Sunday, March 17, 2024

Book Review: Coven by Jennifer Dugan

Title: Coven
Author: Jennifer Dugan
Illustrator: Kit Seaton
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Graphic Novels, Urban Fantasy, YA
Pages: 288
Publisher: GP Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2022
Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"Emsy has always lived in sunny California, and she'd much rather spend her days surfing with her friends or hanging out with her girlfriend than honing her powers as a fire elemental. But when members of her family's coven back east are murdered under mysterious circumstances that can only be the result of powerful witchcraft, her family must suddenly return to dreary upstate New York. There, Emsy will have to master her neglected craft in order to find the killer... before her family becomes their next target."

My Rating: 1.5/5

This was not for me and I'm beginning to wonder if I'm missing some other lore or information. Is this part of a series? A spin-off of a famous show or a retelling of some kind? I really wanted to like it but I just found that I was bored throughout the entirety and it felt as though at some points I was in the middle of a series that I hadn't started at the beginning of. Does anyone out there know?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Heartstopper Vol. 5

Title: Heartstopper Vol. 5
Author: Alice Oseman
Series/Standalone: Heartstopper (Volume 5)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance, LGBT, YA
Pages: 336
Publisher: Graphix
Year Published: 2023
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love and everything that happens in between: this is the fifth volume of the much-loved HEARTSTOPPER series.

Nick and Charlie are very much in love. They've finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick's house.. But with Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change?"

My Rating: 5/5

Each volume of this series is better than the last. These graphic novels are beautiful coming-of-age stories with a variety of LGBTQ+ characters all on their journey to adulthood. I think that the way the author handles difficult topics (sexual orientation, mental health, and sexual health) is done in a natural and informative way without feeling like a lecture. Looking forward to the finale.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Book Review: The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

Title: The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
Author: Mariana Zapata
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction
Pages: 475
Publisher: Avon
Year Published: 2016
Format: Audiobook

"Vanessa Mazur knows she's doing the right thing. She shouldn't feel bad for quitting. being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary.

But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she's beyond shocked.

For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn't find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He's asking for the unthinkable.

What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?"

My Rating: 3/5

This is not what I anticipated when I picked up this novel. I notice this book has been marketed to be a lot spicier than it is. While there is one sex scene, it isn't a lot throughout the book. Although it did hit on some of my favourite tropes, the writing style felt a bit off-pace to me. I did enjoy the character overall and I would read more from the author.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Book Review: Lore Olympus Vol. 4

Title: Lore Olympus: Vol. 4
Author: Rachel Smythe
Series/Standalone: Lore Olympus (Volume 4)
Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Mythology
Pages: 416
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Year Published: 2023
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"The rumor mill of Olympus is constantly churning, but Persephone and Hades are all anyone can talk about. With the constant gossip creating intense pressure on the pair, they decided to slow down their budding romance and focus on sorting out their own issues first.

But that's easier said than done.

Hades struggles to find support in his personal life, with Zeus trivializing his feelings and Minthe resorting to abusive patterns in their relationship. And while Hades tries to create healthier boundaries where he can-- likely finally putting a stop to his sporadic, revenge-fueled hookups with Hera- he still feels lonely and adrift.

Persephone feels equally ostracized as her classmates shut her for her connection to Hades, and she can find no refuge at home, with Apollo constantly dropping by unannounced and pushing his unwelcome advances. And on top of it all, the wrathful god of war, Ares, has returned to Olympus to dredge up his sordid history with the goddess of spring, threatening to surface Persephone's dark and mysterious past and ruin her tenuous position in the land of the gods.

Despite agreeing to take it slow, Persephone and Hades find themselves inextricably drawn toward each other once more amid the chaos. The pull of fate cannot be denied."

My Rating: 5/5

I have loved reading these physical copies of the Webtoon original comics. The art, the way the story is told, the setting of Olympus as a modern space while the mortal realm is still in traditional god-themed times. I can't wait to continue the series. 

Thanks for reading

Sidny

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Book Review: Lore Olympus Vol. 3

Title: Lore Olympus Vol. 3
Author: Rachel Smythe
Series/Standalone: Lore Olympus (Volume 3)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Mythology, Romance, Adult
Pages: 384
Publisher: Del Ray
Year Published: 2022
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Witness what gods do after dark in the third volume of stylish and contemporary reimagining of one of the best-known stories in Greek mythology, featuring a brand-new, exclusive short story from creator Rachel Smythe.

'It is natural for a King to be curious about his future Queen....'

All of Olympus- and the Underworld- are talking about the God of the Dead and the sprightly daughter of Demeter. But despite the rumors of their romance, Hades and Persephone have plenty to navigate on their own.

Since coming to Olympus, Persephone has struggled to be the perfect maiden goddess. Her attraction to Hades has only complicated the intense burden of the gods' expectations. And after Apollo's assault, Persephone fears she can no longer bury the intense feelings of hurt and love that she's worked so hard to hide. 

As Persephone contemplates her future, Hades struggles with his past, falling back into toxic habits in Minthe's easy embrace. With all the mounting pressure and expectations- of their family, friends, and enemies- both Hades and Persephone tell themselves to deny their deepest desires, but the pull between them is too tempting, too magnetic. It's fate."

My Rating:5/5

I am so glad that these are being physically published! I absolutely love the art style and the storytelling. The way the story is laid out keeps me coming back for more without being too much overall. I would highly recommend it to fans who want a cute retelling with a slow burn!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

Title: Daisy Darker
Author: Alice Feeney
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Thriller, Adult, Fiction
Pages: 338
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Year Published: 2022
Format: Audiobook

"After years of avoiding each other, Daisy Darker's entire family is assembling for Nana's 80th birthday party in Nana's crumbling gothic house on a tiny tidal island. Finally back together one last time, when the tide comes in, they will be cut off from the rest of the world for eight hours.

The family arrives, each of them harbouring secrets. Then at the stroke of midnight, as a storm rages, Nana is found dead. And an hour later, the next family member follows....

Trapped on an island where someone is killing them one by one, the Darkers must reckon with their present mystery as well as their past secrets, before the tide comes in and all is revealed."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I was thoroughly impressed with this thriller. I think if you haven't read many classic thrillers/mysteries this is a great read, but if you've read what it is based on it may hinder your enjoyment. The twists and turns were impressive, it was unsettling in the best possible way and the pacing was excellent. Did I see through some of the twists and turns? Yes but honestly, not as many as I thought I did and it kept me guessing until the end. I would highly recommend and will be picking up more work from the author.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Emperor of Evening Stars by Laura Thalassa

Title: The Emperor of Evening Stars
Author: Laura Thalassa
Series/Standalone: The Bargainer Series (Book #2.5)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult
Pages: 219
Publisher: Self-Published
Year Published: 2017
Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)


"In the beginning, there was darkness. 
Before he met Callie, before he became the Bargainer, there was Desmond Flynn, the bastard son of a scribe. A boy born to a weak mother, cursed with little magic, and destined to marry a slave.
But fate had something else in mind.

Till darkness dies.
From the barren caves of Arestys the palace of Somnia to the streets of earth, this is how Desmond Flynn, a fairy who began with nothing, became the Emperor of Evening Stars."

My Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed this instalment far more than the other ones in the series. I always love a prequel; seeing where a character's traits come from helps understand a side character. I really enjoyed how fast-paced it was but I was hoping for more info about Desmond before the first book in the series had taken place. I will be finishing out the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Book Review: The Sinner by Shantel Tessier

Title: The Sinner
Author: Shantel Tessier
Series/Standalone: The L.O.R.D.S (Book #2)
Genre: Dark Romance, Adult Fiction, 
Pages: 640
Publisher: Self-Published 
Year Published: 2022
Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"LITTLE DEMON

I was raised in a world where money and power are at your fingertips. My father is a LORD, a very respected member of a secret society that knows no bounds. When tragedy struck my family, we discovered we weren't untouchable. Just when I thought life couldn't get any worse, I was shown what hell is really like. Then he came and saved me. The devil disguised as my personal hero. But of course, nothing is for free. Not when a soul is up for grabs.

I VOW. YOU VOW. WE VOW.

Easton Bardley Sinnett- Sin- uses his power for his own sick pleasure. Like a typical Lord, he never thought about the consequences of his actions. I grew up with him, obsessed over him, craved him. He was who I pictured when I imagined doing things my body shouldn't want.

One day, I realized he was not who I thought he was. It didn't change anything, though, because I was already too far gone. If anything, I fell for him harder.

Every now and then, someone enters your life who flips it upside down. Sin wrecked me in the worst way, and I thanked him for it by serving on my knees.

As they say, nothing lasts forever. Men like him never stay with a woman like me. I'm what they use, not keep. So when he threw me away, I shouldn't have been all that surprised.

My body had always craved the darker side of love. The kind that left bruises and scars. I was what most would call unholy. And when the devil whispered in my ear that he loved me, I was more than determined to show him just how devoted I could be.

My Rating: 4/5

These books are not for the faint of heart. You definitely have to know what you're getting into if you're picking up a dark romance of any kind please check the trigger warnings. For me, this was fun and shocking but it did what it set out to do. The plot twists were outrageous in the best way and I can't even count how many times I said, "What the fuck?" I am excited to see where the series goes from here, now that the author has expanded the universe. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny


Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Book Review: Lore Olympus Volume 2

Title: Lore Olympus Vol. 2
Author: Rachel Smythe
Series/Standalone: Lore Olympus (Volume 2)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Romance, Mythology, 
Pages:368
Publisher: Inklore
Year Published: 2022
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Persephone was ready to start a new life when she left the mortal realm for Olympus. However, she quickly discovered the dark side of her glamorous new home- from the relatively minor gossip threatening her reputation to a realm-shattering violation of her safety by the conceited Apollo- and she's struggling to find her footing in the fast moving realm of the gods. Hades is also off-balance, fighting against his burgeoning feelings for the young goddess of spring while maintaining his lonely rule of the Underworld. As the pair are drawn even closer, they must untangle the twisted webs of their past and present to build toward a new future."

My Rating: 5/5

I want to preface this by saying that I had read some of this series through webtoons before the physical copies had started to be published. And I loved them then, and I continue to love them now. Rachel Smythe's merging of mythology and current world technology leads to fun story telling and excellent art. I loved this instalment and look forward to reading more soon. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Title: Bookshops & Bonedust
Author: Travis Baldree
Series/Standalone: Legends & Lattes (Prequel)
Genre: Adult, Cozy, Fantasy
Pages: 352
Publisher: Tor
Year Published: 2023
Format: Audiobook

"When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn't always what we seek.
In Bookshops & Bonedust, a prequel to Legends & LattesNew York Times bestselling author Travis Baldree takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books.

Viv's career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam's Ravens isn't going as planned.
Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she's packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk—so far from the action that she worries she'll never be able to return to it.
What's a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?
Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn't possibly imagine.
Still, adventure isn't all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This was such a fun read, it was so perfect and blended so well with the original book. I think that Travis Baldree has an incredible talent in world and character-building. If you are a dnd player or someone who watches any streaming RPGs, this may be for you. The audiobook was excellent and I look forward to taking time to reread them once more.

Thanks for reading,

Sdiny