dragoninwinterfell's Reviews (147)

If this book had nothing to do with Agatha Christie, The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont would have been far better. 

First, I like that the main perspective is from Nancy Neele. That gave this novel a unique view in comparison to other books that tackle the "mystery" of what happened during the nearly two weeks when Agatha Christie went missing. I liked how Nan is given more depth than just being the other woman. She's given a very interesting backstory as the narrative shifts back and forth between the present where she is pursuing a married man who is leaving his wife for her and her past as an impoverished young woman. 

But again, the problem comes from the connection to Agatha Christie. If this was a novel that didn't try to draw connections to historical figures, it would have been far better. The weakest parts were those involving Agatha while the strongest were the completely fictionalized aspects with Nan's story. Nina de Gramont should have trusted that her own story and message could have stood on its own without trying to bring in historical figures.

The Five by Hallie Rubenhold is a powerful, meticulously researched work of nonfiction that breathes life back into the stories of Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly, the five women whose names are so often overshadowed by the man who murdered them. Instead of focusing on the infamous figure of Jack the Ripper, Rubenhold shifts the spotlight to his victims, giving them the dignity and attention they have long been denied.

Each chapter offers an intricate, emotionally resonant portrait of one woman’s life, complete with rich historical context, family dynamics, and the social pressures and hardships they faced in Victorian England. Rubenhold peels back the assumptions long held by both police and the public, particularly the label of “prostitute” that was unfairly applied to all five. In fact, her careful documentation and use of personal records show that only two of the women actually identified as sex workers. The others were victims of poverty, addiction, and a harsh, unforgiving society that failed them.

Rubenhold’s narrative voice is both compassionate and compelling, grounded in historical fact but alive with empathy. Her work restores humanity to women who have too often been reduced to footnotes in true crime lore. The Five doesn’t just reclaim their stories, it challenges readers to reconsider how society remembers victims and whose lives are deemed worthy of remembrance.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audio ARC of The Sirens by Emilia Hart.

I really wanted to love this book. The concept is fantastic with three women across different time periods, all connected by a shared legacy and a supernatural thread. I especially appreciated the narrative structure: three POVs, weaving through history, with hints and echoes across time. That part was beautifully done and kept me engaged.

Unfortunately, that’s where my enjoyment stopped. The characters felt flat and emotionally distant. I never really connected with any of them and none of them had personality. Their voices didn’t feel distinct, and their arcs lacked depth or growth. Each was just carried along by the plot without guiding it. The mystery of them being sirens is treated like a big revelation, but honestly, the title gives the whole plot away. There’s no real tension or payoff because it’s all telegraphed from the start.

The book is also heavily inspired by the Me Too movement, which I don’t inherently mind, but it doesn't bring anything new or nuanced to the table. The themes felt one-dimensional, more like a slogan than a story.

In the end, The Sirens had potential, but the execution just didn’t deliver. Great idea, well-structured, but ultimately hollow.

Told from the first person perspective of Roos, a young woman bound to a spirit companion, with interjections from transcripts of a psychological examination if the main character, My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen is such a beautifully creepy read. The prose are full of lovely descriptions, even when it comes to the horror elements. The characters and dynamics are deeply flawed and mysterious. The readers and narrators are left constantly questioning what's actually happening all the way past the ending. It really gives the vibe of legendary Gothic horror author Edgar Allan Poe. 

Hunted had an interesting take on Beauty and the Beast, with a darker, more atmospheric vibe. The premise had a lot of potential, but the execution didn’t quite land for me.  

The biggest issue was the characters and their relationship. Beauty and Beast never really felt compelling, either as individuals or together. He needed her for a reason, and she… wanted something, but it was never really clear what. Their dynamic felt distant, lacking emotion and passion, and instead of seeing their relationship develop naturally, we were mostly told it had changed. It just didn’t feel organic. 

On top of that, the plot felt a little too neat, without much tension or real stakes. The writing itself was nice, with a lyrical quality, but that wasn’t enough to make up for the lack of strong character development.  

Overall, Hunted had potential but didn’t fully deliver. If you love Beauty and the Beast retellings with a moody, slow-burn style, you might still enjoy it. But if you’re looking for a really deep, emotional connection between the leads, this one might fall flat. 

This was very underwhelming for me. The plot is tightly woven. Otherwise, everything else was flat. There were no fully fleshed out characters and the world building was practically non-existent. Things simply happened without build up, emotion, or development. 

I'm obviously in the minority in feeling this way since this novel is considered a great classic. It just wasn't a good fit for me.

Luke Arnold masterfully blends detective noir with high fantasy in The Last Smile in Sunder City, creating a gritty, atmospheric tale that is both fresh and compelling. The protagonist, Fetch Phillips, is a broken man haunted by his past—his actions in a devastating war helped strip the world of magic, leaving once-powerful creatures weakened, vulnerable, and struggling to survive. Now, as an investigator, he takes whatever jobs he can from non-humans to help those he once wronged.  

What makes this novel stand out is its incredible world-building. Often, stories where magical beings face discrimination feel contrived because those with immense power should logically be the dominant force. Arnold fixes this issue by establishing a world where humans were naturally weaker than elves, vampires, sirens, demons, and more until they severed the magic’s source, leveling the playing field in an unexpected way. The consequences of this act ripple through the narrative, making for a deeply immersive setting.  

The pacing is excellent, seamlessly balancing character development, plot progression, and world-building. Fetch Phillips is a fantastic protagonist who is flawed, guilt-ridden, and driven by a sense of atonement. His narrative voice is raw and captivating, filled with sharp observations and concrete imagery that pull the reader into the bleak world. The mystery is well-constructed with tight plotting and satisfying payoffs, making it difficult to put the book down.  

Overall, The Last Smile in Sunder City is a gripping and thought-provoking read that redefines both detective and fantasy tropes. Fans of noir and urban fantasy will find a lot to love, and I can’t wait to see where Arnold takes the series next.

Divine Rivals was an engaging and beautifully written novel, but I had mixed feelings about how the story unfolded. The first two-thirds of the book were excellent—Rebecca Ross masterfully balanced romance, character development, world-building, and plot. However, as the novel progressed, the romance began to dominate the narrative in a way that felt somewhat unearned. While I enjoyed the relationship between the characters, I wish more time had been spent maintaining the balance that made the beginning so strong.  

The world-building was one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Instead of the typical medieval fantasy setting, Ross created a unique, wartime-inspired world that felt reminiscent of a World War II-era conflict. This fresh take on fantasy was fascinating, and I found myself wanting to learn more about the war and its impact. Unfortunately, the novel didn’t explore that aspect as much as I had hoped, though I’m optimistic that the sequel will correct this.  

One aspect that puzzled me was the decision to categorize this as a young adult novel. Given that Iris is focused on building her career as a journalist and later becomes a front-line war correspondent, the story would have felt more natural if she were in her mid-to-late 20s rather than a teenager. This aspect of the book didn’t quite align with the typical themes of YA fiction.  

Despite these issues, Divine Rivals had a strong ending that left me eager to dive into the sequel. While I wish the romance had been more evenly woven into the plot, I still enjoyed the novel and look forward to seeing how the story continues.

I have given the previous works I've read by Natalie Haynes five stars. In general, I have enjoyed her narrative voice and she seems to have a strong grasp on Greek mythology. That said, Stone Blind was very lackluster. It was slow, repetitive, and the dialogue from each character felt far too similar. We didn't get nearly enough of Medusa even though she's the supposed main character. The story got so tedious that I had to put the audiobook on double speed, which I very rarely do.

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope is a masterfully crafted historical fantasy that blends a thrilling heist with rich world-building and deep social commentary. Set in 1925 Washington, D.C., the novel follows Clara, a Black woman with the rare ability to communicate with spirits. Tasked with stealing a powerful ring by a magical entity she is indebted to, she soon uncovers a sinister plot targeting the city’s Black communities, leading her to assemble a crew of uniquely skilled individuals to pull off the heist and unravel the mystery.  

The novel shines in its character development. Each member of Clara’s crew is distinct, with well-crafted backstories and individual talents that make them essential to the team. Their dynamic feels authentic, evolving into a found family that is both heartwarming and engaging. The historical setting is immersive, and the magical elements blend seamlessly with real-world struggles of the time.  

One of the novel’s standout aspects is its nuanced exploration of racism, which is not just a Black-and-white issue but is further complicated by classism and colorism within the Black community. This added depth makes the world feel even more authentic and layered.  

With its gripping plot, compelling characters, and thoughtful themes, The Monsters We Defy is a must-read for fans of historical fantasy, heist stories, and character-driven narratives.