Originally posted to I Should Read That

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I alternated between this copy and the finished copy I purchased for myself. This is a spoiler-free review.

I had been hearing so much about The Poppy War via social media and knew I had to try for a copy on NetGalley. I began reading my digital ARC, made it a few chapters in, and bought the book. I can confidently say that this is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

I’m not really sure where to start with this book, and I mean that in the best way possible. Kuang has written what is easily the best fantasy debut of the year so far, and I don’t see how other authors will be able to take that crown from her. The Poppy War is a brutal look at history through the lens of grimdark fantasy, and it is not for the faint of heart. Here are the content warnings that the author has provided:

-Self-harm
-Suicide
-Violent rape (off-screen, but described by a victim)
-Sexual assault
-Murder
-Massacres
-Brutalization
-Mutilation
-Torture
-Substance abuse
-Abuse
-Emotional abuse
-Physical abuse
-Relationship abuse
-Human experimentation
-Chemical warfare
-Genocide

Like I said, not for the faint of heart. However, Kuang does not glorify this content, which is something I’ve spotted grimdark authors doing in the past. You all may or may not know that the use of rape in fantasy is one of my major problems with the genre because it’s gratuitous and overused, so believe me when I say that every single choice she makes to include this content makes sense with the story. Kuang bases much of the book on the Second Sino-Japanese War, and notable chapters include scenes inspired by the Rape of Nanking and Unit 731. Her drawing on real events adds to the gravity of the wartime atrocities committed in the book -- these things can happen, and have happened, in real life. I went into The Poppy War knowing that such things were in the book, and I still struggled to read the notorious Chapter 21. I say all of this early on in my review because I think I would have really struggled if I didn’t know about the content beforehand, and I wanted to give a heads-up to other readers.

In terms of world building, Kuang does a great job of adding detail to the world without slowing down the narrative. At 544 pages, The Poppy War is quite the tome and there just isn’t room for dumping information about the world and culture on the reader. Because the book is based so heavily on China and Chinese history, the reader can fill in some of the gaps themselves, which is a smart way of handling world building and one of the reasons I love historically based fantasy. The magic system makes sense, is well thought out, and is compelling. I really loved that magic doesn’t dominate the story, and when it comes into play it is more of a fact of the world than some mysterious force. I can’t say too much here without spoilers, but I loved the fact that magic use is difficult, doesn’t come easily to users, and has consequences.

Now, onto our girl Rin. I absolutely loved Rin as a character -- talk about a breath of fresh air. The first thing of note about Rin is the fact that she is exactly what Kuang says she is. So often in fantasy we get characters we’re told are clever, or strong, or badass, but they don’t turn out that way. Rin is smart, fierce, determined, stubborn, sarcastic, and angry. This translates into the incredibly badass heroine that we are promised. However, things don’t come easily to her and I think this is one of the best aspects of her characterisation -- she easily could have been a Mary Sue-esque character and its a testament to Kuang's writing that she is not. She works her ass off to achieve her goals and I absolutely love her for it. She’s not necessarily someone I’d like to know in real life, but I loved reading about her and she’s one of my new favourite characters. I wish more authors would create incredible women like Rin.

I could seriously go on and on about this book, but I’ll cut it short here. It is dark, it is brutal, but it is also well-crafted and a pleasure to read. If you’re interested in historical or military fantasy, strong female characters, books with minimal to no romance, strong friendships between characters (regardless of gender), or interesting magic systems, then I urge you to give The Poppy War a try. Don’t miss out on one of the best books of 2018.

Originally posted to I Should Read That

Kings of the Wyld is one of those books I’d been hearing about for ages, bought, and then let languish on my bookshelf.  So when my friend Bethan suggested we buddy read it, I leapt at the opportunity. The rumours are true, friends, this book is just as fantastic as you’ve heard.

I’ve been describing Kings of the Wyld as being like the most ridiculous DnD game you've ever played with your best friends.  It is  a throwback to the old days of fantasy with mercenaries, kings, quests, fantastic beasts, legendary heroes and weapons, and more.  It feels so wonderfully old school, but without the hangups of reading older fantasy titles. But don’t be fooled -- Kings of the Wyld is also one of the most touching and heartfelt books I’ve read in a long time.

Our point of view character is Clay Cooper, ageing mercenary and the heart of the band Saga.  Things have changed for Clay ever since Saga broke up -- he lives in a quiet town, has joined the city watch, and is married with a young daughter.  He has no intention of giving this all up, but he agrees to help his best friend in his time of need. I absolutely adored Clay Cooper for this exact reason. You know he’s a good man from the get-go, and he continues to prove it again and again -- he's a grey area character that leans moe toward the lighter side than the dark.  His slow, ponderous thought process, even in the heat of battle, shows that his every thought and action has a point. I found him to be an incredibly refreshing take on the mercenary trope and he’s one of my new favourite fantasy characters.

In fact, the entire band is absolutely wonderful.  Their friendship and affection for each other is nearly tangible.  There are a few really lovely moments that just summarise friendship and sacrifice so beautifully.  Usually there is an odd man out when it comes to ensemble casts, but I really adored each member of Saga.  Because Eames takes the time to craft backstories and motivations for each one, the reader is really able to connect with each character.  He has a real talent for making the reader care.

My only complaint is that while the ladies we had in the story were amazing -- Jain and the Silk Arrows are new favourites of mine -- I wish there had been more of a starring role for a female mercenary.  We sort of get one later on, however I felt she was one of the more lacking characters in the book.  However, this doesn’t bother me much for two reasons. The first being that there are a fair few women in the book and they are all just as amazing as the men, although with smaller roles. The second is that the next book in the series, Bloody Rose, sounds suspiciously like it’s going to have a female lead.  I cannot wait to get my paws it!

Overall, I really loved Kings of the Wyld and it was a great fantasy find.  I see it compared to Terry Pratchett's books, which does both authors an injustice.  While Kings of the Wyld is comedic fantasy, it definitely is a different type of humor, so don't let that comparison draw you in.  I highly recommend this book to all fans of epic fantasy, particularly if your sense of humor leans toward the crude side.  It’s a book that will make you howl with laughter on the bus (not that this happened to me) and a few pages later punch you in the gut.

Originally published on I Should Read That

I didn’t know much about State of Sorrow going in.  Not only did I completely misread the blurb when the book was announced (I thought it was a contemporary book -- don’t ask), I just picked it up on blind faith due to the cover and the author.  I enjoyed The Sin Eater’s Daughter and was hoping for more strong, yet quiet heroines and lush language.

I’m going to come right out and say it -- this book was incredibly slow to start.  I usually give a book 100 pages to capture my interest before I DNF it, and I'm not sure why I didn't do that with State of Sorrow.  The reason for this slow start is that there is so much setup that needs to take place before the story can really get going. Although this was artfully done and didn't feel like an info dump at all, I thought it was pretty slow paced until about page 160.  That is a long time to stick with a slow book, but I really ended up feeling it was worthwhile.

State of Sorrow is a beautifully written, thoughtful, and unique take on the ‘girl rising to power’ narrative that we see so often in YA fantasy.  The world that Salisbury builds is bleak and sad, but also beautiful in its own way. It has a unique and more modern feel, despite the fact that it feels like a cursed fairytale land -- I was reminded so much of the classic Sleeping Beauty kingdom.  The impact that the state of perpetual mourning her father has implemented is crushing.  Buildings are crumbling, the people live in fear of the Decorum Ward seeing a hint of joy, and the pleasure has gone from life.  Some of the best parts of the book are when characters from Rhannon get to taste sugar, see art for the first time, or crack a smile without worry.

What I really want to talk about is Sorrow herself.  While the side characters are fantastic (Luvian is a sweet baby angel and one of my recent overall favourite characters), Sorrow truly dominates the story with her well-crafted character arc.  I’ve only read two of Salisbury’s books, but something I’ve noticed is that she doesn’t seem interested in the typical YA fantasy ‘strong female character’. While many of the ladies that dominate this genre are more of the ass-kicking type, Salisbury’s heroines are strong in a much quieter way.  This is particularly true for Sorrow, who has suffered for her entire life. Despite this, she wants to stand up for her people and end her father’s oppressive regime. I found Sorrow to be a character that one can easily admire. She’s certainly got her flaws -- in fact she has quite a lot of them -- however she always strives to do the right thing.  I am sometimes frustrated by YA heroines, but I sympathised with every decision Sorrow made.

I feel like I can dig very deep into the various characters, the politics, the tensions, and the plotting of this novel, but that would involve a heck of a lot of spoilers.  I think that this is a book that’s well worth giving a chance, even if you find it a little slow to start like I did. I love how different this book felt, particularly in a genre like YA fantasy that tends to be a lot of the same thing.  State of Sorrow is a beautifully told story and I cannot wait for the next one.

Originally published on I Should Read That

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is the debut novel by Stuart Turton. I had been seeing fabulous reviews for this book all across social media, and was lucky enough to snag a copy via NetGalley. I had heard it pitched as ‘Groundhogs Day’ meets ‘Gosford Park’ and I was immediately sold. Not knowing much else about the book, I dove straight in.

How can you possibly review a book like The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle? This is one of the weirdest and most original books I’ve read in a long time, and it’s so hard to talk about without spoilers. It’s incredibly atmospheric, a bit spooky, and incredibly entertaining. The reader is dropped straight into this bizarre situation alongside the narrator, who has woken up in a forest screaming the name ‘Anna’ with no recollection of why or how he got there. The twisting, turning narrative develops from there.

I absolutely loved the complex and complicated world that Turton created for this book — it takes place within a single house but feels so expansive. I cannot imagine the amount of planning and outlining went into plotting this book. There are so many opportunities for him to slip up within the complex events and actions, but I really don’t think he does once. Each character in the huge cast is well developed and compelling. The book is tightly plotted, well edited, and wholly captivating. The only thing I wasn’t sold on was the reason that this was all happening and how the book ultimately resolves. That doesn’t detract from the mystery and the unravelling of the crime, but it did make this a four star read instead of a five star one.

It feels like it’s such a cop-out, but I really don’t want to say anything more — apologies for such a vague review! I went into this book completely unaware — I really just skimmed the summary before I requested it — and I think that’s the best way to read it. Go in unaware, read it, and love it. You’ll be sucked in immediately and the book won’t let go until well after you read the last pages. I highly recommend this for fans of period fiction, Agatha Christie, or anyone who just wants a thumping good read.

Originally posted to I Should Read That

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  This is a spoiler-free review.

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Children of Blood and Bone -- it has taken the publishing world by storm.  With hype surrounding this book literally from the moment it sold, I think it makes sense to be cautious -- most of us have been burned by hype before.  However, I’m here to tell you that this book is worth every ounce of hype it has earned and more. It has taken me almost two months to write this review because 1) I just couldn’t quite translate my feelings on this book into real words and 2) I wanted this to be a well-rounded review instead of a gushing one.

So first, let’s tackle the setting and world building.  I think it’s safe to say that Children of Blood and Bone’s African setting is pretty unusual in fantasy, especially in YA fantasy.  In fact, I can’t remember the last time I read a book with a similar setting.  Zélie’s journeys take her from her fishing village home to the jungle, the mountains, the sea, and the desert.  She travels through poor towns, urban slums, ancient temples, and corrupt cities. Adeyemi creates an incredibly full and vivid world -- she doesn’t skimp on the detail.  It’s not surprising that this book has already been optioned for a film -- it has a very cinematic quality.

Zélie’s world is filled with colour and beauty, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous, tragic, and horrific. The tensions between her people and the conquering force weighs on the reader like a heavy blanket.  This tension is partially fed by the fact that the loss of magic is still felt by the maji -- the events that led to the eradication of magic in Orïsha only happened 11 years prior. Adayemi’s choice to set the events of the book at this particular period in time was incredibly effective.

One last thing regarding world building that I wanted to mention is something that seems small and unimportant, but really struck me.  Zélie’s mother was a Reaper, a maji who can summon and control the souls of the dead. Typically, this would be seen as dark magic and feared -- instead Reaper powers are celebrated among her people.  I am racking my brain and cannot come up with a single other fantasy novel that casts this kind of magic in a positive light. I just loved this particular detail within the world.

We have three main points of view throughout Children of Blood and Bone.  Zélie, of course, is one of them. She’s our strong but damaged heroine, the girl determined to bring magic back and avenge her people.  While she’s actually not my favourite character, I found her particularly compelling. Zélie really embodies the fear of her people.  Her own fear is so visceral and although she has prejudices of her own, you really understand why she thinks and acts the way she does. The PTSD she suffers after witnessing the violent murder of her mother and the anger she feels on the behalf of her people are constant themes throughout the book.  Although I didn’t agree with all the decisions she made in the book, I really understood them.

Amari and Iman are our other two points of view.  I don’t want to say too much about them, but they are the children of Saran, the king who cruelly eradicated magic and conquered Zélie's people.  Amari, the princess, is my favourite character in this book. She doesn’t have the strongest overall growth, but she denies the comfort and power her position brings in order to right her father’s wrongs.  She’s cautious of magic -- she has been raised to fear it -- but her friendship with a murdered maji girl helps pull her through. She’s underestimated at every turn, incredibly kindhearted, and most importantly sits back and listens when she learns of the true impact of her father’s actions.

Iman is our other POV character -- he is Amari’s brother and the crown prince.  Unlike Amari, he follows in his father’s footsteps and despises magic, the power it brings to others, and the threat it poses to Saran’s rule.  He’s hunting Zélie and his sister and they are desperately trying to stay ahead of him. I absolutely loved Iman. He’s a tormented and grey-area character (my favourite kind).  I absolutely loved his character arc and just found him so compelling.

So I have a couple of nitpicky things that I didn’t like about Children of Blood and Bone.  The first, and most obvious to other who have read it, is the instalove aspect. I really don’t like instalove -- it’s just so incredibly shallow and cheap and I don't believe for a second that those relationships will survive the events of a book or series.  The one couple in this book that I’m thinking of is the worst. You really don’t get the feeling that they like each other for any reason other than the fact that both people happen to be hot.  There’s no chemistry there at all. The other thing is that I really disliked Zélie’s brother Tzain. While I didn’t agree with every decision Zélie made, as stated above, I could at least understand her.  I didn’t get Tzain at all. He’s just pig-headed, obnoxious, and is only there to make her life more difficult -- he’s such a flat and boring character. Fortunately he isn’t one of our POVs -- he is just the kind of male character I really dislike reading about.

The only other small issue I had is one that I think will be amended in later books, when there will actually be time to dive in and explain all of this.  We really get no feel for the magic system at all in Children of Blood and Bone. I wish we learned more about magic  and how it worked.  I know there are many more types of maji than are described in this book and I just wanted more. To be fair though, magic no longer exists in Orïsha -- we don’t exactly get much of a chance to see it in action.  Because of that fact, I'm pretty forgiving about this.

Overall, I really loved Children of Blood and Bone and thought it was well worth the hype that it has earned.  Tomi Adeyemi really brought this incredible world to life and I loved every second I spent in Orïsha. Although I had some tiny issues, they didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story at all.  I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

The one thing I will say is that this review is, of course, coming from a white American woman.  I don’t know how the African inspiration fits in with her story. So if you’ve done and Own Voices review for this book or have seen any around, please send me a link!  I don’t think I’ve seen a single one yet, which is such a shame.

Originally posted to I Should Read That

I feel like a broken record -- I’m always talking about why I don’t read contemporary young adult books.  Unless there’s a hook that’s particularly interesting, I’m just not interested.  I picked up Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda simply because it is such a beloved story in the YA community and has changed the lives of so many teens. Unsure if it would appeal to my cranky, old lady heart, I’m so happy to say that I really loved this book.

I listened to the audiobook of Simon and I think that was the best route for me.  Clocking in at just under 7 hours, it’s easily the shortest book I’ve listened to.  But it still manages to pack a whole lot of heart into that short period of time. I can easily see how this book has made such an incredible impact on the bookish community, particularly for queer teens who have been reading it over the years.  I think the thing that really made me love it is that it’s just a story -- it doesn’t involve him overcoming a horrible coming out experience to his family, or violence against him for his sexual identity, or anything like that.  I hope that makes sense.

Simon obviously had the strongest voice, as the book is told from his perspective.  Simon has an incredibly strong, funny, and believeable voice. While I don’t agree with the people who scoff at John Green’s characters -- I very much knew teenagers who talked like that -- I felt like Becky Albertalli really nailed the language and dialogue of teenagers.  The characters came to life, and I found myself believing that I could have been part of this friend group. In fact, there was only downside to this book and that was the character of Leah. I found Leah really difficult, mostly because I knew a Leah when I was in high school and she made everyone’s lives a living hell.  I found her to be toxic, obnoxious, and difficult to deal with. Why everyone bends to her whims when she makes them all miserably, I don’t even know.  I struggled with the fact that no one called her out for her shitty behaviour.

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a sweet book about realistic teens with realistic problems -- I had an absolute blast listening to this book.  While I really did love Simon,  I’m not 100% sure I’ll continue on with the series of companion novels, particularly Leah on the Offbeat.  I just don't think they have that 'hook' that I mentioned earlier.