Zoë

ew

This was a hot mess. I need to go recover. It just kept getting worse. If you're bothered by love bombing and rapidly accelerating the relationship despite not actually getting to know each other then feel free to skip this one. smh

The first book, Divine Rivals, was really good. This one felt slow and uninteresting. It could've been abbreviated and added to Divine Rivals to make a satisfying stand-alone. It would've had great pacing and explained all the backstory for both the main characters and the divine beings. I really liked the story; I wish it had been given more care in its telling.

I wanted to love this one because Neil Gaiman and fun art, but the story held no surprises and the art was not for me. One star for the art; three stars for the retelling, but only because it's decently written. It's not inventive or original in any way which is fine; it's just not worth a read unless you've never read the original version. The art is all in black and white, mostly black, lots of it. I love illustrated books, so I was excited to see a new one. It doesn't really work for a fairy tale. I don't see kids poring over it like I did with so many beautifully colorful books I had growing up which is a shame, but maybe this one is for the adults? In which case, WHY wasn't the story developed into a text for mature readers? It just didn't work for me, and I expected something better from Gaiman, frankly.

Alix E. Harrow's Starling House is a heartbreaking and haunting gothic story gorgeously narrated by Natalie Naudus. As Harrow does so well, this book serves magic, mystery, love, and enough tension to keep readers wanting more. Steeped in the painful reality of poverty, homelessness, and hunger in Eden, Kentucky, we find our feisty protagonist Opal struggling to care for Jasper, her book-smart brother with a bright future to preserve. An encounter with the brooding and mysterious Arthur sets off a chain of events that will forever alter the trajectory of their lives. A must-read for anyone who has ever wanted to find a door to a magical space beyond.

Natalie Naudus narrates this with a perfect mix of intention, personality, distinct and recognizable voices, and her unique ability to keep the listener enthralled throughout. The delicious slow burn readers savor in an excellent gothic mystery like this is beautifully enhanced in this audio rendition. Naudus handles steamy passages with just the right amount of sensuality, and her voice with Harrow's text is so, so good. Together, they will take you on a journey full of humanity. There will be laughs, possibly some tears, perhaps a little rage, and ultimately a satisfying scratch for that itch we call nostalgia for all those magical stories read under covers by flashlight.

3.5 stars

This was fun storytelling. The characters are immediately recognizable. There's the misogynistic boss, the stalwart best friend, the brooding love interest. The plucky and relatable main character whose insecurities and imposter syndrome must be overcome to be the hero in her own story. It's warm and fuzzy with a little bit of drama and subterfuge.