As far as topics go, this book is fascinating, and on a prose level it's quite readable and often even good. But...Well, this sure did...get written.
As far as topics go, this book is fascinating, and on a prose level it's quite readable and often even good. But...it's probably the most unprofessional book I've ever read. From assuming the thoughts of the people he's writing about (some of whom have died, and therefore could not have given something for Emerson to expand on), to not citing his research (because, according to the epilogue, everything he states can be verified with a Google search or a phone call), to attributing particular venom to Beatrice Sparks, it's just a MESS.
He claims Erik Larson as an inspiration, and then (I'm paraphrasing) tells on himself by saying Larson's research skills put his to shame.
(Jake Peralta voice: ooh! Self-burn! Those are rare.)
Don't get me wrong, Beatrice Sparks seems to have been an awful person, manipulative, dishonest, and a terrible writer, but why not back up the facts? Why not...write a book that can be taken seriously?
One positive aspect is Emerson's compassion for Sparks's victims, those unfortunate people whose stories were co-opted and mangled beyond recognition, and their loved ones, but it would have been a mark of respect to those people to correctly cite and source his work. ...more
First book of my July 2024 Readathon, in which I desperately try to pare down my physical TBR pile!
I adored Gemma Files's Experimental Film, and it wFirst book of my July 2024 Readathon, in which I desperately try to pare down my physical TBR pile!
I adored Gemma Files's Experimental Film, and it was SO MUCH FUN to read these nasty short stories -- and nasty is FOR SURE a compliment. The emphasis on body horror, on vacant spaces and what films them, on cosmic horror, all of it seemed to cater to exactly what I wanted to read. Some stories were far stronger than others -- "[Anasazi]", "Marya Nox", "Nanny Grey", and "Slick Black Bones and Soft Black Stars" being the standouts for me -- but each one was enjoyable, and I never felt like any story outstayed its welcome.
Files is clearly a master of horror in short form, and now I want to track down and read all her short story collections. Maybe once the TBR pile is a bit trimmed down, though.
Note: the blurb on the back cover mentions a story about "an exterminator debugging a dilapidated building discovers it's inhabited by both insects and angels", but I don't think this story was actually included. Maybe I missed it, but if anyone else has noticed this, please let me know! ...more
An absolutely cracking end to a wonderful, satisfying, fun fantasy series. Hestillion remains one of the most stressful charact4.5 stars, rounded up.
An absolutely cracking end to a wonderful, satisfying, fun fantasy series. Hestillion remains one of the most stressful characters I've ever encountered, and while the ending was the definition of bittersweet, every single moment felt earned and natural. I'm so sad to be leaving this world and this group of characters, because I loved just hanging out with them and cheering them on in their epic fight to save their world.
A very nasty (in the best way) collection of stories -- my intro to LaRocca's work! I definitely think the second half of the c3.5 stars, rounded up.
A very nasty (in the best way) collection of stories -- my intro to LaRocca's work! I definitely think the second half of the collection was strongest (I wonder if the brevity of those stories helped me like them more, since the pacing is SO solid in them), with "All the Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn" being my favorite story in the collection.
As far as what didn't work for me -- the prose was a bit utilitarian, but I admit that's just preference! I tend to like a lot of flourish and baroque twists in what I read (purple prose is always welcome at my house), so the straightforward nature of LaRocca's writing didn't quite work for me. I think the first story could have been trimmed a bit, because it was such a great, awful piece, and the complexity of the characters could have been served better, to me, if the story had been shorter.
But! As far as digging into complex, grey, flawed people in messed-up situations go, this is a solid collection! There's an escalation on the last page of one story that still haunts me, and the body horror running throughout is great. I was lucky enough to go to a signing, where LaRocca talked about how this collection is about "things going into holes they shouldn't" and uh, that is ACCURATE.
A fun, freaky read -- even if it didn't QUITE hit for me, I loved picking out the writerly DNA (Clive Barker! Kathe Koja!), and "All the Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn" really won me over. ...more
A fast-paced scifi horror thriller, with its roots buried deep in both The Thing and Alien. Which are not bad influences to have, whatsoever, but the A fast-paced scifi horror thriller, with its roots buried deep in both The Thing and Alien. Which are not bad influences to have, whatsoever, but the writing (as it was in From Below) is a bit too workhorse for me to be really creeped out by what was going on.
It does have an interesting structure -- it's really a few short stories and two novellas -- but I wish we had gotten more of the characters in the latter half of the book. The atmosphere was tense throughout, sown with distrust and paranoia, and digging a bit deeper into the characters' reactions to this horrific situation would have knocked the book a star higher.
But your mileage may vary! It's well-paced, aside from the protracted opinion to the closing novella (which had the most interesting characters, though we didn't spend a lot of time with them), and so if you're looking for something creepy and tense for a summer read, this may be it for you! ...more
As far as an introduction to Langan's work, this collection is pretty solid. Some of the stories, shorn of the context their original publications gavAs far as an introduction to Langan's work, this collection is pretty solid. Some of the stories, shorn of the context their original publications gave them, feel very slight and "that's it?", but the ending notes give much of that context back.
The richness of Langan's work can't be denied; he's read everything, it seems, and half the delight is guessing at his inspirations. I grinned at the Elric clone that pops up briefly in "The Horn of the World's Ending", dueling with Lovecraftian monsters in particular!
My favorite stories would have to be "Children of the Fang", "Ymir", "With Max Barry in the Nearer Precincts", "The Communion of Saints" (love me a good giallo!), and "The Underground Economy". My guess is that a lot of these stories would feel unfinished or vague to other people, but for me, the ambiguity only adds to the dread. No outright scares here, but the creepiness lingers, long after the book is closed. ...more
A nicely paced romance about a very serious man and a very determined woman, who have to evade being discovered as they try to pull a RUSE that will sA nicely paced romance about a very serious man and a very determined woman, who have to evade being discovered as they try to pull a RUSE that will save the very serious man's family from social and political ruin, and the very determined woman from a life of poverty and loneliness. I saw the ending coming from about the halfway point (this is, after all, a romance, and a happy ending must happen!), but it was an ending that delighted me, so I have no quibbles with it!
They also have to evade falling in love, but we all know how that will go, right?
Jeannie Lin just writes fun, easy to read, thoughtful romances. She always does a great job of highlighting the small things that her romantic leads notice about each other, like how Fei Long both notices and likes how Yan Ling's hands are rougher than the rest of her boy. It feels natural, and gives a very poignant weight to all the yearning.
As comfort reads go, you really can't beat a Jeannie Lin romance. ...more
A predictable but competent fantasy romance; I was so annoyed at Arwen for not just...asking Kane why he was so evil and doing 3.5 stars, rounded up.
A predictable but competent fantasy romance; I was so annoyed at Arwen for not just...asking Kane why he was so evil and doing evil things, and the author seemed to be taking pains to make sure Arwen couldn't, but it's a nicely paced plot with a good slow burn, and Arwen is self-aware enough to call herself out for her moments of not-like-other-girls. Which ARE rare, and she IS allowed to have female friends, so that's a nice touch....more
That was...certainly an ending! I really like how Kingsley kept the tension going between Cora and Simon, even after they had sex, and I really do havThat was...certainly an ending! I really like how Kingsley kept the tension going between Cora and Simon, even after they had sex, and I really do have a soft spot for his shadow. Let's go book four!!...more
Huh. I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did, though there is absolutely no reason for it to have been 600+ pages long. I'm also surprised abouHuh. I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did, though there is absolutely no reason for it to have been 600+ pages long. I'm also surprised about how much I liked it, given that Islington's big inspirations for writing were Brando Sando and Patrick Rothfuss, authors I REALLY do not enjoy for various reasons.
That's a very grumpy way to start a positive review, but I promise I did like this book! Despite the length, Vis is a compelling narrator -- intelligent, driven, analytical, a survivor, a loyal friend. He's also barely holding back on overwhelming grief, and has massive anger issues because of it. It's a GREAT mix, especially when you add in his background and his kindness.
The supporting characters are well-drawn, too, with all their competing goals and plans. There is a LOT going on in this book, far more than the magical school trappings let on. I guess the length could be somewhat excused by how much is going on, but I do think a tighter edit would have amped up the urgency, and given more energy to Vis's adventures.
And hoo boy, that ending! The set-up for the next book! Islington answered just enough questions to leave me satisfied, but left enough open that I genuinely have no idea where he's going to go next, or who, actually, is on Vis's side.
A strong opening to a trilogy or series, and I'm excited to see what comes next! ...more
Okay. My feelings toward this trilogy are a bit complex, in that there's a lot of things I love in it, but the things I3.5 stars, rounded up.
Hm. HM.
Okay. My feelings toward this trilogy are a bit complex, in that there's a lot of things I love in it, but the things I don't, or that I feel are missing, weigh more heavily in the balance of the rating than they did in the first book.
My main stumbling block, as it was in the first book, is that there is a lot said about how the Sovan Empire is pretty egalitarian as regards gender roles, but we don't actually see that in practice in terms of gender parity in the actual characters. If this is an example of Helena's POV being limited or unreliable, that's one thing, but it seems to be something we're meant to take at face value, despite the book being somewhat of a sausage fest. The meaningful roles in the plot are given to men, overwhelmingly so, and while there are more female characters in this book than there were in the first (that are named and have an effect on the plot), two of them are minor characters, and the other is...hm. HM.
Those are my complex feelings coming out.
I'm not sure why I'm harping on the gender roles in this series so much; in no way is Swan going out of his way to be sexist or exploitative regarding his female characters (one character who's used as a honey trap is given some depth and expertise, so she's not reduced to just a one-dimensional sex provider), but when a big tenet of the Sovan Empire is this equality, and we don't see it in the actual events playing out, it leaves a weird taste in my mouth.
I also have to ding the book for the very erratic way that Vonvalt and Helena's relationship evolves. It feels, all too often, like Helena just says "oh and now we're like this, and we both know it", but there's been no real lead-up, so I was left wondering where the heck the evolution came from, since it certainly wasn't on the page.
It's still got a crackling energy to it, and the [redacted] scenes are creepy, foreboding, and DELICIOUSLY awful. I want to beat Claver with a rusty hammer but I think that's how we're supposed to feel, so well done, Mr. Swan!
It's a good series, I just wish...the connective tissue was better. That we got more interiority, that Vonvalt would just shut up for once, that we got to see Helena with Heinrich, The Goodest War Dog Boy, that Helena would get five minutes to relax before something else goes wrong.
Now...to read the third book right away, or take a break and read something else......more
A thoughtful, well-written, and most of all compassionate recounting of a horrific tragedy. I'm always interested in stories of people in extreme locaA thoughtful, well-written, and most of all compassionate recounting of a horrific tragedy. I'm always interested in stories of people in extreme locations and situations, and I try to view what they do to survive with empathy, and I think Brown does an excellent job of that here. It's not for the faint of heart; the suffering of the Donner Party is unimaginable, but the solid writing and the sympathy Brown has for everyone (especially Sarah Graves, whose story and losses help shape the account) keeps it from feeling exploitative. ...more
I am a FIEND for fairy tale retellings, especially ones based on Beauty and the Beast, but this just felt like a mess to me. Neither Gesela nor CasamiI am a FIEND for fairy tale retellings, especially ones based on Beauty and the Beast, but this just felt like a mess to me. Neither Gesela nor Casamir have much going on, character-wise, aside from being horny and breaking the curse...and generally being unpleasant to each other. Which makes sense to a point, but in a story this short (just over 200 pages), the constant "I hate you!"/"You're a monster!"/etc gets old FAST, and in this case, just instantly transmutes into passionate, eternal love.
There are a ton of interesting elements -- St. Clair clearly did her research when it comes to fairy tales, and I LOVE that she wrote a very comprehensive author's note as well as detailed her sources -- and the actual prose is pretty good, but it's paced so oddly and the characters are so blank that there's no real structure for the prose to rest on. ...more
A very serviceable start to the series -- I always appreciate seeing a heroine dealing with chronic health issues, and Kingsley did a good job keepingA very serviceable start to the series -- I always appreciate seeing a heroine dealing with chronic health issues, and Kingsley did a good job keeping Cora from being ~inspirationally disabled~. I'm a bit disappointed in the one-note portrayal of her friend Trent, who ticks so many flamboyant gay man tropes he doesn't come across as a real person, but I hope that improves in later books.
It's not QUITE the villain romance I was hoping for, since the ML is clearly a victim on some level, but I hope this gets expanded on in later books. A nice read for a quiet night. ...more
A dense, complex, and demanding story, where the blurb is woefully inadequate -- this is not a science fiction romaWOW this book made me work for it.
A dense, complex, and demanding story, where the blurb is woefully inadequate -- this is not a science fiction romance, along the lines of This is How You Lose the Time War (which a lot of readers seem to go in expecting, and are disappointed when the blurb doesn't turn out to define the work at all), but more of a weird fiction epic, stitched together from many stories that feature (maybe) versions of the two main characters.
And that's fine! That's GREAT. I'm resistant to the idea that a book needs to be easily digestible to be good or worth your time, and while I was frustrated at times with my inability to follow where Chandrasekera was leading (I would give my actual TEETH to how he organized the POVs here), it was fun to challenge myself. Do I wish I'd understood more? Did I need to, to appreciate the scope and the technical ambition of this story? Nope!
I went to a signing for this book right after it was released, and Chandrasekera talked about how while the book is deeply rooted in Sri Lankan mythology, politics, and history, you didn't exactly need to have a background in all of that to read the story. It's true, to a point -- if I was more aware, I think I would have had a much deeper experience with the book -- but now I am very, very curious about those things, and will explore them on my own.
The writing, of course, is wonderful -- so many banger lines, so much clever wordplay -- and there's a great section in which we get to (somewhat briefly) revisit Luriat, the city in which most of The Saint of Bright Doors takes place. I definitely think the second half of the book fits together more organically than the rest, and I do love stories about what happens after the end, and what happens as people try to heal the world (look, Horizon Zero Dawn is one of my favorite video games for a reason!).
It's a heady experience, and I definitely came out of it feeling like I'd overestimated my intelligence; sometimes I feel like the individual sections, especially at the beginning, didn't cohere from their separate stories as well as I would have liked, and some of the meme-y language fell flat for me (I understand why it was used, but I always feel like that dates a work unnecessarily -- totally a matter of preference!). And it was frustrating at times, when I just wanted a clear demonstration of who was who, or a concrete ending with some of my questions answered...but it wasn't about that, in the end. And understanding that this is more of an experience, a complicated web (heh) of histories laid out like jewels on a tray, rather than a linear narrative, makes reading this far more enjoyable.
I respect Chandrasekera for writing this vivid, tricky, ambitious book -- it's a hell of a second act, and I can't wait to see what he devastates us with next. ...more
I am but a simple woman: give me body horror and some apocalyptic rumblings and some not-quite-vampires, and I shall feast! The Ninth Rain gave me allI am but a simple woman: give me body horror and some apocalyptic rumblings and some not-quite-vampires, and I shall feast! The Ninth Rain gave me all of this, and more, so this was quite an enjoyable read.
There's a wonderful sense of history running through the book, thanks to one of the main characters (the wonderful and wonderfully self-serving Vintage) being an obsessive scholar; there are so many tantalizing hints of all the wars fought with the Jure'lia that I was craving every single bit of information -- I would read an actual history of this world, and how much it's gone through.
It's creepy, well-paced, and full of stunning visuals (the corpse moon was a particular favorite). My main complaint is that the character relationships felt a bit weak, overall, but that may be fixed over the rest of the series. Definitely a fun, intriguing dark fantasy, and I look forward to reading the rest! ...more
Gorgeously written, with a truly epic scope rendered manageable and lovable by its focus on a singular yellow house in the woods. This book is many thGorgeously written, with a truly epic scope rendered manageable and lovable by its focus on a singular yellow house in the woods. This book is many things -- historical fiction, family drama, a quiet but emphatic call to arms to protect the natural world -- that crescendos into a thoughtful, emotional, and resonant ending.
And it's set in my beloved Western Massachusetts! ...more
This hit the spot!! I came across this book when it was recommended in r/fantasyromance, in a post about wanting soft/lonely MMCs, and this did not diThis hit the spot!! I came across this book when it was recommended in r/fantasyromance, in a post about wanting soft/lonely MMCs, and this did not disappoint. Orek is such a sweet male lead -- shy, touch-starved, lonely, a bit resentful of his life as his clan beats him down, but when he saves Sorcha, everything turns around.
The leads are well-developed, and the forced proximity/road trip set-up gives them plenty of time to connect and appreciate each other, as the physical attraction sets in. No insta-love, and the author actually takes the time to make sure Orek and Sorcha TALK to each other about whether or not they're just attracted to each other because they're the only other person around, and what they like about each other.
Also, they make friends outside of each other on their journey! They have a silly inside joke! Their relationship is full of idealized sex, of course, because this is a romance novel we're dealing with, but the depth given to them as characters and as a romantic pairing made this really enjoyable. It's also nice to see a woman as the sexually experienced one in the relationship.
I do think it could have been trimmed down a bit, and the whole "my mate" and "female/male" word choice does grate on me whenever a book uses it, but those are moderate quibbles. I also wish a bit more development had been given to Sorcha's relationship with her family, since there's some interesting character stuff going on there, but it was all rushed and at the end of the book. Again, a moderate quibble, and wanting MORE of something is generally better than wanting less.
The darker themes of the book (ex: Orek's mother was a human woman taken as a slave) aren't glossed over, but are implied just enough that we understand exactly what happened, and exactly how that's affected the characters. But Wendell is careful not to just write an "orcs are only violent and capable of cruelty" story; there are shitty humans too, and the book ends on a hopeful note as for what will come next for the other halflings, and the communities they're joining.
So: if you're looking for a sweet, fast read, this is it! ...more
This one had me from the first line! And then at one point Cinnamon ended up with a bucket of nachos, which should give you an idea of the tone: funnyThis one had me from the first line! And then at one point Cinnamon ended up with a bucket of nachos, which should give you an idea of the tone: funny, irreverent, and sweet.
It managed to miss most of my pet peeves in romance -- the insta-love was addressed, the romantic leads actually seemed to LIKE each other (the banter is great in this book), and Cinnamon not only made female friends, but there wasn't a hint of "not like other girls" to be seen. She's flawed realistically -- she's a bit petty, she's still carrying guilt over a tragedy in her past, and she is an obnoxious drunk -- but she's also hilarious, horny, kind, and brave. So good!
And Fallon, the titular demon, is a little shit who loves teasing her, but is also passionate and open about what loving a demon means. Which is also SO GOOD.
The worldbuilding is a little scattershot, and I wished we'd had more time with Cinnamon's family since they seem so lovely, but if you need something to perk you out of a reading slump, this is it! ...more
A tidy, well-paced novel -- I thought this was going to be more of a thriller, for some reason, so I was pleasantly surprised when it actually turned A tidy, well-paced novel -- I thought this was going to be more of a thriller, for some reason, so I was pleasantly surprised when it actually turned out to be pure horror. Not quite as claustrophobic as I would have wanted it to be, but when the awfulness kicks off, it turns into a solid, creepy story.
It just feels...a little too clean; it's a very Instagram kind of horror novel, even when it starts to get into the very tangled personal drama between the characters. Said personal drama is decently balanced against the horror, but there's a kind of restraint to the relationships that keeps everything from feeling too realistic. Everyone reacts as you would expect them too, but none of the heat or anger or fear feels immediate.
Still! It's a very fun novel, and it's a quick, engaging read....more
Bethany Bee
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