Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 7

Book Review for What Happened at Hawthorne House by Hadassah Shiradski

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

What Happened at Hawthorne House, by Hadassah Shiradski, is a gothic horror about childhood innocence and cruelty. The book is separated into two parts. Part One: The Clover Court introduces a seemingly simple game that will inevitably destroy the lives of several girls, including Rosalyn, who strives to be the “Queen” of the Court. Part Two: Delicate Negotiations deals with the aftermath of the game and the introduction of the “Ambassador”, a role that allows the girls to latch onto someone who can act as an intermediary between them and the living. 

It’s funny; even though the Clover Court was her idea, Rosalyn was treated as lesser than. It’s easy to get swept up by the politics of the court, and eerily enough, it mirrors the hierarchies that adults will make for themselves. While I did appreciate Heather’s “intervention”, she went against social norms and unfortunately, she paid for it. Dearly. Moreover, Rosalyn is more manipulative than she’s letting on; the fact she took advantage of Marie’s psychological weaknesses, even if it ended in her death, spoke volumes about her ambition, however misplaced it may seem. The Queen’s legacy must go on, even if the crown is passed to another girl. I also liked Andrew’s strategy of ensuring the girl’s rules were followed; he knew how deadly this game could be, and by mitigating the situation, he was able to act as a sort of caretaker for the girls. It’s not the family they should’ve gotten, but it’s what they have. I also enjoyed the peace that Andrew had given them, however temporary it may be. 

It was a good, simple book. The fact that the girls had burned alive was tragic and gruesome, yet the Clover Court continues. The revelations Rosalyn had in the last seconds of her life had vanished the moment she was crowned Queen. I have a feeling that, while Andrew will be able to keep them in line, he has a point. If there are children, they may be forced to play the game. And if they play the game, would they be trapped in that house too? 

For now, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Conjuring the Witch by Jessica Leonard

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

Conjuring the Witch, by Jessica Leonard, is a religious horror about what it takes for a woman to fight for her freedom, even if it means burning everything to the ground. Steve and Nicole Warby are newcomers to the Lilin Assembly of God. After reading a lesson about Deborah, a female judge and leader from the Old Testament, Nicole is inspired to try and become a councilwoman for the church. However, Reverend Grey not only refuses her request but adamantly forces her, as well as other women in the congregation, to try to remember their places. After all, their husbands have the final say with their fates, and not them. Things take a turn for the worse when, not only do the “witches” of the woods nearby start to draw near, witches that the Reverend Grey had been warning them about, but Nicole begins to heed their call. 

I’m actually surprised at how much humor the characters have despite the gravity of their situation. I adored how the men know that, even though Reverend Grey has all these standards for how a wife should act, he himself doesn’t have a wife. He reminds me of those “alpha men” who proclaim that women are beneath them, that they can get any woman they want, only for those very same women to turn them down. Of course, the congregation is a continuum; after all, Sara is an example of a woman who will betray her gender if it means getting accepted by other men, although she improves in the end. And as controversial as this may be, I can’t help but be a little sad with Steve’s fate in the end. Still, I do agree with Heather Finch’s philosophy; after all, the men who do nothing, who don’t protect and instead allow their partners to be abused and harassed and humiliated, aren’t welcome in a woman’s safe space. 

I feel like the book is a mirror for the modern-day witchcraft movement. A lot of women, myself included, have left the church because of their vile treatment of women and children. In that I have to agree with Nicole’s assessment; for all its preening and posturing, the church is witchcraft’s greatest source for practitioners. Moreover, for men to label women’s domestic tasks as “witchcraft” is funny; my paternal grandmother on my father’s side was the village herbalist back in Vietnam and would care for those who needed it. I’m painfully aware that her practice, as well as aspects of my own culture, would be labeled as witchcraft in the eyes of “Christian” ministers. That being said, it’s also a word I take pride in. Additionally, there is nothing more powerful than a circle of women who come together for a common good. Even if you’re not in a coven, having spiritual fellowship with other women can be comforting. In that sense, I feel even things like Women’s Bible Studies are witchy. Go figure. 

I do wish the POVs were more spaced out. It was a little unnerving to read one character’s thoughts since I feel like I’m suddenly shifting to another character’s. It was also a little extreme in its assessment of how women become witches (I wish I had the power to burn my enemies to the ground). Regardless, I enjoyed the book and would give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review for Magnolia House by Kathryn Trattner

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

Magnolia House, by Kathryn Trattner, is a gothic mystery about confronting horrifically haunting abuse to carve a future, regardless of what that may look like. The book is separated into different days, all of which centered around the death of Vivian Taylor, a beloved community figure who was more demonic than she originally appears. Her daughter, Emma Taylor, is tasked with ensuring that everything is in order, from organizing her mother’s funeral to handling the horrifying legacy that was Magnolia House. Despite her disgust for her mother, Emma Taylor takes it upon herself to oversee her mother’s postmortem affairs. She drives to the small town of Back of Beyond, where sinister secrets come to life. Emma suddenly finds herself drawn into Vivian’s life, as she tries to escape her mother’s shadow cradling Magnolia House.

I’m sure that, by writing this review, Vivian would be excited. Not because her murders were about to be revealed, or that she was a liar and had made a fool of most of everyone in this town, but because she wanted the attention. It might not be good attention, but she still got attention. She reminded me of a child who will do anything as long as the spotlight is trained on them. Emma, her now deceased husband, Andrew, the Pastor, even Jake; as long as someone was paying attention to her she didn’t care how many lives she’d ruined. I wished I knew more about the relationship Vivian had with Jake though; it’d be interesting to see how Vivian nurtured her obsession towards him and to see what her thought process was at the time. She definitely reminds me of the late Mrs. de Winters from Rebecca; her narcissistic tendencies must’ve been something to behold.

I also can’t help but wonder if Emma is following in her mother’s footsteps. I was happy when she found a place to belong, and personally, I was excited that she was able to rely on people during her mother’s late abuse, however few they might be. However, I do see some of Vivian’s tendencies in her, especially in the end when she tries to ask Jake to come with her. Whether it be out of circumstance or because she picked up one or two bad habits when growing up with her mother, I can’t say.

That being said, this entire book reminds me of a scene from American Horror Story: Coven. It was how, when a mother sees her daughter, they see their life and death, and with Vivian, it seemed she saw more of her death in Emma. It was almost like Vivian was sucking away Emma’s soul, even after all the pain she’d gone through. It’s shown time and time again when Emma can’t go against any of the townsfolk, and when she hallucinates (or experiences) her mother’s ghost attacking her. Then again, mothers tearing down daughters isn’t a new concept in history. There’s a reason the patriarchy has lasted as long as it did. 

Again, I wished the history between Jake and Vivian was more fleshed out. I would’ve loved to know more about Vivian’s mental state, as well as the fallout of what happened after Vivian’s secret was found out. I may be giving Vivian more attention than she deserves, but I’m not gonna lie; she makes a very intriguing character. As such, I loved the book and would give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Sweet Sacrifice: The Soulmate Tree by L.D Rose

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

Sweet Sacrifice: The Soulmate Tree by L.D Rose is a paranormal romance about a man who, despite Heaven and Hell threatening to tear him apart, tries to return to his soulmate. Sebastian “Bash” Lockard was a former dead SEAL turned archangel tasked with fighting demons on earth to save human souls. After one too many (almost) screw-ups, he and Gabriel decide to visit a human wedding, where he runs into his ex-wife, Irene. What starts as a spicy reunion turns into something more serious when he realizes he needs to choose where his true loyalties lay; Irene, or the Archangels in Heaven. 

Bash and Irene are so cute together. Even if they make such boneheaded decisions together, to the point where they’d actually put each other in danger. I was baffled when Bash decided to protect Irene by dropping by her house and, you know, having sex with her when it would’ve been better to protect her from afar. The woman thought she was crazy, and Sebastian coming into her life (initially) was not making things easier. She isn’t helping her case when her codependency is encouraged by her supposed-to-be-dead-husband. It’s a selfish thing, but it still worked out in the end for them. I don’t like it (although it could be my own bitterness speaking), but that’s just me. 

I do like the idea of people moving heaven, earth, and even hell, to be with the ones they love though. I would argue that it would be more codependency than anything (it gives off a healthier version of Edward and Bella, but Edward not actually being a serial killer), so I can’t really argue. I also liked how Bash’s attachments towards his human comrades extended to his angelic ones. If he stayed in Heaven, he really would’ve been close to Gabriel. I’m happy that their friendship can continue.

All in all, it was an okay book. It was a little cheesy in my opinion, but a fun read nonetheless. Thus, I would give this book a 3.0 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Never Leave, Never Lie by Thea Verdone

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

Never Leave, Never Lie by Thea Verdone is a psychological romance about a couple trying to navigate a labyrinth of secrets that threatens to destroy their love for one another. After being rejected by his fiancé, Ian Stewart, Alek Katin has stopped at nothing to try to change his mind, from inviting a plethora of lovers into the gorgeous Victorian mansion they’re renovating together, to sweeping all his mental scars under the rug, if only to try and reclaim Ian’s affections. What starts as a series of “bad” habits becomes increasingly dangerous when Alek’s mind begins to betray him, trapping him in his family’s complicated history. Meanwhile, Ian tries to find a way to save the man he loves, even if his heart has already started pulling away.

At first, I was over Alek’s drama. The fact that he tried to manipulate Ian into marrying him raised multiple red flags, regardless of whether or not I understood him to some degree. Then again, I guess it’s not me mad at him for trying to manipulate Ian so much as the fact that he told him he was rich and that he allowed Ian to pay for everything himself. One of my love languages is financial provision, and for Alek to do that did grind my gears. What makes me even more upset is how much Alek’s behaviors mirror my own, but that’s beside the point. That’s not to say that I didn’t relate to Ian at all; I’ve seen a lot of people’s families, myself included, tend to give nearly everything they have to someone who struggles with mental illness. It’s an interesting dilemma; just like how someone isolates themselves because of the shadows in their mind, their shadows become ours. It gives credence to how Ian described Alek, that while he could leave Alek was always a part of him. Yes, it can be a good thing, but go in too deep and it could be just as painful.

Moreover, despite it not being Ian’s responsibility, I loved how he was able to teach Alek new coping skills, even though he wasn’t that receptive at the time. Despite him clearly having his own mental and emotional issues, Ian is the more clearheaded of the two. For the first time, it seemed like Alek had to follow Ian’s lead if he wanted to win him back. It was a good way for him to start focusing on things outside of himself. And true, it might not have been pleasant (an interrupted suicide isn’t that romantic, in my opinion), but he was able to pull through. Again, Ian didn’t have to do that. But he did anyway because he loved him. I work in a community mental health setting, and a lot of times people who have a diagnosis with a psychosis component isolate themselves. Their symptoms cause them to lash out at family members and loved ones. It’s the reason why I take such a shine to Ian; he’s a very accurate portrayal of what it means to love someone with a severe mental illness. 

Still, a lot of Alek’s behaviors infuriated me. If anything, it was as though he had trouble relinquishing control to Ian, that even though he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the man, he didn’t actually want to give up anything. He wanted to have his cake and eat it too, and that was the main reason why I was deterred by him. You lie to yourself so much until you breathe them yourself. Heartbroken? Just get a bunch of escorts to toy with your ex-fiancé’s heart. You’ve got money? That’s okay, just pretend that you’re poor so that you and your ex-fiancé can struggle together. Don’t wanna take meds? That’s fine. Just pretend everything’s okay. 

I enjoyed this book a lot. While I was a little unnerved by how relatable the characters were, I liked the revelations they went through and how they were able to piece together their own happy ends. As such, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Before You Know It by S.K Williams

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

Before You Know It, by S.K Williams, is a poetry collection about finding a compromise between innocent, childlike dreams, and reality. The book is separated into four parts. In the Beginning, details the aspirations someone may have for themselves and the plans they make to reach their goals, despite the doubts that may plague them along the way. Uncharted Waters illustrates the reality of what it means to follow those dreams and the mental and emotional fortitude it takes to continue struggling toward them. Beneath the Storm describes the heartbreaking reality of having to come to terms with the life you wanted, versus the life you received. Finally, At the End denotes that those dreams are still there, whether it be that of being happy or being a writer, and that, despite all the hardships that had fallen, they’re worth fighting for.

It felt like each poem carried a lesson you have to learn in the moment. There’s no thinking, no rhyme or reason; it just is. You learn to grow and take care of yourself, and then you learn how to take care of others, and when you fall, others might laugh or pity you. But then you get back up and you go back at it again. I especially “loved” the financial struggles poets had to go through and the difficulty of letting a marriage that wasn’t working; there’s something so intoxicatingly human about ruminating over what feels like past regrets. Again, it’s nothing you can change; it is what it is. But despite all the chaos involved, you somehow find a way to move forward. It might not be the path you envisioned, but it’s a path nonetheless. This, unfortunately, is horrifically true with mental illness as well; sometimes you’re lost, and sometimes you aren’t. And when you feel like you’re lost, you have to rely on other people to help you move forward. It’s this oddity that makes me feel that having a passion for writing might denote some sort of mental deficiency. (Don’t take this personally. I struggle with this too). 

The collection mirrors my journey. When I was younger, I used to write all the time. While my childhood wasn’t that bad, I would always escape into stories of my own imagining, and steal myself away into the confines of the school library (I’m still proud that my librarian allowed me to check out books until the last day of school). Then college hit, and then medical school, and then me dropping out of medical school, and then I realized that I had to get a job. While I was (somewhat) publishing, it wasn’t nearly enough to support myself or my then-boyfriend at the time. It broke my heart, but I decided to go out and be an adult. I chose to teach math for no other reason than it was in demand at the time. Looking back on it, I probably would’ve gotten away with being an English teacher. And as a counselor, I often find myself using creative writing and art to help clients who are just as engrossed in the written word as I am. So when I read through this collection, I couldn’t help but remember all the little moments when I was worried about finances, how I could possibly survive when my parents were already barreling down on me. It’s a painful thing to have to go through, and I feel that this is, more often than not, a part of a writer’s journey to get where they need to go. It’s a harsh journey (there’s a reason why so many famous writers have committed suicide. Hell, even Edgar Allen Poe died impoverished before he died). But a necessary one nonetheless. Writing is a good way to help people express themselves, and medical schools value someone who can delve into humanity holistically, so make that of what you will.

I absolutely loved this collection, and thus, would give it a 5 out of 5 stars.  

Book Review for All the Pieces by Hallie Riggs and Illustrated by Adriana Predoi

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

All the Pieces, by Hallie Riggs and Illustrated by Adriana Predoi, is a book about helping a child cope with a parent’s overdose and subsequent suicide. I enjoyed the soft tone of the story, and although I’d prefer the father’s “pieces” be first, rather than his pieces and his overdose, it ties into the bittersweet characterization the book nourishes. It definitely helps that the father’s addiction is introduced as a completely different person, rather than a part of who he is. In the addiction professions, a lot of people, clients and therapists both, will still assume that addiction is caused by a moral failing. For Riggs and Predoi. to show that the addiction is a “disease” not apart of someone spoke volumes to how we can remove the stigma as a whole.

Moreover, I like the way Predoi demonstrates fragments of these wonderful memories through the use of puzzle pieces. At the same time, it appeared that the struggles that the father was going through encompassed entire pages, The fact that Predoi used little aspects of light at the end of the book demonstrated that in spite of the pain, there was love and hope, similar to the puzzle pieces. I do wish Predoi used darker colors to show how deep his mental struggles went, but I liked the pinks and blues she used as well. It’s severe, but I feel that it shows that the father had support, and he did the best he could.

Often times, addiction is an isolating condition that cuts people off from their loved ones. It’s even more of a sorrow when the person who’s going through this has no one left to help them because they’ve burned all their bridges. So for the child and his grandmother to continue to support him, even though he’s distancing himself, shows how resilient the child is. And how the grandmother handled everything demonstrates how important it is to have the child’s wellbeing in mind, to show that he wasn’t his fault, where neither he nor anyone else was being blamed for it.

Aside from slight organizational changes, I really enjoyed this book. I would definitely recommend this for families who have younger children and who struggle to identify healthy ways to cope with a parent who has an addiction or a mental illness.

Book Review for Ablaze by Violet Elizabeth Moon

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

Ablaze, by Violet Elizabeth Moon, is a short, action packed romance about freeing yourself from parental expectations to be with the one you love. Mia Kealoha was recently able to reconnect with her long lost boyfriend named Desmond, who had somehow gotten involved with pirates, all of which is a cover up for an elaborate scheme to get Desmond to do whatever his parents do. Mia and Desmond resolve to be together, no matter the cost, and together, they find a way to outsmart the authorities and Desmond’s parents in order to achieve their happily ever after. 

This was a fast-paced book. A really fast-paced book with little time for world or character building. I feel Moon’s just shoving characters into my face and expecting me to follow along with the story. Moreover, by the time the climax finally arrives, it’s as though someone just whacked me over the head with it. I also think the story was being told from the wrong perspective. Would I want to read about a guy pining after his long lost love? Yes, I would. I really, really would. Rather than just a woman’s who entire world suddenly gets turned around all for the sake of some (lightning round) whirlwind romance. 

For now, I would give this book a 2.5 out of 5 stars. There isn’t objectively anything wrong with the story in general, but if an ex comes crashing into my life and explaining why he’s suddenly with pirates, I would question first. 

Book Review for Shadow Love by Nadirah Foxx

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

Shadow Love, by Nadirah Foxx, is a paranormal romance that delves into the destructive passion between gods, and the risks someone will take to break away from that love. Twilight “Twyla” Vanpeer, the descendant of famous voodoo priestess Marie Laveau, operates her parent’s shop. Preston Montgomery, her best friend, is utterly infatuated with her, something she refuses to see. One day, after a particularly explosive argument with him, she finds herself in the hands (and arms) of Dwade Marks, an outlandishly dark man who makes equally outlandish claims. What starts off as a series of one night stands turns into something more dangerous when she realizes there’s more to this man, and her own power, that meets the eye.

As of right now, Ginny is my favorite character. Really. Even though best friends can put a damper on true love, in this case she was completely right. Although the way she handles her feelings is completely wrong, she comes from a good (albeit shady) place. And while I did enjoy the toxic love triangle between Dwade, Twyla, and Preston, these men seemed to only care about what Twyla could be to them, rather than who she actually is. Any time she refused their affections, it was like she was killing them. Literally. It’s like Twyla couldn’t have an identity of her own, and it infuriated me. It’s the reason why I loved the relationship she had with Ginny, and not just Ginny but her grandmother as well; it seemed that, for all the loved ones she had in her life, they’re the only ones who genuinely care for her physical and emotional well-being. 

How Foxx handles Marjorie, who had a serious mental health condition, left a bad taste in my mouth. Especially with the mental deterioration that Preston and Dwade have presented. True, there was trauma present, but it shouldn’t be used as an excuse as to why Twyla should be with any of them.

That being said, I enjoyed the mythology interwoven into the story. I wished the chaos that Tezcatlipoca was infamous for was more fleshed out, as well as the sexual horror that encompassed Tlazolteotl. I like the idea of Tlazolteotl falling in love and trying to find the goddess of death, only to realize that, while she might’ve returned his feelings, she had a life of her own, something that he had apparently forgotten. And while this could’ve been a triumphant rebellion and subsequent downfall of the patriarchy and the destruction it brings, it wasn’t. Personally, I wouldn’t choose the friend who was being a complete jerk to me just because I rejected his romantic notions. 

As such, I would give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. 

Happy Lunar New Years!

Happy Late Lunar New Years!

Currently, I’m trying to catch up with the mountain of review requests (including the ones that are years old), so bear with me!

Still, I’ll be posting book reviews again!