30 Aug 2024

Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: BRIDE by Ali Hazelwood (Review)

30 August 0 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

BRIDE

Author: Ali Hazelwood
Series: N/A
Source: eARC via publisher
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Representation: N/A

Summary:
A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again...

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

Purchase*:
(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Content Warning: sexual content, blood, violence, kidnapping, death of a parent, abandonment, sickness, death, confinement, murder

In BRIDE by Ali Hazelwood, Misery Lark, the daughter of a powerful Vampyre councilman, is forced to leave her life among Humans and enter a marriage of convenience with Lowe Moreland, the ruthless Alpha Werewolf. This alliance is meant to uphold a historic peace between Vampyres and Weres, but Misery has her own secret reasons for agreeing to the arrangement. As she navigates the complexities of life in Were territory and her growing attraction to Lowe, she struggles to reclaim the one thing she truly cares about. Love and political intrigue intertwine in this tale of forbidden passion and unlikely allies.

This was a pretty middle of the road read for me. I liked a lot of it and thought the book itself was pretty funny, but overall it was really just okay. I listened to the audiobook and there was a lot of really good narration, but it felt like such a waste of Will Damron to provide only little snippets at the beginning of the chapters.

The sex scenes were good and seemed pretty realistic for werewolf anatomy. I think the chemistry between Misery and Lowe was good but not off the charts. They seemed like a perfect fit for one another (pun intended) but I just wasn't overly sold on their relationship. The romance felt a bit lacking for me.

I also would have liked a bit more emphasis on the paranormal elements and the mystery element to this novel. It felt like too much was packed into this that didn't give enough time to everything for a fully fleshed novel.

Overall, if you liked Ali Hazelwood's other novels, you'll enjoy this one! But if you've never read one, I'm not sure if this is the one to start at. It didn't make me extremely eager to read other books by her.

Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?
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23 Aug 2024

Review & Excerpt: LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES by Mallory Marlowe | Sci-Fi & Fantasy Friday

23 August 0 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES

Author: Mallory Marlowe
Series: N/A
Source: eARC via publisher
Publisher: Berkeley
Publication Date: August 20, 2024
Representation: N/A

Summary:
The hardest thing for a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer to believe in is finding love in this swoony debut romantic comedy.
 
Hallie Barrett's life has imploded after she's dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries.
 
Hayden Hargrove made a name for himself as a cryptid expert on his hit podcast, and is intrigued by the plucky, blue-haired producer who offers him the opportunity to lead his own web show. When the production team sees that Hayden’s solo on-screen presence is bad enough to make a ghost blanch, Hallie jumps on camera too, hitting him (and his cryptids) with a healthy dose of skepticism—and enough chemistry to electrify their show to the top of the competition.
 
As Hayden and Hallie investigate the unknown, they unearth feelings for each other that shake their beliefs to the core. In their search for Mothman, aliens, and the truth, the most elusive discovery might just be learning to love again.

Purchase*:
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I bumble out of Chloe’s office in a haze, my brain operating like a too fast hamster wheel. I hadn’t even thought over accepting Chloe’s offer. I just did it. Now, I have to follow through.

The Brain-Hamster has been flung off the wheel by the time I return to my desk. I sink behind my monitor.

“You good?” Nora asks. She flashes me a thumbs up, then a thumbs down.

I provide her with a so-so. “I’m good, but I need a show idea.” 

That’s when I realize I didn’t grab my pen from the floor in Chloe’s office. Dammit. I liked that pen.

“A show idea?” she yelps. “Really?” 

“Yes. By Friday—”

Nora immediately deflates. “Well… shit.” 

“I’ll figure it out,” I say, but I am not convinced. I don’t know where to start. 

“You know what we should do?”

“What?”

“We should get high and watch Agent Cody Banks. Frankie Muniz really brings out my creativity.”

We do get high and watch Agent Cody Banks. A few hours and a half a bottle of five-dollar wine later, when Nora has gone to bed, I am deep in internet hell.

I listened to podcasts, I watched vlogs, I hunted Instagram for charismatic influencers. I only broke for our brief movie. I feel like I’ve consumed every bit of media under the sun; yet, I still haven’t made a dent in my ever-growing list of TV show recommendations.

I slurp a chopstick full of noodles into my mouth as the alcohol hits me suddenly. The clock on my computer flashes two a.m. I’ll feel this in the morning, though I don’t have time for a hangover. I slip my headphones out of my ears and notice the TV in front of me has descended into late night madness. I’m an hour away from the impending infomercials for discreet adult diapers. 

I zero in on the screen as the show returns from a commercial break. 

Cosmic Conspiracies.

Yep, I’ve hit the middle-of-the-night trash TV. Animated planets whirl across the screen and large-headed aliens bobble forward like unsteady bowling pins. 

“Reports of apelike creatures have been reported on nearly every continent on Earth,” says an overdramatic narrator. “From the Himalayan Yeti to the Florida Skunk Ape, and most famous of all beasts — Bigfoot — cultures across the world tell stories of something they can’t explain lurking in the woods…”

Oh, Jesus. 

“In ancient drawings, you’ll find large, hairy creatures intermingled with humans.” The show cuts to a portly British man. “If you look at the footprints, they aren’t so different from ours. Could we be closer to Bigfoot than we think? Could Bigfoot even be an extraterrestrial from another planet?”

“What the fuck,” I mutter into my ramen. Yet, at the same time, I suddenly understand how people religiously watch shows like this. I feel no urge to change the channel. Bigfoot is not real, and neither are aliens, but I have to know how they’re going to justify this. 

Then a man far too hot to be offering any opinion on Bigfoot appears on screen. He’s young, probably late twenties with shaggy, dark hair falling in front of his face, a sharp, stubble-coated jawline, and a square pair of black glasses. His bright green eyes are ablaze with excitement and an analytical seriousness that can’t be feigned. 

“When we think about Bigfoot,” he begins, in the smoothest, sexiest voice I’ve ever heard. It’s a clear baritone, simultaneously soothing and commanding. The man is full of dramatic hand gestures to help him paint a picture. “We think about a flesh and blood creature not so different from ourselves. When we think of aliens, we think of Greys or little green men. Those are vastly different visuals. But the idea that Bigfoot could have come from somewhere else, or that he’s not native to this world, raises the question. If we share genetic links with Bigfoot as we do apes, what does that make us?”

Noodles drop out of my mouth. I choke on a bean sprout. The most handsome man I’ve ever seen has just publicly proposed that Bigfoot is an alien and that, de facto, we were aliens as well. And I am fucking enthralled. I rewind the clip to the man’s name and title on screen. 

Hayden Hargrove
Host, The Out There

Excerpted from Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe Copyright © 2024 by Mallory Marlowe. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Content Warning: parental neglect, parental death, death of a loved one, grief, toxic relationships, sexism, sexual content, mentions of racism

In LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES, a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer navigate an unexpected romance amid their professional chaos. Hallie Barrett's life is in freefall after her ex—who's also her coworker and co-producer—dumps her, leaving her on the brink of unemployment. As she scrambles to find something to produce fro the annual production and competition, she stumbles upon Hayden Hargrove, a charismatic cryptid expert with his own podcast. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and it quickly propels their production to the top of the competition. This swoony romantic comedy effortlessly blends love, self-discovery, and a search for truth in the unexplained.

LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES captivated me with its blend of romance and discovery. Set in a Buzzfeed-esque company, it features a desperate web series producer and an intriguing paranormal conspiracy theorist who, against all odds, make an incredibly charming pair. While it didn't make me believe in conspiracies, it certainly made me believe in love! I was especially drawn to how Hallie and Hayden came together, balancing their skeptic and believer dynamic in a way that felt both compelling and authentic.

What stood out most to me was the genuine, relatable romance between Hayden and Hallie. One thing that often bothers me in romance novels is how the "break-up" is handled—it needs to feel real but not so dramatic that it seems irreparable. Thankfully, Hayden and Hallie's third-act break-up hit the mark perfectly. It felt natural, free from contrived drama, and their reasons for the split—and eventual reconciliation—were entirely in character. Watching Hallie grow more confident and seeing how she helped Hayden evolve was just the icing on the cake.

LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES isn't just a romantic comedy; it's a thoughtful exploration of modern conspiracies and their problematic roots, particularly in antisemitism. The book manages to address the impact of misinformation while keeping the tone light and enjoyable. The conspiracies they pursued added an extra layer to Hallie and Hayden's skeptic/believer relationship without veering into territory that felt too far-fetched. It kept the story grounded, even as they delved into the paranormal.

That said, there were moments where the story felt a bit disjointed. The timeline between the filming process and the weekly show content sometimes didn't line up, which left me occasionally needing clarification about when certain segments were filmed. A more seamless understanding of the timeline would have made the story flow better.

Overall, LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES is a sweet, engaging romantic comedy that dives into the unknown while exploring the intricacies of love. The endearing characters and thoughtful exploration of its themes make it a heartwarming and entertaining read that I'd highly recommend.

What conspiracies do you believe in?
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26 Jul 2024

Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi Review | Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays

26 July 2 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

MASQUERADE

Author: O.O. Sangoyomi
Cover for Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi
Series: N/A
Source: Libro.fm
Publisher: Forge
Publication Date: July 2, 2024
Representation: Black main characters, West African mythology/lore

Summary:
Masquerade is a dazzling, lyrical tale of the true cost of one woman’s fight for freedom and self-discovery in a patriarchal society, and the lengths she’ll go to secure her future, set in a wonderfully reimagined, pre-colonial West Africa. 

Òdòdó's hometown of Timbuktu has been conquered by the the warrior king of Yorùbáland. Already shunned as social pariahs, living conditions for Òdòdó and the other women in her blacksmith guild grow even worse under Yorùbá rule.

Then Òdòdó is abducted. She is whisked across the Sahara to the capital city of Ṣàngótẹ̀, where she is shocked to discover that her kidnapper is none other than the vagrant who had visited her guild just days prior. But now that he is swathed in riches rather than rags, Òdòdó realizes he is not a vagrant at all; he is the warrior king, and he has chosen her to be his wife.

In a sudden change of fortune, Òdòdó soars to the very heights of society. But after a lifetime of subjugation, the power that saturates this world of battle and political savvy becomes too enticing to resist. And as tensions with rival states reveal elaborate schemes and enemies hidden in plain sight, she must re-forge the shaky loyalties of the court to her favor, or risk losing everything—including her life.

Loosely based on the myth of Persephone, O.O. Sangoyomi’s Masquerade takes you on a journey of epic power struggles and political intrigue that turn an entire region on its head.

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Content Warning: violence, murder, kidnapping, animal death, slavery, confinement, sexual assault, rape, sexism

In MASQUERADE, Òdòdó, a formidable blacksmith from Timbuktu, is kidnapped by the powerful Aláàfin leader, Àrệmọ. Despite her initial shock at this handsome and dangerous man's desire to marry her, she quickly recognizes the comfort and power her new role affords her. As the tides of political change and warring kingdoms shift, Òdòdó seizes the opportunity to exert her influence, offering strategic advice to her fiancé, which he then claims as his own. This political intrigue and the looming threat of death draw them closer, forging a formidable partnership to rule their lands.

I absolutely loved MASQUERADE! It offered a fascinating twist on the Hades x Persephone myth, staying true to the essence of Greek mythology and capturing the ruthless and brutal nature of "death." Àrệmọ's portrayal as someone who fully embraces his role was a refreshing departure from the typical sad, emo depictions of Hades in popular media.

The integration of West African mythology was a delightful surprise. It’s not a perspective I've encountered often, but I thoroughly enjoyed how it influenced the portrayal of women's roles in society. The novel's setting in a fantastical 15th century West Africa is richly detailed, avoiding info-dumps except where necessary. However, this sometimes results in a bit of naivety from Òdòdó.

Though we follow Òdòdó’s perspective throughout the book, her motivations and some of the author's choices for her circumstances left me puzzled. The novel is marketed as fantasy, yet it lacks a developed magic system, relying instead on a general fantastical atmosphere. This reliance on mythology, highlighted by perhaps just one key scene, makes the fantasy label feel somewhat overstretched.

While the story boasts elements of great storytelling, it does read like a debut, with room for more well-rounded character development and a stronger central plot. The narrative didn’t follow a clear path to the conclusion, and the side plots felt underdeveloped, detracting from the main story. Nonetheless, I’m excited for Sangoyomi’s next book; her prose is strong, even if all the elements aren't fully realized yet.

I also recommend the audiobook, narrated by Ariel Blake. Hearing the rich West African names pronounced correctly added depth to the experience. Listening to books that draw from a narrative storytelling tradition like this is always a pleasure, and the narration kept me thoroughly invested in the story.

Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?
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19 Jul 2024

Interview with Jill Baguchinsky, author of SO WITCHES WE BECAME!

19 July 0 Comments

I am thrilled to be hosting Jill Baguchinsky today for an interview about her young adult queer-feminist thriller, SO WITCHES WE BECAME.


SO WITCHES WE BECAME

Author: Jill Baguchinsky
Series: N/A
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 23, 2024

Representation: queer characters

Summary:
Step into your witchy power or be swallowed by the curse– the choice is yours.

A queer, feminist spin on Stephen King’s The Mist, this ode to female-rage is a perfect pick for fans of She Is a Haunting, and a reminder that if "boys will be boys," girls will fight back. 

For high school senior Nell and her friends, a vacation house on a private Florida island sounds like the makings of a dream spring break. But Nell brings secrets with her—secrets that fuse with the island's tragic history, trapping them all with a curse that surrounds the island in a toxic, vengeful mist and the surrounding waters with an unseen, devouring beast.
 
Getting out alive means risking her friendships, her sanity, and even her own life. In order to save herself and her friends, Nell will have to face memories she'd rather leave behind, reveal the horrific truth behind the encounter that changed her life one year ago, and face the shadow that's haunted her since childhood.

Easier said than done.

But when Nell's friends reveal that they each brought secrets of their own, a solution even more dangerous than the curse begins to take shape.

Reading like a YA feminist spin on Stephen King’s The Mist, So Witches We Became is a diverse, queer horror about female friendship, the emotional aftermath of surviving assault, and how to find power in the shadows of your past. 
Purchase*:
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Describe SO WITCHES WE BECAME in 15 words or less.

Jill Baguchinsky: Friends trapped by a curse must fight back together or be devoured one by one. 

(That was trickier than I was expecting it to be! Haha.)

How do you ensure that the elements you pulled from Stephen King’s The Mist are unique to your novel while still being an homage to the original?

Jill Baguchinsky: As much as I absolutely adore Stephen King, I didn’t actually start out with The Mist in mind when I wrote So Witches We Became. Both stories feature an ominous fog/mist/haze and a deadly mystery lurking within, but the dynamics of a group of teenagers trapped on a Florida island are different from those of a collection of people trapped in a Maine supermarket, so the stories veer off in very different directions. There’s just something absolutely eerie about the idea of a weird mist settling in and hiding who-knows-what, the way it dulls sound and makes landmarks vanish. It’s all so still, so empty, like the world’s been swallowed up by a void. There’s a lot to play with in that.
On a related note, King fans may recognize a bit of inspiration from his short story “The Raft” in So Witches as well. Some of the imagery from that one has stuck with me for decades.

What character arcs in SO WITCHES WE BECAME were particularly rewarding to write?

Jill Baguchinsky: So Witches’ main character, Nell, goes from a quiet, private, somewhat self-conscious girl to a vengeance-seeking badass determined to figure out how to save herself and her friends. She starts off as the “mom friend” of the group, taking care of everyone else, but when she starts standing up for herself instead of always keeping her focus only on others, that’s when things start turning around. I end up as the mom friend in a lot of group situations, too, so I know how easy it can be to focus so much on everyone else that you forget yourself, and how invisible that can make you. Letting Nell acknowledge her past and find her strength was a delight. 

What core themes did you explore in SO WITCHES WE BECAME, and why are they important to you?

Jill Baguchinsky: I really wanted to tackle the idea that we’re so often stronger when we support and care for each other, especially when it comes to standing up to some of the ideas society pushes on us. The book deals a lot with the sentiment that “boys will be boys” and how those boys are subsequently not held accountable for some of their actions. I remember being young and hearing, “Oh, that little boy hit you? It’s just because he likes you!” or reading high school dress codes that limited girls’ wardrobe choices based on what would or wouldn’t be distracting to boys, etc. I look back on all that and wonder just what we’re teaching the younger generations – where we’re laying blame, and where we’re making excuses, and why. I wanted my characters to challenge the ideas they’ve internalized and accepted for too long. Sometimes all it takes is for one member of a group to push back – they inspire others to do the same, and suddenly changes start to happen.

How do you keep the element of horror and suspense alive while writing?

Jill Baguchinsky: In So Witches, I played with some horror elements and tropes that scare me personally. For example, one character has a history of sleep paralysis and sees a terrifying shadow creature in her room at night – as a child I experienced something similar, although my personal sleep paralysis visitor was a creepy old woman rather than a living shadow (lucky me!). So Witches also draws a lot of parallels between the group’s predicament on the island and the reality of hurricane prep and tracking, something I know all too well thanks to spending most of my life in Florida. By pulling from situations that spook me in real life, I hope I was able to convey the resulting fear in a realistic and convincing manner. 

Can you describe your typical writing routine? Do you have any specific rituals or practices that help you stay productive?

Jill Baguchinsky: I’m very much a pantser when it comes to writing, rather than a plotter. I tend to get really excited about a new idea, obsess over it constantly for a few weeks, and rough out a messy first draft in a short period of time. I throw everything into that mess and see what sticks (and a lot doesn’t!). Then I take that complete dumpster fire of a draft, tear it apart, and start polishing it into something I might actually let someone else read someday. Once I get it to the point where I can bear to let others peek at it, I get feedback from a few trusted beta readers and tear the whole thing apart again based on what does and doesn’t work for them. I used to fear constructive criticism, but over the years I’ve come to realize how valuable other points of view can be. It’s not really possible to objectively judge our own work; we’re too close to it. Someone else might read it and ask, “Okay, but why didn’t this character do this when this happened?” or whatever, and boom, epiphany! I love those “why didn’t I think of that?!?” moments. They’re frustrating, but also fascinating, and SO inspiring.

How do you handle writer’s block or moments of self-doubt?

Jill Baguchinsky: I like to joke that since I’m a Taurus I’m too stubborn to give into such things. If I’m mired in imposter syndrome, it really helps to talk about it with people I trust. I have such brilliant friends accomplishing amazing things, and every one of them seems to doubt themselves, just like I doubt myself. We end up supporting each other and being each other’s cheerleaders.  As far as writer’s block goes, my characters are going to babble at me and do their thing whether or not I’m writing it all down, so it’s mostly a matter of getting myself in front of the computer and not letting myself procrastinate too much. 

What do you hope readers will take away from SO WITCHES WE BECAME?

Jill Baguchinsky: Without giving too much away, I hope that those who need a story like this find it empowering and satisfying. I also hope it encourages some readers to think about challenging how society sometimes assigns accountability and blame. More than anything, I hope there’s a reader out there who feels seen by this book.
Jill Baguchinsky grew up fluent in darkness and Disney. Born in New York and raised on Marco Island, Florida, Jill spent her time reading way too much Stephen King and dodging more hurricanes than she could count.

(credit J. Baguchinsky)
Jill’s first novel, a lighthearted ghost-hunting story titled SPOOKYGIRL: PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR, won the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award for Young Adult Fiction and was published by Dutton Children’s Books in 2012. In her next book, MAMMOTH (Turner 2018), Jill tackled topics like bullying, body image, and the struggle young women often face trying to stand out in male-dominated scientific fields.
“Green Thumb,” Jill’s post-apocalyptic blend of science fiction, horror, and proper succulent care, was chosen by author and guest judge Ken Liu as a winner in Uncharted Magazine’s 2021 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Short Story Award contest, and her Baba Yaga-inspired piece “All Bitterness Burned Away” appeared in the Stoker-nominated women-in-horror anthology INTO THE FOREST: TALES OF THE BABA YAGA from Black Spot Books in late 2022.

In July 2024 Little, Brown and Company will publish Jill’s SO WITCHES WE BECAME, a queer feminist young adult horror novel inspired by female rage and Hurricane Irma. Pitched as THE WICKED DEEP meets Stephen King’s THE MIST, SWWB involves an out-of-control curse that traps a group of friends on a barrier island, forcing them to harness the shared power of their traumatic secrets or risk being devoured.

Jill still lives in Florida, but after one hurricane too many, she and her mini menagerie of rescue animals moved inland. Aside from the manatees she used to watch in her backyard canal, she doesn’t miss much about island life.

Connect with Jill
X (Twitter) | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

Have you pre-ordered your copy of SO WITCHES WE BECAME?

If so, fill out this form and email proof of order (a redacted receipt, if you're uncomfortable sharing information on the receipt) to witches.campaign@gmail.com, and Jill will send you some goodies to say thank you!

While supplies last, the SWWB swag pack includes the following:

  • signed bookplate
  • cover art postcard print
  • holographic “hollow but thriving” quote sticker from Tris
  • set of sketchbook stickers from Harper
  • holographic cover sticker

In addition, the first 50 people to submit their info will also receive a limited-edition copy of Nell and Harper’s horror zine HERE IN THE SHADOWS.

The zine is a big part of the friendship that’s at the heart of SO WITCHES WE BECAME, and I couldn’t resist bringing an issue to life. In the book, every issue of HERE IN THE SHADOWS features a short horror story by Nell (this one includes “I was Promised a Tooth”) along with artwork by Harper (for this issue Insomniac Illustrations recreated Harper’s style gorgeously!).

Each copy is signed by Nell and Harper, and each is individually numbered and hand-assembled.

Swag is available worldwide while supplies last. Some items (especially the zine and the holo cover sticker) are more limited than others. Requests must be received before July 23, 2024. Items will be mailed after this date (or sooner if Jill has time!). Valid for pre-orders of hardcovers, ebooks, and audiobooks from your bookseller of choice.

Thank you for pre-ordering! And keep fighting back, Team Witches! You’ve got magic in you.

Are you going to pick this one up?
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27 Feb 2024

Review: DAUGHTER OF THE BONE FOREST by Jasmine Skye

27 February 8 Comments

DAUGHTER OF THE BONE FOREST

Author: Jasmine Skye
Series: Witch Hall #1
Source: eARC via Publisher
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: February 27, 2024

Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Representation: queer main characters, sapphic relationships

Summary:
Two girls reluctantly bound by fate must weather a dangerous courtship as a prophesied war grows ever closer in Jasmine Skye's high-stakes, queernormative dark fantasy debut, Daughter of the Bone Forest.

Rosy is a bone familiar, gifted with the power to shift into animals marked with exposed bone. She spends most of her days in the magical Bone Forest, caring for her feral grandmother and hiding her powers to avoid conscription by the Witch King’s army. Until the day that Princess Shaw, a witch known as Death’s Heir, visits the Forest. When Rosy saves Shaw’s life, the princess offers her the chance to attend the prestigious school, Witch Hall, as payment. Though Rosy is wary of Shaw’s intentions, she cannot pass up the opportunity to find the cure for her grandmother’s affliction.

But at Witch Hall, Rosy finds herself embroiled in political games she doesn't understand. Shaw wants Rosy for her entourage, a partner to help lead the coming war. All Rosy wants is to stay out of trouble until she can graduate and save her grandmother, but she can't deny her attraction to Shaw or the comfort Shaw’s magic gives her. Will Rosy give in to her destiny, or will the Bone Forest call her home once and for all?
Purchase*:
(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Content Warning: death, war, violence, bleeding, grief

This is probably going to be my favourite fantasy release of the year. The built in diversity combined with the powerful magic system and immaculate world-building made this lose my breath with how much I enjoyed it.

I loved the premise of this and thought it was well executed. It ended up being more than just an academic setting fantasy story and morphed into a conversation around power, privilege, and politics. The book shattered me a few times with the characters, conversations, and ways in which it explored topics and identities.

What I loved most is that some scenes and conversations seemed trivial in the moment but ended up being significant later in the novel. I bet if I reread it, I would learn even more the second time because it has so much subtext written into it. This is especially true in the conversations around who has power and why it matters beyond just Shaw. I thought it was really neat to see how people tried to make their own power through the social norms and abilities they had.

Rosy was a really interesting character and I appreciated her emotional growth throughout the novel. She was able to go beyond just caring about the needs of her family to understanding how that impacted the broader elements of the world. She may not have had the full knowledge of everything going on around her, but she played to her strengths and was able to make powerful allies. I loved that she wanted to carve her own path forward.

Because Shaw’s perspective was in third-person rather than first-person, I found it a bit more difficult to understand her thinking patterns. I felt a bit closed off from her and questioning her decisions like Rosy did. I thought it was interesting to see how her morals and ethics started to change in the novel, but it meant that there was a bit of a disconnect between where she started and ended. I also felt like while there was a possibility of change, Shaw didn’t always quite understand why that change was needed beyond “Rosy wants it.”

The magic was the most intriguing part of this! I liked how bonding happened, the way that each pairing could be equally powerful or one more than the other. It made for an interesting way to view magic. I also liked the exploration of the bone familiar magic that we saw through Rosy. The calling to her animals, the way she paired with them, and how she was able to use them to her advantage was really cool.

Even though we saw some of the overlaps, I hope we look at bone witch magic a bit more in the next novel to see how it all combines together.

This ends on a HUGE cliffhanger but is so worth the (eventual) wait between books. There is still so much to explore in this world and for these characters. I can’t wait to see where this goes and how power will play a role in this.

I am so grateful I was able to read this one early and hope you all pick it up on release date! I preordered it and you should too!

Are you going to pick this up?
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23 Feb 2024

Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: NIGHT FOR DAY by Roselle Lim (Review + Excerpt)

23 February 10 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

NIGHT FOR DAY

Author: Roselle Lim
Series: N/A
Source: eARC via publisher
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: February 20, 2024
Representation: Asian-American

Summary:
Two people destined to be together, but to never see each other again, fight against the greatest odds in this powerful and moving fantasy novel by critically acclaimed author Roselle Lim.

Exes Ward Dunbar and Camille Buhay thought they would never see each other again. They had broken up to pursue their dream jobs on opposite sides of the country—her to New York City, and him to Los Angeles. But years later, they unexpectedly reconnect in London, where they are interviewing for similar jobs. The spark they feel when they meet again—the attraction comes back like muscle memory, and they are reminded of what they had lost. When Ward and Camille discover they both got the job working opposing shifts, they vow to give their relationship another try.

Ward starts the day shift and finds the immortal clientele unusual and dazzling. When he clocks out at the end of the day, he finds the door locked and himself trapped in the building. After a horrific first night shift contending with restless spirits and ghosts, Camille is also unable to escape. In their respective prisons, they discover that they’re able to talk to each other a few minutes before dawn. This fleeting encounter incites longing for each other, but their promise to be together feels impossible. Because they are caught in the middle of a war of the gods—and their choices will determine the outcome.

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Mistakes were meant to be in the rearview mirror-not walking, breathing, and able to cup your cheek to stoke every single smoldering memory long buried for self-preservation.

He shouldn't whisper my name as if he never stopped doing so for the past two years.

Even now, my fingers itched to reacquaint myself with the beauty of his face, then to trace the slight cleft in his chin down his smooth throat, and ever farther down, to where our once shared intimacy implied permission and invitation.

"Camille, I never thought I'd see you again, let alone in London." The way my name rolled off his tongue and slid through his lips always elicited the same response-it felt like a hot kiss at the nape of my neck.

Ward Dunbar. The mistake I'd commit again and again even knowing that the result would always be heartbreak.

"Job interview. If I get it, I'll be moving here." I adjusted the neckline of my buttoned dress shirt, expanding the view of bronzed skin below my collarbones. My traitorous body always reacted to him when he was in physical proximity. Easier to shut down my hormones through the sterility of a black glass screen.

He brushed an errant dark blond strand off his forehead. "I'm here for the same. Though I've passed the interview part."

The skies overhead darkened-clusters of gray clouds huddling together in conference. It had been sunny five minutes ago. Late spring weather in London changed on a whim with wicked fickleness, and we were sliding into the heat of summer. I packed an umbrella and a cardigan in my lavender vegan leather tote, but I didn't account for him. My purse didn't contain what I'd need to cope with the nuclear fallout of a failed relationship.

Avoidance therapy was the only method that worked. Putting thousands of miles between us and preventing myself from checking his social media accounts fueled a comfortable sense of forgetfulness-the kind that allowed me to function on a daily basis, but didn't prevent an occasional damaging slipup. It didn't hurt that he hadn't had any long-term relationships since then. Moving to Manhattan helped, and London should have cured me completely.

I was wrong.

Two days ago, I slipped and checked his Instagram. The selfie at an outdoor bookstall on the South Bank caused me to stop breathing for a few seconds. He was here and in the same city. I wasn't thinking when I sent him a direct message asking to meet at this bookshop. It was pure instinct-I turned off my brain and my heart took over, grabbing the wheel and changing the direction of my life.

"I never thought you'd leave LA." I resisted the urge to straighten the bent corner of his collar. No tie. I'd been the one responsible for those. His long, elegant fingers had other talents.

"I needed a change. This opportunity was as good a time as any." He tipped his head toward the bookshop. "It's going to rain. Can we duck in and chat?"

I followed him into one of the most beautiful little shops in Westminster. These buildings reminded me of an eclectic bookshelf-the windows and architectural details were charming, decorated spines of antique leather. Weathered stone, traditional painted wooden signs mixed with flashy modern ones and clean-line aesthetics. The mix of old and new fitting together in seamless coexistence.

To me, the past and present were constantly at war when I thought about Ward.

As if on cue, the curtain of rain began as he stepped into the shop. I caught a bit of it at the ends of my long hair and the back of my shirt. Again, I was reminded of what I'd be getting into if I decided to have another round in his bed-because that was where it always began.

He headed for the science fiction and fantasy section. He plucked the newest N. K. Jemisin novel from the shelf, tucked it under his arm, and continued to browse the titles, tracing his finger downward on the ones that perked his interest.

"So how does this affect your job in LA?" I took a step forward but maintained a safe distance. The scent of his subtle cologne along with the aroma of Irish cream coffee would undo my crumbling defenses. "Are you on sabbatical?"

Ward's cushy position at a very exclusive and trendy art gallery in LA was everything he ever wished for-flexible hours, the heavy array of movie stars and wealthy client meetings, and the perfect conduit to maximize his appeal. No one was impervious. He disarmed you with his good looks and gentle tone, then went in for the kill with the way he could make you feel. Empathy combined with charm was lethal.

"I quit."

I almost fell against a nearby bookcase. "You did what?"

"It's . . . I needed a change." He reached for my elbow to help me regain my balance. The heat of his touch distracted me. "I accepted a job yesterday and I start tomorrow. Now knowing that you're here, I'd say it's a great move."

Ward didn't let go yet. The worst part was that I didn't want him to.

Excerpted from Night for Day by Roselle Lim Copyright © 2024 by Roselle Lim. Excerpted by permission of Ace. All rights reserved
Disclaimer : I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Content Warning: death, grief, nosebleeds, blood, discussions of war

I really liked this one but felt like there were some key missing pieces to make it a perfect read. I thought the premise was interesting with good execution but some of it ended up falling flat and feeling repetitive as time went on. I wanted to know more about the war, what the factions wanted, and the roles that everyone played in it rather than focusing so heavily on Ward and Camille.

I think it also would have been interesting to give us more time in the world rather than cramming it all into a couple weeks. We weren’t given enough time to explore, learn about the consequences, or to understand what has been happening. Because of that, the story felt really rushed. I thought there would be more of an emphasis on not caring how much time was spent during this because of the immortal aspects, which when juxtaposed with the mortal side just didn’t quite hit for me.

But I did really like Camille and Ward’s relationship. The coming together and realizing what it meant to trust and love one another was the best part of this novel. I liked the way their relationship was described and learning about their past as they moved forward into the future. I liked their complimentary aspects and how they learned to work together to overcome their differences.

This is different than Roselle Lim’s typical novels, but it was a good departure! I’d be so interested in reading more of this style of work in the future.

Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?
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