the main character and her subsequent growth. I didn't like her setup or the situations she was put in. It felt on the nose, a little forced.
I know I'm meant to feel uncomfortable, but it seemed like there was no end in sight.
Honestly, I'd be curious to give reading the physical book a go. I read this as an audiobook, and I have a feeling the mannerisms of the main character would change in my mind, vs how she was read.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
This collection of poems is as informative as it is beautiful.
What more could you want from a group of poems about mythology than to have them accompanied by some of the most delicious illustrations I've ever seen?
Honestly, if you buy this for the illustrations alone, you'd be happy. Although you'd severely miss out on some gorgeous writing.
Some poems are funny, some thought-provoking, and others incredibly clever. Even Neil Gaiman has one in there - which is fantastic by the way.
If you're a mythology fan, you need to get your hands on this!
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
Let's say you've been completely entranced by S.T. Gibson's writing and storytelling, and you'll do almost anything to get your hands on a copy of her next book as early as possible.
Hello, that person is me.
After A Dowry of Blood, I just knew whatever Gibson was going to write next, would be my thing. With this, I wasn't wrong.
Evocation immediately draws you into the story, almost like you're part of it. It's atmospheric, unsettling, with plenty of content warnings, but at the same time, weirdly comforting.
This is because the author is a master at making you fall in love with her characters. Honestly, it doesn't take long for you to understand them, flaws and all.
The magic system within this book was so interesting. I loved the slow reveal and build of it, and I'm pretty sure there's plenty more to come and explore.
I will say that while the book is a nice blend of occult magic and relationships, this tender balance does sway more to relationship-building at points. So much so that I forgot what the main plot was about - but only for a short while.
If you're looking for something occult, queer, romantic, yet spooky, add Evocation to your list (out May 2024)!
Thank you Angry Robot Books for my advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
Belladonna's premise is tragic, spooky, with a hint of magic - sounds right up any gothic fantasy fan's street.
But for me, at least, it sent me on a ride that confused the heck out of me.
Belladonna started off with a bang. An atmospheric opening chapter with that nice blend of unsettling but cosy - yes please. But come the next few chapters, I found the main character and some of the people she interacted with, quite annoying. There's no other way to put it, I was frustrated.
Thankfully, this backwards and forwards banter, started to dwindle, and the gothic elements started to creep in. But honestly, because this almost comedic banter was there in the first place, it made the tension of their situation, feel not so tense or spooky at all.
Instead of gothic, I'd say this book is more of a murder mystery, whodunnit, regency novel with a fantasy twist. Almost as if Bridgerton, the Greek God Hades, and Knives Out, had a baby.
Not to say that's a bad thing at all because putting aside my initial expectations, it wasn't a bad book. It was actually quite entertaining. It just wasn't what I expected.
If you're looking for that regency, spooky, mystery I've listed above, you'll find such joy in this book. If, like me, you want a little more grit, terror, and gloom in your gothic novels, I'd give this one a miss.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
Let's say you've got an itch to scratch, Greek Myth retellings and adaptations aren't enough. You want more.
Well my friend, Natalie Haynes, is here to deliver because this book will absolutely scratch that itch.
She tells the stories of Greek Goddesses, sure, but through her lens, weaved through with comedy. Honestly, this is even better in the audiobook version because she narrates it herself.
The added bonus to this version? You get to hear how all the character names are pronounced by an expert. Who wouldn't want that?
I particularly enjoyed Hera's section of the book. Who as a Goddess, I think, hasn't been properly explored. At least not in the retellings and adaptations I've come across. But it was one particular part of the Athene section that gripped me the most. The part that talked about Arachne.
I won't spoil it because it's worth reading. But let's just say Natalie does a wonderful job of exploring these characters and themes in detail while keeping you entertained.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
What a premise: two sisters have Gods grafted into their bones with the sole reason to overthrow an empire.
Give me anything with Gods, bones, magic, and court politics, and I'm in!
However, this one didn't quite hit the mark for me - for pretty much one reason. It felt like we entered the story at the mid-way point and not in an exciting way, but in a confusing way.
The point of this book is to take you on a journey while these two sisters attempt to overthrow a corrupt ruling empire. But it's hard to feel excited about that when we've not experienced what life was like for them growing up.
We don't really know their hardship, or their pain because we don't get to read it. We're just told what it was like through their words.
In a book that hinges on the idea of good and evil, of us vs them, I needed to feel more for the underdog. If we had that backstory, even as flashback chapters, it would have given the book a huge edge.
Having said this, the writing is entertaining, easy to read, and the romance/spice is pretty good. One major plus for this story is the sapphic and disability rep. These both give the book a lot more depth.
Thank you Daphne Press for my early access copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
As the mortal sister to two immortal beings, Medusa has a hard time figuring out who she is, battling the internal conflict of both being mortal and divine-born.
But what about her sisters? It's time to hear from them, their experiences, their wants, needs, and complicated nature.
That's exactly what Medusa's Sisters delivers. It's a tale told from the perspective of Stheno and Euryale right from the beginning, from their origins to the very end.
It does something slightly different with their story, which I enjoyed for perhaps a selfish reason. Woven into the story is one of my favourite Greek Myth characters, Semele.
Her story is almost as tragic as Medusa's, and it gets some time in the sun within the pages of this book. Bonus points from me!
If you're looking for a Medusa retelling that hits hard, I mean really hard, this is it. The writing is almost poetic at times but filled with emotion and deep thoughts from each character. I loved it.
It's a Medusa retelling, so check the content warnings please!
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
This book confused the hell out of me.
There were moments when I thought it was a stroke of genius and others where I thought, ‘what am I reading?!' and not in a good way.
Herc is a retelling, sure, but it's done through the eyes of almost every person who encounters him throughout his life. Minus the divine. So, each chapter is pretty much a different voice, and there are a lot of them!
The chapters are very dialogue-heavy. So there's no worldbuilding, no setting, just diary-like entries using the voice of each character. Which honestly sounds pretty cool, but what threw me, was the voice of all of them.
I'm not sure characters in Ancient Greece should say things like ‘eejit' or ‘shit on your shoes'. It doesn't quite feel right, ya know?
I don't mind when retellings align modern themes with an ancient story, but when it comes to how the characters talk, I just can't quite get on board with that kind of modern language.
One of the things that missed the mark for me, were the moments of shock or emotion. They kind of lacked that because the characters are telling a story that's in the past, rather than living it in the moment.
You don't feel their emotion because they're already kind of over it. Which feels weird.
Heracles' story needs retelling, especially from a feminist perspective, but this format didn't quite deliver the feminist rage I'm looking for.
A shame because the quality of the writing is great. There are even some chapters that I'd love to re-read because they were funny. But I wasn't expecting a comedy or a parody, I was expecting a punch in the face.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this, but I did.
I've not read dystopian for some time, but I did love Roth's Divergent series when I was a teenager. So, let's just say I was curious about this one.
I went in with no expectations and very little idea of what the plot was about in the first place. I think this was to my advantage because I didn't know what to expect at all.
What I read was a pretty solid story, well-written, that kept me engaged throughout. The main character, at first, felt soulless and without personality, but that seems intentional to the story.
The writing was easy. The setting felt real, and the parallels to life now, are there. For a dystopian stand-alone, I enjoyed it.
This feels like a more ‘grown-up' dystopian from Roth. If you're curious, give it a go.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
Mooncakes can only be described as Sabrina meets Good Witch, but with representation.
I'll start by saying that while I enjoyed the setup, artwork, and characters, the story lacked a little oomph for me.
I think it could have been a lot more satisfying if the relationship between the two main characters took a little longer to develop.
Otherwise, the only thing pushing you through the story is this kind of magical problem-solving. Which I'm not sure is enough.
The representation and diversity is something to be commended though. Encouraging to see disability and queer rep throughout. One of the main characters being non-binary is a huge plus for me.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
My mythology knowledge has been enriched by this book.
If you're a mythology lover like me but find yourself constantly opting for the same mythologies and want something a little fresh, a little out of your comfort zone, this book is a great start.
Filled with women in mythology, from Goddesses to heroes and monsters, you get a perfect little taste of mythology from around the world.
Plus, the illustrations in the book are magnificent.
I have a feeling I'll be reaching for this book again and again when I come across some of these names in retellings, adaptations, and stories, and I'll be better off for it.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
Medea is feminine rage, and if you love that, you'll love this.
I had high hopes for Rosie Hewlett's second novel because Medusa was an amazing read. Those high hopes were met with a twisting, winding tale of Medea's life.
In a nutshell, it's fantastic.
This book is everything I want from a Greek Myth retelling. A complicated woman explored through her upbringing, life choices, power, and lack thereof.
Throughout the book, we see the darkness inside Medea follow as she grows, learns, adapts, and changes as the people around her dictate.
We get to choose for ourselves if that darkness was always there, or if she just became it because the world wanted her to.
If you're looking for your next Greek Mythology hit, let it be this one. Medea and her complicated story won't let you down.
A massive thank you to Bantam Books for my early access copy.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
Well, that was fun.
Is this a groundbreaking YA fantasy with new themes, different tropes, and plot points you didn't see coming? Not really.
Is it filled to the brim with fantastic writing, a fast pace, loveable characters, and honestly, everything you want from a YA fantasy? Yes absolutely.
If you're looking for something that's quick to read, gives you a hit of YA fantasy goodness, and leaves you feeling pretty good about yourself - this is it.
Don't overthink it. Just read.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
I don't know why but something was blocking my mind from getting into this book, until I let go and let the book take me on a ride.
And what a ride it was.
If you're looking for an oddly Ghibli-esq quest filled with quirky characters - this is it.
If you're looking for a book filled with unsettling fantasy mixed with whimsical comedy - this is it.
If you're looking for a modern fairytale that moves you through the story quickly, you guessed it - this is it.
That's all I'll say.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
It took me a while to put this review together because, honestly, this book broke me a little.
It's a testament to the writing that after around 8 years (I read the first book in 2015), I still feel such a deep connection to the characters.
Both of the books in this series are a perfect example of how fiction can help you build empathy. Honestly, these characters feel real. Maybe too real because after finishing, it took me a while to recover.
If there was ever a book I'd quote, it would be this one. It's filled to the brim with poetic thoughts that honestly hit hard.
If you're looking for something that makes you feel, opens your eyes to another world, and really, honestly pulls you in. This is it.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
I have to say, this is Jennifer Saint's best retelling yet.
There's something I love about a single-perspective retelling, and this one does it especially well.
It might be because I don't know all that much about the Argonauts' story, but even though their quest was long and filled a good portion of the book, it didn't feel tiring to read.
Atalanta's journey, the one she goes through with herself, the other members of the quest, and her patron Artemis, was the highlight of the book.
The way Artemis was characterised, as a Goddess who is just cold and aloof enough to absolutely be one of the Gods, but just caring enough to feel a little different, was perfect.
If you're looking for an empowering story with Gods, monsters, an epic journey, and more - give this a go.
4.5 stars
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
Neil Gaiman has a way of making something really creepy, also kind of cute and cosy, and this is a perfect example of that.
The Graveyard Book, to me, reads like a set of short stories that all follow one another. Almost like episodes in a children's TV series. Which I guess is the point, because this book is for children.
Although to be honest, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much as a child as I have in this sitting.
The book has a way of delivering subtle messages about death and life in a gentle way. Something I appreciate.
If you want a strangely unsettling, yet cosy and easy-to-read book - give this a go.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
Wow, this book took me on a ride.
I'm not usually a fan of switching perspectives. Because honestly, I'm quite impatient and just want the story of one character now. But this was done really well.
The chapters are short, the perspective switches aren't frustrating, and the writing is so good, you don't miss a thing.
It's always the case that you'll prefer some perspectives over others, but that didn't make it any less entertaining.
To avoid spoilers, I won't go into more detail, but it's absolutely one to read.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
If you're looking for your next underdog woman protagonist to see yourself in, let Oraya be it.
Strong in body and mind, morally grey, but with a good dashing of trauma, Oraya, and therefore this book, has a lot going for it.
Oh, and did I mention there are vampires?
This book honestly took me a little while to get stuck in. Mostly because I was reading it stop-start-style before bed. Oraya and the story, just didn't quite grip me. But once both the story and I got moving, I was all in.
If you love a good slow burn, possibility, power, and danger, this one's for you.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
I don't know why, but I related so much to Threadneedle.
It felt like I was a teenager again, trying to explore my own coming of age. But with magic.
This wasn't anything to do with the main character's situation or experiences because they were far from my own. But still, I felt some kind of connection.
Don't be fooled, though, this book isn't a lighthearted coming-of-age story. It's one where you need to check the content warnings. Threadneedle is dark, emotional, uncomfortable, and joyful all in one.
A completely absorbing story that throws you emotionally all over the place. The contrast between the moments of joy and moments of pain are quite a shock, and because of this, you can't see what's coming.
I stayed up until midnight to finish this one, so if that's not enough of a reason to read it, I don't know what is.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel