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ishouldreadthat
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I had been dying to get my hands on Wilder Girls ever since it came out in the US in 2019. I’m not much of a horror reader, but I’ve started becoming more and more interested in the genre and thought this would be a great way to get into body horror -- a subgenre that I’m particularly nervous to read. However, this book was a big flop for me and I’m so disappointed!
I think my biggest issue with this book is that it was completely and utterly underwhelming. I would normally DNFa book that I wasn’t enjoying, but I held on with the hope that it would get better -- it didn’t. I wouldn’t say Wilder Girls is a bad book, it was just so boring. The plot was basically non-existent, the characters were totally lackluster, the actual horror elements were so light pointless that they could have been removed completely, and the secrets of the island were so underwhelming. I liked the aesthetic of the book well enough, with its overgrown forest and mutated animals, but that was about it.
The book is split into two perspectives -- Hetty and Byatt. Hetty’s point of view dominates the book -- in fact, she’s the only POV character until past the halfway point and it’s so jarring when it suddenly switches to Byatt’s perspective. Hetty was a totally flat character -- she doesn’t have an ounce of personality and was just an empty vessel that moved the miniscule plot forward. I didn’t understand her or Byatt’s motivations or personalities, and I just didn’t get it.
Ultimately, I don’t think the author pushed anything about the book far enough. Wilder Girls had so much wasted potential, and I think that’s what bothers me most about it. I desperately wanted to love this book, however it was a huge flop for me. I am, however, not put off her books and will likely be giving Powers a try again in the future.
CW: murder, suicide, gore, medical experimentation
1.5 out of 5 stars
I had been dying to get my hands on Wilder Girls ever since it came out in the US in 2019. I’m not much of a horror reader, but I’ve started becoming more and more interested in the genre and thought this would be a great way to get into body horror -- a subgenre that I’m particularly nervous to read. However, this book was a big flop for me and I’m so disappointed!
I think my biggest issue with this book is that it was completely and utterly underwhelming. I would normally DNFa book that I wasn’t enjoying, but I held on with the hope that it would get better -- it didn’t. I wouldn’t say Wilder Girls is a bad book, it was just so boring. The plot was basically non-existent, the characters were totally lackluster, the actual horror elements were so light pointless that they could have been removed completely, and the secrets of the island were so underwhelming. I liked the aesthetic of the book well enough, with its overgrown forest and mutated animals, but that was about it.
The book is split into two perspectives -- Hetty and Byatt. Hetty’s point of view dominates the book -- in fact, she’s the only POV character until past the halfway point and it’s so jarring when it suddenly switches to Byatt’s perspective. Hetty was a totally flat character -- she doesn’t have an ounce of personality and was just an empty vessel that moved the miniscule plot forward. I didn’t understand her or Byatt’s motivations or personalities, and I just didn’t get it.
Ultimately, I don’t think the author pushed anything about the book far enough. Wilder Girls had so much wasted potential, and I think that’s what bothers me most about it. I desperately wanted to love this book, however it was a huge flop for me. I am, however, not put off her books and will likely be giving Powers a try again in the future.
CW: murder, suicide, gore, medical experimentation
1.5 out of 5 stars
Originally posted to I Should Read That
The Monster of Elendhaven is a funny one for me, because it had all the ingredients for a great story but just didn’t come together. I love the author’s elegant writing style, the dark and twisted characters, and the atmospheric world building. But ultimately, something about this story didn’t work for me -- it felt rather pointless. I think I just didn’t get it.
The book starts out strong, and I was wondering why I had seen so many mixed reviews about it. However, things stopped clicking somewhere in the middle and it all just fell apart. I am always in awe of novella writers because cramming a fully fledged world, story, and cast of characters into under 200 pages is quite the feat. However, maybe this is a novella that needed more pages to become a fully realised story. I'm not really sure what it was that didn't work for me, but I didn't end up loving this one.
The Monster of Elendhaven is a funny one for me, because it had all the ingredients for a great story but just didn’t come together. I love the author’s elegant writing style, the dark and twisted characters, and the atmospheric world building. But ultimately, something about this story didn’t work for me -- it felt rather pointless. I think I just didn’t get it.
The book starts out strong, and I was wondering why I had seen so many mixed reviews about it. However, things stopped clicking somewhere in the middle and it all just fell apart. I am always in awe of novella writers because cramming a fully fledged world, story, and cast of characters into under 200 pages is quite the feat. However, maybe this is a novella that needed more pages to become a fully realised story. I'm not really sure what it was that didn't work for me, but I didn't end up loving this one.
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I was a little unsure about picking up Upright Women Wanted because Gailey’s latest novel, Magic for Liars, didn’t quite work for me. However, I was absolutely blown away by this fantastic alternate western! Everything about this book was brilliant -- the world building was fully-realised, the cast of characters was phenomenal, the slow-burn romance was a joy to read, and the plot was just great. I’d highly recommend the audiobook, as the narrator was absolutely perfect.
I don’t want to say too much about this one, but I really loved Upright Women Wanted. If you’ve had your eye on it, pick it up!
I was a little unsure about picking up Upright Women Wanted because Gailey’s latest novel, Magic for Liars, didn’t quite work for me. However, I was absolutely blown away by this fantastic alternate western! Everything about this book was brilliant -- the world building was fully-realised, the cast of characters was phenomenal, the slow-burn romance was a joy to read, and the plot was just great. I’d highly recommend the audiobook, as the narrator was absolutely perfect.
I don’t want to say too much about this one, but I really loved Upright Women Wanted. If you’ve had your eye on it, pick it up!
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
I was immediately drawn to the concept of The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart -- it seemed like it had everything I wanted. Time travel! Brooklyn! Women-led fiction! The 80’s! Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me, but I think that’s because of my own expectations going into it and confusion as to where this books falls in terms of genre.
As this book is published by Gollancz, an exclusively sci-fi and fantasy publisher, I thought that the science fiction elements would be much stronger. If nothing else, the hook is time travel! I love time travel fiction and the amazing and complex ways that authors work with an impossible concept. However, Oona Lockhart didn’t quite give me what I wanted in that respect. The time travelling seemed negligible to the plot -- it only served to give a fresh, light twist on the story. I had hoped to see more of Oona trying to manipulate her future in order to change her past, however this didn’t really come into play in any significant way. She’s mostly focused on fumbling her way through the present, and I found that I just wasn’t too interested in her troubles or journey to self-discovery. She’s not a character I could relate to and I just didn’t particularly care for her story. I confess I ended up skimming the last 100 pages or so just to see what would happen, and it is clear that this just wasn’t a book for me.
The one thing that really did strike me was the way that music is threaded through the narrative as something that grounds Oona in her own life. At 18 she’s a member of a band. In her 40’s and 50’s she’s learning to play the guitar. Every jump she makes in her life, she is relieved to find that she still has an extensive music collection and it’s a pleasure to catch up on what she missed. For me, this was easily the best and most relatable aspect of the book and I loved the way the author worked music into the story.
I think The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart would appeal much more to women's fiction readers than science fiction lovers like myself. A story about a woman’s unique journey through life, it’s an interesting read but didn’t give me what I wanted.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
I was immediately drawn to the concept of The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart -- it seemed like it had everything I wanted. Time travel! Brooklyn! Women-led fiction! The 80’s! Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me, but I think that’s because of my own expectations going into it and confusion as to where this books falls in terms of genre.
As this book is published by Gollancz, an exclusively sci-fi and fantasy publisher, I thought that the science fiction elements would be much stronger. If nothing else, the hook is time travel! I love time travel fiction and the amazing and complex ways that authors work with an impossible concept. However, Oona Lockhart didn’t quite give me what I wanted in that respect. The time travelling seemed negligible to the plot -- it only served to give a fresh, light twist on the story. I had hoped to see more of Oona trying to manipulate her future in order to change her past, however this didn’t really come into play in any significant way. She’s mostly focused on fumbling her way through the present, and I found that I just wasn’t too interested in her troubles or journey to self-discovery. She’s not a character I could relate to and I just didn’t particularly care for her story. I confess I ended up skimming the last 100 pages or so just to see what would happen, and it is clear that this just wasn’t a book for me.
The one thing that really did strike me was the way that music is threaded through the narrative as something that grounds Oona in her own life. At 18 she’s a member of a band. In her 40’s and 50’s she’s learning to play the guitar. Every jump she makes in her life, she is relieved to find that she still has an extensive music collection and it’s a pleasure to catch up on what she missed. For me, this was easily the best and most relatable aspect of the book and I loved the way the author worked music into the story.
I think The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart would appeal much more to women's fiction readers than science fiction lovers like myself. A story about a woman’s unique journey through life, it’s an interesting read but didn’t give me what I wanted.
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
Goldilocks snagged my attention back when it was announced and was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020. I adored Lam’s book False Hearts, and was eager to pick up what sounded like a book that was written for me. A feminist science fiction novel about five women who steal a spaceship? Leaving Earth in order to seek out a better future? Comparisons to The Handmaid’s Tale? Yes please! I’m so thrilled to say that this book absolutely lived up to my sky-high expectations and I loved it — it is easily one of my favourite books of the year so far.
Like many of the best science fiction books, Goldilocks serves as a warning to show what could happen in our future if we don’t sit up and take action now. From climate change disaster to the edging out of women’s rights, the book sets up a frightening and realistic vision of the future, all wrapped in a thrilling story of survival, the complexities of family relationships, and how far you’ll go to do what you believe is right. The book is brilliantly paced and totally captivating — I sped through it and stayed up well past my bedtime because I had to know what happened next. I love fiercely feminist sci-fi and science fiction thrillers, so Goldilocks was exactly what I wanted and needed!
The book focuses heavily on Naomi, the onboard botanist and the adopted daughter of the self-made millionaire Valerie — a force of nature with a vision for a better future, especially for women, on the distant planet Cavendish. The crew is mostly unfamiliar to Naomi, and the five women are thrown into a fascinating and perilous situation together I really loved Naomi as a character because she felt so incredibly realistic — she is flawed and so wonderfully human, but still someone the reader can admire and relate to. Her slow-forming friendships with the other women going to Cavendish was wonderful to watch develop. Through the use of flashbacks, Naomi’s background is incredibly well fleshed out and you really get a strong sense of who she is, particularly in relation to her adopted mother Valerie. This relationship in particular was one of the most compelling aspects of the book for me — you know I love female relationships in my books. The wonderfully intricate complexities of new and old female relationships is the core of this book and I absolutely loved that.
Goldilocks is a fantastic science fiction thriller that features an alarmingly relevant and frightening look at the future, but also depicts fierce women who refuse to accept the status quo and will do what it takes to change their futures. Don’t miss out on this fantastic new book!
CW: Issues around pregnancy (abortion, miscarriage, etc.)
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
Goldilocks snagged my attention back when it was announced and was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020. I adored Lam’s book False Hearts, and was eager to pick up what sounded like a book that was written for me. A feminist science fiction novel about five women who steal a spaceship? Leaving Earth in order to seek out a better future? Comparisons to The Handmaid’s Tale? Yes please! I’m so thrilled to say that this book absolutely lived up to my sky-high expectations and I loved it — it is easily one of my favourite books of the year so far.
Like many of the best science fiction books, Goldilocks serves as a warning to show what could happen in our future if we don’t sit up and take action now. From climate change disaster to the edging out of women’s rights, the book sets up a frightening and realistic vision of the future, all wrapped in a thrilling story of survival, the complexities of family relationships, and how far you’ll go to do what you believe is right. The book is brilliantly paced and totally captivating — I sped through it and stayed up well past my bedtime because I had to know what happened next. I love fiercely feminist sci-fi and science fiction thrillers, so Goldilocks was exactly what I wanted and needed!
The book focuses heavily on Naomi, the onboard botanist and the adopted daughter of the self-made millionaire Valerie — a force of nature with a vision for a better future, especially for women, on the distant planet Cavendish. The crew is mostly unfamiliar to Naomi, and the five women are thrown into a fascinating and perilous situation together I really loved Naomi as a character because she felt so incredibly realistic — she is flawed and so wonderfully human, but still someone the reader can admire and relate to. Her slow-forming friendships with the other women going to Cavendish was wonderful to watch develop. Through the use of flashbacks, Naomi’s background is incredibly well fleshed out and you really get a strong sense of who she is, particularly in relation to her adopted mother Valerie. This relationship in particular was one of the most compelling aspects of the book for me — you know I love female relationships in my books. The wonderfully intricate complexities of new and old female relationships is the core of this book and I absolutely loved that.
Goldilocks is a fantastic science fiction thriller that features an alarmingly relevant and frightening look at the future, but also depicts fierce women who refuse to accept the status quo and will do what it takes to change their futures. Don’t miss out on this fantastic new book!
CW: Issues around pregnancy (abortion, miscarriage, etc.)
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
I absolutely devoured (heh heh) Herman’s debut novel The Devouring Gray last year and have been desperately waiting for the sequel. The Deck of Omens is an addicting and thrilling read that introduces strange new aspects to the world of Four Paths, all while giving a satisfying conclusion to the story and characters.
The issue with having a sequel to a book like The Devouring Gray is ‘where do you go from here?’. Herman does a great job of expanding the world of Four Paths, the mysterious Gray, and the magic that the founding families have been drawing on for decades, while also giving this sequel it's own strong story. My favourite aspect of The Devouring Gray was the deliciously creepy atmosphere she creates in Four Paths, and she doubles down on that in The Deck of Omens. I really loved the imagery of the corruption seeping into the town, the way it impacts the townsfolk, and the mysteries that are uncovered as a result. My only wish for this book was that she investigated this further -- the focus is so strongly on the characters, which is great, but I wish we had seen a little more of the creepy and cool corruption!
The characters are the main drivers of the book, and they’re all recovering from the trials they suffered at the end of The Devouring Gray. Betrayals and revelations have left our five teens reeling, and they’re trying to pick up the pieces. In the first book, I felt that the girls outshone the boys and although I still adored May and Harper, I was surprised that Isaac emerged as my favourite character in The Deck of Omens. Is he still an absolute disaster? Yes. But he gets so many new layers to his story and becomes more than just a kid with anger issues. I loved the teasing out of his family’s story, his relationship with his brother Gabriel, and the way his friendships with the other Founders evolve. He becomes the most complex and wonderful character in the book -- something I didn’t expect at all!
If you liked The Devouring Gray, I really think you’ll love The Deck of Omens. It deals with the emotional aftermath of the first book very well, but also becomes it’s own unique story and is a satisfying conclusion to this great duology. I am sad to say goodbye to the town of Four Paths, but I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
I absolutely devoured (heh heh) Herman’s debut novel The Devouring Gray last year and have been desperately waiting for the sequel. The Deck of Omens is an addicting and thrilling read that introduces strange new aspects to the world of Four Paths, all while giving a satisfying conclusion to the story and characters.
The issue with having a sequel to a book like The Devouring Gray is ‘where do you go from here?’. Herman does a great job of expanding the world of Four Paths, the mysterious Gray, and the magic that the founding families have been drawing on for decades, while also giving this sequel it's own strong story. My favourite aspect of The Devouring Gray was the deliciously creepy atmosphere she creates in Four Paths, and she doubles down on that in The Deck of Omens. I really loved the imagery of the corruption seeping into the town, the way it impacts the townsfolk, and the mysteries that are uncovered as a result. My only wish for this book was that she investigated this further -- the focus is so strongly on the characters, which is great, but I wish we had seen a little more of the creepy and cool corruption!
The characters are the main drivers of the book, and they’re all recovering from the trials they suffered at the end of The Devouring Gray. Betrayals and revelations have left our five teens reeling, and they’re trying to pick up the pieces. In the first book, I felt that the girls outshone the boys and although I still adored May and Harper, I was surprised that Isaac emerged as my favourite character in The Deck of Omens. Is he still an absolute disaster? Yes. But he gets so many new layers to his story and becomes more than just a kid with anger issues. I loved the teasing out of his family’s story, his relationship with his brother Gabriel, and the way his friendships with the other Founders evolve. He becomes the most complex and wonderful character in the book -- something I didn’t expect at all!
If you liked The Devouring Gray, I really think you’ll love The Deck of Omens. It deals with the emotional aftermath of the first book very well, but also becomes it’s own unique story and is a satisfying conclusion to this great duology. I am sad to say goodbye to the town of Four Paths, but I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler-free review.
Incendiary has been on my radar for ages because I loved the idea of a Spanish Inquisition-inspired fantasy novel. Despite my recent ups and downs with YA fantasy, I gave my first Zoraida Cordova book a try, and I ended up really enjoying it! While I think that a lot more could have gone into the world-building and the characters, it is such a fun and addicting read with a great ending.
I think the thing that will draw most readers in -- like me -- is the 15th century Spanish setting. I really loved the world of this book and the way Cordova shows the reader everything from the highest tiers of society to the lowest social classes and oppressed rebels. The contrast is especially vivid when put into context by Renata’s character, who has a foot in both worlds. My only wish was that there was more world-building detail, however this is just because I’m totally greedy for the intricate details of clothing, food, architecture, and culture. We get a bit of this kind of detail-- enough to flesh out the world and help the reader put the scenes into context -- but there was so much potential for a lush and gorgeous world.
I felt similar regarding the magic system -- it was really interesting but I would have loved to see more. I loved the Moria’s history and they way they are using their powers to fight back against their oppressors. While most of the Moria’s magic was pretty straightforward and very cool, there were bits that left me a little confused, especially regarding Ren’s abilities to remove and store memories. It would have been great to have Ren’s magic fleshed out a little more for better clarity and understanding.
There is a decent sized cast of characters, despite the fact that we only get one perspective. Renata is our main character and we see the story through her eyes. While I liked her and understood her motivations, I just didn’t connect with her as strongly as I have with other similar heroines. It’s hard to create a fully fleshed out character who doesn’t possess many of her own memories from her childhood, however I wish I was able to have that stronger connection with er! I ended up loving the secondary characters, especially Leo, and found them more memorable than the heroine herself. However, I think that she will get more development as the series progresses and I’m so eager to see where Ren's story goes!
Incendiary is a great YA summer read filled with twists and turns. The ending left me desperate for more, and I’m incredibly excited to see where the series goes next!
CW: gore, murder, torture
3.75 out of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler-free review.
Incendiary has been on my radar for ages because I loved the idea of a Spanish Inquisition-inspired fantasy novel. Despite my recent ups and downs with YA fantasy, I gave my first Zoraida Cordova book a try, and I ended up really enjoying it! While I think that a lot more could have gone into the world-building and the characters, it is such a fun and addicting read with a great ending.
I think the thing that will draw most readers in -- like me -- is the 15th century Spanish setting. I really loved the world of this book and the way Cordova shows the reader everything from the highest tiers of society to the lowest social classes and oppressed rebels. The contrast is especially vivid when put into context by Renata’s character, who has a foot in both worlds. My only wish was that there was more world-building detail, however this is just because I’m totally greedy for the intricate details of clothing, food, architecture, and culture. We get a bit of this kind of detail-- enough to flesh out the world and help the reader put the scenes into context -- but there was so much potential for a lush and gorgeous world.
I felt similar regarding the magic system -- it was really interesting but I would have loved to see more. I loved the Moria’s history and they way they are using their powers to fight back against their oppressors. While most of the Moria’s magic was pretty straightforward and very cool, there were bits that left me a little confused, especially regarding Ren’s abilities to remove and store memories. It would have been great to have Ren’s magic fleshed out a little more for better clarity and understanding.
There is a decent sized cast of characters, despite the fact that we only get one perspective. Renata is our main character and we see the story through her eyes. While I liked her and understood her motivations, I just didn’t connect with her as strongly as I have with other similar heroines. It’s hard to create a fully fleshed out character who doesn’t possess many of her own memories from her childhood, however I wish I was able to have that stronger connection with er! I ended up loving the secondary characters, especially Leo, and found them more memorable than the heroine herself. However, I think that she will get more development as the series progresses and I’m so eager to see where Ren's story goes!
Incendiary is a great YA summer read filled with twists and turns. The ending left me desperate for more, and I’m incredibly excited to see where the series goes next!
CW: gore, murder, torture
3.75 out of 5 stars
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
Harrow Lake first burst onto my radar when the publishers were sending out the coolest looking proofs (seriously, check it out!) in the winter. I was immediately interested in the book as soon as I read the summary -- I’ve never been much of a horror reader but have been trying to dip my toe into the genre lately. Harrow Lake turned out to be a great stepping stone into horror for me with its creepy, atmospheric setting and things that go bump in the night.
Fact: I am a huge wimp, but absolutely love (certain) horror films. What I specifically love about these films is the tension that is teased out and cranked up as the story progresses. That’s exactly what I got from Harrow Lake -- the story is strange and tense from the first few pages, and only gets more intense as the pages turn. Ellis does a great job of setting up the fantastically weird atmosphere of the town of Harrow Lake, a town that has never let go of it's horror film fame (for better or worse), and that atmosphere is such a wonderful source of tension in the book. It has that perfect ‘small town creepiness’ that works so perfectly in the horror genre.
My favourite aspect of the book is the throwbacks to horror films throughout the book. Lola is the daughter of a cult filmmaker and the leading lady in his most famous film, Night Jar. Not only were there loads of references to the fictional Night Jar and other films, the book itself has a cinematic feeling. It feels like a perfectly adapted novelisation of a cult classic horror film. It gave me serious Night Film vibes, a book I enjoyed when I read it a few years ago. If you enjoyed Night Film or are a horror movie junkie, you absolutely have to pick up this book!
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Lola as a character. She’s not particularly likeable when she is first introduced, however her story -- and therefore her character -- gets much more complex and intriguing as more is revealed. I think my favourite thing about her is the fact that she doesn’t fit into the standard horror trope -- she experiences creepy and weird things happening around her and does not dismiss them as nothing. She’s sharp and on top of the situation, which I found incredibly refreshing. Lola is lost and confused, but incredibly proactive and I found that so satisfying.
Harrow Lake is a fantastic YA horror read that’s perfect for your summer reading. Not only is it a fast and pulse-pounding read, it’s immensely satisfying and feels like a breath of fresh air in the YA genre. If you’re looking for something that has a similar vibe to Night Film, or horror classics in general, you should absolutely pick up Harrow Lake.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
Harrow Lake first burst onto my radar when the publishers were sending out the coolest looking proofs (seriously, check it out!) in the winter. I was immediately interested in the book as soon as I read the summary -- I’ve never been much of a horror reader but have been trying to dip my toe into the genre lately. Harrow Lake turned out to be a great stepping stone into horror for me with its creepy, atmospheric setting and things that go bump in the night.
Fact: I am a huge wimp, but absolutely love (certain) horror films. What I specifically love about these films is the tension that is teased out and cranked up as the story progresses. That’s exactly what I got from Harrow Lake -- the story is strange and tense from the first few pages, and only gets more intense as the pages turn. Ellis does a great job of setting up the fantastically weird atmosphere of the town of Harrow Lake, a town that has never let go of it's horror film fame (for better or worse), and that atmosphere is such a wonderful source of tension in the book. It has that perfect ‘small town creepiness’ that works so perfectly in the horror genre.
My favourite aspect of the book is the throwbacks to horror films throughout the book. Lola is the daughter of a cult filmmaker and the leading lady in his most famous film, Night Jar. Not only were there loads of references to the fictional Night Jar and other films, the book itself has a cinematic feeling. It feels like a perfectly adapted novelisation of a cult classic horror film. It gave me serious Night Film vibes, a book I enjoyed when I read it a few years ago. If you enjoyed Night Film or are a horror movie junkie, you absolutely have to pick up this book!
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Lola as a character. She’s not particularly likeable when she is first introduced, however her story -- and therefore her character -- gets much more complex and intriguing as more is revealed. I think my favourite thing about her is the fact that she doesn’t fit into the standard horror trope -- she experiences creepy and weird things happening around her and does not dismiss them as nothing. She’s sharp and on top of the situation, which I found incredibly refreshing. Lola is lost and confused, but incredibly proactive and I found that so satisfying.
Harrow Lake is a fantastic YA horror read that’s perfect for your summer reading. Not only is it a fast and pulse-pounding read, it’s immensely satisfying and feels like a breath of fresh air in the YA genre. If you’re looking for something that has a similar vibe to Night Film, or horror classics in general, you should absolutely pick up Harrow Lake.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
I’ve been struggling with YA fantasy for the past year or so, however I wanted to give it another try while in quarantine. I dusted off my copy of The Descendant of the Crane -- one of my most highly anticipated 2019 releases that I never managed to read (oops), which is coming out in the UK in June. It turned out to be the perfect escapist read filled with gorgeous world-building, fun characters, and more twists and turns than I could have ever anticipated!
This book is a funny one for me because I think it was a fairly generic YA story with fairly generic characters, but there’s something about it that worked so well for me! After some consideration, I think the thing that drew me into this book and kept my interest was the wonderful world-building. The author does an incredible job of creating an intricate world with lush imagery, interesting politics and government system, an in-depth history, and fascinating mythology. As someone who loves world-building above all else in fantasy, I absolutely devoured every single gorgeous detail. The plot itself is fun, but a bit of a mess -- throwing so many twists and turns into the reader’s path that felt almost overwhelming -- but the amazing setting and culture absolutely made this book work for me.
I didn’t find any of the characters particularly outstanding or memorable, but I did enjoy Hesina and her incredible determination to find out what happened to her father. Her strained relationship with her blood brother and mother, especially in comparison to her close relationship with her adopted siblings, was really interesting to read about, especially as the story unfolds and you learn more about this history between family members. You get the sense that Hesina wants to be a good queen, however she’s left a little in the dark, despite the training her father gave her, and she spends most of the book struggling to keep her head above water. She has a very classic reluctant ruler story, but it was one that I enjoyed reading nonetheless.
The Descendant of the Crane is a fun and twisty YA book that might not work for everyone, but lovers of beautiful fantasy worlds should consider picking up! It was a great quarantine read and was the perfect escape! I am seriously hoping we get a sequel in the future.
I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
I’ve been struggling with YA fantasy for the past year or so, however I wanted to give it another try while in quarantine. I dusted off my copy of The Descendant of the Crane -- one of my most highly anticipated 2019 releases that I never managed to read (oops), which is coming out in the UK in June. It turned out to be the perfect escapist read filled with gorgeous world-building, fun characters, and more twists and turns than I could have ever anticipated!
This book is a funny one for me because I think it was a fairly generic YA story with fairly generic characters, but there’s something about it that worked so well for me! After some consideration, I think the thing that drew me into this book and kept my interest was the wonderful world-building. The author does an incredible job of creating an intricate world with lush imagery, interesting politics and government system, an in-depth history, and fascinating mythology. As someone who loves world-building above all else in fantasy, I absolutely devoured every single gorgeous detail. The plot itself is fun, but a bit of a mess -- throwing so many twists and turns into the reader’s path that felt almost overwhelming -- but the amazing setting and culture absolutely made this book work for me.
I didn’t find any of the characters particularly outstanding or memorable, but I did enjoy Hesina and her incredible determination to find out what happened to her father. Her strained relationship with her blood brother and mother, especially in comparison to her close relationship with her adopted siblings, was really interesting to read about, especially as the story unfolds and you learn more about this history between family members. You get the sense that Hesina wants to be a good queen, however she’s left a little in the dark, despite the training her father gave her, and she spends most of the book struggling to keep her head above water. She has a very classic reluctant ruler story, but it was one that I enjoyed reading nonetheless.
The Descendant of the Crane is a fun and twisty YA book that might not work for everyone, but lovers of beautiful fantasy worlds should consider picking up! It was a great quarantine read and was the perfect escape! I am seriously hoping we get a sequel in the future.