savage_book_review's Reviews (328)

I needed something light and quick as a palette cleanser after finishing an epic beta read, so I grabbed this from the TBR pile. I know what you're thinking - looks like a cheap knock-off off 'Horrible Histories'. But actually, this pre-dates the first HH book by about 3 years! And when you take that into account, it helps reframe your thoughts on the book. It's the blueprint, the first draft, the initial attempt at a history book made fun.

The issue is, I found it missed the mark on both the 'informative' and 'funny' stakes. It's a race through 1,000 years of British history, structured in the usual way of examining the reign of each monarch (with a glance at pre-1066). But there isn't really any depth to the exploration - the majority of monarchs/events are lucky to get more than a paragraph. There is a section every so often that sets out a brief timeline of notable inventions or developments, but ultimately there's just not enough substantive content to make it worthwhile.

Similarly, the humour is... meh. There are a lot of asides and knowing eye rolls, but for a book seemingly aimed at a younger audience it doesn't quite feel right. And there are other comments and phrases used that, while not overtly offensive, do feel quite dated. For example, there are a few references to monarchs potentially being gay which don't come across very well any more, as are certain references to women and other nationalities. 

The illustrations are quite good, but again are very reminiscent of Martin Brown's drawings in the HH books. Indeed, at one point I went to check that it wasn't the same illustrator! 

Ultimately, this was something of nothing, and I'd say that HH learned from and improved the format greatly. But, if this was indeed the inspiration for HH, I have to be grateful for it!

I head about this book by chance, after seeing a post from the author on Threads advertising her first ever author talk at a bookshop not so far away from where I live. I went, I saw, and I found a gorgeous human being, a kindred spirit book-wise and a debut novel I desperately wanted to read. And I was absolutely not disappointed!

The first thing you need to know is that you're quite literally thrown straight into the story head first, so take a deep breath before you dive in. And the pace does not let up - you'll fly through the pages without even realising. Although this isn't usually a style I enjoy (I do like me my plot and worldbuilding tied together in a nice neat package), in this case I actually found it really helpful in giving me an opportunity to sympathise with our FMC, Rosalind and, to some extent, feel what she feels upon landing in the fae world without warning. Just as she has to face whatever comes next with little warning or context, so must we as readers. 

The premise is a good one; trials based around the basest failings of humankind; the seven deadly sins. This is only the first book in a series though, so don't expect all seven just yet! All of the trials are cleverly put together, so even when Rosalind is aware she's in the midst of one, the ultimate goal aside from surviving isn't always clear until it has been achieved. Although you only learn the basics of Rosalind's background (which is a little disconcerting at first and does make it a little difficult to 'place' her), she is by no means lacking depth; each trial explores a different facet of the character's personality, so you're getting to know her as things progress, rather than having her foundations laid before the plot kicks in. And there are a few beautiful interactions between her and other characters which really bring her to life.

I really want more of Aalto though! He is still very much something of an enigma, and I'd love to see the story told from his point of view in future! He's not your typical brooding shadow-wielding MMC; far from it! The character artwork really helps with his characterisation, and by the end of the book I found myself sighing and smiling at his actions. 

The secondary characters are also really well crafted in the main. It is obvious who you are meant to root for and who you're meant to boo like a pantomime villain. Likewise, those that already play a significant role in the story again may not have a huge backstory, but it doesn't stop them from being characters you and Rosalind can relate to. There are a couple of characters I would have liked to see fleshed out a little more, but there is nothing lacking that is a detriment to the storytelling.

I would perhaps liked to have seen a slower pace for a couple of the trials; it felt to me like there was so much more scope to linger over the details and really make certain elements pop. But there are so many lines in here that seem almost 'throwaway' that I'm wondering if they are setting something up for the sequel. However, all of the unanswered questions feed in really well to the twists and turns, and indeed the ending! There is a moment that throws the reader and the character onto what feels like a new path, and from that moment on you just know the rest of the story isn't necessarily going to go the way you expected. 

I hope the next one gives me a moment to really sink into the story and the world, but otherwise more of the same is anticipated with baited breath!

Before you ask, yes, I am aware it's currently May Day bank holiday in the UK and gloriously sunny outside... I FINALLY picked up this holiday novella by one of my favourite authors in the hopes it might cool me down a little but, well, this is a book that will definitely get you hot under the collar!

'Sweet Silver Belle' is a little nugget of dark romance perfection. Within moments of meeting our main characters, Belle and Dmitri, you are invested in their relationship and their personalities, and your heart immediately knows what it wants. Even within the confines of a book that comes in at less than 200 pages, they are both brought to life with ease and so well fleshed out (literally and figuratively), it really feels like you must have read about them before. Belle's traits are completely relatable whether or not you have been in her situation, and while normally I'd be screaming at an otherwise strong female character to stand up for herself more, in this case I instinctively understood why that wasn't an option. I've never read a book that illustrates not just the character's reaction to domestic abuse, but the rationale behind their reactions (or lack thereof) so well.

As for Dmitri, well hello Sir! He starts out as quite the cinnamon roll, but damn if he doesn't morph into something just a little bit terrifying and absolutely delicious to read about! I've not really explored mafia romance books too much to date, but I love that Dmitri's background is used to give depth to the story and his character without it being overly central to the story. It was a great way to dip my toe into these waters. He basically has everything a girl (this girl) looks for in her MMCs - sweet yet brooding, dark, protective, tattooed and very much a bad boy to the world, but putty in her hands. This right here is a perfect illustration why readers prefer fictional men. 

The pace is absolutely spot on. Again, for a novella it's an absolutely complete story, with enough worldbuilding to settle you completely into the premise and energy to keep the tension at full tilt throughout without feeling like things are being skimmed over. There are some beautiful little twists and turns to keep you engaged, and the build to the climax is incredibly done. As for the relationship development, damn this is a hot one! The spice is just... *melts*. But it's spice with feeling; maybe a tiny bit gratuitous, but every moment fits within and drives the story forward. All I will say is I am not developing a mask kink. I am not developing a mask kink. I am NOT developing a mask kink. 😂🤣😂🤣 

I love Billie's work anyway, but this just cements her status as one of my absolute favourite authors. And she's a lovely human being too! 🥰

The second in the 'Queen's Council' series, this book is a sequel of sorts, pitched at both those young adults who are discovering Mulan forbthe first time, and all those who saw the animated Mulan film when it first came out and have now grown up, but still retain their love of the magic of Disney. I'll admit ai never saw the animated version, but I have seen the live-action remake and, TBH, as long as you know the basic premise of Mulan's story and who Shang is, you're pretty much good to go.

As with book one (Rebel Rose, which follows Belle from Beauty and the Beast), the story follows Mulan as she steps into a position of power, despite it not being 'the done thing'. Where much of Mulan's story is viewed through the role of gender in any event, watching her reconcile the knowledge that she is accepted as a great warrior woman, independent and strong, but still not deemed fit to command men despite her experience is particularly interesting. The author has done a great job at presenting the character as an example for girls and women, balancing her innate femininity with that spark of fire, self-confidence and self-assurance that, even today, certain sections of the male community find terrifying. Her struggles only serve to clarify that she is the right person for the job, both to her people and to herself, and the further development of Mulan's story is wonderful.

There is still that element of Disney fantasy, with Mulan's encountering the spiritual embodiment of the Queen's Council and communing with her ancestors playing a big role in the story. But it's far from the animated cheery companions shown in the animated film (I think!). Again, these moments are used to fortify Mulan's strength and reiterate that she is a member of a rather exclusive group of incredible women who defy convention, and serve as a reminder to the reader that there have always been powerful women out there. And yet, it doesn't shy away from the more brutal facts of war and placing Mulan in a position where her own wellbeing must take a backseat for the sake of the country. The darker undertones are wonderfully woven in; there's enough there for you to understand what the author is driving at, but nothing so overt as to make the book unsuitable for younger readers.

The writing is seamless throughout, with the pace skipping along nicely while drawing you deeply into the world and letting the more fantastical elements feel natural, with the reader having no need to question them. There are a few nice surprises within the narrative to keep you guessing, and a great spectrum of emotion throughout. 

The underlying romance is also gorgeous. Much like the relationship itself, everything is subtly done to keep that knot of tension there through the story without detracting from the main narrative, and the scenes where it comes to the fore are so satisfying! It's a great illustration of the fact that a romance doesn't need spice to make you swoon! 

This book has the feel of one that could be expanded to more deeply consider all of its component parts for the maturer audience that do remember when the film came out, but nonetheless stands on its own two feet as a great expansion to her story!

I've been looking for this book for a good while now, ever since I heard Natalie Gruenunger speak about it on the 'Not Just The Tudors' podcast. So I was delighted to find that it's now available on KU! I have a long-standing fascination with Anne (as my reading history will attest), and I had high hopes this would be a book that would approach her last year with a fresh perspective. However, I felt that it falls into the age old trap of talking around the subject, rather than about it.

I will concede that it does what it says on the tin - it follows the last year of Anne's life. If you wanted to recreate Anne's final progress as Queen, this would be a great guide to creating your road trip and, when you arrive at each destination, it serves as a fabulous visualisation of what the properties would have been like in Anne's day. However, there is a large section where it feels like that is all the book is - a brief detail of the date she arrived at a particular place, followed by a list of the rooms that the property had and their likely decor. Wash, rinse, repeat. There is very little detail as to what her visit might have actually entailed, or any real examination of Henry and Anne's relationship or even her wider relationships with friends and enemies alike, save for a cursory sweep every now and then of her clash of ideals with Thomas Cromwell.

Likewise, the narrative does go off on tangents fairly frequently. For example, at one point the author mentions that it's unclear what Anne may have worn for a particular event. But then we get another list, this time of an order she made from a clothier. And then we get told who else that clothier might have supplied. And a list of their clothes. For what was seemingly a throwaway line in the first place, we end up with a good few pages (it seemed) of filler. We also encounter the issue that there are various segments that feel like they drift away from Anne altogether, with the huge presence of Henry VIII taking over. 

The most interesting section for me was about Anne's downfall and imprisonment. I will say that I did learn something new here - somehow I've never known that Anne actually wrote to Henry during her stay in the Tower. So to read that letter heightened the emotion of the moment and made the horror and devastation of her circumstances all the more real for me. While I can't say that this section felt like a particularly deep examination of her imprisonment, trial and execution - it really does only scratch the surface, skimming over the events with seemingly minimal critical analysis; even the trial charges and the fact that they are clearly fabricated only receive one brief line in the main text and a cursory mention in the appendix - the inclusion of that letter alone made it worth the read. 

I can appreciate that historians are always working from an incomplete record, and it is impossible to recreate a person's precise movements, thoughts, feelings and motivations at a distance of 500 years, but for such a well trodden topic I do question the point of publishing another book on the topic if you don't really have anything new to add to the discourse. 

I don't regret reading this, but after waiting so long to get my hands on it I do feel a little disappointed.

In basic terms, all the action, suspense and intrigue that I found lacking from part one arrives very quickly in part two, and doesn't let up for the entire instalment! This was a far more engaging listen, and I now feel far more invested in the story and characters.

The biggest improvement by far can be found in Poppy's character development. I found her quite two dimensional in part one, but she very quickly takes on a life of her own here, actually taking action rather than just feeling things but saying nothing. She's still a far from perfect character; her sheltered upbringing can only stretch so far as an excuse for her naivety, her mood swings from loathing to lust and back again gave me whiplash in places, and the extreme shift from almost blind trust to determined distrust of everything, while perfectly logical for the character, is so frustrating for the reader - we've been here before many, many times and, unless it's executed perfectly, it just comes across as another tick on the romantasy checklist and a delaying tactic to make us wait for the meat of the story. But, despite all that, she definitely feels more rounded and it was certainly easier to sympathise with her this go round. 

As for Hawk, well, he's going on the book boyfriend list! A quip for every occasion, the delicious eroding of his restraint and that dark edge that starts to come out to play? Yu uu um! I still feel that his character is far more well crafted than Poppy overall; while it also draws on a lot of the standard romantasy character traits, the character is somehow far more 'inhabited' on the page. And his development arc is so, so enjoyable! Plus the voice actor gives a stellar performance which makes it impossible for you now to fall for the character.

The plot twist and ending was 'spoiled' for me, but at the same time I'd basically already figured out where this was heading from about 1/3 of the way through part one! It doesn't bother me in the slightest though that is is predictable; it allowed me to enjoy the ride to see how the author would get us there! The copious amount of fan art also acts as a spoiler by omission, but at least I can now enjoy it properly!

There are some quite dark moments in this book, but they serve the atmosphere really well, and give depth to the fact that this world is not all it seems. Some of the imagery made me recoil in the best way! It's graphic, but not so graphic as to be off putting, and a couple of moments makes your heart flutter at the slightly twisted way of evidencing affection... 

There are some clunky moments of transition and plot points just dropped in out of nowhere (the ending being an absolute prime example), but again I'm just trusting the romantasy template to see me safely through. It is a shame that, in places, it does feel like there is a lack of worldbuilding simply because it's a book from this genre - it feels like the author is banking on the fact that the readers will have an instinctive understanding of certain things and so certain elements are left for you to fill in the blanks. Likewise, there are a few examples of info-dumping which, while well placed enough to fit within the story, detracts from Poppy's character. She is essentially told everything, rather than figuring out or discovering things for herself, which again makes her feel a little bit of a passenger in her own story.

I'm certain intrigued enough to continue the series, but is it going to become a new favourite? I guess book two will hold the answer to that!

*Please note, I was provided with an ARC version of this book by the authors and am voluntarily leaving an honest review*

The second volume of dark fairytales by the indie authors collective brings you more short stories reminiscent of the tales from your childhood, but these are most definitely for adults. As the name suggests, dark themes abound and they are certainly not for the faint-of-heart - this is one you will absolutely positively need to check your trigger warnings for before diving in. We go from the queen that bathes in the blood of maidens to the Goblin King eating the hearts of his victims, and those are some of the 'lighter' elements of the stories! 

As with the previous volume, I found the stories to be a bit of a mixed bag. By far and away my favourite was 'The Blood Maidens' by Billie Nicks, not just because I love her work anyway, but because the story was well paced, beautifully written and gave me everything I needed to enjoy the premise, feel the connection of the characters and their choices, and use my imagination to fill in the gaps and imagine my own next chapter. The most important thing for me though was that the story felt balanced - every element had a purpose which contributed to the overall effect. And there's a certain revelation that gave the tale an extra layer of grounding in reality, and made my inner history geek incredibly happy! 

The other tale I enjoyed profusely was 'Fairy Godfathers from Hell' by Emmy Crimson. Although I would say the technical execution wasn't as high quality - it reads almost as one long stream of consciousness without pause for breath - the underlying story is actually really enjoyable. If I'd picked this up on its own, I probably would have read the first couple of pages and said it wasn't for me, but as part of the anthology it really works! This is a tale that could be developed into a longer-form piece, which I think would really help with the pacing and build to the story. 

Another notable highlight was 'The Musician and the Inkwell' by Grace Vice. I loved Grace's story in the previous volume, and this one lived up to my expectations too! This is quite a creepy story, because it feels on the surface like a proper fairytale. Our FMC makes a wish and, lucky her, it comes true. Except the way it manifests clearly makes her a villain... but because she still gets her HEA and only the sweet and good princesses get those in 'real' fairytales, there is this fantastic element of it being a total mindf**k; somehow, you can't equate her to the wicked witch or evil queen! 

Rounding out the top five for me are 'Wen-Did-It-Go' by Alex UpChurch and 'Whispers of a Goblin Heart' by Zaryn Finch. The former isn't necessarily what I would choose to read in the normal course of events, but the love and devotion between the husband and wife in this one gave me the warm-fuzzies, even if the events in the story absolutely do not! Similarly, the development of the relationship in the latter is gentle and sweet, compared to the violence of the rest of the narrative.

While I appreciate that these are 'dark' fairytales, with the obvious implication being that there are going to be themes of an uncomfortable nature included, there is a part of me that got a little frustrated with the sheer volume of gratuitous scenes of a sexual nature. I have no triggers and am absolutely a fan of a good spicy scene or two, but in the vast majority of these stories there were a mix of scenes that were integral to the plot, which was fine, and then just 'extras' that felt superfluous, or only there to fulfil the brief of the anthology as a whole. And of course, a lot of the scenes contain elements of non-con/dub-con, which makes my squirming about them worse.

In the same way as with volume one, there are of course stories that didn't speak to me. However, that's the joy of an anthology - it's quick and simple to move on if what you're reading isn't your cup of tea. I did read all of the stories so I could make my own mind up and make a true comparison of them all, and overall it's definitely worth a read purely for the showcasing of some wonderful authors. I really hope you find a new favourite in here!

*Please note, I was supplied with an ARC version of this book by the publisher and am voluntarily leaving an honest review*

If you're ready to rage against the patriarchy, wave your feminist flag with pride and basically stick it to the man (or men), then this is the book for you! I was lucky enough to receive volume four, which contains tales of paranormal romance by some fabulous authors, including Billie Nicks, Nova B Quinn, Luna K Wicked, Ali K Mulford and more. So not only are our FMCs strong women, taking revenge on those who've wronged them; they've got a little bit of the supernatural about them to make them bigger, bolder and badder. And they're all absolutely delicious!

There isn't a dud story in the bunch; every author has put their own spin on the prompt of feminine rage and you can feel the visceral anger, frustration, wrath and scorn coming through in their writing. Each short is beautifully structured, with the narrative of each giving you everything you need to enjoy the story while keeping things moving at a swift enough pace to tie everything up by the end. In a couple of cases, these shorts are leads into bigger stories, and I will certainly be keeping my eyes out for those!

I do of course have my favourites:-

1. 'Fear No Hell' by Billie Nicks. This short basically brings together everything I love to read about and crafts it into a little nugget of perfection. I've no idea what fairydust Billie sprinkled in while she was writing, but I literally read it three times back to back. Lila is the epitome of resilience and her moments of payback are terrifying... yet I would love her self-control. I ADORE Sam, our MMC, and I am seriously concerned that he may even end up stealing Cassian's crown as my ultimate book boyfriend when I get to read more about him. Just. Yes!

2. 'Scorned Shadow' by Rose Chase. This is a great illustration of the collective blindness society suffers with when it comes to unsavoury action is from those in positions of power. Nobody sees ot happen, even when they do. And even if they acknowledge that it's happened, it's very easy to dismiss as 'normal'. So when something abnormal comes along to shift the balance, the fallout is extra sweet. Again, this is full of tropes and micro-tropes that I love!

3. 'Devil in the Snare' by T C Kraven. I'll admit, when I read the first couple of pages I wasn't entirely sure I'd get on with this one, as I really struggle when thick accents are written out. However, once I got past that I completely fell in love with Willow and Benoit. The contrast between Benny and James is so well illustrated, and as you read you feel the rage building with in you matching Benny's energy. This one has such a satisfying story arc, and the ending is so indescribably beautiful! I would happily read a full length version of this!

4. 'The Witches are In' by Tilly Ridge. Now, this one is truly terrifying. Mainly because it's not completely unimaginable that the premise could reflect reality in the near future if we're not careful. This one felt a little different to the others as the focus is on the FMCs helping others who have suffered, rather than necessarily suffering themselves. And while the witchy vibes add a great extra layer to the story, the simple fact of their taking action that flies in the face of authority is really inspiring. 

The loss of a half star from perfection is more of a 'me' problem, I think. Like I said, taken individually, each story is incredibly well written and fulfills the brief beyond what you can hope for. However, there was something about the ordering of the stories within the anthology that meant I found myself losing steam on a couple of occasions and having to put the book to one side. While the stories are all very different, placed side by side there is an element of blurring lines, particularly where there are scenes of the girls 'bathing' (or committing other acts 😉) in the blood of their victims. I think when I read it again, I will probably mix it up to see if that makes a difference.

This book makes you feel empowered and just a little bit vengeful, and I love it! Plus, the proceeds are supporting a really important cause, so please do go buy it when it's released!

Blaming @theofficialstevenwalker on IG for this one jumping the TBR pile. I've heard plenty of good things about this series, and seen lots of fan art, so I've been intrigued about what to expect. And as I was able to get the graphic audios on offer a few weeks ago, it seemed like the stars were aligning for this to become another favourite. At this stage, I can see the potential, but I'm yet to be fully convinced.

The initial action is a great hook into the story, and immediately raises questions that make you want to keep reading/listening. At the same time, right off the bat you're getting all of the things you expect from the romantasy genre, so everything feels familiar. However, there then feels like a HUGE wait for actual worldbuilding to kick in. All those questions you have; what does it mean to be The Maiden? What's the Rite? Etc etc etc just hang there. The characters and narrative make such a big deal of the titles, events and so on, but there's just nothing to actually explain until very late on. Now, I appreciate this is only the first half of the first book and audiobooks are inevitably a slower way for me to ingest the story, but I just needed more far earlier. I get setting up a mystery and drip-feeding clues, but this feels like there a massive holes in the foundations of the story that the reader is just meant to keep jumping over in the hope there's going to be an explanation at some point. 

I only really became invested in the story when Hawk properly enters. His character is just gorgeous (literally and figuratively), with enough mystery surrounding him to give him that bad boy allure, while having that protective, caring, humourous side that makes me smile. And the dimple, mustn't forget that! Oh, I have plenty of questions and suspicions about him, but right now he's probably the only character I actually feel a connection with. The  voice actor for Hawk really helps with the characterisation too.

Poppy is just a bit... meh. Again, she has potential, but I don't feel like she's as well fleshed out as a lot of other romantasy leading ladies. Right now she only feels like a collection of the usual FMC character traits, lacking any real individuality to set her apart. I'm interested to see where how she develops as we progress into the series and hope that something happens to really bring her to the fore. 

I also struggled a bit with the premise of the Gods in this one. While I appreciate the 'higher power' is pretty standard in this type of story, the fact that everything seems to hang off of the Gods' approval isn't quite sitting right with me. It feels more pervasive than a lot of other stories. And while Poppy isn't exactly a model disciple, I think the fact that she doesn't appear to really question the status quo made her and iltimateky all of the characters feel like pawns, shackled to a belief system which (I assume) is about to be challenged big time. 

I feel like overall this is probably a book I would have been better eyeball reading first, as this would have increased the pace exponentially and I could have then gone into the graphic audio with some knowledge of the plot. Equally though, I know that most of the GAs I've listened to where the first book in the series is split into two, I've found the first half to be a bit of a slog whether or not I've read the book before. So while I'm not converted yet, I'm definitely willing to give it more time.

This is the book where we get down to business. Obviously it came before Onyx Storm, but there are a lot of similar vibes going on with our main characters exploring outside their own little world and discovering that not all is quite as it seems. Full of twists and turns, shocks and surprises, the narrative just keeps on giving. Until it doesn't...

So yes, there is A LOT going on in here. I didn't necessarily find it the easiest to follow along with every nuance, but for a passenger princess it's a hell of a good journey. Watching Diem grow into her role is really satisfying, but I also like that the author has retainer her character flaws and draws attention to them. My only slight hesitation is that I can feel the author pulling the strings within the writing as the characters travel; there is that underlying tone of them just being pieces on a chessboard rather than the story holding a natural flow.

I'm hugely pleased that Luther finally feels like he's joining the pantheon of shadow daddies in this book. His relationship with Diem and, in particular, the way his devotion to her and her ideals is portrayed throughout is just gorgeous, whether in the midst of battle, in quiet contemplation or in the smouldering looks and flirtatious banter. But, this book is a chonker, and we've been waiting for two books already for the 'big moment'... so needless to say that the UST is delicious to the point of painful, and there was much screaming at the pages willing them to just get it on already! 

I think it's common knowledge that this book ends on a cliffhanger. And what a cliffhanger it is! The action is reaching its peak, you're already prepared for the worst... and then there's more, just to really leave you wanting. It really pulls together on everything you've learned during the course of the book, and in these moments I found I could truly 'inhabit' Diem's character for the first time. It's a masterstroke and has genuinely left me desperate to know what happens next. And yet, while I know the first three chapters of 'Burn' are available for signing up to the author's newsletter (done and done), I'm in two minds whether to read them... I really do want to know what happens, but at the same time I feel like this is the feeling the author intended you to carry into the next book when it's released, so why would I want to spoil it?! If anyone has read the three chapters and has opinions, please tell me what I should do!!

There are moments in here where the writing is perhaps a bit clunky, and elements where I had to go back and reread because I felt like characters/items/plot points were just appearing from thin air, which detracted from my enjoyment a little. However, I can equally say that I was not in the greatest headspace while reading this one, so some of that may be down to my comprehension and concentration levels being lower than usual. I'm definitely coming back to this series though, and Penn Cole is now firmly on my 'must see' list for RARE25London!