Updated review: Driven by my sometimes misguided sense of curiosity, I decided to finish reading this novella, despite my earlier abandonment of it. U Updated review: Driven by my sometimes misguided sense of curiosity, I decided to finish reading this novella, despite my earlier abandonment of it. Unfortunately, the story, the plot, and the level of the grotesque only devolved the more I read. In approximate order of appearance, the following are used as plot points in this novella of fewer than 100 pages.
- Drug-facilitated sexual assault - Killing and mutilation of chickens - Attempted rape - Kissing and making out following disruption of that attempted rape, complete with rapey thoughts from the male protagonist about how it's hard for him to control himself around her - Poisoning and killing of two horses - Incest between daughter and father, including reveal that said daughter has been seducing father since the age of 13 and blackmailing him since - Reveal that father accidentally raped "good" daughter once by mistakenly going to the wrong bedroom - Killing of litter of puppies by breaking their necks - Threats of one sister to kill the other - Double murder (possibly murder-suicide) - Reveal that "evil" sister had also been sexual coercing plantation workers into sexual acts - Mutilation of a corpse - Suicide
The intent of the novella seems to be to set up the full-length books in the series, but I can't imagine wanting to read more. Before anyone thinks that I am being squeamish or delicate, let it be known that I understand using violence as a way to develop a plot or its characters. However, such violence must serve a purpose in the story. None of this did, other than being used as a weak set-up for a curse that appears in other books. The paranormal aspects of the story don't even appear until the final 10 - 15% of the story, and they are then not even explained or fleshed out. (view spoiler)[It's just, "Oh, her eyes turned black once, and now she's a ghost who can haunt me. What about that weird lady who visited the house? Hmm, no matter." (hide spoiler)]
As the prequel to a YA paranormal romance, I doubt this story will do little to draw in readers. When the love story does appear, it is unbelievable with no build and a substantial focus on the couple's lustful intent toward one another, complete with statements about how the male protagonist can barely control himself around the chosen girl and how she doesn't want him to be able to. On top of all those things, the writing is poor, with frequently anachronistic dialogue and situations, and there is little characterization or world building.
This title comes from a newer digital-first press from Kensington, which makes me think they are more willing to take risks with which books and authors to sign, but this wasn't a good choice, especially as a promoted title on NetGalley. It makes me leery of the quality of their other offerings.
Initial review: DNF at 31%, which is saying something because this novella is only 100 pages in length. Rape or attempted rape was used twice as a plot device in the first 30 pages, the dialogue and behavior of the characters was historically inaccurate, and the story simply doesn't engage me at all. When requesting it from NetGalley, I had not realized that this is a prequel novella for a YA paranormal romance series, but this should be able to be read as a standalone. Despite that, I'm sure the author's and publisher's intent is to entice readers to read the rest of the series, but that won't be the case with me.
Note: This review refers to an advance review copy provided free of charge by the publisher.
Merged review:
Updated review: Driven by my sometimes misguided sense of curiosity, I decided to finish reading this novella, despite my earlier abandonment of it. Unfortunately, the story, the plot, and the level of the grotesque only devolved the more I read. In approximate order of appearance, the following are used as plot points in this novella of fewer than 100 pages.
- Drug-facilitated sexual assault - Killing and mutilation of chickens - Attempted rape - Kissing and making out following disruption of that attempted rape, complete with rapey thoughts from the male protagonist about how it's hard for him to control himself around her - Poisoning and killing of two horses - Incest between daughter and father, including reveal that said daughter has been seducing father since the age of 13 and blackmailing him since - Reveal that father accidentally raped "good" daughter once by mistakenly going to the wrong bedroom - Killing of litter of puppies by breaking their necks - Threats of one sister to kill the other - Double murder (possibly murder-suicide) - Reveal that "evil" sister had also been sexual coercing plantation workers into sexual acts - Mutilation of a corpse - Suicide
The intent of the novella seems to be to set up the full-length books in the series, but I can't imagine wanting to read more. Before anyone thinks that I am being squeamish or delicate, let it be known that I understand using violence as a way to develop a plot or its characters. However, such violence must serve a purpose in the story. None of this did, other than being used as a weak set-up for a curse that appears in other books. The paranormal aspects of the story don't even appear until the final 10 - 15% of the story, and they are then not even explained or fleshed out. (view spoiler)[It's just, "Oh, her eyes turned black once, and now she's a ghost who can haunt me. What about that weird lady who visited the house? Hmm, no matter." (hide spoiler)]
As the prequel to a YA paranormal romance, I doubt this story will do little to draw in readers. When the love story does appear, it is unbelievable with no build and a substantial focus on the couple's lustful intent toward one another, complete with statements about how the male protagonist can barely control himself around the chosen girl and how she doesn't want him to be able to. On top of all those things, the writing is poor, with frequently anachronistic dialogue and situations, and there is little characterization or world building.
This title comes from a newer digital-first press from Kensington, which makes me think they are more willing to take risks with which books and authors to sign, but this wasn't a good choice, especially as a promoted title on NetGalley. It makes me leery of the quality of their other offerings.
Initial review: DNF at 31%, which is saying something because this novella is only 100 pages in length. Rape or attempted rape was used twice as a plot device in the first 30 pages, the dialogue and behavior of the characters was historically inaccurate, and the story simply doesn't engage me at all. When requesting it from NetGalley, I had not realized that this is a prequel novella for a YA paranormal romance series, but this should be able to be read as a standalone. Despite that, I'm sure the author's and publisher's intent is to entice readers to read the rest of the series, but that won't be the case with me.
Note: This review refers to an advance review copy provided free of charge by the publisher....more
Wow, what a whirlwind (or whirlpool?) of a read! STEEL TIDE is that rare second book in a trilogy that outshines the first and expands and de 4.5 stars
Wow, what a whirlwind (or whirlpool?) of a read! STEEL TIDE is that rare second book in a trilogy that outshines the first and expands and develops the story fully, rather than simply linking the beginning and the end.
Parker's second installment has the same hallmarks as the first in the series -- strong female relationships at the fore, a complicated heroine, and a fast-paced plot full of nearly nonstop adventure and suspense. STEEL TIDE brings more than that, though, by upping the stakes, creating an even more breakneck pace, and complicating the human matters even more. The author has a real knack in this book for creating treacherous situations (and characters) and then providing even more ingenious solutions and plot twists related to them. Though I am usually quick to predict plot points or character reveals, STEEL TIDE provided one after another that I didn't see coming. The novel also provides an opportunity to examine the ethics of warfare and how it can and will change everyone who engages in it, even the perceived "good" side, and I really appreciated this angle of the story. The romance also starts to make more sense.
For those who like action and adventure with strong female characters, with a side of moral inquiry (a la The Hunger Games), I highly recommend this....more
I was excited to read Christina Lauren's newest offering, My Favorite Half-Night Stand, because it focused on love among academics at a university and I was excited to read Christina Lauren's newest offering, My Favorite Half-Night Stand, because it focused on love among academics at a university and because it would be my first experience with this extremely popular author duo. Unfortunately, this book was a considerable let-down on many fronts. I almost put it down in the first 10% when the story got significant info wrong about graduate degrees and academic tenure and the characters' subsequent ages, but I plugged on. The pace only picked up in the final third, and that couldn't make up for the reality that the characters all came across as childish and immature, there was little to no chemistry between the H/h, and the plot was simply too unbelievable as a set-up....more
McLemore's new release, BLANCA & ROJA, is a fantastic and fantastical novel of magical realism. The author empl4.5 stars - my best read of 2018 so far
McLemore's new release, BLANCA & ROJA, is a fantastic and fantastical novel of magical realism. The author employs lyrical and gorgeous writing, complex characters, and representation that addressees different identities to craft a moving retelling mash-up of delight that pulls from two fairy tales and one ballet. I'm so glad I discovered her writing in the ALL OUT anthology. My only qualms (minor, at best) were that the writing style became a bit repetitive at times in the latter half of the book and that the magical aspects of the world were sometimes ill-defined. ...more
Wow, what a powerhouse of an appalling, despairing, and poignant little novel.
This is not light fantasy fare, as the cover or YA categorizat4.5 stars
Wow, what a powerhouse of an appalling, despairing, and poignant little novel.
This is not light fantasy fare, as the cover or YA categorization might make some believe, but rather a visceral and disturbing examination of the power structures that oppress women, both as they exist today and in the stories we tell (and have told) each other. I loved this book, though I did spend much of the book in a perpetual state of fear and dread, cringing about what would happen next. I cried once; I looked away in utter repulsion another time and had to take a moment to recover; I had got a stress headache from clenching my jaw too tightly while reading. But I also got goosebumps during the final 10% and had many "oh, wow" moments when the reality of a piece of dialogue or a scene hit me full-force, as a woman who has seen or experienced similar.
Though some may quibble with the YA categorization, I think this could be good for the introspective high school reader (15+) or any adult fan of fantasy, fairy tales, and feminism. Be warned that this is weighty book, with many triggering topics, but well-done and purposeful in its delivery and execution. I thought it was fantastic.
While FLUTTER could have been a moving and poignant examination of the effects of trauma (view spoiler)[(unplanned pregnancy, abortion, and attempted While FLUTTER could have been a moving and poignant examination of the effects of trauma (view spoiler)[(unplanned pregnancy, abortion, and attempted suicide) (hide spoiler)] on a high-school relationship and beyond, the key points of the plot were too inconceivable for me to take the novel seriously. Set in the present day, the story flashes back six years to the high school romance of Dylan and Presley and the events and people that drove them apart. Though a relatively typical romantic plot arc ensued, it was marred by absurd plot points and side characters who appeared as simple caricatures of villains or saviors. The murder-mystery element could have been interesting, but it was uncomfortably linked with the story of a young boy's trauma and resulting dissociative identity disorder (DID) with convenient and likely inaccurate portrayals of a misunderstood condition. The writing itself also came across as weak, with continuity errors about Presley's timeline and entirely too many convenient inaccuracies about medical school training and psych ward procedures. While I wanted to feel the love and commitment between the two main characters, it was primarily told, not shown, through declarations of love and lots of face-holding and murmuring, but little else. I'm sure there are many readers who will eat up this story of doomed love recovered, but I needed more character development and plot authenticity....more
As much as the premise sounded interesting, if not uninspired, I couldn't get past the lackluster writing and poor worldbuilding to care anything abou As much as the premise sounded interesting, if not uninspired, I couldn't get past the lackluster writing and poor worldbuilding to care anything about the situation or the characters....more
I gave this one 4.5 stars, and y'all know that's saying something from me. This is not for the faint of heart or the easily disillusioned, but this bo I gave this one 4.5 stars, and y'all know that's saying something from me. This is not for the faint of heart or the easily disillusioned, but this book impressed me in many, many ways. It is a searing, unflinching look at the effects of violence, sexual assault, rape culture, grief, and retribution on a small town's high school culture and the individuals living in it. So incredibly well-written and punching that I had to put it down a few times just to catch my breath or compose myself. Highly recommended, but likely only for a specific type of reader....more
While I enjoyed some of McGarry's earlier books for their frothy romance-driven plots, this sampler for LONG WAY HOME didn't grab me. The setting, cha While I enjoyed some of McGarry's earlier books for their frothy romance-driven plots, this sampler for LONG WAY HOME didn't grab me. The setting, characters, and conflicts felt very contrived, and the voice of the male narrator didn't seem believable. It was a quick and easy read, though....more
I have long been a fan of Tessa Gratton's writing, and her newest YA novel, STRANGE GRACE, has reaffirmed w4.5 stars & the best book I've read in 2018
I have long been a fan of Tessa Gratton's writing, and her newest YA novel, STRANGE GRACE, has reaffirmed why: she writes fantasy with nuanced character development and engaging plots that always speak to bigger themes and issues. I finished reading this at dusk to the sounds of tree crickets & katydids - a perfect complement to this fantastic book that tackles big themes about sacrifice, war, security, love, & gender in a beautifully-written and compelling way....more
Instead of a riveting retelling of "The Singing Bone," which I had been told it would be, this was a historical romance for teens dressed up 2.5 stars
Instead of a riveting retelling of "The Singing Bone," which I had been told it would be, this was a historical romance for teens dressed up in the trappings of a light fantasy novel. I imagine that many people, especially young teen girls, would lap this up, but I found it to have too little worldbuilding, too little true conflict, and too many unlikely times that the princesses and royal ladies were able to conveniently slip away for tryst moments to be to my liking....more
I was hoping for a moving depiction of how the protagonist, her family, and her friends dealt with the aftermath of her older brother's drunken drivinI was hoping for a moving depiction of how the protagonist, her family, and her friends dealt with the aftermath of her older brother's drunken driving accident, his subsequent incarceration, and his hurtful behavior following his release. Instead, I read a story that used that backdrop to build up a forbidden romance and a story that thought it wound things up neatly and meaningfully in the end but didn't. I have read reviews that others were moved or impressed by this title, but I think so much more could have been done with the character development and themes....more
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