babyleo's Reviews (1.69k)

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

A longer version of this review was published on Lost in a Good Book - https://wp.me/p3x8rS-30w
 
I love Pratchett’s writing style. It’s a lot like Douglas Adams, even a lot like Michael Ende. It’s serious, has important messages, but is absurd and quirky, funny but also has heart. It’s no wonder he’s so revered.

The miscalculations of giving the 8th son of an 8th son wizard magic, when the baby turns out to be a daughter instead is the initial plot problem. Rules are rules is a great way to deal with this, and I loved the journey Esk, Granny Weatherwax and other characters go on dealing with this fact.

There’s a great introduction to the wizarding world, as well as the overall Discworld which was fascinating to discover. The different regions of the world means there’s always something new to learn and different communities to explore.

I loved how much importance Pratchett places on witches and the good they do in the community to help people, while also acknowledging that belief in the magic of witches goes a lot of the way to believing a herb concoction will cure you through magic and not basic science. And believing something will cure you often will.

I really loved Granny Weatherwax and her teachings to Esk, the good and the strict. There is a powerful message through this whole book that despite its age is still very Girl Power and feministic. It isn’t enough to overshadow the phenomenal fantasy story, but enough push back to make you realise yes why are these the rules, and of course this is stupid. Which coming from a Pratchett book set in Discworld where a lot of this can be silly and intentionally ludicrous, it was refreshing to see a push back against the more serious stupidity. Of course it ends just as silly as it should, but those sprinklings of moments that make you think are a great inclusion. 
dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Slither is exactly the kind of book I’ve come to expect from Nikki Rae; it’s dark, full of lust, passionate romance, a touch of fear, and explores the dark corners of the paranormal world. I’ve loved so many of Rae’s books, each different but uniquely hers. Her writing focuses on passion and the bonds between people, often unexplained, often reluctant but also willing. The temptations of danger, the unknown, and the mysterious are handled brilliantly in her hands and she has done it once again with this book. 
Rae highlights how much power there can be in the mundane, the rituals of the everyday and many expressions and experiences of attraction. Up against the dark allure of forced unknown it creates a powerful story. 
This is book two in The Shadow and Ink series and I loved revisiting this world again. Rae’s creativity shines through again, this time jumping right into the events of the first book and taking us into the story head on. There’s a brief recap of the events in the previous book but it’s included seamlessly into the storyline it hardly feels like it’s a recap. Information on past behaviour, past events, and the beginning of Six and Corbin’s relationship are explained in ways that feel natural and also in a way that doesn’t take focus from the current events. Even with the book opening after the events of the first novel there’s enough intrigue and questions to keep you reading and enough to keep you going without missing crucial details. 
In this sequel we learn more about the connection between Six and Corbin and how their relationship is shaped and the forces that bring them together. Rae reveals more information around the mysterious box, the powers of Six and the relationship and hold he had over Corbin. We also see more of Jordan’s relationship with Corbin and the three mix together in a creative, powerful, and passionate ways. I’m always fascinated by Rae’s imagination because she manages to create beautifully complex and creative storylines from a seemingly simple idea and executes it beautifully. 
Corbin is a fascinating and complex character and I loved seeing this explored further in all aspects of her life, not just around Six. Her relationship with her mother, her acceptance of herself and new knowledge around Six, as well as trying enjoy university are blended together well. When it comes to her relationship with Six, seeing Corbin fight instinct and desire against such a tantalising force was great. I liked she was wary, that she was torn between her body and her mind, her desire to run and the aches of lust playing off each other beautifully. 
Once again I have to mention the words. I love Rae’s use of language. The story is filled with vivid and evocative words, perfect to capture the mood Rae is trying to portray. With a few words you are in the moment, feeling each caught breath, each touch and each moment whether fear, lust, satisfaction, or uncertainty. You can feel the mysterious nature of Six, the lust and passion between the characters, the sharp contrast when dealing with her mother. It’s fantastic and a powerful tool in conveying this story’s intensity. 
This is a story full of magic, sex, family drama, and love crossing through eternities. There is a content warning at the beginning of the book that gives a list of key concepts the book deals with. They are dealt with in story quite well and to various levels but there are certain subjects that may be upsetting to people. Rae has packed a lot into the story but it never feels overloaded, and with so many overlapping aspects it does nothing to take away the realness of characters and the mysteries of the paranormal aspects. 
This is far from my usual type of novel, but I’ve been captivated by Rae’s books for years so I’m always willing to delve deep into the new world and cast of characters she’s created with an open mind. I am hoping now that books one and two have been revised there’s hope for book three soon because given that ending I need another book right away and I know Rae won’t disappoint. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This review was published on Lost in a Good Book https://wp.me/p3x8rS-39X
 
This is a great exploration of identity and is a fantastic story about how being a passionate advocate for queer lives can also be damaging and toxic. Albertalli demonstrates with remarkable skill and grace, even a bit of compassion, that there still exists toxicity in queer spaces and there is always a chance of going too far.

Imogen’s journey of self-discovery is a wonderful reminder that there is no age limit on finding out who you are. Her inner monologue shows how unsettled she feels in herself, while also feeling so sure of who she is at the same time. As this becomes upended as the story goes along we follow this path as Imogen navigates her feelings, her friendships, and the lives of those around her to work out who she really is.

The cast of characters in this book are well rounded and complex. Even with so many characters in play they each get attention and are fully developed. It is easy to fall into their banter and support, as well as experience their ups and downs with them.

Gretchen is a great character in that she is a terrible but she is a perfect representation of what it means to police other people and to try and gate keep and control how other people experience their own lives. The challenge of having a friend like her, while also trying to be supportive and guided by their experiences and not your own, means Imogen tries her best to be an ally but at the same time deals with the problems Gretchen creates.

Being an older YA makes this story sit right at the cusp of leaving school/entering uni which is wonderful representation for anyone feeling like they need to have themselves worked out by the time they are 16 or before, like many queer YA books demonstrate. I enjoyed how it showed there is no time limit on discovering yourself and what makes you happy.

Full of realism and representation, Imogen, Obviously is a sweet and romantic story that deals with current and evergreen issues in the queer community from both inside and out. It’s light-hearted but not without conflict, and highlights the importance of friendship and being true to yourself. 
emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No