Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 8

Book Review for On Love: Demystifying Love Through Rhymes by Milana Vračar

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

On Love: Demystifying Love Through Rhymes, by Milana Vračar, is a poetry collection that takes us through the first blooming of infatuation, all the way through the several million stages of grief love enjoys putting us through. Poems such as Our Wonderland and On the edge of love capture the impact of a passion bordering obsession, followed by Visitation Dream, which characterizes the ending of a relationship as that of a haunting. Using traditional rhyming schemes, Vračar gently shows readers what it means to love someone full heartedly, as well as the pain of letting them go.

Although I did find the rhymes dull, it softened the pain of the poet’s heartbreak. I especially liked how clearcut the transition was, from the poet being full of hope and happiness to reality splashing her with cold water. Because of the saccharine beginning, I’m glad Vračar hadn’t forgotten into include the lesson. One of the harder poems for me to read was Longing, in which you can see the heart hardening. It’s a bittersweet realization when you finally understand that you can’t trust every fairytale that comes your way, that even though you try to be a good person and put your complete faith in true love, that somehow, it can still let you down. Fortunately, we can overcome this; love betrays us, and then we end up falling for it again. It’s, under extreme irony, poetic in that sense. 

As such, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review For Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrew

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

Your Blood, My Bones, by Kelly Andrew, is a dark paranormal romance about three childhood friends who struggle to survive the sins of their fathers. The book is separated into three parts. Part 1: The Homecoming introduces Wyatt Heath, who returns to her family’s farm after her father’s death, and uncovers a horrifying secret that had already claimed the lives of both of her childhood friends. Part 2: The Stranger shows exactly what it takes to keep the dark at bay, and the horrors lurking within said darkness. Part 3: The Solstice illustrates the light beyond the shadows, and how, despite everything that’s happened, Wyatt and her friends are still willing to sacrifice their own selves so that the other may live. 

Pedyr’s monster was my favorite character. I loved its sinister presence, and how I had to keep questioning whether or not it was on Wyatt’s side, or even Pedyr’s for that matter. I also enjoyed how it tricked me into thinking it had a humane side, before showcasing the violence within. Speaking of which, I also liked Pedyr’s POV, no matter what light he was in, cowardly or otherwise, as well as the relationship he shared with Wyatt and James. It was parasitic, a sense; despite the bond they shared, Pedyr was supposed to give Wyatt up so that he could join his mother, and James was supposed to sacrifice Pedyr for the sake of his own life. It was a promise that the monster had taken advantage of, and when none of the three could fulfill it, it came crumbling down. In my opinion, it was a rather excellent demonstration of how we inherit our parents’ burdens, and one that I’d like to see more of.

Regardless, I especially liked this parasitic relationship extended to the cult and their barbaric practices. It’s the age old lesson that no one seems interested in learning; absolute power corrupts absolutely. It happened when the cult attempted to take control of the forest, when they used Pedyr to further their own cause, and though they may have stopped for a short period of time, they were still ready to continue, if only for the sake of their own egos. It seemed that Wyatt’s father had a point, when he asked his own daughter to bury the legacy they left behind. And another thing; typically, fathers want the family name to continue, even if said fathers were awful to their children. Moreover, as elegantly put in American Horror Story: Coven, parents see their deaths in their children. But Wyatt’s father had something different in mind. He put Wyatt’s safety and well-being above his own memory. It’s a terrifying thought, especially when you’ve thought about what you wanted to leave behind (or if you’ve engaged in existential therapy at all), so it was a brave thing he did.

That being said, I could’ve done without the romance, and the relationship between Wyatt and James was more than a little off-putting in my opinion. Still, I enjoyed the book, and would give it a 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review for His Secret Alpha by Chani Lynn Feener

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

His Secret Alpha, by Chani Lynn Feener, is a romantic holiday short about two young men who fall in love and spill it to one another after an intense sexual escapade. Sky Tecrandi is an omega and budding potter who goes into heat at the Yuletide Holiday Parade after seeing Kian, his best friend’s older brother. Kian Erskine, on the other hand, had just decided to quit his job as an Intergalactic Detective and is trying to maneuver through his self-hate and shame. When he sees his younger brother’s best friend go into heat, out of “courtesy” the alpha attempts to guide him through it, only to be assaulted with buried feelings and out-of-control lust.

Because this is Chani Lynn Feener, of course I was going to pick up the book. And yes, while I do enjoy her dark romances, I was surprised at how wholesome (and heated) the story was. I liked how mature Sky and Kian was, even though their situation suggested anything but. I liked how much trust Kian put into Sky, and how, even though stereotypical dynamics suggested the alpha was in charge, how much control Sky was able to take. In a way, that’s how things should be (you’ve heard me preach about it before and I’ll preach about it again); in BDSM, the sub has all the control, especially with their safe words. For that to be pushed here was something I welcomed. And call me a cesspool of anxiety for worrying about their futures, but the fact that they both planned for their financial careers and weren’t at all confused about what they wanted was utterly delightful for me. 

Moreover, I could definitely understand Kian’s desire to not disappoint his parents, even though they were understanding towards the end. Frankly, I wish my own parents were like that, but alas, I come from an Asian household. And as I’ve mentioned before, I appreciate Kian’s foresight to have another job on standby (I did the same thing with counseling). I also like how humble Sky is; there’s been a lot of pottery studios that I’ve gone to that make a ton of money and provide an artistic outlet for the community. At the same time, especially with inflation, it can be terrifying to get a business started, so I loved how much they supported each other. 

As always, I appreciate Feener’s works. I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review for My Girl by Audrey Rush

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

My Girl, by Audrey Rush, is a terrifying romance about finding and embracing the most gruesome parts of your past in order to carve out your future. Raven “Rae” Sinclair plays the part of a rich playgirl who steals from her one night stands in order to have some semblance of thrill. After learning from her mother that a man named Michael Hall could potentially be her father, she decides to investigate the Galloway House, which not only claimed Michael Halls’s life, but also others as well. From there, she stumbles across a mysterious murderer named Crave, who and quickly becomes just as obsessed with him as he with her. Rush brings to life darkened desires that lust brings out, and illustrates what happens if we allow them to consume us.

It took me a while to process what I’ve read. The story is good, and enticing, and I’m all onboard, right up until the end. I have my own vices; I’m human after all, and I’m certainly not one to judge. But I wouldn’t classify what Rae and Crave have is love. It’s fucked up, even by my standards, and I’m not interested in psychoanalyzing either one of them. I do enjoy Ned’s character though, and that, despite everything, he was a genuinely nice guy that was trying to look out for everyone. I also liked Rae’s mother, and the dynamic that she and her father have, even if they aren’t directly connected with each other. It reminds me of a song from In This Moment, called “The In-Between.” At the beginning of the song, it goes like this, 

My mother said that I was holy

My father said that I would burn

My mother said I was an angel

My father said that I would turn

I also liked the imagery that Rae brings into between her parents. She describes herself as being the offspring of both a saint and a sinner, and while she did allow her impulses to win at the end, I wished there was more interaction between them. 

One of the broader themes that Rush keeps exploring in her books, as well as her previous one, Grave Love, is that morality isn’t set in stone. What may be sick to some of us might be acceptable to others. There’s a reason why horrific things like human trafficking flourish, why people are okay with others trampling over the weak. Although a lot of us may think that we’d stay true to our moral compasses, the truth is we don’t know. When pushed to a corner our most frightening dreams may bubble up to the surface. Whatever temptations we try to hide might come to light, whether we want to or not. I’d have to say this was the situation for both Rae and Crave, whether it be mentally or physically. 

As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you hadn’t, I would definitely recommend that you read Grave Love (same author) as well if you’re a fan of twisted stalker romances as well. 

Book Review for When Lovers Meet by Angel Ray

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

When Lovers Meet, by Angel Ray, is about a couple who, after a chance meeting at a bar, fall headfirst into a whirlwind romance. Vanessa is saved from a “nice guy” by a handsome, muscular stranger by Dalton Ewing, whom she becomes somewhat violently protective of after a passionate night. The whirlwind romance takes a turn for the unexpected when Vanessa learns more about the hidden traumas her lover tries to hide (poorly). 

I’m going to be honest, this was too fast-paced, even for me. There’s a difference between actual love, and love based on infatuation, and right now, even after the end of the book, I don’t buy Vanessa or Dalton being an actual couple. I mean, what they experienced would be good for friends. You could laugh it off even, but for Vanessa and Dalton to say that they’re in love with one another is…iffy, to say the least. That being said, they are two consenting adults, and they say they’re in love, so they’re in love. Towards the end of the book, I do wish Vanessa is able to stand up for herself as a lawyer, rather than rely on her father. It seemed she’s okay with defining herself around the men in her life, rather than who she is. But then again, it is my opinion. 

So for now, I’m going to give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for The Definition of Beautiful: A Memoir by Charlotte Bellows

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

The Definition of Beauty, by Charlotte Bellows, is a dark memoir about the struggles of fighting an eating disorder. Bellows illustrates how tempting it is to listen to an addiction whispering in your mind, rather than your loved ones, even though they’re the ones that planted the addiction in your mind. Bellows details her painful journey, from seemingly harmless conversations with her mother and father, to her painful friendships between herself, Anne, and Jade, and even the subtler hits, that caused Bellows’s disorder to develop as horrifically as it did. Despite this, Bellows also goes into detail tiny sparks of light that helped her find her way, and how she was able to piece together what others could not. 

Eating disorders can be very seductive. Thoughts and emotions pin you into a corner psychologically, emotionally, and finally physically. I like how Bellows compares her disorder with an abusive partner. It’s all summed up in this sentiment, where she says that he’s all she had, despite him being the enemy.  I loved how there were times Bellows’s point-of-view was intertwined with ED’s, and I felt all the frustration I felt as a reader for Bellows seemingly putting herself in that situation, even though ED also played a role in torturing her. Moreover, I liked how, towards the end of the book, we actually see what ED has become, just as Bellows starts to recover.  

The book reminds me of yet another book called Reviving Ophelia: Reviving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. It discusses how family, school, and other environments that we may think are safe for adolescent girls are actually the most dangerous for their self-esteem. Bellows perfectly illustrates how, when it comes to eating disorders or any other addiction, there doesn’t have to be this all encompassing traumatic event where our loved ones are all either gone or we’ve alienated ourselves from them. We’re like contortionists in that manner; the world tells us what to do, and we try to twist our ways that are unnatural, if only to gain the approval of everyone else. Who cares if we’re dancing skeletons at the end of it? Anything, just to give everyone else what they want.

I absolutely enjoyed this book. I appreciated the candor Bellows was able to bring, as well as the almost hypnotizing tone she delivers to her audience. As such, I would like to give this book a 5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it with other books such as the aforementioned Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher and Untangled by Lisa Damour.

Book Review for The Bloody Key: A Bluebeard Retelling by L.J Thomas

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

The Bloody Key: A Bluebeard Retelling by L.J Thomas is a gothic fairytale about trusting your instincts and your family, no matter how good a promise may seem. Anne is the youngest daughter of a peasant goatherd. Creative and critical, she dreams of being a writer. One day, a mysterious nobleman named Bluebeard decides to court, and later marry, her older sister, Liesl. The two sisters are then whisked away to Bluebeard’s castle, where everything isn’t as it seems. Terrible secrets are etched into the castle walls. Soon enough, Anne tries to uncover the past, if only to protect her sister from the darkness within. 

I remembered reading Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Estés. It offers a Jungian analysis of age old fairytales from around the world, and in it, an empowering retelling of Bluebeard. Bluebeard’s wife had failed to heed her sister’s warnings, and it wasn’t until she was finally confronted with her husband’s dark secrets did she realize she needed to escape. In the same way, Anne, as well as the other wives, helped Liesl find herself and rely on herself and the people she cared about to keep her safe, even if help was far away. While it’s okay to lean on the men in our lives for protection, at the end of the day we have to know who our allies are. I used to volunteer at a rape crisis center, and from then on, even with my private practice, worked with community centers dedicated to empowering individuals who have experienced homelessness and domestic violence. You wanna know the sad truth? A lot of the clients I serve were women who trusted the wrong men, who refused to heed their families and loved ones, and found themselves trapped, very much like Liesl. The difference is, unlike those women, Liesl has Anne. The fact they’re giving back to their own village speaks volumes to how important they understand it is to be independent. 

I also liked knowing Bluebeard’s point of view. In a twisted way, he did love his wives, even though he chose himself every single time. It humanizes him, and we get to see how his thirst for knowledge and power led him to become so inhumane. He reminds me of the pastors who try manipulating their congregations into giving more money for their own personal desires, or priestesses from covens who put their fellow members down to build themselves up. 

I enjoyed this book, and as such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Rhythm by Jackie Azúa Kramer and Illustrated by Taia Morley

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

Rhythm, by Jackie Azua Kramer and illustrated by Taia Morley, is a children’s picture book about communal resilience in the face of economic hardships. At the beginning of the book, both Kramer and Morley paint a harsh reality of what a family can go through in the wake of financial difficulty. From “closed for business” signs to “for sale”, it can certainly be hard to find anything to be grateful for. However, one little girl does, whether it be spending time with her favorite tree, playing with a stray dog, or curling up to the warmth of her family. 

I found the piggy bank tree fund adorable. It made me think of when I was little, back when I used to hide firecrackers in a lunch box and then stuff it in the roots of the evergreens outback. Don’t ask.

But more than that, this is another book I absolutely adored, more so because it hits home. I’ve always told my mother-in-law and my father that the more counselors and doctors and helping professions in a town, the sicker that town is. If there weren’t any people who needed help, then we wouldn’t have half as nearly many social service organizations that we do now. I’ve met with mothers and fathers who don’t even know where they’re going to sleep at night, much less try worry about their children’s health and safety. Even so, many of us in the community pull together and try to take care of one another. Similar to how our beloved character interacts with the environment, we need to remind ourselves that the efforts we pour into vulnerable people pay off. That even if it seems hopeless, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. 

This book beautifully illustrates the need for flexibility; as the tree in the book changes with the seasons, we also need to be adept enough to know when to pivot. We don’t focus on hardships or the things that get us down; true, it’s okay to feel sad or angry whenever things don’t go our way, but we pick ourselves up and we keep going. 

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

Book Review for Quiet as Mud by Jane Yolen

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

Quiet as Mud, by Jane Yolen, is a children’s picture book about the beauties of being introverted. From taking in your surroundings, to being grateful for all the little things that others might not see, Yolen describes how a child grows into themselves by acknowledging the fun, wonderful things around them. The child isn’t burdened with other people’s expectations; instead they’re encouraged to explore their external and internal worlds, all the while figuring out what makes them unique.  

I can definitely see this book in an alternative classroom setting, such as a green preschool, or even in science classrooms, if only to introduce a conservation unit. The artist’s style made me nostalgic for my own teachers when I was younger (its interesting how most beloved teachers were in elementary school). I liked how comfortable our protagonist was in exploring the environment around her, from the forest to the meadows to even the stars. They remind me of books such as Where the Wild Things Are or even Bridge to Terabithia, where we get to see the silent wonders of the world children’s imaginations transport them to. Moreover, I feel that the poem Yalen had introduced at the beginning of the book by Margaret Wise Brown showcases the overall vision, this book, in and of itself, can be a type of bibliotherapy. 

I’ve always enjoyed books from the APA, and this was no different. I can certainly see myself reading these to adults who are struggling with their self-esteem, or nature therapy groups who are hoping to include more childlike innocence into their treatment protocols. As such, I would give this book a five out of five stars. 

Book Review for Until September by Harker Jones

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

Until September, by Harker Jones, is a novel about a young man who becomes infatuated with the idea of a stranger, an infatuation that later develops into obsession. The book is separated into 6 parts. May introduces Kyle, who see a mysterious boy reading on the beach and immediately becomes smitten with him. June sees the whirlwind romance that Kyle and the boy, Jack, share, as well as the troubles they run into when Kyle tries to integrate Jack into his close-knit group of friends. In July, Kyle starts to isolate himself from the group, as thoughts of being with Jack take over. August finds Kyle and Jack doing whatever they can to ensure their relationship is long lasting, from confronting their parents about their sexuality, to Kyle changing universities to be with Jack. In September, the couple’s plans fall apart, and in Winter, Kyle decides to remain haunted by Jack, unwilling and unable to move on without him. 

This entire story reminds me of Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness. With Trent and Kyle, it seemed they were both swept up in the romance and the fun. I like how, despite their completely opposite approaches to love, ultimately, it’s whether or not they choose to move forward with their lives that determine their fates. If anything, it seems they haunt one another; Kyle chasing one ghost while Trent chases another, if only for forgiveness. I can’t help but wonder if Trent places his best friend on a pedestal, if he believes that only Kyle knows what true love looks like. While it can’t explain the pain he put Veronica through, in this moment Trent reminds me of the golden child in a family full of addicts, doing whatever he possibly can to make sure that Kyle doesn’t leave him. 

It’s easy to want our relationships to last forever. The honeymoon phase is so enticing; all the red flags become flags to us, and first love can be incredibly intoxicating. That said, Kyle and Jack were already up against a hill. Kyle comes from privilege, and while his parents may try to be accepting of his sexuality, Jack has no such luxury. And while Kyle tends to be more whimsical about his feelings, having no problem declaring his undying love for Jack, it appears Jack is more grounded. He doesn’t let the emotions get to him, doesn’t allow himself to be swayed. In a way, he’s kind of like Trent, although he’s always been more wiser than the boy who doesn’t think how his own recklessness may affect others.

I do feel that Trey’s story is unnecessary. Personally, I feel the man places to much importance on himself. Even so, this was a wonderful book that delves deeply into love’s volatility and the importance of maturity when dealing with something as complex as that. As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.