dragoninwinterfell's Reviews (147)

I have rarely finished a novel and simply didn't care about any part of the story. I pushed through on The Queens of Crime because it was an ARC and the premise is very interesting. But the execution of this book did nothing for me.

To start with the good, Marie Benedict came up with a very interesting idea. She took real female mystery writers in the 1930s, a real unsolved murder, and brought them together in a fictionalized scenario where the authors attempt to solve the murder. I found the historical representation of the time period to be authentic. This book will also encourage me to look into the mystery authors I haven't checked out before.

Otherwise,  it was a struggle to push through. I felt that the plot was dull. I kept zoning out and having to rewind or sometimes not rewind so I could get through it. 

It also felt very preachy. I am a feminist. Even so, I felt like I was being hit over the head with women's rights rhetoric. It was to the point where it didn't feel natural. In the author's note at the end, Benedict even admitted that she made the detection club more sexist for plot purposes. So, she went completely over the top with sexism, which is odd given how sexist that time period already was.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not a fan of love triangles. So, it's impressive how much I enjoyed Something More by Jackie Khalilieh. Jessie was an excellent protagonist who felt like a very realistic teen going through relatable struggles through the lens of a person with autism who is also Palestinian living in Canada.

The autism representation was so powerful. I'm also autistic, but unlike Jessie, I wasn't diagnosed until adulthood. I view the world, relationships, and human interactions in a very similar way as Jessie. So, even though she's a teen, I felt very connected to her experience even in the place I am now. I would have loved to find this book when I was 15. 

As it is, I love  following Jessie as she entered the new world of high school while struggling to understand the complicated rules of friendship and romance. I particularly liked her interesting quirks, like her fixation on 90s music, film, and television. That added such an interesting layer to her character, making her very unique. I never watched Friends or Buffy, but those little nods to her interests that weren't specific to the plot were fun. 

Her grandmother, who were barely heard of, goes into a coma. While this should be a tragic and moving moment, the reader doesn't get to know her or appreciate the protagonists relationship with her before the event. So, everything surrounding the situation falls flat. Either this should have happened to a character who had more page space or the grandmother should have been developed more.

I also thought the end came off as too neat and too preachy. Up to that point, the characters felt like authentic teens. Then, suddenly they were wise and emotionally mature while resolving the issues of the story.

Overall, I'm giving this one 4 stars.

Colonization and the Wampanoag Story by Linda Coombs is a children'  book that is a blend of historical information regarding the beginning of colonization of North America by Europeans and a historical fiction narrative of the lives of the Wampanoag people before colonization began, using details known of their customs and traditions. While it is a slow read, it is very informative and engaging. 

I'm not an expert on poetry, but Black Girl, Call Home left a deep impression on me. Jasmine Mans' poems are incredibly moving, offering fresh and unique perspectives on a range of topics, from the unexpected ways young Black girls were negatively affected by Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy to the profound inspiration they find in figures like Michelle Obama. She also explores the treatment of icons like Serena Williams and Whitney Houston with sharp insight and emotional depth.

Mans’ narration adds another layer to the experience—her voice carries the weight and rhythm of her words beautifully, making each poem feel even more personal. Whether she’s reflecting on identity, family, or cultural expectations, her work resonates powerfully. This collection is both thought-provoking and deeply felt, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of their familiarity with poetry.

I try to get to at list about 20% of a novel before DNFing. But this was a struggle to get to 10%. I keep trying romantasy because I do like romance in my fantasy. It's just been difficult to find one that is a good fit for me. Just based on the reviews, it looks like this is a hit for others and I'm in the minority. So, it clearly works for others.

That said, my specific issues were with how the romance was being written. The female love interest actively pursues vigilante justice against criminals by executing them. The male love interest disapproves and actively judges her, drugs her to take control of her at one point, and wants her to change to fit his preferences for a relationship between them. That means their incompatible and therefore the romance portion of the romantic fantasy has already failed. I really dislike the theme that seeking justice is bad and will cause a woman to be "too far gone" to be deserving of a man's love. 

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Since I was a child, Greek mythology has been one of my obsessions. I'm always looking for retellings, reimaginings, and adaptations. Of all the reimaginings, I have to say Daughter of Chaos, the first book in The Dark Pantheon Trilogy by A.S. Webb, is my absolute favorite. Somehow, Webb managed to take myths I've been very familiar with for years and give them a fresh but authentic twist.

The story follows the new character Danae (not the one from myth) as she navigates her own Greek epic featuring gods, mysteries, a prophecy, and a number of figures from legend. As a fisherman's daughter destined for great things, Danae's story very much mirrors the Chosen One narrative. Rather than feeling formulaic, seeing this type of structure in a Greek epic was actually very interesting. The novel even points out these types of events usually happen to royalty rather than commoners.

The character writing, plotting, and world-building are incredibly strong, with all three elements perfectly balanced. Danae is an incredible protagonist—courageous, flawed, and deeply relatable. Her journey is as much about understanding her own strength as it is about unraveling the mysteries surrounding her. But what truly amazed me was how much care Webb poured into every single character, even the minor ones. Everyone felt like they had their own lives, desires, and arcs, which made the world feel incredibly vivid and alive.

I also have to gush about the prose. Webb's writing is lush and lyrical, capturing the grandeur and drama of mythology without ever feeling overwrought. The world-building is meticulous, blending myth and imagination seamlessly. From the towering halls of Olympus to the humble fishing villages, every setting was so richly described that I felt like I was there.

I loved every second of this book, and I'm already counting down the days until the sequel. If you're a fan of Greek mythology, character-driven stories, or epic fantasy, Daughter of Chaos is a must-read. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Martian by Andy Weir is a fantastic blend of humor, science, and high-stakes survival that had me hooked, even though science fiction isn't my usual genre. Weir masterfully balances the technical info dumps with wit, pop culture references, and thrilling story twists. I loved how the protagonist’s victories often felt hard-earned, only to be followed by setbacks that kept the stakes high. While the pacing dragged in a few places, it added to the realism of the character’s prolonged struggle. Overall, it’s an entertaining and clever read that I highly recommend—even for those new to sci-fi.

A very inspiring children's book that gives a look onto the roots of black Americans that extends beyond slavery.

Heavenly Tyrant far surpasses its predecessor, Iron Widow, in every way. Xiran Jay Zhao takes the foundation of the complex world, characters, relationships, plot, and magic system from the first book and builds something even more intricate and compelling. The story delves deeper into Zetian's struggles, allowing her to shine as one of the most complex heroines in contemporary fiction. 

Zetian continues to be a character full of contradictions—ruthless and vengeful yet deeply principled, driven by her own desires but not reduced to a villain. Her growth, both positive and negative, is nuanced and feels authentic, making her a heroine who demands both admiration and introspection. I loved seeing her engage in more politics, navigating the intricate power dynamics and fighting to make lasting progress for women, even as she faces relentless oppression.

The balance between action, emotional depth, and political intrigue is masterfully handled, and the stakes feel higher than ever. Zetian's journey is not just about personal revenge or survival but about changing a deeply unjust world. Her ability to remain unapologetically ambitious while grappling with the consequences of her choices makes her an unforgettable protagonist.

Heavenly Tyrant is a phenomenal sequel that delivers on every level. I can't wait to see how Xiran Jay Zhao concludes this powerful series in the third book!

Breath of the Dragon is an undeniably well-crafted novel, showcasing the combined talents of Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee. The plot is solid, the magic system is both inventive and integral to the story, adding complexity to the characters’ struggles, and the setting is rich and immersive, full of intricate details that bring the world to life. The layered, multifaceted characters are another highlight, each grappling with challenges that make their arcs compelling and believable.  

Despite all of these strengths, I found myself not fully invested in the story. While I was never bored or reluctant to keep listening to the audiobook, I also didn’t feel the pull to race through it. It’s a steady, enjoyable read that I admired more than I emotionally connected with.  

This was my first experience with both authors, and I’ve heard nothing but glowing praise for Fonda Lee’s work. Based on the technical excellence of Breath of the Dragon, I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books in the future. Fans of complex fantasy worlds and intricate storytelling will likely find much to love here.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.