elementarymydear's Reviews (967)

 Clytemnestra is an interesting figure to pin down, and by extension, a fascinating one to read about. I’ve read many books where she is a minor character, but it’s about time her story was told!

I will start by saying that this isn’t necessarily one for the mythology novice. I consider myself familiar with the Iliad and the surrounding mythology, but it did take me a little while to keep track of who was who. Once I had that figured out though, I was completely absorbed in the book.

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Often in books about figures such as Clytemnestra, the main character rarely has much agency of her own. While that may be true in Clytemnestra’s original tale – at least at the start – I loved how the author found ways to make her determination still shine through, without compromising the original myth.

This book has clearly been very thoroughly researched, especially in details of day-to-day life such as fashion. It helped to create a very immersive read, as well as reminding us that the things we assume to be true about the past aren’t always the case, which was a nice theme to run parallel to the story.

Clytemnestra’s Bind is a welcome addition to the ever-growing collection of mythological re-tellings out there. While it may not be the easiest introduction to the genre, I would really recommend it to those more familiar with the original tales.

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own. 

 This is one of those books that I just could not put down. Every spare moment I would be getting my Kindle out, and I stayed up late to finish it because there is no way I was going to get any sleep without knowing what happened!

They Hate Each Other is my favourite kind of romance – that is, the kind where the romance is also a vehicle for the characters to grow and find resolution in the other parts of their lives. Kudos to Amanda Woody for managing to create a realistic fake-dating scenario with no wedding invitations involved! But one of the genius moves of this book is that the fake-dating forced the two main characters to share the secrets they’ve hidden from everyone else.

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Both Dylan and Jonah have very difficult home lives, in different ways, and while the romance was the arc that tied everything together, the real story is about both of them finding safety, security and support from their families. They have difficult decisions to make, and without spoiling the plot, I thought these moments were handled really well. If a friend betrays a secret for your own safety, it’s a hard thing to forgive, even if it was the right decision, and all those complexities were portrayed very sensitively.

Of course, you can’t have a romance story without a good couple at the centre, and Dylan and Jonah were exactly that! Their personalities complemented each other so well, and the development of their romance felt so natural and inevitable.

There’s also really great queer representation. Both of the main characters are bi, as well as an asexual character and a transgender character. While Jonah and Dylan overcome a lot in this book, I was really appreciative that the author made a point of not having any kind of queerphobia exist in this world. It really emphasised how for many people, their authentic identity is something that brings them joy, rather than something that adds more negativity to their life.

This book was so different from what I expected (I’ll save the mismarketing rant for another day) but I think it was all for the better. Amanda Woody has proven themselves an excellent voice in queer fiction, and I can’t wait to see what they write next!

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own. 

 This return to the world of Kae and Aqeara is action-packed, a little bit darker than the first book, and filled with just as much pirate adventure!

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Kae and Aqeara’s romantic relationship is still going strong, which I was very glad for – there’s always a worry when a happy ending has a sequel, so I was happy to see them fighting and ruling alongside each other! There is still plenty of romantic intrigue among the other characters though, which came to an emotional conclusion.

This is a proper adventure story, with plenty of magic, drama, and sword fights. There’s also plenty of found family among the pirate crew with plenty of queer representation. It’s just generally a very fun, immersive and uplifting read, and from the moment I started reading it I couldn’t put it down!

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own. 

 When I went into this book, my knowledge of philosophy was mostly drawn from that one university class on Wagner, and extensive re-watches of The Good Place. It’s a topic that I’ve always had an interest but that seems quite intimidating to a newbie, so I was glad for this book which gave me a good introduction.

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Starting in Ancient Greece, we get a whistle-stop tour of the key figures in Western philosophy. I do think the audiobook format was, on the whole, very helpful in understanding the different people and schools of thought over time. While some things, such as timelines, were difficult to keep track of in audio form, it was very helpful in understanding the different concepts to hear everything explained out loud.

What I found particularly fascinating is how philosophy as a discipline has changed over time. For example, I came across Aristotle’s ideas many times in my education, both in science and music as well as in ethics. It was really helpful to read a book like this, which places everything in its chronological context and lays out how the field has evolved over time.

It is worth noting that this book exclusively discusses European philosophy. I do think this should be clarified in the title, and while I’m by no means an expert I did feel that something was lost by glossing over Eastern influences on Western philosophers post-enlightenment era.

Overall, this was a fascinating read and a great introduction for anyone wanting to get started in learning about philosophy, or in looking at the field with a more holistic viewpoint.

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own. 

 Reading an author’s second novel is always fun, seeing what stands out as consistent strengths, and trying to work out what the author’s signature themes might be.

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One thing that stood out for me in both of Lindon’s books, but especially in this one, is how good she is at writing an unreliable narrator. A lot of the tensions and conflicts in My Own Worst Enemy, we as the reader can solve within a few seconds, and yet Emmy cannot see what’s right in front of her. To keep that going (convincingly) for an entire novel is a skill in and of itself, and it makes for an incredibly compelling story and a very satisfying conclusion.

As with many of the best romances, the romance acts as a vehicle for the characters to realise so much more about themselves. Emmy and Mae push each other, rile each other up, and force each other to confront their own insecurities.

The book also deals with some heavier issues, particularly unhealthy relationships. The relationship that Emmy is in for the majority of the story is a toxic one, and at times upsetting and frustrating to read. I do wish her girlfriend had a bit more of a comeuppance, but it was still good to see Emmy find the confidence to firmly show her the door.

I was gripped from the very beginning of this book, and was desperate to see what would happen next the whole time. I’m excited to see what Lindon writes next – safe to say I’m a fan of her work!

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own. 

 This is a wonderful collection of fairytales from around the world, drawing on themes of queerness. It’s not a book of retold stories. Instead, Pete Jordi Wood has chosen a selection of tales that feature same-sex love, or explore ideas of gender.

These stories are an excellent reminder that queer people have always existed, and that we have existed in every culture around the world. The best thing about any fairytale, of course, is the happily ever after, and it’s wonderful to see queer characters get the literal fairytale ending that they deserve.

Wood took different approaches to each story, and there’s a really good appendix that explains the origin of each story and any changes made. Often these changes have been made regarding transgender or gender non-conforming characters, to better reflect our modern understanding of gender. All of the stories hold up very well on their own, but that extra information is very interesting to those who might want to look deeper into the story.

Many of the stories focus on themes of gender, and it’s so important in today’s environment to not just celebrate and uplift trans stories and trans joy, but also to remember (and I’ll say it again because it’s so important), that trans people have always existed. I hope that this book finds its way into the hands of those that need it the most, because I have a feeling it’s going to mean a lot to a lot of people.

I will note that there is an absence of sapphic stories in this collection. Given the amount of research that has clearly gone into this book, I suspect that is due to the lack of source material, but I hope that’s something we might see if there is a follow-up book.

This is a groundbreaking collection and will be a welcome addition to many bookshelves for years to come.

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own. 

 This Southern Gothic tragedy is an excellent addition to the list of star-crossed lovers. Set in Tennessee in the early 20th Century, the author has vividly depicted the community, the people, and the various tensions going on in this small town. There are social and class tensions, racial tensions, the fear of the modern world, and – most central to this story – the ongoing feud between two families.

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The story is split into four parts and each has its own distinct character, almost like a set of connected novellas. The first is the tragic romance between Sarey and Billy, the second a courtroom drama, the third the immediate after-effects of the trial, and the fourth is the long-term effects and the conclusion. We see how each event affects not just the main characters, but the whole community and the town itself. I particularly appreciated the attention that the more minor characters got, which helped to flesh out the town as a whole.

The real mystery of the story is, of course, the ghost of Sarey Jane. Her metaphorical ghost is present up until the final moments of the story, as we see how her short and tragic life impacted generations to come. The question of her literal ghost is more ambiguous, which I loved. It left us guessing right until the very end.

A special shout-out has to go to the two voice actors who read the dialogue for all the characters. If you didn’t know better, you would suspect a whole cast of actors, they each did such an excellent job slipping from one voice into the next.

There were a couple of drawbacks for me. The pacing wasn’t always consistent, and there were some sections that I would have liked to spend a little more time on. I think this book is also a prime candidate for the discussion on the use of racial slurs in historical fiction. While I personally felt they were used excessively, and other words could have been used for the same effect, I understand that for some people historical accuracy will come first, and that’s definitely a topic every reader and author will have their own opinion on.

Overall, this was an immersive and atmospheric story, drawing on multiple genres to create this tragic tale.

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own. 

 I’m going to be honest: I’d never heard of Soph Galustian before I heard about this book. I’ve also never had any interest in reading a memoir from someone I hadn’t heard of. But something about this book told me that now was the time to change that, and I’m SO glad I did!

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First of all, it doesn’t matter if you’ve never heard of Soph Galustian: this book is the perfect introduction. And I say introduction because the only thing that will persuade you to put down this book while you’re reading it is the urge to look her up on Instagram, watch her videos of her reciting the poems she has included, look up her playlist on Spotify (QR code helpfully included!) and follow her across all social media in the knowledge that she is one to watch.

For a relatively short book, there is so much packed in. She expertly balances humour with tragedy, taking you through the ups and downs of life with a raw honesty that tugs at your heartstrings. It’s not all prose either. I’ve already mentioned that many poems are included, as are word-searches, skit-style excerpts, and – brilliantly – playlists. The annual playlists not only mark the emotional tone of each year in Galustian’s life, but bring the reader right back to that year in their own lives. The various elements that make up this book balance each other perfectly, and not only make it a gripping read, but give more insight into Galustian’s personality.

I could not put this book down. (Seriously – it arrived in the post 24 hours ago and I’m already writing a review.) I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I commiserated. It’s an incredibly powerful read, and (dare I say it?) one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own. 

The best historical fiction uses every aspect of its setting to its advantage, and that’s exactly what Czimbor has accomplished. First, we have the Transylvanian backdrop, with its hidden mysteries and haunting atmosphere. Next, there are the ongoing class frictions in the region, which adds a level of dynamic tension to every character relationship, and makes for an interesting exploration of these various friendships as the characters defy the boundaries placed upon them. And the final layer is the social change happening at the end of the 19th Century, as movements such as socialism and women’s suffrage change the political landscape of Europe.

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It’s a fascinating setting for a story, and Czimbor uses it brilliantly. With so many shifting layers and dynamics going on The Soul Machines demands your careful attention to absorb it all. It’s a fairly slow-paced book, which gave all the characters room to discuss and appreciate the ever-changing world around them.

There is a fantastic friendship at the heart of this book, between three young men all from different backgrounds. Their friendship drives the story forwards, and is the perfect way to explore this setting, with their differing perspectives and places in the world.

While I wasn’t necessarily sold on the conclusion, this is still a wonderful example of excellent historical fiction. Whether or not you are particularly knowledgeable on this period in history, this is a book that explores many ideas that still affect our lives today.

I read this book as part of a paid blog post. My review remains unbiased.

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 I am OBSESSED with this book.

This is the sort of book that, once you’ve picked it up, you can’t put it down. I was desperate to know what happened, willing myself to read faster so I could find out the ending but also trying to savour every second.

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The Freaky Friday-style premise was so much fun, and such a cool concept. Yes, there were a couple of structural stumbles, but I didn’t even care, I was enjoying the book that much! Max’s joy is infectious, and that 18-year-old mix of confident bravado and innocence was incredibly endearing.

What I loved the most about this book is how it explored how queer identity affects more than just who you’re attracted to, or how you identify. It affects your relationship with your family, with your friends, with your wider community, and – most importantly – how you perceive yourself. This book was such a good way of exploring that idea. For example, Max finds out that the bravery he had when he came out inspired his dad to change careers. It was a great spin on the ‘body swap’ concept, and worked well alongside the usual themes of seeing your life from an external perspective.

This book was a joy from start to finish, and I’m sure it will stay with me for a long time!

I received a free copy as part of the Write Reads tour. All opinions are my own.