Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 16

Book Review for Ogwen Blues

I received a free copy of this book from the author. This does not affect my review. 

Ogwen Blues, by George Heck, is a novella detailing a family’s struggles with mental health, abuse, and drugs. The novella introduces Dale Carson and his family, all of whom live on a decaying farm with little to no prospects. His stepfather, Colin, bears the financial burden of the family, while his mother, Clare, verbally and mentally abuses him. The story follows Dale and Colin, as well as their associates, as they attempt to rise above their realities, whether it be through legal or illegal means, in a broken home. 

Working in the mental health professions, you’re going to see a lot of communities infected by drug abuse. Unfortunately, these communities are often low socioeconomic areas (Section 8, HUD housing, ect.) that are rife with drug abuse. Thus, the novella reminded me of a harsh lesson one of my mentors told me, in that when you’re homeless, when you have absolutely nothing, and people look at you with disgust, alcohol and drugs are probably the only things that you can use to escape. If you didn’t already know, dealing can get you fast money. In that sense, drugs really do hold the answer to all life’s problems, despite the statistics and near death threats schools like to spout. Dale tends to remind me of these clients, doing whatever he can to escape his physical and mental troubles. And I’ve got to admit; it’s tempting. 

Then there’s Colin, who’s trapped in an unfulfilling job, saddled with a family who doesn’t recognize anything he does for them, a family who doesn’t even take pride in him taking care of them. It doesn’t excuse his negligence, but similar to Dale, Colin is trying to find an escape. Unlike Dale, Colin’s behaviors are already hard wired; it’s hard to heal from trauma when you’re older. So while Dale slides further into destruction with his choices, it’s Colin that ends it all. For all the cruelty the novella puts our characters through, Dale would’ve had a chance. Colin doesn’t, even though his choices are less destructive (save for the end, of course). 

In all honesty, the novella has a lot of potential. It shows an accurate picture of what it means to live in a community perpetuated by socioeconomic inequality, mental illness, and substance misuse. I would have been more engrossed had it not been for the wording. There are times when I could barely understand what the characters were saying, and sadly, it did detract from the story. Moreover, I would’ve preferred if the author focused more on Dale, Colin, and their family, rather than the plethora of characters around them. If the story were longer, I would’ve loved for the characters to be fleshed out, but because of the brevity of the story, I don’t think there’s a place for it.

Thus, I would give the book a 3.5 out of 5. 

Book Review for Prophecy of Gods and Crows by CD Britt

This review is a part of the book tour for Bewitching Tours. This did not impact my review in any shape or form. 

Prophecy of Gods and Crows, by CD Britt, is a young adult dystopian about a girl who, in spite of the brutality around her, finds her place amongst the gods. The story introduces Bryndis Keanneally, a girl who could see people dying. Because she was unable to fulfill her duties as a healer, the duty is passed onto her cousin, Jace. Seen as a horrific anomaly by the rest of the villagers, Bryndis takes solace in a select group of friends who, by fate or misfortunate, are fiercely protective of her. One day, Bryndis and her friends discover two people outside the gate of home. One of the guests, revealed to be the creator Danu, reveals that they are gods and goddesses who must fight to protect their beloved home. Suddenly thrust into a battle for the earth, Bryndis and her friends must face the corruption of the Church and those who ally for the false god in order to restore the beauty that once belonged to the world. 

I love how Britt weaves Celtic mythology into the story. It reminds me of a darker, more twisted version of Meg Cabot’s Avalon High; there’s more at stake than just high school romances and the occasional broken heart. I like how chaotic Bryndis is, especially when it comes to her own revelations; then again, witches have always been revered for their rebelliousness and their casual flirtation with death, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Even so, the characters aren’t removed from humanity. At first glance, there really is nothing special about them, save their humanity. I love seeing how protective Bryndis is of Jace, even if she does hide the truth from him. I love Justin’s relentless pursuit of fairness and justice, as well as Sage’s bookworm tendencies and her pride in her lineage (can you guess she’s my favorite yet?). I do feel that Mr. Raffety’s character is a bit of a let down, especially with how grand the other characters are. Moreover, the romance between Declan and Bryndis was a bit out of place, but again, due to the numerous plot lines in the story. I do hope that Britt expands this in the next novels. 

I also like how the author shows the relationships across different lifetimes. For instance, I liked how Kian was introduced, as well as Niamh. In all honesty, I found these characters more intriguing than Bryndis herself. Ironically, these two represent the Morrigan than the actual character herself. I would love to see more of Niamh in the later novels.  I’m also intrigued as to how Bryndis plans to utilize the Morrigan; after all, she is more than just the goddess of witchcraft and war, and death is her domain. In a delightfully demented way, Bryndis didn’t belong to the village; she’s too powerful to keep chained. 

I do look forward to seeing more of Britt’s works. This book is lays a solid foundation for the series. I would love to see more of Bryndis’s destructive nature, and her struggles with balancing her humanity with her goddess-nature. Then again, I could say the same for all the characters. As such, I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

You can buy the book here.

View the book trailer here.

Book Review for Convergence by Jesse Clary

I received a free copy of this book from the author. This has, in no way, shaped my review. 

Convergence, by Jesse Clary, is an apocalyptic horror about a man who, in spite of the end of the world looming over him, does everything he can to fulfill his wife’s last request. Jay is a widower that has yet to make peace with his wife’s passing. While the Anomaly, a strange black diamond floating in the sky, has just marked the earth for death, Jay decides to take his wife’s ashes back to her home town as a way to honor her memory. On the way there, he meets a woman named Benu, and together, they travel through an apocalyptic hellscape where they encounter monsters of all types, both human and mutated. 

I enjoyed Clary’s horrifying depictions of the monsters in the story, and how completely deceptive they can be. From humans starting a cult all to reclaim some semblance of peace, to monsters who can disguise themselves as loved ones, Clary ensures that the reader is on edge for every little encounter the characters come across. Moreover, I like how, in spite of the strangeness the Anomaly has on human beings, Clary decides to not make this story into a traditional hero-saves-the-world plot line. After all, when it comes to humanity, there is no such thing as morality; only survival. This is depicted well with Carla, and how she uses her powers to kill people, a mercy in this world, and Jay, who doesn’t do anything grand with his flame powers, and instead, uses them to heat up a can of beans, a kindness that would’ve been overlooked had the world not been ending. I like how the dead, at times, speak louder than the living, which brings me to another thing; the fact that Clary didn’t depict humans as outright monsters and just a struggling race finding ways to cope with the fact that they will all die in the end was extraordinary. You read a lot of apocalyptic stories in which everyone has gone completely insane, so this story was refreshing. The fact that, as you keep reading, there’s a countdown until the end of the world, just adds to the tension. 

I absolutely loved how Clary handled grief. Even though mental health professionals will say that there are seven steps, and true, people will sometimes go through those steps over and over again, there’s still so much that we don’t know about the human mind. We may comfort ourselves in ways that may be odd to others; for instance, bringing an infant into a world that’ll end in about nine days. Then of course, there are more relatable coping skills that may denote our vulnerability. Lorenzo and his illusions, and even Carla and how she uses her powers, are examples of this. Even Benu and how she reacted to her family’s passing is completely understandable. 

As such, because of it’s terrifying monsters, as well as it’s masterful handling of human grief as a whole, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Grave Love by Audrey Rush

I received this book from Book Sirens for free.  This has not impacted my review by any means. 

Grave Love, by Audrey Rush, is a dark, erotic romance about two individuals who are bound together by their lust for death, and inevitably, their lust for each other. Blaze is a serial killer who hunts for women for the thrill of it. After seeing a woman engaged intimately with a corpse at a morgue one night, he becomes with obsessed with controlling said woman’s life and death. That woman, Ren, is an embalmer who thinks about dying everyday but is too cowardly to take the first steps. After an intimate encounter with the mysterious groundskeeper, Blaze, at the morgue, Ren agrees to be Blaze’s next victim, in exchange for teaching him how to dispose of her body without getting caught. In this dark, twisted romance, Rush delves deep into the complex relationship love and death have with one another, as well as the depraved beauty such love cradles.

I have to admit; this book is so fucked up in such a good way. The psychology of how these characters alone draws readers in like a moth to a flame. You have a woman who engages in intimate acts with corpses, and a man who is in love with violently ending life. They’re both addicted to death; Ren as an escape from her shame, Blaze to confront his. As I kept reading, I can’t help but be just a bit enamored with their world, however sick they may be. It’s almost cathartic, seeing them find comfort in one another. It reminds readers that in the end, love and death are inextricably intertwined; there’s a reason why the world’s greatest love stories end in tragedy, why love and infatuation are even considered addictions. It’s codependency at its finest, and while Rush does not glorify it in any way, she does a damn good job of writing it. 

Rush shows that, in the end, Ren and Blaze were two sides of the same coin. It was also quite a surprise that Rush flips age old stereotypical gender roles; usually in romances, it’s the woman who is trying to change the man. In this case though, it’s Blaze trying to breathe life into “his little corpse”. It’s Blaze who teaches Ren how to stand up for herself. It’s Blaze who gets her to understand how tempestuous life can be. It’s Blaze who becomes protective of Ren, and would do anything to keep outside forces from hurting her. I do feel the ending of the book is a bit odd, especially since the rest of the book’s tone is so morose. It even detracts from it, to say the least.

Even so, I enjoyed it. I’ve always had a soft spot for dark romances, and this book is no exception. As such, I would give the book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review for 6 Days in Detox by Dianne Corbeau

I received a free copy from the author. This did not affect my review in any way.

6 Days in Detox, by Dianne Corbeau, is a memoir detailing the struggles a woman faces as she detoxes from alcohol. The memoir separates Dianne’s experiences into 6 different days, from the time she was found after overdosing, up until the time she leaves. As the reader goes through these days, they see Dianne becoming more clearheaded, focusing less on the environment around her and more on the inevitable pain she must endure in order to become sober again. From the inhumane conditions Dianne is forced into in her detox program, to the help waiting just outside, the memoir offers a realistic version of what it’s like to start recovery, and what it takes to pull through the initial steps. 

I have to admit, personally, Dianne should have had all her ducks in a row. Unfortunately, anything can happen, and the hospital she was staying at was unable to cater to her dual diagnoses. Whether that be because they were unprepared, or because they were overwhelmed, I have to give credit to the staff in the emergency room. Strong wraparound services are important for someone experiencing withdrawals after all, no matter the drug. That was what Dianne had, but at the end of the day they still weren’t able to give her everything she needed. 

This doesn’t even begin to cover the behavioral health aspect. Once she left the ER and went straight into detox, it really did seem like hell. Alcohol withdrawals are brutal for anyone, and while I can’t claim to understand what the medical professionals who treated Dianne were thinking (and believe me I’m gonna ask my supervisor about it), at the same time I was happy Dianne was able to find some hope in the midst of the struggle (a bed, a roof over your head, etc). I definitely loved how she described the raw experiences she’s had to go through, and how, as the days continued, she was able to slowly come out of her shell and start planning for the next stage in her recovery. Moreover, she does delve through why she turned to drinking in the first place, why God allowed her to fall from such depths, how she attempted to own up to all the lies she’s been cradling. She’s got a long road ahead of her, but she’s willing to do the work. 

Which is why I appreciated the cliffhanger she left. I loved how she portrays that, when it comes to sobriety, there really is no happy end. If you thought there was, that’s when you’re the most at vulnerable, when you become complacent. Moreover, I loved how Dianne acknowledged that, even when you do achieve some sort of sobriety, there are just some people you won’t get back. And it’s okay, because you just have to keep moving forward. While I don’t necessarily agree with some of the actions she’s taken while in detox, especially with Magda, it is what it is. 

There were some things that I couldn’t help but nitpick. I did feel like sentences could be tightened up a little bit. There were a couple of instances where I felt the book was repetitive, such as rehashing triggers and such. Even so, I feel this is a good book that groups, such as Al-Anon, can read for when they want to understand why some loved ones continue to drink. I would also recommend the book to other substance abuse counselors so that they can get a better understanding of why people may fall through the cracks, or why people may refuse treatment altogether. As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Marriage Training by Golden Angel

I received a free digital copy from I Love Romance. This did not affect my review.

Marriage Training, by Golden Angel, is a steamy victorian erotica detailing the exploits of an innocent, young woman named Vivian and her dark, mysterious Earl. After meeting, and falling in love with Vivian at a wedding, Lord Gabriel decides to support Vivian and her family by financing her finishing school. The aristocrat promises to support Vivian’s family and will guarantee Vivian’s security under one condition: that she undergo special training to become his wife.

To be honest, I really loved this book, not only because of how Angel depicts the fluidity of pleasure and sexuality, but also the accurate depiction of the BDSM community. It is crucial that consent be given, that power be freely taken, and it’s clear that Angel respects these values. Moreover, the scenes between Vivian and her companion were titulating, and the fact that Vivian was able to switch from her companion to Gabriel as effortlessly as she did just helps build their relationship up. And true, everyone was horny, but it’s refreshing how the romance plays out here. Even more ironic is that, despite all the “modern” romances out there, I would say that this book, given the context of the story, is the gold standard. 

It also helps that the couple in question is likable. I admire Vivian’s persistence in staying with Gabriel. She’s just too forgiving in my opinion. True, she’s submissive, but she’s also got a lot of fire that you wouldn’t otherwise see. It’s the same with Gabriel. He was able to show a gentler side to himself, and that he took the time to court Vivian even though she was already guaranteed to be his wife. I like how awkward he is around his sisters and stepmother, and how, despite all the heated moments in the book, Angel still takes the time to show Gabriel as human, and that, in a way, Gabriel is just as innocent as Vivian when it comes to first (and only) love. It’s something I feel that Vivian would appreciate. He’s also very compassionate when it comes to disciplining Vivian, and practices open communication that a lot of couples lack nowadays. Despite the initial harshness of the relationship, the couple avoids a lot of drama by being straight forward with one another. It adds a layer of sweetness to an otherwise hot plot. 

I enjoyed this book. I like how accurate the book depicts impact play (I’m looking at you Fifty Shades), as well as how Angel depicts a healthy sexual relationship. I loved the tender moments that Vivian and Gabriel share, as well as the instances of sweetness tucked in. As such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review for Alice and Her Knave by S.N Hunt

I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens, and this has by no way impacted my review.

Alice and Her Knave, by S.N Hunt, is a dark, paranormal erotica about a woman who is dragged to a world that caters to her vices, and ultimately, her madness. The story introduces Alice and her beloved sister, Charlotte. As in the original story, Alice sees a white rabbit, whom she follows down a whirlpool and wakes up in Wonderland. Unlike the original, from here, she meets a mysterious figure known as the Great Mother, who tasks her with killing the Jabberwocky so that Wonderland can be restored. Alice is given a legendary weapon, the Vorpal Blade, and with that, the Great Mother sends Alice to kill the beast. However, as Alice further delves into Wonderland, and meets characters such as the Red Knave and the Mad Hatter, she discovers a lustful decay that draws her further away from her sanity. 

I have to admit, this was a rather enticing spin on Alice and Wonderland. I loved how Hunt played into the vice of lust, and how she showed the twisted sides of love through the Red Knave and the Mad Hatter. The Mad Hatter does scare me a little, but he has me just as intrigued. I enjoy him more than the Knave anyway; I’d take knives over lies any day. And while it can be overwhelming for all these horny characters to coexist beside each other, Hunt presents how to weave these traits into the central conflict. This isn’t some ordinary love triangle; it’s as if these characters are being forced to love a flame that will only burn them in the end. 

Moreover, Wonderland being this desolate place where the only good thing in it is Alice is thrilling. It reminds me of a butcher masking themselves as a shepherd, luring an innocent sheep into its embrace, only to slaughter it. And of course, Alice by no means is innocent. I like how Hunt sets her up as this spoiled girl who places instant gratification above all else, and will do whatever it takes to get what she wants, even if it meant regretting her decisions later on. She reminds me of the tarot card, the fool; taking a risk without considering the consequences, walking off the edge while smiling. I can easily imagine the Knave and the Mad Hatter waiting to catch her when she falls. 

Is it sexy? Yes. Is it macabre? Of course. However I did feel the story was a little rushed. Moreover, I didn’t appreciate Charlotte threatening to harm herself in the end. Still, the dark twists that Hunt has set up make the plot all the more thrilling. I can’t wait to see what comes next, and will be on the lookout for the sequel. As such, I would give this story a 4.5 out of 5. 

Book Review for The Truth I Must Invent by Francis DiClemente

The Truth I Must Invent, by Francis DiClemente, is a poetry collection about a man who learns to build his resiliency despite the numerous challenges he’s faced and the self-loathing he’s come to accept. 

The collection is separated into 6 parts. Part I details small, seemingly insignificant occurrences that reminds the reader of the life’s effervescence. Part 2 illustrates the narrator navigating through his childhood, from finding ways to cope with his parents’ fights to his cancer diagnosis. Part 3 carries onto the narrator’s adolescence and early adulthood, as he fights to reconcile his physical state and developing self-hatred. Part 4 shows the narrator fully entrenched in his adult life, as he is uses his creative abilities to express his ongoing fight with his mental and emotional well-being. Part 5 has the narrator come to terms with his flaws and imperfections, and to believe the “truth” that everything was meant to be, no matter how he may feel about it. Part 6 culminates to the narrator trying to pass down the painful lessons he’s learned to his son, who was diagnosed with autism, although the narrator continues to grow and learns to appreciate the gifts that parenthood can bring. 

Part I definitely caught my attention. It carried a haunting quality to it, as though the narrator had learned that every little happening in life had a morbid lesson attached to it. This was further explained in the collection, in which the narrator had to deal with the difficulties that came with a childhood tumor diagnosis. My father was a radiation therapist in the pediatric unit, and had seen many children go through the same trials the narrator had gone through. Many of those children die before adulthood, so for the narrator to rehash so many dark memories to write this collection is a testament to his strength. And I’ll admit; raising a child who has a diagnosis of autism can be difficult. But there’s a reason why parents are so respected; at the end of the day, many professionals don’t have the experience that parents do to help the child. Part 6 is already demonstrating his tenacity and patience, which is something a lot of people, even other parents, don’t have.

I most admit though, Part 4 had a crass humor to it I enjoyed thoroughly. One poem had stuck out to me, Inspired by Beckett, which reiterates that writing is practice, and that there really is no such thing as perfection. It’s infuriating and it’s annoying, (and yes, there is a reason why I included a mental health component on this website). Moreover, I feel that this opens the floodgates of a cold, hard truth that all writers need to face; that our words may never be immortal, and if they were, they’d be buried underneath hundreds of thousands of millions of books. A lot of us find comfort in the thought that someone will read our works after we die, that a kindhearted reader will take to heart the lessons that we’ve imbued into our works. This, in particular, is something that the book shows you a glimpse of without hitting you too hard with it. 

I did love this collection. It clearly demonstrates how the narrator has turned his adversity into strengths, and how he’s used them to push forward. I have no doubt the narrator, or rather DiClemente, will continue to learn and flourish in a way that benefits himself, his son, and hopefully, other writers. 

Because of this, I’m giving this collection a 5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for iHunt: Killing Monsters in the Gig Economy by David A. Hill Jr.

iHunt: Killing Monsters in the Gig Economy, by David A. Hill Jr., is a comedic horror about a young monster hunter trying to fit into modern society.

Lana is a freelance hunter. She uses an app called iHunt, a tool that helps her track down potential gigs and leads. As she struggles to juggle her other job and pay her bills, she gets caught up in a territorial war between vampires. What’s more, she has to deal with Natalie, a mysterious vampire warns her that the human race could be enslaved by a powerful vampire. As the fighting escalates, Lana must use her wits to try and escape with both her life and finances intact. In this humorous adventure, Hill delves into the macabre world of monsters, all the while satirizing the ruthless reality that both monsters and humans thrive in.

I like Lana. She reminds me of myself, other freelance writers, and nearly half of America’s millennials. You take a job you’re given, and that’s that. You can’t complain about the job to your employer, nor can you argue for better working conditions. And even in the cool, ever-evolving world of the monster world, as it turns out, you’re still a corporate slave. It’s funny, in a sense. And yet, with all the value Lana has had to place on money, she still manages to find these little pockets of hope, such as friendship, even romance. Despite Lana trying to become some cold killer, she still keeps herself sane. From friends like Vanessa, to love interests like Denny and Natalie, in a twisted sort of way, Lana is just like the rest of us, trying to make it in the world. There may be a looming apocalypse hovering over her head, but at least she’s happy.

But however humorous this book was, Hill also illustrates capitalism as a dark, somewhat ironic game. For instance, take the TV show, Supernatural. Yeah, admittedly, the profession is really cool; saving people and killing things that go bump in the night. But the harsh fact is you still have to make a living, and you have to do it even though people might screw you over for it. Lana went viral in a video. She was even about to get a movie deal out of it, yet because they cancelled it at the last minute, she does’t profit from it. She had a lot of money waiting for her through iHunt, but the IRS froze her accounts. In fact, despite she was literally owed thousands of dollars, she still had to rely on Natalie for financial security. And in all honesty, it’s kind of heart breaking.

Overall, I liked the book. It was essentially a playful jab at the society we live in. The protagonist was a badass hunter but could barely make anything with it. She gets screwed over by her employers, both vampires and humans alike, yet she still continues because she doesn’t have any better alternative. There were times when the book was a little predictable, and I do feel that Natalie and Lana could receive more development romantically. Nonetheless, it was a decent read. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 3.6 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to fans of A Wolf Like Me by A.S Fitz, Supernatural, and Velveteen by Daniel Marks.

The Year I Left by Christina Bae

The Year I Left, by Christina Bae, is a contemporary romance about a woman’s struggle to find happiness.

The book is separated into 3 parts. The first part, My Fall and Winter, introduces Carin Frost, a successful CEO, wife, and mother of one. But despite her perceived success, she is clinically depressed, going through the motions of everyday life, losing her will to live with each passing day. That changes, however, when she meets Matias, handsome man who’ll help her close a rather important deal. They work together for a little while, flirting with each other and dealing with their own conflicting feelings, before inadvertently falling in love with each other. The second part, Our Spring and Summer, describes the aftermath of the choices both Carin and Matias have made for each other. It also depicts Carin’s struggles between the cruelty of life, and the beauty of living a lie. The final part, You One Year Later, shows what happens when both Carin and Matias finally come to terms with their previous lives. It introduces the hope that their romance could bloom unhindered, without any distractions or deceptions. Bae tells the story of a couple of who both fell from societal grace, as they searched for something to fulfill a longing only love could fill.

Honestly, I found Carin and Matias lacking as characters, especially Carin. It just seemed a bit too unrealistic to me for Carin would leave everything behind, just to follow Matias and his whims. However, the dynamic between the two made up for it. What’s more, I could certainly see myself in Carin. The fact she felt she had to stay strong for her son’s sake, that she had to achieve all these materialistic things but she still wasn’t happy; her own troubles is similar to the troubles many other people face when they feel like they’ve finally gotten what they wanted. Because it wasn’t enough.

And this reflects one of the concepts of the book; that if a person has enough stuff, or has enough wealth, they’d be happy. If they have bigger houses, or gifted children, or loving spouses, or successful business, they could achieve the happiness they wanted. It’s a rude awakening then, when they realize that it’s all for naught. That even if they do have these things, they still aren’t happy. They still aren’t fulfilled.

This couples with the fact that both Carin and Matias recognizes this, and as such, tries to cast it aside for each other. They did this, and they were happy. But they still knew they were living a lie. It’s this sort of false happiness that suffocates them in the end, and causes them to leave. They both knew it was wrong. And with all the responsibilities she’s had, she knew neither of them could stay there forever. But Matias saw it differently. While he knew this in his mind, in his heart, he continued to let himself live that lie, that somehow, someway, they could stay there with each other for as long as they wanted. Even so, it’s still a cage. It’s different from the other cages that both Carin and Matias were stuck in. It’s a peaceful, beautiful paradise, but it’s a cage nonetheless.

While I didn’t find the characters enjoyable to read, the relationship was worth it in the end. The theme of happiness in the book was represented wonderfully, and the romance was overall wholehearted. As such, I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy romance in general.