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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.

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Southern Hospitality to Die for: Reviewing A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Hello everyone! I am wishing you all the best, as always. Just because it’s hot outside, doesn’t mean we can’t still be spooky. Before I get started with this review, feel free to check out my other reviews of T. Kingfisher’s books. This is now the fourth one of hers that I have read so it is safe to say I am a fan. I have also mentioned before that I love Southern Gothic novels and find the genre to be very underrated. I was then excited when one of my newest favorite authors was covering the genre. Now, let’s get a little dark with A House with Good Bones.

Content Warning: Disturbing imagery, Bodily Harm, Depictions of Child Abuse

Sam Montgomery is excited to return home for an extended stay with her mother. Well, she is only kind of excited. Sam’s brother, Brad, warned her that their mother seemed to be a little off lately. Sam brushes it off, trying not to overthink it. The longer she stays in her childhood home, however, the longer she starts to think something is terribly wrong. Sam’s mom repainted her colorful walls, took down her favorite art, and reverted it back to how it looked when Sam’s grandmother owned the house. She also notices her mom being paranoid of the house itself. Despite Sam’s best efforts to remain logical, strange occurrences like vultures circling the house and a jar of teeth buried in the backyard all lead to something much dark lurking in this seemingly normal house.

I would definitely begin off by labeling this book as a “cozy horror.” It wasn’t particularly scary but T. Kingfisher does a great job creating a foreboding atmosphere. I liked the humor and snarky wit that Sam as the narrator brings to the table. I especially like the way that Kingfisher incorporates nature into supernatural horror. I will say, though, that this probably isn’t my favorite novel out of the other books I have read by Kingfisher. That isn’t to say it isn’t enjoyable; it didn’t have the same impact as a book like What Moves the Dead. It is still a fun spooky read, especially for the summer so, if you’re looking for a quick and cozy horror then add A House with Good Bones to your TBR.

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They know God; they know terror: Reviewing Pew by Catherine Lacey

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying the lovely warm weather. Something I should mention about my literary preferences is that I love weird/surreal books. I realize that certain books I read may not be for everyone, which is fine. However, I love books with plots that use strange and bizarre elements. I also love going into books with as little information as possible, which makes reading all the more interesting. With all of that being said, I am going to talk to you about Pew.

Content Warning: Discussions of Homophobia, Discussions of Racism, Discussions and Depictions of Violence, Religious Trauma

A stranger is found asleep on the pew of a church in a nameless town in the American South. The locals don’t know what to make of the stranger. No one can even tell the stranger’s gender, ethnicity, or age. They take to calling them Pew and Pew becomes a fixture in the community. Pew also chooses not to talk. As Pew lives with different families over the week, they begin to learn about the deep secrets hidden amongst the locals. Pew’s arrival also happens to coincide with the Forgiveness Festival. As the day of the festival gets closer, the town becomes more wary of their arrival and suspicions grow into paranoia. In the process of finding out about Pew’s identity, the townspeople must face even larger, more uncomfortable truths about their lives.

This book was an interesting mixture of surrealist and Southern Gothic literature. Catherine Lacey manages to take the seemingly ordinary circumstances that Pew experiences and turns them into something both profound and even sinister at times. I loved the use of ambiguity in the novel as there are multiple mysteries at play but it is unclear whether the answers are there or if they would even be satisfying. This book wasn’t necessarily a mystery or horror novel but it did have many impactful and shocking moments. Pew is a short but dark novel with plenty of complex characters and a foreboding atmosphere.

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Go forth and find the one who calls your name: Reviewing The Sun and The Star: A Nico Di Angelo Adventure by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro

Hello everyone! Happy Pride Month to all! I hope every single one of you feels loved and accepted for who you are! This is actually the perfect book to kick off Pride Month with. As you might know, I don’t read young adult books that often (if at all), but I have been invested in the Percy Jackson universe for a long time. You are more than welcome to check out my reviews for the Trials of Apollo series. I know another Percy Jackson book is coming out sometime this year, and I will obviously review that one when it comes out. In the meanwhile, let’s talk about the latest entry to this universe, The Sun and the Star.

Nico Di Angelo is no stranger to darkness or despair. As the son of Hades, Nico has been surrounded by death, has been to the Underworld more times than he’s cared for, and struggled with his identity. His wonderful boyfriend and son of Apollo, Will Solace, has been a ray of light (literally) in his life. The two can get through just about anything together. Nico,, though, has been plagued with nightmares lately. A prophecy from Camp Half Blood’s Oracle, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, confirms Nico’s worst fears: he must venture into Tartarus and free Bob, the reformed Titan. Will insists on coming along but has no idea what the deepest part of the Underworld holds for them. Together, Will and Nico must face dark forces that threaten to tear them apart and face their pasts once again.

The Sun and the Star is a great addition to the Percy Jackson universe and a great chance for some fan-favorite characters to shine. Rick Riordan has always done a great job with character development. Mark Oshiro brings sensitivity and understanding when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. Together, the two do a wonderful job balancing the adventure aspects of the novel and the more serious topics, like struggling with one’s identity and coping with trauma. I’m really glad that young adult audiences are getting well-written and in-depth representations nowadays. Nico Di Angelo is easily one of my favorite characters in this series and I am glad that both he and Will Solace (another fan favorite) were given the spotlight. Percy Jackson fans of all ages will love this thrilling adventure featuring everyone’s favorite demigods.

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I am blood. I am death. I am vengeance: Reviewing The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne (Book 1 of The Bloodsworn Trilogy)

Hi everyone! I am back and have not forgotten the blog, I promise. I have just been getting through some longer books. I do pride myself on being a fast reader, but I also read four to five books at any time. There are some novellas sitting in my TBR if that is more your speed, though. I did notice I got quite a few new followers recently so, if you’re reading this, thank you so much for reading my reviews. I do this for fun in my spare time because I am a bookworm and I love to share my thoughts with others. Now, let’s get into what you all came here for. Here are my thoughts on The Shadow of the Gods.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Graphic Bodily Injuries and Death, Harsh Language, Discussions and Depictions of Slavery, Harm Towards Children, Animal Death, Battle Scenes

The gods fought and killed each other. What remained was their bones and their descendants. War looms over the land of Vigrid and the gods might not be as dead as everyone thought. Three warriors, all with different paths, find themselves entangled by fate. Elvar, a young warrior, is determined to earn her battle-fame as she seeks out the land of the gods. Orka, a noblewoman, is on a quest for revenge after her husband is killed and her son is taken. Varg, an escaped thrall, joins the elite Bloodsworn warriors in hopes of finding out who killed his sister. They soon find themselves facing a threat that could tear apart their land and must fight to survive, no matter the cost.

This was an incredible fantasy adventure and I loved every page of this book. Heavily inspired by Norse mythology, The Shadow of the Gods is a truly epic tale that unputdownable. I do have some experience with Norse sagas and this novel jogged my memory, taking me back to all of those tales I read in the past. John Gwynne introduces elaborate world building, along with a narrative that comes together in a satisfying way. The fight scenes were also so well written (albeit very gruesome). Every character was well fleshed out with great development along the way. This first book really set the tone for this trilogy and I will absolutely be getting the next book soon. Any fan of fantasy adventure novels must go pick this up immediately.

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Those born of darkness will carry it in their nature: Reviewing The Foxglove King (Book 1 of The Nightshade Crown series) by Hannah Whitten

Hey everyone! I’m still around and still reading diligently. Adjusting to a new sleep schedule is never easy at first. I’m also back with a fantasy novel for the first time in (what feels like) forever. Feel free to read my review of Hannah Whitten’s The Wilderwood Duology if you are so inclined. I don’t want to ramble on too much more so let’s talk about The Foxglove King.

Content Warning: Graphic Depictions of Death, Some Harsh Language, Some Sexual Content, Discussions and Depictions of Substance Abuse

From a young age, Lore has honed her wit and cunning to survive on her own. She was able to survive by running poison for a local cartel that gave her a second chance. Lore has also had to hide her ability to channel Mortem, a substance used in death magic. When a job goes terribly wrong, Lore finds herself in front of the Sainted King himself. Instead of sentencing her to death, King August offers her something else. Whole villages are being wiped out by some kind of death magic. The king suspects that his only son is somehow behind this. Lore must use her magic to find out what is happening or be sent to the pyre. Thrown into the world of court intrigue, Lore must carefully navigate the suspicious nobles. What she finds, though, could mean the beginning of the end.

I might have said this before but I think what I enjoy the most about Hannah Whitten’s books is that they remind me of the young adult fantasy series I used to enjoy, like The Mortal Instruments or The Vampire Diaries. This book, however, is elevated to a more “adult” level with fun yet complicated characters and circumstances. I like the way that this book incorporates bits and pieces of tropes (like a love triangle) but avoids making them cliche. I personally really liked how dark magic was at the center of this novel and how it wasn’t villainized in any obvious way. This was a fun, dark escapist fantasy and I will definitely keep an eye out for this rest of this series.