Men not be extremely misogynistic when otherwise having an ok point challenge: failed. I read Zamyatin’s We in high school after finding out it inspired 1984 and I feel like the emotional writing did a better job of conveying themes than Orwell‘s straightforward writing does. Honestly, 1984 felt like a political essay with some plot rather than a novel with political themes.

I hated that every woman served as an stereotype. Julia, who Winston imagines raping and ends up serving his sexual fantasies. Winston‘s mother is the absent parental figure only meant to birth him. Winston‘s wife who can’t have children he hopes/wishes will die or that he was able to kill her when he had the chance, and finally the grandmother who maintained her beauty after having 15 kids, and only exists to serve Winston.

Perhaps this was revolutionary when it was written, but I think the conflation between socialism and totalitarianism/authoritarianism to be contrived. The pros dragged in the info dumps were uninterest. Sure the language used, “double speak” or “big brother” are still used today, but it’s outdated and I think Orwell underestimated people’s ability to comply in advance. Big Brother is unnecessary when everyone is willing to sign over all their data and post every facet of their lives. Overall, this was boring
and I didn't enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I feel like this was both too long for the story yet lacking the depth and world building I was hoping for after reading the synopsis. There were several major questions I had while reading that went and unanswered, and I wasn’t the biggest fan of how some of then important plot info was revealed. The slow burn romance subplot gelt very forced as well.

I liked Bernie and the Order of Joans, but I wish we saw more interaction and relationships with her sisters of the order. I am so glad that Bernie was written both consistently and logically because nothing makes me more mad than when a fmc who is supposed to be smart and capable makes dumb mistakes. I did find the little bit of history given in regards to the sorcerer’s effort during the Great War super interesting, I just wish there was more of the history woven throughout the story. 

All in all, this felt like a typical paranormal fantasy but it had the bones to be so much more, and I’m interested in seeing how Linkhart defines the world building and plot info the future.

This felt like a waste of characters after the first book. Olivia’s arc felt ruined. Any growth she had in the first book was gone. Ruby was better, she felt a lot more tolerable than she did in the first. Helen’s story was just ok. It felt rushed. Actually, every story except Amy Rose and John’s story felt rushed. Amy Rose and John did have a lot of growth which was nice to see. I did like that she managed for herself and built her dreams I liked that John was there to without pressuring her. Overall though, four love stories could’ve and probably should’ve been separate books

I felt like the premise for this was so interesting and the first 20% did a great job of pulling me in but then all the girls began feeling the same. I think the social commentary was interesting but there could’ve been more. I wish there could’ve been more of a distinction between the couples. The ending also felt really abrupt and there are definitely better ways of setting up a second book but I’ll be reading the second to know how it ends because I’m nosy.

Thank you NetGalley for access to this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was so so strange and dreamlike. I haven’t really read medieval horror before, but this was incredible. 

My few issues first. I think the pacing was off in the middle parts of the book. Also, I wasn’t too keen on the relationship between Treila and Voyne, as we’re told that Treila met Voyne as a young girl and was attempting to gain the love of the older woman. I also wish there was a bit more world building outside of the castle. All we know is that the castle is under siege but not why or how.

Now onto everything I liked. This felt like a fever dream. The three main characters were fully fleshed out, and I loved their arcs. The Saints could’ve been fleshed out a bit more. I feel like we only truly got to meet two of them while the other two were more background characters. The descriptions were very graphic so for readers who don’t like gore, I do recommend staying away. I think Starling’s writing was lush without being overly flowery, extremely descriptive without relishing in the gore. Also, the imagery and aesthetics of this book remind me heavily of medieval religious iconography. This was compelling and unputdownable. Phosyne, my madwoman, my witch, I love you so much, and I can’t wait to have a physical copy of this in my hands.

Sapphics, if you loved the locked tomb series I know you’ll love this. 

This was very sweet and thoughtful but I fear something was lost in translation. The writing felt stilted and though it was rated as adult, it felt more on par with middle grade or YA writing. I did love the premise but the plot points felt repetitive, and I did like the mystery subplot with the missing guests. I thought the little clues about the culprit were cute. I really just wish there was more depth to the story. The straight forward morals and lack of nuance is part of why the writing felt younger than it should've. Overall, it was a calm, relaxing read but nothing special.

AHHH they keep getting closer and bonding and I love it so much!!

I love my little rock/grunge music loving lesbians. All the miscommunication, anxiety, misspoken words, weird vibes leads to Mitsuki and Aya getting closer and it's so cute.

This was such a strange but endearing work of prose. I feel like the synopsis only really captures Mago's POV. There's so much more to the story than a mother's grief, although grief is a prevalent theme  throughout. I think all four POV's include necessary details and insight into how grief appears and evolves and is ever present. I will say, M's POV is definitely my favorite. While ever other POV has a tender affection for M, despite, or perhaps, because of his monstrosity, M just is. Neither a human nor a monster completely, and I could see myself in his hunger. 

There were points where the prose felt like it lacked emotion, and I feel like tension was built, just for the ending to let it dissipate, but I will definitely need to reread.

I read the Hoffmann version years ago and saw the ballet when I was younger. I feel like Dumas created a bridge from the original to the ballet. I feel like the plot was a little clearer, the characterization a bit stronger and fleshed out, while still retaining the original story. It's definitely a bit more understandable for children than the original. it's a fun, quick read and one of my favorite Christmas stories.