Elayna B Reading

E.S. Barrison's Book Review Blog

[you-just-got-wormed]

anyway Rick Riordan saw JK R*wling posting her bullshit again and decided to be a king we can trust and show support for trans creators publicly. a true ally

[booklistr]

15 African-Inspired Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books:

Escaping Exodus by Nicky Drayden

Children of Blood & Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi

The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden

Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson

Mirage by Somaiya Daud

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin

Temper by Nicky Drayden

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson

Theonite by M. L. Wang

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

The Kishi by Antoine Bandele

Which of these books has your favorite African-based universe?

[the-ronan-cycle]

Happy Pride! Enjoy this book rec list of fiction books with LGBTQ+ and Black representation, written by Black authors! Goodreads and Bookshop.org links and text version of the list below the cut.

Some of these books involve some pretty heavy content, be careful to check content warnings! 

Keep reading

[elaynab-reading]

Nightshade Forest by Nikki Mitchell

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)⁠ ⁠ Have you ever wanted to enter your favorite story and play out the role of the main character? In Nightshade Forest by Nikki Mitchell, that is exactly what happens to Eleanor! One Christmas day, her father gives her a new book…and without warning she is transported into the world of Nightshade Forest. Alongside her new friends, Elfie and Milo, she has to help save the kingdom before it’s too late.⁠ ⁠ I’m not usually one to read middle-grade fiction, but this delightful tale is bound to catch the hearts of children…and adults! With elements reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, Inkheart, and The Magic Treehouse, Nightshade Forest is a fun adventure for anyone. ⁠ ⁠ If you want a light hearted, whimsical read that you can share with the entire family, I highly recommend you check out Nightshade Forest…coming June 20th, 2020!⁠ ⁠ Note: I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.⁠ ⁠ Read the Full Review Here

[coolcurrybooks-deactivated20230]

I’ve done some Twitter threads on this topic, so thought it might be nice to do a Tumblr post too. One of my pet peeves is when people act like adult fantasy (or sci-fi for that matter) is just a straight white dude thing and that diversity only exists in young adult fantasy. That’s such a disservice to all the authors of marginalized identities currently writing adult fantasy!

Authors and books below the cut, including links to Goodreads. I’m not providing trigger warnings (if I make the post too long Tumblr starts freaking out about it), but you can use the search function on Goodreads reviews to find more specifics. 

Keep reading

[elaynab-reading]

Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett 

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars) Audio Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars) Total Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

Stories exist independently of their players. If you know that, knowledge is power.

Certainly, understanding the power of a story, you have undeniable power. Terry Pratchett explores the mere power of the story through the adventure of Magrat Garlick, Granny Weatherwax, and Nanny Ogg across the Discworld to Genua after Fairy Godmother Desirata passes away. But why would they go to stop a servant girl from marry a prince? Isn’t that every girl’s dream?

Not when the girl is merely a player entwined in her fake destiny.

A world where stories are brought to life by a rogue fairy godmother means chaos ensues: a frog prince, a sleezy cat-turned-man, and a fairy godmother with a knack for pumpkins, just to name a few. Plus with characters as endearing and witchy as Magrat, Granny Weatherwax, and Nanny Ogg, you’ll want to go on this wacky adventure with them.

So be wary of the stories around you. Because perhaps, you’re just a mere pawn in the game.

Read the full review here. 

[elaynab-reading]

FEATURE FRIDAY: Mari Hamill

Today I am featuring Mari Hamill, author of Werewolf Nights. 

Mari Hamill is a comic book retailer, an avid reader, and a movie fan who loves being immersed in fantasy. Currently, Mari is working on her next novel. The first thing she plans to do once the lock down ends will be going to the movies.

ABOUT WEREWOLF NIGHTS

Threatened by financial ruin, widowed bakery owner Catherine Mercy leads a solitary life with more interest in reading about werewolf lore than in finding a man. Her one true love disappeared after high school and her now deceased husband kept her trapped in the house claiming that a werewolf might hunt her down one day, just as her grandmother repeatedly warned her. When Hollywood interrupts the town's monotony by shooting a werewolf movie on location, Catherine's best friend Anne pushes her to audition. Already in her thirties, Catherine feels ridiculous trying to become an actress, but lands the leading role.

Catherine's daily routine turns into a hair-raising adventure as fame begins to surveil her wanderings and she falls for her sexy costar Greg Byron despite this actor's neon warning sign that flashes conceited womanizer. He's also smitten by her, but just when they are about to find happiness, a wolf bites him.

While Greg's features turn lupine, Catherine discovers a resemblance between the movie script and her family's history. Frightened, Catherine recruits werewolf expert Steve to figure out if the movie's werewolf legend is real and if Wolfern, the werewolf her grandmother dreaded, has finally come for her. If so, Greg will turn into a werewolf. Only undoing Greg's curse and destroying Wolfern before the next full moon can save their love and their lives.

Mari Hamill blends fantasy, intrigue, and passion to create a chilling, unique story.

You can read the full feature HERE.

I decided to post the features on this blog as it makes the most sense. My main is @elaynab-writing and my author blog is @esbarrison-wips.

[elaynab-reading]

Book Review: Thorunn by @etjwrites

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)⁠ ⁠ I was honored to be a beta reader for Thorunn as well as receive an ARC copy of the book prior to publication. Neither of these experiences have impacted my review.⁠ ⁠ Imagine being whisked away from Earth, relocated to a foreign planet where you’re expected to start anew. Of course, in most cases this would be uneventful, but this is not the case of Laine Riven whose parents whisked him away against his will to the planet of Thorunn. Yet, he manages to make the best of his new life…until the Outpost Terrorist attacks. And that’s when everything begins to change.⁠ ⁠ Esther T. Jones introduces us to the “shocking” world of Thorunn – literally. The unique landscape is known for its electric storms, as well as creatures reminiscent of dinosaurs, as well as cat-like shifter people known as klia’ans (or lokians). In an action packed adventure, Laine, as well as Kenton and Bo, uncover secrets about their families, the government, and in a series of correlated events, unintentionally come together to bring peace to Thorunn.⁠ ⁠ So, if you want a fun sci-fi adventure, go check it out! You’ll be on the edge of your seat the whole time, holding your breath as Laine, Kenton, and Bo escape, attack, and save the day on countless occasion! So definitely check out this new book.⁠ ⁠ Read the full review here. ⁠

[elaynab-reading]

Book Review: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Book Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars) Audio Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars) Total Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

Most people know Howl’s Moving Castle from the 2004 Miyazaki Film. While I was certainly aware of the movie, and had it on my “to-watch” list for many years, I actually had not watched it prior to reading this book. In retrospect, I am glad that I hadn’t, because it only made the book so much better – and much fresher.

Some people might disagree with me on this of course, but personally I liked the book way more than the movie, which is true with many stories, but I wanted to state that right away.

Don’t get me wrong, the movie is wonderful on its own. One recommendation I heard was to think of the book as Sophie’s point-of-view and the movie as Howl’s point-of-view, and that serves as a great analysis between the two.

I think what makes the book so much better than the movie is Sophie’s autonomy. Her jealousy of Howl with other girls is slowly building in the background, while she focuses on forcing herself into the life of the castle. While these elements of Sophie survive in the movie, many of her motivations are around protecting Howl…not others. Sophie is selfless and relentless, and the book is a jewel at showing thos.

So, if you look at the tale between these two lenses, you’ll enjoy both the book and the movie. For while the book is about Sophie, the movie is about Howl…and how he would ultimately see himself: a hero.

Although, that notion would just cause Sophie to laugh!

Read the Full Review Here

[elaynab-reading]

FEATURE FRIDAY: Author Esther T. Jones

Today I am featuring Esther T. Jones ( @etjwrites​ ), author of Tedenbarr of Have Lath and Thorunn.

Esther been creating stories since she was a kid, and really started writing them down when she was about 10. In her teen years she got serious about learning the craft, and hasn't stopped since, going on to publish her debut novel Tedenbarr of Have Lath as well as her newest novel, Thorunn, coming out on 20th. Outside of writing, Esther loves gardening, cosplay, and music (as she is a flutist and pianist).

ABOUT TEDENBARR OF HAVE LATH

Adventure! Treachery! Danger on the High Seas! After months of forced servitude aboard a cargo ship en route from the Kingdom of the West, all Tedenbarr wants is to return to his beloved home. But when a brutal pirate attack leaves Tedenbarr stranded on the far shores of the Eastern Kingdom, Tedenbarr must embark on an arduous and harrowing journey from East to West with only his wit, and will to survive against the many trials that beset him along the way. Faced with danger from land and sea, foreigner and country-kin, Tedenbarr's travels promise to take him through perilous, lonely mountains, across vast, thirsty deserts, and into the very heart of a city poised on the brink of civil war. Only time will tell if Tedenbarr can succeed in his quest to return to Have Lath, and finally reunite with his friends, family and the woman he left behind.  

You can read my review of Tedenbarr of Have Lath here.

ABOUT THORUNN

Nine years ago, Skytown soldiers brutally murdered Kenton's family. Now those same men aim to return and destroy Kenton's hard-won, idyllic life amongst the peaceful shifter people of the Hinnom Forest.

Meanwhile, Laine Riven–dragged from Earth to Thorunn against his will–is stuck navigating an unfamiliar school, his jerk of an uncle, and the rising threat posed by the Outpost Terrorist.

When their paths clash amidst tragedy and betrayal, Kenton realises he and his best friend Bo may have rushed headlong into a situation too impossible to fix.

Time is running out as frix season closes in, and their only shot at victory hinges on outrunning the seasoned bounty hunters, savage creatures, and unpredictably violent weather trying to kill them every step of the way.

Follow Esther:

Goodreads

Amazon

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Youtube

Website

You can read the full feature HERE.

I decided to post the features on this blog as it makes the most sense. My main is @elaynab-writing and my author blog is @esbarrison-wips.

[elaynab-reading]

FEATURE FRIDAY: Author Naomi Kelly

Today I am featuring Naomi Kelly, author of Trial by Obsidian and Meraki: A Syren Story.

Naomi Kelly is a young Irish Indie author who released her debut novel, Trial by Obsidian, last year. She has recently released their second novel, Meraki: A Syren Story on May 1st. She writes YA Fantasy with romance subplots, inspired by all the fantastic books she has read over the years. Her writing style is very character-centric, which leads to writing in the first person. She loves diving deep into the feelings and thoughts of her characters and really put herself in their shoes to figure out what they would be going through.

ABOUT TRIAL BY OBSIDIAN

The poverty-stricken southern lands of Deshure have kept Juniper Obsidian hidden all her life. Her concealed identity kept her safe. Until now. The northern lands of Sinlara are home to the Chambers. Here rules are enforced and wars are waged, but since the end of the War fifteen years ago things have been quiet. That is until they get their hands on Juniper.

When an enemy who has an uncertain a past as she does a future offers her help, Juniper must question what really makes us who we are? Can she trust the man before her?

Is there more to loyalty than a boarder? More to family than a blood-line?

The time has come where she must learn to stand and fight.

Hiding is no longer an option.

ABOUT MERAKI: A SYREN STORY

Her song is a gift bestowed by the gods; so why does it feel like a curse?

Seventeen-year-old Wren thinks she has just swum away from the greatest threat in the sea. That's until she finds herself being hauled upon a warlord's boat. With her life at the mercy of a young, temperamental King, Wren must decide who is her ultimate enemy.

Can Fate be altered? What do gods have planned?

Syrens are bound to tell the truth, but that doesn’t mean their lives cannot be riddled with lies.

Follow Naomi:

Goodreads

Amazon

Facebook

Instagram

You can read the full feature HERE.

I decided to post the features on this blog as it makes the most sense. My main is @elaynab-writing and my author blog is @esbarrison-wips.

[bookworm-on-rainy-days]

[elaynab-reading]

FEATURE FRIDAY: Author Kaitlyn Legaspi

For my first ever Feature Friday, I have the opportunity to feature a student at my Alma Mater, Kaitlyn Legaspi, a student at the University of Florida. Today she is launching the final book in her Dark Irregular Trilogy, so why don't you find out more about her and her path to publication below!

Kaitlyn Legaspi is the author of the young adult fantasy trilogy Dark Irregular. Writing passionately on a daily basis, she is publishing the third book in the series...today, May 1st! She plans to add more to her repertoire in the near future. Kaitlyn is entering her junior year as a business undergraduate student at the University of Florida, in addition to writing. Kaitlyn enjoys singing, studying in the nearby boba tea shop, and reading whatever has catches her interest.

ABOUT DARK IRREGULAR

A world consists of two planes of existence. There is the world of the living, where humans, elves, and every whole-spirited creature breathe. Then there is the Void, where demons and beings made of pure darkness, shadows, live.

Almost fifteen years ago, these shadows brought the deaths of the Kingdom of Sylenia's beloved king and queen and the disappearance of their newborn baby. In the present day, the kingdom remains in the capable hands of a young queen, her major generals, and their knights but is constantly threatened by the growing number of shadows that enter the living world.

A secluded young orphan named Kanna is one of the new apprentices that have been chosen to be trained for the purpose of defeating these shadows. Suddenly called upon to become a knight's understudy, she is escorted to the palace by two older apprentices. Along the way, she is attacked by the shadows, much to the apprentices', knights', and even the major generals' confusion.

While Kanna is figuring out why the shadows are targeting her, something else occupies her mind. Every time she is knocked unconscious by a shadow, she has familiar visions about a little boy she vaguely recognizes. Kanna eventually finds the boy that keeps appearing in her dreams. However, she meets him as a price due to the presence of a darker, more powerful entity: the Dark Irregular.

Follow Kaitlyn:

Goodreads

Amazon

Facebook

Instagram

You can read the full feature HERE. 

I decided to post the features on this blog as it makes the most sense. My main is @elaynab-writing and my author blog is @esbarrison-wips.

[sunshine-readings]

A lil powerpoint of book recs!!!

Part Two | Part Three

[darkacademiathings]

“That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.”

-  Jhumpa Lahiri

[alanimalcrackers]

Popular YA books and are they worth reading: my opinion

yea im just going to get into it

Harry Potter: Overall good books. They do have plotholes and lack representation, but have a great fandom that makes up for it. A great intro to magic and fantasy for the younger end of the YA spectrum. 

Overall verdict: ignore the cursed child and you’ll be fine

The Hunger Games: I thought these were really interesting books. They deal with political themes that are really important to be aware of. After reading these books I would sit in class and figure out how I would kill all of my classmates in our own hunger games. 

Overall verdict: heck yeck

The Fault in Our Stars: Pretentious and kind of hard to read, but not that bad. Pretty basic and predictable but still entertaining. The Anne Frank kiss was yikes.

Overall verdict: each to their own. read some reviews before picking it up

Twilight: Not as bad as everyone says it is, but still pretty bad. Really creepy and also pretty damn racist. Has some interesting side characters. I never read past the first book so I don’t know that much. 

Overall verdict: there are better books to spend your time on

The Mortal Instruments: Not outrageously bad, but not Oscar worthy. It’s kind of just there. Characters are pretty cliché, and some very unnerving themes are included, the YA Game of Thrones when it comes to incest. 

Overall verdict: Read her other series; they’re much better.

Divergent: fun enough. the first book is the best. very confusing and full of plot holes. not that memorable tbh. 

Overall verdict: just read the hunger games

13 Reasons Why:

Overall verdict: don’t

The Maze Runner: the first book is decent. it’s an interesting concept and an entertaining read. beware of an overabundance of boys. 

Overall verdict: go ahead, just don’t touch the sequels

Six of Crows: world can be a bit confusing at first if you haven’t read the grisha trilogy, but you pick it up pretty quickly. well developed characters, world, and plot. 

Overall verdict: hell yeah

Throne of Glass: starts off pretty basic, but decent. gets less decent as it progresses. beware barfing, toxic masculinity, graphic sex, and killing of minorities. 

Overall verdict: i genuinely have no idea what demographic this series is for

Red Queen: more into the political aspect, not that much action. glass sword is the low point. improves a lot in the last two books. iffy lgbt rep. Maven Calore carries the entire series on his back. 

Overall verdict: it’s not for everyone, but give it a fair try

The Lunar Chronicles: pretty enjoyable. i like the twists on the fairytales. the characters work well together and carry the *pretty simple* plot well. beware possible racism? idk i don’t really remember i was like eleven. 

Overall verdict: yeah sure why not.

Anything by Rick Riordan: i haven’t read his more recent stuff (think past heroes of Olympus), but i’ve heard good things. the books are fun, and overall really good. i think they’re meant for a younger demographic but i’m not entirely sure. 

Overall verdict: please at least read percy’s retellings of greek mythology

A Court of Thorns and Roses: T H I S I S N O T Y A

[thesffcorner]

Silver in the Wood

Silver in the Wood is a fantasy novella by Emily Tesh. It follows Tobias, a man who lives in a small cabin in the woods, and he might be the mythical Green Man of the area’s folklore. When the new estate owner Henry Silver appears on his doorstep, dripping wet and spends the night, the two start an unlikely friendship that might put Tobias’ entire life in danger: both figuratively and literally. I feel like my description made this book sound a lot more intense than it actually is. This is not an action packed, fast paced book; this is a slow, familiar, whimsical stroll through the life of a curmudgeonly forest hermit, and the beautiful rich boy who comes to ruin his life. It’s also a book about fey, ancient curses, the Fey Lord of the Summer and being part of an ancient forest, but even though danger is present in the story, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with lower stakes than this one. To start off, I’ve read this story already, and I frankly thought it was better in those two books: if you want a fey romance, involving the Wild Hunt and a fey Lord of Summer, read An Enchantment of Ravens. If you want a story about a forest making a bargain with some queer characters, read Strange Grace. If you’ve read both of those, and just want a very wee, slow story, then read this. There’s nothing objectively wrong with this book, I just didn’t connect with it. Everything felt detached, and slow and none of the really dangerous and serious things felt threatening. Even the relationship felt very one-sided, because it takes over ⅔ of the book for Tobias to reciprocate, and by that point, it’s too late. Individually, the characters are fine: Tobias is a curmudgeon, he’s very big and intimidating, has been alone, feared and hated by the villagers for 4 centuries, and has a lot of trauma to work through, courtesy of said Lord of Summer. Silver was a cheery, very tropey character; he’s young, he’s pretty, he has no stomach for violence, is almost a bit too delicate, and kind of childish. I kind of hoped that maybe there’d be more of a twist with him, but no; he’s just… the love interest. My favorite character was his mother. She’s a bad-ass. I want a whole book about her and Tobias working through their grief by traveling around the world and putting down monsters, ghouls and ghosts, Witcher style. Please, please make that happen. Will I read the sequel? Yeah. I am curious to see what sequel there could be with the ending we got. But do I think this book is the next great queer romance? Not really, no. But it is short and sweet, and will make you smile.

goodreads