Educated

             

Title: Educated

Series: Museology #2

Author: Nellie Wilson

Published: August 8, 2023

Pages: 335

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Phoebe Whitford has mostly drifted through life, grateful that without a set plan, she completed graduate school, settled into a career, and become the go-to advice giver for her people. But after first watching her brother and then her best friend fall in love, she’s wondering when - or if - it will ever be her turn. One night, at the bar she’s been frequenting for years, Phoebe asks her favorite bartender a question that changes everything. 

Declan McFadden loves his bar. It may not have been the dream his family had for him, but he’s built a life he’s proud of, cobbled together like the tattoos on his body. Six years ago, he asked Phoebe out and she responded with silence. Content with being friends, he still gets a buzz every time she visits. When Phoebe proposes an arrangement between them, he agrees, grateful for any time with her can get. Maybe away from the bar, they could become something more. 

The more time they spend together, the more Phoebe and Dec learn about their individual desires and struggles. How can two independent people rely on each other to help them make their best futures? And does that future include each other?

This book was recommended to me to fulfill a challenge prompt for the Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo. I'm not sure that I would have finished it otherwise. I wanted to like it so bad. And don't get me wrong, there were parts that I enjoyed very much. The first 30% was very good. 

I loved that they were both bi. I loved that they were both so hot for each other and utterly convinced that they had no shot. I did identify a little more than I would have liked with Phoebe's need to help everyone around her and never ask for too much for herself or be too selfish. She felt that people would only want to be around her if she was contributing to the relationship in some tangible way, and that hit very close to home. 

But then they get together and things kind of started to deteriorate for me. Which is not usually the way. And I know that these two have been friends for 6 years and hot for each other for all that time, but things accelerated VERY quickly. And somehow it felt like it took me FOREVER to read the last 65% of the book. 

It's still a 3 star read. It was good. But there were some things that would have definitely made me DNF if not for those 2 bingos I got for finishing!! 

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 3/5

Diary of a Void

             

Title: Diary of a Void

Author: Emi Yagi

Published: Viking, August 9, 2022

Pages: 220

Genre: Women's Fiction

When thirty-four-year-old Ms. Shibata gets a new job to escape sexual harassment at her old one, she finds that as the only woman at her new workplace—a manufacturer of cardboard tubes—she is expected to do all the menial tasks. One day she announces that she can’t clear away her coworkers’ dirty cups—because she’s pregnant and the smell nauseates her. The only thing is . . . Ms. Shibata is not pregnant.

Pregnant Ms. Shibata doesn’t have to serve coffee to anyone. Pregnant Ms. Shibata isn’t forced to work overtime. Pregnant Ms. Shibata watches TV, takes long baths, and even joins an aerobics class for expectant mothers. She’s living a year of rest and relaxation, and is finally being treated by her colleagues as more than a hollow core. But she has a ruse to keep up. Before long, it becomes all-absorbing, and with the help of towel-stuffed shirts and a diary app that tracks every stage of her “pregnancy,” the boundary between her lie and her life begins to dissolve.

What did I just read? I still don't know, but I did have a good time. This was so well done. I was still guessing all the way to the end whether or not this woman was really pregnant. Shibata isn't a very likable character, and I really love when a book can still be so enjoyable even though I spent most of the book disliking the narrator. 

Her choices throughout the book were so interesting. I still don't know who she told about the pregnancy and who she kept it from. For a little while there I wasn't even sure if SHE knew whether or not she was pregnant. It was so good. It almost got spooky there for a little bit. I don't know if that was the purpose, or just the subject matter for me personally. But man, I am absolutely going to be thinking about this for a while.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Fable

            

Title: Fable

Series: The World of the Narrows #1

Author: Adrienne Young

Published: Wednesday Books, September 1, 2020

Pages: 361

Genre: YA Fantasy Adventure

Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men.

As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.

But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn't who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they're going to stay alive. 

*SPOILER ALERT* 

I have never been more excited for a fade to black moment in my LIFE! Hear me out. It wasn't the fade to black, but the fact that there was a scene and there were pirates. I needed it for a challenge and this book came in clutch at the end of the month! 

It helped that I really enjoyed it. I love that there's magic in minerals in this world! I am really hoping to get some more of that in the next book. We know that the gems are super valuable in this book, but we don't find much out about the mechanics of the magic. And I'm hoping that we do...

The second that West started talking about "I can't care about anyone else," I knew he was already in trouble! And sure enough, he was already in love with Fable. And I can't blame him! This woman is amazing. And I'm going to be very upset if Saint is right about West not being who she thinks he is. 

The cliffhanger at the end of this book was rough! I have to wait a whole night to start the next book and it feels very rude! But effective to get me to read the next book..

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 1/5

Prey

           

Title: Prey

Series: Dark Monster Fantasy #1

Author: Cari Silverwood

Published: May 28, 2018

Pages: 116

Genre: SciFi / Fantasy

When Mila discovers her sister will be the next victim on Sacrifice Day, her normal reply would be, sorry, I'm busy. 

After viewing ancient data and seeing the massive size of stoneshifters, Mila decides to rescue Tiana. Her sister is blood and she'd rather not see her tied to the sacrifice table and turned into jam.

Everything goes wrong, of course.

Lord Zarblu, stoneshifter and owner of the enormous black fortress looming over the city, turns his gaze upon Mila.

Like a giant cat with a teensy mouse, Zarblu plays with Mila. Catch...release...catch. Gentle and caring are words that no stone-beast monster should claim, surely?

Desiring something that might kill you is insane yet the sacrifice table begins to look attractive. Zarblu is a big, strong, determined male who's had a thousand, thousand years to contemplate life.

What if he isn't quite the monster she thought he was...
What if he wants her to be his sacrifice?

If size difference is your thing, this is the book for you. Wowzer. 

I'm really not sure about this one though. I probably should have DNFd it. But I also absolutely couldn't not finish it. I had to know. And now I know. And that's about it. 

Don't get me wrong. It's hot. I was really rooting for Zarblu the whole time. I want Tiana to get what's coming to her. Because she definitely deserves some punishment for betraying her sister like that. But also Mila was happy about it in the end... 

I wish Ledderik was book 2. I would like to see his journey, but IDK if I have another book in me to get to it!

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 5/5

Exit Strategy

             

Title: Exit Strategy

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #4

Author: Martha Wells

Publisher: Tordotcom, October 2, 2018

Pages: 163

Genre: Science Fiction

Murderbot wasn’t programmed to care. So, its decision to help the only human who ever showed it respect must be a system glitch, right?

Having traveled the width of the galaxy to unearth details of its own murderous transgressions, as well as those of the GrayCris Corporation, Murderbot is heading home to help Dr. Mensah—its former owner (protector? friend?)—submit evidence that could prevent GrayCris from destroying more colonists in its never-ending quest for profit.

But who’s going to believe a SecUnit gone rogue?

And what will become of it when it’s caught?

Reunions are in the air! Or no air. Space is a vacuum, right? Regardless, Murderbot catches up with its Preservation crew!!!

Dr. Mensah has been abducted, or maybe she went of her own free will. Either way, things are not going well and Murderbot arrives just in time to help his old crew. And in the process he becomes a huge ship for a little while. Which is really too much for one SecUnit's processors. 

I love that Murderbot really believes that it just wants to spend all of its time watching entertainment media. But then chooses to put itself into very dangerous situations. One of these is not like the other, my friend!! 

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Rogue Protocol

            

Title: Rogue Protocol

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #3

Author: Martha Wells

Publisher: Tordotcom, August 7, 2018

Pages: 150

Genre: Science Fiction

Who knew being a heartless killing machine would present so many moral dilemmas?

Sci-fi’s favorite antisocial A.I. is back on a mission. The case against the too-big-to-fail GrayCris Corporation is floundering, and more importantly, authorities are beginning to ask more questions about where Dr. Mensah's SecUnit is.

And Murderbot would rather those questions went away. For good.

I won't say it. We all know it. We all feel it. 

Murderbot is doing some investigating for Dr. Mensah. The good doctor didn't ask it to do this investigating. It seemed to me like she didn't want it to leave at all. I am so looking forward to their reunion. 

Anyway. Murderbot is doing some investigating. It's looking into GrayCris and why they were trying to kill everyone from Preservation. It hopes a ride with a transport, and has the very bad luck that this transport isn't just cargo. So now it has to dodge the people and a pet bot before it can get its job done. 

As we all know, it isn't always great at being a bot. So when things go sideways, it makes itself known. It chooses sides and is a very reluctant hero. This one doesn't go perfectly, and I have a lot of feelings about the ending. But mostly I'm ready for him to go to Preservation!!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Blood Fury

          

Title: Blood Fury

Series: Black Dagger Legacy #3

Author: J.R. Ward

Published: Ballantine Books, January 9, 2018

Pages: 442

Genre: Urban Fantasy

A vampire aristocrat, Peyton is well aware of his duty to his bloodline: mate with an appropriate female of his class and carry on his family’s traditions. And he thought he’d found his perfect match—until she fell in love with someone else. Yet when his split-second decision in a battle with the enemy endangers the life of another trainee, Peyton has to face the idea that his future, and his heart, actually lie with another.

Novo, as a female in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program, feels like she has to prove herself to everybody—and she has no interest in being distracted by falling in love. But when Peyton proves to be so much more than a rich playboy, she is forced to confront the tragedy that has broken her soul and closed her off from love.

As the two grapple with Novo’s past and Peyton’s present, another couple must contend with a connection that is unparalleled—and potentially scandalous. Saxton, who has had his heart broken, discovers in himself a deep-seated attraction to Ruhn, a new member of the household. But will the other male explore the connection? Or will he close his mind and his heart to what could be true love . . . and cost Saxton everything?

Do you know how memories of home can make you feel nostalgic for it? Then you go home and you remember all of the little things that annoy you, and your weird uncle still makes those creepy jokes that make you feel uncomfortable. That's a tiny bit how this book made me feel. Don't get me wrong, I still loved being home! But every now and then, I got a slap in the face of why I left in the first place. 

I love that we get two couples' journeys in this book. Peyton and Novo are in the BDB training program. Peyton is an uber privileged member of the glymera, and Novo is a civilian who wants to help in the war against the lessers. Saxton is still dealing with his heartbreak over Blaylock and Qhuinn bonding, and is considering leaving Caldwell altogether. Ruhn is grateful for the brotherhood and how they've welcomed him into the fold after Rhage and Mary adopted his niece. But he's also feeling pretty aimless, and thinking of striking out from Caldwell now that he knows that his niece is so well cared for. 

Novo has some serious trauma that she is running from. She is convinced that Peyton is only a f*ckboi and she does not have time for that. Except that he is hot and she might have some time for that. But definitely no time for *feelings.* She has had enough of those! She is an absolute mess and I loved watching her come out of the other side of her self imposed suffering. 

Saxton and Ruhn are pretty perfect. They have a bit of a miscommunication to start, but ultimately they are open and just in love. They're really freaking cute! I love them and Saxton deserved a break! 

I do wish my library had the audiobooks, but considering I already own the next 9 books...I have a feeling I'll be venturing back to Caldwell fairly soon!

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 3/5

You Ain't Seen Muffin Yet

         

Title: You Ain't Seen Muffin Yet

Series: The Mysteries of Cozy Cove #5

Author: Virginia K. Bennett

Published: May 23, 2023

Pages: 86

Genre: Cozy Mystery

CRACKING A CASE CAN MEAN WHISKING LIFE AND LIMB.

The water is warm, the sun is hot, and school's out for summer! Mackenzie and her butter half, Arthur, are focused on improving the bakery so Mackenzie can have a life outside of work, and more time with her boyfriend, Brian.

When a body falls from the sky and into Mackenzie's life, she can't bake heads or tails of it. As a batter of fact, the cause of death is unexplainable. This mystery is leaving a flour taste in her mouth.

With a group of retired teachers as both her suspects and witnesses, which way will the scale tip?

Things in Cozy Cove are far from predictable.

Poor Mackenzie, and poor Cozy Cove. This is a harsh string of murders in town. 

Cozy Cove is doing ok, though. The summer season is in full swing and I have never wanted to visit more! It is SO HOT here. And the idea of being able to enjoy a walk in the afternoon without immediately dripping in sweat sounds incredible. The fresh blueberry desserts sounded pretty incredible as well!

Still punny as ever. And always a refreshing little snippet into idyllic small town life.

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Artificial Condition

           

Title: Artificial Condition

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #2

Author: Martha Wells

Publisher: Tordotcom, May 8, 2018

Pages: 149

Genre: Science Fiction

It has a dark past—one in which a number of humans were killed. A past that caused it to christen itself “Murderbot”. But it has only vague memories of the massacre that spawned that title, and it wants to know more.

Teaming up with a Research Transport vessel named ART (you don’t want to know what the “A” stands for), Murderbot heads to the mining facility where it went rogue.

What it discovers will forever change the way it thinks…

I love Murderbot. I'm sorry, Murderbot! But I do. 

My friend had the brilliant idea of checking my library for the audiobooks, and I was ecstatic to find them there. The audio production and narration is perfect! I was thrilled to find the ebooks on Kindle Unlimited, but I definitely wanted to continue listening! 

Murderbot is searching out his past. He knows that something very bad happened, but it's protocol to wipe a bot's memory when they malfunction. So Murderbot wants to go back to the beginning to see if he can uncover any clues to why or how he malfunctioned. 

I'm so looking forward to seeing where the clues lead to!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

All Systems Red

          

Title: All Systems Red

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #1

Author: Martha Wells

Publisher: Tordotcom, May 2, 2017

Pages: 156

Genre: Science Fiction

"As a heartless killing machine, I was a complete failure."

In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.

But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.

On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.

But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

I love Murderbot. I know that it would absolutely hate that I said that. But it's so cute and funny!!! 

Murderbot is reluctantly drawn into caring for the humans it's been charged with keeping safe. It would much rather be watching serials from the entertainment feed, but when it becomes clear that they are going to have to fight for their lives, it decides to help. 

There isn't much to say about it. This was a joy to listen to, I'm a little sad that I'm not listening to the next books. Even though I am very much looking forward to Murderbot's next adventures!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

The New Guy

         

Title: The New Guy

Series: Hockey Guys #1

Author: Sarina Bowen

Publisher: Tuxbury Publishing LLC, February 28, 2023

Pages: 348

Genre: LGBT Hockey Romance

My name is Hudson Newgate, but my teammates call me New Guy.

That was my nickname in Chicago, too. And Vancouver. That’s what happens when you keep getting traded. Brooklyn is my last chance, especially after my poor performance last season.

But I can make this work. The new guy knows to keep his head down and shoot the puck. The new guy puts the game first.

What he doesn’t do is hook up with the other new guy—a hot athletic trainer who lives in my building. Gavin needs this job with my team. He’s a single dad with responsibilities.

We can’t be a couple. My arrogant agent–who’s also my father–will lose his mind if I’m dating a dude. And my team needs me to score goals, not whip up a media circus.

Too bad Gavin and I are terrible at resisting each other…

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

Hudson Newgate brought me through the wringer. Like he was right there with me, and so was Gavin. But Hudson's panic over coming out or not coming out was so visceral. It really came through and I was right back in that headspace. 

Hudson's new in Brooklyn, and so is Gavin. They meet in a bar and hit it off. Then they find out that they are neighbors. And what do you know, Gavin is the new athletic trainer for Brooklyn Hockey. Hudson's new team. The most forcedest of forced proximities! Gavin is also the single father of the cutest little girl, who loves  their hockey-playing neighbor almost as much as her daddy!

I just new the bad guy in this book was going to be Gavin's mother-in-law. She has gotten it into her head that she should have custody of Jordyn, and that's what her son would have wanted. Gavin finally slaps her with the truth and she turns out not to be the real villain. Just a grieving mother who is a loving grandparent. 

No, the real bad guy in this book is Hudson's father. He has been Hudson's agent his entire career. Hudson has the song "Under My Thumb" as his father's ringtone. His father has been feeding the narrative for Hudson's entire career that he shouldn't come out. Coming out will make his teams see him as a bigger problem than he's worth. Coming out is the reason he was traded from Colorado in his very first season, and was the start of all of his problems since then. His. Father. UGH. What an absolute heinous human. Almost more than when Hudson and Gavin got back together, I was FREAKING THRILLED when Hudson fired his father!!! It was incredible!!

I'm so excited for more hockey books! So I'm Your Guy can't come soon enough. And just about the only thing that would make me forgive Sarina Bowen for trading Hudson to Colorado, is the opportunity to meet a new team!!!! I'm so ready!!! 

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 3/5

Marriage of Inconvenience

        

Title: Marriage of Inconvenience

Series: Knitting in the City #7

Author: Penny Reid

Publisher: Cipher-Naught, March 6, 2018

Pages: 498

Genre: Contemporary Romance

There are three things you need to know about Kat Tanner (aka Kathleen Tyson. . . and yes, she is *that* Kathleen Tyson):

1) She’s determined to make good decisions,
2) She must get married ASAP, and
3) She knows how to knit.

Being a billionaire heiress isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Determined to live a quiet life, Kat Tanner changed her identity years ago and eschewed her family’s legacy. But now, Kat’s silver spoon past has finally caught up with her, and so have her youthful mistakes. To avoid imminent disaster, she must marry immediately; it is essential that the person she chooses have no romantic feelings for her whatsoever and be completely trustworthy. Fortunately, she knows exactly who to ask. Dan O’Malley checks all the boxes: single, romantically indifferent to her, completely trustworthy. Sure, she might have a wee little crush on Dan the Security Man, but with clear rules, expectations, and a legally binding contract, Kat is certain she can make it through this debacle with her sanity—and heart—all in one piece. Except, what happens when Dan O’Malley isn’t as indifferent—or as trustworthy—as she thought? 

Being committed to a mental institution against my will is my actual worst fear. A HUGE plot line in this book is that the threat of being committed to a mental institution against her will is hanging over Kat's head. It's absolutely terrifying. 

That being said, this book was fine. It's good, but also....I have some hold ups. I love a fake relationship. I love that Kat and Dan went into this fake marriage knowing what was up. I had a few times when their communication wasn't ideal, but it wasn't as big of a plot point as I expected. The part that was wild to me was the ease with which they shared the circumstances surrounding their fake marriage with the people around them. I get that this is the 7th book in a series that I have only read 1 book in. But they got married so Kat's cousin couldn't commit her to a mental institution against her will. So that he didn't have medical power of attorney over her and access to her inheritance and voting shares at her grandfather's company. So the fact that they told their very large friend group the details of this marriage, and seemed pretty careless regarding the timeline in general, was WILD to me.

I will say that I thought I had read a lot more Penny Reid than I have tracked on my Goodreads, StoryGraph or personal trackers. I would have bet money that I had read more than half of the Winston Brothers series, and I thought I had read 2 or 3 of this Knitting in the City series. But everywhere I look it's telling me I've only read the 1st Knitting in the City book. Feels like fake news, but I have no receipts. 

Ultimately, Kat and Dan are super horny for one another, and they just have to get over their own selves to make it work. Once they do, things go very smoothly. In and out of the bedroom. I can see why this is a comfort reread for my friend, but I don't think it'll be that for me. There were a couple of times when Dan used a specific word that made me feel very hinky. And no, it wasn't "fuck" he uses that like I use "like" and it was hilarious. But Kat is Jewish, and I assume her cousin is also Jewish, and there's a couple of times that it felt vaguely anti-semitic. IDK if it was. I'm not Jewish and I looked up some etymology to see if I was overreacting. Anyway, I think the fact that it came up at all is going to take it off of a comfort read list for me. 

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 2/5

Whispers in the Dark

       

Title: Whispers in the Dark

Series: Black Oasis #1

Author: Nikole Knight & Lily Mayne

Publisher: July 28, 2023

Pages: 336

Genre: LGBTQ Monster Romance

You never know what’s hiding under your bed…

At twenty-four, Cody has already lost hope of having a life of his own. All his time is spent playing nurse to a dying, spiteful step-father and maid to his bully half-brother. His only escapes are playing his favorite online fantasy game, Black Oasis, and talking to the strange, unearthly presence under his bed that may or may not actually exist.

But everything changes when his nightly visitor, who introduces himself as Nor, starts talking back.

As their connection deepens, Nor invites Cody into the surreal world existing just beyond his nightmares, filled with haughty demons, passion-killing pet bugs named Gef, and a dark landscape that is oddly familiar. With his sweet but monstrous companion by his side, Cody might finally gain the life of freedom and adventure that he’s always wanted.

Join Nor and Cody as they unearth the true meaning of hope, passion, and a love of endless depths that spans between worlds in Whispers in the Dark, the first book in Knight and Mayne’s co-authored queer, monster romance series, Black Oasis.

This book is dark. Like definitely review your content and trigger warnings before starting dark. Cody is doing his best with the hand he was dealt, and it was a ROUGH hand. His half-brother is abusive, his step-father is very ill and angry at Cody for daring to try to keep him as healthy as possible. His mother is like sleep-walking in and out of the apartment the four of them share. And her neglect is maybe my least favorite part of their family dynamic. Which is saying a lot because there is A LOT to hate about their family dynamics. 

Cody gets a few hours to enjoy himself, and he chooses to spend that time playing a MMORPG, Black Oasis. That is, until a sleep demon follows him out of his nightmares and into his bedroom. Under his bed, specifically. But it's strange, it's only since he started suspecting there's a monster under the bed that his horrific nightmares have stopped. 

Nor eventually acknowledges Cody's overtures, and they spend all of their time chatting and getting to know one another. Then Cody asks to show him his video game, and Nor explains that it looks like his home. Cody thinks this is an interesting coincidence until he asks Nor to bring him through his dreams to visit Nor's home world. It IS Black Oasis. The video game is nearly an exact replica of Nor's home, and that is SO INTERESTING. I hope we get more of this part of the story in subsequent books. 

While Nor and Cody get to know one another, they start to explore their mutual attraction. And things get SPICY very quickly. There are pulsating tails and a monster that can "fit wherever he wants." For a guy who hasn't had much experience before, Cody goes feral for Nor's touch, and vice versa. 

This was really good. The relationship between Nor and Cody is so cute. I love the idea of the monster under the bed being his protector from the nightmares (real and while sleeping) instead of his nightmare fuel. But the darker themes in the book are impossible to ignore and really hard to get past. The way that Cody's family treats him is a tragedy. I mean, the way they treat each other as well, but they can marinate in their hatefulness together. It's just sad that they brought Cody down with them. And again, his mother pissed me off more than anything. Which I'm still shocked about.

But I am looking forward to the next installment. The hints that were dropped were huge and I do hope we see Lau as the bumbling monster boyfriend in book 2!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 5/5

A Soul of Ash and Blood

       

Title: A Soul of Ash and Blood

Series: Blood and Ash #5

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Blue Box Press, July 18, 2023

Pages: 636

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Only his memories can save her…

A great primal power has risen. The Queen of Flesh and Fire has become the Primal of Blood and Bone—the true Primal of Life and Death. And the battle Casteel, Poppy, and their allies have been fighting has only just begun. Gods are awakening across Iliseeum and the mortal realm, readying for the war to come.

But when Poppy falls into stasis, Cas faces the very real possibility that the dire, unexpected consequences of what she is becoming could take her away from him. Cas is given some advice, though—something he plans to cling to as he waits to see her beautiful eyes open once more: Talk to her.

And so, he does. He reminds Poppy how their journey began, revealing things about himself that only Kieran knows in the process. But it’s anybody’s guess what she’ll wake to or exactly how much of the realm and Cas will have changed when she does.

I've been fully bamboozled. And it's because I have an inability to read an entire blurb. And an even bigger inability to remember the contents of said blurbs beyond the decision of "to read or not to read." I'm not *mad* about the bamboozling, but it definitely happened!

If I could take 2 pieces of zeitgeist near and dear to my heart to describe this newest installment of the Blood and Ash series, it would be Midnight Sun meets The Princess Bride. We do get some brief glimpses at the present, but for the most part, this is From Blood and Ash as recalled by Casteel. I think this did help me to get some of the lore and vocabulary more firmly cemented into my brain. But I hope there's not a test because I know that I will DEFINITELY fail any vocabulary test related to this series. 

The choice to listen to all of these books was a bold one. The audiobooks are so good! I mean, really exceptional narration and production. And I'm not even sure if there are maps and/or glossaries in the print or ebooks for the series. BUT a PDF companion glossary and map would be SO BOSS for this series. (And the prequel Flesh and Fire series). There are so many terms to remember and keep distinct that fall out of my brain between releases. 

Ultimately this was really good. I was a little disappointed that we finally get the joining at the end of book 4 and this felt like backtracking a little bit. BUT the plot movement that we did get was JUICY! And I'm once again ravenous for more. 

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 2/5

Piranesi

       

Title: Piranesi

Author: Susanna Clarke

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, September 15, 2020

Pages: 246

Genre: Magical Realism, Mystery Suspense

Piranesi's house is no ordinary building: its rooms are infinite, its corridors endless, its walls are lined with thousands upon thousands of statues, each one different from all the others. Within the labyrinth of halls an ocean is imprisoned; waves thunder up staircases, rooms are flooded in an instant. But Piranesi is not afraid; he understands the tides as he understands the pattern of the labyrinth itself. He lives to explore the house.

There is one other person in the house-a man called The Other, who visits Piranesi twice a week and asks for help with research into A Great and Secret Knowledge. But as Piranesi explores, evidence emerges of another person, and a terrible truth begins to unravel, revealing a world beyond the one Piranesi has always known.

This has been on my TBR for years, probably since it came out. Then someone in book club said it was one of their favorite books, and we chose it to read for this month. I immediately got it from the library and had to renew a 21-day loan, twice, because I couldn't finish it in time. This is not a long book. But it took me FOREVER to read. 

Piranesi himself is wonderful. Almost childlike in his wonder and the way that he orders his days.  He loves the House where he lives. He explores and fishes and records all of his activities and observations in his thoroughly indexed journals. He has one friend and sometimes he wishes he could see him more than twice a week. 

But the more Piranesi explores and learns, the more he realizes that maybe the House isn't the only world. And maybe The Other isn't really a friend. The motif of a labyrinth is carried through the way the story unfolds. Everything is a mystery. Even Piranesi to himself.

The writing in this book is absolutely 5/5 stars. But my gut is telling me that it's like a 3.5/5 stars for the story. I settled on calling it 4 stars. I certainly won't stop thinking about it for awhile, that's for sure. But it did take me over a month to read. 

Ratings

Stars: 4/5