Finally, my trilogy binge has come to an end and it’s always such fun to read all books at once, taking it all in. And this was such an immersive expeFinally, my trilogy binge has come to an end and it’s always such fun to read all books at once, taking it all in. And this was such an immersive experience.
The author took this book in a much different direction than I was expecting. It starts off literally with a bang and just continues on with more, the stakes feeling higher and higher and even hopeless at times. It was interesting to see how the narrative changes when a big bad affects both the magical beings and mortals equally, and how each of them will react.
I think what I liked most about this one was how the author managed to bring all the important themes from the series to a head in this finale. This trilogy has always been about unbridled power and how those who exert it use it in oppressive ways, and this book finally shows us the devastating consequences of what happens when power goes unchecked. But it also shows the opposite side - what happens when the always powerless get some power of their own suddenly - will they use it to safeguard themselves or will power corrupt them as well. The other major theme that cuts very emotionally is that of colonial plunder - how the colonizers use their might to destroy colonies, abuse their resources and then use those people to fight their own wars - separating a whole group of people from their homeland and culture for generations to come, leading to never ending trauma. The author doesn’t give us many answers because they aren’t any, but we do get to see that sometimes, everyone has to cooperate or work together to stave off worst situations.
We get to know Emmanuelle in a very deep way in this book, seeing the kind of Fallen she is outside of her relationship with Selene. Aurore is a new character who only wants her family’s safety and will do anything to gain the power that will help her. I was very sympathetic to her plight but was also scared of the path she was taking, though the author did end up doing her character justice. Philippe is probably the one who has the most elaborate character arc, where he ends up realizing that not everything that has happened to him has been due to his helplessness, but that he has also made choices that have led to his current state. It was also interesting to see him falter in his dynamic with Isabelle, before realizing that he was treating her like he exerted control over her.
And of course my favorite parts were of Thuan and Asmodeus - how they both are a perfect foil to each other’s natures, trying to be better when the other falters. It was both fascinating and exhausting to see Thuan navigate the politics of House Hawthorn where he was stalled in all his attempts for reform because the old guard liked being fearful of their leader, rather than having another who wanted to be kind. But it was so enjoyable to see Thuan and Asmodeus actually be on the same page when it came to matters of the House, even though Asmodeus would never agree that he was being kind. I’ve already read the spin-off novella featuring both of them, but I feel like reading it again because I’ve completely fallen in love with this couple.
In the end, this was a very dark and immersive urban fantasy trilogy that explores the power dynamics between people with different levels of powers, and the mortals; and also the devastating effects of colonialism. It’s full of great characters who are amazing to follow along, twisty political intrigue and diplomacy, and some very unforgettable world building. The fact that it’s full of queer relationships gave me joy and I wish we get more fantasy novels with queernormative worlds. ...more
After finishing the first book in the series yesterday, I decided I was gonna binge this trilogy because why not. It’s been a while since I’ve done itAfter finishing the first book in the series yesterday, I decided I was gonna binge this trilogy because why not. It’s been a while since I’ve done it and it’s always fun, just like this sequel turned out to be.
I can’t believe that I’m saying it but this series is turning out to be one where I don’t always understand what is happening, but it doesn’t bother me much and I’m still enjoying the experience. This plot is truly full of political machinations and intrigue where every word spoken is a double edged sword, most of the characters are morally ambiguous and there is a looming dark vibe throughout which threatens to engulf the world whole. The pacing remains slow, the author’s writing perfectly capturing the decaying nature of both the Houses in Paris as well as the underwater dragon kingdom, and just when we think we have predicted something, we get an unexpected twist that delights us.
I did like that we get to explore more of Madeleine’s and Philippe’s storylines even though the proceedings mainly shift to House Hawthorn and the dragon kingdom. Madeleine’s fear and addiction is palpable in every thought of hers, her grief making us feel so much more empathetic towards her and I just wanted her to finally have some peace. Philippe on the other hand is haunted by the consequences of the choices he made in the first book, and is trying to undo them even if the results might be disastrous. Asmodeus and Thuan play other significant roles and it was so fascinating to see these two powerful beings who have a deep loyalty to those they consider theirs, face off against each other initially and then see the shifting dynamics. There was another subplot which took up a significant page time but I somehow didn’t feel attached to those new side characters at all, but I have a feeling they might play prominent roles in the finale.
In the end, this was as much of a dark and compelling read as the first book, just with more betrayals and devastation. I’m definitely excited to read the finale, but that ending has made me so much more interested in Thuan and Asmodeus’s relationship and I hope we get to explore that next along with whatever life threatening dangers the author decides to throw at us readers. ...more
I definitely enjoyed this finale more than its predecessor. The whole drama surrounding the inheritance, all the family members vying for their share,I definitely enjoyed this finale more than its predecessor. The whole drama surrounding the inheritance, all the family members vying for their share, and the unexpected revelations made for a lot of entertainment. But I was pleasantly surprised when the revelations happened almost at the halfway mark and I wasn’t sure what more story could be left, but I actually liked the latter half of the book more. The ending was such an interesting resolution and I absolutely adored the arcs for both Astrid’s story as well as Nick’s.
This series may have been superficial and pretentious, but I did have a great time listening to the audiobooks and were the exact kind of books I needed during this time. Just pure fun. ...more
More of a 3.5 and that too because the audiobook narration is very funny and entertaining.
The plot itself is very meandering and not much happens butMore of a 3.5 and that too because the audiobook narration is very funny and entertaining.
The plot itself is very meandering and not much happens but it’s still drama which I quite enjoyed a bit during this week when I’m not in much of a reading mood. But the description of every single piece of clothing, artwork, building and food on every page kinda felt repetitive after a while, and I would have skimmed a lot of the book if I wasn’t listening to it. It’s still addictive and I’m already excited to read the finale. ...more
This book can be called superficial and stereotypical and not very nuanced, but it’s definitely great entertainment. And the audiobook narrator is supThis book can be called superficial and stereotypical and not very nuanced, but it’s definitely great entertainment. And the audiobook narrator is super funny and I really enjoyed listening to it. ...more
I requested the audio galley without realizing that it didn’t have the full cast narrators that the usual audiobooks in the series have, which was a dI requested the audio galley without realizing that it didn’t have the full cast narrators that the usual audiobooks in the series have, which was a disappointment.
But otherwise this story of Mary was a lot of fun. The Queen of Scots is a great character, strong and compassionate and with good convictions. She is well supported by her husband Francis who is more of a thinker than a doer, and even if it takes time, he does stand up for what’s right. While Ari and Liv’s romance itself was cute, I can’t say I was always impressed with her decisions.
I was not always able to recognize the historical puns or references, but Ari’s visions of Hollywood movies were absolutely hilarious and I had a good laugh. This turned out to be a good beginning for the series, and I’m very excited to see which other Mary’s story we will get to read about in the sequel. ...more
This is a very well written collection of stories which felt very engrossing and full of depth, but ultimaProbably more of a 3.5 but I am rounding up.
This is a very well written collection of stories which felt very engrossing and full of depth, but ultimately left me feeling dissatisfied because many of them didn’t give me the kind of closure I expected. I understand they are short stories but most of them felt like beginnings, and I would enjoy more if they were all longer. However, it’s still an interesting anthology and I would also recommend the audiobook for its wonderful cast of narrators....more
I still remember how excited I was when I first saw the cover and premise of this book and couldn’t wait to get to it. Now CW: past domestic violence
I still remember how excited I was when I first saw the cover and premise of this book and couldn’t wait to get to it. Now that I’m done, I can just say that I have a wide smile due to how much I enjoyed it.
When someone says that a book reads like fanfiction, I find that to be a compliment because fanfics have been the ones that have gotten me through the year from hell. The writing in this book does resemble that, being very easy to read and accessible. It’s a space opera but the world building isn’t too complicated, the author giving us just enough information to understand the political intrigue. There are unexpected twists and betrayals and lots of political maneuvering that makes it a very interesting read that’ll keep you engaged. We have some very beloved fanfic tropes like arranged marriage, only a single bed, the unlikely couple getting stranded and bonding over it and also lots of miscommunication and yearning because of it. And one of the most fascinating parts of this world is how normalizingly queer it is - gender is chosen by every individual and they can present themselves as whatever they want using symbols on their person, and relationships between any genders are just part of life. It’s just so lovely to read more stories like this where homophobia and gender binaries don’t exist.
But the strength of this book is definitely the characters. Kiem is kind of an insignificant Royal who is thrust into an arranged marriage in a very short notice while Jainan, who is from a vassal kingdom doesn’t have much choice either. While Kiem is kind, charming and capable of talking himself into and out of any situation despite being not at all political savvy, Jainan is more reserved, thoughtful, slightly anxious and thinks many times before even uttering a word. They are definitely opposites, which means the attraction is inevitable. While there was a lot of communication between them for a while which made me quite tense about what was gonna happen, it was also so lovely to see them slowly become reliant on each other and then able to talk about their feelings. I was literally sobbing with happiness seeing them get together and then work with each other to figure out all the mysteries. The ending was particularly very amusing and I was full of joy seeing the proceedings play out.
Even the side characters are quite interesting and each has their own arc. I especially loved Kiem’s assistant Bel who was a total badass with an interesting backstory and was such a supportive figure throughout the mystery solving. The Auditor and Agent Rakal also turned out to be fascinating despite me doubting their motivations. Gairad was a sweet addition while the Emperor was kinda subtly funny. But it was Taam, Jainan’s dead husband who felt like a constant presence despite not being alive and the author did such a great job creating and solving all the entanglements.
To conclude, I’m so happy that I got to read such a cute and lovely romance early on in the year. This is such an easy read in the space opera genre but the author balances the love story, the politics and the murder mystery perfectly - making this a very memorable book. It made me giddy and emotional and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I highly recommend this one, especially if you like queer worlds and sweet romances....more
While the first graphic novel was so exciting and full of action, this sequel was much more contemplative and had quite a lot of depth. We really get While the first graphic novel was so exciting and full of action, this sequel was much more contemplative and had quite a lot of depth. We really get to know a lot about Andy’s past and how she has had to survive for millennia, and how that has changed her heart. Her story, especially after being reunited with Noriko and her reaction to it really broke my heart. Her loneliness and particularly the last scene really hit me hard. Noriko on the other hand is hardened by her experiences and is ready to burn it all down - and frankly when you listen to the points she makes, it almost makes you wanna believe her.
The art style was interesting as usual, and I particularly loved the ancient war panels and the one’s on the water. All the stabbing scenes looked pretty cool too (never thought I’d say that lol ...more
I technically don’t read children’s books at all because I don’t have kids and I’m not that interested either. But as soonCW: homophobia (challenged)
I technically don’t read children’s books at all because I don’t have kids and I’m not that interested either. But as soon as I saw the premise of this one, I knew I couldn’t let it go. And it was so beautiful.
As the author mentions in his note, India just decriminalized same sex relationships last year, and there is no legal recourse for such couples to marry yet. And while there is activism and more awareness building day by day, there is still a large part of the country that is either homophobic or indifferent, nevertheless not supportive at all. So to see a desi lesbian wedding depicted in a children’s book is such a delight and a beacon of hope for the future, and I hope we see more such representation in various forms of media in India.
The beauty of this book is that it’s told through the POV of a young girl who is very very excited to be a part of her cousin’s wedding and she doesn’t find it odd at all that her sister is marrying another woman. She is actually flabbergasted about why some of her extended family is missing from the ceremony or why there are protestors on the streets. This just goes to show that children are not born with prejudices or bigoted ideas, and we can easily give them a progressive and accepting upbringing. I also loved how the little girl is innocently fearless and is determined to dance at the wedding baraat, despite anyone trying to dissuade them. It’s so joyful to watch her be so pure and happy.
I also loved how bright and vibrant the illustrations were. The little mehendi details, the tilak ceremony, the gorgeous red lehengas of the brides and everyone’s wonderful clothes and jewelry, and both the brides having their own baraat and coming on a ghodi to the ceremony - it had all the best parts of an Indian wedding, and I love the author’s message that we can have a beautiful ceremony with all the traditional trappings, even when it’s two women getting married.
To conclude, this is a very important, hopeful, and pretty children’s book and I think everyone should pick it up; also read it with your children and maybe you can have some very necessary discussions with them about different kinds of relationships so that they can have a prejudice free childhood as opposed to the one some of us must have had....more
I don’t know much about Greek mythology except some names, but it’s always fascinating to read the bloody tales. But my memory is poor and I can’t remI don’t know much about Greek mythology except some names, but it’s always fascinating to read the bloody tales. But my memory is poor and I can’t remember the details even if I’ve read some of them many times. Even now after finishing this book, I can’t say I remember much except the most famous ones but I listened to this audiobook for the experience. Stephen Fry is an excellent, hilarious and witty narrator and I really enjoyed the way he told the stories in this book....more
As soon as I saw this book on an Indian booktuber’s tbr for the month, I knew I had to get it immediately. However, I found the ebook to be a bit pricAs soon as I saw this book on an Indian booktuber’s tbr for the month, I knew I had to get it immediately. However, I found the ebook to be a bit pricey but did have a lot of credits left, so decided to pick up the audiobook, which was maybe not the right choice.
As a self proclaimed huge fan of the Mahabharata, I’m always up for a new interpretation or POV, and the ones told through the lens of the female protagonists always feel special. So I was naturally very excited to read this book which is Draupadi’s story. And the story itself was well told, giving us a deeper glimpse into the kind of person she is, her strengths and weaknesses, and her relationships with all the Pandavas as well as Krishna. There are some interesting discussions about war, morality and doing the right thing but they did feel like more modern interpretations of the original epic. And I loved that the author doesn’t hesitate from using a lot of common Indian language words, but I particularly enjoyed that the pronunciation of all the names is in a South Indian style and how I grew up with.
However, that isn’t enough to make this a very good book. The general vocabulary in the story is very modern, which though didn’t bother me much, might feel anachronistic to other readers and I won’t deny that it did feel like a contemporary sometimes. The book is pretty short, so it leads to many time skips and I felt that this makes the story discontinuous and not very coherent at times, which also result in some very abrupt chapter changes. And unfortunately, I found many sentences repeat at multiple instances and I have a feeling it’s due to editing issues of the audiobook production, and not an issue with the book itself.
In the end, this book is a decent addition to my Mahabharata collection and it is always empowering to read these epics from a female perspective, but it turned out not to be as amazing as I expected. But maybe that’s just a me problem because I always expect too much when it relates to this particular source material. I think you can give this a try, but it is not for novices and definitely needs basic prior knowledge of the Mahabharata so that you don’t feel lost. ...more
I love the author but I didn’t even know about this short story until I saw it nominated in FIYAH’s IGNYTE awards, and I had toProbably more of a 3.5.
I love the author but I didn’t even know about this short story until I saw it nominated in FIYAH’s IGNYTE awards, and I had to read it immediately. It has a bit of a spooky vibe and I don’t usually go for such stuff, but I enjoyed the main character’s desire to have a better life and the mirror boy’s intention of helping people during some of the worst times of their lives, doing so by against his true nature. They both do make a good duo. Beautiful writing as always and it really makes you feel every word. ...more
I have enjoyed whatever short fiction I’ve come across till date by Aliette de Bodard, so I excited when I got the advance copy of this one. However, I have enjoyed whatever short fiction I’ve come across till date by Aliette de Bodard, so I excited when I got the advance copy of this one. However, this was my first in her Xuya universe and it was such a fascinating dive into this world.
I wasn’t sure how much I would understand being thrown into this universe which already has many published stories set in it, so I decided to read up about the world itself on the author’s website, and I thought it was nice to get that background. But I was very glad that I really didn’t need to know too much of it before getting into this story, because it’s self contained and vague enough to be intriguing as well as rewarding. The writing in this is really beautiful and poetic, captivating me right from the get go. I couldn’t understand how a romance between a human and an AI mind ship would work, but the author makes it absolutely believable as well as emotional, and I was completely enchanted. Add to this a very interesting and mysterious murder plot, a lovely teacher student relationship and some very eccentric past heist crew members, and this becomes a short but very enjoyable story.
I also enjoyed the theme of filial piety, what it means to be dutiful towards the younger ones in your family and how far should one be ready to go for the sake of duty. There are also some interesting conversations about righteousness, doing the correct thing even if it goes against empire’s policy and how it’s possible to be critical of such policy and wanting to be a part of it to make it change for the better.
To conclude, this was a beautifully written murder mystery with a romantic plot, and I thoroughly enjoyed both the elements. You’ll probably love it even more if you’ve read any of the other stories set in the Xuya universe, but it should be equally compelling for anyone like me just treading into this world. My only complaint with works such as this is as usual that it’s short and I wish it was longer and we could see more of the characters. And now I’m just more excited for the author’s next work, which unfortunately doesn’t come out for quite a while. ...more
After the disappointing third book in the series, I actually wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this one. But I saw that it was about an NFL quarterback After the disappointing third book in the series, I actually wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this one. But I saw that it was about an NFL quarterback taking the knee and because I do love my contemporaries with social justice themes, I requested for this ARC. But I honestly shouldn’t have.
The author mentions in her note that even though she is a biracial woman like the main character in the story, this is not based on her life as well as not inspired by Colin Kapaernik’s decision to take a knee and his subsequent activism. So I’m gonna try not to relate any of my gripes with the book to the events that have happened to Colin, and hopefully no one will assume that my criticism of the main character in anyway reflects on what I think of the author.
Firstly, this book may belong to this series and it does have an HEA towards the end (even though it felt more like an HFN for me), but this is more of women’s fiction than genre romance. Nothing happens in the feelings department for about two-thirds of the book, and even when it does, it all comes out of nowhere. So, just go into this book prepared for the romance to be a subplot only and not the major focus.
And for the main part, the kneeling and the hero’s fight for equality and pension parity for retired players who are suffering from CTE but ignored by the league, is a worthy topic to be explored with depth but I don’t think the book does it justice. One, because the whole book is from Elliot’s POV and we never see what Quinton is thinking or feeling when he is taking the knee or speaking out, as well as about all the racist abuse he is subjected to online and in the media.
Two, Elliot is a biracial woman raised by her loving single white father without any contact with the Black side of her family, and she has clearly internalized a lot of harmful things. She is proud to call herself colorblind, wishes that everyone would be the same and treat her with respect because of her qualifications and competence and not bring race into the mix. It’s obvious that despite being 31 years old, she is willfully ignorant about the historical as well as contemporary racial issues in the country. She touts herself as a lifelong football fan but doesn’t understand the racist implications behind the sport having majority black players on the whole but not black quarterbacks or head coaches. I rolled my eyes at this initially but then realized it’s offensive because here she is, working for a football team in PR and doesn’t understand this... I have watched exactly one full season of the sport till date (last year) and even I know that. Whenever anyone is being subtly racist towards her, she just lets it go or makes up excuses in her head, and actually becomes angry when someone else points the truth out to her. And she justifies this behavior by saying that she doesn’t like throwing the word racist around, when all she is doing is living in denial.
I will get spoilery from here, so you may wanna stop if you haven’t read the book. You probably already realize what my thoughts about it in general are, but just to clear up, I’m not sure I can recommend this one unfortunately. Coming to the spoilers, we have a DJT stand-in who is also running for the president and as expected, he makes Quinton a major target in his campaign rallies, drumming up his base with extremely vile and racist rhetoric. But when Elliot is roped into signing an NDA by her racist boss and then asked to organize a campaign fundraiser for this candidate, she feels uncomfortable and worries for how Quinton will react if he gets to know, but I never felt she was personally disgusted at having to organize the event. She seemed quite okay with dismissing it as part of having a PR job (though this fundraiser was outside of her actual job with the team).
And then came the end, where Quinton decides to stop taking the knee because she might lose her job working for a racist owner, this after making all the excellent passionate speeches about his worthy cause for months and getting booed and questioned all the time. And magically Elliot fixes everything by sending an email to all his teammates and they realize what he is fighting for and decide to take a knee to support him.... am I to assume that Quinton being the quarterback never explained why he was taking a knee to his teammates all through the season, and Elliot saved the day and opened their eyes with one email. And in just two weeks, whole of the media and fans across the country also start supporting him... it’s all “magically” fixed and this is the exact word Elliot uses which made me quite angry. We all wish racism would magically get fixed in this country but one Olivia Pope loving PR executive is unfortunately not capable of doing that.
I actually didn’t expect to write such a long rant and I apologize because I try my best always not to go full negative but I couldn’t help myself here. I tried my best only to criticize the actions and thoughts of the characters in the book, but I’m also aware that I have absolutely zero knowledge about the living experience of a biracial woman in this country, so please excuse me if any of my interpretations are wrong. But I am being honest when I say that I personally can’t recommend this book in good faith....more
I was so so excited when this book was announced because Girl of Fire and Thorns is one of my favorite YA trilogies from theDefinitely more of a 3.5.
I was so so excited when this book was announced because Girl of Fire and Thorns is one of my favorite YA trilogies from the earliest days of my blogging and I have a lot of nostalgia associated with it. But I did lose track of it among my numerous ARCs, other new releases and a reading slump, but I’m glad that I finally got around to it.
I can’t tell you how happy I was to be back in this world. The author does mention in an interview that this can be read as a standalone but I truly can’t comment on that, because my experience is completely tied up in the knowledge I come with while starting the book. It’s been almost three years, but I immediately felt familiar and could recollect all the important things that had happened in the trilogy as well as the important characters, so that I dove head first into this new story. I thought the author did a great job showing us how much and how little the world/court has changed over the years, giving us a sense of what happens after a rebellion ends and the rulers take major decisions.
Maybe because this is a standalone, I felt like it had lesser stakes (though it does get serious eventually) and that’s why it didn’t give me enough tension filled moments which I naturally expected. Most of the plot is the training of the Royal Guard which has some great scenes, but it felt very much like a slice of life story rather than a fantasy for a huge part of it. We also get two different timelines, with the past timeline recounting the history of the main character before we met her in The Bitter Kingdom, and while it was very helpful in giving us a better understanding of the character, I felt that it really created a disconnect and took attention away from the much more interesting present timeline.
I only remember Red as the little girl Elisa saved in the finale, and it was exciting to see more of her story. She has a lot of trauma from her childhood and I appreciated knowing that the ptsd representation in the book is modeled after the author’s own personal experiences. Red’s startle reflex and her trust issues are a major part of her as a person and they are due to her past, but she is also protective of those she loves and is such a genuine human being who wants to do good. Even when she is competing with the other recruits for her position in the Guard, she treats everyone well despite getting pushback and even helps them all in their training because she believes in them. I really liked her as a character and I thought the author depicted the nuances of her having a certain amount of privilege while also being surrounded by people who are prejudiced against her, in a very interesting manner.
I think the best part of the book are the various relationships Red has or forms with the various side characters. Though we get most amount of page time with Ivan, I also really loved the characters of Aldo, Pedrón, the Arturos, Itzal, Valentino and many of the other recruits. The trust they all develop between each other is beautiful to watch and its only because of them that the very easy and rushed climax even works, though not entirely convincingly. And it was such a joy to meet my favorite couple Elisa and Hector again along with the glimpses we get of Mara and Rosario.
I felt that the themes the author dealt with in this book were very thoughtful. The main one is obviously about a woman trying to make it in an all male profession, and it comes with the usual comments about a beautiful woman being a distraction or not being strong enough to be a guard and complete the training. But through Red, we see how competence will be rewarded eventually but the author also ensures that Red stands her ground most of the times, and doesn’t let anyone get away with making misogynistic and sexist comments. The other main theme is trust - how much trust and respect plays a main role when a group of people have to work together, despite their class differences or other prejudices.
But the one that really left an impression on me was about countries and treaties and people - how the leaders of enemy countries might come to a compromise for the sake of the betterment of their people, but it’s not easy to change the minds of the people whose minds are full of prejudice against each other. And that sometimes, the leaders just have to model inclusive behavior and keep at it, with the hope that people will realize the futility of being at odds in the long term.
To conclude, I think this is a fun addition to the original trilogy but I definitely enjoyed it more because of my love for the world. It has good characters and great friendships and I’m actually happy that none turned into a romance. You should definitely check it out if you love Girl of Fire and Thorns like me, and if you haven’t read the trilogy, please pick it up immediately because it’s absolutely wonderful. ...more
I have been slightly disappointed with a couple of sapphic romances in fantasy I’ve read this year, so when I decided to pick up a f/f historical romaI have been slightly disappointed with a couple of sapphic romances in fantasy I’ve read this year, so when I decided to pick up a f/f historical romance, I thought why not try a known author and that’s how I ended up with this one. And it was exactly what I was expecting.
This is a novella on the shorter side, so I knew not to expect too much. But it was such a fun and sweet romance that I was delighted. A story of how a disowned gentlewoman and a lady’s maid/ former thief fall in love, it has its sexy moments, as well as some very interesting scenes of the women deciding to take charge of their own lives. Ofcourse it’s more exciting when it comes with a little side of douchebag men being shown their place, and the women realizing their worth doesn’t depend on others; and they are allowed to have their own desires and wants.
I loved the interactions between Molly and Alice, the slight banter was just what this story required. It took me a while to realize that Molly is a character I had already met in the first book of the series and it was nice to see her get her own book. And I was delighted to see a cameo of Jack as well. Mrs. Wraxhall was also excellent female character here, so supportive of all the women in her household.
Overall, this was very enjoyable and I would definitely recommend if you would like to read a lovely sapphic histrom. It maybe on the shorter side, but it made me feel very happy but also wish it was longer. It also works well as a standalone, so you wouldn’t have to read the original trilogy to pick this one up. ...more
Alisha’s romance novels have a special place in my heart, so I was already excited for the release of this trilogy finale. And then when I got the oppAlisha’s romance novels have a special place in my heart, so I was already excited for the release of this trilogy finale. And then when I got the opportunity to be a part of the blog tour, I was ecstatic. And this book lived up to all my expectations.
Jia is such a wonderful character. As a South Asian woman, I personally know how hard it is to defy our parents’ expectations from us and carve our own path, so Jia choosing to be a beauty influencer with an ambition to do more is really very admirable in my eyes. Dev on the other hand is an Indian soap opera star trying his hand in American television, but I loved how down to earth he is and knows what his priorities are. Even though their relationship takes a very unique and slightly unconventional path, I loved the bond they formed with each other and they just felt perfect for each other. Her impulsive nature and his steady supportive calm are great complements and i thorough enjoyed reading about them.
The friendships that have developed throughout this series and fully in display again and I can’t describe how much I love all these brilliant strong women Alisha has created. We get to see some fascinating older women too in the form of Jia’s mom and Dev’s grandma, and it was such an overall excellent ensemble. The plot is entertaining and sweet, the pacing is just fast enough for us to want to know what’s gonna happen next already, and the characters are so lovable. I also loved that Alisha decided not to go with unnecessary break up/make up subplot because I was really dreading that third act which has become so predictable. But Alisha never disappoints and I should have just trusted her writing.
In conclusion, this is a very lovely romance with a sweet couple and full cast of supportive side characters. If you have enjoyed any of Alisha’s novels previously or just like romance novels with smart heroines and nice heroes, this one is perfect for you. I can’t believe this series is already over and I can’t wait to see if Alisha will write a spin-off with Lakshmi’s story next. ...more
I have been procrastinating on this book for a long while, so I was quite happy for our Indian Lit Readathon 2020 because it finally made me add this I have been procrastinating on this book for a long while, so I was quite happy for our Indian Lit Readathon 2020 because it finally made me add this to my tbr and get to it. And while I won’t deny the brilliance of it, I also think I was not in the right headspace to appreciate it completely.
I read Empire of Sand too fairly recently, so the world of Ambha is still fresh in mind and it was nice to be back here. While EoS was more about one of the main pillars of this world - the faith in the Maha and the exploitation/genocide of the Amrithi people; this companion novel takes on the other major pillar - the Emperor and the politics of his court, and the role women play in this world. The Mughal inspiration is very much visible in the representation of the women - from the power the women closest to the Emperor wield in the household and influence his decisions behind the scenes to the courtesans who have their own secret influence across the court to the forgotten women - the widows who are expected to be ghosts because they are nothing after the death of their husbands. And just like we got to know more about the daiva in the first book, here we get to navigate the realm of the dead and how the knowledge they possess can be used to save the world.
It is in this world that we follow the story of Arwa who is a 21 year old widow. She has never been the kind of person a noblewoman of their land is expected to be, but she has suppressed her inherent nature, made herself small and tried to fit into the expected mold of a useful daughter and wife. But when her whole world is upended, she just doesn’t know what to do anymore. She is full of grief and rage, but no way to channel it. And when she learns how the empire she has grown up revering is built upon lies, her self loathing only increases. She throws herself into finding a cure for the curse affecting the empire, to be useful for something and not just waste away without purpose. In this endeavor, she gets to team up with Zahir who is the Emperor’s illegitimate child, unwanted in his own way. This is a tale of two people who are not valued in this society because of their lineage and circumstances, trying to do something useful so that they can survive, even if it means putting their lives on the line because they have no other choice.
The reason I say I couldn’t appreciate the book enough is because being in Arwa’s head throughout, we get to experience her immense grief and loss in close quarters and that really made me more depressed (I don’t think I would’ve been so affected if not for the pandemic and lockdowns). But I also loved the friendship that develops between her and Zafir based on mutual respect and their quest for survival and knowledge. It’s a very slow burn romance that is beautiful to watch unfold.
The best part of the book (and the series in general) is the themes the author tries to discuss and make us think about. Especially in Realm of Ash, we get to question if an empire whose centuries of prosperity is built upon the backs of an oppressed people, their exploitation and genocide, is worth saving. And we can’t help but see the parallels between this story and the history of US/UK built upon slavery and colonialism. We also see a whole group of people completely cutoff from a part of their heritage and forced to conform/assimilate to the majority culture, and how much trauma this can lead to. And finally, the one theme which is the major source of grief for Arwa is how much love can hurt; how even when we act based on love and kindness, these actions may cause long time harm on our loved ones.
To conclude, I feel like I’ve just rambled incoherently and this has been the case for a while. I seem to have lost my touch in being able to articulate my thoughts about books, so please excuse my ramblings. Just go and read this series because the writing is beautiful, the world building is amazing while also having so many parallels to our real world, the characters are unforgettable and the romances are just the most evocative and emotional. The pacing can be slow, so be prepared to savor these books instead of binging them. And I also recommend the audiobooks because the narrator Soneela Nankani has such a lilting and soothing voice that you will get lost in her storytelling. ...more
The author’s debut The Clergyman’s Wife was a profoundly beautiful book that made me sob for almost half of it, so I was very much anticipating this sThe author’s debut The Clergyman’s Wife was a profoundly beautiful book that made me sob for almost half of it, so I was very much anticipating this sophomore novel of hers. And as someone who loves any books set in the extended Pride and Prejudice universe, I was very excited to know the story of Anne de Bourgh.
The writing style in this book felt very familiar because I hadn’t forgotten my experience of the previous one. It was beautiful and evocative, the descriptions of Rosings Park and the nature surrounding it as well as a newcomer’s experience of London very lush. The author also makes us really feel the depth of emotions that the characters feel and that’s why I again found it very easy to get lost within the words of this book. This is also definitely a character focused slice of life kinda story, so there wasn’t much plot, and it probably wouldn’t satisfy someone looking for a fast paced story, but I nevertheless really enjoyed following along.
Anne is a really sympathetic character, not only because she is never given the opportunity to overcome her childhood sickness and grow up, she is also very intimidated into submission by her strong willed mother. But due to the influence of other women who come into her life unexpectedly, she decides to finally take her life into her own hands and I loved her slow transformation. She really comes into her own, understands her desires better, and ultimately makes resolute decisions despite any criticisms. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the turn of events, but I thought the author did a wonderful job making us believe that Anne was capable of carving out a successful independent identity for herself and be a worthy mistress of her estate.
The side characters don’t always get enough page time but many of them like Miss Hall, Miss Amherst, Harriet and cousin John play significant roles in Anne’s character development and I came to like each of them for their varied influences. Lady Catherine was as always a force of nature who I don’t think can be liked much, but I could empathize with her towards the end because she seemed genuine in her affection even if not in her manners.
In the end, this was a very quiet, emotional and interesting look into the life of Anne, who is always on the periphery when we read Austen’s P&P. This is a quiet sort of story that grips you right away and slowly sucks you in. I would definitely recommend this to any readers who love reading spin-offs of Austen’s works because this is a worthy addition to the world. And I can’t wait to see if the author writes more in this universe. ...more
I will be very honest, I was mesmerized by the cover of this book and the premise seemed very fascinating, but it wasn’t really at the top of my tbr oI will be very honest, I was mesmerized by the cover of this book and the premise seemed very fascinating, but it wasn’t really at the top of my tbr or anything. I just thought I’ll keep it on the list and read someday. But when I got the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in advance, I thought why not and now I can’t believe that I wanted to put this book on a back burner. Because this book... it’s just wow ...more
When I first saw the announcement of this novella, I didn’t even need to know the premise before adding it to my tbr. And when I saw that stunning covWhen I first saw the announcement of this novella, I didn’t even need to know the premise before adding it to my tbr. And when I saw that stunning cover, my excitement only doubled. I had so much confidence that the author would wow me in just a few pages, and I’m so happy to report that I was right.
I find the novella format very fascinating - the less number of pages should realistically not give us enough time to feel invested in the characters or the stakes, but what I’ve realized through reading quite a bit of short fiction in 2020 is that the authors who frequently write in this format are masters at their craft, skillfully able to make us emotionally engaged in the story right from the get go. And that’s exactly what happened here.
Thanh is a very sympathetic character and I instantly liked her, started worrying for her and just wanted her to be safe. I can’t go into details about the other characters without revealing spoilers but every one of them was fully realized, and it was fascinating to me that I was able to glean most of their motivations despite everything being so subtle. The world building is also seamlessly integrated without any infodumps, giving us the right amount of information so that we can follow along with the political intrigue and the diplomatic negotiations. The pacing is perfect, never feeling rushed but also fast enough that’s it’s easy to forget everything else while reading it. And I just can’t say enough about the prose - it was absolutely beautiful and poetic and so very full of feeling.
But the most surprising part of the book was how delicately the author handled some of the themes. The primary one is a critique of colonialism, showing us how arrogant the imperial powers are about their inherent righteousness, calling the others “savages” and subtly threatening to occupy them. We also see how this arrogance manifests in personal relationships, a sense of entitlement that makes them feel that they have the right to love and can’t be denied, manipulating and gaslighting to get their way. The author never tells us any of this though, she makes us feel and understand all of it just through normal seeming character interactions, and I thought it was brilliantly executed.
In the end, all I can say is that if you love short fiction, you can’t miss this. If you love Asian sapphic fantasy stories like I do, then this is absolutely perfect for you. And I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a flawless blend of cutthroat politics, diplomatic maneuvering and a pining romance, set in a lush and beautiful fantasy world. ...more
I was actually pretty upset initially because so many of my friends got the arc of this book while I didn’t, and I was jealous that they were raving aI was actually pretty upset initially because so many of my friends got the arc of this book while I didn’t, and I was jealous that they were raving about a book I couldn’t read. It took me this long to finally get to it because naturally, the waitlist at my library was long and but definitely worth it.
I can’t say I’ve read any Shakespeare but I do know the basics of some of his popular works because I’ve seen the movies. So even if I don’t know how close to the original Romeo Juliet this retelling is, I felt that that author managed to capture the vibe of two feuding gangster families perfectly well. The writing is very beautiful and evocative, digging into our hearts and making us feel everything the characters are, as well as the horror of what’s happening in the plot. The pacing is also breakneck, with everything happening quickly and I was left worried about what was gonna happen next. But the best part of this book is totally the setting. The world of 1920s Shanghai, on the cusp of modernization due to partial colonization by the British and the French and the entitlement and contempt with which the foreigners treat the locals; and the political turmoil between the Nationalists and Communists which might result in a revolution any day, is captured perfectly and tugs at the heartstrings powerfully of those of us readers who have similar feelings about our own colonial history.
Juliette and Roma are such compelling characters to follow along, especially Juliette. She is bold and ruthless, deserving of her title as heir of Scarlet Gang who loves her city and people, but she is also angry about having to confront her complicated feelings about Roma. He on the other hand really longs for a better, less bloodthirsty world and to be honest, it broke my heart because it was obvious that this world would swallow him whole for standing by his principles. The author does a marvelous job letting us feel the tug of war between their hearts, the endless yearning and the slow rebuilding of a truce, and it was a delight to read.
There are also many side characters and it was so much fun that we got short POV chapters from them as well. I particularly enjoyed Kathleen, Juliette’s cousin who is one of her greatest supporters and always tries to help her, no questions asked. Benedikt and Marshall who are Roma’s BFFs also share a very bantery dynamic which was a breath of fresh air in between very intense scenes. There were also quite a few characters who can be termed as loose cannons and I can’t wait to see what more havoc they will wreak in the future.
In the end, this is a book that blends many genres perfectly - it’s a historical fiction that explores themes of colonialism with lot of heart; it’s a thrilling mystery where the characters have to work together to find the monster before more people are killed; and it’s a brilliant rivals to lovers second chance romance which is brimming with yearning. If all this can’t convince you to pick up this book, then I don’t know what will. And now I’m left with dread about what’s gonna happen in the sequel because the author left the story at a major cliffhanger and all I can do is wait. ...more
Even though I watched the movie first, reading the graphic novel was still enjoyable and it was so much fun trying to figure out the differences betweEven though I watched the movie first, reading the graphic novel was still enjoyable and it was so much fun trying to figure out the differences between the two, and think which was done better. I was definitely reading all of Andy’s dialogue in Charlize Theron’s voice because I can’t get her out of my head. And my favorite scene of the movie - Joe’s romantic confession about Nicky - was even more heartwarming and spectacular in the book and I don’t think I can forget it anytime soon.
To conclude, this is a cool story and the artwork is interesting (maybe not completely to my taste but I have no complaints) but I think you’ll enjoy it much more if you read it first and then watch the movie. But undoubtedly both the formats are very good and I can’t wait to read the sequel which releases later this year. ...more
I’m definitely having a better time reading short fiction these days, so I decided to pick this one up and it blew me away witAverage Rating :⭐️⭐️⭐️.9
I’m definitely having a better time reading short fiction these days, so I decided to pick this one up and it blew me away with the breadth of amazing writing in it and the wonderful new voices we get introduced to. The stories are diverse and fun and intense, and I loved the editors mentioning the reasons behind choosing these stories, and the sprinkling of writing advice throughout the anthology was just icing on the cake. There are also prompts for budding writers to try out their own hand at short fiction, and interviews with the editors towards the end which has some great advice for writers on how to approach drafting as well as editing their pieces. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who loves YA and wants to discover new and upcoming authors, as well as the writers at heart who would love some genuine advice.
Flight by Tanya S. Aydelott
I won’t say I understood the mythology behind the creatures that form a part of this story, but it’s very beautifully written and very mysterious and has a very interesting take on women’s relationship with their bodies, as well as how men choose to objectify and represent them in art.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Risk by Rachel Hylton
A story of a group of girls in high school who are always supportive of each other, despite the circumstances - this was very weirdly fascinating but probably not my kind of story.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sweetmeats by Linda Cheng
This is a modern day horror retelling of Hansel and Gretel and it was spectacular. It has the scary parts but it also has a beautiful female friendship, the two girls just trying their best to be there for each other, while also having themes of difficult relationships between mothers and daughters. Definitely an author I look forward to read more of.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Glow by Joanna Truman
A story of two powerful girls with magic, this had all the beautiful yearning and angst of a girl whose heart is full of overwhelming feelings for another which she just wants to express and be loved back. The author really brought the emotion to life with her words.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Escape by Tanvi Berwah
Wow. This was mysterious, wonderfully written and had family drama, heirlooms and old stories, with a side dish of twisted revenge. Very enjoyable.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Pan Dulce by Flor Salcedo
This story takes us back to the 90s when teenagers could still drive across the southern border to party, but it also weaves in a little of the dreaded times to come. Both the innocence and invincibility that the teenage girls feel and the ominous nature of their journey are captured perfectly.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Solace by Nora Elghazzawi
This was such an emotional exploration of loss and grief, but also asks us to grow and nurture and hope despite the darkness and I really enjoyed it.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Princess by Maya Prasad
I’ve read a good number of short stories about AI/digital immortality, but reading one with similar themes but inspired by Indian mythology is a different kind of joy. I loved the MC Leela who takes the second lease of life that she gets to dream for something bigger than herself and make choices that she believes in. Very interesting story.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Fools by Gina Chen
This starts off quite sad but it was such a beautiful story of a girl finding where she fits in and what she wants to do with her life. There’s love and humor and wonderful descriptions here alongwith a great ensemble of lovable characters.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Monsters by Adriana Marachlian
This was kind of sad, especially with the backdrop of the situation in Venezuela which the author captures with her words, but it’s also about feeling like the other, being alone and scared and not being believed by anyone, and how that struggle shapes a person’s choices.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Break by Sophie Meridien
This was such a cute and romantic story of two high school seniors trying to get to know each other in the small moments they get to spend together. It also has some angst and a message, but overall it just made me smile.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Resilient by Mayra Cuevas
This is a story about resilience set after the events of hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, and it’s absolutely devastating to read about what happened after through the words of young people who had to give up on their dreams because survival was more important. It ends with a bit of hope, but the it’s definitely more of a bittersweet story.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Belly by Desiree S. Evans
There is a great sense of place in this story, with the land and river and the character’s relationship to them forming the emotional core of the story. It was both sad as well as inspiring, with hope that it’ll get better.
It’s actually been a while since my favorite series by Eden Finley ended, so I was so excited to get intDefinitely more of a 3.5 but I’m rounding up.
It’s actually been a while since my favorite series by Eden Finley ended, so I was so excited to get into this one. And despite not knowing anything about the coauthor Saxon James and also the fact that I very rarely read NA genre these days, I just couldn’t give a hockey romance a miss.
It took me a while to like the awkward and nerdy Zach because I just couldn’t follow his thought process. But once the friendship between Zach and Foster developed, I started falling in love with their interactions. And I really loved the fact that it’s the nerdy character who is more unsure about the whole long term relationship thing, but the actual jock Foster is cocky but also really sweet, considerate and very sure about what he wants from his career and love life.
It’s fun when authors subvert the typical college romance tropes a bit because it definitely makes the proceedings more interesting. The banter is also quite well done (which I kinda was expecting because it’s Eden) but on the whole, the book was much more on the sweeter side. And there’s a very exciting little cameo from the Fake Boyfriend series which just made me miss the whole gang all over again.
To conclude, this is a sweet and fun slightly tropey, slightly not, college hockey romance, and I think it’s a good choice for when you just want to be entertained and read about a nice couple. It’s still not up there with Eden’s previous series but I still think her fans will enjoy this a lot. ...more
This series has become a source of comfort for the past couple of years, so it felt nice to be back in this world, especially aProbably more of a 3.5.
This series has become a source of comfort for the past couple of years, so it felt nice to be back in this world, especially at a time when I wasn’t feeling that good.
Along with the lovely ladies of the Secret, Book and Scone society, we get to briefly meet some new additions to the town of Miracle Springs - ladies who manage to bring some intrigue as well as conflict to the proceedings. While I enjoyed the depiction of fall season and the various festivals that happen in a small town to attract tourists, I sometimes felt that the mystery itself was a bit far fetched. The addition of the conflict with the family values group also felt a bit too much to this story, though it’s not really an uncommon occurrence in many places. But it did make for some interesting conversations about powerful women and the importance of books in giving us access to new worlds. The pacing of the book was as always very fast and I finished it in a single sitting. I also liked the talk about YA fantasy as part of the book recommendations, but it was woefully white which is a disappointment, particularly considering the amount of popular diverse YA we’ve had in the past few years.
In the end, this was a fun addition to a beloved series and definitely a cozy winter read. Definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for something fun in the cozy mystery genre, and while I would suggest to start at the beginning, I think this is one series where most of the books work well as standalones. ...more
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