Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 9

Book Review for Let it Fall by PE Virk

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

Let It Fall, by P.E Virk, is a new adult story about adults who struggle in coming to terms with their identity, and what encompasses it, whether it be a mental illness, failing relationships, or a sexuality that can separate you from your loved ones. Jasmine is a young entrepreneur who decides to take a break by going to Seattle, in which she meets a handsome stranger she decides to entertain, if only to distract herself. Darius, Jasmine’s friend from college, tries to come to terms with his attraction for a mutual friend and what this means for himself and his family. Joey, Jasmine’s fling, is trapped in an emotionally abusive relationship, and finds himself in a corner when his girlfriend tells him she’s pregnant. 

I identified with Darius more than I should, mainly because I know what it feels to be trapped in a job that feels like it’s going nowhere (spoiler; being a teacher). Moreover, the fact that Darius had to see Zachary nourishing his affections for Jasmine may seem like a low blow, although at this point, it’s been so long I wonder if Zachary is even in his radar anymore. Regardless, I come from a family where anything remotely LGBTQ is frowned upon, so I appreciated the supportive nature that Darius’s father approached him, even if he may not understand it. Joey, however, is a different; I’ve seen clients who refuse to leave toxic partners, that they feel that they’re all the have because those partners made them feel that way. It’s not overtly abusive since there’s no hitting or screaming, but Joey deserves better. It’s why I also applaud the ending Virk gave him, even though it’s not a traditional happy end. It’s more of a cliff hanger really, but still, better to traverse the unknown than spend time with someone who’s put you down for so long. 

I also enjoyed the new beginnings Virk introduces in the story. I remembered very much feeling those turbulent emotions when I was a senior in college. I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do, and while I was accepted to a grad school, I was unsure of it. I wanted so desperately to escape into writing, but at the same time, I felt that it wouldn’t make enough for me to live off of. I was already a content writer and I was getting burnt out from that. It didn’t help that I was writing my own works and maintaining the book review blog at the time. I needed something different, and similar to our lovely characters, change can either come forcibly or by our own choice. Whether it be beneficial or an obstacle is up to us. 

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

Book Review for Call of the Sea by Chani Lynn Feener

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

Call of the Sea, by Chain Lynn Feener, is a dark, romantic thriller about a predator who falls in love with prey, and in doing so, finds himself ensnared. Sila Varun is the only twin brother of Rin Varun, fiancé of the Imperial Prince himself. After stumbling across a footage of his professor masturbating to his image, Sila finds himself intrigued and decides to pursue him with all the gleeful violence in the world. Bay Delmar, said professor, hides behind a mask, and wants nothing more than to feel alive again. After meeting Sila Varun, he inadvertently falls in love with him, only to realize the monster beneath. At once, the two strike a deal; Bay Delmar will allow himself to be controlled and toyed with by Sila, and in return, Sila will investigate the death of his grandmother, who supposedly gambled all her finances away. Thus begins the turbulent and bloody affair between a sadist and his lovely victim.

So hear me out; it’s not as creepy as it sounds. There’s a five year age gap, and if you’ve read Abandoned Things, you’d know why I’m talking shit about Sila. This guy is a bonfide menace and serial killer, willing to stop anyone or anything if it meant getting to Bay. On the good professor’s hand, Bay is willing to do the same things for Sila. Before he was even on Sila’s radar he’d been eyeing him, stalking him, making sure he knew his every move, and admittedly, that’s the only reason he was able to the upper hand. The two have a deadly relationship that’s, admittedly, even more enticing than Rin and Kelevra, mainly because they’ve given themselves to each other so freely. They both pursue one another under the guise of play, and even though they may think the other is in control, in actuality neither can let the other go. They’re addicted to one another in the best ways possible. 

That being said, I like how Sila and Bay treat their loved ones. Despite nearly being consumed by one another, I like how Sila has time to inform Rin of decisions he’s made, and how protective he is of him despite his feigned indifference. I enjoyed reading the memories Bay had of his grandmother, and how he did fight for her house, even though he couldn’t pursue the house any longer due to financial and emotional constraints. I’d like to think that it was something Sila can empathize with, even though he has all the makings of a psychopathic monster. The fact that Sila bought a house so Bay wouldn’t have to stay in his shit hole of a place makes the story even better. The two seem to find power in one another, even if it might appear fucked up to everyone else.

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

Book Review for Stalking Cinderella by Leann Belle

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

Stalking Cinderella, by Leann Belle, is a dark, erotic retelling of Cinderella about how a woman finds her sexual freedom. The story introduces Elise, the titular Cinderella, who finds herself in the hands of the three most powerful men in her life; Rowan, her stepbrother and obsessive lover; Zakari, the Crown Prince and obsessive stalker; and Nero, her fairy godfather and obsessive demon. As Elly explores the darker parts of herself, she realizes the joys of being tormented by her suitors, and begins to understand the power she has and how she doesn’t have to settle for a half-baked happily ever after.

This was entertaining. Yes, there are a lot of dark moments, some of which contain dubious consent. That being said, I liked seeing how all three men gathered together to ensure Elly was protected. I enjoyed how Rowan wasn’t willing to watch the abuse his mother was putting Elly through, how Zakari wanted to court Elly properly, even though it ended with a rather despicable man dying, and how possessive Nero was, and that, even though Elly and the others had literally sold their souls to him, may very well care for them after they go to Hell. The bliss they share was worth damning themselves and Zakari’s entire line. It may seem selfish, even cruel, but they were all pretty miserable before they met. If this is what gives them any semblance of life, I’m not one to judge. 

It’s interesting how accurate Elise’s relationship is with Carter mirrors real life. She isn’t one to bow to anyone, and is able to manipulate anyone she desires if it meant getting out of her stepmother’s thumb and securing her inheritance. This is a far cry from the Cinderella I’ve grown up with. And as her suitors have rightly pointed out, Carter would’ve used her and discarded her. She would’ve allowed herself to undergo the same abuses that her stepmother had subjected her to if it meant making sure she wouldn’t have to rely on her stepmother, or even Rowan, again. It makes for a rather attractive dynamic. I also liked how Rowan and Zakari decided to work together with Nero as a way to ensure her safety and happiness. True, I may not agree with the secrets they’re hiding from her, nor do I agree with the deal that Rowan and Nero made behind Zakari’s and her back, but I like the idea of Elise having some semblance of power, even over Rowan. The sex scenes were the epitome of debauched, tasteful, and downright sinful, the positions they were in paralleling to Elise’s newfound pleasure. 

As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for On His Watch by Suzanne Matthews

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

On His Watch, by Suzanne Matthews, is a romance thriller about a single mother who regains her pride, all the while falling in love with a man who secures her physically and emotionally. After a hit gone wrong, Nikki Hart finds herself being hunted down by an assassin who never fails to kill his targets. She meets an FBI agent named Jason Spark, who vows to protect her after mishandling an emergency that nearly led to both her and her daughter’s deaths. Together, the two must find a way to outwit this assassin and uncover the reason why Nikki was targeted before things further spiral out of control.

This book was enjoyable. True, it screamed rich people problems, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I liked how realistic Nikki was when she found out about Jason’s reaction to the 911 call, and how protective she is of her daughter. Although she couldn’t remember her children before, you could tell how much she loves them based on how visceral her reactions were. Moreover, Nikki isn’t a pushover, and although the men in her life have tried to keep her obedient, she’s always had her children’s safety in mind, and in doing so, knew full well she needed to be strong to keep them safe. That being said, I loved how Jason fit into the family and how adorkable their interactions were. Personally, I would’ve enjoyed the story more had not there been an action element to it, but the buildup was good, as was the tension. 

There’s a definite parallel between Nikki and the main villain of the story. Without going into too much, there’s a reason why women need to be strong, why we can’t just sit back and let the men do all the work. If we rely on someone too much, borderline codependency, when they leave it’s like they take our entire identities with us. We get severe tunnel vision, and destroy the world around us just to get back at them. Throughout the book Nikki ensures her daughter’s safety, and takes steps to make herself more secure, even if it meant stepping on toes. The villain, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to bring themselves to do that, and it was only until it was too late did they finally snap. It’s true that men and women rely on each other mentally and emotionally, but that doesn’t mean you can entrust yourself entirely to someone. Even Nikki’s daughter, Mandy understood that, and that was completely on accident. 

I enjoyed the romantic and family elements of the book. Again, I felt the book could do without the action thriller, since I felt like I was reading two stories in one. I appreciate how Nikki’s focus remained on her family, and when Jason proved himself, he eventually became apart of that family. As such, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Staked: A Vampire’s Tale by Kim Catanzarite

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

Staked: A Vampire’s Tale, by Kim Catanzarite, is a historical horror about a man who uncovers the tragedy behind his disappearance, and attempts to reconcile with the being he’s become. Gregorie and Michaelangela have fallen in love with one another, and vowed that, when they both turn 18, they would marry and leave the tiny village they grew up in. Taking pride in his duties as an angel of death, Gregorie learns how to care for the people in his village from his mother, a healer. Despite his hopes for the future, things take a turn for the worse when Michaelangla disappears. Hundreds of years later, a man washes up on the beach with little sense of what’s happened. The nameless man meets three (two) kindhearted strangers whom he’s decided to protect, as he tries to remember how he got on that beach, where he came from, and ultimately, who he is. 

Gregorie is a sweetheart. I like how innocent he is, and how, despite him discovering and reconciling with the uncomfortable secrets that, ordinarily, would’ve forced anyone into insanity. He stayed true to himself in spite of everything that’s happened and all the temptations he’s been presented with. This is a stark contrast to Michaelangela, who had fallen so far. And I’m not going to lie; whenever I picture Gregorie I imagine him crawling back into his coffin and sleeping like an awkward, introverted turtle who needs to recharge. He’s like a goodhearted natured child who wants everyone to be happy, even though it might not be very realistic. In this way he’s also Paul’s foil; while Paul is human, he has a very real understanding of how the world works (if I was Paul I’d be mad at Gentile too). Normally it’s the vampire who give humans a wakeup call, but in this case it’s rather refreshing to see a human having to save an immortal from their own naiveté. 

Interestingly enough, this book reads like a YA novel. It’s as though Gregorie was trying to find his own identify, and reclaim what he was robbed of so many years ago. I don’t necessarily think he understands the gravity of his suggestions to Gentile or Liam, nor dos he understand the impact that homelessness has on Paul. He has a lot of dreams he wants to fulfill, and even though he had to let go of them, there’s hope that he’d be able to find a place for himself somewhere in the world, that he won’t be like Reynaud or Michaelangela. It’s a rather morose ending, but a fitting one nonetheless.

As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

You can buy the book here.

Book Review for Honey Drop Tome: Volume 2 by Alicia R. Norman

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

Honey Drop Tome 1: Volume 2, by Alicia R. Norman and Krishtina Mayers, is a paranormal romance about a woman who continues to woo the God of Death, all the while contending with the very real madness that intertwines love and magic. Proserpyn “Prina”, the God of Death’s lover, is missing her friend, Abigail. Despite her worries, she immerses herself in Thayn’s world, learning about the realm of the dead and the many gods and goddesses of old. However, when Abigail comes back, Prina must reconcile her feelings for her friend with her attraction for Thayn, all the while trying to save Abigail from herself.

I’m not going to lie, it was hard to get into this book. The setting was fantastical, although I wished there could’ve been more world building and Prina interacting with more of the denizens of the Underworld. I would’ve liked to see more of Prina and Abigail’s interactions together; it felt as if their attraction to each other was kind of just shoved in my face, although that could also be because I started volume 2 before reading volume 1. I liked Thayn well enough, although there wasn’t much that called out to me as a character. If anything I found him rather generic. 

Still, I like the idea of the God of Death, Thayn, and the God of Dreams, Morpheus, working together. I enjoyed how, whenever Proserpyn falls asleep, she enters into Thayn’s world. It calls back to the mysteries of falling asleep, both temporarily and permanently. It reminds me of movies like the Insidious franchise, where astral projection when sleeping can literally lead you to Death’s door. It also reminds me of Before I Wake, where a child’s nightmares come to life and kill everyone that comes near, a manifestation of the child’s emotional state. 

While the premise is interesting, the characters don’t make up for the potentially rich themes to explore. The taste of conflict is enticing, but until then, I probably won’t read this series. As such, I would give this book a 2.5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Craving Beauty by Jennifer Silverwood

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

Craving Beauty, by Jennifer Silverwood, is a dark fantasy about a young woman who rips apart a fairytale built a top tragic lies. Vynasha had just lost most of her family to a tragic fire with the exception of her nephew, Wyll. With her father and older brother gone, she struggles daily to provide for herself and Wyll, being outcasted by her own village and being disowned as a witch. One day, she catches wind that her father and brother may have taken refuge within the cursed Wylder Mountains. With Wyll in tow, Vynasha attempts to find them, only to stumble across a castle filled with cursed denizens. She meets a lonely monster named Ferox, whom has deigned her Beauty, much to her annoyance. What appears to be a charming romance quickly devolves into horror, as Vynasha tries to discern truth from the lies and save her family from the magic that threatens them all. 

I very much enjoyed this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. What masquerades as a fairytale is in actuality a gothic story about the complexities of family, class, and ultimately, love. I liked how protective Vynasha is of her nephew, and how much she treasures her brother and for a brief time, her father. Vynasha is incredibly perceptive; she doesn’t blindly trust, nor does she fall in love easily. She isn’t a traditional hero, and will put herself and her family above all else which, in all honesty, is understandable. True, she may have been “cursed” in the end, but as long as her loved ones are save, she doesn’t care. 

And again, Silverwood beautifully illustrates this with her characters, and shows what happens when you blindly put your faith in others. Even though Ferox was hoping for a happily ever after, going as far as to label Vynasha as his Beauty and he the Beast, he doesn’t think about how Vynasha would feel about his proposal. He even threw her in the dungeons when he doesn’t get his way. He acts like a petulant child who’s pretending to be a parent, hoping that a time out would get a peer to behave. The closest thing this story has to a Prince Charming is Grendel, and even he’s been worn down by the curse. True, there may not have been a romance between the two, but he respects and cherishes Vynasha enough to help her escape the castle (as much as someone can respect and cherish an outsider).

As such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars, and am more than looking forward to the sequel. 

You can buy the book here.

Book Review for Melanie’s Awakening by Celia Breslin

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

Melanie’s Awakening, by Celia Breslin, is a fantasy romance about a woman who discovers her powers after a steamy encounter with one of the Fae. Melanie Blackstone had recently moved into the small town of Springdale, Illinois to get away from her ex-boyfriend. After meeting her neighbor, the mysterious Mrs. Murphy, and her grandson, Kevin, Melanie finds herself surrounded by magic and danger. Melanie must find a way to control her power with the help of her mysterious new lover and her newfound fairy friends. 

This book has a lot of potential. The Fae have always been creepy motherfuckers in my opinion, and so when I heard about this book, I was excited. I’ve enjoyed reading about feisty heroines (and heroes) and the sexy men they fall for. I like a character that has a strong support system around them, and that how, whatever actions they do, affects them. I found Eva, Rosina, Valeria, and Poppy enjoyable, and the fact that Dealan was the Fairy Queen’s Warrior was more than intriguing. That being said, the elements are all jumbled. I would’ve loved to see more world building, especially what I think are the Seelie and Unseelie Courts (though I’m not sure. It’s the author’s lore, not mine). I would’ve also liked to see the romance fleshed out more between Melanie and Dealan; it goes too fast for me, and while I’m no stranger to fast paced novels, for them to be strangers one minute and to have sex the next is a bit jarring for me.

For now, I would give this book a 2 out of 5 stars. 

You can get the book here.

Book review for The Witchfinder’s Serpent by Rande Goodwin

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

The Witchfinder’s Serpent, by Rande Goodwin, is a young adult fantasy about a young man who strives to defend his friends and family against an entity consumed by its own greed. Nate Watson and his younger brother, Marc, move to live with their Aunt Celia after losing their father. Despite his wariness, Nate gradually finds himself becoming more enamored with his new home, making genuine friends along the way while watching over Marc. That changes when one day, he and Marc sneak into a room their Aunt forbade them to go in. Nate gets attacked by a mysterious serpent that latches onto his arm, and breaks a bottle that releases the soul of a witch hunter hellbent on power. Now Nate, alongside his friends and family, must find a way to trap the Witchfinder before he envelops the town in hysteria and blood. 

I liked the dynamic that Nate has with his younger brother and Celia. True, there have been stories that preach about the importance of family and community, but have always had the romance at the centerpiece. So you can imagine how much I enjoyed Nate interacting with his friends, how he stuck up for Douglas even though he didn’t have to, how he even walked Marc to school just because it was out of habit. I liked how protective Nate was of his brother and, eventually, Celia. Moreover, Goodwin’s use of Celia’s point of view was a skillful one. As a little girl, she’s lost so much, I could feel her determination to not lose anymore of her family. A lot of stories about witches are about female empowerment, but they also miss the part about having loved ones to back you up. In this case, the family was the backbone of the story, alongside the community surrounding them; in real life, although a lot of covens try to replicate this, they can’t because they’re too isolated, too wrapped up in their pride. This was illustrated with the relationship Alex had with her dad, though I won’t go into any more detail. 

Which brings about another theme; those who hunger for power are the most likely to fall to the hysteria. Although Courtney tried appearing like a good person, her being the Shad Queen made her more susceptible to the madness; I mean, for a lifelong dream, it’s not a good feeling when you get fish in your dress. The bullies were the very much the same way, although I suspect the only reason why they didn’t fall like Courtney did was because Huey was reluctant. Then of course, there was the Witchfinder himself, who was devoured by his need for wealth, fame, and power. Despite everything, I don’t even think it’s occurred to him he’s become the very thing he tried to put down so long ago. It makes me want to know about his story, about what pushed him to kill so many innocents. Then again, ironically enough, as the Bible once said, pride comes before destruction. 

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

Book Review for Devour: Inhuman Love by Howl Avery

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

Devour: Inhuman Love, by Howl Avery, is a gay romance about the rather humorous exploits between an aspiring priest and the incubus who unwittingly falls in love with him. Eli is a 21 year old sheltered college student who decides to celebrate his birthday with his friends. He gets introduced a man named Rhory, who immediately latches onto Eli. Unwittingly, Eli promises himself to Rhory after a seemingly harmless joke, not understanding that he’d just pledged his soul to a demon if he’s not married by 35. So begins the wholesome courtship between a human and a demon, as the two attempt to navigate their growing feelings for one another and their desire to control each other. 

I laughed a lot more than I thought I would. I enjoyed Eli’s awkwardness whenever he was around Rhory, alongside his growing confidence in being able to manipulate him. I could appreciate his open-mindedness in being friends (and intimate) with a demon, even though he was planning to take a job in ministry. Additionally, stories with a demonic love interest tend to have the demon taking charge, so for Eli to take his corruption into his own hands was a rather welcome sight. The subtle BDSM elements Avery wove in illustrated the trust the two had with one another; despite the assumptions that Eli would force Rory’s hand, I was pleasantly surprised when Rhory became a willing sub, following Eli’s orders to a tee. Eli didn’t abuse his newfound status (much) and derived just as much pleasure from it as Rhory did. It’s the dynamic a loving couple should have, and one that everyone (aside from them) can see. Personally, I’m a fan of BDSM done right, and this was definitely done right. 

Moreover, the progression was slow, but I could see how Eli’s maturing and questioning could lead him away from the faith; although I myself am Christian, I can see how the answers Eli’s received from his boss would lead someone to leave the church. Historically speaking, it hasn’t been very inclusive, or kind, to anyone who wasn’t white or male or willing to call out flaws in the church. And while the institution as a whole has done good work, it doesn’t make up for the all the hate crimes it committed, or the psychological and emotional abuse it puts its members through. Although people are encouraged to ask questions, the judgement from leaders who you’re supposed to trust and peers you’re supposed to lean on can definitely suffocate someone. While I might not agree with the approach that Eli’s taken, I can definitely understand it. It begs the question what the church is doing wrong for a demon to have more empathy towards humans. 

As such, I would give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars.