Listening to the audiobook version of this was an absolute delight. I enjoyed it in this format in the same way that I loved listening to the audiobook version of Daisy and the Six. It's written in various bits of dialogue from conversations and podcast episodes and I found it much more immersive with a range of voice actors for the different characters featured in this bits of the story. I also love books that make me support women's wrongs. This isn't one I'll shout about from the rooftops, but I will more than likely read the rest of Clark's backlog of books, now. 

I’m gonna try rereading a physical copy of this. The narrator’s voice is a little too low-pitched for me and I found myself tuning out and missing the entire story. I also think I need to read the actual words to immerse myself before I can understand an audio version. 

I loved this book so much and it came at the perfect time. This was the February romance pick for book club and so far, it’s been a winner for everyone who’s finished it. The story was engaging, the supernatural flair was really interesting and added to the story in a positive way, and the romance was absolutely so sweet. What does one do, after all, when they start seeing the ghost of their love interest’s recently deceased husband? Our main character, Ezra, tries hard to keep his secrets buried, while the rest of his family’s secrets come bursting out of the woodwork, whether they’re ready to be revealed or not. If you’re looking for a queer contemporary romance that’s light on the spice, but heavy on the plot and character development, this is a great choice!

Absolutely everything I wanted from this book and more. I can't wait to have my own copy to keep at home to flip through and look at artwork (soon). I'm not one to normally read these books cover to cover, but the vice-like chokehold that Arcane still has on me since the end of season 2 is impressive and I found every page fascinating.

THIS BOOK WAS SO LOVELY. The atmosphere was ethereal, the story was compelling, the romance was sweet, the ending was beautiful. I loved every second. At first I thought this was more magical realism, but it’s definitely in the camp of speculative fiction. The descriptions and settings are vivid and you can practically feel the surroundings. I don’t have much else to add to any other lovely review I’ve read of this book, so I’ll have to share some instead. I don’t need to be an echo chamber for my fellow reviewers. If you’re looking for a cozy vibe with medium-high stakes, mysteries abound, and a precious romance - this is it.
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Adding favorite quotes here:

"'But no one ever really dines alone, do they?' Toshio said. 'Our thoughts share our meals with us. They keep us company whether we invite them to or not and are especially noisy when they are the only ones at our table. They chatter about all the things we cannot say aloud. In your case, I would guess they like to reminisce about a time when you were not the woman you are today, a time, perhaps, when you liked to share your table at the ramen restaurant with someone else.'" (p. 16)

"'Books do not find value when they are written. They find value when they are read. Every book here is both worthless and priceless at the same time. It depends on who you ask. As I have not yet had the pleasure of reading half of the library's collection, I can say that only the books that I have taken from the shelves and stored in my heart are truly precious.'" (p. 278)

"'We have been blessed with the time to think. It has allowed us to realize that life is about finding joy in the space between where you came from and where you are going. I may never get to where I want to go, but I can look back on my life and say that I did not waste a second of it being bitter that I was not someplace else. Happiness does not exist in a place. It lives in every breath we take. You need to choose to take it in, over and over again.'
[...]
'Everyone I have ever encountered, no matter how brief, has either taken something or left something behind. Rude people can rip the smile from your face. Kind ones can give it back. I have learned that there is nothing to be gained from stealing other people's happiness. No matter how much you have stolen, it is not something that you can ever use for yourself.'" (p. 288)

 

I FINALLY READ THE BOOK! I’ve been saying I’d start this series for at least 2 years now and the book has been sitting on my shelf for at least 1 year, but it took the audiobook narrated by Rosamund Pike to convince me to get through this chunky book. (She was a fabulous narrator, by the way.) I enjoyed this so much!! It was so fun to read the source material for the Prime show (yes, I am obsessed with it) and, surprisingly, I still think the show holds up pretty well, considering the changes they made. That’s probably an unpopular opinion, but oh well.

I’ve started working on a personal list of SFF books and series that I want to start working through (I’m trying to appreciate more classics instead of only reading new books), so I plan on continuing this series. I will probably continue listening to the audio versions, as it’s more accessible for me and I think it’ll help me move through this series a little faster.