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Everyone deserves somewhere where they can be reminded of their potential: Reviewing A Restless Truth (Book 2 of The Last Binding Trilogy) by Freya Marske

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Before you read this review, feel free to check out my review of the first book in this series A Marvelous Light. It has been a while since I read that one but I enjoyed it greatly. I’m trying to keep on top of the series I read because I like to see a book series all through. If I decide to stop a series, it is normally deliberate. I also don’t want to read any series over five books. That is simply my preference. I just so happen to have the third book in this series because I accidentally bought it before buying the second book. (Slightly off-topic: I hate when book series don’t have the numbers anywhere on the book.) Now, let’s talk about A Restless Truth.

Content Warning: Violence, Harsh Language, Explicit Sexual Content

Maud Blyth is a quiet girl who has always wanted to go on a grand adventure. The opportunity arises when she becomes a travel companion to an older woman on an ocean liner. While on the ship, though, Maud is actually working to unravel a magical conspiracy that was discovered by her brother Robin. Maud’s plans are brought to a halt when her elderly employer is found dead on the first day of the cruise. Now, she must solve a murder with the help of the bold actress and fellow magician Violent Debenham. With everyone on the ship a suspect, Maud and Violet must solve the murder before the ship docks, or else they soon may end up dead in the water.

A Restless Truth was an enjoyable mystery with a quirky cast of characters and plenty of intrigue. While this is a bit slower-paced, I find myself wanting to see how the relationships were going to be built between the characters. I did enjoy the romance between Maud and Violet. There was plenty of spice and romance between the two. I also thought they made a good duo and that helped drive the story forward. While it has been a while since I read A Marvelous Light, I liked how this novel tied into its predecessor. Freya Marske has created an interesting magic system that I want to know more about, especially in the third book. In conclusion, A Restless Truth was a fun mystery that has a wonderful romance at its heart.

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Death is just another door: Reviewing Rouge by Mona Awad

Hi everyone! If you are reading this today, then happy Eclipse day! I got very lucky and was in the path of totality. It was a genuinely awesome experience. I hope that maybe some of you got to experience it or will experience it in the near future. Back on the topic of books, though, this is my third Mona Awad book. If you want, you can check out my reviews for her other books, Bunny and All’s Well. I think it’s safe to say I am a bit of a fan now. Let’s talk about her most recent novel, Rouge.

Content Warning: Discussions and Depictions of Grief, Some Depictions of Self – Harm, Some Harsh Language

From a young age, Belle had been obsessed with beauty and has spent her adult life maintaining a regimented skincare routine to preserve her skin. Her obsession began with her mother, who was always the most glamorous person to ever live in Belle’s eyes. One day, Belle receives a call that her mother has died in a strange accident. Now, she is stuck dealing with her mother’s California apartment and her many debts. At a memorial service, Belle meets a strange woman in a red dress who claims she can tell her how her mother died. This woman leads her to a strange, cult-like spa that promises to make Belle her “most magnificent self.” The more time Belle spends in the spa, the more she begins to lose herself. In order to regain her sense of self, Belle must face secrets that she has buried for far too long.

In my previous reviews for Mona Awad’s books, it used words like “dream like” and “surreal.” Rouge, however, is easily the most dream-like and surreal. The narrative feels as though you are moving through those dream-like movements where you are doing something due to whatever strange logic you experience in your dream. (I hope that makes sense.) Underneath all of the strangeness of the novel is narrative about grief, beauty standards, and mother/daughter relationships. All of this is tied together with some interesting fairy tale motifs that I thought helped add to the strangeness that Mona Awad is so good at crafting in these novels. This is probably my favorite of the three novels by Mona Awad that I read and I am going to give you my recommendation for Rouge.

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Magic never dies. It merely fades away: Reviewing The Color of Magic (Book 1 of the Discworld Series) by Terry Pratchett

Hey all! I’m back sooner than I anticipated. For better or worse, I am a fast reader so I have yet another review for you. I did try to read this book years ago but didn’t retain may details at the time. I do enjoy Terry Pratchett. He is the co-author of one of my all-time favorite books, Good Omens. The Discworld series is a pretty long one so I endeavor to read a couple of books in the future. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though, and start from the beginning with The Color of Magic.

Rincewind may be the worst wizard to ever exist. After getting expelled from the Unseen University, he’s been aimless. That is until he becomes a tour guide for a strange little man named Twoflower and Twoflower’s sentient Luggage. Unfortunately, Twoflower is naive and Rincewind is inept. The odd pair soon find themselves among thieves, barbarians, dragon riders, and other unsavory characters. Despite their best attempts to avoid danger, Fate has other plans for the two.

The Color of Magic was a fun, fast-paced, and quirky fantasy that is just the tip of the strange world created by Terry Pratchett. I absolutely love Pratchett’s sense of humor. I found myself re-reading lines because I missed the joke the first time around. His is a really unique take on the fantasy adventure genre. Beneath all of the humor and strange characters, the novel does present poignant little thoughts regarding fate and death. This is easily one of the most imaginative fantasy novels I have read in a bit. There wasn’t anything terribly inappropriate in this book (some of the characters are depicted as nude but there are no graphic details) so I can see this being a good introductory fantasy novel. The Color of Magic was such a fun time. I can’t guarantee I will read the entire Discworld series but I will try to read some more.

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Why must you keep sending me innocent monsters?: Reviewing What Feasts at Night (The Sequel to What Moves the Dead) by T. Kingfisher

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Spring is finally around the corner and I am very excited for any new opportunities that await. Before you check out this review, I would recommend you check out my review of this novella’s predecessor, What Moves the Dead. You can also check out my other views of T. Kingfisher’s books: Nettle and Bone, A House with Good Bones, and The Hollow Places. (Needless to say, I have a new favorite author.) Now, let’s talk about the latest novella, What Feasts at Night.

Content Warning: Disturbing Imagery, Violence Related to War, Death of an Animal

After escaping from the horrors of the Usher house, Alex Easton is finally ready to be done fighting for their life. Alex wants nothing more but to go back to Paris but, instead, they find themself returning to their home country of Gallacia. They decide to make the best of the situation by sprucing up their family hunting lodge but find that the caretaker is dead and the lodge is in disrepair. At first, Alex assumes the caretaker died of old age but rumors begin to swirl around the village of a monster who steals people’s breath in their sleep. At first, Alex ignores these old superstitions but soon they begin having strange dreams that quickly turn into something far more deadly.

What Feasts at Night is an atmospheric, folk horror-inspired novella that delivers plenty of chills and thrills. While it is not a direct follow-up to What Moves the Dead, it does make some direct references and continues on the tradition of “eco-centric horror” (as I like to call it). I love how Kingfisher incorporates nature and folklore into this particular novella. It didn’t get really creepy until the end but I enjoyed the build-up before that. What Feasts at Night is yet another great read by T. Kingfisher. I have been really enjoying all of her books and will definitely continue to read the rest of her novels.

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The living are often anchors for the dead: Reviewing The Deep by Alma Katsu

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I’m doing my best to keep my reviews coming at a steady pace. I’m also realizing that I might have to rearrange my bookshelves yet again. Every year or so, I like to switch up how my bookshelves look. They aren’t super cute or aesthetic by any means but they are set up just the way I like them for now. I might organize by color next time for my standalone books but we will see how much effort I feel like putting into re-organizing everything. Now, enough of that. Let’s talk about The Deep by Alma Katsu.

Content Warning: Death of a Child, Distressing Imagery, Some Violence, Sexual Content

In 1912, a young Irish woman named Annie Hebbley was hired as a stewardess aboard the HMHS Titanic. Despite the glamor of the remarkable ship, something sinister is attacking the guests. Annie and a few others try to investigate what’s happening but tragedy strikes. Annie manages to survive the sinking of the Titanic and retreats to an asylum. Four years later, Annie’s friend and fellow survivor, Violet Jessop, offers her a position as a nurse on board the Titanic‘s sister ship, the Britannic, which has been converted to a hospital ship in the wake of World War One. While on the ship, Annie crosses paths with Mark Fletcher whom she had met on the Titanic. The two are forced to relive the tragedy they had survived and confront the demons that have come back to haunt them from their pasts.

Maybe some of you reading this review have or had some sort of fascination with the sinking of the Titanic and, if so, then this book is for you. The Deep is a rich mixture of drama, suspense, mystery, and horror. This is a bit of a slow burn but even the parts that don’t really touch on the supernatural elements are still interesting. Once the novel picks up pace, it becomes difficult to put down. Every character is well fleshed-out and the subplots blend seamlessly. This novel utilizes a mix of real-life figures and characters created for this book. I did some light research because I was curious and it seems Alma Katsu did keep true to history. This was a very fun and compelling read. I am absolutely going to recommend this, especially if you want a unique historical fiction novel.

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We would not be born out of sweetness, we were born out of rage: Reviewing Brutes by Dizz Tate

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I’m back again with yet another unhinged book about girlhood. Prepare yourself. I promise that my reviews will remain weird. I have said this once and I will say it again: thank you all so much for continuing to support this blog as I ramble on about whatever have read lately and I wish you all the best. Now, let’s discuss Brutes.

Content Warning: Some Harsh Language, Disturbing Imagery, Discussions and Depictions of Child Abuse and Neglect, Some Discussions of Self-harm, Some Discussions about Substance Abuse

Falls Landing, Florida seems like a haven for upper-class Floridians with its clean houses, massive pools, and constant gossip. In this little suburban paradise lives a group of thirteen-year-old girls, dubbed “the Brutes” by their mothers. These girls develop an obsession with Sammy, the preacher’s daughter. They spend their days and nights following Sammy and her boyfriend, Eddie, with a frenzied curiosity. One day, Sammy goes missing and only the girls know what really happened to her. The secret will continue to haunt them into adulthood and rears its ugly head as they reunite in unexpected ways.

In the same vain as Ottessa Moshfegh and Monica Ojeda, Dizz Tate delivers a visceral and harsh look at girlhood and its pitfalls. The Brutes is a dizzying tale of mystery with Southern Gothic elements. I love the combination of abstract prose and blunt honesty that Dizz Tate uses throughout the novel. I have not spent a ton of time in Florida but Tate paints a detailed picture of a childhood among the cul-de-sacs where secrets lie in every house. I also appreciated the flash-forwards to each of the characters as adults because it did an excellent job showing the lasting impact of childhood trauma. Brutes is an impactful look at the bonds created by girlhood and the unspoken truths of growing up in a toxic environment.

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To change any of this, we need to live: Reviewing The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller

Hello everyone! Happy New Year! I am wishing you all the best for 2024. Thank you for continuing to support my blog. I hope your TBR lists are ready to go. I am excited to bring you my first review of 2024. I fully meant to review this book last year but hit a bit of a reading slump. This book has been on my TBR list for a while now so I have been looking forward to reviewing it. Let’s talk about Sara A. Mueller’s debut novel, The Bone Orchard.

Content Warning: Depictions of Violence and Abuse, Depictions of Prostitution, Discussions of Child Abuse, Harsh Language, Some Sexual Content, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny

Lady Charm lives in the mysterious Orchard House, surrounded by a garden of bones and her beautiful boneghosts. All of the wealthy and powerful inhabitants of Borenguard go to Orchard House to indulge in their vices. Charm has the distinct advantage of belonging only to the Emperor. One day, Charm is summoned by the Emperor and finds out he is dying. His final request is that Charm find out which of the Emperor’s sons is behind their father’s death. With Borenguard thrown into chaos as the princes fight for the throne, Charm must find the Emperor’s killer before war breaks out in the kingdom.

I will not lie: this book was absolutely not what I thought it would be. Based on the plot synopsis of the book itself, I thought that this book was going to be more of a gothic fairy tale with a whodunnit element. Instead, this book is more of a dark steampunk fantasy with magic in parts. For the majority of this book, I was rather confused by the world-building, and differentiating the characters was a bit of a challenge at times. That isn’t to say that this book is badly written. Sara Mueller puts a lot of conviction and care into the narrative. I found plenty of redeeming qualities the further I got into the book but it took me longer than I would have liked to truly find the rhythm of this book. I was actually fully prepared to DNF this book at one point. I am glad I finished this but it might take another reading to fully understand this book. It certainly is unlike anything I have read in a while and, for that, I did appreciate Mueller’s unique novel. For this book, I am going to say to go ahead and give it a chance because there is certainly potential in this novel that I hope other people see.

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All we can do is make the best of the future: Reviewing One Desert Night by Ricky Hurlich

Hello everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the holidays. I promise I am still here. I am just slowing down a bit at the end of the year. My last post of the year will probably be my annual favorites list and then the new year will be a fresh start with plenty of books to read. This particular review, though, is very exciting because it is by another indie author. I want to give a huge shoutout to Ricky for reaching out to me and asking me to review his unpublished novella. I will list all of his socials at the end of this review so make sure to send him some love. Now, let’s talk about One Desert Night.

Content Warning: Semi-Graphic Depictions of a Car Accident, Some Discussion of Mental Health Issues and Self-Harm

Jack is on a journey. At the end of everything, in an impossible realm where time and space blur together, Jack is seeking answers to impossible questions. Along the way, he meets a stranger who serves as his guide through the universe. Despite the beauty of everything, there is also the one answer Jack never knew he wanted. Jack realizes, though, that he will have to face the truth and his impact on the lives of others.

One Desert Night was a wonderfully atmospheric story with plenty of introspection and philosophical musings. Ricky Hurlich has done an excellent job eloquently telling the story of one man’s journey to self-discovery. My personal favorite aspect of the story was how the different plot points with different characters became connected towards the end. I was guessing all the way to the end and wanted answers the entire time. It is easy to tell that a lot of care and love went into crafting the message of this story. I can’t wait to see more from Ricky in the future and hope that he’s able to share his work with all of you as he has done with me.

Instagram: RHurlich

Facebook: Ricky Hurlich

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Let go of them in the water: Reviewing Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

Hello everyone! I hope you are all relaxing before the barrage of holidays. As much as I do enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas, I tend to pick up on other people’s stress around this time. That is why I read. I have some exciting reviews coming soon and can’t wait to share them with you. For the first time, I have had two (that’s right! Two!) people approach me with requests to review their books! You all will be getting those reviews soon. If you are interested in having me review your book, feel free to contact me. My email is available on my blog. Before I get too far ahead, let’s talk about Our Wives Under the Sea.

Content Warning: Claustrophobia, Some Harsh Language, Some Sexual Content, Some Disturbing Imagery

Something is wrong with Leah. Months ago, she left for an expedition for her marine biology research. Upon resurfacing and returning home, her wife Miri immediately knows something is different. Leah runs the bath at all hours, keeps her sound machine on constantly, and refuses to consume anything other than salt water. When Miri tries to reach out to the organization that sent Leah down there, she suddenly finds that it seemingly doesn’t exist anymore. With Leah’s condition getting worse by the day, Miri embarks on a desperate search for the truth behind what happened all of those miles below the surface of the sea.

It’s hard to classify exactly what genre this book is and that is why I enjoyed it in particular. If I had to exactly describe Our Wives Under the Sea, I would say it is a chilling, slow-burn thriller with an ever so slight sci-fi angle to it. Julia Armfield balances the strange mystery lurking below the depths with an intimate romance between two women who understand each other in such a beautiful way. Ultimately, the book is about asking what lengths someone will go to for someone that they love. Despite this book being about 200 pages, it feels a lot longer but in a good way. Armfield has great attention to detail that makes you as a reader feel really involved in this story. If you are looking for something a little strange, a little ambiguous, and a little emotional, then look not further than Our Wives Under the Sea.

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The greater the magic, the greater the price: Reviewing Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno – Garcia

Hello everyone! There is a chill in the air and Halloween is just around the corner as I post this. I’m not planning on doing anything crazy since it is on a Tuesday. I’m probably going to make some chili (the perfect fall food) and watch a horror movie. Our neighborhood doesn’t have a ton of trick-or-treaters. That doesn’t mean I don’t still revel in the overall atmosphere of Halloween. I have a few more horror novels that will roll over into November along with some other exciting reads coming up. Let me not chatter on and on. Let’s discuss the newest released from Silvia Moreno – Garcia: Silver Nitrate.

Content Warning: Disturbing Imagery, Graphic Bodily Injury, Harsh Language, Graphic Deaths

Montserrat has struggled with her career as a sound editor. Despite her talent, the movie industry is dominated by men who are quick to dismiss her in favor of her male co-workers. It’s the ’90s and the Mexican film industry is run by powerful men who want quantity over quality. The only person who recognizes her talent is her childhood best friend, Tristan who is trying to revive his acting career after facing several scandals. One day, Tristan meets Abel Urueta who is a legendary cult film director whose career mysteriously came to a halt. Abel tells Montserrat and Tristan about a dangerous Nazi cult leader who believed that the silver nitrate used in film reels was the ideal element to use in his attempts to become immortal. The film that Abel started making with this man was never finished and he is convinced that he has been cursed ever since. The director asks Montserrat and Tristan to help him finish the film in order to lift the curse. As they help him, the two begin to find themselves being visited by ghosts of the past. Montserrat and Tristan begin to dig deeper into the world of the occult and find themselves facing a greater danger than they could have ever imagined.

To preface: this is now the fifth book I have reviewed by Silvia Morena – Garcia so it is safe to say I’m a fan. I was immediately intrigued by this being a horror novel set in the ’90s. This novel was a little slow to start but once it got going, it was hard to put down. Silver Nitrate combines classic staples of occult horror with an interesting look at the dark side of the film industry. Even though this novel was mostly a thriller, it delivered on the horror elements with plenty of gruesome details and high stakes. I liked the relationship between Montserrat and Tristan as it helped make the story feel all the more personal. Silvia Moreno-Garcia does a great job balancing out the fantastical elements of her novels with the personal relationships at the heart of it all. Overall, this novel has only further solidified my status as a fan of Silvia Moreno – Garcia and I would recommend reading this or any of her other novels.