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How do you untangle madness from reality?: Reviewing The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. The weather is finally nice, and I am eager to begin my summer reading. There are a ton of books coming out this year that I am so excited to read. Before I get to those, though, I must get through what I have. This is now the second time I have reviewed a novel by Caitlin Starling. You can check out my review for The Death of Jane Lawrence. Now, its time to talk about her newest novel: The Starving Saints.

Content Warning: Violence, Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Sexual Content

It has been six months since Aymar Castle has been under siege. Food has become scarce, and people are growing desperate. Phosyne, a young and skeptical nun, has been tasked by the king to perform a miracle to feed his people. The king’s most loyal knight, a terrifying woman named Voyne, doubts that this nun can accomplish such a feat but must watch her to ensure that she at least tries to help them. Meanwhile, a young woman named Treila is torn between escape and vengeance. Just as everything seems entirely hopeless, the most divine Constant Lady and her fellow saints arrive at Aymar. They promise salvation and relief from the famine. Phosyne, Voyne, and Treila all suspect that this is not the miracle that the people have sought for so long. As the castle descends into madness, the women must figure out if they can save everyone or else be consumed by the darkness spreading throughout the land.

Let me begin with a few compliments. The Starving Saints has such an interesting concept and aesthetic that immediately intrigues the reader. The novel was well-written, doing an excellent job capturing the visceral horror of cannibalism. I like the religious aspect of the horror, too. With all of that being said, I simply couldn’t enjoy The Starving Saints. It felt entirely too long for me. All of the interpersonal drama was entirely too dragged out and the horor wasn’t showcased in a way that made it interesting. For me, the novel was missing out on plenty of key moments that needed something shocking. I also felt that the novel was lacking the necessary ambiguity that comes with horror. It was immediately apparent that the saints were the villains, and it took away any suspense. They were also entirely too corporeal as antagonists. There was nothing compelling about them and I was mostly annoyed at how cartoonishly evil they were at times. The protagonists weren’t much better. I enjoyed the dynamic between Phosyne and Voyne, but Treila felt superfluous to me. There was a romance subplot that felt too forced to me. It just muddied what could have been a compelling storyline about being torn between duty and survival. I was also annoyed by world buildig because there was no real explanation or speculation as to who or what actually showed up at castle. Overall, I wasn’t satisfied with The Starving Saints. I am not going to say to not read it, but just know that I didn’t feel it was an enjoyable reading experience.

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Power is not given. It is taken: Reviewing I, Medusa by Ayana Gray

Hi everyone! I hope you are doing wonderfully. I don’t have a ton to say before beginning this review. If you have been keeping up with my blog, you might note that this is not the first retelling of the myth of Medusa that I have read. You can check out my review of Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. It is time, however, for a new take on the classic myth of Medusa. With that being said, it’s time to talk about I, Medusa.

Content Warning: Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny, Sexual Assault, Consensual Sexual Content, Violence, Some Gore, Domestic Abuse

Meddy is the youngest daughter of two minor sea gods. She is also the only mortal in her family. Meddy has spent her whole life on her family’s island, wondering if there was anything for her outside of her sheltered life. When Meddy catches the eye of the goddess Athena, she finds herself presented with an opportunity she had never dreamed of before. She is sent to Athens to train to be one of Athena’s priestesses. Athena, though, is not the only god drawn to Medusa. Poseidon, the king of the ocean, irrevocably alters Medusa’s fate. With snakes for hair and eyes that turn men to stone, Medusa must reckon with her new purpose and decide who she is before anyone else can.

I, Medusa is a refreshing take on a myth that has been told time and time again. Ayana Gray provides an exceptionally crafted narrative that stands out in the sea of Greek myth retellings. Gray’s Medusa is a young woman struggling to figure out where she fits in the world. She is easy to sympathize with and relatable in many of her decisions. The prose is elegant, but painfully honest when it needs to be. This story is a tragic one, with complex characters and characters whom I simply couldn’t stand. That is a testament to Gray’s writing. The best retellings are the ones that make you dread the ending even if you already know it. I was dragging my feet reading this because I didn’t want to be sad, if I’m being honest. With that being said, this was a beautifully written tragedy. I am going to strongly recommend this novel. Go pick it up immediately. You won’t regret it.

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But I’ll find a way, because I need to, and I’ll walk barefoot through hell for what I need: Reviewing Starling House by Alix E. Harrow.

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I’ve been dragging my feet a bit to review new books. Instead, I’ve made a point to re-read some of my favorites. I re-read Wuthering Heights in spite of the newest movie adaptation, and I’ve re-read Project Hail Mary because I’m excited for the new movie adaptation. I plan to reread Jane Eyre because it’s been a while, and I plan to reread The Odyssey because I am tentatively excited about the movie adaptation coming out this summer. All of that is neither here nor there, though. You are all here for my newest review. I have been meaning to read another Alix Harrow book since I read The Once and Future Witches some time ago. Feel free to check out that review. After so long, I am finally delving back into the world of Harrow. With that being said, let’s talk about Starling House.

Content Warning: Fantastical Violence, Sexual Content, Discussions and Depictions of Racism, Discussions and Depictions of Hate Crimes, Discussions and Depictions of Slavery, Strong Language, Forced Marriage, Domestic Abuse, Incest

The small, simple town of Eden, Kentucky, hides a dark secret. Among the failing businesses and coal mines, Starling House waits with darkness in its many rooms. No one would dare approach this home. Opal, though, isn’t just anyone. She dreams of the house every night and finds herself insatiably curious about why Starling House is seemingly calling to her. Starling House also just so happens to be the former home of Eleanor Starling, the author of Opal’s favorite childhood book, The Underland. When Opal is allowed to finally know the secrets of Starling House and earn money for her brother’s education, she jumps at the opportunity. Unfortunately for her, that means dealing with the manor’s enigmatic and standoffish owner, Arthur Starling. The longer she spends in Starling House, the more Opal learns about the true history that lies beneath the home. For once, Opal won’t run away. Instead, she’ll fight for a chance to finally live and overcome her own dark past.

Starling House is a darkly fun blend of Gothic vibes, fairy-tale allusions, and magical realism. I saw many different story elements here, such as Beauty and the Beast, the myth of Hades and Persephone, and a dark take on Alice in Wonderland. All of this is wrapped up in an interesting (albeit dark) story of American history. It is a bit of a slow burn, but that helps establish that dark atmosphere that seeps through every page of this novel. I appreciate Harrow’s sharp, atmospheric prose and her talent for building tension. Her characters are complex and endearing. I particularly enjoyed Opal’s bravery, wit, and kindness. She made for a compelling heroine and the ideal underdog. I also appreciated that the story was pleasantly unpredictable. I didn’t know where the story was going, and that was what made it such an enjoyable experience. There weren’t any sharp plot twists or intense reveals, but I didn’t know what to expect, which made it all the more fun. I think you can guess my overall thoughts at this point. I definitely recommend Starling House and plan on reading more Harrow books in the near future.

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I’m in your blood and your are in mine: Reviewing Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen

Hey everyone! It’s time to get a head start on spooky season! I was going to hold off on this book until October, but I got too excited. I’ll have plenty of other books to review if you aren’t interested in horror. If you want some thrills and chills, then stick around. It’s time to talk about Blood on Her Tongue.

Content Warning: Blood and Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery, Loss of a Child, Grief and Mourning, Mental Health Crises, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny

Lucy is living a quiet life as a lady’s companion. Her peaceful existence is disrupted when she receives disturbing letters from her twin sister, Sarah. Soon after, she receives word that Sarah has fallen ill. In her delirious state, Sarah keeps rambling on about a strange old corpse that was found on her husband’s estate. Lucy must figure out how this discovery ties to Sara’s condition. Sarah, though, suddenly becomes violent. To protect her beloved twin, Lucy must work quickly to figure out what happened to her sister. In doing so, she will confront the darkness that lies in her sister and herself.

Blood on Her Tongue was absolutely not what I expected, and that is what I loved about this novel. I thought this was going to be a Gothic vampire novel. It is, indeed, a Gothic novel. Johanna Van Veen does a wonderful job creating a dark, tense atmosphere full of blood and secrets. It is, however, not a vampire novel, and that surprised me in the best way. I won’t spoil the “twist,” but I will say that I loved how this book steered away from being predictable or trope-laden. I loved the little bits of dark humor and all of the subversive scenes that are sprinkled throughout this novel. It does fall in the realm of “Good for her” horror, in the same way that Midsomar does. (If you know, you know.) I really don’t want to give away too much because this is a book that simply must be experienced. If you are going to choose any book to read for spooky season, I implore you to choose Blood on Her Tongue.

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He was mine to protect. Mine to adore. Mine to lose forever: Reviewing Sweet Obsession (Book 8 of the Dark Olympus series) by Katee Robert

Hi everyone! I hope you are all still doing well. I don’t intend to keep you waiting much longer for reviews. I’m going to keep cranking them out. I’m debating giving my review of Dune, or at least sharing my thoughts on it. I think “reviewing” such a widely regarded book is a little unnecessary, but I think some of you might be interested in knowing whether it is worth reading or not. That is a topic for a different day, though. If you’re interested, feel free to read my reviews of the previous books in the Dark Olympus series. Now, let’s talk about Sweet Obsession.

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

Olympus is officially under attack by Circe and her armada of ships. That, however, is the least of Icarus’ worries. He dared to take a chance and fell right into the hands of the enemy. He didn’t mess with just anyone, though. Icarus is now captive to Poseidon, whom he finds to be frustratingly handsome. Poseidon is just trying to keep his crew safe and stop Circe’s attack, but he finds himself inexplicably drawn to Icarus’ charm and mysteriousness. The two find themselves being drawn closer together as they are forced to cooperate to stop Circe. Poseidon and Icarus are forced to reexamine their relationship and decide if their allegiances lie with each other or with their respective legacies.

Sweet Obsession is Katee Robert doing what Katee Robert does best: providing fun drama and steamy romance that keeps me coming back for more. While I do enjoy Katee Robert’s Greek myth series, my only gripe is that this is the only one that isn’t based on any particular myth like the previous books. In Greek mythology, Poseidon and Icarus never interact unless you count Icarus falling into the sea. It’s a little bit of a stretch, but maybe Katee Robert was going for something with that. I digress. Sweet Obsession had my favorite romance by far, mostly because the dynamic was a bit unexpected. Katee Robert, though, continues to create surprisingly believable romances that aren’t just “insta-love” or one character basically falling in love because the plot says so. That is why it’s all the more satisfying when the relationships end up working out, regardless of the challenges. The obstacles don’t go away, but the characters actually work through them. In a world where a lot of “dark romance” means that the characters are weirdly abusive to each other, and that’s somehow deemed to be love, Katee Robert’s books are a breath of fresh air. That is what keeps me coming back. With that all being said, if you want some steamy scenes and juicy drama (without any of the icks), then I’m going to continue to recommend the Dark Olympus series.

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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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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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You hate. We love. I devour you whole: Reviewing The Archive Undying by Emma Meiko Candon

Hi everyone! I’m back! It feels like I have been away for too long. Some exciting life changes happened recently so my attention has been elsewhere. I just didn’t have the attention span to buckle down and finish anything. Until now, that is. Let me not ramble for any longer. Let’s talk about The Archive Undying.

Content Warning: Strong Language, Some Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery, Intense Battle Scenes

The world has been ruled by AI gods for eons and, when a god falls, the city it rules dies with it. The city of Khuon Mo was one of these doomed cities. Its god, though, didn’t destroy everything. It left behind one survivor: a child named Sunai. In the seventeen years since the city was destroyed, Sunai has wandered from city to city, unable to die and haunted by the destruction he witnessed. He copes by throwing himself into work, drugs, and the beds of strangers. One of these strangers, an eccentric and guarded archivist, suspects that Sunai hides a secret. The two soon find themselves with a ragtag group of merchants who are tasked with finding a valuable artifact before a dangerous entity finds it. Sunai finds himself thrust back into the world of gods and machines where the stakes are higher than ever.

As I was reading this book, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Gideon the Ninth. Funny enough, the quote on the cover is from Tamsyn Muir herself. With that being said, The Archive Undying is a standout science fiction novel with a vivid setting and compelling world-building. Emma Meiko Candon seamlessly blends a wry sense of humor with a kaleidoscopic, multifaceted narrative. Everything in this book was so vivid, from the massive mechs to the AI gods. It jumps between trippy visuals with existential questions about existence and religion, to intense battle sequences and great interpersonal drama. I desperately needed a good sci-fi novel and I am so glad I found this one. You should absolutely read The Archive Undying if you want a book that feels like a breath of fresh air in the sci-fi landscape.

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No one, it seemed, was too small to turn the tide: Reviewing The Bone Shard Daughter (Book 1 of the Drowning Empire Trilogy)

Hi everyone! I am back sooner than I thought and have yet another fantasy book review for you all. I am on a bit of a fantasy kick right now so expect more fantasy novels sooner than later. Before I begin this review, I just want to say thank you all for your continued support. I genuinely appreciate you taking time out of your day to read my reviews. Now, with that out of the way, let’s talk about The Bone Shard Daughter.

Content Warning: Violence, Gore, Disturbing Imagery

For decades, the Emperor has ruled with an iron fist over the Phoenix Empire. He mastered bone shard magic and used that to create constructs, animalistic beings who exercise power and terrorize the people. Lin, the Emperor’s daughter, is determined to uncover her father’s secrets and dismantle his reign. She does so by learning to master bone shard magic. To destroy her father, Lin will come face to face with a secret that will change her life forever. But it is the price she must pay to prove her worth.

I was initially on the fence about whether or not I liked this novel. The world-building is interesting and I liked how unique the magic system was. Though I only mention one character in my plot summary, there are two other characters who we follow throughout the book. It wasn’t until the last 100 or so pages that I was sold on this book. I was rather impressed with the plot twists and love when a fantasy novel builds up to a war. Because of that, I am going to recommend this book and I will definitely make it a point to read the rest of the series.

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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.