This retelling of Frankenstein with a monster made of plants was an interesting take on the story but didn't suit my own personal tastes.
What I liked:This retelling of Frankenstein with a monster made of plants was an interesting take on the story but didn't suit my own personal tastes.
What I liked: * Frankenstein's monster made from plants * the greenhouse / botanical garden * the duality of a m/m couple a w/w couple at the center of the story
What didn't work for me: * the language and sentence structure - you'll know right away if it's working for you or not * the two main male characters - I just couldn't understand their motivations * the overall theme of the book didn't work for me - this is coming from a queer person - we don't always agree with each other, and that's ok * a bit too spicy for my preferences
If the general idea appeals to you, I recommend giving the first chapter a go. If it hits your sweet spot and you like some wlw spice, then keep on reading. It'll be a good match for you.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.* ...more
There's a lot of gorgeous writing here. I enjoyed the depth of character for Fox. Each chapter and memory visit felt sort of like its own vignette to There's a lot of gorgeous writing here. I enjoyed the depth of character for Fox. Each chapter and memory visit felt sort of like its own vignette to me. I struggled with the overarching story - perhaps because so long was spent on each memory journey? I at first felt like the ending nailed it but then the "Coda Excisions," a chapter after the last chapter, left me confused. For me it removed all of the emotional weight of the ending.
This book stays true to what it is throughout. The first few chapters are very representative of the rest. I'd recommend reading the first few to see what you think and go from there.
Diversity - m/m relationship, secondary wlw characters, all three main characters are people of color, one main character speaks with a stutter
With regards to content, there's some swearing. Intimacy is artistically written (ie it's more about the feelings than any specific descriptors.) One of the characters is exploited for child p*rn, and it is treated as the trauma that it is. (There is no assault but photos and videos are taken.) Both main characters are orphaned. There is a scene with a large bomb, there is another with a hurricane-like natural disaster, and there is one where an employee opens fire on his workplace.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*...more
Overall, this is an interesting modern retelling of the Persephone and Demeter myth. It admirably writes pharmaceutical companies as the underworld anOverall, this is an interesting modern retelling of the Persephone and Demeter myth. It admirably writes pharmaceutical companies as the underworld and a CEO billionaire as their god. Potential readers should be aware that this is a dark story, not a romance. It contains sexual assault. Some readers may not enjoy the complete lack of quotation marks. Recommended to readers interested in modern day retellings of mythology.
I loved this book so much! I couldn't stop highlighting passages. It's such raw and real representation of dealing with chronic and acute illnesses inI loved this book so much! I couldn't stop highlighting passages. It's such raw and real representation of dealing with chronic and acute illnesses in loved ones while simultaneously being fantastical. (I'm still thinking about the magical oriole.) I was teary-eyed.
This is a very meta book that clearly took a lot of effort and thought to write. A big theme is writers with anxiety about writing (like writer's blocThis is a very meta book that clearly took a lot of effort and thought to write. A big theme is writers with anxiety about writing (like writer's block) and the ethics of writing (how much is too much to take from those around you.)
It was a little slow-paced for me, and I'm not sure how I feel about the overall final story (once you get through all the meta ones.) Also some of the American characters speak like British ones sometimes.
Marketed as a humorous thriller. I didn't particularly find it that funny or that thrilling. I did find it to be an engaging plot and set of characterMarketed as a humorous thriller. I didn't particularly find it that funny or that thrilling. I did find it to be an engaging plot and set of characters. A little lacking in diversity, especially given the setting of Miami and the Everglades. The storytelling style felt kind of like an omniscient documentary. I appreciated actually acknowledging a heavy-drinking character as having a problem.
The concept for this book is super original. A family with a genetic predisposition to postpartum depression is also haunted by an interdimensional beThe concept for this book is super original. A family with a genetic predisposition to postpartum depression is also haunted by an interdimensional being who takes advantage of that among the first-born daughters. It tackles both intergenerational healing (especially of the colonized) and postpartum depression through a speculative lens. In spite of being horror and supernatural, the main character goes on a healing journey.
The story is told both in the present and through extended flashback chapters to previous generations.
The main character is bisexual, and there is a significantly important trans side character in a historic time period flashback.
The writing was at times a little clunky, especially towards the end. It just felt like I was reading a book, as opposed to getting lost in it, and it felt like different characters sounded the same. Again, this wasn't throughout the book but limited to occasional scenes especially toward the end of the book. I also found it an odd choice to inform the reader the present-day was 2020 and then never acknowledge any of the 2020 issues. (For example, expected the mother with postpartum depression to end up dealing with distance learning for her two school-age children. But nothing ever came up.) Everything else could have stayed the same and been in 2019, so I'm not sure why it wasn't 2019. I also felt that the husband character was treated in a two-dimensional way, as was the marriage. Marriage is very complex and yet complexity was only allowed to the postpartum depression and not the marriage. (view spoiler)[Given that he had never done anything truly reprehensible, it bothered me that Alejandra didn't even try to save the marriage. She just decided they were a bad match and ended it. He never even got a chance to respond to her making any requests about how their relationship could be different. I could have been ok with this if there had been, for example, a scene where she asked him to do couple's counseling and he refused, as that would show he wasn't willing to try. But he basically brings her a glass of wine to talk about what she'd gone through, and she ends the marriage in a conversation we don't see. (hide spoiler)]
Overall, in spite of two plot points I either didn't appreciate for chronic illness representation issues or felt didn't make much plot sense, I stillOverall, in spite of two plot points I either didn't appreciate for chronic illness representation issues or felt didn't make much plot sense, I still enjoyed the read. It was a unique merging of a period piece thriller and a modern thriller featuring an influencer and female friendship. Recommended to thriller readers looking for a book rich in female characters who also enjoy the arts and the 1970s.
I was excited to have a fantasy based in a non-European mythology submitted to me, and wow is this different from the typical European-based fantasy. I was excited to have a fantasy based in a non-European mythology submitted to me, and wow is this different from the typical European-based fantasy. In a good way. This is a dense, different fantasy with a strong learning curve unless the reader is already very familiar with Hinduism.
The basic story reads just like mythology. This has pros and cons. On the plus side, it feels quite fantastical. On the minus side, some of the plot points can be cringe-worthy (such as an unwanted kiss that could have turned into a rape if the female character hadn’t suddenly 180ed from zero interest to desire) and the characters can be a bit two-dimensional. This will bother some readers, but those who enjoy mythology, in spite of its shortcomings, will appreciate this read. Personally, I generally prefer if authors update and modernize their mythological rewritings a bit more, but not all readers feel that way.
The author is well-aware that Hindu mythology won’t be familiar to many Western readers, so he offers an extensive footnotes that are well hyperlinked in the ebook that explain both definitions of words and various aspects of Hindu mythology. This means that the reader learns a lot but it does also slow down the reading of the book and breaks up the immersion in the world. The footnotes are a good idea but perhaps if some of the words and concepts were better incorporated and explained within the writing itself then there could be fewer footnotes that offered greater explanations of more value.
The ending is a bit abrupt. It’s clear this is intended to be the first book in a series, but an extremely abrupt ending like this one makes it difficult to feel like the reader got a full book out of the deal. It feels more like the pilot of a tv show than the first book in a series.
I would give this book a more full review, but it has been pulled from publication since the review copy was sent to me. I really wish when authors and/or publishers choose to do this that they would notify those of us with review copies. While I enjoyed the read enough to not regret reading it, it feels rather silly for me to bother reviewing a book no one else can get their hands on anymore.
Overall, this is a fantasy book set firmly in the tradition of Hindu mythology that will best appeal to readers who enjoy the traditional features of mythology and don’t mind an abrupt ending.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Merged review:
I was excited to have a fantasy based in a non-European mythology submitted to me, and wow is this different from the typical European-based fantasy. In a good way. This is a dense, different fantasy with a strong learning curve unless the reader is already very familiar with Hinduism.
The basic story reads just like mythology. This has pros and cons. On the plus side, it feels quite fantastical. On the minus side, some of the plot points can be cringe-worthy (such as an unwanted kiss that could have turned into a rape if the female character hadn’t suddenly 180ed from zero interest to desire) and the characters can be a bit two-dimensional. This will bother some readers, but those who enjoy mythology, in spite of its shortcomings, will appreciate this read. Personally, I generally prefer if authors update and modernize their mythological rewritings a bit more, but not all readers feel that way.
The author is well-aware that Hindu mythology won’t be familiar to many Western readers, so he offers an extensive footnotes that are well hyperlinked in the ebook that explain both definitions of words and various aspects of Hindu mythology. This means that the reader learns a lot but it does also slow down the reading of the book and breaks up the immersion in the world. The footnotes are a good idea but perhaps if some of the words and concepts were better incorporated and explained within the writing itself then there could be fewer footnotes that offered greater explanations of more value.
The ending is a bit abrupt. It’s clear this is intended to be the first book in a series, but an extremely abrupt ending like this one makes it difficult to feel like the reader got a full book out of the deal. It feels more like the pilot of a tv show than the first book in a series.
I would give this book a more full review, but it has been pulled from publication since the review copy was sent to me. I really wish when authors and/or publishers choose to do this that they would notify those of us with review copies. While I enjoyed the read enough to not regret reading it, it feels rather silly for me to bother reviewing a book no one else can get their hands on anymore.
Overall, this is a fantasy book set firmly in the tradition of Hindu mythology that will best appeal to readers who enjoy the traditional features of mythology and don’t mind an abrupt ending.
Who knew a serial killer thriller could also be a hoot and a half? I was both laughing and hooked into finding out what would happen from the very firWho knew a serial killer thriller could also be a hoot and a half? I was both laughing and hooked into finding out what would happen from the very first page where our protagonist is maligning herself for being abducted by a serial killer.
I found myself unable to root for anyone in this except for Rambo, the small robot vacuum.
I really think you need two things for this book to work forI found myself unable to root for anyone in this except for Rambo, the small robot vacuum.
I really think you need two things for this book to work for you: 1) enjoy the original Pinocchio 2) the sense of humor in the book works for you. I could tell when I was reading that I was supposed to find this funny within the first few pages, but I never did. You'll know right away if the humor is working for you or not and don't expect it to change.
This is a loving and detailed send-up to Pinocchio. I appreciated how much care went into the original story. The problem is that I don't actually like the story of Pinocchio, something I forgot when I picked this up because I was so excited for a new Klune book. Pinocchio is dire, sad, and disturbing. This is dire, sad, and disturbing. Don't expect uplifting like previous Klune books!
I just can't get behind pairing a person in recovery for 5 years with someone with a drinking problem who won't admit it. I like the meet cute of swapI just can't get behind pairing a person in recovery for 5 years with someone with a drinking problem who won't admit it. I like the meet cute of swapping notes with the takeaway though.
I'm really wrestling with whether to mark this 5 stars.
Importantly note: this delivers what I, as a bisexual woman, have always wanted out of the veryI'm really wrestling with whether to mark this 5 stars.
Importantly note: this delivers what I, as a bisexual woman, have always wanted out of the very straight reality dating shows: two of the women contestants getting together and saying "screw this guy."
Overall, this was an interesting book of discourses from a well-respected Buddhist nun. The first part is perfect for bedtime reading, and the second Overall, this was an interesting book of discourses from a well-respected Buddhist nun. The first part is perfect for bedtime reading, and the second part may be used either as an introduction to loving-kindness meditation or a way to introduce some variety to an already established practice.
I really enjoyed these intertwined cat short stories! I'm waffling between 4 and 5 stars because sometimes the changing perspective was a little hard I really enjoyed these intertwined cat short stories! I'm waffling between 4 and 5 stars because sometimes the changing perspective was a little hard to follow.
I appreciate the author sharing his personal journey of how he came to understand being a queer Christian as a queer Christian himself.
This is not in-I appreciate the author sharing his personal journey of how he came to understand being a queer Christian as a queer Christian himself.
This is not in-depth theology or apologetics, nor does he present it as such. Rather it's his own understanding of the big clobber passages, Jesus, and Christianity, and how he has chosen to remain a Christian as a queer person.
This is a well-written book, it just wasn't for me.
Overall, I liked getting to know Violet, and it was an interesting world to visit. But the spice leThis is a well-written book, it just wasn't for me.
Overall, I liked getting to know Violet, and it was an interesting world to visit. But the spice level was far too hot for what I personally prefer in romance, sliding more into an erotica category in my opinion. It also seems to me that the first book may have been quite different from this one (I don't know for certain, because I didn't read it), so readers of the first should come in aware of these differences.
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