savage_book_review's Reviews (328)

In the time I've been reviewing my reads and keeping a WTR list, it's become increasingly clear that I'm a cyclical reader. I read one book on a subject or theme, and add another load on the same subject to my WTR list. Get to those books, start reading, add a few more. So right now we're back in my Russian history phase and so my next few library books are all based on the lives of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of the Romanov dynasty. 

This particular book is a concise approach to the last fourteen days or so of the Romanov family, while imprisoned in the 'House of Special Purpose'. Day by day, it counts you down to their brutal end, while also taking the time to explore each of the characters in detail and providing wider context of the events going on in Ekaterinburg and Russia more widely, as well as the UK and USA. Everything is linked back to the central premise, which makes this a very well controlled, tight narrative. 

The author explains that she has been able to draw on sources that are not widely available, including Russian sources that are centralised around Ekaterinburg and that are almost contemporaneous with the events. This means it feels like you are getting a fresh perspective on events, and a balance between Western perspectives and that of the Bolsheviks who saw this family as the cause of many of the country's problems. I found the information she included about just how botched the plan for the burial was especially interesting - I feel like I knew this was the case, but to read in detail how badly planned it was doesn't feel like something I've read before.

While there are some fairly standard inclusions in terms of descriptions and perceptions, the author does do a good job at limiting these to a 'necessary' level. Yes, the Tsaritsa is perhaps a bit of a hypochondriac, but the descriptions of her weaknesses are couched in predominantly practical terms, actually painting a picture of her being ill in bed rather than just listing her ever growing hoard of symptoms. This makes her feel more 'real' off the page than a lot of other books I've read. Another example is the family's piety - there is a description of their last sermon with a priest (taken from the words of the priest himself as I understand it), which is incredibly moving and a beautiful illustration of the strength they found in their faith.

However, I will admit that, as short as this book is, I did find myself zoning out when the 'action' switched to Lenin, the Boleshevik attempts to keep control of Russia and their differing thoughts on what to do with the ex-Tsar. Don't get me wrong, I find that era of Russian history fascinating too, but I didn't get the same depth of interest from the writer when reading these sections - the book seemed to go from quite moving a quite moving narrative to fairly a fairly dry history tome. Clearly there is only so much that can be said about the Romanov imprisonment, given that access was incredibly restricted and all of the prisoners bar one ended up in the cellar on that fateful night, and so I totally get that some wider context needs to be included or it would be an incredibly sparse book! But I wonder if these parts could have been a little more focused. 

Another interesting read about this tragic family.

I saw the musical 'Wicked' a couple of months ago and, while I did enjoy it, I wanted a little more depth of story so I did have half a mind to read the book. It was therefore a no brainer to add to my Audible library when I spotted it was included with my membership. At this point, I am incredibly glad I didn't pay for it! I will give credit to the people who wrote the musical... how they managed to extract their inspiration from this is something I will never understand! 

First and foremost, my goodness is this slow going! It takes 3 hours for the book to do what the musical does in, oh, 10 minutes max and actually get Elpheba and Galinda to their first day at university. And in the 8 hours I listened to, I couldn't really tell you about any major plot points that happened - they were just heading off to the Emerald City when I gave up. It's like the author kept getting distracted and going off on unnecessary tangents; in fact, his writing reminds me of the dull professors he talks about! There was just NOTHING to keep you engaged as a reader/listener.

I also found the tone of the writing very odd. Now, I'll admit that I haven't read the original Wizard of Oz books, so my thoughts here could be a result of the gap in my knowledge. But I couldn't get my head around the semi-frequent swearing, allusions to sex and various instances of more 'adult' material, all of which feels completely at odds with some elements which feel very childish and simplistic. I was expecting more on the YA end of the spectrum, if I'm honest, so while I'm by no means a pearl-clutcher, the grown up stuff just threw me for a loop! It's like the author couldn't pick his audience, so we've got a random mashup of everything.

I also remember being slightly disconcerted by the seemingly racist, sexist and trasphobic undertones, all of which made an appearance within the first hour. There are also questionable depictions of disability (physical and mental), and I got really bored with the repeated assaults of thinly veiled religious theology. It's not a new book, I know, but it was still published within my lifetime and so with each instance it just felt less and less comfortable.

The characters were all pretty bland too. Galinda is your mean girl with her back up b*tches, Boq is the geek in love with the popular kid, Fiero has apparently been given one hell of a glow up in the musical, and Elpheba is actually quite unlikeable. There was just no character I felt a connection with or able to root for. 

While the narrator was fairly easy to listen to and had plenty of animation in his voice, I just felt that it would have been better if the story had been narrated by a woman. I felt like I might have been able to connect with the main characters more if I could hear their voice, rather that (in my head at least) the Wizard speaking on their behalf. I'd also say that the sound quality was not the greatest (lots of swallowing, loud breathing etc), and his timing was really odd in places, with large pauses where there was no need, and no pauses where there should have been.

All of this ties up in the moment I decided to DNF. The gang of secondary characters have just held a wake for a minor character and decide that the most appropriate thing to do thereafter is go to a sex club. After drinking and dancing, they get taken into a 'special room', where one of their number is pulled onto the stage with a sentient Tiger and a woman on her honeymoon. The woman is tied up by her hands, our secondary character is wrapped around the Tiger koala style, they're all blindfolded and it's inferred that the evening's entertainment begins with the Tiger performing oral sex on the woman. And then, without a breath, suddenly we're with Elpheba and Galinda on their way to the Emerald City. 

Yup, at that point my brain went 'we're DEFINITELY not in Kansas anymore!'

I absolutely adore the premise of this series, but it feels like we have strayed quite a long way from the story that was seemingly set up in 'Poison Study'. The world just feels too big; like the author had a lot of genuinely brilliant ideas, but tried to include them all in one trilogy rather than sifting through them to streamline the story. As a result, we have more zig-zagging in the narrative and, again, it can be very difficult to keep on top of. An example is the fact that Yelena was meant to be going to the Magician's Keep to learn about her magic and how to control it. But by my count she's actually had maybe half a dozen lessons in her whole time there? In this book alone, she is assigned to two different teachers for lessons, but she only has one interrupted lesson with each of them thanks to other aspects of plot getting in the way! So it does raise the question, what was the point of introducing the 'Magic school' anyway?

Likewise, it become really frustrating when characters seem to change allegiances at the drop of a hat! This could be a brilliant plot device, adding to the tension as you can't be sure whether the character is being genuine or not. But some of the changes come from no-where, and it's done so many times over the course of the series that it rather loses its effect, and just adds to level of concentration you have to muster to keep everything straight in your head.

The characters introduced in 'Poison Study' continue to be interesting and a joy to read about - their relationships are well established and they give off a great 'found family' vibe. I do love Valek in particular, but he's just another example of where the story seems to have gotten away from the author... there needs to be a hell of a lot more of him! What's the point in an established love interest if he only pops up to stage a daring rescue and then disappears again?! The relationship between him and Yelena is lovely, but I just need two or three chapters of them together, alone, being a couple. It would add to the jeopardy and the tension at crucial moments if you had had the chance to watch their feelings bloom in closer quarters, with Ari and Janco in the background being the annoying big brothers.

On the other hand, the supporting cast didn't add a huge amount of value for me. Yelena's real family and the others that she encounters on her travels seem to be missing that depth altogether and come across as fairly generic. And there are a couple of characters that are just left hanging around. I know there are more books set in this world and so I'm hoping that the author chooses to elaborate a bit more, but the most disappointing thing for me is the lack of follow through on the set up of Commander Ambrose. Had potential to be so, so good, but again that storyline just seems to peter out. 

The series is definitely worth a read, and I will be picking up the follow ups as and when they reach the top of my WTR list. Although I may try and find the little short stories that fill in the gaps between these books in the meantime.

Taken south to be reunited with her family, Yelena doesn't quite get the homecoming she expected. With her magical specialty still unclear and accusations of being an Ixian spy swirling around her, she must tread carefully and try to reconcile her southern heritage with the fact that her heart lies in the north. 

At the outset, the reader goes in thinking they know what to expect; a family reunion followed by this world's version of Hogwarts. But my goodness there are a lot of directional changes in here! And trying to keep up with the zigs and zags of the storyline is enthralling and engaging, but also quite energy-sapping. It certainly keeps you on your toes, but you MUST be awake. So this isn't necessarily a book I'd recommend for bedtime reading. One character in particular jumps around in the reader's (and Yelena's?) estimations from villain to nice guy to maybe even potential rival love interest right back to villain again, with very little tangible reasoning for each shift. You get why, but it's all just feels a bit 'thin'. And when the story itself feels like a bigger version of this, you either want to read this in very small chunks so you can digest as you go, or read the whole thing in one go knowing that you have some time afterwards to take a breath and sort through everything in your head.

I'd say there's a lot more introspection on Yelena's part in this one. Parts of it are beautifully done, tying in with her learning about her magical abilities and bringing her northern mindset to the southern realm. And yet other aspects are less effective; for all of her thoughts about fitting in with her family, I'm not entirely convinced we needed her parents to be reintroduced. While they are lovely characters and have their parts to play, they don't feel like they make a huge difference - Yelena could just as easily have been a real orphan and the story would have worked just as well with a couple of tweaks. 

While I wouldn't say this is any more graphic than the last book, it certainly deals with similar themes and they are a lot more prevalent - indeed, one of the main aspects of the story involves kidnapping, rape and murder. The suspense and mystery is very well handled throughout when seen through Yelena's eyes and the contrast between her methods and those employed by the southerners are a really interesting way to examine the story. Similarly, although it is very easy to understand why an outsider may view the way the north is run as a dangerous dictatorship, the juxtaposition between their insistence that their way of life is fairer and Yelena's treatment of the beggar children she encounters really makes you consider   if their version of freedom is all its cracked up to be.

Recognisable tropes continue to make an appearance within, completed by the mind-link with a friendly animal. No dragons here, just a brilliant couple of horses! So simple, yet so effective, heartwarming and just a little bit funny to break the tension when you need it to.

Overall, I perhaps didn't enjoy the reading experience quite as much as the first book, but the story is great and I'm so glad I have the next book in the series ready and waiting!

Destined for the gallows, Yelena is no fool and accepts an offer to keep her life. In return, she must become the food taster for Commander Ambrose, leader of Ixia. Risking her life with every bite, she must also navigate the 'training' given by the chief spy master, Valek, try to survive the wrath of the father of the man she killed and keep her own secrets safe.

This is a great series starter and I'm really looking forward to reading the next one, but equally it's a really enjoyable story in its own right. I'd also say it would serve as quite a good 'on-ramp' for those who are just dipping their toes into the romantasy genre - it's got the magic, the intrigue and a number of the tropes that are very familiar (although no Fae, shadow daddies or wingspans in here - but then these books do predate these fashions), but at the same time it's not overwhelmingly fantastical - you could almost be fooled into thinking you're reading more of a historical fiction novel with a twist.

While it is an easy read, there is a darker undertone to the story and, while not explicitly detailed, there are moments in Yelena's backstory that are deeply disturbing. She is a very well drawn character and, although I would have liked to have seen a bit more depth to her development, she is certainly a character you can get on board with and walk alongside. Similarly, her relationship with Valek is joyfully inevitable given the genre, and while I didn't get much 'feeling' until it was written in black and white, at the same time I didn't really need it - my imagination just filled in the gaps for me!

I was very pleasantly surprised by a layer of representation in here that came completely out of no-where, but it's a wonderful idea and I'm very excited to see how it affects the story moving forward. Not saying what the representation is as I don't want to spoil the surprise, but it gives the book a feeling that it's a little ahead of its time IMO! 

I feel like SJM might have read this book... I get definite ACOTAR vibes in a few places. The 'power twins' who teach our main character to fight with weapons and have a banter between them like no others; a grumpy yet skilled female warrior involved in the training; the man with power over the FMC that compels her back to him at regular intervals... there's even a character called Nix! 

Hoping to meet the author at RARE24 in a couple of weeks, so really want to get through the next couple in the series before then! But with how smooth this was to read, I'm hoping there won't be a problem with that!

Finally managed to get my hands on a copy of the finale of the Hades x Persephone series. And as I'm going to RARE24 in Edinburgh next month where the author is making an appearance, I had to get it read before I go!

I would firstly say that this book needs to be read straight off the back of 'A Touch of Malice'/'A Game of Gods' for the first section impact properly. There's no on-ramp - you're straight into the thick of the story. Where I was reading it a few months after picking up the last one, this did throw me a little bit as I had to try and remember exactly who was who and what was going on. But once all the pieces had put themselves together in my head, we were good to go! 

It's an incredibly fast paced book IMO, which does mean that it feels like it's sacrificed some depth for the sake of drawing the various plot strands together. The story itself is great and really delivers on what has been building in the six previous books, but at the same time there are so many moments that could have been more detailed, drawn out or descriptive. Everything you need is there, but your imagination just has to work that little bit harder with this one to bring it to life. There are also a fair number of plot points left hanging - I'm hoping these might get picked up on in the follow up Aphrodite and Hephestus book/series that's coming, otherwise to me it doesfeel like the series has been left open-ended.

I do like that we get to see Hades and Persephone's PoVs side by side in this book, and Persephone's character feels much more mature than she does in previous books; I guess the threat of war and losing the one you love will do that to a character! The spicy scenes are still here, but they are somewhat toned down compared to the rest of the series. Still got sexy Hades though! Add to that the Theseus and Dionysius POVs and you get a great overview of all that's going on and a genuine disgust at Theseus's character and actions. Indeed, how I feel about him in this book is how I wanted to feel about him when reading Natalie Haynes' 'Stone Blind'. 

There were some elements I was expecting in the conclusion that didn't appear, which left me slightly disappointed as it felt like elements of the story have been subtly stressed throughout the series to lead to a great conclusion. Where they haven't materialised, I'm feeling a bit hollow. But again, that's what my imagination (and fanfic) is for! Overall, it's not the greatest ending to a series I've ever read, but the series as a whole is one of my favourite versions of this myth. I do hope the author chooses to continue the series, even if Hades and Persephone take a back seat a la Feyre and Rhys in ACOSF. Need more of this particular brand of retelling in my life!

This was my first ever Stephen King book, and I had no idea what to expect going in. I picked it up purely on the basis that I liked the premise, and just hoped that I wasn't being fooled into reading a horror story (definitely not my genre of choice!). At best, I was expecting to read it, shrug and unhaul it. But oh, my goodness, what a book. This has more than earned a place on my bookshelf; I am totally blown away by this absolute masterpiece.

For me, it's not so much about the overarching plot of trying to save JFK that makes this stand out. Instead, it's the attention to detail which vividly brings this man's journey to life, both in terms of the factual elements - tracing Lee Harvey Oswald's life in the lead up to the fateful day is fascinating in and if itself - but also the seamless weaving in of the fictional characters and their goings-on to 'harmonise' the past. It's so very easy to fall down your own rabbit hole and come to believe in these characters; it really wouldn't take much to convince me that George Amberson/Jake Epping did actually write his story, and Stephen King is just 'the face'. 

The concept of time travel might be sci-fi, but the writing makes it effortless to just 'go with it'. There's no real explanation as to where this hole in the world came from or why it exists, but there wasn't a single point where I didn't accept the position as plausible. The plot device just works. The exploration of the butterfly effect and the repercussions of George/Jake's actions do drag you into a type of dystopia, and I love how enough detail is given to allow you to understand exactly what has happened, while leaving enough to the imagination to have you thinking of the consequences for a long time after you put the book down. In turn, it inevitably leads to you questioning what you would do if you had the same or a similar opportunity. 

There are some very dark moments throughout, with depictions of murder and domestic violence being important to the story. In some cases it's quite graphic, but it's not gratuitous and these moments are truly gripping to read. They're also important to our main character's development as he learns about the world he's now inhabiting and how the rabbit hole works.

Even in the quieter moments though, he writing remains engaging. I wouldn't say it's a fast paced book, and certainly there are plenty of more 'domestic' interludes that by all accounts should drag, but every moment is beautifully and thoughfully written and really digs into your psyche. I adore the romantic element - definitely not something I was expecting in a Stephen King book! - and to be honest I almost stopped caring about the world in jeopardy! And when the main character finds his 'people', the book develops a sweet small town cozy feel, albeit with shadows looming...

I'll admit to wanting a different ending, but the one we got is absolutely fitting, if heart-wrenching .

I'd thoroughly recommend this to anyone.

Picked this up as it's included in my Audible subscription and I really enjoy the author's podcast, 'Betwixt the Sheets'. Kate Lister is an engaging and energetic historian, who deals with the history of sex, scandal and society with frankness, openness and with a lighthearted humour that still manages to convey the more serious side of the subject.

As she states, it would be impossible to present a comprehensive history of this topic, so she has chosen to focus more on curiosities and less considered topics in this book. For example, drawing a link between the invention of the bicycle and the emancipation (sexual, fashionable and political) of women. It comes across as well researched, well presented and well balanced - although the author's opinions are clearly recognisable throughout, it is first and foremost a history, reporting the facts as they are known. In some respects this was a little disconcerting for me as I am used to hearing more of her own thoughts and opinions via the podcast, but it was interesting to experience this more scholarly side to her.

Clearly, there is a lot of explicit language and descriptive imagery throughout. Indeed, there is a whole chapter dedicated to the history of the 'c' bomb! It should be squirm-inducing, but the author takes pride in shining a light on these private practices and stressing that there is nothing to be ashamed of. The point is repeatedly made that shame around the subject is purely a social construct and that discussions about sex should be far more common. Likewise, although not said directly, the message that comes across is that as long as what you are up to is legal, safe and between consenting adults, you do you.

It's really interesting to see the changes in the perception of sex over the centuries, and the debunking of a few myths about the most 'liberated' and 'repressed' eras of history. I also love how she has included various euphemisms in the text for various sexual acts, and notes the earliest date that we have evidence they were used. Some are well known and still common, others really show their age and definitely raise a giggle! In some regards, I would like the book to have been longer so that more subjects could have been covered. Equally, she addresses the fact that she can only report these things on the basis of her own experiences and life - she sensitively deals with questions of race, gender and sexual orientation where they arise, acknowledging that she cannot possibly reflect all the nuances because she does not necessarily form part of the community being discussed. This gentle approach is a positive reflection of the progress made when compared with the historical sources quoted in the text, which were produced by such a narrow section of society. 

I wouldn't say that any of the topics covered are obscure, but I'd argue that some may be a little too 'niche'. Part of me wonders if the book might appeal to a wider readership if it had chosen broader subject matter and explored the more general history of sex and relationships and historical perceptions thereof, rather than the specific subjects mentioned. Nevertheless, it is a very interesting read!

The one criticism I do have is that there are a few phrases and details that are repeated on several occasions throughout, sometimes almost verbatim and sometimes within the space of a couple of pages (or even paragraphs). Nothing another pass with an editor couldn't fix, but I found myself getting a bit frustrated when it kept happening. 

For the audiobook, the narration was not as smooth and enjoyable as I had hoped it would be. When the author is reading her own words, it works brilliantly - her voice is conversational, light and easy to listen to. However, when faced with quotations from sources and the pronunciation of names from history or of foreign writers, her reading becomes incredibly stilted; it sounds like she hasn't practiced the pronunciation in advance and is trying to sound it out there and then. There are also a few moments where a name or a date gets absorbed into the text surrounding it so it's a little unclear what she's quoting from. Of course, reading the physical version would negate these issues.

An interesting read.

The premise of this book is essentially the same as 'Six The Musical' - to bring the six women who married Henry VIII front and centre, to give them their own voice and to separate them from their husband. Each wife has been studied by a different author, and is presented as if writing a diary/memoir towards the end of their marriage. This is interspersed with Henry popping in to briefly give his point of view. Listening to the audiobook, it's narrated by a full cast, so you really do get to hear each Queen's 'voice'.

It's a great overview of the history from their perspectives, and gives you a small taste of what their personalities could have been like. I wouldn't day it's groundbreaking in its originality; as much as they want to paint the women as more than the stereotypes, they do still lean quite heavily into them (albeit toned down for a YA audience). However, there are a few moments that work very well - I love the exploration of Anne of Cleves in this; it's another example of taking a woman who is generally ignored or overlooked and expanding on her story in a fictionalised way that makes her more intriguing than all of the others. 

Henry's continual blaming of everyone but himself for the failure of his marriages is particularly stark in this; he really does come across as a whiny, petulant child! It's a great contrast with the grace and dignity of the wives and works really well within the context of the book. I'm not sure it's the fairest representation of him overall, but this is just an overview rather than a scholarly work and it does what it's meant to do; include him, but not draw focus from the women.

There are a couple of things that grated on me; the "narrator's" American accent threw me completely at the outset and just sounds wrong given the topic at hand. And there are a few cases throughout of modern parlance and Americanisms creeping in, I.e. "he fancied me", Fall instead of Autumn etc. It's not so common that it stopped me enjoying it, but it happens enough that I felt it needed a little more Brit-picking in the edit.

I don't think they quite achieved what they wanted to; overall, much of the wives' discourse was mired in Henry's thoughts, feelings and actions towards them rather than their own individual identities, and it generally "stuck to the script", picking up on the same old episodes that have been examined innumerable times before. Of course, I understand that's because they are the events best documented, but when you're writing a fictionalised version of history there's no reason to hold back with the artistic licence to consider those moments shrouded in mystery. Nevertheless, it's an interesting beginners guide.

I know so, so many people get to this point in the series and stop because they can't stand Nesta and imagine that a book telling her story will be infuriating, annoying and no where near as fulfilling as Feyre's tale. And I'm here to tell you that yes, she is infuriating, annoying and general a bit of a b***h, but my goodness is this book worth it. In these pages, you finally get to understand the person beneath that icy cold exterior; the character exploration and development is utterly incredible, and while you may still not necessarily like Nesta at the end, you will certainly come to respect her.

As with most of the first parts of these audio books, the pace is quite slow as the story is layered in, new characters are introduced or expanded upon and Nesta is dragged kicking and screaming towards a redemption. Although there is an element of the overall ACOTAR story arc that continues in here, it is effectively relegated to a sub-plot that intertwines with Nesta's healing journey. It's absolutely a necessary part of the story, but I prefer watching Nesta's growth through her more 'everyday' activities and her taking tentative steps towards friendship.

The single biggest thing that annoys me about this one though is that it's written in third person. For the graphic audio version, that means a proper 'narrator', rather than Nesta and Cassian telling the story in their "own words". Don't get me wrong, the lady who does this job is very good and I can listen to her with ease, but at the same time I wouldn't personally have chosen that voice to lead the story. It's a big adjustment after having Feyre narrate the rest of the series, and takes a little while to settle into. 

On the other hand... Now we get to hear Cassian in the central role! Yup, he could read the phone book and I'd listen; the actor here really shines! He's got everything down, from the lighthearted banter he shares with his brothers to the sexy rumble he uses to get under Nesta's skin. A weird insight for you; I've always seen Cassian as a blonde with hair falling into his eyes a la Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Titanic'. I know that's completely the opposite of the author's description of him, but somehow the voice in here has given me an even stronger vision of the character looking like this. Normally I picture an actor *cough*David Tennant*cough* playing my leading men, but Cassian now has a face and body all his own in my mind (even if he is borrowing someone else's voice...).

And yes, the spice is just as good as you're hoping it will be. My husband is now well and truly aware of the existence of Fairy pr0n! And this half only gets you as far as the dining table 😉  IYKYK.

Yes, there is a lot wrong with this story; something about Feyre and Rhys is just 'off' in this one; their characters don't feel quite the same as in the earlier books, and their treatment of Nesta - from a complete hands off, let her self-destruct approach to a micro-managing enforced regime in no time flat - feels more like the High Lord and High Lady of the Night Court sentencing a subject rather than family trying to help family, which again feels quite out of character for them. But I can put that down to their being secondary in this story. 

But the best of this story is yet to come...