NeverLanding

Eclectic Pagan•Performer• Playwright•Book and Film Enthusiast•History and Mythology Enthusiast• Disney Fan• Book Reviewer!

[lyricanatheart]

HAMLET AND JULIET-4 stars

Thank you to Clare Edge, Ballantine, and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️-Worldbuilding

I really enjoyed seeing characters from King Lear, Midsummer, Macbeth, etc being utilized when I previously assumed only Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet would be intertwined! It really filled out the world building and made a web of connections for all of Shakespeare’s work to be united! I also enjoyed the magic systems surrounding Death, Destiny, witches and ghosts! I think it harkens well back to an old age of spirituality.

⭐️-Plot

The plot was unique, engaging, and only predictable when it came to romance, and brief beginning plot points that may correlate with their original stories.

⭐️-Character Development

I really enjoyed these takes of the characters. They were partially reminiscent of their source materials, while also being completely knew and entrancing. I also appreciate Romeo haunting the narrative, and the agency given to Queen Gertrude.

⭐️-Writing

The prose of this book is absolutely to be admired, and I recommend anyone to read it!

Thank you again for this ARC, it was a pleasure!

[lyricanatheart]

Thank you to Blueskysoul for this ARC!

While I do not know anything about matters of diving, it seems as if the author did their research when preparing for the book, which is interesting to see how the diving and time period are utilized. I also appreciated the theming around the clock, I think that was well done.

I do think the thrilling moments of action do have vivid imagery that is useful to conveying to the readers. I’d encourage even more tactile sense!

The writing was most interesting to me. The exposition and prose were fairly nice. There were some moments of falter, but overall, tis was the strength of the writing. The dialogue, however, felt more juvenile in its presentation, as if two different writers were writing this piece. There were also pictures for the sake of having pictures. It felt as if they were used to lengthen the book. This book also has many editing errors in the beginning chapters, especially when it comes to quotation marks, that must be looked at before the final product is given to the world. I’m not sure if this is true, but there were also written moments that felt as if AI was used. The book overall reads as a beginner author, which is absolutely fine! Better to learn and grow on the job than not at all. However, I think the author should readdress what it is their message is that they hope to send with this book, and consider fine tuning what they’ve got. The bare bones are there, but I encourage looking at authors that they might admire or want to emulate to understand what structures or guidelines in writing they might benefit from.

There’s something to be said that one of the only female characters (all very small secondary roles, mind you) is the villainous monster that instead of fleeing or understanding, the boys must kill.

On the other hand, Rosy was an interesting choice to haunt the narrative and I’m interested in learning more of her.

I fully believe that this author has a wonderful story to tell us. The beginnings of characters are there, I’d love to see them fleshed out with more bonding between the boys so that there’s a bigger sense of stakes and empathy towards the protagonists. I would love to see this worldbuilding fleshed out more. I’m seeing the characters go through the motions, I’m seeing the magic happen, but there’s no rhyme or reason to it. Hopefully this is something the author plans to expand in book two. It’s one thing to show us a bunch of magic for the audience to stay in suspense about, it’s another for this magic to inevitably have meaning.

Thank you again to this author! I was contacted and given this ARC in trade for an honest review, and I hope this review comes off as helpful critique, not as a detriment to the character or skill of the author.

[lyricanatheart]

THE FOX HUNT-Five stars

Thank you to Caitlin Breeze, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️-Worldbuilding

You can tell that the author did her research and is writing to showcase a message with intent behind it! Not only is this book a master class on being able to utilize faerie folklore and still make a unique world of your own, but also that an underlying message is really the foundational driving force of the piece. The Night City’s magic system, faeries, wordplay and layer within the University is well thought out, well used and the highlight of the book, to me. I almost wish we had even more information about this city. The human world also felt so tangible and real, that the author took care into putting this world in motion as well.

⭐️-Plot

I love a good magical “murder” mystery, and I appreciate that the plot reminds me that rich white men always have been and always will be sniveling pathetic cowards of boys. At the heart of the plot was a woman wronged, a woman getting revenge, and a woman making peace, which I thought was well achieved. I also enjoyed that the powerful occult ritual was tied to faeries instead of demons, which is a refreshing change of pace.

⭐️-Writing

The author’s voice is uniquely strong, but most shows beautiful prose with anything that has to do with faerie. Readers can tell how enjoyable this world is by reading these chapters in particular! The writing was also so very tangible by the way the real world’s plot from the hunt to the climax felt real and genuinely suspenseful!

⭐️- Character Development

All of the faeries of the Night City were so compelling as characters, which is just as much a testament to the worldbuilding in creating their circumstances. From Saskia to the water hag, I was enthralled. I also enjoyed Nat and Julia’s characters and how they both paralleled and contradicted the Turnball society. I appreciate both Emma and the author having moments of sympathy for the boys, but all the same, they really are the losers of the story and it is such a relief to see their downfall. I normally don’t choose protagonists as my favorite character, but I genuinely enjoyed Emma and what she brought to the story.

⭐️-Personal Enjoyment

I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read it again for any details I might have missed! Or I’ll read it again for the beautiful prose!

Thank you again for this ARC, it was a pleasure to read!

[dealbrekker]

The Crows Ice Skating

Surprise! This one came to me literally years ago and I just remembered it.

Matthias: Of course he knows how, he was born on the ice. Literal hockey player. Graceful, but in a clinical, efficient way. Does cart Nina around to keep her from falling on her ass. Can reach dizzying speeds, skates throwing up so many ice chips when he comes to a screaming halt. Will not teach Jesper this.

Nina: Can skate just fine. Learned how in Ravka. Doesn't do tricks or anything, but she can get around. Does not relay this info to Matthias. Holds his hands so he can pull her around, pretending she's new at this so she can tease him for being a bad teacher. He knows she can skate but likes to hold her hands too much to say anything

Jesper: Bambi on ice. Doesn't know why he thought he could do that impressive skid like Matthias. You will find him clinging to the fence, the trees, Matthias (once), Wylan. Wylan can't stop laughing and Jesper can't stop cursing. Giving this Fjerdan lake a 1 star yelp review, put him back on ground water was never meant to be a solid.

Wylan: a beautiful skater. Learned as a child. Can do minor but well executed tricks. Doesn't mind skating near the edges to keep Jesper company. Jesper makes him go back out so he can watch.

Kuwei: idk. Probably melting the ice somewhere, grumbling about group activities.

Inej: this may shock you. She was only marginally better than Jesper when they all first got on the ice together. It startled her, too. But it only took her about an hour to find her balance and now shes testing higher jumps and tighter twirls. Wylan and Jesper cheer every time she lands.

Kaz: yes he's on the ice. He skates with his cane in front of him, tip on the ground, both hands on top, stance hip width apart. No one ever sees him take a step. He just...maintains momentum.

[kuwylan]

People including Kuwei in the Crows headcanons might be my favourite thing ever. And they're always so accurate, too!

[lyricanatheart]

PRINCEWEAVER- five stars

Thank you to Elian J Morgan, Canelo, and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️-Worldbuilding

I absolutely adored the mythology and subtle nods to folklore that exists in our world while still being original and unique. The Fox spirit was fascinating and all of the hints about dragons and other folk leave me wanting more. I loved the idea of weaving all forms of life and think this system of magic is so captivating.

⭐️-Plot

It takes a chapter or two to get into and understand, but the magical murder mystery and slow burn are absolutely worth it! I couldn’t put this book down!

⭐️-Writing

The prose is absolutely beautiful. The author’s voice has a strong proclivity towards the nature of this type of story and it pays off very well.

⭐️-Character Development

It’s comforting to see all of the characters treated with such care by the author. They all feel three dimensional, nuanced, and had me sympathizing with all of them to some extent in various ways.

⭐️-Personal Enjoyment

I came for the C.S. Oscar style writing and stayed for the amazingly magical world that came out of it! I cannot wait for book two!

[lyricanatheart]

Scorpion Deep- Five Stars

Thank you to C.G. Drews, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️- Personal Enjoyment

Once again, C.G. Drews has written my favorite book of the year, now three years in a row! I’ve never read from an author who feels as though they’ve climbed inside my bones to share exactly how I’m feeling on paper. This story will remain in my heart just as the others, and I cannot wait to reread and catch everything I might’ve missed the first time, just as I have with the other books!

⭐️-Worldbuilding

I love the blend of both haunting folklore and reality. There’s something so palpable about taking something so unknown and terrifying as the ocean, personifying it, and giving it such compelling history with the humans of Kelcarrow Island. It’s clear there was a lot of research used to pull terrifying mystical creatures from the deep, keeping true to their nature, and reminding us why most stories pertaining them were warnings to begin with, while also showing us the twisted beauty within them. Everything about Kelcarrow in general was so vivid and real, and I adored how the lighthouse still held its mystery, despite everything we learn that lays down below. 

⭐️-Plot

As always, the end of the book as left me delighted, confused, and begging for more!  What I really love about a C.G. Drews piece is the way a reader begins to feel like the character by the end of the book. What was real, what was fictional, what were we imagining? I also really enjoy that we learn about the protagonist as we go, and that perhaps the protagonist was not as we seemed.

⭐️-Writing

The prose was absolutely phenomenal. There’s such a sense memory and vivid feeling that I get when reading these books that I don’t get with any other book I read. C.G. Drews is a master at keeping a reader hooked, and inviting them into the world along with the characters. I especially loved Jonathan’s personal inner monologues because they felt so real to what the reader could be thinking. The themes of not fitting in to a friend group, getting left behind, and being afraid that no one will love you are all things I’ve struggled with and I appreciate that C.G. Drews brings good representation in this area, bringing attention to it while still writing a compelling story that twists around it. I’m also ecstatic about the asexual representation, because it is so hard to explain to the world that love is such a craving, so long as it is not that one particular action.

⭐️-Character Development

This is where Drews really shines. Jonathan’s character is so painfully relatable and out of reach in the same breath. It’s heartbreaking to watch those flashbacks of selective mutism, of watching as his friends take their own sides against him, of his feeling out of place or harmed, coupled with those very terrifying moments of coming to terms with his own capability. His relationship with Scorpion is frightening, but also very desired. I’ve seen a lot of toxic romance be played as green flags in the past few years, but this story does not shy away from a very scary and beautiful sort of love, that readers can almost want for themselves. You know, without all the blood. This worshipful love that Scorpion has is almost heartbreaking by the end of the story, when certain moves are nervous, hoping Jonathan will enjoy him and his acts of service towards him, while providing him with a way to understand himself through the ocean and all it contains. That being said, I think there’s a lot to say about how much I love a truly unreliable narrator, because I’m not sure what to make of Rae and Ellis. Just as Jonathan switches his perception of them, so do I, based on how he sees them or what they say about him. By the end of the book, I think their part in the story is so intriguing and dissectible that I can’t wait to reread and discover more. 

Thank you again for this ARC, it was such a pleasure to read! I am always clamoring to read another C.G. Drews story! : )

[lyricanatheart]

Thoughts Be Bloody-Five Stars

Thank you to Auden Patrick, DAW, and NetGalley for this ARC! ⭐️-Worldbuilding

The magic system was absolutely phenomenal. I loved this separation of physical magic and mind magic, and the various kinds. I also appreciated the explanations of why battle magic is forbidden, and what types of things mind and dream magic can be used for. Most importantly, I loved how the ethics and practical uses for magic were questioned through theoretical magic and why magic hasn’t solved real world problems, especially for humdrums. As always, my favorite parts of any academia or magic academy book is what we learn from the classes, and this did not disappoint, especially when the dream magic lessons especially came in handy as well as memory work. 

⭐️-Plot

I really loved how close the story was followed, especially when tracking the death of characters and the Hamlett’s descent into madness. I think it was such a creative way to play around with this story, especially watching certain feats of magic break or kill many of these characters. That being said, it was interesting to see how the story deviated as well, especially with Lia’s character. Most importantly, I think this is one of my favorite uses of A) a character haunting a narrative and B) An unreliable narrator. Both were expertly navigated through the story.

⭐️-Writing

As someone who is part of the queer community, but is cis, I don’t know much about the trans experience. That being said, I really enjoyed the moments that we got from both Horatio and Lia. It didn’t feel too forced or crammed into the book, and it blended seamlessly with what was going on with the plot. That being said I could’ve done without the Emilee character, despite what purpose she served for Horatio’s character development. As well as this, I think in the beginning and halfway through the book, time was wasted re-explaining what we already knew to Lia, whereas other books would skip ahead in this way but still let us know Lia’s thoughts. Aside from this, the first person worked very well as the narrative was justifiably unreliable! The memory work was such a nice touch to ease this along, and the way the story emphasizes Horatio’s pleading to remember and share with his audience is very compelling.

⭐️-Character Development

I think this book really puts into perspective the age old question of Hamlet’s descent into madness, and what is considered an act compared to how far his grief takes him. This book, I would say without a doubt, leans into the idea of Hamlet’s villainy, while still making him charismatic and likable. A lot of Horatio’s inner monologue regarding Hamlet and how he had this aura around him where everyone was pulled into his orbit and willing to do anything for him for his kindness in return reminded me a lot of dark academia  that I’ve read. This desire to become the golden character that is prized by the book’s characters reminded me a lot of A Separate Peace and The Secret History in a way I really enjoyed. I also enjoyed the slight exploration of polyamory which isn’t often seen in books, and the idea of Horatio and Hamlet as romantically intwined, which I’ve seen interest in regarding other Shakespeare Scholars. While in a normal YA novel I would potentially want more from this relationship, I think the very brief fleeting romance is a testament to the characterization of Hamlet and how he manipulates as well as uses those closest to him. I also think it was interesting to look at Lia’s character and play with her own sort of madness similar to the play, but also her relationship with Hamlet and bring up the well asked question of whether or not Hamlet ever loved Lia (or Ophelia)  to begin with.

⭐️-Personal Enjoyment

As a Shakespeare Scholar, I really enjoyed this piece and I can tell the author both had fun writing it and did the research required to pull this book off well. I will be rereading to catch all the memory magic and work that is set up in the beginning that I didn’t really notice until the middle.

Thank you again for this ARC, it was a pleasure!

[lyricanatheart]

The Forest At The Edge Of Time-Five Stars

Thank you to Jasmin Kirkbride, Billie Fulford-Brown; Frankie Porter; Shakira Shute, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️-Worldbuilding

I will admit, the first chapter can be a bit confusing, but getting past this chapter, the rest of the world is so compelling and easy to slip into! I really enjoyed the Ancient Greek timeline, as it was clear the author did their research on the culture, and it was fascinating to see what it would be like for a woman to adapt as a young boy in such a rigid patriarchal society, and how both Nabu and Cosmos (forgive me for spelling errors, this always happens to me with audiobooks) also challenge these patriarchal and classist norms. I was also very intrigued by the post-apocalyptic AI world. These two stories felt like completely different ends of the spectrum and yet blended together so seamlessly! It was so interesting to hear about what the world looked like with no humanity, and the various types of robots or AI on the planet. Lastly, I appreciated what Anna’s pandemic chapters brought for the story. I didn’t fully appreciate the first, but as the story progressed, all the little clues towards the big discovery were there to go back and unravel! And of course I really enjoyed the seeds and where they led.

⭐️-Plot

This was absolutely phenomenal! I always want to give Kudos to authors who write time travel stories because it is so easy to screw it up, or force the audience to have cognitive dissonance. I’ll admit I did try to focus on Project Kairos and what the actual main part of the plot was, but I was much more compelled by two time traveling sisters who lose their memory and find their way back to one another more. I appreciated that there was a brain to the story and a heart to the story as well. 

⭐️-Writing/Narration

The author’s voice absolutely helped the narrators bring life to the story, and the narrators ‘wonderful voice acting helped the author’s story flourish!  I thought having Echo and Hazel’s chapters in third person and Anna’s chapters in first person was such a unique and interesting detail, and I loved the various voices the characters were given! 

⭐️-Character Development

I was most interested in the way the stories all mirrored each other. At the heart, all three stories were about the personal connections you make with others who want to work towards a better world: whether that be getting rid of the Tyranny’s, bringing the tree to life and fixing the timeline, or going on a climate march. It was so heartwarming to see how the characters of each world took care of and rallied around Echo, Hazel and in some regards, Anna to make certain they would be okay, and the future would be okay. I enjoyed the character relationships such as Nabu and Cosmos, Robin and Hazel, but I think the biggest shock to me was Charlie’s character arc and watching the AI realize what it is to be a good ally, friend, and in some regards, human.

⭐️-Personal Enjoyment

I’m not going to be able to shut up about this book. Everyone I know will be recommended it.

Thank you again for this ARC, it was a pleasure!

[annabelle--cane]

like as a feminist and an asexual if you ever imply that not having sex / not having "enough" of it is a conservative or reactionary trait I will be running you over with a bus pronto

[annabelle--cane]

you do not need to have sex ever. if you don't want to then you can just not do it. you don't need to have sex in order to mature as a person. you don't need to have sex to prove that you don't think it's immoral. you don't need to have sex to be a good partner. you don't need to have sex to be physically and/or mentally healthy. all of these goals can be achieved by hundreds of means other than sex. you can chose to do it for any reason you want, but you can also chose not to do it for any reason you want, including just not really feeling like it at any given time in any situation. the only thing not having sex says about your life and character is that you decided not to have sex. you can really really just not do it and that will be 1000x better for you in every conceivable way than making yourself do it when you don't want to.

[eldritchguava]

Imagine going Under The Mountain to heroically save the damsel in distress (Tamlin) and then being pissed that the damsel... was in distress

[lyricanatheart]

BONE OF MY BONE- 5 stars

Thank you to Johanna Van Veen, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️-Worldbuilding

I really enjoyed how much research was done when it came to the time period and Abrahamic religion! It made the experience much better to focus on the story than inaccuracies that can take you out of the world.

⭐️-Plot

I enjoyed the skull plot which brought a more supernatural element to the story through the necromancer especially!

⭐️-Writing

The voice of the writing is fascinating to me to see Ursula in third person and Elsbeth in first. That being said I did enjoy it! I also appreciated the questions regarding God and Satan and the critical thinking done regarding that religion instead of focusing on blind belief.

⭐️-Character Development

Watching Ursula struggle with her religion both in her own actions and watching around her as she flees from danger was such a fascinating character choice. I also thoroughly enjoyed Elsebeth’s fiery nature. I will say the sexual parts came out of nowhere for me personally. Just the kiss would’ve been fine, but I also know that anything besides kissing is something I personally don’t enjoy regardless of person, and that isn’t the case for everyone.

⭐️- Personal Enjoyment

I really want to reread and annotate to really let everything sink in!

Thank you all for this ARC!

[lyricanatheart]

THE WITCH AND THE HUNTRESS-5 stars

Thank you to Luna McNamara, Williams Morrow, and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️-Worldbuilding

As a big fan of Greek mythology, I was thrilled by how much of the story was based off of the myths and how it all tied together so seamlessly.

⭐️-Plot

The blend of mythology to a love story between the two protagonists was absolutely breathtaking. As a reader you’re able to get references and stories mentioned regarding certain myths, while experiencing more than what we were given, especially considering women were never seemingly spoken about in length the way men were.

⭐️-Writing

The voice of the author was absolutely phenomenal, and I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion of what makes a witch, and what power you might have in a world that would rather you not have any at all.

⭐️-Character Development

I most adored how Atlanta and Medea almost seemed to mirror each other. A woman who wants nothing to do with men or children briefly ending up in a very a happy family, and a woman who only wanted a husband and children, in a loveless abysmal marriage for a long time. It was phenomenal to see how their stories wove together and how they could find each other once more.

⭐️-Personal Enjoyment

I cannot wait to reread this book and notice all the myth references I might’ve missed!

Thank you again for this ARC, it was a pleasure to read!

[lyricanatheart]

WAR- Five stars

Thank you to Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano, SOURCEBOOK Kids, and NetGalley for this ARC!

I think this book is so crucial for this exact time, with the threat of World War Three on the horizon. It’s so important to ignore the “think about the kids” group who don’t actually practice what they preach, and genuinely focus on the children and what harm war can cause to them. I was very inspired by Kat’s bravery throughout the book, and felt the suspense at every page turn. Even if it is a children’s book, it was about war, so I was never really sure if she would make it out alive. The video calls to half of Kat’s family really made her relationships fleshed out and gave us more empathy towards her and her family, and I’m thankful that although there were somewhat brutal depictions in this book, they were never outright blatantly stated, you could simply infer. I also really enjoyed how we could see those moments of kindness from adult strangers during wartime, also just trying to make it by. Lastly, I really do appreciate the happy ending and the lengths it showed that a normal every day little girl had gone through to get her family back.

Thank you again for this ARC, it was a pleasure to read!

[lyricanatheart]

How To Lose A Goblin In Ten Days-5 stars

Thank you to Jessie Sylva, Maggie Bain, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️-Worldbuilding

The world building was absolutely phenomenal. I feel like halflings and goblins are often overshadowed by elves, humans and orcs in stories, and we either fail to see them represented or it is limited representation at best. I knew what they were, but I was so thrilled that we got to learn more about these different species, how they live, and feel strong empathy towards them and their circumstances! Most importantly, I was so thankful for the goblin representation in this book. Most books depict goblins as evil or stupid. Even my favorite book series tends to do this, which I always found a bit unfair. That being said, I appreciated the deeper nuance and explanation as to why goblins served evil, and how it was such an excruciating circumstance that left goblins leaving their clan to go serve them. 

⭐️-Plot

I know the romance is important, but I really wanted to address how important it was that humans are fully manipulative and seemingly superior in these books, and how as everyone soon becomes disillusioned with this wizard, suddenly, he seems like just a man. It mirrors our own world and how we try to dominate everything, including other civilizations. That aside, I did enjoy the romance, and did feel that along with the enemies to lovers arc, we also got a bit of a Romeo and Juliet style love story as well. In that same regard, I never thought this cozy cottage story would turn bloody near the end! It wasn’t bad, I just didn’t expect it in the slightest!

⭐️-Writing/Narration

I thought the author’s writing was beautiful. I’ve been really interested in whimsy and folkloric writing, while also wanting to learn more about forests and foraging. I was pulled in by the aesthetic, hoping for substance to back it up, and was absolutely left satisfied! As well as this, the narrator did such a wonderful job with voice acting. Even though I was aware it was the same person, Pansy and Ren’s voices were still so distinct enough for me to be able to imagine them as completely separate character voices. 

⭐️-Character Development

I started off a fan of Pansy, and ended as a fan of Ren. I think Pansy and Ron both go through such a wonderful character arc of learning to accept others and look past bias and propaganda, which is an absolutely beautiful moral of the story. That being said, I really appreciated the little details we got both of themselves in their respective village or clan, and the little bits of information about them. I thought a really interesting side mention that I wasn’t sure if it would go anywhere, was when it was mentioned Ren couldn’t read or write, and later on, we see them beginning to learn. As well as this, I’ve never personally read a protagonist with they/them pronouns, and that was so refreshing to hear! Lastly, I do not enjoy smut, and while there was an allusion to it, I am beyond thankful this was a cut to black scene. 

⭐️- Personal Enjoyment

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I cannot wait to recommend it to others!

Thank you again for this ARC, it was a pleasure!

[lyricanatheart]

THE GIRL WITH A THOUSAND FACES- 5 stars

Thank you to Sunyi Dean, Macmillan Audio, Natalie Naudus, and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️-Personal Enjoyment

I’m such a fan of historical fiction, centered around women! This was right up my alley, especially with the paranormal aspect and this exploration into memory and rage. This is a book I will certainly be recommending, and a book I cannot wait to read again!

⭐️-Worldbuilding

I adored the blend of real world history such as the War, such as Western colonization, etc., while partnering it with strong cultural belief that allowed both a spiritual world to flourish. It was also so interesting to see the differences in culture so easily laid out, especially how Hong Kong vs. Britain react to ghosts. It’s beautiful to see how prominent the realm of the dead are intertwined with the world of the living, and it’s heartbreaking to see how it is diminished by the invading forces of both Japan and Britain. I was also so fascinated to see how both Japan and Britain were considerably a similar enemy. While Japan exorcised ghosts and tried to take over during the war, so too did Britain try to shape the world in their image after the war, also exorcising ghosts in a more brutal method. I especially think that western readers must read with empathy and an understanding that there is much about the rest of the world that we don’t know or that hasn’t been told to us because of the colonizing empires we are within.

⭐️-Plot

This was such a fantastic use of memory and how it shapes a person through past and present experience, relationship and environment. I really enjoyed the story at its heart, of two girls who needed someone to be a friend and to love them, only to have and lose this love in a seemingly irredeemable way. The use of platonic and familial love both in a societal standard and in intimate raw moments really set a strong juxtaposition. There was so much of the story that examined the harsh cruelties of war and trauma seen through the eyes of children, which was especially eye opening, and I really appreciated how divinity was represented and what it meant as a guiding figure, almost a parental figure of authority for these young girls when real authority had failed them.

⭐️-Character Development

It is so difficult not to feel empathy for the entire main cast of characters, who each suffer tremendous loss, neglect and cruelty. I really enjoyed our main two protagonists the most, but found love for Erica, Cobra Lily and of course, Bao. All the same, I really appreciated how different ghosts were represented, how their anger worked, how binding and exorcism worked, and how to help them through ghost talking.

⭐️-Writing

I adored the third person perspective that we get as a reader to establish the story, the second person perspective we get so that we get to experience being the girl of a thousand faces, and most interestingly the first person narrative we get from a deity perspective that really ties everything together. The story was tight, unique, and so compelling, that I really didn’t want to put it down. The sense of justice, what it is, and what it means to others was such an interesting theme, and I know I will be returning to this book again.

Thank you again for this ARC, it was such a pleasure to read!

[lyricanatheart]

Thank you to Emma Clancey, Amulet Books, ABRAMS Kids, and NetGalley for this ARC!

⭐️-Worldbuilding

It was really nice to step back into a bit of a modern fantastical story. I enjoyed that there was scientific magic, and how the Levi’s was utilized in society was compelling, especially because it was so paralleled to modern medicine in our own capitalistic society.

⭐️-Plot

I appreciated that the plot was compelling enough on its own, but every time I would consider putting the book down or getting a little bored with the plot, there was some new mystery or twist that would change the story. Granted, I predicted many of the twists, it was still entertaining to see how they played out.

⭐️-Character Development

I was very worried that there would be a classic love triangle trope. I despise this trope, it is one of the reasons I usually stay away from heteronormative books if I can help it. That being said, I’m thankful for the diverse sexual representation, and I appreciate that the end of the book hints at polyamory, which is how I think every love triangle should be solved. This aside, each character was unique and compelling. I appreciate that every character had a part to play and felt as if they were a three dimensional character who had their own lives outside of Nora. I personally favored Angela, but I might be a bit biased : )

⭐️-Writing

I appreciate the underlying messages the author wants to give. After all, all art has a political message, regardless of intent, and I appreciate that Nora’s good moral compass really shows us the choices she makes when she’s entering the world of the 1%, and how much they’ve screwed over the working class/how the working class is treated like pawns or puppets, paralleled to our world. Thank you for highlighting this, and I hope more people really focus on this instead of the love triangle plot. While I do not enjoy first person narratives, the author’s voice made up for this.

⭐️-Personal Enjoyment

I was in a bit of a fictional reading slump, and I was happy to see that this was easily able to pull me out of it!

Thank you again for this ARC, it was a pleasure!

[lyricanatheart]

Thank you to Brittany Warman, Sara Cleto, Union Square and Co, and NetGalley for this ARC!

I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of research put into this book! The references were diverse, the faeries chosen were so dynamic and compelling, and while they were unique and very tied to each culture, the categories they were placed in made perfect sense! I really appreciated, as someone who is more spiritual, how much respect and an open mind the authors had to admit that faeries could be real, they might not. The conclusion was also well determined, and I felt satisfied that I would want to return to this book and reread, as well as check out the sources provided. I’ve been searching for a book exactly like this that provided the faeries respect and the proper information, and I feel like I’ve finally found that book! I would absolutely recommend it to my coven!

Thank you for this ARC, it was such a pleasure to read!