Buddy Read w/ Sea <3

I absolutely loved this book!! This book is so gnarly, yet so good. 

First off, the character work on Vern is so well done and can have such a gnawing effect on you. Like the amount of things this character went through in this story is just absolutely wild and seeing her process it and act in some moments was just incredible. I love Vern with the whole of my heart man.

The atmosphere of this book is so gruesome and dark, very southern gothic coded. It's modern day, but has a cult and supernatural touch to it.  It's hard to describe to without spoiling a lot of aspects to it. 

The main theme of this book is survival and resilience through everything you're put through. Its so well done in this book. 

I don't know how to talk about this book without spoiling, I loved this so much and I'm still thinking about it a week and half later after finishing it. I want to read Solomon's other works, I have a feeling I will love them.

I recommend this to people who don't shy away from dark and gruesome plots and morally grey characters. If you want clean and wholesome, please look elsewhere, this is not for you. 

Buddy Read w/ Sea <3

I think this was a fun book, but not necessarily a favorite of mine. I enjoyed the povs of Yeeran and Lettle and their respective destinies/fate & romances. I loved El-Arifi's take on elven lore and the magical system she built! I'm willing to give the second book a try to see what happens especially with Rayan where he is now.. 

The strongest element of the Shamanborn series is the relationship between Sircha and Saengo. I love their interactions and am I always excited to see them on the same page together. Unfortunately, Saengo wasn't in this one as much as I'd hope but I still loved when she was there. A lot Sircha's actions are for Saengo, it is one of the main reasons she puts herself against ancient magic that threatens her and everyone else, as well as having an ability that hasn't been seen in centuries. Saengo is also under threat because of her being tied to Sircha as a familiar. 

The threat of a centuries old Shaman, who's untouchable and hasn't been seen in literal hundreds of years to the people in the series, is a great driving force for a lot of conflict. Where kingdoms are already against each other, with a tyrannical Queen in the empire hunting Shaman and the forest of souls bordering others - creating tension. 

I felt like this book suffered from middle book syndrome, where the first book was great and this one seemed to drag on a little bit too much. I enjoyed the threat of the Soulless and learning how he has been connected to prominent families while also dealing with Prince Meilek's Queen sister at the same time. However, it moved too slowly for my liking - even though I enjoyed this lore building. 

Overall, I still love the dark atmosphere, politics, and Sircha's and Saengo's relationship. I think it's still a great book, there was just something missing for me to fully love it.

Jade Fire Gold is such a solid standalone fantasy debut! 

I really enjoyed the Chinese mythology influence in this book. I'm a sucker for any book with immortal and ancient magic being involved, but I think this one does it well. The themes of revenge, breaking generational cycles, generational trauma, & choosing your own way in life despite what is expected of you are well done too. 

I enjoyed the dual-pov of Ahn and Altan, seeing both of their own thoughts, secrets, etc. However, I do think the characters are a bit one noted personality wise (either naive or stubborn, or both), while both are trying to figure out who they are and finding comfort in each other in the process. It's probably my only gripe, outside of pacing. They both tend to stay stubborn and don't show super immense growth. But, I enjoyed their povs enough to enjoy my time reading it. I also love the slow-burn between them and them being oblivious to each other's feelings lol. 

Plot & world-building wise, I think the chasing of the mythical weapon that appears to be a myth to everybody, except those that are involved is pretty cool. Again, I just like immortal magic/entities and them dealing with fate, so.. I also enjoyed how queer normative the world was and that the side characters felt like they were actually part of the story instead of just stand ins. I like Altan's backstory of being an exiled prince and Ahn not knowing her past (or who she's connected to). 

There wasn't much that I didn't like about this book. Again the characters may seem one-noted at times and the pacing near the end is a bit jarring, like it was in a rush to wrap up would be my only complaints. Otherwise, I'd definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a standalone fantasy with Chinese mythology influence & dual-pov. 

CW: murder, oppression, childhood trauma, sexual harassment, violence, suicide (i may be missing more but it does have some dark themes in this book)

> Western Fantasy w/ Asian Rep
> Elemental Magic w/ a mixture western/pagan inspired magic
> Creepy & Dangerous Forest
> Tyrannical Government & fractured kingdoms
> Single POV

This was a fun & easy read! I enjoyed the dark atmosphere and the magic that Sirscha gains. I think Sirscha can be a little repetitive, but ultimately she's really unsure of herself from the jump. She's dealt with being an orphan, lower on the hierarchical scale, always put down for her appearance and status. She gains a power that goes beyond herself and I'm wondering how she'll handle it in the next two books! Her love for Sango is the main reason she keeps going and along the way she learns new things about the government she was once meant to serve, & about herself.

I'd definitely recommend if you want a dark ya fantasy (inspired by traditional western fantasy) written by a bipoc author!

Disclaimer: I received Forest of Souls as an arc and I'm voluntarily leaving this review. 

For the 18+ Crowd

- Dark Revenge Plot
- Demon x Human Romance
- Short Read; Insta Lust

I really enjoyed the interactions between Joy and Malachi in this one. Joy has been through a lot of things and wants revenge, with this she summons Malachi (a demon with his own past & trauma) to help her out.

Content Warnings from Viano Oniomoh's website:

Mentions, discussions, references, and descriptions of sexual assault (as a past event); mentions, discussions, and depictions of murder; mentions, discussions, and references to slavery and imprisonment (as a past event); religious imagery; trauma; PTSD; blood drinking; violence; gore; (blink and you’ll miss it) dominance/submission; references to a main character being drugged at a bar (as a past event); loss of parents via a plane crash (as a past event); mention of a hysterectomy in relation to debilitating fibroids; and explicit sex scenes.

This was an okay read, nothing super horrid or anything, a bit eerie at best.

A wedding is planned in an old Heian mansion where a bride died waiting for her husband. The wedding brings childhood friends together again in a haunted setting and things go awry.

Recommend to those that enjoy yokai, haunted scenarios and horror movie tropes. It's also a super short read so that's also a plus.

 

Read for 12 Recs from 12 Friends in 12 Months Challenge
- recommended by Nienke <3

I had a lot of fun with this read!! It was a multi-pov, time traveling sci-fi with a bit of a crime mystery. It was fun to follow the characters jumping between time and space while dealing with a corrupt business and cruel head of the company/founder of time travel. 

Normally, I'm not the one to enjoy a lot of sci-fi but this was a fun one and I'd recommend it!! 

Chapters 182-187

Volumes like these remind me why this series needs an anime reboot or continuation.

This continues the tournament arranged to show off the dragons powers, although some things happen that prevent the Yellow and Blue Dragons powers to be shown. The series and characters are beginning to be nostalgic with Hak voluntarily being a foot soldier, Gulfan (Su-Won’s bird) flying with Hak. Su-won almost feeling comfort with Yona and Hak, but Yona especially. But, the volume ends with a secret that will cost Yona, the Dragons, Yun and Hak’s life if it got out. So, Yona is shown pushing everybody away to protect them.

This one had a bit of action in the beginning ~ which is why I think this would be so good animated again. (I can be hopeful okay!!)

Read for Local Library Challenge Prompt: A Book Set or Written in the 1900s

Up From Slavery was originally published in 1900, around 35 years after slavery was abolished in the United States. This is an autobiography by Booker T. Washington; he was born into slavery, lived through the Civil War, saw the abolition of slavery, and lived through the reconstruction era in the south.

The book focuses on his early life for a few chapters, but then leans heavily into him creating the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and his want for creating his idea of success for those that were freed. He wanted to instill a sense of education, both written and hands on, a major focus on industry, and gaining property. (Basically the "American Dream")

Washington also seemed to brush off the effects that slavery had on some people, along with one chapter of him brushing off the forced assimilation of natives almost in mocking when it came to their hair being cut and things of that nature?? Idk it was very odd. But those were his thoughts I guess?

He's also very repetitive at points, which makes the book rough to get through. However, I think it is something worth reading and learning about Washington’s experience.