Take a photo of a barcode or cover
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/the-binding-review-bridget-collins/
When Seredith takes Emmett in, she doesn’t lessen any of his or the audience’s confusion as to why he’s there. This continues throughout the first part of the book, but it’s done masterfully.
Collins’ writing is engaging, dynamic, and leaves enough hints to keep her audience on edge. She brings the world to life through small details about Emmett’s life during his days book binding, however there is only a vague description about the larger world and its history. As an audience, we only know what Emmett knows, which makes for a fascinating read once more of the story is revealed.
Collins’ characters are just as well crafted. Emmett and Lucian’s emotional journeys are incredibly poignant. The way they’re eventually brought together developed slowly but sweetly and beautifully. The secondary characters stand out because they’re just as complex, especially Seredith and Emmett’s family. Meanwhile the villains of the book are revolting; Collins makes no attempt to have her audience sympathise with them.
I had a hard time getting through the first part of The Binding, with the long descriptions, stagnant action, and general confusion as to what was happening. The beautiful writing and vague intrigue were the only things that kept me going. The pace picks up during the second part of the book as there’s more action and character development, while the third part felt a bit rushed but had an ultimately satisfying ending. Overall the pacing is uneven, and Collins could have even split it into a duology to balance it out better.
I also wish there had been more world-building. The existence of crusades in this Victorian setting is fascinating but not built on. Neither is the Binding trade, which is central to the novel.
The Binding by Bridget Collins was incredible, just slow to start. I’d recommend sticking to it through the first 100 pages or so: it really is worth it.
Editor’s note: The Binding features a graphic scene of animal violence, less graphic scenes of domestic abuse, as well sexual abuse content not directly depicted. I didn’t see a warning for these anywhere when I picked the book up and I want to make sure readers know to prepare themselves.
When Seredith takes Emmett in, she doesn’t lessen any of his or the audience’s confusion as to why he’s there. This continues throughout the first part of the book, but it’s done masterfully.
Collins’ writing is engaging, dynamic, and leaves enough hints to keep her audience on edge. She brings the world to life through small details about Emmett’s life during his days book binding, however there is only a vague description about the larger world and its history. As an audience, we only know what Emmett knows, which makes for a fascinating read once more of the story is revealed.
Collins’ characters are just as well crafted. Emmett and Lucian’s emotional journeys are incredibly poignant. The way they’re eventually brought together developed slowly but sweetly and beautifully. The secondary characters stand out because they’re just as complex, especially Seredith and Emmett’s family. Meanwhile the villains of the book are revolting; Collins makes no attempt to have her audience sympathise with them.
I had a hard time getting through the first part of The Binding, with the long descriptions, stagnant action, and general confusion as to what was happening. The beautiful writing and vague intrigue were the only things that kept me going. The pace picks up during the second part of the book as there’s more action and character development, while the third part felt a bit rushed but had an ultimately satisfying ending. Overall the pacing is uneven, and Collins could have even split it into a duology to balance it out better.
I also wish there had been more world-building. The existence of crusades in this Victorian setting is fascinating but not built on. Neither is the Binding trade, which is central to the novel.
The Binding by Bridget Collins was incredible, just slow to start. I’d recommend sticking to it through the first 100 pages or so: it really is worth it.
Editor’s note: The Binding features a graphic scene of animal violence, less graphic scenes of domestic abuse, as well sexual abuse content not directly depicted. I didn’t see a warning for these anywhere when I picked the book up and I want to make sure readers know to prepare themselves.
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/ruthless-gods-review-emily-duncan/
Ruthless Gods by Emliy A. Duncan picks up a few months after the end of the last book. Serefin is now king while Nadya remains in the Travanian capital and Malachiasz is formally commanding the Vultures. However, this fragile peace the three have created quickly shatters when Nadya is forced to flee the capital. With Serefin in tow, they both have to save their countries and confront what Malachiasz has become.
Nadya and Serefin’s respective relationships to Malachiasz become the driving force of the novel. Nadya is torn between her love for him, his betrayal, and her love for her country. Serefin struggles to reconcile the boy he grew up alongside with the monster he became.
These dynamics were my favourite part of the novel. I especially loved the way Nadya and Malachiasz crashed into each other, as it’s a rare thing to see in YA. Throughout the novel, Nadya’s feelings are in such turmoil that it kept me on my toes up until the climax, even though her choice was cleverly foreshadowed. Duncan has done a masterful job writing the interactions between these two characters, and I cannot applaud her enough for it.
Ruthless Gods is truly made special by its characters, both main and secondary. Parj, Rashid, Kacper, and Ostyia complete the main characters and enrich the story as a whole. Not only because we get glimpses of their backstory and lives outside the plot, but also because the dynamic between them and Nadya, Malachiasz and Serefin is unique to each character.
Another aspect I loved was the casual inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters, both in terms of sexuality and gender identity. Duncan uses gender neutral pronouns to refer to one of the divine entities in the latter half of the book. The lack of conflict arising from this is not only refreshing, but allows the reader to concentrate on the plot rather than be distracted by an unlinked subplot.
Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan is a fantastic sequel that more than lives up to its predecessor. Despite how grim and bleak the story itself gets, I greatly enjoyed myself while reading it and look forward to the conclusion!
Ruthless Gods by Emliy A. Duncan picks up a few months after the end of the last book. Serefin is now king while Nadya remains in the Travanian capital and Malachiasz is formally commanding the Vultures. However, this fragile peace the three have created quickly shatters when Nadya is forced to flee the capital. With Serefin in tow, they both have to save their countries and confront what Malachiasz has become.
Nadya and Serefin’s respective relationships to Malachiasz become the driving force of the novel. Nadya is torn between her love for him, his betrayal, and her love for her country. Serefin struggles to reconcile the boy he grew up alongside with the monster he became.
These dynamics were my favourite part of the novel. I especially loved the way Nadya and Malachiasz crashed into each other, as it’s a rare thing to see in YA. Throughout the novel, Nadya’s feelings are in such turmoil that it kept me on my toes up until the climax, even though her choice was cleverly foreshadowed. Duncan has done a masterful job writing the interactions between these two characters, and I cannot applaud her enough for it.
Ruthless Gods is truly made special by its characters, both main and secondary. Parj, Rashid, Kacper, and Ostyia complete the main characters and enrich the story as a whole. Not only because we get glimpses of their backstory and lives outside the plot, but also because the dynamic between them and Nadya, Malachiasz and Serefin is unique to each character.
Another aspect I loved was the casual inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters, both in terms of sexuality and gender identity. Duncan uses gender neutral pronouns to refer to one of the divine entities in the latter half of the book. The lack of conflict arising from this is not only refreshing, but allows the reader to concentrate on the plot rather than be distracted by an unlinked subplot.
Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan is a fantastic sequel that more than lives up to its predecessor. Despite how grim and bleak the story itself gets, I greatly enjoyed myself while reading it and look forward to the conclusion!
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/scavange-the-stars-tara-sims/
As March is Women’s History Month, what better book to read than a retelling of a classic, with a woman spearheading it?
Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim throws its reader into the thick of the action from the very beginning. There’s no time to get used to the brutal treatment Amaya faces on the Brackish. This also sets the pace for the rest of the novel, which compliments the cut-throat aspects of the story rather well.
Tara Sim’s writing also shines through her characters. They’re all incredibly well rounded, even the ones we barely get to meet. Amaya is fantastic in her character development, especially the way she comes to reconcile the two sides of her as the story progresses and she allows herself to be more vulnerable. Cayo left less of an impression, he’s likeable enough but pales in comparison to Amaya.
From the small children Amaya rescues, to Soria, to her bodyguards, Tara Sim’s secondary characters breathe life into the story. The inclusion of LGBTQ characters is seamless in the world, with even a non binary character briefly appearing in one scene.
I can’t speak to the novel’s faithfulness in its retelling, but I found the story to be engaging. The main plot and the subplots are tightly connected, if a bit confusing at times, but the whole does culminate in an impressive final set up. The writing is good: Tara Sim pays extra attention to the details of her world, which bring Moray to life before the readers’ eyes.
However well Scavenge the Stars is executed, I did find the breakneck pace tiring. There aren’t enough filler scenes in the second half of the book, so I found myself more detached from the story as it neared the end.
I enjoyed Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim, particularly the way she writes her characters. It’s an interesting take on a little known classic, and could serve to introduce certain readers to it.
As March is Women’s History Month, what better book to read than a retelling of a classic, with a woman spearheading it?
Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim throws its reader into the thick of the action from the very beginning. There’s no time to get used to the brutal treatment Amaya faces on the Brackish. This also sets the pace for the rest of the novel, which compliments the cut-throat aspects of the story rather well.
Tara Sim’s writing also shines through her characters. They’re all incredibly well rounded, even the ones we barely get to meet. Amaya is fantastic in her character development, especially the way she comes to reconcile the two sides of her as the story progresses and she allows herself to be more vulnerable. Cayo left less of an impression, he’s likeable enough but pales in comparison to Amaya.
From the small children Amaya rescues, to Soria, to her bodyguards, Tara Sim’s secondary characters breathe life into the story. The inclusion of LGBTQ characters is seamless in the world, with even a non binary character briefly appearing in one scene.
I can’t speak to the novel’s faithfulness in its retelling, but I found the story to be engaging. The main plot and the subplots are tightly connected, if a bit confusing at times, but the whole does culminate in an impressive final set up. The writing is good: Tara Sim pays extra attention to the details of her world, which bring Moray to life before the readers’ eyes.
However well Scavenge the Stars is executed, I did find the breakneck pace tiring. There aren’t enough filler scenes in the second half of the book, so I found myself more detached from the story as it neared the end.
I enjoyed Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim, particularly the way she writes her characters. It’s an interesting take on a little known classic, and could serve to introduce certain readers to it.
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/the-queens-assassin-melissa-de-la-cruz/
The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa De La Cruz opens up with the history of Renovia in the form of a journal entry, then the prologue sets up the plot. Both of these are well written, and I was very interested in what would follow.
With the first chapter, however, the novel begins to lose structure and integrity in several important ways, one of which being the writing. It’s entirely too descriptive, which slows down the pace and adds details that have little to no bearing on the story itself. It’s also particularly jarring to switch between 1st person and 3rd person POVs which made it hard to immerse myself in the book.
Shadow comes off as a Mary Sue whereas Cal is The Brooding Hero, and the little chemistry between them made following their romance boring. The twist at the end was both predictable and not as clever as it was trying to be. I saw it coming from the second chapter and the way it's dealt with at the end is kind of meh. Shadow emphasizes that she has to be careful with what she says in order not to reveal her status, but 1st person POV means we also get access to her inner thoughts so not revealing it to the reader from the beginning wasn't clever, it was just annoying
The best thing about the novel is the inclusion of secondary lgbt+ characters, without making their sexuality the center of their story arc. Since Shadow’s aunts are her guardians, their relationship is never explicitly mentioned. While the second couple is more explicit, they only appear for a few scenes. It was refreshing to have lgbt+ characters treated so casually, and I appreciated the gender-neutral terms used by the second couple.
I’ve enjoyed Melissa De La Cruz’s books in the past, and her writing style. I don’t believe this book does her credit.
The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa De La Cruz opens up with the history of Renovia in the form of a journal entry, then the prologue sets up the plot. Both of these are well written, and I was very interested in what would follow.
With the first chapter, however, the novel begins to lose structure and integrity in several important ways, one of which being the writing. It’s entirely too descriptive, which slows down the pace and adds details that have little to no bearing on the story itself. It’s also particularly jarring to switch between 1st person and 3rd person POVs which made it hard to immerse myself in the book.
Shadow comes off as a Mary Sue whereas Cal is The Brooding Hero, and the little chemistry between them made following their romance boring. The twist at the end was both predictable and not as clever as it was trying to be.
The best thing about the novel is the inclusion of secondary lgbt+ characters, without making their sexuality the center of their story arc. Since Shadow’s aunts are her guardians, their relationship is never explicitly mentioned. While the second couple is more explicit, they only appear for a few scenes. It was refreshing to have lgbt+ characters treated so casually, and I appreciated the gender-neutral terms used by the second couple.
I’ve enjoyed Melissa De La Cruz’s books in the past, and her writing style. I don’t believe this book does her credit.
This ARC was gifted to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/mageborn-jessica-thorne/
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
"Mageborn" by Jessica Thorne starts with the key event the plot hinges on centuries later before introducing us to Grace and her team of officers.
From the beginning, "Mageborn" is dynamic. The opening was intriguing, and the story was unpredictable. There was a lot going on from the beginning, and the intrigue took off early on as well, but it was written in such a way that I had no trouble keeping up with what was happening.
The world of "Mageborn" is also very rich. Between the different kingdoms and political tension, the magic system, and the folklore, Jessica Thorne made it come alive in a way that captivated me all my attention. I can’t wait to learn more about it and how it’ll play into the sequel. I did, however, find that I had trouble connecting the type of wizard to the magic, because they weren’t always explained and there was no glossary at the end.
The strongest point of the novel was the characters and particularly the relationships they build. Grace is incredible. She’s incredibly layered, with a fierce protective streak when it comes to her friends whom she considers family. This bond between them is at the forefront of everything and it’s all I’ve ever wanted out of the found family trope. As for Bastien, he’s even more complicated. His reputation doesn’t quite match up with his personality, so seeing through Grace’s POV and then getting to know him through his own chapters was great. I really enjoyed how their relationship develops, even though it went a little fast for my taste.
My only real issue with this book comes from the side characters. There are a couple women that were one dimensional. Their only characteristic was how power hungry they were, which didn’t lend any complexity especially when contrasted with the third such woman and the lackeys who formed a great evil team.
"Mageborn" by Jessica Thorne was an incredible start to a new fantasy series and I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book.
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/mageborn-jessica-thorne/
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
"Mageborn" by Jessica Thorne starts with the key event the plot hinges on centuries later before introducing us to Grace and her team of officers.
From the beginning, "Mageborn" is dynamic. The opening was intriguing, and the story was unpredictable. There was a lot going on from the beginning, and the intrigue took off early on as well, but it was written in such a way that I had no trouble keeping up with what was happening.
The world of "Mageborn" is also very rich. Between the different kingdoms and political tension, the magic system, and the folklore, Jessica Thorne made it come alive in a way that captivated me all my attention. I can’t wait to learn more about it and how it’ll play into the sequel. I did, however, find that I had trouble connecting the type of wizard to the magic, because they weren’t always explained and there was no glossary at the end.
The strongest point of the novel was the characters and particularly the relationships they build. Grace is incredible. She’s incredibly layered, with a fierce protective streak when it comes to her friends whom she considers family. This bond between them is at the forefront of everything and it’s all I’ve ever wanted out of the found family trope. As for Bastien, he’s even more complicated. His reputation doesn’t quite match up with his personality, so seeing through Grace’s POV and then getting to know him through his own chapters was great. I really enjoyed how their relationship develops, even though it went a little fast for my taste.
My only real issue with this book comes from the side characters. There are a couple women that were one dimensional. Their only characteristic was how power hungry they were, which didn’t lend any complexity especially when contrasted with the third such woman and the lackeys who formed a great evil team.
"Mageborn" by Jessica Thorne was an incredible start to a new fantasy series and I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book.
This review can also be found at Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/the-last-wish-andrzej-sapkowski/
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski is a collection of short stories that follow Geralt of Rivia in his life as a witcher, and offer a set up to the following series. Given the format, there’s little in terms of an overarching plot, but I did enjoy the links drawn between the stories.
I found the English translation easy to read: the writing flowed and there weren’t any especially hard or dense passages. The plot of each story was well constructed, the action was fast paced and I found the fighting scenes to be clear, if on the gory side.
As for the characters, I really enjoyed the lot of them. Geralt is this gruff, lone hunter who sticks by a code when it comes to disposing of monsters. While the stories are written in a third person narrative, they still all focus on Geralt, giving the reader access to his thoughts which goes a long way to give depth to his character.
Another character I greatly enjoyed was Dandelion, the bard, who follows Geralt and essentially acts as his hype man. He is fun, hilarious, and an excellent contrast to Geralt’s reserved demeanour. Their relationship was highly entertaining as it starts out with Geralt only begrudgingly letting him tag along, until they become fast friends by the end of the collection.
The second side character I enjoyed was Neneke, a priestess who refuses to put up with Geralt’s leave-me-alone act and does her best to take care of him whenever he swings by her temple. As a character, she is rather imposing, throwing her weight and station around to get things done which has varying results depending on the story.
My favourite part of this collection was the setting. The world is one of magic and fairy-tales. Sapkowski weaves retellings of classic fairy-tales like Beauty and the Beast into some of the stories which gave me a sense of familiarity with the world. The magic used is also fascinating as the common people distrust it and anything that comes with it, but still seek it out. The humans push the magical creatures and monsters out of their habitat, and these tensions are very evident all throughout.
There are a couple things that rubbed me wrong towards the end of the book, however. One has to do with how unlikable a character introduced later on is. Geralt justifies her actions, but the constant descriptions of how ‘nastily’ she smiled or what she does were enough to cement my opinion off of this book. The other is how fast a romantic relationship develops. I can excuse insta-love when it’s done well, but it’s not the case here. There’s a moment where two characters fall in love, and it’s like a switch is flipped in them, but there’s little to suggest this would happen beforehand.
All in all, I enjoyed The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski. It’s a good first introduction into the world of The Witcher, and I’d recommend picking it up before reading the trilogy.
Note: There is strong language included in the stories, as well as gory descriptions of kills and/or fights. While the sexual content isn’t explicit, it is present, so please keep all this in mind when picking it up.
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski is a collection of short stories that follow Geralt of Rivia in his life as a witcher, and offer a set up to the following series. Given the format, there’s little in terms of an overarching plot, but I did enjoy the links drawn between the stories.
I found the English translation easy to read: the writing flowed and there weren’t any especially hard or dense passages. The plot of each story was well constructed, the action was fast paced and I found the fighting scenes to be clear, if on the gory side.
As for the characters, I really enjoyed the lot of them. Geralt is this gruff, lone hunter who sticks by a code when it comes to disposing of monsters. While the stories are written in a third person narrative, they still all focus on Geralt, giving the reader access to his thoughts which goes a long way to give depth to his character.
Another character I greatly enjoyed was Dandelion, the bard, who follows Geralt and essentially acts as his hype man. He is fun, hilarious, and an excellent contrast to Geralt’s reserved demeanour. Their relationship was highly entertaining as it starts out with Geralt only begrudgingly letting him tag along, until they become fast friends by the end of the collection.
The second side character I enjoyed was Neneke, a priestess who refuses to put up with Geralt’s leave-me-alone act and does her best to take care of him whenever he swings by her temple. As a character, she is rather imposing, throwing her weight and station around to get things done which has varying results depending on the story.
My favourite part of this collection was the setting. The world is one of magic and fairy-tales. Sapkowski weaves retellings of classic fairy-tales like Beauty and the Beast into some of the stories which gave me a sense of familiarity with the world. The magic used is also fascinating as the common people distrust it and anything that comes with it, but still seek it out. The humans push the magical creatures and monsters out of their habitat, and these tensions are very evident all throughout.
There are a couple things that rubbed me wrong towards the end of the book, however. One has to do with how unlikable a character introduced later on is. Geralt justifies her actions, but the constant descriptions of how ‘nastily’ she smiled or what she does were enough to cement my opinion off of this book. The other is how fast a romantic relationship develops. I can excuse insta-love when it’s done well, but it’s not the case here. There’s a moment where two characters fall in love, and it’s like a switch is flipped in them, but there’s little to suggest this would happen beforehand.
All in all, I enjoyed The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski. It’s a good first introduction into the world of The Witcher, and I’d recommend picking it up before reading the trilogy.
Note: There is strong language included in the stories, as well as gory descriptions of kills and/or fights. While the sexual content isn’t explicit, it is present, so please keep all this in mind when picking it up.
this review can also be found here: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/a-river-of-royal-blood-amanda-joy/
As the first novel in a fantasy series, A River of Royal Blood is weighed down by setting up the world. Rather than put me off however, the rich descriptions made the story come alive and the action scenes even sharper.
Inspired by North African traditions, the setting itself is spectacular. Four species cohabit the land of Myre and tap into its magick, which manifests differently for each of them. For Humans, it’s channelled through tattoos and can take on different forms, such as elemental, blood, or even mental magic.
Set against a backdrop of war, prejudice, and violence, Myre is a land struggling to keep its citizens at bay — which is one of the reasons Eva wants to take the throne.
I’ll admit, it’s a confusing world to navigate. Eva, and by extension the readers, don’t know much about her magic, and little more about that of others. While some of that was deliberate, there were parts where magic was thrown in for convenience without further explanation.
Like her setting, Joy put a lot of thought into her characters. Eva’s character arc surprised me the most as it’s not linear. Throughout the book, she grows and learns to accept herself and the violent nature of her magic. Yet there are moments where she falls back on herself, or is plagued by doubts about her future. This gives her a complexity that is often lacking in teenage protagonists.
In contrast, Lord Baccha is a closed, albeit amusing, book. He’s the second most present character, and yet you never know if he’s telling the truth — fitting for a centuries-old immortal being.
The side characters are also as developed as Eva. Isadore isn’t just the Mean Girl; Eva’s love interest goes beyond the Brooding Boyfriend Trope. Falun and the rest of Eva’s guard are provided with backstory that reinforces their motivations. Even the Queen is more than what she projects. However, I found these characters to be mostly static.
A River of Royal Blood is full of resonant themes, such as the enslavement of a people following rebellion; the prejudices that arise because of that, and the dangerous game of court politics.
Violence and blood are also present throughout due to the nature of Eva’s magic. There are certain scenes that are more graphic than others and the overall atmosphere of certain parts of the book is on the heavier side.
Amanda Joy delivers a stunning story about the weight of past legacy placed on teenage shoulders, and the consequences of wanting to change the world. I look forward to continuing this journey and can’t wait to know what will come of the Rival Heirs battle.
As the first novel in a fantasy series, A River of Royal Blood is weighed down by setting up the world. Rather than put me off however, the rich descriptions made the story come alive and the action scenes even sharper.
Inspired by North African traditions, the setting itself is spectacular. Four species cohabit the land of Myre and tap into its magick, which manifests differently for each of them. For Humans, it’s channelled through tattoos and can take on different forms, such as elemental, blood, or even mental magic.
Set against a backdrop of war, prejudice, and violence, Myre is a land struggling to keep its citizens at bay — which is one of the reasons Eva wants to take the throne.
I’ll admit, it’s a confusing world to navigate. Eva, and by extension the readers, don’t know much about her magic, and little more about that of others. While some of that was deliberate, there were parts where magic was thrown in for convenience without further explanation.
Like her setting, Joy put a lot of thought into her characters. Eva’s character arc surprised me the most as it’s not linear. Throughout the book, she grows and learns to accept herself and the violent nature of her magic. Yet there are moments where she falls back on herself, or is plagued by doubts about her future. This gives her a complexity that is often lacking in teenage protagonists.
In contrast, Lord Baccha is a closed, albeit amusing, book. He’s the second most present character, and yet you never know if he’s telling the truth — fitting for a centuries-old immortal being.
The side characters are also as developed as Eva. Isadore isn’t just the Mean Girl; Eva’s love interest goes beyond the Brooding Boyfriend Trope. Falun and the rest of Eva’s guard are provided with backstory that reinforces their motivations. Even the Queen is more than what she projects. However, I found these characters to be mostly static.
A River of Royal Blood is full of resonant themes, such as the enslavement of a people following rebellion; the prejudices that arise because of that, and the dangerous game of court politics.
Violence and blood are also present throughout due to the nature of Eva’s magic. There are certain scenes that are more graphic than others and the overall atmosphere of certain parts of the book is on the heavier side.
Amanda Joy delivers a stunning story about the weight of past legacy placed on teenage shoulders, and the consequences of wanting to change the world. I look forward to continuing this journey and can’t wait to know what will come of the Rival Heirs battle.
This review can also be found here: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/a-dress-for-the-wicked-review/
All her life Emmaline — Emmy — has wanted to join The Fashion House as a designer under Madame Jolene. When she is finally picked for the role and sent off to Avon-Upon-Kynt, she discovers that life in the big city is a far cry from what she imagined. Especially as she is essentially a pawn used to undermine the current socio-political system. While at first she tries to fit in, eventually she realises that she needs to go her own way if she ever wants to achieve her own dreams.
Emmy’s character was surprising and delightful. She is very strong and full of determination, with a kind heart and a desire to change the world. This is what I loved about her the most as she didn’t let anyone’s expectations define her, and fought for everything she gained.
However, she’s not alone in this. Autumn Krause did an excellent job with most of her side characters. Each has their own personality and we even get sprinkles of backstories, hopes and dreams here and there. The other girls in the competition are especially fleshed out, with Krause taking extra care to reflect each personality in their designing and fashion choices.
The plot is fast-paced with plenty of twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. About midway through the book, it took off in a completely unexpected direction. This added a lot of tension and suspense without taking away from my enjoyment of the book.
However, it’s the writing in A Dress for the Wicked that really made it stand out. It’s easy to read, comprehensive, and incorporates fashion seamlessly into every aspect of the characters’ lives. The way fashion is used was actually my favourite element of the book. Krause blends historical and modern perceptions of fashion to create a society that truly relies on fashion, and on its only fashion house. A Dress for the Wicked does a good job of exposing the problems that come with such a monopoly without boring the reader.
One thing to note is that this book is heavy on the politics in a way that isn’t reflected in the blurb. While I enjoyed it and thought it was well done, it’s not for everyone. If you want a light fashion read, this is not the book for you.
I do have one issue with the book: the setting confused me. The story takes place in a fictional country called Britannia Secunda, but England and Paris are mentioned so I assume it’s modelled after real life. There are bits and pieces of the world explained throughout the book, but these explanations are rather awkwardly placed and info-dumpy at times. As the politics of the world play a direct role in the story, I feel the world-building could have been better done.
All her life Emmaline — Emmy — has wanted to join The Fashion House as a designer under Madame Jolene. When she is finally picked for the role and sent off to Avon-Upon-Kynt, she discovers that life in the big city is a far cry from what she imagined. Especially as she is essentially a pawn used to undermine the current socio-political system. While at first she tries to fit in, eventually she realises that she needs to go her own way if she ever wants to achieve her own dreams.
Emmy’s character was surprising and delightful. She is very strong and full of determination, with a kind heart and a desire to change the world. This is what I loved about her the most as she didn’t let anyone’s expectations define her, and fought for everything she gained.
However, she’s not alone in this. Autumn Krause did an excellent job with most of her side characters. Each has their own personality and we even get sprinkles of backstories, hopes and dreams here and there. The other girls in the competition are especially fleshed out, with Krause taking extra care to reflect each personality in their designing and fashion choices.
The plot is fast-paced with plenty of twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. About midway through the book, it took off in a completely unexpected direction. This added a lot of tension and suspense without taking away from my enjoyment of the book.
However, it’s the writing in A Dress for the Wicked that really made it stand out. It’s easy to read, comprehensive, and incorporates fashion seamlessly into every aspect of the characters’ lives. The way fashion is used was actually my favourite element of the book. Krause blends historical and modern perceptions of fashion to create a society that truly relies on fashion, and on its only fashion house. A Dress for the Wicked does a good job of exposing the problems that come with such a monopoly without boring the reader.
One thing to note is that this book is heavy on the politics in a way that isn’t reflected in the blurb. While I enjoyed it and thought it was well done, it’s not for everyone. If you want a light fashion read, this is not the book for you.
I do have one issue with the book: the setting confused me. The story takes place in a fictional country called Britannia Secunda, but England and Paris are mentioned so I assume it’s modelled after real life. There are bits and pieces of the world explained throughout the book, but these explanations are rather awkwardly placed and info-dumpy at times. As the politics of the world play a direct role in the story, I feel the world-building could have been better done.
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/a-sorcery-of-thorns-margaret-rogerson-review/
In A Sorcery of Thorns, the books quite literally come alive. The story is set in a world where sorcery is a product of allying with demons, the spells of which are recorded in grimoires which are alive and take on a distinct personality and can turn into monsters when damaged. While the idea of drawing magical powers from a demon isn’t new to me, I absolutely loved what Margaret Rogerson’s done with the grimoires. It didn’t take long for me to be hooked on the book, purely to find out more about the lore within the world and I wasn’t disappointed. There’s separate dimensions, woodland creatures, demons, magic, and, in the centre of it all, it’s a librarian that has to save the day.
Margaret Rogerson’s captivating writing extends beyond the excellent world-building. All her characters, both the main and side ones, were fun, engaging and three dimensional. Each character is given a specific trait (or set of them) that makes them stand out from the others, but not so much that they steal the spotlight. Instead, they work together to form a coherent group. An added bonus for me was the revelation that one of the characters is bisexual and the way it was done. It’s a brief exchange within a larger scene but it doesn’t become its own separate subplot, nor is it dwelled upon as it’s not relevant to the main plot. One other feature that I loved about this book is how wrong Elizabeth’s initial perception of her world is. The unreliable narration was done really well and I didn’t feel at all confused by each new revelation, but rather enjoyed learning the truth of things alongside the main character.
The story is action-packed. The first chapter sets the tone for the rest of the book: it’s fast-paced, with danger lurking around every corner and it’s done in a masterful way. Given that Elizabeth happens to be an unreliable narrator in this case, the uncertainty surrounding different characters and events increases the more she learns that her world view is skewed, and there’s a desperation to learn the truth about things which I found I shared the more I read.
I can’t say there is a single part of this book that I didn’t enjoy. Everything from the writing, to the characters, to the plot kept my on my toes and eager for more. I was sucked in from the very beginning and I had to remind myself to stop reading because I got too caught up to savour it.
In A Sorcery of Thorns, the books quite literally come alive. The story is set in a world where sorcery is a product of allying with demons, the spells of which are recorded in grimoires which are alive and take on a distinct personality and can turn into monsters when damaged. While the idea of drawing magical powers from a demon isn’t new to me, I absolutely loved what Margaret Rogerson’s done with the grimoires. It didn’t take long for me to be hooked on the book, purely to find out more about the lore within the world and I wasn’t disappointed. There’s separate dimensions, woodland creatures, demons, magic, and, in the centre of it all, it’s a librarian that has to save the day.
Margaret Rogerson’s captivating writing extends beyond the excellent world-building. All her characters, both the main and side ones, were fun, engaging and three dimensional. Each character is given a specific trait (or set of them) that makes them stand out from the others, but not so much that they steal the spotlight. Instead, they work together to form a coherent group. An added bonus for me was the revelation that one of the characters is bisexual and the way it was done. It’s a brief exchange within a larger scene but it doesn’t become its own separate subplot, nor is it dwelled upon as it’s not relevant to the main plot. One other feature that I loved about this book is how wrong Elizabeth’s initial perception of her world is. The unreliable narration was done really well and I didn’t feel at all confused by each new revelation, but rather enjoyed learning the truth of things alongside the main character.
The story is action-packed. The first chapter sets the tone for the rest of the book: it’s fast-paced, with danger lurking around every corner and it’s done in a masterful way. Given that Elizabeth happens to be an unreliable narrator in this case, the uncertainty surrounding different characters and events increases the more she learns that her world view is skewed, and there’s a desperation to learn the truth about things which I found I shared the more I read.
I can’t say there is a single part of this book that I didn’t enjoy. Everything from the writing, to the characters, to the plot kept my on my toes and eager for more. I was sucked in from the very beginning and I had to remind myself to stop reading because I got too caught up to savour it.
this review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/the-storm-crow-kalyn-johnson-review/
The Storm Crow begins with a strong opening. Anthia’s world is torn apart when the neighbouring kingdom of Illucia destroys her family, her culture and ultimately her way of life. Six months later, she is deeply depressed which leads to her being dubbed “the princess who won’t leave her room” until one day she stumbles across the last Storm Crow egg and everything changes. Armed with the hope of restoring the kingdom, she agrees to the marriage and sets off with Prince Ericen to Illucia — all while trying to figure out how to hatch the Crow.
The world within which the story takes place is intriguing. The crows, the magic, everything about it was fresh and new, and I loved diving into it. In The Storm Crow, the Rhodairians rely on magical crows for everything from defense to healing and even entertainment. The magic surrounding these Crows and their abilities is still a little confusing. However, I am hoping that this will be explained later in the series. As for the world-building itself, it’s a little clunky at times with infodumps here and there but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book as they tied in well with plot points throughout the book.
When it comes to the plot, it’s a very typical first-book-in-a-fantasy-series novel. The discovery of something magical, the loss, the journey, the training, and the escape are all present in this book, but the setting and the way they play out make The Storm Crow far from boring. The writing is also pretty good. I read the book in a day, so it’s easy to get through and rather fast-paced. I will say that the writing in the beginning did come off as awkward, with lots of metaphors and flowery language, but as the book progresses, it gets less and less noticeable.
My favourite part of The Storm Crow, however, was the characters and how they stood out against their YA archetypes. Beyond just being the main character, Anthia stands out because she has depression. Her struggle is front and centre in Storm Crow as one of the subplots consists of her recovery, which is a slow process that follows her through to the end of the book helped along by her friend and bodyguard Kiva. At first, I thought Kiva was going to be a rather flat character — the typical YA female warrior character — but once past the first third of the book, she outgrew my first impression and just kept on going. Not to give too much away, but she was a delightful surprise in terms of her interactions with other characters in the book. Finally, let’s talk about Prince Ericen. Out of the three, he is the most typical YA character you’d come across but he also happens to be a favourite of mine in regards to the series. There’s not much I can say without spoiling certain elements, but he’s a good balance of dark and brooding with cocky jock, and definitely more than what meets the eye.
The Storm Crow begins with a strong opening. Anthia’s world is torn apart when the neighbouring kingdom of Illucia destroys her family, her culture and ultimately her way of life. Six months later, she is deeply depressed which leads to her being dubbed “the princess who won’t leave her room” until one day she stumbles across the last Storm Crow egg and everything changes. Armed with the hope of restoring the kingdom, she agrees to the marriage and sets off with Prince Ericen to Illucia — all while trying to figure out how to hatch the Crow.
The world within which the story takes place is intriguing. The crows, the magic, everything about it was fresh and new, and I loved diving into it. In The Storm Crow, the Rhodairians rely on magical crows for everything from defense to healing and even entertainment. The magic surrounding these Crows and their abilities is still a little confusing. However, I am hoping that this will be explained later in the series. As for the world-building itself, it’s a little clunky at times with infodumps here and there but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book as they tied in well with plot points throughout the book.
When it comes to the plot, it’s a very typical first-book-in-a-fantasy-series novel. The discovery of something magical, the loss, the journey, the training, and the escape are all present in this book, but the setting and the way they play out make The Storm Crow far from boring. The writing is also pretty good. I read the book in a day, so it’s easy to get through and rather fast-paced. I will say that the writing in the beginning did come off as awkward, with lots of metaphors and flowery language, but as the book progresses, it gets less and less noticeable.
My favourite part of The Storm Crow, however, was the characters and how they stood out against their YA archetypes. Beyond just being the main character, Anthia stands out because she has depression. Her struggle is front and centre in Storm Crow as one of the subplots consists of her recovery, which is a slow process that follows her through to the end of the book helped along by her friend and bodyguard Kiva. At first, I thought Kiva was going to be a rather flat character — the typical YA female warrior character — but once past the first third of the book, she outgrew my first impression and just kept on going. Not to give too much away, but she was a delightful surprise in terms of her interactions with other characters in the book. Finally, let’s talk about Prince Ericen. Out of the three, he is the most typical YA character you’d come across but he also happens to be a favourite of mine in regards to the series. There’s not much I can say without spoiling certain elements, but he’s a good balance of dark and brooding with cocky jock, and definitely more than what meets the eye.