Tag: Book Review

The Pursuit of William Abbey by Claire North

November 11, 2019

I’m convinced: it’s literally impossible for Claire North to write a bad book. I think she’s just genuinely incapable of anything less than excellence. When she writes a sentence, it just comes out good. Every single time. Of this I am certain. Alternatively, there’s the much more mundane and likely scenario: she’s very, very good at proofing, has a wonderful editor and team behind her, and has honed her craft over many years and novels. However her frankly gorgeous writing originates, the result is the same: yet another brilliant novel being gifted to the world.  … More The Pursuit of William Abbey by Claire North

Sooner or Later Everything Falls Into the Sea by Sarah Pinsker

November 8, 2019

Sarah Pinsker eases you in to an unexpected future in her short story, Sooner or Later Everything Falls Into the Sea. It begins with a woman living alone along the beach; Bay scavenges that which washes ashore for a living. She uses the flotsam and jetsam that falls overboard from the large cruise ships which now dominate the seas to sustain her meager lifestyle. One day, it’s not a few odds and ends of supplies which wash ashore… but rather a young rock star. A bassist.  … More Sooner or Later Everything Falls Into the Sea by Sarah Pinsker

Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender

November 6, 2019

Queen of the Conquered forces an uncomfortable and often alarming perspective onto the reader, casting them in the role of both the oppressor and the oppressed with masterful control. Callender has added a work of incredible cultural depth and import to the SFF canon. Put simply, this is required reading for anyone with even a speck of interest in the complex social and racial issues that remain ingrained within our society. … More Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender

October Reading Wrap-Up

November 1, 2019

Happy Halloween, all! I hope everyone had a great time either dressing up, seeing all the kiddos dressed up, or simply indulging in a wide variety of candy and other treats. Personally, I ended up celebrating at home avoiding the drunken crowds with some dirt cheap Chinese food and Netflix… but both my cats are black, and therefore Halloween themed – so I think I’m good. 

October, as usual, had some greats and some flops. See below for the highlights! … More October Reading Wrap-Up

The Thing in the Walls Wants Your Small Change by Virginia M. Mohlere

November 1, 2019

Mohlere takes Caro’s story across many facets of her life, painting with a broad, abstract brush to fill in the details that can’t fit into a short story. We see her painful family situation, we see the hurt in her soul when she sees a family she could have had. Most importantly, we also see her redemption. We see the power of care and loyalty in those we love. I would highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a little chicken soup for the soul. … More The Thing in the Walls Wants Your Small Change by Virginia M. Mohlere

Our Bloody Pearl by D. N. Bryn

October 28, 2019

This book was super cute and super fun. Our Bloody Pearl sits on the cusp between YA and adult fantasy, somewhat similar in this regard to authors like Mercedes Lackey or Brandon Sanderson – albeit completely different in terms of themes and style. If you want an easy weekend read featuring murder mermaids (!!!), a kind and caring found family (!!!!),  and an adorable ace romance (!!!!!), then this is absolutely the book for you! All of these things are completely my catnip, and I’m so, so happy that the author reached out to me offering a review copy since it might not have made it onto my radar otherwise. There’s even wonderful representation of disability and disability accommodations! … More Our Bloody Pearl by D. N. Bryn

Fortuna by Kristyn Merbeth

October 23, 2019

Fortuna’s premise snagged me in an instant – a whole family of space smugglers! Devastating massacres! A young, roguish captain! How could I resist? Yet, while it didn’t disappoint… neither did it impress. Advertised as “Perfect for fans of Becky Chambers and Catherynne M. Valente,” I came in expected both interesting twists and turns combined with a cast of truly lovable, yet kind characters. Ultimately, the characters were decent, the setting cliche, and the plot mostly straightforward and with a few straggling ends. Many interesting ideas that it could have delved into, such as recovery from child abuse/neglect, were only touched on briefly at best and stranded high and dry at worst.  … More Fortuna by Kristyn Merbeth

The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes

October 17, 2019

The Deep is a compelling tale focused on the importance of history as a part of identity, specifically within black culture. This short novella is focused, coherent, and was written with a clear message in mind: no matter how painful, our past leaves an indelible print on our present and on our identity as individuals and as a culture.  … More The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes