Simone and Her Books

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  • An Arrow to the Moon by Emily XR Pan // Book Review

    An Arrow to the Moon by Emily XR Pan // Book Review

    The long-awaited sophomore book from the writer of An Astonishing Color of After. It was beautifully written, deeply discusses themes that young Asian Americans face, delivers a beautiful retelling of Chang’e and Houyi, and even has a cute rabbit.

    Here’s more about An Arrow to the Moon

    Hunter Yee has perfect aim with a bow and arrow, but all else in his life veers wrong. He’s sick of being haunted by his family’s past mistakes. The only things keeping him from running away are his little brother, a supernatural wind, and the bewitching girl at his new high school.

    Luna Chang dreads the future. Graduation looms ahead, and her parents’ expectations are stifling. When she begins to break the rules, she finds her life upended by the strange new boy in her class, the arrival of unearthly fireflies, and an ominous crack spreading across the town of Fairbridge.

    As Hunter and Luna navigate their families’ enmity and secrets, everything around them begins to fall apart. All they can depend on is their love…but time is running out, and fate will have its way.

    Find it on Amazon | Find it on Bookshop.org

    My thoughts

    The story first starts off like you’re reading Romeo and Juliet: two teenagers from families that hate each other fall in love and want to be together forever despite their parents’ wishes. But the conflict in the story felt less about being from two warring families and more about the romance between Luna and Hunter, the unexplained happenings in the town, and the eventual ending that both these characters were fast approaching.

    While this book is marketed as a Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology retelling, it felt less like Romeo and Juliet and more like a story of Chang’e and Houyi. I actually much preferred it being more about the Chinese myth than the Shakespearean play. As much as I love both, Romeo and Juliet is such an overdone trope, especially in YA so I’m glad it seldom showed up throughout the story. However, the book is most definitely a YA romance story more than it was a fantasy story. To be honest, it felt like a YA romance where the magic just made the love between the two main characters even more special. I found myself fawning over their romance, sighing at the little things they did for each other.

    The writing here is just as I remember Emily XR Pan writing. It was lyrical, poetic, and lush in description. I couldn’t get enough of her writing and wished that I could read more! Her writing is always done with a great amount of care, making sure that the reader never worries about how something looks, acts, or require extra explanation. It was subtle and injected the bits and pieces of the Chinese mythology into the story. I loved how she treated Hunter and Luna. Their traits as individuals were well described and executed, but their relationship together was tender and sweet making it the kind of couple you want to root for. In many ways, they complemented each other bringing different parts of themselves into their relationship making it much deeper and sweeter than other romantic YA couples I’ve read.

    There are also many themes in this book directly related to the experiences of Asian American teenagers. Not only did she discuss the overbearing nature of immigrant parents, but she also touched on the differences between Chinese and Taiwanese culture, the usage of bound feet as a beauty statement, and being slung between two very different worlds with very little navigation. I honestly felt seen and all the things that I felt as a kid growing up in the U.S. and also being the kid of immigrant Asian parents were spot on.

    There were so many different narratives in this story. While the bulk of the story derives from Hunter and Luna, you also get the perspectives of their parents, Hunter’s brother Cody, and a mysterious man named Rodney. I loved the way that this was setup because there was a lot going on and all of it is slowly explained as you progress in the story. You see a little bit of Luna and Hunter’s romance, but then you see the difficult dynamics between them and their parents. Then you see how Rodney fits into this whole story and it definitely pulls you in, begging you to continue reading for that ultimate ending.

    As much as I loved reading this story, there were a few things that bothered me. First off, the world building. I know that I shouldn’t be trying to criticize a YA fantasy for not having enough world building, but I felt in the dark a lot of the time. There were a lot of strange things happening in the small town that they lived; cracks in the earth, an indescribable funk that permeated the emotions of people in town, a strange stone with mystical powers being hunted down by a gangster, fireflies that kept following the characters, and money just being found randomly. Maybe it’s because of my ignorance and I don’t know enough about Chang’e and Houyi, so I wanted some explanation about that. It was never explained.

    The second part were all the things happening to Luna and Hunter’s families. There was a lot of backstory for both of their families; where they came from, the lives they lived before Hunter and Luna came along, their hopes, dreams, and wishes are also very realized here. However, nothing really came from it. I actually loved these perspectives because they gave you such a deeper look at these families and what they’re going through, but the ending really lacked any kind of resolve and leaving you with a lot of unanswered questions. At the same time, I understand why Emily XR Pan did that. Because destiny doesn’t wait for you to resolve everything; sometimes destiny does what it wants to do and the rest takes its cues from that.

    But the legend of Chang’e and Houyi ended the way that it did as both Luna and Hunter relive the tale right at the very end. I absolutely loved that part of the story and I didn’t see it coming to that conclusion. I was so bogged down by all the questions I had about everything else that when it finally did happen, it took me by surprise. It was a beautiful ending for a beautiful book.

  • Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer // Book Review

    Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer // Book Review

    The Hugo Award finalists have been announced and I’ve already got a head start on my reading. While I wait for the other books to finally come in from the library, I’ve already finished the first book on the list. And let me tell you, it’s a sleeper success.

    Here’s more about Catfishing on CatNet

    How much does the internet know about YOU?

    Because her mom is always on the move, Steph hasn’t lived anyplace longer than six months. Her only constant is an online community called CatNet—a social media site where users upload cat pictures—a place she knows she is welcome. What Steph doesn’t know is that the admin of the site, CheshireCat, is a sentient A.I.

    When a threat from Steph’s past catches up to her and ChesireCat’s existence is discovered by outsiders, it’s up to Steph and her friends, both online and IRL, to save her.

    Find it on Amazon | Find it on Bookshop.org

    My thoughts

    I didn’t know what to expect from this YA sci-fi thriller. I don’t think I’ve read anything set in the real world with real technology and a tiny tinge of fiction in there to make it all impossibly possible. And yet, here we are with a book that I would have picked up years ago if I knew anything about it.

    It follows Steph Taylor, a teenager whose been on the run with her mother from her estranged father. They’ve been running for the last ten years worried that Steph’s father will find them again. And it’s definitely messed with Steph’s mental health; trouble with making friends since they move so often, trouble with stability because they don’t stay in one place long enough. It felt like for much of the novel Steph was looking to find somewhere to belong, which is why she loved CatNet.

    CatNet is an online community of people who love to share cat photos. Steph was able to find a specialized chatroom filled with friends she can always talk to regardless of where they lived. They don’t know her real name, what she looks like, or where she lives because her mother forces her to keep that information under lock and key. Much of her mother’s paranoia leaks into Steph’s life, but at the same time she just wants to be a regular teenager.

    The technology in this story was probably the scariest part because it felt so real. While I don’t know if there’s conscious AI out there, I do know that the idea of sentient AI makes me nervous. What I know from similar sci fi movies (like the Terminator, I, Robot), you don’t want to be hanging out with these kinds of inventions. However, the AI in this book felt more like Haley Joel Osment in AI than it did Arnold Schwarzenegger and it made it more palatable.

    In fact, the AI in this story reminded me a lot of Murderbot from Martha Wells’s series. Instead of a soap opera loving killing machine that protects its humans, it’s a sentient AI technology that loves cat photos and protecting its humans. Seriously, this book was Murderbot Lite for young people, so if you’ve ever loved Murderbot, then you’ll like this one as well.

    In terms of thriller, this one is pretty mild. In fact, the story read more contemporary YA than it did sci fi or thriller. You read a lot of Steph’s POV; how she wants to make friends, how she finds Rachel to be a kindred spirit, and how she loves bats and photography. In fact, I really loved Steph throughout the story. She reminded me of so many people I knew in high school; the artsy weirdos who had a found family among their friends and never felt self-conscious around them. But the thriller elements were there and provided a level of suspense that kept me reading. It does get much deeper as the story progresses (sorry, no spoilers here) and I couldn’t put the book down without knowing what happens at the end.

    And I loved how it ended! The story here definitely wraps up, but it opens it up for something bigger in book two. The second book, Chaos on CatNet, is the one that’s up for a Hugo award this year, so I’ll definitely grab that from the library and read it soon!

  • The 2022 Hugo Award Finalists Are Announced

    The 2022 Hugo Award Finalists Are Announced

    It’s the best time of the year! The Hugo Award finalists have been announced! Over the last couple of years, I’ve truly fallen in love with reading science fiction and fantasy novels. One of my favorite challenges throughout the year is reading the Hugo Award finalists and determining who I believe should win these awards.

    Sadly, I wasn’t able to accomplish my own self-proclaimed challenge because my mental health put me behind in my reading. However, that isn’t the case this year and I’m so excited to continue the challenge for 2022.

    This year, I plan on reading the books from three specific categories: Best Novel, Best Novella, and the Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult.

    And as I look at these three categories I notice something I didn’t realize; I’ve already read most of the books! I feel like I’ve finally become a part of the SFF communities because I’m actually reading the books up for an award. So I put together the list I need to read, the books I need to catch up on, and the timeline for when I need to read these by.

    Here’s the plan

    The Hugo Awards will be hosted by Chicon 8 and the award ceremony takes place the first weekend in September. Over the next four months, I’ll be reading the books I haven’t read yet. Because I’ve read so many over the year, the list is pretty minimal.

    However, there’s a few sequels and continuations of series that are nominated this year. Of course, me being me, I need to read everything leading up to it. So while I won’t be reading a ton from the finalist list, I will still be reading a ton.

    Here’s the finalists

    For Best Novel

    • A Desolation Called Peace, by Arkady Martine (Tor)
    • The Galaxy, and the Ground Within, by Becky Chambers (Harper Voyager / Hodder & Stoughton)
    • Light From Uncommon Stars, by Ryka Aoki (Tor / St Martin’s Press)
    • A Master of Djinn, by P. Djèlí Clark (Tordotcom / Orbit UK)
    • Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir (Ballantine / Del Rey)
    • She Who Became the Sun, by Shelley Parker-Chan (Tor / Mantle)

    From this list, I’ve read four of the six books. I’ve already read and loved Light From Uncommon Stars, A Master of Djinn, Project Hail Mary, and She Who Became the Sun. I’ve linked all my reviews for those books if you’re interested in knowing where my head is at.

    I haven’t read A Desolation Called Peace or The Galaxy, and the Ground Within. However, these are two books I’ve been meaning to read for a while, so I feel like I’m killing a few birds with one stone here. I also want to catch up in the Wayfarer series before I read this finale and I want to reread A Memory Called Empire because I read it during the pandemic and I don’t remember anything.

    For Best Novella

    • Across the Green Grass Fields, by Seanan McGuire (Tordotcom)
    • Elder Race, by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Tordotcom)
    • Fireheart Tiger, by Aliette de Bodard (Tordotcom)
    • The Past Is Red, by Catherynne M. Valente (Tordotcom)
    • A Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers (Tordotcom)
    • A Spindle Splintered, by Alix E. Harrow (Tordotcom)

    I’m so glad that I’m caught up on Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series. I actually don’t need to rad that one! But this category is where I’m most delinquent and will read the most books. In fact, I’ll be reading three books from this category: Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Fireheart Tire by Aliette de Bodard, and The Past is Red by Catherynne M. Valente. I might be secretly rooting for one novella in particular, but I won’t give out which one that is until we get closer to the awards ceremony.

    The Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book

    • Chaos on CatNet, by Naomi Kritzer (Tor Teen)
    • Iron Widow, by Xiran Jay Zhao (Penguin Teen / Rock the Boat)
    • The Last Graduate, by Naomi Novik (Del Rey Books)
    • Redemptor, by Jordan Ifueko (Amulet Books / Hot Key Books)
    • A Snake Falls to Earth, by Darcie Little Badger (Levine Querido)
    • Victories Greater Than Death, by Charlie Jane Anders (Tor Teen / Titan)

    This category is not technically a Hugo Award, but I love that they incorporate young adult fiction into it regardless. Similarly to the novel category, I’ll be reading two books from this list. While I should be reading three books, I’m not a fan of a particular author on this list (it’s Naomi Novik) and no matter how many times I try to read her books, i just can’t get into them. So I’ll only be reading Chaos on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer and A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger.

    Here’s what I’ll be reading

    With every year I do this challenge, I find my reading list growing exponentially to not only read the books I haven’t read yet, but also catch up on the books I need to read before it. Some of these finalists are continuations in a series and me being me, I need to read the books prior to the one nominated. I just need to have all the facts before I can dive into a series. So, without further ado, here’s what I’ll be reading over the next four months before the Hugo Awards:

    • Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer
    • Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
    • Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard
    • Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers
    • A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
    • The Past is Red by Cathrynne M Valente
    • A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine
    • Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky
    • Chaos on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer
    • A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

    Now the question is, can I actually do it?

  • Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez // Book Review

    Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez // Book Review

    I don’t know about you, but I’ve read pretty much everything Abby Jimenez has written to date. And I have to say, I really loved this one. It’s probably now my new favorite from her and I can’t wait to read the rest. Thanks to Read Forever for the gifted book.

    Here’s more about Part of Your World

    After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

    While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

    Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

    Find it on Amazon | Find it on Bookshop.org

    My thoughts

    This is quite possibly my favorite Abby Jimenez book to date. The Friend Zone and the others were great, but this one hit differently and I welcome it very much.

    The story hits the ground running as our protagonists, Alexis and Daniel, meet when Alexis’s car is stuck in a ditch and Daniel happened to be around and help. From there, Alexis goes to the local watering hole only to see Daniel there again. Daniel’s friends have a bet going to see who can pick up the girl at the bar. Alexis and Daniel discuss the bet and Alexis decides to help him win it by walking out with him. From there, these two start their romance with some major exceptions.

    Alexis Montgomery comes from a very long line of doctors who’ve worked in this one hospital for decades. They’re the rich, legacy family who only breeds to make more Montgomerys and continue their line of work. After her brother ran off with a pop star and moved to Cambodia, Alexis is now the new face of the Montgomery family. And while Alexis is an excellent doctor, she’s been thrust into this role against her will. Her parents are overbearing believers of “we know best” forcing her to stay in an abusive relationship because the guy has the reputation deserving of their respect as chief of surgery.

    Daniel Grant is quite the opposite. He’s also from a legacy family, but his legacy is much smaller being the mayor of a super small town in rural Minnesota. He also runs the local B&B, makes furniture from reclaimed wood, and honestly cares for the townspeople and his guests. And while he is a legacy, no one in his family is forcing him to do anything. He wants to continue what he’s doing because there’s no one else around to do it.

    And their relationship together is beautiful. It’s the kind of relationship you want; where your partner is supportive and caring and doesn’t get bogged down by petty things like wealth or status. However, with Alexis’s family breathing down her neck to make something of her career and marry the man her father approves, she doesn’t see the relationship lasting in the long run.

    I also really loved the conflict in this story. There are some romances I read where the conflict just feels so not real. However, being from two different worlds where you’re not sure if it’ll mesh well but doing it anyway felt real to me. Rich girl, poor boy dynamic? Yeah, pretty much but not in a condescending way. It was obvious at the beginning that Alexis was a bit of a snob, but as the story unfolds and she learns more from Daniel, she really takes on some serious character growth. It really made me proud for her. And the opposite can be said about Daniel as he learns to step out of his comfort zone, take charge, and live the dream life he’s always wanted.

    One of the major themes in this book (as Abby Jimenez always has a bigger theme around her novels) is physical, mental, and emotional domestic abuse. You see it in many ways and it resonated deeply with me. Being emotionally abused to believe that love is earned and conditional really takes a toll on your brain and seeing a main character who exhibits the same behaviors I did when I was younger truly made me feel seen. It’s not something that just goes away overnight, but permeates into everything you do and the relationships you hold in the future. I’m still learning from it. But it was really nice to see and feel seen because of it. I wish it wasn’t that particular part of my life that I resonated with, but I appreciate its existence regardless.

    I truly loved the characters in this book. Not only were Alexis and Daniel interesting characters to read and see what happens to them, but their friends and relatives also felt extremely well developed. I know this book is only the first in a new series for Abby Jimenez, so I know that the next few books will be based around the secondary characters from this book. And I can’t wait! Bri, Alexis’s best friend, was definitely the kind of person you want to root for, and Doug, Daniel’s best friend, was another.

    The story was also laugh out loud funny. I found myself giggling more than one time throughout the book (especially during the dick pic photo shoot scene). It felt like I knew these people when in reality they were just pure fiction. And the prose were really beautiful. I found myself bookmarking more than one really great quote about love.

    Overall, this was such a great read and a romance where I felt like the ending wouldn’t be an HEA. I was on the edge of my seat to see how it all ends and while I’m not a huge fan of the epilogue, the rest was definitely worth the read.

  • The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne // Book Review

    The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne // Book Review

    This is my first John Gwynne and I have a feeling it won’t be my last. The level this book took it when it comes to fantasy and world building was definitely worth not understanding a bit of the Norse language.

    Here’s more about The Shadow of the Gods

    After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið.

    Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave – or desperate – enough to seek them out.

    Now, as whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.

    All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods

    Find it on Amazon | Find it on Bookshop.org

    My thoughts

    I’m always intimidated when it comes to big high fantasy books because I’m worried it’ll be confusing and hard to follow. Trust me, I’ve had so many fantasy books that I’ve had to start again because I couldn’t really get a grasp of it from the start. But The Shadow of the Gods was different in a good way. It wasn’t complicated keeping it to a three-person max with narratives and kept you pretty entertained throughout the entire story.

    The story starts off in a world where the gods are dead and no one cares. Because of their ruthless fighting throughout their time alive, the people of this world want little to do with them and want to live their lives in peace without them. Anything to do with the gods is shunned or destroyed. The Tainted (god-born humans who also have their power) are mostly enslaved or killed because of who they are on the power they possess. Most of them are trying to just live their lives, but others are looking for reparations for what people have done to them.

    There’s three main characters in this one and a dozen other side characters that these three interact with throughout the story:

    Orka – a former warrior whose now a mother and homemaker. When her son is kidnapped by a mysterious band of troublemakers, she sets off to find him leaving a path of death and destruction in her wake. My favorite line from her was “I am blood. I am death. I am vengeance.” to give you some idea of her bad assery. I think Orka was my favorite character from the entire story.

    Varg – a former thrall (which I think are the enslaved people of this book) whose looking to avenge his sister’s death. He doesn’t know much of what happened, but he’s determined to find a witch to help with seeing her final moments before she died. He comes across the Bloodsworn, a band of warriors who kill monsters, hunt for treasure, and protect the lands. And as he becomes one with them, more is revealed about himself.

    Elvar – a warrior of the Battle-Grim group. They’re basically guns for hire looking for treasure and enslaving Tainted people to sell to wealthy land owners. Elvar is trying to prove that she’s more than what her father has planned for her.

    The more I sit on this story, the more I learn that I loved it. The Viking vibe with the Norse mythology was truly a unique concept to explore and it was probably my favorite part of the entire story. This book isn’t for the faint of heart. I honestly found myself grimacing at more than a few of the battle scenes because of the graphic level of blood and death happening. And I’m pretty good when it comes to graphic violence having been exposed to it since I was a little kid. But wow, John Gwynne goes really deep into the descriptions making sure that nothing is incorrectly portrayed.

    It’s also supremely well written. Aside from the Norse language that I couldn’t understand (and no glossary), it was so visualized, plot-driven, and interesting to dive into. The pacing is a bit slow in some areas and I definitely felt a lull here and there, but there’s so much action taking place either contributing to the overall plot or just happening to the characters that you won’t be bored. I mean, I devoured this book over four days and it’s not a small book.

    I will say, you need to pace yourself with this book because it took a while for the plot to show itself. It also took some time for the characters to really mean something to the overarching story. It might have just been me, but I kept expecting things to come together much sooner than it did. But this seriously is one of those stories you need to sit back and let it be told and trust that the author will deliver what you’re waiting for.

    And the ending was superb. The last 100 pages of this book was the most intense part and I can see it all culminating to the big reveal, which didn’t surprise me, but definitely the part I was anticipating the entire time.

    Overall, this was such a great start to a new epic fantasy series. You get all the characters, their personal development, the world building, and bigger plot points. And at the end, you get this glorious sweet treat that really sets you up perfectly for the next book. I can’t wait to read the next one.

  • A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I Lin // Book Review

    A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I Lin // Book Review

    I’m seriously going to write this review with my head and not my heart. Because my head noticed a few little things that I wanted more clarity on, but my heart just wants to give it five stars. I might just split the difference and call this 4.5 stars, but that always rounds up.

    Here’s more about A Magic Steeped in Poison

    For Ning, the only thing worse than losing her mother is knowing that it’s her own fault. She was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her—the poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister, Shu.

    When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom’s greatest shennong-shi—masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making—she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning’s only chance to save her sister’s life.

    But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger.

    Find it on Amazon | Find it on Bookshop.org

    My thoughts

    I think the star of this book is the tea. I mean, you have to consider the fact that the book uses metaphor as a title, the main character is a tea-making apprentice, and she’s on her way to a tea competition to be the royal tea master. Tea plays a vital role in this story and the culture of this story expertly combining with real world tradition including the use of medicinal herbs is just fantastic. There were moments throughout the story where I worried that this tea business would take a backseat to the rest of the plot, but it didn’t. It was prominent and it was bold like a really well brewed cup.

    But the story is about young Ning, a physician’s assistant who’s sister is summoned to the palace and win a coveted position as the princess’s “shennong-shi”. This isn’t some simpleton position making tea everyday of your life, but you’re a wielder of magic and using that magic not only for its medicinal purposes, but also to guide the hand of the kingdom. I mean, this position is important and comes with the ear of the princess at your beckon call. However, Ning has her reasons for going in her sister’s stead; her sister has been poisoned by tea and she needs the help of the princess to save her.

    What Ning doesn’t know is that there’s some bigger problems brewing (pardon my pun) within the kingdom. There’s word of a rebellion and an old banished prince who wants to claim the throne for his own. And as Ning spends weeks in the capital city earning her place as the Shennong-shi, she learns that there is much more at stake for the entire kingdom.

    Ning was my kind of main character. She doesn’t have it completely together and easily able to insult the leaders of the country by accidentally reciting the wrong poem, but she’s smart. She may stumble and perhaps make the wrong deduction from time to time, but that’s what I love about her. And what I love about the writing in this story. Judy Lin is able to really lay the character out for you through her almost poetic tone. I felt like I knew Ning and following along with her as she finds out more truths within the palace. I loved that I was seeing what was happening rather than being told or worse, being left behind while the characters go off to carry out some truth the reader doesn’t even see.

    The royal and political drama was palatable and I really loved the pacing here. The competition stages weren’t rushed, but you also get an idea of what’s happening beyond that. I found it so difficult to see where Ning’s loyalties lie, which is great because that level of mystery kept me reading. Is it with the princess? Is it with the mysterious boy, Kang, who’s somehow captured her heart? Is it with her sister and ensuring that she can save her life? A lot is held back and even as I approached the final pages of the story, I found more of it unfolding in front of me. Judy Lin holds a lot close to the chest only revealing enough for you to know who really is behind the mysterious deaths throughout the kingdom, but doesn’t give you the resolution you crave.

    Because this is a duology and the cliffhanger is nasty. The second book hasn’t come out yet, but oh yes, I’ve already requested it.

    I think the only things I found issue with is the magic and world-building. Probably like every other review I write on here, I’m looking for that well-developed magical system that doesn’t leave me with a bunch of questions. This did leave with a few questions especially with how the magic worked. It was a bit…confusing. At one point, I thought I understood it; the shennong-shi are magical people who imbue their powers in the cups of tea they brewed. But then it got confusing when Ning started Shifting and drinking cups of tea I thought were brewed for other people. It was difficult for me to really get my head around, but I think I got it through context.

    Overall, this book captured me and after a month of pretty meh reads, I’m so glad to finally have a five-star read again. I can’t wait to see what happens at the end.

  • Hotel Magnifique by Emily J Taylor // Book Review

    Hotel Magnifique by Emily J Taylor // Book Review

    I was so surprised by how quickly I devoured this book! But who can resist a magical hotel that travels every night to a different city, holds powerful magic, and has a mysterious past that our protagonist is about to uncover. If you’re looking for something fun, magical, and reads a lot like Caraval, then I will highly suggest this one. Thanks to Penguin Teen for the gifted book.

    Here’s more about Hotel Magnifique

    All her life, Jani has dreamed of Elsewhere. Just barely scraping by with her job at a tannery, she’s resigned to a dreary life in the port town of Durc, caring for her younger sister Zosa. That is, until the Hotel Magnifique comes to town.

    The hotel is legendary not only for its whimsical enchantments, but also for its ability to travel—appearing in a different destination every morning. While Jani and Zosa can’t afford the exorbitant costs of a guest’s stay, they can interview to join the staff, and are soon whisked away on the greatest adventure of their lives. But once inside, Jani quickly discovers their contracts are unbreakable and that beneath the marvelous glamour, the hotel is hiding dangerous secrets.

    With the vexingly handsome doorman Bel as her only ally, Jani embarks on a mission to unravel the mystery of the magic at the heart of the hotel and free Zosa—and the other staff—from the cruelty of the ruthless maître d’hôtel. To succeed, she’ll have to risk everything she loves, but failure would mean a fate far worse than never returning home.

    Find it on Amazon | Find it on Bookshop.org

    My thoughts

    This was such a fun book and after slogging through March, I very much welcomed an entertaining book to get me back in my mood. It helped a lot! Filled with magical worlds, beings, beautiful sights to behold, I was definitely enamored by the story from the beginning.

    It follows Jani and her sister as they enter Hotel Magnifique, a unique hotel with a high-class guest list and the only place in this entire world where you can practice magic and be a suminaire without hurting someone. So people love coming to this hotel for the entertainment and traveling for two weeks to different cities every single night. The only caveat is that you forget the entire experience when you leave. Very strange.

    That isn’t the only strange part of this hotel and as you travel with Jani into the hotel and beyond, you realize there is way more going on than what you expected.

    The writing for this one was good, easy going and not ever serious. It’s definitely the vibe you want when you’re reading for entertainment. I loved the descriptions of the different suites, the entertainment, and even the back kitchens where Jani worked. I will have to say that this book was overall fun to read and if you’re a fan of YA fantasy, then you’ll definitely love this one.

    There was a lot of mystery behind this book as well because from the moment Jani steps foot into the hotel, things seem a little bit off. In fact, it reminded me a lot of Spirited Away and that scene when Chihiro meets Yubaba for the first time and she’s asked to sign a contract that owns her name. Yeah, it gets dark like that in this book. And I welcomed the darker portions of this story. I was honestly concerned that it would be all fun and games like Caraval, but I appreciated the level this book went and the twisty turns it made.

    While it was a predictable story, I still had a lot of fun watching it all unfold. It’s beautifully brilliant, utterly cruel at times, and such a great way to spend some time with a book.

    I think the only issue I had is that the world building was a bit unclear. I found myself trying to understand how the artefacts work alongside the magic, but it really wasn’t too big of a deal. You get the idea of it through context and I’ve come to term not to expect too much from YA fantasy when it comes to world building. Just hold on and enjoy the ride.

  • The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake // Book Review

    The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake // Book Review

    I don’t know about you, but I’m always in the mood for a really good dark academia book. I didn’t know when I picked up The Atlas Six that this would be the book I was looking for. Thanks to Tor Books for the gifted read.

    Here’s more about The Atlas Six

    The Alexandrian Society is a secret society of magical academicians, the best in the world. Their members are caretakers of lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations of antiquity. And those who earn a place among their number will secure a life of wealth, power, and prestige beyond their wildest dreams. Each decade, the world’s six most uniquely talented magicians are selected for initiation – and here are the chosen few…

    – Libby Rhodes and Nicolás Ferrer de Varona: inseparable enemies, cosmologists who can control matter with their minds.
    – Reina Mori: a naturalist who can speak the language of life itself.
    – Parisa Kamali: a mind reader whose powers of seduction are unmatched.
    – Tristan Caine: the son of a crime kingpin who can see the secrets of the universe.
    – Callum Nova: an insanely rich pretty boy who could bring about the end of the world. He need only ask.

    When the candidates are recruited by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they are told they must spend one year together to qualify for initiation. During this time, they will be permitted access to the Society’s archives and judged on their contributions to arcane areas of knowledge. Five, they are told, will be initiated. One will be eliminated. If they can prove themselves to be the best, they will survive. Most of them.

    Find it on Amazon | Find it on Bookshop.org

    My thoughts

    Honestly, this book surprised me in so many different ways. I was expecting something very big because it’s a Booktok recommendation after all and it definitely delivered something big. It’s dark academia at its core as these six initiates to the Alexandrian Society work their way to officially being accepted. Filled with sex, betrayal, revenge, murder, and mystery, there’s a lot to enjoy about this book and a lot for you to discover as you read.

    The story follows six people who are considered the best of the best medeian (magical people) in their generation. They’ve been invited to join the Alexandrian Society; a secret society of the highest ranking medeians in the world. Six people are invited to join, but only five people are able to become full-fledged members.

    The rest of the story follows these six initiates as they take advantage of the beautiful archives; the library filled with all the information you’d ever need on magical people, creatures, and things. Some folks take right away to the archives researching the many questions they have about their power and themselves. As you learn more and more power, you gain more and more access to the library. The other part of the story is trying to figure out who will join the society and who will be eliminated.

    This book is all about the characters. It’s a highly character-driven story going as far as learning their quirks, their hopes, and their fears. You understand their philosophies on life, what they stand for, what they believe in, etc. It’s really interesting to read because each of these characters are so different in many ways. The first is the most obvious way; their power. Each possesses a gift that the other doesn’t have.

    Second, not only are they different in magical abilities, but they’re highly different in personalities clashing with each other every so often. Some are ready to make friends while others would rather not. The dynamics between these characters were so intriguing and one of the reasons I kept reading. The banter between them was probably the most witty part of the entire story. The writing is beautifully done, so you get these prolific moments of truth and understanding of the world they live in and then this expletive filled rant from someone who just discovered something.

    And the world building here is so good. Creating a magical world that exists within the real world has already been done, I know, but what I loved is how some of these families made their money off their gifts, how some lived in the underbelly of the gangster network, and others just finished Magic University. The fact that these individuals came from such different backgrounds helped to shape this world. On top of that, there’s mythical creatures, the usage of magic with science, and philosophy on magic and how it works in this yin/yang way. It’s truly such a massive world that Olivie Blake’s built here and as you continue reading, more and more is revealed.

    The book is a slow burn as well, so I know that many folks won’t appreciate it because of its slowness. As someone who actually loves a slow burn (as long as it’s evenly paced), this was a bit slow for me. There were moments in the middle of the story that really made me wonder if I should DNF the book or if I cared enough to keep going. But then there would be a plot point that moved or some small reveal that made me do a double take and those little bits and pieces kept me going even through the more boring parts.

    And without giving too much away, this book really surprised me. The ending wasn’t the way I imagined itand the reveal really made you intrigued to see what happens next. It didn’t end the way I thought it would end, but there were clues throughout the story that I’m so glad I didn’t miss because wow, it just really blew me away.

    Overall, this was such a creative story. The world building is incredible. The characters are intriguing. And the story sets you up perfectly for book two. I can’t wait until it’s out because I’m definitely getting my hands on it.

  • March 2022 Bookish Wrap Up

    March 2022 Bookish Wrap Up

    Returning to books after a month of moving has been a bit of a slog, but I feel like I’m coming back to my readerly self and finished the month strong with seven reads! While I did get a lot read this month, I also didn’t absolutely love everything I read.

    Don’t get me wrong, I thought every book was wonderful, interesting, and something that folks out there will enjoy. However, I’m always chasing that 5-star read that will become a favorite of mine for years to come. I think I saw a few glimmers this month, but I’m hoping that April will definitely surprise me.

    What I Read This Month

    Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye – I didn’t know what i was expecting when i started this one, but I saw someone I follow on Instagram read it and gush about how incredible it was. She was not wrong. This was a fantastic YA military fantasy (although, I would categorize this as adult because it reads so adult) that’s filled with big world building, character development, and that need to read the second book as soon as you can! The month started off super strong with this one and I’m so glad I read it. Thanks to Tee for the recommendation! The story follows young person, Sloane, who’s recently been recruited to the Lucis army. The only downside is that she’s a Scion and all Scion are to be murdered on site. While trying to hide her identity, she uncovers a big plot taking place within the kingdom and she tries to help as much as she can without revealing who she really is.

    Gallant by VE Schwab – I think I read anything VE Schwab writes nowadays and I’m never disappointed. This one is definitely different from the other books they’ve written, but it still very Schwab-ian. The story of a young girl who finds her family and live in the house they’ve inherited over the years only to also realize a massive curse placed on her family line. It’s dark, mysterious, a little scary, but still a whole lot of intrigue and suspense!

    The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake – I love getting into a hyped book every once in a while because you never know! It’s hyped for a reason. And while most of the time I DNF hyped books, this was an exception. I thought it was brilliantly funny, intelligent, and wildly weird! Definitely go into The Atlas Six without reading about it. It’s about six people chosen to join in a society of magical people and only five people can get in. However, it’s way more than that going on.

    The Bone Shard Daughter (reread) by Andrea Stewart – I absolutely loved my reread of The Bone Shard Daughter. While it didn’t give me the 5-star feel I was hoping for, it definitely left me really appreciating more after the second read. I plan on reading The Bone Shard Emperor soon, so keep an eye out for that! The story of a young person who’s living up to the throne she’s about to inherit, a young man in the search for his wife, and the people of this world who suffer from the hands of the Emperor.

    Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May – If you’re a fan of Practical Magic and The Great Gatsby, then you’ll really like this one. Combining the two stories with some witchy magic, some found family, and some overcoming of the most difficult obstacles (yourself), then you’ll really enjoy getting to know Annie and Emmeline in this one. It’s about a young woman named Annie who arrives on Crow Island; a place of magic and the home of bootlegger Emmeline Delacroix. The only thing is Emmeline is a witch and despite the warnings Annie receieves about her, she can’t help but to get closer to her.

    The City of Dusk by Tara Sim – While I really wanted to love this one, this wasn’t one of my favorites of the month. It was still good, but the world building really needed some help to fully grasp what’s going on. However, I did love the characters, the world that they existed, the action was so incredible, and the ending was so surprising! The story follows an ancient kingdom of the gods where four families are about to inherit the city from their predecessors. However, there’s a bigger political plot brewing in the background that will not only change the politics of this world, but also everything they’ve understood about it.

    The Bone Orchard by Sara A Mueller – This was such a surprisingly complex story filled with psychic abilities, a mysterious death, big political intrigue, and the woman who stands in the middle. It was a pretty dark story with some pretty graphic depictions and some very big reveals. This one will keep you guessing until the very end. It’s about a young woman who owns and operates a brothel . She’s the personal mistress of the Emperor who’s recently passed. Before he died, he told her that he’s been murdered and would like for her to find the culprit in exchange for her freedom. Determined to do whatever it costs to gain her freedom, she embarks on finding out who killed the Emperor only to reveal a much bigger plot taking place.

  • Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May // Book Review

    Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May // Book Review

    A beautiful setting, wonderful prose, and a magical world with a lot of darkness surrounding it. It’s The Great Gatsby meets Practical Magic with some great witchy vibes, some dark atmosphere, and a little bit of romance. Thanks Orbit Books for the gifted read!

    Trigger Warning: murder, blood, gun violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, and drug abuse

    Here’s more about Wild and Wicked Things

    On Crow Island, people whisper, real magic lurks just below the surface. 

    Neither real magic nor faux magic interests Annie Mason. Not after it stole her future. She’s only on the island to settle her late father’s estate and, hopefully, reconnect with her long-absent best friend, Beatrice, who fled their dreary lives for a more glamorous one. 

    Yet Crow Island is brimming with temptation, and the biggest one may be her enigmatic new neighbor. 

    Mysterious and alluring, Emmeline Delacroix is a figure shadowed by rumors of witchcraft. And when Annie witnesses a confrontation between Bea and Emmeline at one of the island’s extravagant parties, she is drawn into a glittering, haunted world. A world where the boundaries of wickedness are tested, and the cost of illicit magic might be death.

    Find it on Amazon | Find it on Bookshop.org

    My thoughts

    How can a book be both hopeful and dark? In many ways, this book was definitely one of the darker stories I’ve read. There’s a large number of trigger warnings plus the magic in it gets pretty dark with the usage of blood, zombies, and power grabs, but this book is also about finding yourself, finding your people, and finding the strength to let go.

    This book was surprisingly dark and for some reason I went into it thinking that magic was going to be some cute stuff. You know, growing some plants and making people feel happy. But making the magic users in this book deal with complex feelings like the sway of power, the usage of blood to make their magic stronger, making blood pacts really brought a much different feel to the story. There were also body possession, premonitions/visions, and so much more happening in this book! When I think about it now, I’m surprised I was able to read this so quickly.

    But I think a lot of that can be contributed to the writing. The story is easy reading and straightforward written with a beautiful language style that really brings a level of magical feelings to the story. I loved the way some things were described bringing a romantic feeling to each phrase. I found myself underlying the beautiful quotes throughout the book and it lends itself well to the way these characters feel.

    The book focuses more on the characters than the plot, but the plot was something interesting to behold. I loved getting to know these characters. Annie is my favorite and her precociousness, her innocence, and her strength were greatly admired while I read. The book is written in dual perspectives, but I couldn’t wait to read Annie’s parts. I also loved watching Annie come to terms with her sexuality and by the end, owning it like it made sense the entire time. I loved that!

    Emmeline was also such an interesting character. While she comes off as this super strong leader of the group, there’s also a lot of vulnerability to her as well. The author talks about how much anger and hatred Emmeline has from her experiences, but I felt like she was also soft and needed someone like Annie to really bring out her true self.

    And both of these characters together, their romance, their attraction was so palatable throughout the story. I wouldn’t say that there were strong romantic elements to the story, but the way they see each other, the way they felt was so prevalent and really engaging.

    While the story is supposed to be loosely based on The Great Gatsby, I think that this was more loosely based on Practical Magic. I loved that it takes the same approach with that movie; where there’s this plot happening with Bea and her husband Arthur, but there’s an even bigger plot about magic, Annie and Emmeline’s pasts, and how all that plays out throughout the story.

    The only thing I wasn’t fully on board with is the world building. It felt like the author combined a bunch of different witchy pop references (Practical Magic, The Craft, etc) and turned that into the world that these witches lived in. And there wasn’t enough explanation for me. I felt like I was just along for the ride when it came to the witchy world and I wanted to understand it better and really immerse myself in this world, but most of the time I just felt lost. Magic just happened inexplicably and understandings of this magic were arrived with very little context on how, which took a bit of the luster out of my reading experience.

    But if you’re a fan of romantic writing, found families with a witchy tinge, and a dramatic crew of characters that you can easily fall in love with, then this is the book for you.