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797 reviews by:
heartbrekker
Venom meets space opera.
If you're looking for a wonderful space journey... then look no further than this beast of a book!
Usually I am extremely intimidated by books longer than 600+ pages, so I'm glad that I did not check TSIASOS page count before beginning it. I'll admit- I had to trudge through the middle part of this book because the pace moved slower than my liking. To be honest, the whole last 150ish pages held some amazing actions sequences, but besides that and the first 100 pages, this book was slower than molasses!
My favorite part of this story was definitely the atmosphere and world building around this lush sci-fi. I've been on a role lately in reading novels with stunning descriptions, but TSIASOS was by far one of the best, which was overdone a few times. Space is a marvelous setting for any story, and I don’t know if Christopher is known for beautiful prose, but he truly proved himself at least a bit for me.
Now I will admit that I advise readers to go into this book with relatively no information. Don't even read the synopsis if you can help it because then you're experiencing the same mystery/ confusion that Kira is. It was incredible. Since I'm saying this, I won't mention much of the plot of the novel besides galactic chaos, Jellies, and an intelligent space ship who is the greatest sass master that space has ever seen.
Thank you Tor Books for sending me an eARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you're looking for a wonderful space journey... then look no further than this beast of a book!
Usually I am extremely intimidated by books longer than 600+ pages, so I'm glad that I did not check TSIASOS page count before beginning it. I'll admit- I had to trudge through the middle part of this book because the pace moved slower than my liking. To be honest, the whole last 150ish pages held some amazing actions sequences, but besides that and the first 100 pages, this book was slower than molasses!
My favorite part of this story was definitely the atmosphere and world building around this lush sci-fi. I've been on a role lately in reading novels with stunning descriptions, but TSIASOS was by far one of the best, which was overdone a few times. Space is a marvelous setting for any story, and I don’t know if Christopher is known for beautiful prose, but he truly proved himself at least a bit for me.
Now I will admit that I advise readers to go into this book with relatively no information. Don't even read the synopsis if you can help it because then you're experiencing the same mystery/ confusion that Kira is. It was incredible. Since I'm saying this, I won't mention much of the plot of the novel besides galactic chaos, Jellies, and an intelligent space ship who is the greatest sass master that space has ever seen.
Thank you Tor Books for sending me an eARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“What’s to stop humans from doing harm, if you don’t fear for the fate of your soul after death?”
This lovely debut officially threw itself onto my top reads of 2021 list because it sucker punched my heart. I’ve had such a confusing time describing my feelings for this book because it left me breathless and in awe.
From a magic system based on body horror to stunning prose and visceral Jewish mythology, TWATW did a lot in less than 500 pages. Plus, for those of you that adore enemies to romance- this book is 110% for you! Gáspár and Évike deserve all the hugs and love.
“Do you call a hawk evil when it snatches up a mouse to eat? Do you call a fire evil when it burns your logs to ash? Do you call the night sky evil when it drinks down the day? Of course not. They are surviving, like the rest of us.”
In my opinion, the most powerful part was Évike’s own identity struggle (which I saw myself reflected through) and the obvious religious and ethnic persecution, which led to ethnic cleansing and genocide. There’s also a lot of antisemitism within this story.
I can’t count the amount of times I teared up and had to lay the book down for a few minutes because the visceral pain/ experiences were a lot to take. TWATW may be a fantasy, but it doesn’t make these experiences less real because they have happened to tons of cultures, nations, people, etc. I thought of all of them as I read, partly because I knew going into this review that this book was about nation building and hate for ethnoreligiois minorities (more of this on Ava’s GR). It just packs a punch to your soul, if I’m honest.
“There is no remedy for what will be.”
Although, amidst all of this, Ava does find moments of joy and wit. Évike’s relationship with a certain family member made me cry and proved to be my favorite overall moments. There’s a certain initial ice scene that not only spiked my adrenaline but made me scream for my new favorite ship! Overall, you’ll experience all of these emotions and then some; it’s worth it.
Thank you to Harper Voyager US for sending me an ARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TW: Parental abuse, cultural genocide, ethnic cleansing, self-harm, graphic animal death (not let but wild), torture, bodily gore/ harm, violence, antisemitism, and immolation
This lovely debut officially threw itself onto my top reads of 2021 list because it sucker punched my heart. I’ve had such a confusing time describing my feelings for this book because it left me breathless and in awe.
From a magic system based on body horror to stunning prose and visceral Jewish mythology, TWATW did a lot in less than 500 pages. Plus, for those of you that adore enemies to romance- this book is 110% for you! Gáspár and Évike deserve all the hugs and love.
“Do you call a hawk evil when it snatches up a mouse to eat? Do you call a fire evil when it burns your logs to ash? Do you call the night sky evil when it drinks down the day? Of course not. They are surviving, like the rest of us.”
In my opinion, the most powerful part was Évike’s own identity struggle (which I saw myself reflected through) and the obvious religious and ethnic persecution, which led to ethnic cleansing and genocide. There’s also a lot of antisemitism within this story.
I can’t count the amount of times I teared up and had to lay the book down for a few minutes because the visceral pain/ experiences were a lot to take. TWATW may be a fantasy, but it doesn’t make these experiences less real because they have happened to tons of cultures, nations, people, etc. I thought of all of them as I read, partly because I knew going into this review that this book was about nation building and hate for ethnoreligiois minorities (more of this on Ava’s GR). It just packs a punch to your soul, if I’m honest.
“There is no remedy for what will be.”
Although, amidst all of this, Ava does find moments of joy and wit. Évike’s relationship with a certain family member made me cry and proved to be my favorite overall moments. There’s a certain initial ice scene that not only spiked my adrenaline but made me scream for my new favorite ship! Overall, you’ll experience all of these emotions and then some; it’s worth it.
Thank you to Harper Voyager US for sending me an ARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TW: Parental abuse, cultural genocide, ethnic cleansing, self-harm, graphic animal death (not let but wild), torture, bodily gore/ harm, violence, antisemitism, and immolation
I've never read a Chapter Sampler on NetGalley before, but it was simultaneously an incredible experience as well as heartbreaking because I am left with more questions than answers once it is finished. Witchshadow is certainly not starting in the direction that I initially anticipated, but I am greatly excited by what will happen in the second half. All of the characters are in precarious situations, but Aeduan and Safi scare me the most because.. well you know.. Anyway, as always Susan's writing was phenomenal, and her characters are some of the most visceral that I have ever read from. She never disappoints! Obviously, I highly recommend it to anyone in love with female friendships, diverse representation, and magical worlds filled with chaotic-impending doom.
“Maybe freedom will mean being able to protect our children instead of using them.”
And another book is added to my favorite list of 2021.
Y’all I adored TJT with every ounce of my soul. Not only was it a unique, fantastic fantasy, but the world’s historical backdrop, sapphic relationship, and (obviously) morally grey leads left me obsessed with this story.
There’s 10 different POV characters throughout the entirety of the novel (some last one chapter), but the novel mostly focuses on Priya and Malini (my loves). I personally think Suri pulled off the numerous POVs nicely, and while at first I just wanted more P+M, it made sense to show these other characters to give us a fuller perspective on this world, its politics, etc.
TJT is a perfect example of a good slow burn- not only for the romance but the plot as well. It takes a little bit to fully immerse yourselves, but once you hit that point, you’re pretty much sailing through the story.
"But some men dream of times long dead, and times that never existed, and they're willing to tear the present apart entirely to get them."
There’s deep discussion on dominant empires and their effect on independent cultures as well as the power of history; there’s a tendency for it be twisted to other people’s agendas. The same goes for religion to the point where people are doing the exact opposite of what the beliefs entail. TJT is just a powerful story, and I’m going to recommend it forevermore.
Lastly, if you want a heart wrenching fantasy as your next read, then pick this one up. Suri does not shy away from death, so she let’s us know the stakes are high for any and all characters. I’ll have a further in depth review with spoilers possibly posted later.
"Weep too much, and it will wear thin, until your soul is like a bruised flower."
TW: Blood, gore, violence, murder, poisoning/ forced drug use, execution by burning, homophobia, suicidal ideation, self-mutilation, familial abuse, and child abuse
Thank you to Orbit Books for sending me a finished copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
And another book is added to my favorite list of 2021.
Y’all I adored TJT with every ounce of my soul. Not only was it a unique, fantastic fantasy, but the world’s historical backdrop, sapphic relationship, and (obviously) morally grey leads left me obsessed with this story.
There’s 10 different POV characters throughout the entirety of the novel (some last one chapter), but the novel mostly focuses on Priya and Malini (my loves). I personally think Suri pulled off the numerous POVs nicely, and while at first I just wanted more P+M, it made sense to show these other characters to give us a fuller perspective on this world, its politics, etc.
TJT is a perfect example of a good slow burn- not only for the romance but the plot as well. It takes a little bit to fully immerse yourselves, but once you hit that point, you’re pretty much sailing through the story.
"But some men dream of times long dead, and times that never existed, and they're willing to tear the present apart entirely to get them."
There’s deep discussion on dominant empires and their effect on independent cultures as well as the power of history; there’s a tendency for it be twisted to other people’s agendas. The same goes for religion to the point where people are doing the exact opposite of what the beliefs entail. TJT is just a powerful story, and I’m going to recommend it forevermore.
Lastly, if you want a heart wrenching fantasy as your next read, then pick this one up. Suri does not shy away from death, so she let’s us know the stakes are high for any and all characters. I’ll have a further in depth review with spoilers possibly posted later.
"Weep too much, and it will wear thin, until your soul is like a bruised flower."
TW: Blood, gore, violence, murder, poisoning/ forced drug use, execution by burning, homophobia, suicidal ideation, self-mutilation, familial abuse, and child abuse
Thank you to Orbit Books for sending me a finished copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I don’t really have much to say about this book besides the fact that this entire book felt like a prolonged introduction. It lasted WAY too long, and I was hired for a lot of it. Ophelia is also at her most docile and inactive (both in actions and decision making) in this book because she’s so fearful of everything, especially when compared to Ophelia’s shelf in The Missing of Clairdelune. I recommend people continue to TMOC before making a solid decision because that’s when this series really starts to pick up.
