The Covid post was pretty heavy, so, here are FAR TOO MANY books! 😀 if there can be such a thing.
Here are some shorter reviews! These were written for a high school library audience, and most are not Mature fiction, and YA is a really good genre and shouldn’t be made fun of. I particularly love fantasy most of all, but there will be more of these to come 😀 Many books are online if you don’t have copies on the shelf, so please try that option first if you possibly can.
BEHOLD A MASSIVE LIST!
This is alphabetical author’s last name 😀 That’s how you know I was a librarian, right? This being said, I’ve had my books organized alphabetical last name on my shelves at home at least since I was sixteen, so….. @_@
The books are out of a total of 5 and I included ones I didn’t love quite so much here also, because maybe you will! and if you do find any you like, or have any others you want to offer up, please add your reviews in the comments 😀
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (4.5 out of 5)
Arthur Dent is having the worst day. His house is being demolished to make way for a bypass, and then his friend, Ford Prefect, tells him Earth is also going to be demolished. To make a space speedway. What is a man to do? As the Hitchhiker’s Guide instructs him, Don’t Panic, and Don’t Forget Your Towel. How bad can hitchhiking in space be? Arthur is about to find out.
+ Witty, humorous approach to extraterrestrial life and culture, exploration of space and probability, and how to react to the complete unpredictability that life deals out in this cult-classic.
– Older writing, some technologies and writing styles are out of date.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (4 out of 5)
Fans of Avatar the Last Airbender will enjoy this debut novel.
Zélie Adebola has suffered oppression her whole life because of the magic that lies dormant in her blood. When the princess whose family has brutalized her people escapes with a relic that can help bring magic back to the world and waken Zélie’s own power, will they be able to make that hope a reality?
+ strong character dynamics, expansive world building, acknowledgment of social issues and the effects they have on individual lives, asks the reader if you can understand something you yourself haven’t experienced.
– at times the change in perspective can feel a little contrived, some animal descriptions are difficult to understand
The Wrath & The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh (3 out of 5)
The first book in the series, the story is a retelling of the classic Arabian Nights – a bride marries a king who has killed each of his previous wives with every morning. Only Shahrzad is not as helpless as she seems – she has a plan for revenge, and the talent to carry it out. But can she keep herself alive long enough to succeed?
+ Beautiful imagery, world building is rich and feels authentic; plot was developed enough that the cliffhanger made me want to read more
– Characters are shallow and underdeveloped, somewhat static, and the love story is somewhat trite
Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh (4 out of 5 stars) (Book One of the Duo)
Mariko has never quite fit into the role that society dictates; she is headstrong, intelligent, curious, and an alchemist. And when someone tries to assassinate her, she fights back in the best way she knows how- by investigating the ones she knows attacked her to find out why. But Mariko is alone now, and the world is not the way it seemed from her family home. Can she discover the truth? And what will happen when she finds herself falling in love with the enemy?
+ Strong and intelligent female protagonist, mystery and magic go hand in hand and the real culprit is hard to decipher; the sense of imminent danger is very strong; character development is dynamic; easy to read
– Cliffhanger is very annoying, while it makes me want to read the next one I feel robbed of a conclusion of any sort; there are a lot of names to keep track of, some graphic combat
The Hazel Wood: A Novel by Melissa Albert (5 out of 5 stars)
Alice is used to life on the run; something bad is chasing her, and when she and her mom get news that her grandmother is dead, it finally starts catching up with her. Suddenly she’s surrounded and intertwined into the dark fairy tales her grandmother wrote, and if she isn’t careful, she might never escape her own grim fate.
+ Delightfully dark, includes original fairytales that seem both familiar and include thriller or horror type twists; Alice’s growth leads naturally to the conclusion of the novel. Fans of Holly Black will likely enjoy this book.
– A little jolting transitioning between life on the road, life in the city, and life in the magical realm. Sometimes unclear as to where the plot is going; can be hard to decide which characters to empathize with
Clockwork Lives by Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart (3.5 out of 5)
Marinda can’t imagine wanting anything more than her reclusive life taking care of her father and living quietly in the village she was born in. But when her father’s will dictates that she must fill the pages of a magical, alchemical book with the stories of other people’s lives before she can have her inheritance or even live in her house, she sets out to fulfill the dying wish. Along the way, she discovers the world around her, interacts with a variety of people, and learns to want more than a dreamless, simple life. Fans of the Canterbury Tales or the Arabian Nights will enjoy this book.
+ Interesting concept, pacing and types of stories are diverse and provide a broad spectrum of perspectives as well as Marinda’s character growth in response to them. Dynamic characters, fascinating world of steampunk complete with Clockwork Angels and airship voyages (including pirates); lovely illustrations accompany individual stories; some romance
– Many loose ends, writing is poorly executed at times and is jarring; some plot devices are a little too deus ex machina
Speak: the Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson, Artwork by Emily Carroll (5 out of 5 stars)
What can’t you say? To your friends? to anyone?
A compassionate look at the recovery from a traumatic assault, Anderson portrays a girl coming to terms with the attack through art, and how she begins to tell her story. This artistic rendition of the novel by the same name uses gray-scale imagery to add subtle layers to the narrative.
+ Simple language, gentle and respectful handling of a complex and dark topic, the artwork adds to the mood and impressions the narrator experiences
– Narrator can seem distant at times, honest approach to a heavy topic can be oppressive or difficult to connect with. Can be hard to read for survivors.
Munmun by Jesse Andrews (5 out of 5)
A story of three kids (a brother, a sister, and a friend) who live in a world where the amount of money you make determines what your physical height, and where dreaming is shared and variably lucid. They strive to overcome literal and societal obstructions in order to make a better life for themselves and those others who are disadvantaged. Written in a loose dialect, touches on issues of social status and responsibility, politics, and religion, as well as dangers facing those who are disadvantaged.
+ Compelling read, hard to put down; divisions of points of life help delineate one phase from the next so that each experience is concrete and individual, the dialect adds characterization
– At times the dialect gives you pause while you break apart the meaning
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (5 out of 5 stars)
Vasilisa is the youngest child in her family – the one her mother died to birth, the one who can see spirits and speak to animals. She’s also the one the frost demon, Morozko, has taken an interest in, and the only one who can save Russia – maybe! – from the evils she’s only ever heard about in fairy tales.
+ Intense experience of Russia as a culture, vividly told, good transition between the magical and the real, believable characters
– Can be either a little heavy handed or a little sparse on explanation in the book itself about the cultural elements of fairytales that are familiar to the characters but possibly not the reader. The glossary in the back is smaller, so it can be hard to find while reading
The Girl In The Tower by Katherine Arden, 5/5
Vasilisa can see things- magical things- others can’t. And to her family’s dismay, she won’t act the way culture says she should. Instead, she sets out to make her own way in the world, despite the consequences. With elements of common Russian folktales, blended with romance, this book questions what makes us human. Fans of Robin McKinley’s Hero and the Crown will enjoy this novel, sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale.
+ compelling characters, surprising plot turns, gentle pacing
– slow start, references first book even though this one can stand alone, some missing context on character interactions if read on its own
The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden (5 out of 5 stars)
A stunning emotional, clever conclusion to Vasilisa’s magical journey; a story of love, loss, conflict, clashing beliefs, and identity. Will she be able to save Morozko from an old enemy? Will she be able to save herself? What new wonders will she discover along the way? And most of all, will she be able to save the mortal realm – as well as the magical ones?
+ Very satisfying conclusion to the trilogy; quick paced, character depth and growth is intense, magic/ folklore/religion interactions are fascinating, historical roots are believable, Arden’s writing draws you in and won’t let you go.
– It ends! Could be predictable, in the loosest sense of the word – after all, how do fairytales really end?
The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo (4 out of 5 stars)
Retelling fairytales such as Beauty and the Beast, The Nutcracker, and The Little Mermaid, Bardugo adds elements of both the cultures of origin of each of the tales and a touch of the dark and foreboding. Between her words and Sara Kipin’s illustrations, be prepared to be swept away into a beautiful and deadly landscape full of promise and danger.
+ Familiar tales recreated in new ways, told in easy-to-read language dealing with more complex themes. Six tales and beautiful illustrations both build upon themselves to create an entirely new experience.
– A certain amount of predictability, each of the tales is very short, some very dark themes do arise which makes this not (necessarily) for light reading
Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust (4.5 out of 5 stars)
Magic is real, but love is conditional: Mina knows this, as her magician father has made her heart out of glass to keep her alive, rendering her unloveable except for her physical beauty.
Love is conditional, and image is everything: Lynet looks exactly like her mother did, but has a wild streak that frightens everyone – except for her stepmother Mina.
A dramatic, feminist retelling of Snow White which overthrows your expectations in the best possible way. Fans of Wicked will love this book!
+ Developed character relationships, makes sense of the interactions in the original tale, female empowerment, presents the option of free will in the face of predestination; underdog story! Beautiful fantasy elements, incredibly emotionally complex narrative.
– Inherently a little predictable, as it is a retelling of a classic fairy tale
The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell (4 out of 5 stars)
Bell offers useful, practical advice with exercises designed to help any writer work through the difficulties of writing and publishing. With humor and personal experience to share, this is a must read for aspiring authors.
+ Funny, positive and encouraging, useful advice and knowledge from the industry
– The shortness leaves you wanting more details and explanation at times; is somewhat abrupt
Blink Once by Cylin Busby (4 out of 5 stars)
West cannot move, can barely communicate with the people around him, as he recovers from an accident he has trouble remembering. Only Olivia, another patient in the hospital, is able to find a way to talk to him. A story of healing and growth, with hints of ghost stories and mystery.
+ Character driven plot, easy to read, gentle mystery that entices but doesn’t overcomplicate the clues, deals with real world injury and recovery
-The setting and circumstance restrict action, pacing slow at times
Storm Front by Jim Butcher (3 out of 5 stars)
Harry Dresden is a detective for the magical world; he knows the rules, he knows how to get by. But dealing with vampires and bloody murder makes things…. Tricky.
A solid beginning to the rest of the Dresden Files series, with lots of mystery, consequence and turmoil.
+ Full of magic, a step into a thoroughly constructed world, a good mystery with a hint of Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes.
– The pacing is a little slow at times; sometimes the characters aren’t written as well-rounded as they are later in the series.
LAST BOOK OUT JULY 2020!! 😀 get excited 😀
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty (5 out of 5 stars)
What is the truth? And how can you know it, if everyone’s version is slightly different?
Nahri has been able to know truth from lie her whole life, as well as know how to heal. But when she finds herself suddenly immersed in a world of magic and djinn, everything begins to seem a lot more complex and a lot less straightforward.
Alizayd, prince of the regime Nahri suddenly finds herself a part of, is from a family who values loyalty above all. His idealism has led him to clash with his father and brother growing up, and the consequences are catching up with him. Now, he has to decide for himself what the right thing is to do.
Warnings: CLIFFHANGER, Author Debut
+ Excellent worldbuilding, character driven plot, intersecting storylines provide different perspectives; a non-european base for the ethnic, religious, and geographic tensions evident
– A large cast of characters, the caste dynamics and naming can be difficult to keep track of
Addendum to the original review — This is probably one of my most favorite series of all time. Book two was absolutely delightful and also BOTH of the first two in this series had cliffhangers that I CANNOT handle!!!!! Last book comes out soon 😀 😀 😀
What a Plant Knows: A Field Guide to the Senses by Daniel Chamovitz (4 out of 5 stars)
A brief foray into the five senses as experienced by plants, with clear explanations of how plant memory, perception, and interaction (among other things) works. A useful resource for the amateur botanist or anyone interested in ‘how plants do’.
+ Knowledgeable, thoughtful, concise, scientific base, full of useful references
– At times dry, does set itself as an essay with more truth value than The Secret Life of Plants and other ‘metaphysical’ studies or interactions with plants
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton (3 out of 5 stars)
Camellia has the gift of making people magically beautiful in a world where beauty can fade overnight to grayness. But she has never imagined that the people who control this power are the ones who it’s used on – instead of the one using it. Caught in a whirlwind of politics and prestige, will she be able to survive?
+ Easy to read, fun concept of power and magic, many empowered female characters; cliffhanger ending
– Plot is a bit cliché, characters are shallow
Worlds of Ink and Shadow: A Novel of the Brontes by Lena Coakley (4 out of 5 stars)
Takes the known life and writing of the Brontes, adds a touch of a deal with the devil (or something very like) and creates a world where reality is less true than novelization. Each sibling is dramatically different, and each perspective is honored, all the while telling the tale of a family falling apart from illness. Offers another reason why their father outlived all the children, and how certain characters from childhood have persisted through each Bronte’s writing. The focus on truth versus lies is a bit heavy handed if apropos.
+ Liked the characters and the touches of reality
– Some of the dramatic moments are a bit more drawn out than perhaps strictly necessary.
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (5 out of 5 stars)
Annaleigh was one of twelve sisters; now, four are dead. She and her other sisters have found a door which leads them night after night to balls and dances! but Annaleigh is beginning to think that her older sisters didn’t die of natural causes, and that she and her other sisters might be in danger as well. A terror-inducing, thrilling retelling of the fairytale, where even trust and love might be warped into lethal intent!
+ Easy to read, interesting and complex family dynamics, retold in a way that makes even the expected feel new, strong female characters and gothic horror all mixed together!
– Some subplots felt contrived, if you aren’t into horror/thriller/scary this is probably not for you
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher (4 out of 5 stars)
Eric (called Moby) has worked to keep his position as a social outcast in order to protect and stay friends with Sarah Byrnes, whose scarred appearance makes her stand out. But as he thrives as a swimmer, she retreats into silence and only he can figure out why. Full of mystery, danger, and compassionate consideration of difference, Crutcher deals with complex issues of abortion, abuse, and the interaction of church and state, all in a high school setting.
+ Deals with difficult issues with consideration for different perspectives while still presenting a strong character-driven morality; offers complexity of character development and depth
– The element of danger rather abruptly ramps up at the end instead of building up throughout; feels like it escalates a bit too quickly for plausibility
Kill the Farm Boy by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne (5 out of 5 Stars)
Once upon a time, a Farm Boy became the Chosen One and set off with his talking goat on a quest– which immediately ended when a Warrior Woman fell off Sleeping Beauty’s Tower, landed on his head, and killed him DEAD. All this in the first 30 pages! Full of puns, character deaths George R.R. Martin would approve of, and LGBT(rabbit) Romance, this is a must read!
Fans of Monty Python, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman will love this rollicking adventure!
+ Hilarious; character driven; references to quest games, movies, and NSFW material; puns, puns everywhere; Keeps you guessing
– There isn’t a sequel!!
Addendum!!!! There IS a sequel now, and another one after that!!! Go check them out 😀 They’re also fabulous
A Spy’s Devotion by Melanie Dickerson (2.5 out of 5 stars)
In the style of Jane Austen, with a touch of mystery and the threat of violence, set amongst the high Regency English culture. Jane, a ward of wealthy relatives, and Nicholas, a former soldier returned home, find themselves working as partners while they make haste to reveal a high-level conspiracy before someone gets hurt – or killed. Can they trust their families? Their friends? Each other?
+ Reads similarly to Austen in the focus of correct behavior at all times, consequences to social faux pas, elements of conspiracy speed up the romantic drama common to regency literature
– At times the pacing is slow, or events seem to happen without narrative reason; the culprit is revealed very early on, the end of the romance plot was trite.
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (4 out of 5)
What would you do if you lost the ability to dream? In this world, the answer is to harvest the marrow of the last people who can – the indigenous people of North America. Frenchie and his companions band together to try to escape to the north where they can hide from the harvesters. But with betrayal and danger at every step, can they survive? And more, can they turn the tide?
+ Fascinating concept, narratives interweave and develop a rich and tragic world, depicts natives not as ‘noble savages’ or ‘dangerous others’ but as complex and normalized cultures at risk, some romance
– The ending feels a bit contrived or coincidental, at the very least improbable in an otherwise well-thought out world; a couple of the scenes are written unclearly
Wicked Saints, by Emily A. Duncan (4.5 out of 5 stars)
Two warring countries can’t agree on a religious division: one believes that that magic is a gift from the gods; the other believes the gods can’t give magic, and that bloodmagic is the way to power. Can the Chosen of the Gods keep believing her magic comes from them, even when she sneaks into enemy territory? Does anyone know who really has power?
Readers who like Avatar: the Last Airbender, or Twilight should enjoy!
+ Interesting subplots of religious questions and trust issues, explored in unexpected ways
– Ending is a bit messy, but leaves plenty of room for an interesting sequel without being trite.
Do I Make Myself Clear? Why Writing Well Matters by Harold Evans (3 out of 5)
An editorial take on why writing clearly and precisely is important to being understood and presenting yourself well. Evans offers examples and demonstrates how to improve writing, while also including anecdotes from his own extensive experience for flavor.
+ A useful manual for bettering technical and journalistic writing, written by an editor in the industry
– Very dry, can be sometimes overbearing and dismissive of other forms of composition
A Lab of One’s Own: Science and Suffrage in the First World War by Patricia Fara (4 out of 5)
A collection of historical narratives about women in WWI and their contributions to the war effort and the subsequent scientific developments. Discusses the socioeconomic and cultural oppressions of the time and how women responded to these stressors. Written with detailed research and resources made available in the bibliography, this is a must-read for anyone who is interested in scientific progress and the efforts of brave women as revolutionaries in a male-dominated world.
+ Detailed representations of many different women in different fields who made a difference in the world around them, gives context to their actions, struggles and successes.
– Can be dry or read as a textbook at times rather than a compelling narrative; the author’s attention to detail can at times feel too exhaustive.
Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman (5 out of 5 stars)
The third book of the series, this novel works as a standalone as well. Tess comes from strictly religious family, but when the opportunity comes to find her freedom from their judgements, she sets out to rediscover herself. Along the way, she learns that her decisions and mistakes do not define her future, and to heal from past traumas. Full of dragons, great and small! As well as commentary on religion, gender roles, strength, and adventure.
+ Compassionate, thoughtful, deals with difficult subjects carefully and respectfully; easy to read, expansive worldbuilding, dynamic characters
– Falls into some literary tropes (however well-executed), does not entirely subvert them
Handsome Heroines: Women as Men in Folklore by Shahrukh Husain (4 out of 5 stars)
Twelve tales of women crossdressing and transitioning; full of realizations about gender, love, justice, loyalty, independence, faith, and courage. A multicultural grouping, this collection includes heroines from Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Italian, Scottish, Mongolian, Roman, Jewish, Indian, Islamic, Spanish, Indo-Palestinian, and central Asian Steppe backgrounds.
+ Short stories, self-contained, diversity of reason and experience of cross-dressing, respectful approach to transgender individuals, easy to read, includes references
– A couple of the tales sort of bleed together, some are less powerfully told than others and are forgettable because of this
Dial-A-Ghost by Eva Ibbotson (4.5 out of 5 stars)
Oliver has inherited a fortune – and his cousins are not happy about it. Their dastardly plan to take back the family home revolves around hiring a bloodthirsty ghost couple to scare Oliver to death. As luck would have it, the agency they hire from has a mix up and instead of the terrifying Shriekers, the Wilkinsons move in instead – a friendly and caring ghost family who adopt Oliver as their own. Can Oliver survive his cousins? Can the Wilkinsons stay with Oliver? And why are the Shriekers so terrible?
+Easy to read, comedic, story of coming home and finding or making family
– Occasionally graphic descriptions of ghostly horror, some plot lines wrap up a little too tidily
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (4 out of 5 stars)
Jane lives in the Reconstruction of the South after the Civil War, ended in this case by the rise of the undead who attack relentlessly and without prejudice. She is trained to become an Attendant, to look after the well-to-do and kill any threats, living or otherwise, to her employers. But families are beginning to go missing, and Jane must fight to escape the deceptions that threaten to make her vanish too.
Warning: Use of offensive racial language as a context of the post-Civil War Culture, depictions of racism, some gore and gratuitous violence
+ Alternative History which explores race, culture, class, gender, family, and religious confrontations in the wake of the Civil War; strong and vulnerable protagonist who accepts and challenges her place in the world despite the stresses around her
– The ending feels rushed and could have been developed further, there are references to events which should be impactful on the narrative that are breezed over in passing only
Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones (5 out of 5 stars)
Derk is a wizard who specializes in genetic magic — creating griffins and invisible cats, among other things. When he’s chosen by the capitalist villain and tour operator Mr. Chesney to remake his world into a tourist attraction, can Derk break Chesney’s hold over his world? Our will he be doomed to cookie-cutter commercialism and destruction like all the others before him?
+ Hilarious, consistent magical system, family drama with Griffins, believable & relevant look at privilege/consequence, expansive world building, and a series of unfortunate events…
– There are a lot of names and places, and sometimes there is magical creature ex machina to tie up plot problems which can be repetitive.
This is book 2, and I love it also!!!
Dogsbody by Diana Wynne Jones (4.5 out of 5 stars)
Sirius is the constellation of the Dog Star – or he was, until he was falsely convicted of murder. His punishment is to live as a dog on Earth until he can find the weapon called the Zoi. On Earth he does his best to find the Zoi, with help from several cats, dogs, the Earth, and the Sun, but more and more he realizes how much he and Kathleen (his person) need each other to survive.
+ Creative imagining of celestial and terrestrial creatures, set during the conflicts of Ireland and the UK in the mid-1900s; complex relationships and bittersweet ending
– The start can be jarring and the transition to the rest of the plot is a little confusing; bittersweet ending
Megafire: The Race to Extinguish a Deadly Epidemic of Flame by Michael Kodas (4 out of 5)
Four Mile Canyon resident writes about a team of ‘hotshots’ firefighters on the front lines battling against wildfires, as they try to control the blazes and keep people safe. He remind us that our methods of firefighting and choice in the location of our homes aren’t as reliable or safe as we like to think they are.The understated and overlooked bravery of our firefighters, and tragedy of the Granite Mountain Hotshots should make us think; if we continue without change, we will suffer more dangerous and destructive fires – can we stop this from happening? Or are we doomed?
+ Compelling, personal accounts, graphic narrative, included pictures of many firefighters and tactics in action, memorializes the crew who died
– Can be almost over-detailed and painful to read; the order of the narrative and argument jumps around so much that it can be confusing to follow
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan (4 out of 5 stars)
Liga escapes from a nightmarish life into her ideal world; no violence, no hate, no threat. Her two daughters grow up here. But as they grow, reality comes creeping back in, and the family of three must learn how to cope with new dangers and hardships.
Lanagan draws from the fairytale “Snow White and Rose Red” to explore themes of coming of age, strength, good and evil, and family.
+ Character driven plot, retold fairytale, gentle approach to recovery from abuse
– Can be vague at times or confusing, sometimes the writing can be a little clumsy as it switches perspective
No Time to Spare: Thinking About What Matters by Ursula K. Le Guin (5 out of 5 stars)
A collection of blog posts and writing exploring spare time, cats, language and swearing, vegempathy, belief and life. Full of beauty, revelation, humor, and introspection, a thought-provoking read from a prominent SciFi writer about what it all means.
+ Lighthearted, intentional, gentle, self-critical, playful writing
– Topics can feel random
Coach: Lessons on the Game of Life by Michael Lewis (3 out of 5)
Coach Billy Fitzgerald, called Coach Fitz by his team, instilled lessons of how to win and also to become a better man in his players. Lewis describes how despite parental concerns of how his temper affected his coaching, Coach Fitz nonetheless instilled a sense of pushing through easy excuses and never giving up on a team or on a child.
+ Easy to read, short, offers different opinions of different players Fitz coached
– Clear bias against any criticism of Fitz’s style, reads more like an essay than a memoir
Snow by Tracy Lynn (3 out of 5 stars)
Jessica’s mother died when she was very young; when her father remarries, he chooses a woman who will do anything to conceive a male heir – and who has the scientific and magical background to do something about it. With her life at risk, Jessica flees to London and becomes ‘Snow’ in an effort to hide from her stepmother; there she makes her home with a group of outcasts and misfits. But can she really escape her stepmother’s powers?
+ Retelling of Snow White fairy tale in a Regency-era setting; new take on the ‘dwarves’ and the reasons for the stepmother to hunt for her heart; endearing and easy to read
– Story is still very predictable, even with the characters having different motives and tricks to achieve their goals. No new ground is really covered in terms of plot.
The Apparitionists: A Tale of Phantoms, Fraud, Photography, and the Man who Captured Lincoln’s Ghost by Peter Manseau (3 out of 5)
Exploring the era of early photography and the influence religion and spirituality gave and took from the early images, Manseau offers the biographies of some of the earliest photographers and how they turned the potential faults in the technology into ghostly images that caused wonder – amazed or skeptical – in all who saw them.
+ Interesting topic, have not read many of the histories of early pictures, discussion of how the spiritualist movement and the photography movement intermingled is interesting
– Inherent bias in several directions, and the ending feels like something of a let-down
Blood Paint Water by Joy McCullough (5 out of 5 stars)
A poetic expression of the life of Artemisia, a real-life painter in Rome in the 1600s, who is unable to claim her work as her own. Told as she grows and is able to explore her autonomy, with flashbacks to her life with her mother; a respectful approach to sexual assault and a battle for dignity in the face of denial.
Warning: Deals with sexual assault
+ Poetry is approachably short, detailed and fluent; the sections of narrative storytelling add a different dimension of the mother’s voice; the focus on different biblical characters from a feminine perspective helps to define and place the character in the world around her.
– Interpretation of the poetry might be tricky to follow as it is brief and self-referential at points
Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley (4 out of 5 stars)
Sleeping Beauty revisited in a land where magic mundane and even powerful fairies can make mistakes. Rosie is saved by Katriona, a young fairy, and raised away from her parents, the king and queen. But Katriona’s sometimes unorthodox parenting raises Rosie in a way that not even the strongest spells could have predicted, and reshapes the fate of the kingdom along the way.
+ A retelling of the familiar with a twist, well-constructed characters with complex motives and desires, shows strengths of non-traditional family
– Can be a bit dry or slow paced at times, sometimes confusing in the way the magic is described. Very little of the Disney version in this retelling, if that is something you are looking for.
Radium Girls by Kate Moore (4 out of 5 stars)
Lip… dip… paint. That is how the girls were told to paint radium on the watch dials and airplane instruments at the Radium Luminous Materials Corp. in 1917: point the brush by putting it into their mouths, dip the brush into the radium, and paint the dials. Then repeat. What they weren’t told was that the radium would eventually kill them in horrific ways. As the girls began to get sick, the company denied any knowledge of radium poisoning and fought against them in court, even as their teeth were falling out, their bones were disintegrating, and they were dying. Eventually, the Radium Girls were responsible for workplace safety laws that saved untold numbers of workers from unscrupulous labor practices – but they paid with their lives.
+ Heartbreaking story, not sensationalistic, personal narratives drive the storytelling
– Writing seems a bit stilted and preachy, could have used more narrative than summation
Uprooted by Naomi Novik (5 out of 5 stars)
Agnieszka is chosen by the terrifying Dragon, a powerful wizard who keeps the monsters and dark magic of the Wood from overrunning her little village. She discovers she is a witch, and learns all about her unusual powers; but she and the Dragon must stand against the Wood when it starts to destroy everything they hold dear. Will she be able to reveal the secrets of the Wood? or will it overpower her and cruelly doom the whole kingdom to a fate worse than death!
+ Wonderful character development, terrifying enemies, easy to read, unexpected ending! Very small romantic plot constructed well
– It ENDED and there ISN’T a SEQUEL!
Addendum: BUT! Naomi Novik is amazing and has many other books that she has written which you should totally go read!!!!
Seafire by Natalie C. Parker (3.5 out of 5 stars)
Caledonia Styx is the captain of the Mors Navis, and has one goal in life: to undermine or destroy the forces of the warlord who destroyed her family: Aric Athair. But when fate drops one of Aric’s soldiers looking to defect into her hands, can she use this chance to destroy Aric once and for all? Can she keep her crew safe if she tries? The first of a trilogy that is a must read. Fans of Mad Max: Fury Road and Wonder Woman as well as Throne of Glass will love this series!
+ Strong female characters in a all-woman ship of bamfs, developed character driven plot, constant twists and turns in the effort to survive or defeat an overwhelmingly powerful enemy, complex emotional structures and interactions; focus on drug addictions and the effect of relapse and withdrawal
– The pacing is slow at the start, and somewhat predictable; the cliffhanger is a little unresolved; some of the technologic descriptions feel irrelevant or thrown in just because and not for plot reasons
East by Edith Pattou (4 out of 5 stars)
Rose has always been a wild child, but when she leaves her family with a great white bear she finds that she will need every one of her unique strengths to set right an act of selfishness. Based on the tale “East of the Sun, West of the Moon”, a vibrant retelling with many different perspectives on a journey to the north.
+ Character driven, expansive world-building, detailed and complex relationships
– The writing is at times slow-paced or vague, plot builds slowly
Raising Steam: A Discworld Novel by Terry Pratchett (5 out of 5 stars)
Into a world of bewildered wizards, passable swordsmanship, and meat peddlars with low morals comes a new invention: progress in the form of a steam engine! Ankh-Morpork is in for an unpredictable ride as Moist von Lipwig and Harry King join with rising star and first engineer Dick Simnel to bring all citizens and creatures alike into a new era. Even a dwarvish rebellion can’t stand in the way of this team — or can it?
+ Typical Pratchett humor, interesting take on technology changing the world, great new characters, fun take on goblins and gollum horses, and an amazing engine with a mind of her own!
– Dry at times, does refer back to books in the series which might confuse new readers (recommend reading Going Postal and Making Money first)
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (4 out of 5 stars)
Jacob’s grandfather always told him stories. He had stopped believing them; but when his grandfather is suddenly murdered, he sees one of the monsters himself. He travels to Wales to find the truth, and discovers a world of uneasy magic and ever present danger. Can he save those who have helped his grandfather and himself? Can he even save himself, when the darkness comes? Read on to find out – but read at your own peril!
+ Very creepy feeling of danger and even discomfort at some of the happy and lighthearted moments; elements of magic and magical realism integrated naturally along with the real life vintage photos that are interspersed. There are sequels!!
– Some of the plot points seem contrived; at times, the rules of the magic seem at times inconsistent
In a world where Fair Folk cannot create, only alter, and will buy from mortals who can Craft, Isobel can paint truth or idealism more beautifully than anyone else. But when she paints Rook, the Autumn prince, she reveals a weakness of the Fair Folk, and is drawn into an even more dangerous world than she imagined existed. Along the way, she must use talents and strengths she never knew she had; but can she resist a forbidden romance while she races to save Rook and herself?
+ New and interesting take on fairies and the interactions of magic and mortality; pacing is constant and threatening, sense of danger is real; Isobel is clever and determined, well-developed and active as a protagonist; beautiful imagery; distinguishes between internal and external beauty
– Some amount of focus of the trope of the heroine being beautiful but not realizing it
Divergent by Veronica Roth (3.5 out of 5 stars)
Beatrice lives in a world where your choice of faction determines how you live your life, and your position in society. But when she’s tested for her aptitudes, she discovers that she is divergent – she doesn’t fit neatly into any of the categories, and this puts her in danger. While becoming Tris, discovering inner strength and love, she also discovers that the system is not working as well as it seems. Can her Divergent nature help her uncover the dangers surrounding her? Or is it already too late?
+ Interesting concept of dystopian caste systems; some romance; deals with issues of trust, betrayal, family, and integrity; empowered women who also show compassion; characters are multidimensional
– Plot has been done before; trope of strong female protagonist discovering herself through physicality; focuses on protagonist’s internal turmoils a little too much and slows the pace because of this
BIOSHOCK: Rapture by John Shirley (3 out of 5 stars)
A short introduction to the world of Bioshock, describing the collapse of Utopia and a world similar yet vastly different than our own.
+ Fun jaunt with familiar characters and settings
– Doesn’t really cover any new ground, or introduce any other story information to enrich the game
Timekeeper by Tara Sim (4 out of 5 stars)
Danny is a clockwork mechanic, fixing the clock towers which control time itself. An accident can be deadly – one left him with PTSD, one left his father trapped in a town where the time has frozen. Can he discover the mysteries of the towers and the bombings which are endangering them? Will a surprise meeting lead to true love? And what will he sacrifice for just a little more time?
+ LGBT romance, steampunk adventure and mystery, complex character interactions, encounters with the supernatural time magics!
– Pacing a little slow or redundant at times, some character rivalries don’t have adequate context given
Lady Killers: Deadly Women Throughout History by Tori Telfer, 4/5
A brief look at female serial killers in history; nonetheless, engaging, description, and straightforward. At times subjective, further details are provided in her source list. This is not a murder mystery; the facts as Telfer has them are laid out from the first murder to the arrest or disappearance of these killers.
+ Easy to read, compelling narrative arcs, extra resources provided; offers a perspective which attempts to remove the sexualization or diminishing of the women by cultural perspective. Includes killers from multiple times and countries.
– At times subjective or arguing towards a specific read on each of the women – includes some casual judgement of their actions showing inherent bias.
Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson (4 out of 5 stars)
Two sisters are gifted by a goddess – will it bring them wisdom? luck? death? Through this beautiful retelling of the French fairy tale set in precolonial India, it becomes clear that the gifts we are given are perhaps less important than how we use them.
+ Solid world-building, Tomlinson complicates what seems inherently positive or negative in order to explore empowerment, no single clear villain to face as characters have more complex and realistic motives
– The resolution feels very rushed; some questions about the conclusion, doesn’t quite feel finished
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (Translated by Anthony Bonner) (4 out 5 stars)
Wrecked at sea while in search of a mysterious and deadly sea creature, Professor Pierre Aronnax, his servant Conseil, and master harpooner Ned Land are taken aboard the Nautilus, a submarine with a captain and crew who have turned their backs on civilization and instead live beneath the sea. The professor and Conseil experience a journey of scientific delight and discovery from the view of the aquanauts; but there is more danger here than simply the Captain whose vendetta against mankind may lead them all to destruction.
+ Clever crew and ship design for the time period written and still today; the Professor and Conseil are fascinating if static characters; Captain Nemo acts with a cold and vindictive thoughtfulness that is terrifying and amazing to experience
– Writing is dense and sometimes difficult to understand; I was jolted out of the plot by the occasional mathematical exploration of pressures, etc.; some politically incorrect implications of savages versus civilization
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang (4 out of 5 stars)
A simply illustrated graphic novel telling the story of a prince who sometimes wants to present as a princess and a dressmaker who just wants to be recognized for her unique work.
+ The relationship between the princess and the dressmaker is not a romance but it does present a strong relationship; shows personal recognition and growth of respect throughout the story.
– At times the story is a little silly or stilted in order to serve the theme of self-truth and acceptance
The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire by Jack Weatherford (5 out of 5 stars)
A detailed look at the women who helped form and shape Genghis Khan’s empire, amid shifting gender dynamics and threat to their dominion.
+ Well written, thoughtful exploration of these women and their historic importance, expands context of this period, focuses on humanizing the Mongol empire, provides further resources
– Less information on the daughters of Genghis Khan (as less is known about them historically) and more on the granddaughters and great granddaughters.
Warning: Discusses the use of rape as a tactic of warfare
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (5 out of 5 stars)
Ned and Verity are time-travelling historians from the future who travel back for research projects, and are studying the Victorian era. When a project goes wrong and the timelines get mixed up, will they be trapped in the past? Or can they find the McGuffin Bishops Birdstump in time?
+ Humor, Time travel, Character depth and development, mystery with a sense of urgency
– It ends!!! Names are old-fashioned & can be hard to remember; occasionally had to go back and follow the storyline to find the detail I’d missed (after the first time no issues at all!)
One of my favorite authors!!
I actually met her at WhimsyCon 2019, and she liked my paper dress, and I am still giddy about that to this day 😀
How do you redefine yourself after the loss of a loved one? Three teens must answer this question as they recover from the loss of their friends and family, as they grow together and rediscover themselves.
+ Focuses on the emotional and mental state of the characters, and how they try to start to live again
– At times the writing is shallower than the emotion it portrays, slow plot that doesn’t have external drivers
I don’t have quite as much time to read for funsies right now but I have this batch bottled up and have been thinking about doing this post for long enough that it’s just time…. Perhaps there will be more to come in the future when I have time again 😀
Happy reading! And be safe and healthy and well!!!!!
Briar Roses and Thorns 