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We keep striking. We keep going. We keep fighting: Reviewing The Blood Gift (Book 2 of The Blood Gift Duology) by N.E. Davenport

Hi everyone! I am really speeding through my TBR much faster than I would like. I’ve been really wanting to finish this sequel, though. I try to stick to standalone reads, mostly because I don’t have enough shelf space for multiple series. I recently heard via the internet that it takes a thousand books to make a library. I am curious but I do not feel like counting my collection any time soon. Now, let’s talk about the highly anticipated sequel to The Blood Trials.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Graphic Bodily Injury, Explicit Sexual Content, Discussions and Depictions of Racism, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny, Harsh Language

After facing the ultimate betrayal at the hands of the Tribunal Council, Ikenna Amari finds herself on the run with her fellow “deserters” and hopes that one of her Grandfather’s allies might back their rebellion. Ikenna also must get her overwhelming powers under control and she is running out of time. The Blood Emperor has launched a full-scale attack against Mareen and nothing will stop him from killing everyone in his way. Ikenna and her must team must defeat the Blood Emperor to bring an end to his destruction, but that is not the only challenge they face. With war erupting and alliances falling apart, Ikenna must find where her loyalties lie in order to take out the greatest threat against her world.

I absolutely loved The Blood Trials (please check out that review) and The Blood Gift did not disappoint. It was just as intense as the first book but had a dash more political intrigue that helped flesh out the world that N.E. Davenport has so carefully crafted. Ikenna “Kenna” Amari is the perfect example of how to write a strong female character without reducing her to any one category. I actually appreciated how Davenport incorporated romance and other themes of love into the novel without taking away from the incredible battle scenes and a rather realistic look at warfare. This book is so well-balanced and well-paced. I did not want to look away, even when it got gruesome. For those of you who loved The Blood Trials, worry not because The Blood Gift lives up to the hype.

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To fear, to hope, and to desire once more: Reviewing Pandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman

Hello everyone! Yes, I am back sooner than ever with a review. It is sweltering where I live, so I am not motivated to leave the house. I’ve also had some downtime at work so I steal chances to read. I’ve mentioned it before but I tend to read fast. It’s a skill I developed at a young age. Before anyone wonders, this novel is inspired by Greek mythology but not about Greek mythology. I know I read a lot of Greek myth books. If you like those, then stick around for this. It’s time to talk about Pandora.

Content Warning: Some Harsh Language, Graphic Injury, Graphic Death, Abuse, Animal Death

Dora Blake is an aspiring jeweler living in the antique shop that is run by her resentful uncle. The once respectable shop had fallen into disrepair since Dora’s parents died and is mostly used by her uncle to sell cheap forgeries. One day, a large Greek vase is delivered to the shop and it is unlike anything Dora had ever seen. She also notices her uncle behaving strangely and decides to investigate. She seeks the help of aspiring antiquities scholar Edward Lawrence to find out what makes this vase so important. The vase, as it turns out, is the key to finding out what really happened to Dora’s family. As Dora and Edward continue their investigation, they quickly discover secrets that change their lives forever.

This book fits squarely in my Venn Diagram of interests, falling in between “Victorian England” and “Greek Mythology.” I may come across as biased in this review but I did truly enjoy this fast-paced, enticing novel. Susan Stokes-Chapman blends together mystery, drama, and a little bit of romance in this clever retelling of the myth of Pandora. Only this time, I like what I found when I opened this metaphorical box. The book was well-paced and the mystery at the heart of it was handled well. This is definitely a good summer read that will keep you hanging on until the very end.

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Love is rife with body parts: Reviewing A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers

Hello all! I was not expecting to be back so soon with a review but here I am again. I am still going through my “weird girl” TBR. I think you’ve all gotten a good sense of what I’m interested in at this point. I don’t question it at this point and neither should you. It only took someone comparing this book to Hannibal, one of my all time favorite shows, to want to read this book. If you know what I’m talking about, then you can tell this book is going to be a spectacle. Let’s talk about A Certain Hunger

Content Warning: Explicit Sexual Content, Graphic Violence, Discussions of Harm towards Animals, Harsh Language, Graphic Bodily Injury

Dorothy Daniels is a sharp-witted, intelligent food critic at the height of her career. Dorothy loves two things as much as she loves food: sex and murder. It didn’t take much for her to want to try something a little more “exotic.” With a long string of lovers, Dorothy has her pick of delectable men to choose from. One unfortunate day, her luck ran out and now she has to spend the rest of her life in prison. During this time of solitude, Dorothy decides to tell her side of the story and let the world in on her sordid little secrets.

Chelsea G. Summers delivers a decadent novel about love, murder, and some of the best descriptions of food I have read in a while. This book reminded me so much of Hannibal with its balance of violence and artistry. What sets it apart, though, is the commentary on feminism, consumerism, and ethical consumption. Granted, nothing Dorothy does is ethical but she is enjoyable as a semi-unreliable narrator. This is not the book you want to read on an empty stomach, partially because of the murder and partially because the meals Dorothy makes from her victims sound way tastier than they should be. This was an intense and fascinating thriller for anyone who wants a twist on a crime novel.

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Live like your head is on fire: Reviewing She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker – Chan

Hello everyone! I’m back much sooner than I thought I would be. I try to pace myself while reading but I read faster with the more invested I get. You know how it is: you get to a point in a book where you just have to know what happens next or how it ends. I’ve been pretty lucky and haven’t had any DNFs yet. It’s very rare I don’t finish a book because, even if I don’t like it, I probably still want to talk about it. Thankfully, that is not the case this time around so let’s talk about She Who Became the Sun.

Content Warning: Graphic Violence, Graphic Bodily Injury, Harsh Language, Graphic Sexual Content

In 1345, a girl learns that she has no notable fate. Her brother, on the other hand, is destined for greatness. When her brother and father die after bandits invade her home, the girl seizes an opportunity. She takes her on her brother’s identity, Zhu Chongba and becomes a monk. Under the guise of a man, Zhu finds her place at the abbot until one fateful day when it is destroyed by an infamous general who wants nothing but vengeance. Still seeking greatness and now revenge, Zhu joins a rebel army known as the Red Turbans and quickly rises up in the ranks. With her very fate at stake, Zhu Chongba must take the greatest risk of her life in order to secure her place in history.

I love an epic tale of heroism and She Who Became the Sun absolutely fulfills that genre. I love the mix of history, fantasy, and drama that Shelley Parker – Chan blends into this novels. It had a sweeping scope, while still moving a steady pace. I am no expert on Chinese history but I did a brief bit of research on this book because it is loosely based off of real events and found the real story just as fascinating as Parker – Chan’s take on history. I also loved how wonderfully complex all of the characters were and the intense emotions that flow through the writing. Zhu Chongba is a fantastic main character who you can’t help but root for throughout the story. I am so glad that I read She Who Became the Sun and you should read it too.

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Perhaps this story can have a happy ending: Reviewing Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid

Hello everyone! I hope your summer is still going well and that you are having fun when you can. I don’t have any exciting updates or preambles before this review. I’m just excited to share another review with you all. Now, it’s time to talk about Juniper and Thorn.

Content Warning: Graphic Imagery, Graphic Sexual Content, Violence, Sexual Assault, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny

Marlinchen is the third daughter of a wizard on the outskirts of Oblya, a city slowing changing from magic to industry. As one of the last witches in the city, Marlinchen and her sisters use their talents to help clients who still believe in magic. Her cruel and unforgiving father does everything within his power to keep his daughters under lock and key, but the Marlinchen and her sisters have found ways to sneak out and enjoy the ever-changing city of Oblya. While on one of these secret outings, Marlinchen becomes enthralled with a principle dancer in the ballet and she begins to think that one day she can be free from her father. Marlinchen’s freedom, however, comes with a price. When dark magic begins to invade the city, Marlinchen decides to take matters into her own hands and slay the monsters, even if it means facing an even darker truth.

You all know that I do love dark fairy tale retellings and Juniper and Thorn has everything that makes the genre so much fun. Inspired by eastern European fairytales, Juniper and Thorn does not shy away from the more gruesome aspects of fairy tales while also reinventing the traditional fairy tale structure. Ava Reid creates an atmospheric, enchanting, and harrowing story that balances nostalgia and modern themes of feminism. I also did particularly the enjoy how Reid included a romance that was indeed like a fairy tale. This was such a fun and immersive book to read, as well as creepy and unsettling. If you need a dark fairy tale adventure, then Juniper and Thorn should be at the top of your TBR pile.

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Maybe I am haunting myself: Reviewing Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt

Hello everyone! I hope you are in a good mood and, if you want to stay in a good mood, then you might not want to read any further. I have said this before but I am very much aware that many people are not interested in the horror genre. If you read the content warnings after this paragraph and decide that this book is not for you, I completely understand. We all have our limits, including myself. My morbid curiosity, however, tends to win out more often than not. I will not keep you in suspense for much longer. Let’s discuss Tell Me I’m Worthless.

MAJOR CONTENT WARNING: Graphic Violence, Body Horror, Graphic Sexual Content, Scenes of Sexual Assault, Scenes Depicting Hate Crimes, Harsh and Offensive Language, Discussions and Depictions of the Following Topics: Racism, Homophobia, Transphobia, Misogyny, Abuse, Self-Harm, Drug Use

Three years ago, three girls went into a haunted house. Only two of them left. Since that incident three years ago, Alice and Ila have struggled to cope with the things they saw and the loss of their friend, Hannah. Since then, Alice has been experiencing horrific dreams of what she saw in the House. Just as she thinks she is moving on, Ila reaches out and asks her to return to the House to find out what happened to Hannah. They must set aside their differences and face their fears, but the return to the House may just be the end of them.

Wow, this book was intense and dark and weird and abstract in ways that I may not be able to articulate to you all via this post. Allison Rumfitt does not hold back as she gives an unflinching look at how people are shaped by politics and how someone or something can become “haunted” by tragedy. It is difficult to explain but the way that Rumfitt explores ghosts and haunted houses as metaphors for the deep impact of history and tragedy was just fascinating to me. Also, this book is just stomach-churning with certain scenes that made me have to stop reading. Alison Rumfitt truly understands how disgusting people on the Internet can be. This book truly resonated with me in a way that horror novels rarely do. It was hard to look away as this was just such a captivating read. Even though this book may not be for everyone, I am going to say to absolutely give Tell Me I’m Worthless a try if you have the stomach for it.

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There is no peace for a woman with ambition: Reviewing Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

Hello everybody! I hope your summer is going well and you’ve found time for yourself lately. If not, this is your gentle reminder to take time out of your day for yourself. None of you will be shocked by this review as I am immediately intrigued by any book having to do with Greek mythology. I have been waiting for this book to come out for a bit now. I know it doesn’t matter too much but I am trying to stay on top of new releases. Now, let’s talk about Clytemnestra.

Content Warning: Graphic Violence, Graphic Injuries, Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sexual Content, Grief and Loss, Death of Children, Harsh Language

Clytemnestra is not a woman to be trifled with. As a princess of Sparta, she was raised to be a warrior alongside her siblings. Just when she thinks she has claimed the power she wants, she is betrayed by her own father and forced to marry the man who ruined her life. For years, Clytemnestra waits for the right moment to take down her husband, Menelaus. When he is called to fight a war against Troy, Clytemnestra seizes the opportunity to plot her revenge but that revenge may come at a cost that she is not willing to pay.

I absolutely loved Costanza Casati’s interpretation of the story of Queen Clytemnestra. I loved how complex and understandable all of the characters are made out to be in this novel. Clytemnestra is a great protagonist to follow as you want her to get her revenge. I found myself saying “good for her” more than once while reading this novel. Casati understands that women in mythology are often looked down upon and examines that aspect further throughout the story. The perspective of the story is interesting as it shows how stories like these become mythology as people look for explanations for the actions of others. This book has definitely become one of my favorite Greek mythology retellings and I would highly recommend it if you want a story with a badass woman on a quest for revenge.

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I, too, can create desolation: Reviewing Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill

Hello everyone! I hope you are doing your best, regardless of your circumstances. I am coming to you (again) with another unconventional summer read. I jumped at this book when I heard it was a bit of a sequel to Frankenstein. Most of my grad school days were spent consumed by Mary Shelley’s Gothic masterpiece so I am well-versed in the novel. I do also enjoy the genre of re-tellings or unofficial sequels to classic novels. If done right, it can be a great time. Let me not ramble on any further and let’s discuss Our Hideous Progeny.

Content Warning: Gruesome Imagery, Some Violence, Some Harsh Language, Loss of an Infant, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny, Discussions of Racism, Harm towards Animals

Mary has spent her entire life fascinated by fossils and dinosaurs. She wants nothing more than to be acknowledged for her contributions to the scientific community but keeps being dismissed because she is a woman. With her marriage in a rocky state after the loss of her infant daughter, she finds herself at a loss. That is until she stumbles across the records of her great-uncle Victor Frankenstein and his dreadful experiments. Mary is suddenly captivated by the idea of creating life out of death. She and her husband Henry set out to recreate her great-uncle’s experiment but with their own improvements to his methods. Their path to fame and fortune, however, takes a dark turn when their experiment takes on a life of its own and others seek to steal their only chance at success

I did not intend to finish this book so soon but could not put it down. C.E. McGill demonstrates an understanding of Mary Shelley’s original novel while putting their own twist on the story. Our Hideous Progeny is a well-paced, thrilling read that delves into the twisted tale of playing God through science. I loved how intense this novel became and the parallels to the source material which inspired this book. I could go into depth but that would require its own separate post that would be rather lengthy. While you could appreciate this novel without having read Frankenstein, I would recommend it more if you are familiar with the original story. What I’m really trying to say is: go read this gripping Gothic tale and be immersed in the gruesome world of Victorian – era science.