Review: Honeyeater

Honeyeater by Kathleen Jennings
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A brilliant, mud-drenched ghost story of a haunted family and its fragile secrets.

I love Kathleen Jennings' writing, even if most of the time I feel like I'm not fully absorbing everything I'm supposed to. I love the atmosphere her words evoke and this book was no exception - the creek was a character itself, and the ghostly happenings were bizzarre and unique.

Our protagonist, Charlie, finds himself tasked with cleaning out his dead aunt's house before he can be rid of the town of Bellworth for good. But then Grace shows up on the doorstep and the blue roses pressing on her skin from within demand answers.

What follows is wet and weed-choked, ghostly and haunting. Horror of a new kind is brought to life as secrets begin to rise to the surface, and Charlie will never be the same.

The writing is abstract and evocative, and takes precedence over storytelling - meaning must be plucked carefully from between snaking vines and piercing thorns. Those who like to linger over clever words will enjoy indulging in the imagery here, though those who prefer a faster pace may get tangled up in all the allusion and word play.

There's a special kind of horror to this one; a pervasive sense of not having enough air in the lungs rather than any kind of definable terror. It leaves the skin crawling but doesn't stoop to jump scares.

The characters don't have too much opportunity to develop fully, which I found mildly disappointing but also seemed to suit this richly detailed setting. I wanted to know them all a little better but I think it kind of adds to the secrets and mystery of the whole thing.

This was another lyrical fantasy horror that really absorbed me. At times I did find it a little confusing to follow but inevitably I was swept up in the words and still thoroughly enjoyed the telling.

This won't be for everyone, but horror fans looking for something different should definitely give this a go. There's also something quite beautiful in the writing so fans of literary fiction should appreciate this tale.

With thanks to Macmillan for an ARC

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Review: Katabasis

Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This isn't a book for readers, this is a book for pretentious asshats that think of themselves as 'scholars'.

The hype for this book was real - I hadn't read any of this author's books before but The Poppy War is a favourite of my good friend Juliette so we were both hanging for this and were lucky enough to get ARCs from Harper Collins.

So this was a Buddy Read with Juliette.

A journey to Hell sounds like just my kind of premise, and this book started by taking us straight there with Alice Law and her fellow student/colleague, Peter. Magic(k) in this world mostly involves drawing pentagrams and reciting absurd paradoxes so a little of that and away we go.

So let's get it out of the way: this book made a journey to Hell about as exciting as sitting through a lecture on the scientific properties of dry paint.

Although, to be fair, science is much more interesting than this awful, bland blend of mathematics, linguistics and philosophy.

Almost immediately, the narrative switches to flashbacks detailing how hard Alice worked as a student under Grimes, and goes on (and on, and on, and on ...) about word puzzles, paradoxes, mathematical properties and implications regarding Hell and all manner of pointless things in between. A little bit tested the brain so at the start I didn't mind so much, but as the book went on and all this extra stuff took precedence over the continuation of the story I became increasingly frustrated. We get about three chapters of this random, way-over-my-head crap for every chapter of actual journeying through Hell. The average reader is not going to be interested in this amount of superfluous speculation. GET TO THE GOOD STUFF ALREADY.

Sadly, even 'good stuff' is a stretch because, Kuang's Hell? It's all flat, monotonous plains and other ridiculously dull iterations that I won't mention just for spoilers-sake. There is no kind of LIFE in her story - no demons or devils, no fire and brimstone, no pitchforks or pits or meaningful monsters. The creativity she does develop in this area is washed away easily by those other chapters of random stuff I mentioned, meaning there's really not much exciting about their journey at all.

This is a book about a PHD student who is just the BESTEST STUDENT EVER. She's Not Like Other Girls because she doesn't mind being treated like a piece of crap by her advisor because it's all totally worth it: one day she's going to get A Really Good Job out of it.

Honestly? The whole 'student life' she detailed was depressing AF but, with Kuang being a PHD student herself, I can only assume we're supposed to admire Alice's dedication to a life entirely devoid of anything other than her studies. I myself felt sorry for her lack of living, but that wasn't a subject that really made its way into this book the way it should have.

So then we have the 'magick' which mostly amounts to a whole lot of nothing. It felt a stretch to refer to it as magic since it's just chalk drawings and paradoxes and there's no real decent explanation of how it all works. Basically, it's maths. 'Just be okay with it' is kind of the message here. Magic has never been less interesting to me.

Finally, the whole reason for Alice and Peter going after Grimes was POINTLESS. Allow me to veer into SPOILER territory:
(view spoiler)[Both claim they want to get Grimes back because he's their only hope of landing a good job. But then it turns out that Alice wants to bring him back as some kind of ridiculous revenge, and Peter just feels guilty because he believes he's the reason Grimes died. Given the level of sacrifice that needed to be made by both, I found neither of these things plausible. I also LOATHED the sexual assault because it was such a trope moment - this book is supposed to be telling a different kind of story and you still had to have this same student/teacher rapey BULLSHIT??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? I was so mad reading it. It's such an old, tired crutch for authors to lean on, to give their characters A Bad Time. There was nothing clever in the way it was done. It was just shoved in to make some kind of point that made zero sense to the whole plot of this book. (hide spoiler)]

Essentially, this book had zero reason to exist because the premise thins to nothing as the book goes on.

In the same line of thinking, a quick comment on the 'romance' this book is promoted as: what romance? There is some awkward smooshing of Alice and Peter's feelings here and there but nothing about their relationship feels organic. It's more like she threw in a little bit just so this book could cash in on the current trend of 'Romantasy.' I'm not even into romance and I found this relationship dull. And communication misunderstandings is one of my least favourite things in any book - JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER FFS.

Don't get me started on the additional pointlessness of the fking CAT.

This started out as a four star read for me, but dropped dramatically to a place of loathing. I wanted so badly for it to meet the high expectations I had for it, but it ended up turning me off Kuang completely. I've heard it mentioned that she believes people who don't like her books 'just don't get it' so I guess I'll happily admit she would think I'm a dumbass. Because this book was terrible.

I'm throwing it a bonus star for keeping me curious for the first hundred or so pages, but it's more of a pity star and an apology to Harper for such a hate-filled review of a book they so generously provided.

With thanks to Harper Collins for an ARC

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Review: Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo

Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo by Scott Snyder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another fresh retake on the Batman legend.

I started reading this in singles, alongside Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman. This is probably my least fave of the three, as it's still pretty similar to the original Batman story - it's just Batman beating up bad guys. It's fun, but it's nothing particularly new. That said, the story gets stronger as it goes along, and we see Bruce as a kid who actually has friends. And some familiar friends, too ...

There's a new trauma here to create Batman, but much of the rest is the same so I found myself not really understanding the hype. This is still such a massively popular series but for me it's one of the weaker ones. It's really good - don't get me wrong - but I can't help but compare it to Absolute Wonder Woman, which is blowing it out of the water. By comparison, it's great but nothing quite as special.

This volume tackles the re-launch, so we get a fresh crime to hold the interest while the new Batman and all supporting characters (and gadgets) are revealed. Issue #5 throws back to give us more back story, and #6 brings it all home.

Artwork fluctuates but was mostly a disappointment to me. I didn't like the style at all, and some of the earlier issues it seems like the artist was still feeling out what he wanted to draw. So that was the real nail in the coffin for me. It's definitely dark and gritty, and it might work for others, but with such a massive build up it was all a bit of a let down for me.

That said, there's still a decent story here, and Batman fans should appreciate this new take on the Dark Knight. There are some significant points of difference that will draw readers in and keep them guessing about what's to come in later issues.

I think Batman/DC fans need to read this one, if only to decide you like the regular old Batman just fine. There are some new ideas here that are worth the time, and it does get quite brutal which is quite fitting for Batman. The art style may not be for everyone but it does get stronger in later issues, which should satisfy everyone in it for the long haul.

With thanks to DC/Lunar for an ARC

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Review: The Sleep Room: A Sadistic Psychiatrist and the Women Who Survived Him

The Sleep Room: A Sadistic Psychiatrist and the Women Who Survived Him by Jon Stock
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Narrated by Richard Armitage, Celia Imrie, Antonia Beamish
Presented by Tantor Audio

This was interesting but the swerve into conspiracy theories threw me a bit.

An interesting account of Dr William Sargant, a psychiatrist who kept a bunch of 'troublesome' women drugged up and asleep so he could give them continuous bouts of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Now sure, it was a different time, but there is so much wrong with what this guy did. There are some interesting discussions of consent (or lack thereof) and how much was for the good of the patient versus how much the research would benefit the doc and his ego.

It does focus more on Sargant than the women, as most of the women have sparse memories of their time in the facility. So instead we learn more of Sargant's biography, and how he justified doing horrible things in the name of science.

I found the inserts from patients quite interesting, and at the start they blended well though by the end they began to feel out of place. This book seemed concerned with the women only up to a certain point, but they end up being reduced to something of a footnote to the rest of Sargant's scientific exploits. That didn't sit too well with me.

I listened to the audio and as much as I love Richard Armitage I did have to speed him up to x1.75 and then eventually x2. He spoke eloquently but left such long pauses I found myself getting impatient. Otherwise, though, his narration was perfectly serious and well suited to the job. The female narrators were okay, but I found them sounding too - for lack of a better word - sane. They spoke very well as they discussed all manor of struggles and it didn't quite fit for me. I know that seems like a weird complaint, but ultimately it comes down to the narrator not seeming to match the written voice.

I enjoyed it much more at the start but as it started to drift away from the sleep room I found my attention wandering. There were a few questionable inclusions and it seemed a little like the author had an agenda when it came to discussing spies and psychological warfare.

I think this will be fascinating to fans of psychology, though listening to what the women were put through does enrage. It's an interesting study of a sadistic man, but if you want to read it for the stories of the women involved, you may be disappointed.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Spectators

Spectators by Brian K Vaughan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's no Saga but it's still a fun read that gives you a lot to think about - particularly with the current state of the world.

The story is a ghostly observation of a dystopian future, in which the world is on the brink of collapse. Two voyeuristic ghosts form a friendship as they explore the world in its current state, providing an interesting reflection on sex and violence.

There's plenty of kinky stuff and there's plenty of violence, and between the two it makes for a really intriguing story that asks why some things are taboo and others not. It's honest and frank about the nature of humans and it's a somewhat depressing view.

I enjoyed the way this made me think. I'm trying to be a little more open-minded when it comes to sex in media (I've always been quite a prude about it, so this kind of story hits its target audience with me) and this made me appropriately uncomfortable. At the same time, I enjoyed the challenge it put forth and how cleverly it did so.

The artwork is fun, creating depth and beauty when needed and laying the story out in clever panels. The narrative was easy to follow and the art definitely complemented the story. This was a brilliant use of the medium - a novel of this story wouldn't hit nearly as hard as this did with the visual accompaniment.

This won't be for everyone, but I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a sci-fi take on sex vs violence.

With thanks to Image Comics for an ARC

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Review: The Thorn Birds

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I expected to get bored with this one, but it was completely absorbing.

From the very first pages about Meggie and her new doll, my heart was clenching and unclenching. So many ups and downs!

I ended up really loving it, though parts of it nearly broke me.

The story describes three generations of the same family, though predominantly surrounding Meggie - daughter of Fee and Paddy - and a priest named Ralph. The sweeping saga tells of life on the property Drogheda in outback Australia, covering life from 1915 til 1969.

I'm not really one for rural romances, but this hardly sat in that category like I'd expected it to. Rather, it brings to life the Australian outback, life in the early 20th century, and the limitations of expectation.

There is a stark reality to the story that still manages to complement the tale of familial love and dedication, enhancing our awareness of the conditions. Life on an isolated property isn't easy, and this story covers all the highs and lows of such a life. The writing is brilliantly eloquent in detailing the environment in both its brutality and its beauty.

The same can be said for the characters - some are hard to love, but we can empathise easily and feel all the colours of emotion along with the family. I wasn't expecting to feel such visceral reactions to some of the scenes, and partway through there was a point I thought I might stop reading altogether because of how some of it made me feel. But there were too many loose threads for me to leave unbound, and I'm glad I finished it. It was well worth it.

Overall, this was a brutal, beautiful saga that reflected its setting well. We witness the change of times and lifestyles as the eras progress, and the impact it has on the changing narrative within the family. The thread is strong and there is some beautiful symbolism to sit and ponder long after reading concludes.

Highly recommend to all, particularly those wanting to feel a full range of emotions, and/or looking for characters they want to be absorbed by.

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Review: Bad Creek

Bad Creek by Peyton June
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Narrated by Michael Crouch, Suzy Jackson, Nick Mills
Presented by RB Media

I didn't mind this, though the narrator for Gum was not my fave.

Three inseparable teens return to their regular summer haunt, but things aren't the same since last summer, when their fourth member drowned. There are secrets and mixed feelings and super weird things happening.

This jumps straight into eerie supernatural happenings, and it doesn't shy from that which I quite enjoyed. It commits to the horror and it gives the story a nice solid feel.

I don't know that I ever really liked any of the characters - they all have stubborn and/or naive ways of looking at everything and it does get a little tiresome after a while.

I did also tune out a few times, especially during Gum's chapters because the narration bothered me.

I enjoyed the narration from the other two, but Gum just delivered everything in the same stressed tone. Like everything was concerning, but then when action was happening it was the same rather than more exciting. I don't know if that makes sense but my point is that it all sounded the same, making it hard to appreciate the more exciting events his chapters told.

The other two narrators gave enough inflection to give the story character, so I found those much easier to listen to and follow.

I enjoyed the mystery, but probably tuned out a few too many things to properly put the puzzles together myself. I liked the way things came together, and I'm glad that it stuck with its supernatural themes because they were interesting and creepy.

All in all, this was a fun YA horror story. I think I'd have got more out of it with a physical read, but listening was good fun and still sufficiently disturbing.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: The Immeasurable Heaven

The Immeasurable Heaven by Caspar Geon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

DNF @ 11%

Admittedly, this was a rather poor effort from me but after reading just the first chapter I was dreading reading the rest.

I think this is just far too ambitious for me. It was sold to me on the fact that the cast of characters is entirely alien - ie no humans at all. I liked the idea but in reality it just means there's not really anything familiar to grasp on to.

This, in fact, doubles down on the notion by immediately introducing a wildly different universe inhabited by a bunch of different alien species whose forms of communication are anything but similar to our own, which to me felt a little too heavy-handed. Introducing the way each species communicated felt more like checking off the different senses - this one communicates by touch, this one by sight, this one by smell ... etc. Some clever ideas, but nothing particularly intriguing to hold the interest.

There was also far too much jargon to try and explain the set up and not nearly enough story happening. Again, I'll admit that I gave up pretty early on, but by 11% the book was still mostly setting the scene which boded ill for my love of fast-paced stories.

I wanted to like this but it immediately became a chore to me, and with so much to read and so little time, I decided not to punish myself with it further.

Those looking for completely out-of-the-box sci-fi stories may be interested to pick this one up, but it was a little too strange for my tastes.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC


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Review: Unexplained Mysteries of the Ancient World: Extraordinary Enigmas from History

Unexplained Mysteries of the Ancient World: Extraordinary Enigmas from History by William Potter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Narrated by Matt Bates
Presented by Arcturus Digital Audio

A nice variety of mysteries from the ancient world, with plenty of tidbits to keep you thinking.

This was a fun listen, with a great variety of stories. Ancient history is quite fascinating to me, so it was fun to ponder these mysteries and consider my own conclusions.

A lot of them are unsolvable, given the nature, but it's fun to think about which historians might be onto something. It does grate a little that most of the stories end as inconclusive.

The narrator did a great job; fantastic pronunciation and even quoting sources there was such a difference of voice that I wondered if they'd actually gotten the source themself to record. But I think it was all the one talented narrator, so I'd happily listen to this fellow again.

I'd easily recommend this one for history fans looking to dig a little deeper into some interesting stories from the ancient past.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: EC Cruel Universe Vol. 1

EC Cruel Universe Vol. 1 by Corinna Sara Bechko
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun collection of sci-fi/fantasy tales!

I enjoyed this, though some of the stories were too brief or bland to be memorable. The opener was the big win for me, with its twist making the biggest impact.

Most of these have a nice twisted ending, but after a while you do begin to see some of them coming.

There's a good mix of stories, and an interesting mix of art.

I didn't love all of it - some of the artwork was too muddled for me to make out the story, and some stories had quite plain art designed to let the story shine. So for the most part, the art didn't stand out.

The stories were fun though, and I enjoyed most of them making this a collection I'd recommend for sci-fi fans.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC

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Review: The Complete Maus

The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was handling all of this so well until the last third of the book.

My heart hurts.

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this brilliant graphic novel?

Let me start with my own preferences: I'm not a fan of graphic novels in black and white, and I hate war stories.

Yet this got to me.

I can't say I loved it - the reality of it is too brutal to call it love. But brilliant I can and will say when people ask what I think of this one.

The author cleverly uses depictions of mice and cats to tell his father's story of his experience as a Jew during WWII, while contrasting with the present day account of his father relating the story to him. We get to see his father as a victim of the war, but also as an elderly survivor with his own prejudices.

The honesty is stark, and impossible to escape from.

This is not an easy read by any means, and as such it took me a long time with other reading in between. This is a heavy story told so matter-of-factly that it's impossible not to be impacted by it.

I'm grateful to have read this, and for the author and his father for sharing this story so boldly.

Highly recommend to all.

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Review: House of the Beast

House of the Beast by Michelle Wong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

PSA: This is NOT Romantasy

Which was absolutely FABULOUS.

I went into this with very low expectations and ended up enjoying it IMMENSELY!

The plot revolves around friendless Alma, who goes to live with her father when he mother becomes ill. He's obsessed with becoming First Hand of the Beast - the god his house worships. Alma has to rely on her invisible friend - who might not be a figment of her imagination after all - to help her survive his cruelty and take something for herself.

I'll be honest: I expected this to be all about the romance, like so many other new fantasy books are right now. I was expecting mooning and sighs and long looks and soft caresses and all those other things that really turn me off a book. I was expecting brooding Kaim to serve as a point of the love triangle and I was expecting very little plot.

Consider me well and truly shook.

This book defied all my expectations and ended up being ridiculously fun. It made me expect tropes then completely turned the corner to give me something wildly different. I thought it would be soft and weak but it was strong and BRUTAL.

There's an important relationship between Alma and Aster, but there's so much more to it that had me absolutely loving the growth and the dynamic between the two. I also loved the roles the supporting characters played, and how gruesome things got towards the end.

This book is a world of contradictions.

I did want a little more world-building; while this world is fleshed out, it was still a little confusing to me and I didn't fully comprehend the god situation, which is why some things didn't quite impact the way I think they should have. This is a self-contained story, but with room to expand on the world should the author choose to write a sequel. I think I'd be up for that because I'm so curious about the rest of the world that was only really hinted at here.

The other thing that gave me mixed feelings was the illustrations. They are gorgeous and I found them fascinating, but their style brought the tone down for me and made it feel less serious somehow. They are done in the style of manga, so I found myself expecting a level of immaturity based on the pictures. (Don't AT me, I know manga can be mature, it's not what I mean.) Like they are soft and cutesy and this story is neither of those things. I also found they spoiled things here and there, even if it was only a page or a paragraph in advance. I detest any kind of spoiler.

That said, this was a much darker story than I expected and it made it hit so much harder. I genuinely was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did - it became an addictive read and I had no idea what was coming. There were moments where I couldn't stop because I HAD TO KNOW what came next. It was refreshingly good.

If you're here for the romance, you'll likely be disappointed, but if you're here for a dark tale of revenge then this delivers in spades. This will probably be one that sticks with me for a while just because of how little I expected it to hit this hard.

Absolutely, HIGHLY recommend for fantasy fans, especially those like me who are over the flood of Romantasy taking up valuable fantasy real estate on the shelves right now.

With thanks to Harper Collins for an ARC

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Review: Mistress of Amber and Flame

Mistress of Amber and Flame by Maria Linwood
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Narrated by Meg McKibbin
Presented by Bolinda Audio

Really wanted this to be so much more than it was.

I got a physical copy of this signed by the author, and it's gorgeous. But in order to get to it faster, I listened to an audio ARC from NetGalley. As the book went on, I was grateful for that decision.

It's not that it's bad but more ... bland. I had a hard time connecting to the characters as I didn't really like any of them, and there wasn't a lot of characterisation beyond the depth of feeling between Tabala and Lar. Which got old REAL FAST.

It felt very much like a dot-point journey; like they went here, then they went here, then they went here ... etc. I found it hard to follow the purpose of anything, but to be fair I did zone out a fair bit from halfway onwards. There wasn't really a lot about the story that interested me, so I think I might have ended up skimming quite heavily.

The narration had a huge impact on this story for me, as I found it kind of awful. There was no characterisation coming through - everyone sounded the same and there was no emotion in anything. I didn't mind the Australian accent but then for all the voices - man, woman, child, elderly person, etc - to sound the same it really just grated. It got confusing at times, too, and hard to follow who was speaking. There was no tension or turmoil; everything was delivered in almost a monotone. It was very much read, as opposed to performed.

Since I have a physical copy, I'll probably revisit it to see if it was just the bland the narration that made this one so dull. I did really want to like it more than I did so I'd like to give it a second chance, though seeing some of the other reviews on here I'm not hopeful.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Face Meat

Face Meat by BONTEN TARO
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun collection of Japanese horror stories.

I loved the overall feel of this; the atmosphere is a classic kind of creepy that brings to mind dark, cloudy days and ominous music.

There's a nice mix of Japanese mythology depicted, and I enjoyed the turns some took.

The contrast of the black/red artwork was brilliant, and I loved seeing the styles brought to life with the simple addition of one single colour. The red made such a dramatic impact!

This is a short collection that I'd happily read again; brilliant artwork accompanying creepy, unique tales.


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Review: The Autumn Kingdom Vol. 1: Through the Blight

The Autumn Kingdom Vol. 1: Through the Blight by Cullen Bunn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I thought this was just okay.

I'm a fan of dark fairytales but this skipped too much so I never found myself immersed in the story. Four issues was too few for an arc like this - there was so much here to unpack and we never got the time to.

There was so much here that I wanted to explore, and I think it was a bit of a missed opportunity. That's probably the nature of comics getting in its way, but I found it disappointing.

The art was okay but I read a digital copy and I think I'd like to see it in person. It seemed a bit too scratchy and vague for my tastes, but that might just have been because I was looking at a more compact digital version. I did want more colour or cleaner lines to help convey the story a little more.

The story itself was intriguing but, as mentioned, too brief. As such, there's not much character development or world building.

I'd definitely like to check this out in person- it's the kind of thing I'd usually be into so I'll give it a second chance. Fans of dark fantasy graphic novels should be sussing this for sure.

With thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC

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Review: Slags

Slags by Emma Jane Unsworth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Narrated by Chloe Massey
Presented by HarperCollins UK Audio

An easy enough listen, but not quite the laugh-out-loud riot I was expecting.

The setup is simple: two sisters go on a road trip around Ireland.

There's a lot about how life separates family sometimes - as everyone becomes busy with their own lives, it's hard to keep in touch with every detail of a sibling's life. There's a little hostility in their relationship - quite natural, really - but for the most part this is about their catching up and deciding what's important enough to share.

It was an okay listen, but I did find it dull in some places and as a consequence tuned out a bit. I didn't really like either sibling, but I get the feeling we weren't supposed to.

A massive subject is the difference between a life with kids, and a life without. I'm getting a little tired of the black and white comparison, to be honest - there are plenty of happy couples that choose a life without kids, yet for some reason there's a stereotype that a woman without kids is one who refuses to outgrow her 'party' years. This explored that a little, but not really satisfactorily to me.

There are some funny anecdotes here and there but for the most part it fell a little flat for me. I feel like this is a particular breed of humour that I personally find very hit or miss; it reminded me a bit of Derry Girls (which I loved) but didn't quite match it for me - perhaps because the themes are more adult.

The narrator did a great job - she differentiated between the sisters well, and there was plenty of humour in her tone that helped the jokes hit. The pacing was great, and there weren't any strange pauses.

Ultimately, I feel this one just wasn't my style. I can see others really enjoying this, and particularly readers who understand the nuances of this cultural sort of humour. I found it easy enough and I did enjoy it for the most part, but it was mostly immemorable.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Havoc

Havoc by Rebecca Wait
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun story revolving around chaos at a girl's boarding school.

Call me crazy, but I have such a soft spot for boarding school stories. I don't know what it is - maybe the comradery, or the idea of an extended sleepover. I feel like the bonds are always tighter, and there's something about living at school that is such a foreign concept to me that I love reading about it.

So this story was another enjoyable read, particularly with the chaos at this school. It's falling apart and in serious danger of closure - particularly when the girls start developing a twitching sickness.

That's not going to work for our protagonist, Ida, who is fleeing from shameful circumstances and merciless bullying. She needs the school to stay open, since it's now her refuge.

The story here alternates between the views of Ida and Eleanor, one of the teachers. This gives us a more rounded view of what's happening at the school, and multiple seats from which to view the chaos.

I enjoyed how unhinged things were, so it was easy to travel along at a cracking pace. There's also the mystery of what is really happening to these girls, and it does add an emotional element that gives the story a bit of heart.

This was a really fun reading experience, and I'd happily read more tales of this school, though it all wrapped up neatly so I don't see that happening. The characters were great and well-suited to this tale, and I would easily recommend this for people looking for a little chaos in their reading life.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC

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Review: A Case of Mice and Murder

A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Narrated by Matthew Lloyd-Davis
Presented by Bloomsbury UK Audio

Another fun detective story!

Err, I mean, LAWYER.

Yes, Sir Gabriel Ward is tasked with investigating a murder that's happened on Temple grounds. That's not, as I first misunderstood, a literal temple, but rather a special lil section of London where Lawyers rule. Gabriel is a little odd, but it's part of his charm.

I'll admit, the narrator didn't work for me at the beginning. For some reason I find some male narrators hard to hear at times, like they trail off at the end of the sentences or in the middle and I can't make out the words properly. Very frustrating. I also found the pacing off compared to how I'd read, but I wouldn't go so far as to say he did a bad job.

He did grow on me as I became more involved in the story, but I did find myself tuning out a lot at the start. The story sucked me in though and I regretted not paying thorough attention!

There's a double mystery here - the murder that Ward has been tasked with investigating, and the case he's currently undertaking in his role as a lawyer, that concerns the author of a children's book. It's the latter that really piqued my curiosity; Millie the mouse has become a hugely successful book and yet her authorship is unknown. Fascinating!

Eventually this book delivered everything I've really been enjoying in the Japanese crime novels I've been devouring: strange, seemingly irrelevant pieces, a large cast of potential suspects, quirky stories and completely wild ideas. I enjoyed the way everything started to be pieced together and the ultimate conclusion.

This is a great introduction to the series, but given all the clues and red herrings I'd love to read this one physically so that I can properly absorb every detail.

Highly recommend to crime fans who just want a straight up murder mystery without the brooding detectives and their messy love lives.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Upon a Starlit Tide

Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Narrated by Esther Wane
Presented by Bolinda Audio

An interesting blend of Cinderella and Pride & Prejudice with a splash of The Little Mermaid.

I had both a physical and audio copy of this one, so began with physical and finished with audio.

The story revolves around Lucinde, who saves a man from a shipwreck. He's the handsome son of a wealthy family and she - as the adopted daughter of another wealthy family - finds herself greatly intrigued by him. She's also not like other girls so she likes to dress as a man to help her dude bro Samuel salvage wrecks.

So yes there's a little bit of a love triangle, but there's also fae folk running about and popping up to help or hinder. Which, honestly, was a rather refreshing twist - especially as they're not the purpose of the story, just an aspect of its world.

There's class stuff, too, with the snooty rich folk looking down on people who actually work for a living, so there's your P&P for you.

I enjoyed the blend, but it did bog down in the middle for me. I found, after certain events, that I was expecting it to wrap up but as it continued I was wearied by it. Still, it picked up again and finally introduced some really unique stuff that won back my interest.

The writing is quite pretty, and paints some beautiful scenes. I did notice I had more time for the writing when reading, as opposed to listening. The narrator has a very strong English accent and it did change how I related to the story. Still, she did an okay job, though some of the characters started sounding the same and every now and then she'd read a line in the wrong voice.

I think it was a little too familiar a tale for most of it to properly draw me in. The setting didn't hugely interest me and the 'rich people looking down on poor people' trope is one I'm really tired of. While the blend of retellings was a new angle, the stories themselves are not and I really felt that here.

I do think other fantasy lovers will enjoy this more than I did. There are some intriguing moments and it did re-tell the stories its own way. So as a retelling, it's quite unique. The characters are an interesting mix, but Charlotte was the standout for me because she was a character I haven't encountered often. I liked her blend of love/hate.

If you're looking for a retelling that does things differently, or a fantasy story that goes easy on the romance, this might be just the ticket for you.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC, and Harper Collins for a physical ARC

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Review: The Zodiac Killer: The Story of America's Most Elusive Murderer

The Zodiac Killer: The Story of America's Most Elusive Murderer by Michael Butterfield
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Narrated by Mack Gordon
Presented by Arcturus Digital Audio

This is a case that really fascinates me, but unfortunately this audiobook didn't totally capture my undivided attention.

I won't go over the details of the case too much - Zodiac was the name given to a serial killer who sent cryptic codes to newspapers after his murders. The killer has never been found.

This book begins with a detailed look at what happened with each murder - who, where, when, how - and states facts plainly with no frills.

It then goes into more information on the ciphers, suspects, victims, theories and even pop culture references.

I did find the information felt rather stale, and not particularly in depth. There's a lot of info to take in but it feels mostly superfluous, especially when we come to theories and suspects. Some of it felt unnecessary, or even irrelevant at times.

I think the audio perhaps isn't the best format for this one, since the ciphers were such a crucial part of the case and not being able to look at them or the code-breaking processes described made it harder to follow. The narrator also delivered his lines poorly, with pauses in strange places and emphasis where it perhaps wasn't necessary. His voice was fine for the book but the cadence was off so I found it a little frustrating at times.

It also felt like there was just no real empathy here - it's more about the killer and who he was and so fails to show any worthy amount of compassion to add a much needed human feel to it.

There's a decent amount of information here for people who are new to the case and want a more thorough account, but there's nothing new for those of us wanting more. It was interesting enough but there are perhaps other sources that do the case more justice.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Mysteries of the National Parks: 35 Stories of Baffling Disappearances, Unexplained Phenomena, and More

Mysteries of the National Parks: 35 Stories of Baffling Disappearances, Unexplained Phenomena, and More by Mike Bezemek
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Narrated by Dean Gallagher
Presented by Tantor Audio

What a mixed bag this was!

Part true mystery, part guide book, this examines mysteries related to American national parks and discusses how travellers can experience the related areas of said parks themselves.

For me - an Australian - I wasn't at all interested in the guide book stuff, but I was quite fascinated by some of the mysteries. SOME. I found myself paying rapt attention when the book covered the disappearance of the couple who went rafting through the Grand Canyon and disappeared without a trace, but tuned out a lot of the 'mystery of the tall trees' segment. Some of the mysteries were quite curious (disappearance of the cave dwellers), others rather dull and pointless (a random old gun find). They were all mixed up in the book, so it was usually a safe bet that a dull story would be followed by one more fascinating. I'm grateful for that, because it did mean that the book didn't really drag despite its less interesting cases.

It is quite thorough for the tourists in the way it explains tracks and trails to follow, and local information such as parking and tours that will help accomplish any trekking goals. So people using it as an inspiring guide book should find it to be a useful, insightful resource.

On the mystery side of things, a lot give only the bare bones of the case and remain inconclusive, with no fresh evidence or unique angles given. I found some to be quite frustrating in that a quick google turned up the same amount of info; yet the fact I felt the need to google in the first place suggests how much my curiosity was piqued. A lot of the cases covered were new to me, so I did enjoy learning about them.

The 'interesting people' stories weren't really for me; some were figures I recognised the name of, but their presence in this book baffled me a little.

The audio was done well. I found the narrator easy to listen to, and his expressive voice conveyed each case quite well. Enunciation was clear, and aside from a creative pronunciation of 'in situ' I followed easily.

I found the mix of mystery and tour guide didn't really work for me, but that's likely because I don't live in the USA so the guide book side of things slowed everything down pointlessly for me. American hikers and outdoorsy folks might appreciate the recommendations for particular trails to follow, and enjoy the immersion into the related stories. Mystery fans will find quite a lot to sink their teeth into.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Blood of Hercules

Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was AWFUL.

Absolutely heinous with a heavy focus on torture and unhealthy obsession.

Also insanely addictive???

I AM NOT OKAY.

***

So it's been about a week since I finished this now and WOW did it scar me.

Our protagonist, Alexis, lives through a traumatic, scarce childhood as a foster kid hated by her foster parents in a world that worships Spartans, aka gods. These are the Greek gods but really in naught but name, so mythology fans looking for some kind of retelling will be pretty disappointed by this offering. I know I was.

So naturally Alexis turns out to be the bastard offspring of a god so she's sent to compete in a bloody death match which, if she survives, grants entry into 'The Crucible' - an even bloodier, deadlier game that only 10 people will be alive to participate in.

Lots of torture, lots of pain, lots of blood and maiming and death. Lots of Alexis blindly staggering through things without really knowing what's happening.

That's a huge problem with this book - most of the action is glossed over due to Alexis's 'torture haze' - ie she's so broken and disturbed by what's been happening to her and around her that she doesn't really follow or take part in what's happening, so we as the reader also have no idea what's going on.

But then of course things become crystal clear when one of the 'devastatingly handsome, purely psychotic' controlling gods shows up - Alexis is bullied first by 'Patro' and the muzzled Achilles, then by her overbearing teachers, Kharon and Augustus.

Bf: How's the book?
Me: Umm, I think it's gearing up for a 5-way torture orgy gang bang

None of these men treat Alexis well but we're clearly supposed to fall all over ourselves at their handsomeness and their psychotic protectiveness.

I honestly hated every single one of these characters. They're all terrible people, and Alexis just lets all this crazy stuff happen, never stands up for herself, and somehow still feels 'tingling' and other bizarre positive feelings towards men who are literally torturing and abusing her.

I like the idea of this more brutal challenge but we just get repetition and blurs of torture until the action slows down to highlight all the creepy suss stuff the Ick Men are up to. I wanted the action of the crucible but it's mostly the same thing on repeat that eventually becomes a haze. No new challenges, no creative competitions. The whole notion of the crucible was tragically under-utilised.

To be honest, though, there is a dark side to this story that did keep it quite addictive to me. It felt like Alexis was always just on the edge of snapping, and I kept waiting for that. The wait kept me reading eagerly, and the rest of it was definitely like the classic 'train wreck I couldn't take my eyes off'. Because so much of it is so terrible that you keep reading, waiting to find the POINT of it all.

Even the spiciness was tragically absent. The setup had me thinking, 'ohhh, this is one of those gang bang books for the spicy lovers' but even that aspect was all waiting and no delivering. So even spicy gang bang fans will be missing out, sorry guys.

Insanely enough, I still found this to be a conflictingly fun read. Almost like it was so terrible, and so wildly out there that I just loved how batsh*t insane the whole reading experience was. So that's where the bonus star comes in.

Mythology fans will be horrified by what's been done here, and romantasy fans might not get the payoff they're after. But if you're after a whirlwind of torture and dark things that make zero sense, this is your ticket.

With thanks to Harper Collins for an ARC - my therapy bill will be in the mail

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Review: Artificial Condition

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another fun one in the series.

Particularly enjoyed the introduction and participation of ART.

The novella length is perfect for this series. It keeps the action moving at a decent pace, but there's still plenty of time to get to know Murderbot a little further.

Murderbot makes a friend here, too, which adds a layer of unexpected warmth to the story.

I like that there's still so much happening in the short story, but there's a larger story that wants to play out across the series. I'm keen to learn more of it through the third book.

It's fast paced, with plenty of action and some interesting characters. Definitely a fun series I'd recommend to sci-fi fans.

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Review: The Sharp Edge of Fate

The Sharp Edge of Fate by TF Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would call this cosy fantasy with a side of definitely-not-cosy.

We're starting with an assassin (hello, my weakness) who is working for an A-grade A-hole. So when he tasks her with a job inside the palace, she doesn't really have a choice despite her gut going against it.

Unfortunately, the job has consequences that soon lead to her searching the city for a lost friend with a mage in tow. She still plans to kill him, and he's probably still holding a grudge, but somehow they have to work together. While Piper (our assassin) also has to care for the two kids of her missing friend.

So, look. There is a lot of detail in taking care of the kids, which tbh is not really my vibe. But I didn't mind it so much here because there was enough magic and strange things happening in the background to hold my interest. Plus, taking care of the kids was a huge part of Piper's character so I just went with it and it is the main factor that gives this fantasy book its 'cosy' vibe. I mean, there are scenes of lounging around doing homework, and drinking hot chocolate. Nothing says cosy like a ho cho.

Still, it is a fantasy story so there is magic and strange creatures and villains and fight scenes and basically plenty of action to keep things interesting. Things get pretty intense with some of the fights, but on the whole it never gets too dark.

It's all set in the same city, so there's no real grand adventure here. It's actually quite modern, with trams for public transport, pubs that serve burgers and chips, and indoor plumbing. It threw me at first, to be honest! It does get a little repetitive at times, with Piper and Alec on the streets, then at home with the kids, then wandering the streets again ... but I never really felt bored by it so there was enough happening that it never became a pattern.

I did get a little confused with the Rylan/Alec/Alexander business - Piper had been hanging out with Rylan, and then all of a sudden this Alec guy was in her doorway and making eyes and things and I literally went flicking back trying to figure out who Alec was (it's the same guy). So there were some clunky moments like that in the writing where it seemed to just want something to happen so forced it out. This lead to some confusing moments that did take me out of the story a bit.

It was a very chill vibe for a fantasy novel about an assassin, but there was still enough here to build a connection to. It wasn't what I expected at all, but I found the cosy vibe actually really worked for me.

I don't know that this'll be for everyone, but fans of slower, calmer kinds of fantasy should still enjoy it, and Piper is an interesting protagonist. I'd recommend it for fantasy fans looking for something a little more mild, and different to the norm.

Was lucky enough to get a copy signed by the author at Supanova 2025. Happy. :)

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Review: Lords of Uncreation

Lords of Uncreation by Adrian Tchaikovsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A worthy, epic conclusion.

This trilogy has been a bit of a slog but well worth it.

Third and final, this book begins with a lot of technical jargon and politics. It made it a little slower to get into but as soon as Oli appears again (working for an old enemy, in fact) the action is off and running.

I'm going to be real - without Oli, I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this series half as much as I did. She's a total badass.

Idris, our main protagonist, has some big things to deal with for the finale - notably, the moral question of whether eliminating the Architects is okay given the information he learned in the last book. But his companions are gunning for it anyway, so he's got his work cut out for him here.

I really loved the philosophical questions in this one. There was a lot to absorb, and I quite enjoyed doing so through Idris.

There's plenty of other things happening, and despite everyone being scattered across the universe, all ties nicely together for a cohesive, fast-paced thrill ride.

The pacing was great (once we got past the first 70-odd pages of the boring bits) and kept things running smoothly, with plenty of character development and a decent side of humour to boot.

All in all, I enjoyed this as much as previous books. While it was slightly too heavy to get the full five stars from me, it's an admirable sci-fi trilogy with characters you'll grow to love. Highly recommend to sci-fi fans.

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Review: Alanna: A Graphic Novel Adaptation

Alanna: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Vita Ayala
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a black and white, early preview so I can't say too much about the art, but I really enjoyed this adaptation!

Tamora Pierce was a big part of my childhood, but I somehow never got around to reading Alanna's quartet. That made it particularly delightful to read this graphic novel adaptation now.

This is a familiar story - Alanna (under the guise of a boy, Alan) enlists to become a knight so she's sent to the castle to undergo training. Sword fighting, archery, horsemanship ... all those good things we love to see in a training montage. She gets along well with the other boys for the most part, and it's really nice to see friendship blossom instead of the usual trope of bullying and isolation. There's a taste of that but it's swiftly dealt with in favour of Alanna just getting on with things.

The story brilliantly handles challenges with kindness and compassion, and the warmth of the story is evident even in this more condensed format. The characters are easy to like and the friendship between Alanna and Jon is particularly endearing.

There's also a nice amount of action that picks up towards the end to keep you invested.

Really enjoyed this story. Good for all ages, but particularly for young girls who need a reminder that they can do anything they want, no matter what others say.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC

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Review: The Curse of Monte Cristo: A Reimagining of the Novel by Alexandre Dumas

The Curse of Monte Cristo: A Reimagining of the Novel by Alexandre Dumas by David Dabel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not too bad, but nothing beats the original.

This was quite dark in both story and art. It's a twist on the original that introduces the theme of slavery and features a deal with a devil, so it's definitely darker than the Dumas classic.

I really love how grey the original story is, but this keeps things rather more obvious. Vengeance is the goal and we know immediately that something is off, and Dantes should not be doing what he's doing. I think by condensing the novel into this short graphic novel, you really do lose a lot of the nuances.

That said, taken on its own merit this is a decent story that moves at a decent pace and touches on some important themes.

It's a horror story, so there's plenty of gore and on the whole it's very dark. I wanted a little more, to be honest, but this got right to the point of things.

The artwork suits the story rather well, and some nice clean lines show plenty of detail.

I enjoyed this, and while it didn't quite compare to the original novel, it was enjoyable in its own right.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC

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Review: Blood on the Vine

Blood on the Vine by J.T. Falco
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Narrated by Abigail Reno
Presented by Spotify Audiobooks

Clearly written by a man, this one.

Aside from the gratuitous sex scenes, though, not too bad a crime novel.

Two bodies turn up so our protagonist is sent back to her hometown in Napa Valley to investigate. Along the way she's got to deal with the local rich family, a cult, and the sheriff that put her father in prison many years ago for the murder of her best friend.

I was quite intrigued at first but once the cult was introduced my mind started to drift a little bit. It all seemed a bit too far-fetched and I just found it hard to follow how everything was tying in.

The pace wasn't too bad - there always seemed to be something happening and there are plenty of different threads to follow. Lana is not too bad for a protagonist, but nothing particularly new, either.

Some of the occurrences did seem a bit unnecessary for me, and the male author was very evident. I don't think it needed as much detail as it included.

I liked the setting, with some interesting tidbits on wine-making and the like.

The narrator was decent, and gave a good performance. It was fairly easy to distinguish most voices, and there was enough emotion to convey urgency when needed. I'd happily listen to this narrator again.

Nothing particularly memorable, but a neat crime novel that ties everything together nicely.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Between the Sheets: True Tales of a Woman’s Pleasure at Sea

Between the Sheets: True Tales of a Woman’s Pleasure at Sea by Madame Butterfly
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Narrated by Madame Butterfly
Presented by BooksGoSocial Audio

DNF @ 38%

Admittedly, it's my fault for being curious.

This is literally just a woman describing every sexual encounter she has.

That's it.

There's no feminism, no new way of thinking, no female empowerment. It's literally just a woman having lots of sex with multiple people and describing each act in awful detail, often with embarrassing similes and metaphors (lots of 'oysters' and 'precious pearls').

Plus, it's narrated by the author who sounds like she's never narrated anything in her life. There's no emotion, no inflection, no change in pace or tone or anything. It's just a monotone reading words.

I was curious in particular about the 'at sea' portion and was hoping there would be a look at the life of a woman in a typically male role, but I still have no idea what kind of ships this woman was sailing on and if indeed there was actually any sailing at all, since everything seemed to tee off at bars and beaches.

This was utter trash from the second it started and 38% was as far as I could stomach.

Do not recommend to anyone, to be honest. Even readers interested in the kinky details of her sex life will likely find more excitement elsewhere.

Hard no.

With thanks and apologies to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Narrated by Kate Simses
Presented by HarperCollins UK Audio

This book is so hyped, so when the audio popped up on NetGalley I had to request.

The audio sucked me in right away - Juliette is this pathetic character with a saccharine sweet voice that somehow conveys naivety and low-key strength at the same time. She's also quite clearly batsh*t insane, as demonstrated by her constant repetition of words and phrases.

So much of the start had me just captivated, listening to her insane ravings. I liked the way this started, but I wish her crazy time in the cell had lasted longer, to be honest.

As the story unravelled, I started to get a little bored, to be honest. I feel like it spent a lot of time working the romance angle and so the world-building got left behind. I ended up not really understanding the setting, so when they were running around towards the end I couldn't really picture what was going on.

It also seemed to drag a bit in the middle, with things that felt a little unnecessary to me. Romance fans may disagree.

A few cool characters get introduced towards the end, but none of the characters were particularly unique to me - they seem very familiar to characters I've met in other YA fantasy. It doesn't make them any less likeable, but it does make them a smidge predictable.

I think my biggest gripe, though, is that Juliette doesn't really do anything. The book is mostly about how she has this power that can kill people and she barely uses it in any kind of context. I feel like it was very under-utilised, though evidently powers will have a bigger role in the sequel.

So I guess in the end I wasn't a huge fan, but I really enjoyed the audio experience. I think if I'd been reading it I'd have skimmed a lot, or maybe even added it to the DNF pile. But I really enjoyed listening to the narrator (even if the characters did start to sound the same as more were introduced) so it ended up being okay. So a bonus star that belongs entirely to the audio.

I think fans of YA romance will probably get more out of this, but the classic dystopian vibe is there so others will likely enjoy the series.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II―Sons of Giants

Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II―Sons of Giants by Frank Tieri
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a lot crazier than the first series.

Where the first book was a pirate telling his story of shipwrecking on Monster Island, this features a Kaiju cult, a president and some really rather ridiculous plot points.

Still, I kind of enjoyed it.

There are some great pages of monsters battling in all their magnificence, so kaiju fans should be happy with that, and there are some clever links to different mythology and cultures of the past that work in a fun kind of way.

I think the ending was a bit much for me, so I don't know that I'd pick up the concluding arc, but as a sequel to the first it wasn't so bad. The highlight is definitely the monsters brought to life in stunning colours.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of the collected story

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Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 1: Return to New York

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 1: Return to New York by Jason Aaron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a great re-introduction to the Turtles!

They're all split up after the events of the previous run (of which I know nothing, to be honest) and the series begins by showing us what each have been up to. Each has their own chapter, with the eventual reunion coming together as Donnie's position becomes precarious.

I really loved how this was set out, and it was nice for the guys to have their own screen time. It's actually refreshing to see a little hostility - they've all become so focused on their own thing they've forgotten what it means to be brothers.

Artwork is fantastic and complements the story nicely. The turtles each have their own unique look now that kind of reflects what they've been through, and I enjoyed that detail a lot. Poor Donnie!

Overall, this was a really great way to start the new run. I've been reading the monthly singles as well and it's always a long wait for the next month to come along!

Immense fun - TMNT fans should be happy with Aaron's work on this one.

With thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of the collected edition

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Review: The Ashfire King

The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My most anticipated read of the year did not disappoint.

Loved this as much as the first.

All the faves are back, but they're trapped in Djinn land and things are not going to go well for them.

This was super easy to fall back into - there's a wonderful recap at the start, cleverly disguised as one of the many stories told throughout the series, so getting caught up is easy and we can get straight back to the action.

There's further character development of our regulars which is quite rewarding, and there are some fun new faces which will hopefully have some more air time in the third book.

There's plenty of action, magic and storytelling, and the stakes are nice and high. It took a little bit for me to understand what was being asked of Loulie, but it was still easy enough to follow along.

There's a new threat in this story which was fun to follow, and there is a lot of grey in the characters so choosing sides is never easy.

There's also strong friendships and bonds which just make my heart melt. I feel so much for these characters.

Absolutely loved it - just as absorbing as the first with more magic, more action, and more fun.

Very keen for the last book in the series and already hoping there are plenty of spin offs!

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC

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Review: Prince of Fortune

Prince of Fortune by Lisa Tirreno
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

DNF @ pg 174 (43%)

This was just really not for me.

It's more romance than fantasy, and it's insta-love to boot. It was too much, too soon and really turned me off reading instantly.

The writing is okay but very 'ye olde English' so it slows down an already slow story.

There's a slight flicker of an interesting magic, but it's heavily overshadowed by the romance between the two main characters.

I gave up because honestly there was just nothing in this first 174 pages that interested me enough to commit when I have so many good books waiting.

Fans of M/M romance should love this, but fantasy fans will need patience to get to the good stuff.

Not for me, but I can see romance lovers enjoying this.

With thanks to the author for an ARC

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Review: Where There's Smoke

Where There's Smoke by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Narrated by Amy Finegan
Presented by Bolinda Audio

Definitely too short, but apparently there's a novel coming soon featuring this character so that would make more sense.

I enjoyed this, but it definitely ended too soon. The focus here is on the consequences of actions, and there's definitely enough to the story that a full length novel could be had from it. Serenity is a psychic, and I liked how it was done. I'd be curious to know more about this character, though admittedly she wasn't particularly likeable.

The narrator did a great job of the characters, though the 'immersive experience' sound effects were hit and miss. Some really added to the listening experience but others - for example, the contrived sound of footsteps - seemed more gimmicky than anything. Still, it was an easy listen and the sound effects gave it something a little different.

Overall, I did enjoy this listen though it wasn't particularly memorable. An easy way to spend an hour or so, though I'd be interested in the follow up novel to add more to this short story.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Trap Line

Trap Line by Timothy Zahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Narrated by Greg D. Barnett
Presented by Brilliance Publishing

This was too short!

I rather enjoyed this, actually! I liked all of the aliens immediately, and the setting was great.

I actually had no idea this was a short story (sometimes I don't pay attention to those details when I request things on NetGalley) so when it ended I was waiting for it to move on to the next part of the story! There was definitely enough here to build a series out of.

The narration was brilliant, differentiating all the characters, enunciating clearly and keeping the pace nice and even. A very enjoyable listen.

An excellent short story, and as my first experience of Zahn it certainly whet the appetite!

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

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Review: Lost in Time

Lost in Time by A.G. Riddle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not nearly enough dinosaurs, and a little too heavy-handed on the metaphors.

Aside from that, not too bad a read.

Firstly, let me be clear - Very little time is spent in the age of dinosaurs. That's what drew me to the story, so I was a little peeved by the plot. We're supposed to be getting story about Sam - exiled to the past for a crime he didn't commit - and his daughter in the present, doing all she can to clear his name and bring him home.

But this is mostly Adeline, trying to solve the past. Sam gets a few token chapters in which he is beset by prehistoric trials, but otherwise the Triassic is a massive disappointment.

Now, obviously there's a lot of time-travel shenanigans, but for the most part it comes with rules that are (mostly) easy enough to follow. Some of it was a little too bland for my tastes, but once the mystery-solving began in earnest I did find myself yearning for an answer.

The writing's not great - prepare to be beaten over the head with the metaphors, for example - but the pace is not too bad. It definitely over-sells itself with the blurb, but eventually there's so much going on that you do get swept up in it. The ending was a little too out of place for my liking, and I felt it didn't really suit the whole story at all.

Not particularly memorable, but a fun enough time travel novel that focuses on family and doing everything we can to save them.

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Review: Immortal

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Firstly, I'd like to thank this book for being a standalone fantasy. They are so rare these days and it's nice to just have the whole story.

The world building in this one was a bit confusing to me, there are a lot of trite messages and the romance is drilled in hard.

Aside from that, I didn't totally hate the characters and there were some interesting moments, so I still enjoyed the read.

Liyen tells the story, and it mostly revolves around her insta-love with the mighty immortal, the God of War. But she's also just become ruler of the moral kingdom of Tianxia, so her duty is to her people first.

There's a clear line between mortal and immortal, and allegedly there's a wall around the city of Tianxia and all in it serve the immortal queen. I found it hard to wrap my head around what this city was actually like, what was outside the wall, why the wall was necessary, etc. Also how big this wall was, and what the contents within were. Plus there's the immortal kingdom - in the sky - and then a Netherworld which seems to actually just be next door? So the scope of this world was very confusing to me. Admittedly, I was kind of bored by the world so that might also be on me for not paying attention.

There are politics at play, but I still didn't fully grasp it. There's mention of other immortal realms, and an Emperor, but the queen seems like the big boss here. I didn't properly understand the hierarchy, nor why there seemed to be only the queen and the God of War that were important? Like, where are all the other important gods please?

So yeah, the world was a bit of a mess to me.

It seems like that was perhaps a consequence of focusing so much on the romance - we get so many declarations of love it gets a little tiresome. He will do anything for her - WE GET IT. So the romance was a bit too full on for me. That said, I was extremely grateful we skipped the explicit sex scenes. Allusions to the deed suit me fine.

The action was decent enough to keep me interested, with plenty of fight scenes and winged devils to mix things up. There's the obligatory training montage, too.

There's also just so much of Liyen being noble to the point of me rolling my eyes. She's called out for judging before knowing, but then calls herself out on it repeatedly going forward, then calls everyone else on it. She's all about equality and giving everyone a fair go - not everyone is evil, not even the evil people. It's a beautiful message for the real world, but in a fantasy novel it makes everything kinda boring. How high can the stakes really be if there's no real evil force to challenge things? So it was a bit mediocre because of that.

As mentioned, there was enough to mostly hold my interest but it was also kind of forgettable. It's a happy lil fantasy romance for those who are into that kind of thing, but there's no spice in any department really.

This was my first by this author, and while I can see the merit of her writing, it wasn't really for me. But fans of fantasy romance should enjoy the love in this one.

With thanks to Harper Collins for an ARC

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Review: Never Lie

Never Lie by Freida McFadden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow this was crazy.

I had so many guesses and still did not see this coming!

In the middle of nowhere is a house once owned by psychologist Adrienne, who went missing three years ago. Now, Tricia and Ethan are caught in a blizzard while visiting the house, and Tricia stumbles across cassette tapes Adrienne made of her patients' sessions. Perhaps on the tapes Tricia will find clues as to what really happened to the Doc.

Another twisty thriller! Ethan is red flags from the start, so I never really liked him, but Tricia is likeable enough as a protagonist. I felt for her often, and was frustrated that Ethan continued doubting her and/or implying she was crazy.

There are so many layers to this mystery that even when you think you know what's happening, you don't. I kept thinking I'd solved something, only to discover I was way off. I loved it - so many books are predictable these days so it's always a delight when one has me completely at a loss!

A satisfying conclusion that absolutely caught me by surprise, and left me reeling.

Highly recommend yet another seriously good Freida McFadden thriller. The woman knows her business, that's for sure!

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Review: The Coworker

The Coworker by Freida McFadden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Highly addictive!

Natalie's coworker, Dawn, has gone missing, and Nat's investigation leads her to believe something tragic has happened. Unfortunately for Nat, she's now the number one suspect.

I really enjoyed this! I had no idea what was going on because this novel seeds everything with doubt.

Nat is an interesting character, and the first person POV makes it particularly juicy, since we don't know how much of her word we can trust. Dawn is the a-typical bully magnet who we get to know retrospectively through emails, and she's the quirky type you instantly want to befriend out of pity.

I'll admit, there were some incidences of bullying that made this a difficult read at times, but with perseverance the payoff is worth it.

This had me doubting everyone by the end, and while the conclusion may not fly with everyone I found it super satisfying.

Another great thriller by Freida McFadden - if you like her other books, this won't disappoint. Fans of twisty, psychological thrillers will likewise be entertained. Highly recommend.

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