Darri

Hello all! Welcome to my grove! I am Darri, a wood elf that loves to read. My usual book taste is fantasy, middle readers, young adult, religious fiction, or characters that are animals. My favorite books are the "Guardians of Ga'hoole" series, the "Wolves of Beyond" series, the "Wings of Fire" series, and "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. If you could not already tell, Kathryn Lasky is my favorite author. My second favorite is Paulo Coelho. I am 23. Some of the books I read and review may have adult content.

[darrisgrove]

My Reviews

Hello all! These are some sites you can use to keep track of my reading and reviews if you are interested. Of course I will also upload some reviews here on Tumblr as well!

Goodreads

Storygraph

Fable - Most active

TOME

If my links do not work for any reason please feel free to send me a message so that I can update any information and/or send you a direct link if you would like!

MASTERPOST BELOW

Walk the Wild with Me - Rachel Atwood

Legends and Lattes - Travis Baldree

Redwall - Brian Jacques

Wildwood - Colin Meloy

Isaac Asimov's Robot City - Odyssey

Isaac Asimov's Robot City - Suspision

The Windeby Puzzle - Lois Lowry

Bride - Ali Hazelwood DNF

A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess

Kenny and the Dragon - Tony DiTerlizzi

Ragweed - Avi

Dawn - Octavia E. Bulter

Under The Earth, Over The Sky - Emily McCosh

The Rise of A Legend - Kathryn Lasky

WOF The Flames of Hope - Tui T. Sutherland

Berries and Bones - James Stephans

The Initiate - Louise Cooper

So This Is Ever After - F. T. Lukens

The Lost Years of Merlin - T. A. Barron

Lost Gods - Brom

The Unworthy - Agustina Bazterrica

Slewfoot - Brom

Dear Mothman - Robin Gow

Mossflower - Brian Jacques

Amber and Clay - Laura Amy Schlitz

The Nonexistent Knight - Italo Calvino

CURRENTLY READING:

-The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

-I am C-3PO by Anthony Daniels

[darrisgrove]

The Nonexistent Knight by Italo Calvino REVIEW

5/5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

One of the best themes in a book I've read in a long time. A knight who does not exist. I felt a bit of neurodivergence in Agilulf and could relate sometimes. Calvino reminds me a bit of Paulo Coelho in his story telling. I loved it a lot.

[darrisgrove]

Amber and Clay by Laura Amy Schlitz REVIEW

4/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It was a good read and stayed true to history. I appreciated that. I was glad to see a long list of references the author had used. It was interestingly written with bits of history, art to go with it, prose, and fiction. Definitely worth the read, even if just for the interesting writing style. It was why I picked it up in the first place.

[darrisgrove]

Mossflower by Brian Jacques REVIEW

3/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐

I finally finished this after what? Two years? Three? I found it very repetitive with the random tidbits of drama and encounters following Martin, Gonff, Dinny, and Log-a-log being boring rather than engaging. Redwall was better, in my opinion.

[darrisgrove]

Dear Mothman by Robin Gow REVIEW

5/5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Maybe I'm a bit sensitive, but I admit that I cried at some parts of this book. I grew up much like Noah. I never really felt like myself, knowing at an early age that I am neurodivergent and trans. I remember always asking my mom why I wasn't born a boy. It wasn't until later in middle school that I learned what transgender was and that it was okay (thanks to Bunny from Steam Powered Giraffe). I told my friends about it and that I wanted to be referred to as a boy from then on. My friends were much like Molly, Hanna, and Alice, especially Lewis. We always talked about cryptids or creepypastas in school. Come ninth grade, my Lewis passed away. I felt like Noah, going through grief. I couldn't help but feel sad. I still miss my Lewis, all these years later. My Lewis and his passing has been a huge influence on my life, making me pick up a career in mental health counseling.

Like Noah and using the metaphor for monsters and crypids comparing them to queer people, I see myself and my trans experience as magical and monstrous. I am a shapeshifter, an elf, and I am human.

A note to my young queer friends: you are not alone. Even when your Lewis has passed and left you behind, there are still Hanna's, Molly's, and Alice's out there waiting for you with open arms. I too felt like I'd never have any friends ever again after my Lewis passed, I made my own silly and scary mistakes like Noah. You are not alone and you are so very loved.

[darrisgrove]

Slewfoot by Brom REVIEW

3/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐

I read Brom's Lost Gods first. I found the plot to be very slow and boring well into the last quarter of the book. The only redeeming quality is the end big fight scene. The characters were, once again, very well written. My favorite characters were Samson and Sky and Creek.

The twist with Goodwife Carter as well as even Reverend Carter himself was very interesting. Sarah having lost her mind after learning the truth that Abitha is a witch and Reverend Carter turning to help her when she was shot to death.

Captain Moore's death was quite disgusting to read and all I could think of was a John Moore that I know personally.

Overall, I felt this book was mostly just boring. I considered DNFing and moving on, but I wanted to finish a book for my yearly goal, so here I am.

[darrisgrove]

The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica REVIEW

2/5 Stars ⭐⭐

Trigger warning: Sexual Assault mention

I didn't find this book very horror based. It felt more like this emoji 😐. The writing style was understandable and felt somewhat immersive to the story, but the plot itself was flat and didn't really do much. It was mostly backstory.

I went in blind, didn't read the summary. Guilty of choosing a book by its cover. I dislike that the plot clung to sexual assault as its grounds for horror. The ending also felt rushed and lacking. The whole book itself seemed like there was no end goal and didn't seem to be planned out.

[darrisgrove]

Lost Gods by Brom REVIEW

5/5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Spoilers below

This book had me hooked. I went in blind, didn't read the blurb or summary. I'm glad I didn't. This was a wild ride and I enjoyed every second of it. I enjoyed some of the gods characters, Yevabog and Veles were interesting and fun to see played out. The villains were fleshed out and felt like real threats. The plot line felt like it had a long history that Chet and the readers were thrust into, that time keeps moving after the story.

My only dislike was that the fight between Lamia and Chet felt lack luster. I was hoping for an epic battle between the two and Senoy and the demon boys. Something like the fight between the demons, gods, and green coats.

Some of my notes:

The demon boys going from looking normal to changing into their demon form for the first time on page 42 was honestly gross to me. I don't get scared often when I read horror, but this creeped me out a bit.

When Lamia "died" running away from Chet with his baby in her arms. I knew something was up. She swapped souls.

Crazy that Chet and the children's souls left Joshua behind. He ends up going to heaven in the end with his Mama, but did they not even tell Joshua they were leaving?

[darrisgrove]

The Lost Years of Merlin by T. A. Barron REVIEW

4/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I found the plot to be really good! I wasn't expecting it to be all that interesting, but I ended up loving it. I really enjoyed the bit of paganism as well as Christianity thrown throughout the book.

My only main problem was that the amnesia was a plot device and I disliked that Merlin got his memories back through magical means. I would have preferred that he overcame his worried of memory loss through nonmagical means.

Also, the physical copy that I bought has a handwritten note on the inside of the front cover that mentions congrats on a wedding and that Ben, T. A. Barron's son, would be attending. He is friends with the person who gifted the book to the bride. I thought that was sweet, but also sad that it ended up as a listing on Abebooks.

[dijeh]

Redwall, season 01 (1999)

[rose-of-redwall]

Beautiful...

[darrisgrove]

The Lost Years of Merlin NOTES

"When, at last, the storm subsided, the entire world seemed newly born. Sunbeams danced on rain-washed leaves. Curling columns of mist rose from every glade. The forest's colors shone more vivid, its smells struck more fresh. And I understood, for the first time in my life, that the Earth was always being remade, that life was always being renewed. That it may have been the afternoon of this particular day, but it was still the very morning of Creation." pg 40.

"Oh, yes." She thought for a moment. "Stories require faith, not facts. Don't you see? They dwell in sacred time, which flows in a circle. Not historical time, which runs in a line. Yet they are true, my son. Truer in many ways than the daily life of this pitiful little village." pg 50.

What I find interesting is the combination of world religions in the region which was historically accurate for its time. From Celtic beliefs, to Christianity, to Roman and Greek.

"The River Unceasing appears to be just a line of water, flowing from here to there. Yet he is more. Much more. He is all that he is - Including whatever hides beneath the surface." pg 185

"I drew a deep breath of fragrant air. I listened, perhaps for the last time, to the continuous whispering of the boughs. I had only barely begun to sense the variety and complexity of this language of the trees, sometimes subtle, sometimes overwhelming. I wondered what they might be saying to me even now, if only I could understand their voices. Silently, I promised myself that if I should ever return to this forest, I would learn its ways, and cherish its secrets." pg 196. A lost language.

Possible symbolism in Emrys' Hemlock staff. Magically, hemlock can be used to repel poison physically and spiritually and can be used for purifying.

"Stories help me. To live. To work. To find the meaning hidden in every dream, every leaf, every drop of dew."

"Not necessarily! Your true name may not be your given name."

Was not expecting the twist of Stangmar being his dad.

I hate that the bird died.

I also hate that the amnesia bit.

[darrisgrove]

Hello Friends!

With the possibility of new people people and returning people coming to tumblr, I thought I'd post an introduction for my bookish and booktok friends.

Hello! I am Darri. I am a wild wood elf from the south. I am a druid and while I don't post about my spiritual reading here, if you have questions feel free to ask, my DM and asks are always open. A fun fact about me, I once found a sword in the woods behind a suspiciously sword shaped tree.

About the books I read and review here. I read a variety of age ranged books, but I mostly stick to middle grade or adult. I mostly read fantasy or science fiction.

I have made finding the review on specific books I have read easy for friends to find. If you wish to see the list of books I have read, I have a pin at the top of my blog that shows you the list of every book I have read and reviewed on my blog. My reviews are linked to the book titles on that pin for ease of access to find my review on that book.

Feel free to strike up conversation on my review posts. I am active and always looking to make new book friends.

As well as my list of books on my pin, I also have links to my specific book community apps posted at the top of that pin if you wish to follow me on those sites. I am most active on Fable.

That said, welcome to my grove!

[darrisgrove]

So This Is Ever After by F. T. Lukens REVIEW

3/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐

Note for note in the order that I left in my books.

First, I was not okay with Arek kissing Matt when he knew Matt was highly intoxicated. It felt icky and I was worried it would lead to bedroom activities while Mat was under the influence.

Second, I feel like Matt running away after he found out he kissed Arek was a HORRIBLE idea. He knew Arek was dying and would die if he didn't marry his soul mate. He left Arek in a time of need and had no problem helping until Arek NEEDED his help the most. I will circle back on this later.

Third, Arek admits to his friends that he loves Matt. I will circle back on this as well.

Fourth, Crow could have been used to fetch Matt but hadn't. I feel if they had sent a letter with Crow detailing the situation and sent Crow to find Matt, Matt would have been back to the castle a lot sooner than when he got there originally. I feel like that whole "Crow knows how to fetch" plot point was a lost opportunity.

Fifth, "However, I think we'd both agree we have to work on our communication." NO REALLY?!

That brings me to circle around, they really could have avoided all of this drama and wild goose chasing if they had just expressed how they felt a long time ago. I know this was the whole plot, but I found it more frustrating than pleasant to read. It made me dislike the character, which isn't a good thing.

All that aside, I did find myself addicted to the story. If I read the book quickly then I must have liked it. I MIGHT pick up Lukens "In Deeper Waters" at some point.

[darrisgrove]

So This Is Ever After NOTES

I feel like I am reading the second book of a series

The lack of communication between Arek and Matt is frustrating

I was hoping we would see more interactions between Arek and Rion. I was disappointed

[darrisgrove]

A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull REVIEW

4/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Indulgence is emptiness. -. There is no real fulfillment in meaningless rushes of pleasure. You try to conceal the emptiness with more extravagance, only to find the thrill becoming less satisfying and more fleeting. Most pleasures are best as a seasoning, not the main course." - Drake, A World Beyond Heroes.

I found this book interesting enough to finish it. The plot was entertaining, the characters were believable and diverse. The main villain was a surprise. My only gripe is the ending. I know this is a three book series, but it felt as though the ending would have been less of a plot twist than it was. I wasn't expecting it, but it felt more like a disappointment rather than an engaging twist. I don't think I will finish the rest of the series.

[darrisgrove]

The Outcast NOTES

-Right off the bat, this part of the story follows Cyllan's point of view.

[darrisgrove]

The Initiate by Louise Cooper REVIEW

5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was really good. The characters were fleshed out and felt as real as a fantasy can get. While the plot was kind of weak, the drama between these characters was soooo good. Good tea. The end ritual was also really good. There were some scenes that had me on the edge of my seat.