heddas_bookgems's Reviews (490)

Ciannon Smart's "Witches Steeped in Gold" has potential and is sure to entertain a specific audience. Unfortunately, that audience doesn't include me. The story jumps right in without any introduction to the characters or the world, leaving them feeling one-dimensional.

However, there are some positives to the novel. As a BIPOC book, it draws on the influences of Spider Anansi, and the world is centered on Jamaican culture. The audiobook is narrated with a Jamaican accent, which is a delightful bonus. "Witches Steeped in Gold" also features a predominantly strong, female, matriarchal society and magic.

Despite the positives, this book wasn't for me.

While I couldn't finish The Shadow King at this time, it offered a compelling historical portrayal of the forgotten women soldiers in Mussolini’s invasion of Ethiopia. Through the eyes of protagonist Hirut, readers are transported into a tumultuous world of courage, betrayal, and resilience. However, some readers might find the pacing uneven, repetitive and the prose overly ornate. Nevertheless, it provides a valuable perspective on Ethiopia’s history and the role of female veterans. Additionally, it does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of abuse and violence and for that reason investigating TW’s is advised. If you liked the movie The Woman King, this book might tickle your fancy.

Duffy & Son humorously and heartwarmingly explores family dynamics as Eugene Duffy, a sarcastic yet determined father, seeks a wife for his son Jim. Reminiscent of Fredrik Backman’s characters, Eugene’s perspective provides witty dialogue and a slice-of-life story. While I initially expected a focus on Jim’s journey, the story primarily follows Eugene’s antics and introspections. Despite this, the novel took me by surprise, navigating themes of love, marriage, divorce, and family with honesty and transparency. Written in a straightforward style, Duffy & Son effectively captured the complexities of family life.

Andrew Joseph White’s novel, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, set in London, 1883, plunges readers into a chilling and hostile society where the veil between the living and the dead has thinned. This book offers an unflinching look at body horror, with many gruesome details that make readers shiver with anguish.

Featuring an autistic trans protagonist, the story sheds light on the violence of the patriarchy and the discrimination faced by trans youth, leaving a lasting emotional impact despite a somewhat thin plot. One friend remarked, "I’m not sure what to think of this book," yet still gave it a high rating, underscoring its ability to evoke powerful, uncomfortable emotions.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is not an enjoyable read in the conventional sense; it is stuffed with prejudices, abuse, and discrimination, making readers feel a spectrum of intense emotions. This necessary tale forces readers to confront the dark realities of a society hostile to difference, embodied in Silas Bell’s fight against an oppressive system. Despite its unsettling nature, this novel is an important exploration of the struggles faced by trans individuals in a historical context, making it almost a must read so readers can reflect on similar issues in contemporary society.

“The moth slaps at the glass repeatedly, desperate to escape. […] It becomes more desperate to get out, and its wings blur with the effort of trying to free itself. It’s painful to watch, and without thinking I grab one corner of the curtain and cover the moth, pushing it into the glass with the heel of my palm until I hear the crunching sound of it dying.”

For Amelia death is something she’s surrounded with on a daily basis as she’s a cosmetic mortician. But when someone dear to Amelia suddenly passes away she feels detached from herself and tries to become a new animal by hooking up with complete strangers and exploring the world of BDSM and kink clubs.

Ella Baxters debut has been called the best debut of 2022, won several prizes and she’s been labeled the Australian Rooney. It made me curious and after reading it I get the praise. This novel is messy, raw but at the same time humorous. Its a book that in the short span of 184 pages makes you feel discomfort, shameful but also grief sorrow and laughter. In a prosaic writing style we experience Amalia on a journey. From being very used to death, feeling detached and as a consequence using s*x as a way to feel like a complete human being; to experiencing death as a real thing after losing someone dear and in the process searching oneself by experimenting with BDSM and kink clubs. This book is funny, but isn’t for the light hearted. It makes you feel raw an exposed but also teaches us to always listen to your body and mind. A wonderful debut that makes curious for the next novel by Ella Baxter.