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In the end, they will kill us. But first, they will fear us: Reviewing The Hero of Ages (Book 3 in the Mistborn Saga) by Brandon Sanderson

Hi all! As always, I hope you are doing well. Before you read this book, check out my reviews of the first two books in this series. I have the next book in the saga, or rather the first book in the next arc. You can think of it either way. I’m feeling invigorated with all of these good books I have been reading lately. If you want to know what I’m reading, feel free to follow me on StoryGraph (@n0vel_ideas). You can also follow me on BlueSky (@perseph0ne28.bsky.social). With all of that being said, let’s talk about The Hero of Ages.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Intense Battle Scenes

For a moment, Vin thought she had succeeded. She had reached the Well of Ascension and seemingly fulfilled the prophecy. It was, however, all a trick set by a dark god called Ruin. Now, Ruin seeks to destroy the world through flame. The only glimmer of hope is Elend Venture, who has a become a Mistborn himself. Now an emperor of a dying land, Elend must figure out what the Lord Ruler’s secret motives were and do so while staving off a war. Vin, on the other hand, refuses to believe that the world will fall to Ruin. She must figure out if she can truly be the Hero of Ages before the world ends.

Say what you will about Brandon Sanderson, but this man knows how to pack a punch at the very end of a book. This was an intense read with plenty of twists and turns in the middle of great action scenes. The battles and magical fights, though, don’t take away from the message of hope that is featured so prominently throughout this book, even the trilogy itself. So far my favorite thing about Brandon Sanderson as an author is that he is not afraid to break the reader’s heart in the process of restoring some faith in the world of the novel. (Slight spoiler here) I don’t know very many authors who aren’t afraid to kill off main characters in order to make a point, but here we are at the conclusion of this trilogy with as much satisfaction as heartbreak. Needless to say, I am so excited to start the next arc of this series and I highly recommend you join me in reading The Mistborn Saga.

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Let us show the world what love and poetry truly mean: Reviewing Orphia and Eurydicius by Elyse John

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying your summer so far. I also hope that you have found plenty of time to read. I feel as though I am not reading fast enough. Unfortunately, I live close to a couple of used bookstores and libraries that have summer book sales. With that being said, I can’t control myself when I see books for sale. I’m sure you all understand the “struggle.” Let me not ramble on any longer. It is of the utmost importance that I give you my review of Orphia and Eurydicius.

Content Warning: Grief and Mourning, Discussions of Sexual Assault, Brief Descriptions of Violence, Discussions of Misogyny, Self-Harm

Orphia knows in her heart that she is destined to be a poet. Her father, the sun god Apollo, has other plans for her and forbids her from studying art. Instead, Orphia spends her days training with the finest warriors on the Whispering Isle. The only person to recognize her true passion is a young shield-maker named Eurydicius. As their love blooms, Orphia finds the courage to stand up to all of the men who have forced her to be someone she isn’t. With Eurydicius by her side, Orphia sets out to claim glory for herself by sailing with the Argonauts and facing many deadly foes along the way. This, however, is not her destiny and Orphia will have to decide how far she is willing to go for love.

If you know me then you know I love a good Greek mythology retelling and one of my favorite myths is about Orpheus and Eurydice. Elyse John handles her re-telling of the myth with such care and passion. The prose is as gorgeous as it is blunt at times, balancing the idealistic romance of two poets and the reality of power imbalance between men and women. Too often, women-centered stories force the main female character to choose between love and herself. It is nice to see Elyse John strive for a story where Orphia and Eurydicius love and support each other in equal measure. With that being said, the novel still holds true to the original tragedy of the myth. It is a story of love, perseverance, identity, and empowerment. I loved everything about this novel and I sincerely think that you will love Orphia and Eurydicius too.

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The others call me mad. As I have said, that may be true: Reviewing The Well of Ascension (Book 2 of the Mistborn Saga) by Brandon Sanderson

Hey everyone! How are you all doing? I hope you are doing well, despite it all. Before I get into this review, feel free to check out all of my previous reviews of Brandon Sanderson’s other books. I am still working my way through Wind and Truth. Bear with me because I am only about at the halfway point. I, however, have the first book in the Wax and Wayne series/the second half of the Mistborn Saga ready to go. Sanderson sure knows how to crank these books out. With that being said, let’s talk about The Well of Ascension.

Content Warning: Violence, Intense Battle Scenes, Discussions of Sexual Assault, Some Graphic Depictions of Injuries

The Lord Ruler is dead. The battle for Luthadel rages on. Elend Venture holds a tentative grip on the city as the newly crowned king. Vin struggles with her new title as the people’s savior. Multiple threats from inside and outside the city grow stronger and stronger with each passing day. The only chance for hope is a prophecy about the Well of Ascension, a source of incredible power. With everything crumbling down, hope is the only thing that stands between the people of Luthadel and the end of the world.

The Well of Ascension is as equally action-packed as it is bleak and bloody. Even the “quieter” parts of this book are relentless in their drama and intrigue. I appreciate how Sanderson doesn’t try to “soften” the harsh reality of the worlds he creates. There is much detail and depth that makes you as the reader want to uncover how everything in this world works. I also appreciate how the characters are far from perfect, but still endearing in their own ways. This book also spares no main characters which makes it all the more interesting. With that being said, dive into The Mistborn Saga as soon as you can this summer.

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Death is kind. It’s only life that holds suffering: Reviewing The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Geisbrecht

Hi everyone! I promised I would be back soon and I kept my promise. Happy Memorial Day to my fellow Americans. As for everyone else, I hope you are having a good day. After this review, don’t be shocked if you don’t hear from me for a while because the other books I’m currently reading are pretty long. As much as I love long books, I am also an impatient person. That is why I needed a novella or two to throw into the mix. Regardless of that, I have something for you. So, let’s talk about The Monster of Elendhaven.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language

Elendhaven is a town shrouded in darkness, nestled between a black sea and a silver mountain. In the town lurks a monster named Johann who cannot die. He amuses himself by killing at a whim. One day, Johann meets a wealthy and reclusive man named Florian. Florian has a secret and a plan that he needs help with. Johann is more than happy to join him in his quest for vengeance. In doing so, he might finally find out the nature of his peculiar condition. With a sinister pact made, the two monsters plot to bring Elendhaven the bloody justice it deserves.

The Monster of Elendhaven is darkly funny and morbidly gripping with every page. The book felt much longer than its 159 pages and I mean that in a good way. Jennifer Geisbrecht manages to pack in so many interesting ideas and concepts into this fast-paced novella. At the heart of this book, though, is a twisted love story between two characters who only want to find their purpose in the world. I just loved the Gothic atmosphere and detailed (albeit gorey) descriptions that pain a vivid picture. Needless to say, this was such a fun and gross read that I am going to strongly recommend, especially if you need to get out of a reading slump.

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Inevitably, with memory comes pain: Reviewing I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, Translated by Ros Schwartz

Hey everyone! I hope you are all doing well. The weather is beautiful where I live and I have some extended time off so I am going to finish off some novellas that have been sitting in my TBR pile for some time. I continue to pile on to my book pile because I am unable to excersize any self-control in a book store. I am also fully expecting to get a few more books for my birthday next month, but that is exactly what I want. Anway, this particuar novella has been making the rounds in recommended reading so it’s time for me to talk about I Who Have Never Known Men.

Content Warning: Some Disturbing Imagery, Grief and Mourning

For seemingly no reason, thirty-nine women have been locked in an underground prison. None of them can entirely remember how they got there or what their lives were before they were imprisoned. The fortieth prisoner, a young girl, is shunned by her fellow prisoners. One day, for seemingly no reason, the guards flee from the prison and the women are able to escape. They realize that the young girl is their key to survival and their only hope in the strange world that awaits them.

I can see this book becoming a staple in literature classes in the near future. I Who Have Never Known Men is a tense, existential novella that asks broad questions about humanity, civilization, and gender. It is also a story of survival, friendship, and perserverance. Harpman keeps the reasons behind the circumstances for this novel frustratingly ambiguous, but that is one of the more compelling elements of this novella. There is plenty to speculate about and theorize, but we are ultimately left with a fascinating mystery. I don’t want to say too much because this is a book worth experiencing for oneself. You should definitely consider picking up I Who Have Never Known Men for your summer reading pile.

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I bite at myself, tear my skin off, but I never quite die: Reviewing The Deep by Nick Cutter

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I’m getting ready to wrap up some books so I can get to my summer reading. I’ve had good luck at some local second-hand bookstores. I’m sure you can all relate to lacking impulse control when it comes to books. At least, I hope it is not just a “me problem.” I think that is enough rambling for now. Let’s talk about The Deep.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Animal Death and Mistreatment, Domestic Abuse, Child Abuse, Body Horror, Claustrophobia, Thalassaphobia

The apocalypse started quietly. People began forgetting small things, then big things, they simply forgot how to function. Scientists discovered a strange disease, dubbed the ‘Gets, was causing the slow demise of humankind. The only hope for a cure is a strange substance called “ambrosia” that can only be found eight miles below the Pacific Ocean. The underwater lab goes quiet after sending out a strange message meant for one man and one man only. Luke Nelson’s brother, Clayton, is one of the scientists tasked with unlocking the secrets of this mysterious substance. Desperate to find out what happened to his brother, Lucas ventures deep below and encounters a darkness that no human mind can fathom.

I have to give Nick Cutter kudos for writing one of the most uncomfortable horror novels I have read in a long time. The layers of different fears make for a rather suffocating and tense reading experience. There’s body horror, aquatic horror, cosmic horror, and psychological horror all rolled into one relentless book. I am not terribly squeamish but I regretted eating dinner before finishing this book. The last 20% of The Deep had me squirming at the exquisite detail that Cutter includes throughout the climax of this book. It was a tough read but in a good way. This book will be especially difficult to read if you have a soft spot for animals. I appreciated that Cutter took the time to explore the characters’ emotions and go out of the way to endear me as a reader to them, and not just create characters who are meant to die. My only gripe about this book is that there were some discussions about sex that I felt were entirely unnecessary. With all of that being said, The Deep is definitely a book for the horror aficionado.

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This world, my love, I give it all to you: Reviewing The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland

Hi again everyone! I’m sure you all missed me after being away for one whole day. I’m not going to ramble too much because I got that all out of my system already. I’m just going to launch into the review. Let’s talk about The God of Endings.

Content Warning: Disturbing Imagery, Violence and Gore, Attempted Assault, Self-Harm, Child Death, Animal Death

Two hundred years ago, a girl named Anna fell ill when a plague swept through her small town. After her father and brother passed away, her eccentric grandfather took her under his care. Instead of nursing Anna back, though, he granted her the gift of immortality and bloodlust. After decades of struggling with her “condition,” Anna finally found a home for herself. She took the name Collette LaSange and established a fine arts school for young children. Everything was going fine until Collette met a talented young boy with a mother who seemed to be hiding something. Finding herself inexplicably drawn to this child, Collette finds herself struggling with an overwhelming lust for blood. Now, she must come to terms with the past or present lest she let it consume her whole.

As you all know, I am a sucker (pun intended) for a good vampire book. I rarely find a book that breaks away from the classic Gothic tropes that come with vampires. Jacqueline Holland’s novel is a standout in the genre. Her prose is poetic, vivid, poignant, and dark. Seeing the world through Anna/Collette’s eyes invites many existential questions about purpose and love. It is a bit of a slow burn, but that benefits the rich narrative and dark themes that Holland explores throughout the book. Unlike other vampire books, this one doesn’t dwell as much on the supernatural elements which is rather refreshing in this instance. It is just abstract enough to leave to your interpretation, while just solid enough to understand Holland’s purpose in her writing. Maybe I am just biased and/or projecting, but I saw elements of Frankenstein and Interview with the Vampire here and there. I don’t toss around the word “extraordinary” very often, but this instance felt appropriate. Needless to say, you should go read The God of Endings.

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We were monsters once…: Reviewing And Then I Woke Up by Malcolm Devlin

Hi everyone! I got lucky and had an unexpected day off today. Obviously, that means I’m going to do some serious catching up on my TBR pile. It hasn’t been this out of control in a while. I’m not going to be out of material for a while. Now that I have finished a book, let’s talk about And Then I Woke Up.

Content Warning: Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language

The world ended when diseased monsters ran rampant and killed innocent people. At least, that’s what they were told. A disease spread across the world, but what it did was affect how people perceive reality. Spence is one of the “cured,” living in Ironside, a massive rehab facility that is essentially a prison. He decides that he belongs here, away from the guilt and shame. A mysterious new inmate named Leila asks him to help her escape so she can find her crew of survivors. Spence agrees, drawn by her enigmatic past. Now, outside of his carefully designed world, Spence must reconcile with the past and confront the reality of the horrors he faced and caused.

Someone can rarely take a genre as straightforward as zombie survival and make it new. Malcolm Devlin, though, does just that. And Then I Woke Up serves as more of an allegory about propaganda and perspective, rather than a gory zombie tale. This book is about one unreliable narrator talking to another unreliable narrator, who is also relying on other unreliable narrators for their survival. It’s a quick, punchy read with plenty of dizzying moments of uncertainty and emotional whiplash. That is what made this book so effective in its message. There are still gory details here and there, along with dramatic scenes of fighting hoards of infected monsters, Those scenes, though, are not what makes this book so interesting. It really is a character study that examines the horrors of not being able to rely on one’s own mind. With this being a shorter one, it would definitely be a great book if you need to get out of a reading slump. It’s safe for me to recommend And Then I Woke Up if you want a unique horror read.

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The amount of pain we can endure is spectacular: Reviewing Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter

Hey everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Thank you so much for your likes for my last couple of posts. I love to see that you are all still enjoying my little hobby after all this time. It makes me happy. Don’t worry because I still have plenty of books to review. I’m also going to be starting a couple of series in the near future, so I’m looking forward to seeing if I like any of those. I have plenty of standalone books if that is something you are interested in. With that being said, let’s talk about Ripe.

Content Warning: Substance Abuse, Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery, Self-harm, Abortion, Emotional Abuse

After spending years at a prominent tech company in San Francisco, Cassie has had enough. She is exhausted, lonely, and frightened but does her best to mask her feelings. Cassie’s life takes a turn when she suspects she might be pregnant. On top of that, her boss asks her to take part in a sketchy plan to take down a rival company. With the pressure growing, Cassie must make a choice that will change her life forever.

I haven’t read any “messy girl literature” in a while and Ripe sits comfortably in that category. I do not label something as “messy girl literature” dismissively. Ripe uses a combination of magical realism and eloquent prose to highlight Cassie’s struggles that most peope relate to. Sarah Rose Etter tackles heavy topics like the endless and torturous cycle of capitalism, depression, emotional abuse from a parent, and substance abuse with brutal honesty and sympathy. The novel was just ambiguous enough and just specific enough to keep me locked in. It is uncomfortable to read at times but those uncomfortable truths are worth confronting. If you want something provocative and harsh, then Ripe is exactly the book for you.

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Day or night, dead was dead: Reviewing Brother by Ania Ahlborn

Hey everyone! I’m back again! I’m on a bit of a roll with finishing books and I intend to keep the momentum. I’ll get to my longer books sooner than later, but I have a couple of shorter ones I want to finish. Ania Ahlborn is an author I have been wanting to read for a while now. I have a soft spot for female horror authors so I want to discover as many as I can so I can then pass along recommendations to all of you. With that being said, it’s time to talk about Brother.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Strong Language (including slurs), Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, Incest, Distrubing Imagery

The Morrows live deep in the Applachian mountains, tucked away from civilization where they can carry out their crimes. Girls go missing and no one thinks to look where the Morrows live. While the rest of the family takes sick joy in hunting these girls, Michael wants nothing more than to live a normal life. He fantasizes about seeing the rest of the world, far away from the suffocating landscape of West Virginia. One day, Michael meets Alice who also has hopes of seeing the world. Just as Michael dares to hope that his dreams might come true, his old brother plots to show Michael where he truly belongs.

This was one of the nastier books I have read in a bit, and I have read plenty of gross books in my life. That statement, though, is a compliment in this case. Ania Ahlborn creates a violent and hauting tale of a twisted family of serial killers in the 1970s. Every character felt more human than I expected, but they all still creeped me out in every sense. Ahlborn does an excellent job balancing the humanity of the characters and gruesome, stomach-churning violence. There was a bit of a twist towards the end that, while a tiny bit predictable, made this all the more tragic. I am glad that this was my first foray into Ania Ahlborn’s novels. Once I recover from this one, I will definitely check out another book by her. If you are a fan of gruesome family dramas, then this certainly the novel for you.