Marie A.

Just OK

Revisado: 03-07-25

I really enjoyed the character Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story. She was the highlight of the film. So, I was excited to get another novel about her. Unfortunately, this was just mediocre. Given the dark nature of Qi'ra's backstory, this should have been a really gripping, complex story. Instead, while we're informed that she struggles, she actually gets through things very easily. I wanted to see her work to earn the respect and high position she gained in the criminal world. We got a bit of that here. But overall, everything was far too easy.

As always, Johnston did very well broadening the universe of the galaxy far, far away. The world was very immersive even if the story was so-so.

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Excellent Blend of Magic and Politics

Revisado: 03-06-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Riven Earth by Zammar Ahmer is an incredibl blend of high fantasy and politics that immerses readers in a gritty, morally complex world. The novel's greatest strength lies in its rich and immersive world-building, where heroes and heroines are forced to make dark, often troubling choices that blur the lines between good and evil.

The story's structure is particularly compelling, as it shifts between multiple timelines to provide a fully fleshed-out history for the cast of characters. This narrative style adds layers of depth, giving readers insight into how past events shape the present conflicts. The exploration of religion and fanaticism is fascinating, highlighting how belief systems can divide societies and perpetuate cycles of oppression.

Ahmer crafts a vivid backstory where humans were once practically enslaved by dryads, forced to worship the Earth-Mother, Astea. The rebellion that followed led to the near-extermination of the dryads and the establishment of human rule under the victorious king. However, the king's ban on religion ironically turned him into an unofficial religious figure after his death, adding layers of irony and tension to the story. Meanwhile, his emotionally scarred son struggles to maintain power in the wake of a failed rebellion by human supporters of the dryads.

The novel also tackles issues of discrimination and prejudice, particularly against those with sun magic—once targeted by the dryads and still marginalized under human rule. This nuanced exploration of societal hierarchies adds further complexity to the world.

While the novel's middle section drags at times, the strong opening and powerful ending more than make up for this minor flaw. Riven Earth is a compelling read for fans of dark fantasy who enjoy stories where politics, human flaws, and magic intertwine.

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A Powerful and Nuanced Novel

Revisado: 12-23-24

I regret waiting so long to read *Piecing Me Together* by Renée Watson. This steady, character-driven story pulled me in from the very beginning with its realistic characters, authentic dialogue, and its exploration of casual racism, microaggressions, fatphobia, and sexism.

Jade is a compelling protagonist who wrestles with the complexities of being a Black scholarship student—both resenting being singled out for her identity while recognizing the opportunities it provides. Her desire to give back rather than just receive adds depth to her journey.

I especially appreciated the mentor-mentee relationship in the novel. Jade’s mentor is far from perfect, yet her flaws contribute to Jade’s growth, making the story all the more real. Both Jade and the supporting cast are richly developed, with strengths and imperfections that make them feel authentic.

Renée Watson masterfully portrays the day-to-day struggles and triumphs of Jade’s journey, and I loved following her path of self-discovery and resilience. This is a beautifully written, thought-provoking novel that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended!

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Just OK

Revisado: 12-22-24

Krystal Marquis delivers a compelling exploration of friendships and individual goals in More Than This, showcasing the complex dynamics among the four protagonists. The depth of their bonds and the clarity of their ambitions make the story engaging and relatable. Each protagonist shines in their own right, navigating personal challenges and striving for growth within a richly drawn setting that feels immersive and vivid.

However, the novel falters with the introduction of new characters who lack sufficient development. The addition of new love interests, in particular, detracted from two of the protagonists’ stories, muddling their arcs and diluting the emotional stakes. A one-dimensional rival felt especially out of place and added little to the overall narrative. These elements disrupted the pacing and distracted from the stronger, more resonant aspects of the novel.

The themes and setting are still very strong, along with the nuanced portrayal of the core group. But as a follow-up to Marquis’s previous work, this installment feels like a missed opportunity. While it still captures moments of brilliance, it struggles to maintain the cohesion and emotional depth of the first novel. if there's a third installment, I hope the series gets back on track.

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Excellent

Revisado: 12-18-24

The Davenports is the novel I have been wishing for for years. This features historically accurate black excellence, frothy period drama escapism, positive and supportive relationships between women, and truly feminist writing that shows a range of female experiences, rather than just putting one on a pedestal while trashing others. My only disappointment is that this was written for a young adult age range rather than adult, which would have allowed for less over explaining and more digging into the complexities of the struggles and difficult choices the four heroines faced.

The novel is an ensemble piece set in 1910 Chicago that transitions between the POVs of Olivia and Helen Davenport, their longtime friend Ruby, and their ambitious maid Amy-Rose. Each young woman is completely unique from the other. Olivia initially fits within the expectations of her wealthy family and is ready to do her duty by marrying well, before being drawn into the growing Civil Rights Movement and falling for the wrong man. Helen wants to work in her family's business rather than pursue a life as a society wife, though she's also drawn to a different type of wrong man. Ruby is pressured by her family to get John Davenport to marry her to help their standing and their chances of getting her father elected as the first black mayor, only to be drawn to someone else. Amy-Rose works hard and saves money in the hopes of opening her own beauty salon, while dealing with bias' against women in business as well as the growing attraction between her and John. Each of these characters has a story that could be worth a novel of their own. I love the way Krystal Marquis balanced and entwined the stories and romances of each of the main characters, allowing each to shine.

If it isn't obvious, I loved The Davenports and I can't wait for the sequel.

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All Vibes and No Substance

Revisado: 07-31-24

I wanted to love this book, but it was all paint by numbers story beats with no soul.

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Excellent Continuation

Revisado: 07-03-24

A Ruse of Shadows is a solid continuation of the Lady Sherlock series. Sherry Thomas continues to be a master of character work and plotting. She beautifully built off of what came in the previous installments while keeping the story fresh and new. Charlotte, Mrs. Watson, and the other heroes remained charming, flawed, and fun to follow. I just finished and the ninth book can't get here quickly enough.

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Perfectly Plotted

Revisado: 03-07-24

Tender Beasts is one of those rare novels that had me so completely immersed and hooked that when it ended, I immediately restarted it. The mystery of this supernatural thriller was so solid that it feels like I've read two separate novels, one where I was discovering everything alongside the heroine and one where I was able to pick up additional clues and context. The plot was solidly structured, yet still felt character driven. And those characters driving this story were amazing.

Sunny Behre, the protagonist of the novel, is realistically flawed and unique as far as heroines go. A teenager from a wealthy Black family, Sunny lives a life of great privilege alongside the constant threat of racial bias against her and her loved ones. She navigates the world hiding behind the persona of a happy, peppy, "sunny" girl with a constantly positive perspective and a spotless reputation. On the inside, she is very different as her inner monologue depicts her as more pessimistic, manipulative, and strategic. She was honestly a joy to read as she navigated the struggle of grieving her mother and trying to protect her family as a series of murders threatened to destroy them.

Alongside the modern-day mystery are a series of diary entries written by Sunny's mother in the 1990s where backstory is given on the mysterious Milk Man who is still terrorizing the family. I love the dual timeline these entries provide. The way Sunny's mother annotated the diary entries also added a unique touch as she provided additional wisdom of hindsight as well as advice.

While this story isn't a sequel to Sambury's previous novel, Delicious Monsters, it clearly takes place in the same universe. It's not necessary to read that book before Tender Beasts, but if you do, there's a well-placed Easter egg.

Overall, Tender Beasts is excellent. Absolutely a give star read.

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Amazing world building

Revisado: 10-17-23

In this book, Octavia Butler made some choices I don't think we're necessary, like having her 53-year-old protagonist look like she's 11 years old. She definitely didn't have to do that. Yet, Butler's writing was so excellent, I was fully immersed and just enjoyed living in this universe with Shori as she unraveled the mystery of who she was and what happened to her.

I really love novels told from the perspective of a character waking up with amnesia or a "white room story" as Brandon Sanderson coined it. That convention adds such an interesting layer to the story, the world building, and the development of the character since the reader is on completely equal footing in discovering everything with them.

The world building in creating the vampires in this story was fascinating. It's a shame Butler never wrote another book in this universe. I was genuinely sad when the novel ended.

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Incredibly Spooky Haunted Family Story

Revisado: 09-28-23

Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury isn't just a story of a haunted house. This is the story of a haunted family, with each family member dumping their emotional burdens and trauma onto each other, pushing the cycle of trauma forward. In that way, the ghosts and even the menacing house that preys on the living and dead alike aren't the biggest monsters in the novel. Just as in real life, those who cause the most pain and turmoil are human beings.

The novel is told through the dual POVs of Daisy -- a 17-year-old who sees dead people -- and Brittney -- a college student who runs a YouTube channel centered on supernatural mysteries. Taking place ten years apart, Brittney and her co-host are investigating the mysterious circumstances Daisy endured in the mansion her mother inherited.

Alongside the story of the haunted house that's feeding on people are the emotional arcs of Daisy and Brittney working through their mirrored traumas with their mothers, who abuse them emotionally and control them financially. As their stories unfold, they reveal generational abuses that have been trickled down and left unspoken of for years.

Not only does this story have an incredibly compelling premise, Sambury's prose and narrative voice are among the most beautiful and original I've ever read. The descriptions are vivid and almost too visceral at times. The character focused way she moved through the plot really made it feel like one was living alongside the characters. I can't wait to check out her other novels.

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