Rosh ~catching up slowly~’s Comments (group member since Mar 06, 2022)

Rosh ~catching up slowly~’s comments from the Aussie Readers group.

I didn't plan to post these today, but I guess you could consider this a coincidental social service message: Please do NOT read either of these stories for Valentine's day if you value your brain cells. You're welcome! Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!

1. Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson
Royalty-commoner-swap short story with plenty of 'Roman Holiday' vibes. But not in a good way at all.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. With Any Luck by Ashley Poston

I had had better hopes from this short story considering the author's reputation, but it was just 0.01% better than the first story.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

On Veil Creek by Gaylene Dutchyshen

An indie Canadian historical literary fiction focussing on a dysfunctional family. A great story, but somewhat dark and with many triggers.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

An interesting historical horror, though a tad too gory. My first Grady Hendrix won't be my last!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Frail Little Embers by Fija Callaghan

A short story collection with some amazing fantastical tales that seem more real than magical. Quite introspective!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke

This will be one of my biggest disappointments of 2025. I can't believe a historical fantasy flopped so miserably for me.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power

A powerful OwnVoices historical literary fiction. A must-read.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen by Dominique Enright

Only for the biggest Austen fans who also enjoy books of quotations. I expected this book to have a more intellectual analysis of her writing.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A Mixed Bag by Agnes McIntyre

An interesting short story collection with realistic, character-oriented stories. Good, not great.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

1. Stormy Normy and the Tom Quilty Gold Cup: Book Two in The Adventures of Stormy Normy by Leisa Fail

An indie Aussie novel for middle-graders about a brumby horse aiming for the Tom Quilty cup.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. Manga Classics Sherlock Holmes Vol. 1 A Study in Scarlet

Sherlock and Watson simply don't look like they are supposed to in this manga version of Sherlock's first novel. But the rest is excellent.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Finally caught up on this amazing book and loved it almost entirely.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

Good for the historical fiction, below par for the fantasy.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Two good nonfiction options for younger readers:
1. What to Do When Your Temper Flares, 2nd Edition: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Problems With Anger by Dawn Huebner

A great and practical guide book for kids (as well as adults) who wish to learn how to manage their temper in a better way.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. Remarkable Women: Fascinating Facts You Never Knew About Amazing Women! by Eric Huang

An interesting and inspiring compilation of amazing women throughout the ages.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Poor Girls by Clare Whitfield

A great historical crime fiction based on an actual gang of female thieves. Had the final quarter been better, this would have rated even higher for me.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Two middle-grade novels. One good; the other, not so much.

1. The Last House in the Row by Lesley Parr

This publisher rarely goes wrong!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner by Erin Stewart

Expected far better from that cover and premise.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Vanishing Bookstore by Helen Phifer

Good, not great. The titular bookstore is hardly present in the story!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Language of Love and Other Stories by Nancy Christie

The cover might be a bit drab, but the stories in the "love" collection hold much magic. A great option for short story readers.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

I expected far more from this final installment of the Emily Wilde trilogy. It was good, but not in the league of the earlier two books.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Speak to Me by Ben Raterman

A great story marred by some poor editing.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Envelopes by Hasu August

Great premise but needed better structuring. Still, a decent option showing an unexplored side of contemporary China.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The World With Its Mouth Open: Stories by Zahid Rafiq

I'd expected more from these stories, but the slice-of-life was too "slice-of-life-y" for me.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...