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The storm may bend your back, but only you can straighten it again: Reviewing Ithaca (Book 1 of The Songs of Penelope) by Claire North

Hey everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I have been itching to get back into mythology-related books, specifically Greek mythology. In case you didn’t know, The Odyssey is one of my favorite classics, so I am always excited to get into different retellings and interpretations. Needless to say, this particular book was at the top of my list to read. Without furhter ado, let’s talk about Ithaca.

Content Warning: Strong Language, Violence, Discussions and Depictions of Sexual Assault

In two years, Odysseus will be freed from imprisonment on Calypso’s island. Until then, Penelope must remain strong as the multitudes of suitors destroy her home. Her son, Telemachus, is growing resentful of his mother’s willingness to tolerate these men ruining his father’s home and turns to an unlikely ally for help. While Penelope is dealing with the suitors, she receives word that her cousin Clytemnestra has killed her husband and seeks refuge in Ithaca. With few options left, Penelope takes drastic actions to delay the suitors and figure out what to do with her murderous cousin, even if that comes at a cost.

Claire North’s reimagining of Penelope’s struggles is unique and compelling in its relentless, yet poetic prose. The best aspect of this novel is its narrator, which is Hera, the queen of the gods. I loved her as a narrator and getting her perspective on everything. Her voice linked the mythological side of the story and the person-centered side of the story. I loved the brutal honesty that Claire North delivers through Hera as a narrator. There is a certain grittiness and realism to this story that makes the reader uncomfortable, because it can’t be denied this feels so realistic in its own way. The tension throughout the book is palpable, with plenty at stake. Overall, I loved this interpretation of Penelope’s story and I will definitely be reading the rest of this trilogy.

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Life was here, and life was now: Reviewing The Half Light (Book 3 of the Capherayna Chronicles) by Karen Menezes

Hi everyone! I’m back sooner than I expected! As you all know, I love reviewing indie authors. I am totally down to review your books. If you want to get some buzz going, feel free to reach out to me and I will happily review your book. I absolutely love it when that happens. Feel free to check my reviews of Karen’s other books. I will leave her information below so you can send her your support and love. In the meantime, let’s talk about The Half Light.

Content Warning: Discussions and Depictions of Genocide, Discussions and Depictions of Violence (Including Sexual Violence), Sexual Content

The ghetto of Crikwood is not for the fainthearted. The Lightbender is not fainthearted. The ghetto nourishes his soul with its vibrant culture and eternal chaos. He unwinds in its Gothic nightclubs and hangs out with pansexual stoners and war veterans. But settled life is killing his spirit. One morning, a highly depressed woman lands at his door. She is a soul without a body, a body without a soul. Together, they drudge up clues from a painful past that shapes their destinies in ways they have yet to comprehend.

The Half Light was easily the most intense and intriguing book in this series. I appreciated the shift in perspective as Menezes explored the individual impact of such atrocities. It was a very intimate novel at times. It explores human connection and the deep-seated need to care about each other, as well as to be cared for. It was as heartfelt as it was passionate at times. Menezes incorporates existential prose along with cheeky dialogue that helps balance the different elements of the novel. Overall, reading this series was such a great experience. Please send your support to Karen and I want to thank her for reaching out to me with this opportunity.

Website: https://karenmenezes.com/the-chronicles-of-capherayna.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.menezes/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50832081.Karen_Menezes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_menezes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechroniclesofcapherayna

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You cannot pick the destination, only the path: Reviewing Oathbringer (Book 3 of The Stormlight Archives) by Brandon Sanderson

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I also hope that you are staying nice and warm because it is absolutely freezing outside. I like to say that any weather is the best weather to curl up with a good book. Before you check out this review, go ahead and check out my reviews for the first two books in this series, The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance. Now, I can’t wait much longer. Let’s talk about Oathbringer.

Content Warning: Intense Battle Scenes, Graphic Descriptions of Injuries

An ancient enemy, known as the Unmade, has turned the tide of war. The world of men is not prepared for such a dangerous threat. Meanwhile, people struggle to adjust to their newly found powers. Captain Kaladin Stormblessed must come to terms with the losses he has faced. Shallan Davar finds herself tangled in a web of her own making, full of spies and espionage. Moash, a former member of Bridge Four, must decide where his loyalty lies. Dalinar Kholin is forced to face his bloody deeds and decide what his future will be. Time is limited, though, as a war unlike anyone has ever seen is on the horizon.

I. Am. Obsessed! I said it before and I will say it again: I am fully on the Brandon Sanderson hype train. This series is nothing if not consistent in its incredible world-building, fascinating characters, and immersive battle scenes. What I particularly liked about this third installment is how it felt like the turning point for everything that had been built up to this point. Many plot points were wrapped up, while plenty of new ones were created. I realize that I am being vague, but it is difficult to be specific without understanding the context of the book. If you are at all interested in this series, just know that it only gets better. I also got books four and five for Christmas, so I fully plan on reviewing those some time in the future. I am begging you all to go read this series! It’s perfect for any fantasy lovers out there!

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Death is his Undoing: Reviewing The Cursed (Book 2 in the Coven of Bones Series) by Harper L. Woods

Hi everyone! I can’t believe it either! You get back-to-back reviews! Before you check out this review, you can check out my review for the first book in the series, The Coven. We’re also continuing with dark romance/dark fantasy books, so I hope you’re interested. I promise I have more books that are in my wheelhouse coming soon. They just happen to be pretty long books. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For now, we’ll discuss The Cursed.

Content Warning: Explicit Sexual Content, Violence, Graphic Descriptions of Injuries, Strong Language

Willow Madizza was betrayed by the man she loved most, Alaric Gray. Despite what he did to her, she cannot deny the passion that they share. Unfortunately, to right the wrongs done against her family, she must destroy the man she loves the most. Willow still has a duty to her Coven after playing a part in the destruction of their leaders. Now, she must choose between the man she loves and the freedom she craves. Either way, she will change the fate of all witches forever.

Admittedly, the first book gave me some hope that I would enjoy the sequel. I was entertained, yes, but not in the way that I should have been. I understand that dark fantasy and/or dark romance is about the suspension of disbelief, but Harper L. Woods made it difficult for me with her questionable (even cringy) writing. Some of the sex scenes were particularly uncomfortable. I didn’t like the lack of spoken consent. Again, I understand that dark romance is its own game, but I just can’t bring myself to enjoy it when it feels like one of the characters is not there by choice. I also didn’t even like the relationship between Willow and Gray/Lucifer. I wanted her to destroy him or something, but she was so wishy-washy in her chapters. Gray/Lucifer was also just gross, in my opinion. I won’t completely rag on this book, though. I still liked the magic elements and world-building. I wish there had been more focus on that, as opposed to the dubious sex scenes. Overall, I am not going to necessarily recommend this series. I got the two books for free and I will only read the other books if I get them for free as well.

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Nothing but the impossibility of us: Reviewing Dark Restraint (Book 7 of the Dark Olympus series) by Katee Robert

Hi everyone! It’s my first review of the new year! Sorry for the delay but I am finally motivated to post again. Before you check out this review, feel free to check out my previous reviews of the other books in the Dark Olympus series. I don’t have much else to say so, let’s talk about Dark Restraint, the latest entry in the Dark Olympus series.

Content Warning: Explicit Sexual Content, Violence, Strong Language, Discussions of Child Abuse, Discussions of Assault

Ariadne Vitalis is in danger. After betraying her father, Minos, she has no choice but to join forces with the Thirteen. That means entering into a staged engagement with Dionysus. Asterion, aka The Minotaur, is determined to get Ariadne back – no matter the cost. Unfortunately, he is also being hunted down by Minos, his former employer. To be together, Ariadne and the Minotaur will have to do the impossible and flee Olympus, as well as Minos’ fury. The two might have to burn Olympus to the ground to be together, once and for all.

I have to admit that Dark Restraint, while it has its merits, is not my favorite out of this series. I think Katee Robert’s books (in this series) are the strongest when they are more accurate to the myths that they are based on. While I appreciated the references, it kind of felt like the names were just sort of tacked onto a different story. With that being said, as a romance, I still enjoyed the steamy scenes and the drama of this particular pairing. There was also plenty of action and suspense, which is what makes me want to keep reading this series. While this isn’t the strongest start to the year, it was still an enjoyable read. Go ahead and check out the Dark Olympus series. It’s a fun and spicy time.

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My Favorites of 2024

Hey everyone! Welcome to my annual favorites list! I intended to post another review but decided to leave that for next month/year. I fully intended to post more reviews in December, but life/the holidays/health/other things got in the way. I did get a bunch of books for Christmas that I am looking forward to reading and reviewing, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my annual favorites list. Happy New Year! I can’t wait to see you all in 2025!

Books

  • The Winter Soldier: Cold Front by Mackenzi Lee
  • The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwyne
  • All’s Well by Mona Awad
  • The Employees by Olga Ravn
  • Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval
  • Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh
  • Brutes by Dizz Tate
  • Monstrillio by Gerardo Samano Cordova
  • The Deep by Alma Katsu
  • How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
  • Intercepts by TJ Payne
  • Godkiller and Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner
  • Sign Here by Claudia Lux
  • The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
  • Rouge by Mona Awad
  • Several People are Typing by Calvin Kasulke
  • Angels Before Man and Angels & Man by Rafael Nichols
  • The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
  • Out by Natsuo Kirino
  • Mary: An Awakening of Terror by Nat Cassidy
  • Eynhallow by Tim McGregor
  • Night Film by Marisha Pessl
  • The Ascendancy Trilogy by Timothy Zahn
  • Bliss Montage by Ling Ma
  • The Obelisk Gate and The Stone Sky by NK Jemisin
  • Last Days by Brian Evenson
  • A Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock
  • Chlorine by Jade Song
  • Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
  • Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
  • Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
  • Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh
  • The Way of the Kings and Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
  • The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood
  • All Systems Red by Martha Wells
  • Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
  • The Vegetarian by Han Kang
  • Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly
  • They Drown Our Daughters by Katrina Monroe

Movies

  • Wicked (dir. Jon M. Chu)
  • Deadpool and Wolverine (dir. Shawn Levy)
  • Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (dir. Tim Burton)
  • Inside Out 2 (dir. Kelsey Mann)
  • I Saw the TV Glow (dir. Jane Schoenburn)

TV Shows

  • House of the Dragon: Season 2 (Max)
  • The Legend of Vox Machina: Seasons 1 and 2 (Prime)
  • The Boys: Season 4 (Prime)
  • Arcane: Seasons 1 and 2 (Netflix)
  • Interview with the Vampire: Season 2 (Prime)
  • Squid Games: Season 2 (Netflix)
  • Agatha All Along: Season. 1 (Disney+)
  • Star Wars: The Acolyte: Season 1 (Disney+)
  • Hazbin Hotel: Season 1 (Prime)

Music

  • Unheard by Hozier (EP)
  • Epic: The Concept Album by Jorge Rivera-Herrans (album)
  • THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY by Taylor Swift (album)
  • HIT ME SOFT AND HARD by Billie Eilish (album)
  • Clancy by Twenty One Pilots (album)
  • Cacophony by Paris Paloma (album)
  • Beyond Beyond Beyond by The Crane Wives (album)
  • OBSERVATIONS FROM A CROWDED ROOM by Joy Oladakun (album)
  • Ampersand by Bastille (album)
  • The Great Impersonator by Halsey (album)
  • The Secret of Us by Gracie Abrams (album)
  • JOYRIDE by Kesha (single)
  • Harpy Hare by Yaelokre (single)
  • Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter (album)
  • Punish by Ethel Cain (single)
  • Sailor Song by Gigi Perez (single)
  • Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar (single)
  • GNX by Kendrick Lamar (album)
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I pretend I am a different kind of monster: Reviewing The Pallbearers Club by Paul Tremblay

Hey everyone! I hope you are doing well this holiday season! I think I can get out at least one or two more reviews before the end of the year. I’ve been a little busy, but I swear I’m not neglecting this blog. I’ve actually been doing a lot of my own writing in my spare time. Hopefully, something will come of it in the future. If it does then you all will know. Before you check out this review, you can check out my other reviews of Paul Tremblay’s books. In the meantime, let’s talk about The Pallbearers Club.

Content Warning: Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language, Grief and Mourning

Art Babara was a bit of a loser in high school. He had no friends, a scoliosis-riddled spine, and a love of hair metal. He decided to start an odd new extracurricular club to meet people just as weird as him. That was how the Pallbearers Club was created. The members consisted of Art, Eddie, and a strange girl named Mercy. Art and Mercy quickly bonded over Mercy’s love of photography and weird obsession with New England folklore. Weird things happened, though, whenever Mercy was around. Art tried his best to ignore these things, and eventually, they parted ways. Decades later, Art decides to try his hand at writing his memoir. Mysteriously, Mercy re-enters his life and decides to offer her own constructive criticism. The line between fiction and reality blurs as Art tries to figure out what really happened all of those years ago.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Admittedly, I liked Tremblay’s other two books more. The Pallbearers Club does offer a unique format as this book has two narrators, each offering a different perspective of this story. It made the book feel much more personal and interesting. With that being said, I also thought the book was very long-winded and rambling when it could have used more focus. I understand that that is what Tremblay was probably going for, but I found myself skimming for the supernatural/horror elements. Tremblay still delivers with interesting scares, so that motivated me to continue reading. Overall, The Pallbearers Club was interesting but not for me. I think that someone else could appreciate it a bit more than me. I have, however, definitely become a Paul Tremblay fan.

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Death is not your end: Reviewing The Coven by Harper L. Woods

Hey everyone! Wow, I was gone for far longer than I had intended. Life got in the way of me reading more. You all know how it is with the holidays. I was so tired that I could barely make myself read. In fact, I actually fully intended to finish this book in October. It’s no matter now. I am here, alive, and I have another book review for you. Thank you so much for reading my blog. I appreciate all of your support and will link the donation form below. Let me not make any further excuses and let’s talk about The Coven.

Content Warning: Violence, Explicit Sexual Content, Harsh Language, Graphic Descriptions of Bodily Harm, Abuse, Dubious Consent

Willow Madizza was raised to be a weapon by her father. Her duty is to her coven, but she is torn between her duty and protecting her younger brother. After her mother passes, she has no choice but to travel to the secret town of Crystal Hollow to attend Hollow’s Grove University, a prestigious school for young witches. Willow faces an entirely new problem: her attraction to the devilishly handsome Headmaster Alaric Grayson Thorne. Just as Willow finds herself settled into Hollow’s Grove, murders of students begin to happen. As Willow investigates, she realizes that there is a larger plot happening that could doom all witches and humans alike and only she can stop it.

As far as dark fantasy/dark romance goes, this is one of the better books I have read in this genre. The plot and worldbuilding were interesting enough to keep my attention. The steamy scenes were well-written, and I appreciate the tension between Willow and Gray. Where it fell flat for me is that it can be a little cheesy. Willow is very much “not like other girls,” which can be annoying to read at times. The book honestly felt like it was trying to be something akin to The Vampire Diaries, which is all fine and dandy until it snags itself on tropes that are common in the dark “romantasy” genre. Was it a bad book, though? No. In fact, I actually have the second book, and I fully intend to read it. What I’m saying is that this is my soft recommendation for The Coven.

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Women like her have teeth: Reviewing They Drown Our Daughters by Katrina Monroe

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Normally, I keep these posts casual and impersonal. Lately, though, I have been struggling a bit mentally. There’s been plenty of inner and outer turmoil circling around. I feel like I am in a state of limbo currently. I’ll be fine, but the future just feels a little too uncertain for my liking. I wish I had more confidence at this moment, but I don’t. I’m treading a fine line between realism and idealism. From what I understand, though, there is no one right way to live. There are many ways that we humans can be resilient in the face of uncertainty. I don’t intend to back down, and I fully intend to keep sharing my favorite books with all of you. This is my incredibly long-winded way to say that I care about you and that you matter in this world. Thank you for listening to my vague rambles and thank you for all of your continued support. Let’s get to what you came here for and that is my review of They Drown Our Daughters.

Content Warning: Grief and Mourning, Violence, Harm Towards Children, Some Sexual Content, Some Harsh Language, Disturbing Imagery, Self-Harm

After separating from her wife, Meredith has no choice but to take her daughter Alice back to her hometown of Cape Disappointment. The locals say that the cape is haunted, and Meredith has never truly believed in the rumors. When she returns home, Meredith finds her mother struggling with the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Her mother begins to claim that the ghost stories and curses are real. Meredith assumes it is her mother’s mind slipping from her. After strange things begin to happen that put their lives in danger, Meredith must confront the past and break the curse that has plagued the women in her family for nearly one hundred years.

They Drown Our Daughters is part supernatural thriller, part introspective novel about identity and motherhood. This haunting novel provides plenty of chills while examining the struggles surrounding mothers who don’t receive any support. I liked Monroe’s approach to such a heavy topic. It is a genuinely heart-breaking book that can be difficult to read because it confronts so many realistic problems like divorce, postpartum depression, and aging. That is why I appreciated this novel. The paranormal elements don’t cheapen Monroe’s overall message. The two elements balance each other out and harmonize in a way. Katrina Monroe’s novel is absolutely worth the read if you are looking for a meaningful horror novel.

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All water is blood to her: Reviewing Follow Me to the Ground by Sue Rainsford

Hey everyone! I hope you are doing great! I also hope you are reading lots of good books. Funny enough, I put this book on my TBR list and then happened upon it at a book sale at my local library. I’ve also been getting books from the “little library” in a park near me. Don’t forget to check out to support your local libraries, folks. Even if you prefer to buy your books, you should get a library card anyway. That’s my little tangent for today. Let’s talk about Follow Me to the Ground.

Content Warning: Disturbing Imagery, Explicit Sexual Content

Ada and her father share the magical ability to heal people, whom they refer to as “Cures,” by temporarily burying them under the Ground, which is the source of their powers. Ada dedicates her life to curing people until she meets a handsome man named Samson. The two begin an affair that upsets Ada’s father and Samson’s sister. As Ada begins to imagine a new life for herself, she also comes across a discovery that changes her entire world.

Follow Me to the Ground is a strange but interesting book that uses ambiguity and poetic writing to its advantage. This is one where I had to re-read as I was going to truly absorb what I was reading. It is still a rather haunting read when it needs to be. Sue Rainsford utilizes different perspectives to purposefully muddy the waters of the plot, but that is what makes the book all the more interesting. I like the elements of dark magical realism and how it felt a bit like a folktale. The themes revolving around bodily autonomy and the relationship between nature and humans made the book feel a bit more grounded. Overall, Follow Me to the Ground is a thought-provoking and strange tale if you want something a little odd to indulge in.

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