Mitch
By the time I finished this book, I loved it... but by around page 300 I was starting to think this was just not my jam. I very nearly just switched gears and put this back on the shelf for another ten years. If you like me are struggling through the first two thirds of this, there is still hope that you too can get some joy out of this much beloved series! Hoping that book 2 gets rolling a bit quicker though haha.
This was one of those books I remembered fondly while hardly remembering anything at all. After reading Piranesi I got an itch at the back of my brain that led me back to this particular story after decades away. Andrew Ketterly? Why does that sound so familiar... Anyway, It was a very Narnia-esque experience, jumping back into a world I thought I'd left behind and a warm reminder of why these books are so loved by so many people.
I really liked this. I wished it was weirder but loved the characters, story, creatures, and descriptions on display here. The language is so rich and pitch perfect for the grim fairy tale/folklore feel of this book. It's like reading something written a hundred years ago in the best possible way. It has a blend of ordinary life and extraordinary elements, that make the world and the magic feel a little more real. It's also really moving in parts, with these brilliantly drawn human stories.
“There are men who are wolves inside, and want to eat up other people to fill their bellies. That is what was in your house with you, all your life. But here you are with your brothers, and you are not eaten up, and there is not a wolf inside you. You have fed each other, and you kept the wolf away.”
Definitely worth a read and pick up Uprooted while you're at it!
Three stars feels a little unfair because this really is delightful and it's exactly what it says it is, i.e. a low-stakes, cozy-fantasy. I think all the hype around this particular book made me feel like there may be a bit more to it than that, which there really isn't. That's not a bad thing, but it is a very particular sort of thing. I can see why people love this book but alas, I did not.
Full disclosure, I've always hated the enemies to lovers trope. Until today? This was heart wrenching, heartwarming, and (something I never expect from these books) I actually understood how someone could love each of the characters here... AND why these characters loved each other! In my experience, fantasy romance tends to swing from an inexplicable love-at-first-sight-approach to the psychotic rollercoaster of toxicity with a strong foundation of terrible communication skills. This book deftly avoids both pitfalls and tells what actually feels like a real, romantic, love story. It's beautifully told, well paced, and keeps the characters at the centre throughout. This took me a while to pick up, but I was genuinely shocked by how much I enjoyed this book, how hard it was to put down, and how much I felt while reading it.
Let me start off by saying the world of this book was super intriguing. It felt like a fantastical version of the gilded age, with flying castles, court politics, living scarves, ancestral magic, enigmatic omnipotent immortals... the list goes on. There were so many fresh and interesting ideas on display here but despite all that goodness I had a hard time connecting with it as a whole. It felt like there was something lost in translation and I struggled to get a sense any of the characters beyond their basic mannerisms or quirks. On top of that, it all plays out very slowly and doesn't really pick up until the very end. I think ultimately, this kind of story just isn't for me. Despite the epic backdrop it's less fantasy adventure and more Downton Abbey which sadly, is not my jam.
Did not expect to describe any entry in a series called “The Murderbot Diaries” as charming but here we are. This was fast paced, funny, razor sharp, clever and yes, charming. I loved it so much. I'm a little unsettled by how much I related to the Murderbot but mostly I'm just delighted by what a good time this was. “Yes, talk to Murderbot about its feelings. The idea was so painful I dropped to 97 percent efficiency. I'd rather climb back into Hostile One's mouth.” It's packed with that kind of stuff and It's paced with the kind of efficiency you would expect from a killing machine. Not one page is wasted. Can't wait to pick up book 2.
This was a surprise favourite for me... mostly because if this book wasn't shoved into my hands I never would've picked it up. When I finally decided to crack it open, I was rewarded with elegant and immersive prose that drew me into a vividly realized universe filled with memorable characters and relevant thought-provoking themes. E.g. The idea of imperialism that's conquering through a culture that's so persuasive that you'll trade your own away to be a part of it... the pull, and guilt, and lie of assimilation. Despite the weighty subject matter, it's a also a pretty thrilling page turner with stakes that start relatively small and work their way up to the fate of humanity. There's a bit of romance here as well, but despite loving both characters involved it felt a little tacked on. Maybe I was just missing the signs? Don't let that stop you from picking this up though!
4.5 Stars!
This book was a genre bending blast that reads like a Hong Kong mob movie meets Mistborn meets Game of Thrones. The politics, characters, emotional gut punches, and twists made this a ton of fun all the way through - great action sequences, an elegant magic system and an aesthetic that just bleeds cool. It's the mash up I didn't know I needed and now that I've got a taste... I'm hooked. “On my honor, my life, and my jade” the clan is my blood now guys... this book is very good at what it does.
A story about a never ending time war told through a series of love letters exchanged between enemy combatants??? Against all odds this book takes that insane premise and delivers one of the most gorgeous and rereadable books I've ever crackled open.
What a weird and wild ride this was. The plot of this little book unravels like a mystery in the margins of pages of poetry. Which would be weird if this wasn't framed as correspondence, “...Instead I wick the longing into thread, pass it through your needle eye, and sew it into hiding somewhere beneath my skin, embroider my next letter to you one stitch at a time.” Are you kidding me!!? I love that shit, and it works great in this format (for the most part) but fully understand that, that kind of thing isn't for everyone. My best advice for enjoying this book is knowing what you're getting into. It's people over plot, and while interesting the time war is mostly a backdrop. Come for the characters and the prose and you won't be disappointed. 4.5 stars!
This was a heartbreak rollercoaster. It's as draining a read as I've ever dared to complete but I'm glad I did. The language is rich and immersive and it's packed with references and turns of phrase that provide an authentic sense of person and place. You really believe these characters exist somewhere, which makes every tragedy more painful to read. It's filled with these little daggers that you're almost certain weren't invented but pulled from someone's lived experience... but despite all that darkness, It's also very funny...? Demon is smart, charismatic and certifiably hilarious and his perspective is what makes it possible to actually finish this novel. There were so
many moments that had me laughing out loud throughout and while I wouldn't call the ending happy, it's lined with a kind of hopefulness that I wasn't sure would still be there by the conclusion. This is a moving and brutal character study that you should emotionally prepare yourself for before picking up.
This could have easily been a short story (and maybe should have been?) but it's a credit to the author that it didn't have to be. I was pretty sure I knew where this novel was headed about 20 pages in, but the short chapters and sharp, clever prose kept me engaged, entertained, and along for the ride all the way through. Knowing the subject matter in advance, I expected this to feel heavier but was pleasantly surprised to find something kind of cozy? It's a kind of “It's a Wonderful Life meets the multiverse” that takes the reader on the same perspective shifting journey as the protagonist. The message is a little blunt force for my typical taste but the feeling it left me with was a warm hug of positivity and possibility.
I always love it when folklore is adapted with the weirdness intact. While this isn't an adaptation of any one story, this is a book that does that kind of weird very well. Uprooted has the feel of a pre-Disney fairytale where the moral of the story isn't, “be good and kind” but rather, “don't go too close to the woods or your eyes will get poked out and all your friends will die!” It features a non-contemporary protagonist, it's not about the small town girl who dreams of adventure and unknown lands, it's about the small town girl who loves her family would be genuinely happy to stay in the boring little valley she grew up in forever. It's a mix of fables, folklore and fairy tales that blend together to create something strange, immersive, original and sometimes moving. For fans of folklore and a slightly stranger brand of fantasy I'd definitely recommend this book.
This period of Japanese history gets adapted so often for good reason! This book is a fascinating imagining of that period and the life of a historical figure who I've only encountered as a footnote until recently. The characterizations are layered and plausible throughout and the author manages to provide an authentic depth to each one. It's also VERY readable, I crushed this in a day and a half and stayed up all night to finish. That's something I don't typically encounter with historical fiction. If you've never heard of Yasuke before, I think this is a fantastic introduction.
Hoooo boy, this is not my usual cup of soup. But I must admit, it was a good time. In terms of action, lore, and world building it delivered on all the things I was missing in the first book. Tonally, this book reminded me a little bit of the show Scandal, in that many simple problems are solved with very dramatic speeches or grand gestures. It's VERY over the top but the book owns it completely, which makes it easier to buy in as a reader. Like the first book, the protagonist is kind of the worst part but she's rescued literally and figuratively by a supporting cast of super fun characters, with tragic backstories, badass attitudes, and attire. It did feel as if this book was retconning a lot of the first book to make space for the direction that this story ultimately goes, which I was cool with but it does feel a little like this wasn't always the plan? Maybe it was but some book one characters are basically unrecognizable here. In short, it's better than the first book in pretty much every way, so if you liked that odds are you'll love this.
This book felt like childhood in the greatest and most terrible ways. Equal parts whimsical and visceral, it's packed with so many moments and descriptions that are so well drawn they feel like they're plucked from your own memory, whether you've lived them or not. It captures all the bigness and smallness of what it feels like to be a kid, in this magnificent melting pot of innocence, resilience, wonder and fear. This was really something special and despite not being a rereader I have a feeling I'll be returning to this one.
“I do not miss childhood, but I miss the way I took pleasure in small things, even as greater things crumbled. I could not control the world I was in, could not walk away from things or people or moments that hurt, but I took joy in the things that made me happy.”
3.5 Stars - I think the biggest problem I have with this book was that I read it after Circe. I couldn't help comparing them as I flipped through the pages. Overall I enjoyed it, it's endlessly quotable and beautifully written but I felt like this book spent too much time apologizing for these stories and characters. This happens all the time in adaptations of these myths and most of the time I don't mind as much... but Circe managed that balance so well, that I expected more from Song of Achilles and ultimately ended up a little disappointed. Patroclus felt too contemporary, and I had a hard time with his P.O.V. as a result. Also, I'm not sure how I felt about getting to know “the real Achilles” here. “Look at how he will be remembered now. Killing Hector, killing Troilus. For things he did cruelly in his grief... Perhaps such things pass for virtue among the gods...” it felt weird to have a negative opinion of these deeds within the story itself. Despite these beefs it's still very good. I would just say, the less you know of the original story the better and don't expect Circe!
5 stars might be a little high... but fuck it, this was an immensely pleasant read from start to finish. It's quirky, fun, and imaginative with a classic fantastic Brando Sando magic system. The narration is packed with quips and asides with shades of Neil Gaiman's lighter stuff. Sort of Stardust meets Good Omens meets the Cosmere. This book probably won't change your life but it's a wonderfully well done diversion, with lots of fresh ideas, twists, turns, and great pacing. If you love fantasy and need a little break from big sweeping epics I could not recommend this more.
So many mixed feelings about this book. I found the lectures fascinating, the concept for the magic system was intriguing and unique, overall I loved the first 50% of this book... but the second half felt like a death march. The foreshadowing is pretty heavy throughout and ultimately It was a long time to wait for the inevitable to occur, but no less heartbreaking when it finally did. I usually go to fantasy for escapism, or for a safe place to explore some bigger philosophical ideas, or new perspectives. This did not feel like escapism, the parallels that this book explores are pretty much one-to-one with the real world. I think I would have been more okay with that if the book had more to say about it. Why introduce magic at all if it doesn't change anything? The other issue I had is the characters didn't seem to understand their own objectives... what if we win? Don't know. They want a more equal society? but none of their plans are designed to realize that dream... their cause is just, but Ill conceived and deeply tragic.
The writing is really wonderful throughout, it has great moments and I alternated between both hating and loving all the main characters, which is exactly how I want to feel about my protagonists. They felt real and flawed and relatable... for the most part. (The whole cover-up felt ridiculous, and a lot of the decisions in the last half felt motivated by plot rather than character) The feeling that this book left me with was sadness in a non-fiction sort of way. Like, sad for the world and humankind and helpless to change it. The ending did have some lovely symmetry (Robin's name) and ultimately there is a lot to dig into here, for a book club or something similar. Like I said I loved the first half. As a whole though, I can't say I enjoyed it but I am glad I read it. Soooo read it? But be ready to feel, bad, sad, helpless, and uncomfortable.
I've loved Greek mythology since as long as I can remember. I'm ashamed to admit, this probably started with the adventures of Hercules which led me down a long weird pop culture rabbit hole until I finally arrived at the Iliad and then the Odyssey. This book made me feel like I was experiencing all of that for the first time. It felt so true to the source that it seemed like this version of Circe's story was carved from the marble of the original tales. I think that's the best way to describe how reading this felt... So many adaptations of these myths add, change, and update things to make them more palatable to their audience. This one managed to make so much of the cultural weirdness of Greek myth just work as is, while also telling a wholly original story that managed to tie it all together into a cohesive compelling page turner. I'd never thought much of Circe before reading this but I'm stunned at what Madeline Miller pulled out of her. Joy, awe, devastation... if you haven't already, please read this book.
Before reading this book I had a one sided beef with this author borne of the bitter disappointment I felt after reading the much hyped Poppy War trilogy. After reading this though... I'm still not a fan of those books, but I would now consider myself a fan of R.F. Quang. This book cleverly takes a lot of the meta narrative surrounding the author and her critics and wraps it into a fun, funny, page turning thriller that made me feel a little too seen as I read it. The protagonist is both relatable and hateable as you watch her bend over backwards to justify her own actions and find a way to give herself the validation that she so desperately craves while profiting off of someone else's work. It feels like a self deprecating shot across the bow to all the haters l, and as a former hater...I really enjoyed it. It's a mix of Macbeth and imposter comedies that feels sharp and well paced, especially for the first two thirds. I would recommend reading some of the authors other works before picking up this one, it's a small thing but having read her other books I think I had a lot more fun with this. Negatives for me were that the ending gets a little messy in terms of what to overall message the novel is trying to deliver, still solid but not as fun and fresh as the majority of the book.There were also a couple parts throughout that felt more driven by plot than character (refusing a sensitivity reader, making cultural changes to the novel without context etc.) Overall though, I still had a blast with it!
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one did not hit the same. It felt like I was reading the same plot points over and over with the same frustrating outcome each time until the very end... the characters were constantly fluctuating between wanting peace for all and committing genocide. ALL OF THEM. It made it hard to root for anyone. And the ending felt like it came completely out of left field within the context of the story so far.
The good: This book does a lot of really interesting things. I loved the sections where the characters are acting out a role and you get this mashup of emotions from the characters and the role they're playing. It was my favourite part of this whole book and something that will definitely stick with me. The use of Shakespeare throughout was so much fun and handled in a way that made it feel accessible and unpretentious as a reader.
The not-as-good: The plot fell a bit short for me, largely because I was expecting more of a traditional whodunnit mystery, and this isn't really that. It spends a lot of time on the central characters as you watch guilt erode them all in different ways, which is handled well for the most part but wasn't what I thought I was signing up for. I also had a hard time buying into the love triangle that serves as a central motivation for the main character's actions... it felt more like a narrative device than something that was really character driven and I couldn't get past that feeling. Overall, I really enjoyed the style, the themes, and the way the characters were drawn but wasn't super compelled by core mystery.
I was super intrigued by this book. It's filled with little mysteries that slowly unravel to reveal a fantastic and imaginative web of stories within stories. The interludes are beautifully written and have an elemental quality to them that makes you feel like they've always existed. They're poetic and very fairy-tale. I love that kind of thing, so naturally these sections really stood out to me. That being said, this book took a lot of effort to get through, it's slow and repetitive (on purpose) but that didn't make it easier to finish. This book asks a lot of interesting questions about stories, what makes a story, and the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, etc. then leaves it up to the reader to determine a lot of those answers on their own... which could be a feature or a bug depending on what you hope to get from this book.
I think I would have loved this as a collection of enigmatic short stories, but despite my excitement around the concept, the plot of this book left me a little cold. I liked it but had a hard time connecting with the characters and the end of the book was kind of like a fever dream that was so all over the place that I had to reread it like 5 times to make sure I hadn't missed anything. I was expecting something more like Gaiman's Neverwhere and while similar in a lot of ways, that's ultimately not what this is. I'd recommend this book more as a reflective read, take you time, don't rush it. The journey is beautiful but I'm not sure what the destination was supposed to be.