Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 14

Book Review for Death’s Reckoning by Quinn Thomas

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form. 

Death’s Reckoning, by Quinn Thomas, is a dark, high fantasy about the lengths that people will go to secure freedom, even if it means succumbing to another oppressive regime, or lose themselves in their own pride. Micol is a former soldier who decides to join Death as a way to bring social upheaval to a world dominated by the corrupt elite. Tarana, also known as a Calamity, is a princess on the run after learning of a plot to kill her, during which she is forced to learn auto survive without her usual recklessness. Meanwhile, Itan, a priest of Mirao, is assigned to Jarano, where he meets a young boy who could very well be his undoing. Each narrative showcases a part of what it means to carry on a piece of an immortal, as well as how easily broken humans can become after being exposed to that power. 

The storylines intertwined perfectly. For Micol, it was going through the motions of being a soldier, and then feeling like life stripped you of your purpose. Suddenly he’s being thrust into a revolution in which the commoners supposedly take control of the power taken by the nobility. And the more power Micol’s wolves accumulate, the more is taken away from Tarana and her family. And while I appreciated this dichotomy, I also loved how Thomas showed that commoners will still fight amongst themselves, especially when cornered. It demonstrates that, even though Micol and Tarana believe they’re fighting on the side of justice, at the end of the day it’s still Pestilence and Calamity, aspects that can (and will) cause havoc). Then of course, there’s Itan, who, despite his calm and gentle demeanor, and carried the kindest of hearts, still fell prey to his own greed. He’s a hidden force no one could’ve seen coming; hell, the only reason he went to Jacano was because of his own fuck up. Overall, Thomas demonstrates just how far reaching human imperfections are; it doesn’t matter if you’re an aspect or not, a citizen, a noble, or even a priest. Death comes for everyone.

It begs the question, then, what the sect of Solus wants. Because while it may sound like something my fiancé and I will fight for, it doesn’t take a genius to see the greed behind the ideology. I feel that Death would like to believe that his vision is different, and in a way it is; after all, Death comes for everyone equally. Still, aspects are only people, and in Death’s thinking, it reminds me of the angels who fell from heaven solely because of their hubris. What’s worse, people like Visala are easy to take advantage of; she’s desperate for change, and will stop at nothing to see it through, despite the destruction it brings. It’s the same thing for Ponto; although he did what any child would do, trusting the adults in his life, in the end it’s what ultimately brings his ruin. It’s the blind leading the blind in that sense. There is no such thing as innocence in this world, and should it be found, it would either be twisted into something malevolent, or would be snuffed out completely. 

The book isn’t perfect. While all the narratives were incredibly compelling, I would’ve preferred Thomas stick with just Micol, Itan, and Tarana’s. Moreover, I felt that Thomas could’ve used more descriptive language to envelop me in the atmosphere, although I did appreciate him showing me the psychological state of the characters, rather than just telling me. As such, because of it’s compelling themes and unique blending of storylines, I would give this book a 4 stars out of 5. 

Book Review for everything in between: from a to z by Arianne Laporte

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

everything in between you: from A to Z by Arianne Laporte is a poetry book about a woman’s struggles with moving on from a toxic relationship. The poems in the collection are organized into 26 parts, each corresponding to a letter of the alphabet, and thus providing a kaleidoscope of emotions that come with a harsh breakup. Within each of these parts, Laporte delves into the pain that love, infatuation, and at times, codependency, have caused her. Nonetheless, albeit tentatively, she chooses to move forward, despite the agony she carries with her .

Poems are incredibly relatable, and illustrates how someone who, after losing someone they love, may become vulnerable to mental illness, unsafe environments, ect. Although we’re supposed to have a support system in place, there are times when we have to learn how to go at it alone. It’s scary being independent, and though we want to fall back on the familiar, there comes a time when we have to learn to fend for ourselves. Life isn’t some fairy tale that we can just lose ourselves in, especially if you’re a woman. The poems in the book just solidify that. Still, I did find some humor in the book; one of the chapters is called Xia, which was the name Laporte gave to the girl her ex was seeing. Interestingly enough, my dog’s name is Xia, and while I might not be able to vouch for the girl, I can certainly defend my dog’s character. 

The poems are a bit repetitive at times. I would’ve liked to see more poems written about her family and friends, since there are implications that her heartbreak from this current relationship stems from her interactions with other failed relationships. Despite this, everything in between you captures the emotional complexities of getting over a loved one. As such, I would give this collection a 4 out of 5 stars, and, because of the similar writing styles, would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Rupi Kaur and Courtney Peppernell. 

Book Review for Bloom and Guts: A Debut Poetry Collection by Scott McKenzie

I received this book for free. This did not impact my review in any shape or form.

Bloom and Guts: a Debut Poetry Collection, by Scott McKenzie, is a poetry collection that illustrates the gravity growth can have on a person’s well-being, whether it be good or bad. The book is separated into 6 parts. Part I: Like a Dream portrays the beauty of the soul people form, despite the misery adulthood puts you through. Part II: of a heart illustrates how chaotic love can be, regardless of whatever peace you may find in the moment. Part III. ripped open describes the violence that can accompany life experiences, especially if they were negative. Part IV. kissed by fire showcases the inevitability that comes from faded hope and a foolish morality, while Part V narrates the confrontation that takes place between someone’s growth and lost innocence. Finally, Part VI. planted in the earth presents how this conflict can be rectified, despite the grief that might come through. Accompanying these parts are images by Dr. Chunhui Li that provide a stark reality to the pain of transformation.

I enjoyed how seemingly unhinged the poems became; although their fonts were initially uniform, as the poet progressed, they began to reflect the poet’s mental state. This definitely showed in Hit Me, and again, Your Head Against the Wall. But I felt that the sentiments echoed in the last poem A Reunion with Nothing. Contrary to popular belief, death comes in different shapes and forms. Sometimes you have to experience the death of a toxic relationship, other times the death of a career field or other dreams you’ve had. Even so, with death comes a peace that you may experience. This peace carries with you until the end of your life, when death, even though it still may be a stranger, comes to you, smiling a friendly smile and leading you into the dark. 

Personally speaking, this book reminded me of clients who have gone through the mental health system for years on end. A lot of them have gone through case worker after case worker, therapist after therapist, and they’re tired. They’re tired of reliving the same trauma every day, tired of working on coping skills that never seem to resolve anything. Regardless, they were still able to grow, despite all the pain they’ve had to endure. They were able to stand on their own two feet, even though they plead otherwise. This more often than not occurs in community health agencies, where the turnover rates and compassion fatigues are high, and the patience is low. These clients do go through a grieving process when they truly find someone they could connect with. Regardless, they go through the journey that McKenzie writes about, and while it’s painful, it can be worthwhile as well. 

Because of this, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review for Growing Children by Salustiano Berrios

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form. 

Growing Children, by Salustiano Berrios, is a psychological drama about a man who violates the wishes of his family in order to achieve a delusion, no matter how much he suffers through. The book starts with a man named Jim Simple, who recounts the horrific details of his experience “growing children.” After losing his wife and daughter in a tragic accident, and left with a son with autism, Jim decides to seek out the assistance of a man known as the Passenger in hopes of obtaining three new normal children. Unfortunately, the promise isn’t what it appears to be, as Jim confronts the reality of playing God with human lives. 

I absolutely loved Jim’s characterization. While I don’t agree with his actions, or even his thoughts, his narrative speaks volumes to the amount of stress that parents have when caring for children with special needs. It’s fine if a parent’s children are diagnosed with something that they can work around, such as ADHD, or autism, or any mental illness that’s mild to somewhat moderate. However, when you’re confronted with a diagnosis that impacts an individual’s quality of life and activities of daily living, it’s stress. And it’s that stress that makes Jim’s own life so overwhelming. He’s lost his wife and daughter, his only anchors of normalcy, and is now dealing (and yes I mean just dealing) with Robin, who represents all his lost hopes and dreams. Because of his folly and pride, it would only make sense that he would turn to the Passenger for assistance. Even so, he hasn’t gotten a hold of said follies, and as a result, he’s repeating the same mistakes over and over again. It makes me think that, even if Jim had a “normal” child with Diane, the moment she passes he would treat that child the same as he would Robin.

Moreover, it begs the question how much of Jim’s morality had been forsaken because of his pride. Robin still carried remnants of Diane when she was still alive. The children that she birthed with her corpse weren’t, dare I say it, natural. They were experiments birthed from death and decay, and by the end of the novel, it’s only fitting that they return to that world, no matter how tragic it was. The only regret I have with this is Moza. She was able to give Jim an illusion of what he wanted, in spite of the children’s origins. She was innocent in all of this, despite the pain Jim had her undergo. 

I enjoyed this book. I don’t normally read books twice, but I can definitely see myself reading this again, or better yet, recommending this book to parents or caretakers who feel burnt out and need an escape. I could even see myself giving this book to mental health professionals who are tired of the politics surrounding the billing of individuals with extra needs. As such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Grey Matters by Kristen Costello

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form. 

Grey Matters: Poems About Mental Health and Healing, by Kristen Costello, is a poetry collection about a woman’s struggles with her mental illness. The book is separated into five separate parts, each of which details how each mental illness has affected her. With each part, the reader is shown parts of what it feels like to have anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and eventually, recovery. 

As a reader, I admired the way the poet took me into how it felt to have each of the symptoms. I felt the familiar echoes of anxiety and depression, as well as the soothing balms of recovery. As a counselor in training, I can definitely appreciate how realistic these symptoms are, and how Costello doesn’t sugar coat any of these illnesses. Granted, healing from a mental illness isn’t a linear process; there are times when we relapse, times when we’re triggered, times when we forget our coping skills and we fall short of our best. That being said, the book has a lot of quotes that I plan to take to remind myself, my coworkers, and anyone else who needs the encouragement. 

I loved how Costello spaces her paragraphs and phrases to reflect the diagnosis. I loved the snippets of light that gets sprinkled into the dark. I loved the way the poet carries herself. I can definitely see myself reading this again when I get bitter, or burnt out. As such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Pet: the Journey from Abuse to Recovery by Kelly Hanna-Wayne

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review. 

Pet, by Kelly Hanna-Wayne, is a poetry collection about a woman who illustrates her journey of violence, from first falling in love with her abuser, to eventually escaping and teaching others how to stay away from toxic relationships. The collection is separated into six parts. Part I: Repression details the horrifying ways the poet’s abuser cornered her and stripped her of her identity and power. Part II: Recovery demonstrates how difficult it is to let go of a relationship, no matter how traumatic it was. Part III: Retrospect showcases the harrowing experience of falling in love and trusting someone again. Part IV: Resilience has the poet continuing to recover, in spite of her past, and preventing others from suffering the way she suffered. 

Much of the poems are haunting. I read them, and I’m reminded of women who have had their children taken away from them by domineering men who intimidated them into silence, women who will fight tooth and nail for a relationship that only incriminates their sanity, women who will gladly throw their heart and souls away just for a single word of praise. One poem that I’m still stuck on was Ghost Lines Act 1, where the poet continues to reiterate what her abuser asks her to say. She sounds robotic almost, with the only emotion peeking through is downright terror. The same terror was shown again, and yet, by the end of the book, the poet was able to lead her younger self away from the monsters. 

While this book can be triggering, it portrays just how hard it is to let go of the past. Abuse isn’t something you can just get over, and while some may have more resilience than others, it’s still a journey to try to find yourself and your identity, to fall in love with yourself again. Because of this, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it along with poems from The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Lauren Davis, as well as readers who enjoy authors such as Melody Beattie, Pia Mellody, Lundy Bancroft. 

Book Review for Words With My Father by Lowell and Lukas Klessig

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Words With My Father: A Bipolar Journey Through Turbulent Times, by Lowell and Lukas Klessig, is a memoir detailing the life of a man diagnosed with bipolar disorder who lived during America’s social revolutions. The book switches between Lowell and his son, Lukas; Lowell dives into his memories as he examines how his symptoms impacted him, while Lukas dissects said memories to better understand them. 

This was an interesting read, to say the least. I enjoyed how seamlessly integrated Lowell’s symptoms were into his reality; it never occurred to him that mental health was a factor until the symptoms started getting worse. Even so, I liked how Lowell used those symptoms to his advantage; it might not have been the healthiest way to deal with them, but he managed to turn his diagnosis into an asset. True, he’s made mistakes along the way. Even so, he never allowed his diagnosis to define him. He was able to live a full live, whether that be fighting racial inequality, advocating for anti-war policies, or saving the environment, or even advising his children how to empower themselves. Like any other good human rights advocate, he became burnt out. Still, he managed to accomplish a lot, and it’s something Lukas clearly admires his father for.

That being said, Lukas reminds me a little of me. From the way he analyzes and turns his father’s stories into lessons, to the pompous tone that the younger generation could only have towards their elders, to even them bonding over how to manage their symptoms; I respect the father-son duo for it. Their relationship is something to behold. I’ve lost count how many clients who have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder have burned their bridges with their families and friends, so the fact that Lukas and Lowell could rely on each so much goes to show how much they care for one another. They both portray mania in a very realistic manner, and showcase just a snippet of what it means to live with bipolar disorder. Not everything is determined by a mental illness. Then again, not everything in life is perfect.

The memoir details a conversation between father and son. Even though Lukas tries to address us, the readers, I can’t help but picture him talking to his dad, trying to continue unfinished debates, fond reminisces, even the occasional banter here and there. The book might not be for everyone, but in my opinion, this is a perfect momento mori for a family who laughed together, and struggled together. As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for The Vanishing Forest by Jaysee Jewel

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any way. 

The Vanishing Forest, by Jaysee Jewel, is a young adult horror that explores how family can lead to the salvation, and ruin, of their loved ones. Lili, who had just turned seventeen, decides to try to find her parents after learning about their disappearances inside a mysterious forest. While sneaking into said forest, she runs into a group known as the Rural Rangers, who, for their own purposes, are trying to film the strange environment. With Lili in tow, the group attempts to uncover the mystery behind the disappearances, only to realize too late the horrors that lie within. 

I liked the growing friendship that Lili shared with the rest of the group. I especially enjoyed how Lili came to rely on Jacques, like everyone else, and was able to bond a little with Kaidyn and Aidyn, who were looking for their missing siblings. Was it a dumb move to go into the forest guarded by government officials? Yes. Did I feel that the weapons they brought were a little too naive? Absolutely (I would take a gun over a sword any day). Regardless, the group dynamics really helped them survive. I saw myself the most in Viktor, who, while he may have been regarded as the weakest of the group, was still able to make himself useful through his knowledge of plants and the like. 

Moreover, I could understand how the group clung to hope that somehow, someway, their loved ones were still alive. I appreciated the relationship Billy formed with Leon, even though Billy was no longer human in the end. Not to mention the empathy Lili had with Kingsley in that, even though he was somewhat messed up in the head, she honored his way of mourning the deceased. I enjoyed reading about Meriel, and how she showed how vulnerable the adults in this story have become. Moreover, the older generations were tired of fighting, and while a lot of them have made progress towards trying to defeat the forest, in the end they’ve laid the foundation for Lili and the group to finish the job. 

What got to me was the importance of familial ties in the story. Kingsley ended up a broken man because he forsook his son. Aidyn died because he refused to believe his sisters were dead, even though their corpses were staring at him in the face. Meriel was almost murdered because every time she saw those monsters, she was reminded of her husband. The only ones who were unwilling to give in, the only ones who decided to push on because they decided to take care of their found family rather than their missing loved ones. It makes me wonder if the creature that caused all this destruction wanted people like that; rather than servants or toys, loved ones that could love and cherish them, offering devotion and unconditional surrender. Still, that’s not love. That’ll never be love. 

That, of course, doesn’t even begin to describe the horrifying descriptions that lets me know it’s okay to be a homebody, even after the pandemic. I loved the psychological elements Jewel  incorporates into her story. While I do feel the ending is a little too uplifting, especially when so many have died, I still enjoyed the book. As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review for Counterfeit Commoner by Kelle Z. Riley

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review.

Counterfeit Commoner, by Kelly Z. Riley, is a riches to rags fairytale about a young noble woman who falls in love with a man who is trying to leave his past behind. Lady Sophia de Lyons had just gotten off scott-free after being “ousted” out of her marriage to King Constantine Philippe Ramon D’ Malia by American Jill Bradley to her marriage. After agreeing to switch places with Grace Bradley, Jill’s sister, Sophia is suddenly thrusted into a life of freedom, only to end up alone, somewhat broke, and stranded in America. After an unlikely meeting with James “Mike” Michael Maguire, owner of the struggling pub Maguire’s Irish Pub and Grill, Sophie slowly learns how to be more independent, and to find happiness even in the struggle.

I think I enjoyed Counterfeit Commoner a lot more than I thought I would. It was charming, seeing Sophie try to get accustomed to American culture, thinking she’s making a mistake when in actuality everyone loves her. I love her interactions with the three Marys, and when Sophie’s family gets involved, I especially liked how Stephan bonds with Mary Margaret. It shows that, despite the disconnect Sophie has with her uncle and country, her family still cares for her and loves her. The same could be said for Mike; even though Mike’s previous choice in careers and lifestyle came back to bite him in the ass, he was still able to ground himself and protect his family. I loved how protective he was of his nieces and his sister and, to a certain extent, his dad.

However, what won me over was Sophie’s dedication to, not just Mike’s family, but his community as well. She was so friendly with the staff at the pub, and she was able to orchestrate an entire festival to promote Maguire’s and bring people together. I loved how Riley showed readers how Sophie was genuinely a sweet person, and how a relationship isn’t just about two people falling in love, although that is a big part of it. I suspect that this is the relationship Jill Bradley had with King Constantine, as well as Mike’s dad with Destiny, were just as charming, if not downright wholesome. It’s about two people falling in love and getting to know each other. As my father once said, love comes softly, and I feel that this is true for these two.

That being said, I was a little worn down by Mike’s perspective. We know you feel guilty about lying to your love. But you still did it, and I’d prefer if you’d own up to it. But what offset this was his romantic internal dialogue; then again, he is a writer, and I can certainly appreciate his sentimentality. Other than this, I enjoyed this book, and would give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review for Intricate Obsessions by Jennifer Rayes

I received this book for free. This did not impact my review.

Intricate Obsessions, by Jennifer Reyes, is the third book in the Intricate Series. The book follows Gaia as she navigates through complex political alliances with Raoul, and by extension, Kayamoto, as well as build up her task force to fight Salim and his associates with the help of her advisors and trusted officials. Meanwhile, Domonique attempts to mitigate the threat of the Governor, who hungers for bloodshed and war.

I absolutely enjoyed Gaia in this book. In the beginning, I thought she was ready to rip Dominique’s throat out, especially since Salim was now in Raoul’s custody. She was absolutely justified in her anger. After all, she, along with many others, have suffered under him. And I don’t necessarily agree with Dominique’s actions either, since, once again, he’s putting Gaia on a pedestal. Moreover, I liked the plan Gaia laid out for her citizens; it reminds me of the initiatives a couple of volunteer organizations used to preach. It does take energy and time to root out human trafficking, something that Gaia has already dedicated her entire kingdom to.

An interesting thing to note that this is, unfortunately, the first time I’ve become interested in Gaia’s love interests, primarily Dominique. It was subtle at first, but Rayes has spotlighted Dominique’s broken bird status. He reminds me of an evangelical sinner forever chasing the unloving arms of his deity. Every fuck up he makes, he expects Gaia to be there to comfort him. He’s fighting to keep his family safe, but he doesn’t know how. He keeps getting betrayed at every corner, and although Gaia (and I’m assuming Raoul), is in his corner, he self-isolates. It’s almost sad to read, and I’m all for it. And unluckily enough, since I love comparisons, I can definitely see a lot of Antoine in him.

Antoine is a very interesting character in and of itself. His obsession with Gaia eerily parallels with Dominique. They both see Gaia as this good, sweet, perfect thing, not bothering to take into account who she is or what she might want, or if she’s even human. To Antoine she’s like this cherubic angel that needs to be possessed, and to Dominique, a Goddess,l to be protected, none of which are healthy, all of which leave no room for Gaia.

As I’ve said with the previous book, it sets up the stage for the next book. It had a solid plot line, and I enjoyed reading about the intricacies in Gaia’s and Raoul’s government, as well as how Dominique deals with foreign powers. I would still like a lot more world building though. Moreover, something as shattering as a massacre warrants a bit more emotional processing than what Rayes writes in. Despite this, I enjoyed the book, and would give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.