2024

January 31, 2024 DeAnneLeave a comment

Can’t Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings based on the meme Waiting on Wednesday by Breaking the Spine. In this weekly post people share a book that they’re excited about being released.

This one came onto my radar due to it being centered on Korean mythology, then I saw it was by Robin Ha who I have loved something from before – so I’m excited to pick this one up when it comes out on February 13th.

Goodreads | Amazon

An epic new graphic novel fantasy—a queer, feminist reimagining of the Fox Maiden legend from Korean mythology.

Kai Song dreams of being a warrior. She wants to follow in the footsteps of her beloved father, the commander of the Royal Legion. But while her father believes in Kai and trains her in martial arts, their society isn’t ready for a girl warrior.

Still, Kai is determined. But she is plagued by rumors that she is the granddaughter of Gumiho, the infamous nine-tailed fox demon who was killed by her father years before.

Everything comes crashing down the day Kai learns the deadly secret about her mother’s past. Now she must come to terms with the truth about her identity and take her destiny into her own hands. As Kai desperately searches for a way to escape her fate, she comes to find compassion, and even love, in the most unexpected places.

Set in 16th century Korea and richly infused with Korean folklore, The Fox Maidens is a timeless and powerful story about fighting for your place in the world, even when it seems impossible.

Happy reading!

Review | Out There by Kate Folk

January 30, 2024 DeAnneLeave a comment

With a focus on the weird and eerie forces that lurk beneath the surface of ordinary experience, Kate Folk’s debut short story collection is perfectly pitched to the madness of our current moment. A medical ward for a mysterious bone-melting disorder is the setting of a perilous love triangle. A curtain of void obliterates the globe at a steady pace, forcing Earth’s remaining inhabitants to decide with whom they want to spend eternity. A man fleeing personal scandal enters a codependent relationship with a house that requires a particularly demanding level of care. And in the title story, originally published in “The New Yorker,” a woman in San Francisco uses dating apps to find a partner despite the threat posed by “blots,” preternaturally handsome artificial men dispatched by Russian hackers to steal data. Meanwhile, in a poignant companion piece, a woman and a blot forge a genuine, albeit doomed, connection.

Prescient and wildly imaginative, Out There depicts an uncanny landscape that holds a mirror to our subconscious fears and desires. Each story beats with its own fierce heart, and together they herald an exciting new arrival in the tradition of speculative literary fiction.

This collection of stories was a wild ride. Part dystopian part sci fi, it would likely appeal to anyone who loves the weirdness of shows like The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. Also, as someone who loves Shirley Jackson, some of the stories in here definitely had tones of similarity to some of her more out there stories as well. I listened to the audiobook personally and really enjoyed the varying narrators who changed depending on the story and protagonist. There were definitely some stories that didn’t exactly appeal to me, but the majority of them were really captivating and interesting.

Happy reading!

Review | Goddesses and Heroines by Jean Mezies

January 29, 2024 DeAnneLeave a comment

A beautifully illustrated collection of profiles and stories of women from religion and myth, retold for children

Discover the stories of goddesses and other powerful women shared throughout the ages in this beautifully illustrated compendium for children.

With profiles of over 80 goddesses, heroines, and legendary women featured, this is a must-have introduction to the key female figures from cultures all over the world. More than 30 beloved stories are retold by award-winning author Jean Menzies, with striking illustrations bringing the tales to life. Find out how Japanese goddess of the dawn Ame-no-Uzume saved the day by dancing; how ancient Greek witch Medea helped defeat a dragon; and how legendary Celtic warrior Sc�thach trained the hero C� Chulainn to fight. In addition, the reference section is packed with extra information, including a pronunciation guide.

Goddesses and Heroines is the ideal gift, with foil on the cover and stunning illustrations throughout. Children will love exploring the tales by themselves or as bedtime stories.

Every book in this series, especially those written by Jean, get better and better. I love the formatting and the way the rich illustrations goes along with not only the pages that are more snippets of information, but also the illustrations that accompany the stories. The information is vibrant, interesting and easily consumable. I really enjoyed that there was a good variety of cultures and mythologies represented, it truly felt like little glimpses of cultures all over the world. I really hope that there are more books to come in this series, as I’ve enjoyed every one so far.

Happy reading!

Review | Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024 DeAnneLeave a comment

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.

The book was a bit of a slow start for me as the world was being built and Piranesi was establishing himself as a character, but once it got to the point that threads started getting pulled and unraveled it really got going. As everything came together…and subsequently pulled apart, it was a gripping read. There were certainly moments that might have been a little predictable, but for the most part the book leaves you guessing until the very end. Not only who the key players really are, but what roles they play in Piranesi’s story. The writing was beautiful to read, especially the descriptions of Piranesi’s surroundings and the ending, though not completely closed was satisfying.

Happy reading!

Review | The Taking of Jake Livingstone by Ryan Douglass

January 19, 2024 DeAnneLeave a comment

Get Out meets Danielle Vega in this YA horror where survival is not a guarantee.

Jake Livingston is one of the only Black kids at St. Clair Prep, one of the others being his infinitely more popular older brother. It’s hard enough fitting in but to make matters worse and definitely more complicated, Jake can see the dead. In fact he sees the dead around him all the time. Most are harmless. Stuck in their death loops as they relive their deaths over and over again, they don’t interact often with people. But then Jake meets Sawyer. A troubled teen who shot and killed six kids at a local high school last year before taking his own life. Now a powerful, vengeful ghost, he has plans for his afterlife–plans that include Jake. Suddenly, everything Jake knows about ghosts and the rules to life itself go out the window as Sawyer begins haunting him and bodies turn up in his neighborhood. High school soon becomes a survival game–one Jake is not sure he’s going to win.

I loved the premise of this book and what I’d originally heard about it but I almost feel like the marketing let it down a bit because it set expectations that weren’t really what the book was about. That being said, this book tackled some heavy subjects while also being full of creepy imagery regarding the ghosts and entities that Jake witnessed on a daily basis. His internal thoughts and worries were valid and current and the directions he took were very understandable considering the pressure he was under. I enjoyed the creepy vibes and the overall journey Jake went through, though there were a few events he went through with Sawyer that were just a little too unbelievable, still it was a fun read and would be a good addition to spooky season. Trigger warnings for racism, homophobia, domestic violence and school shooting.

Happy reading!

Review | The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival by Estelle Nadel, Sammy Savos and Bethany Strout

January 17, 2024 DeAnneLeave a comment

A heartrending graphic memoir about a young Jewish girl’s fight for survival in Nazi occupied Poland, The Girl Who Sang illustrates the power of a brother’s love, the kindness of strangers, and finding hope when facing the unimaginable.

Born to a Jewish family in a small Polish village, Estelle Nadel―then known as Enia Feld―was just seven years old when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939. Once a vibrant child with a song for every occasion, Estelle would eventually lose her voice as, over the next five years, she would survive the deaths of their mother, father, their eldest brother and sister, and countless others.

A child at the mercy of her neighbors during a terrifying time in history, The Girl Who Sang is an enthralling first-hand account of Estelle’s fight for survival during World War II. She would weather loss, betrayal, near-execution, and spend two years away from the warmth of the sun―all before the age of eleven. And once the war was over, Estelle would walk barefoot across European borders and find remnants of home in an Austrian displaced persons camp before finally crossing the Atlantic to arrive in New York City―a young woman carrying the unseen scars of war.

Beautifully rendered in bright hues with expressive, emotional characters, debut illustrator Sammy Savos masterfully brings Estelle story of survival during the Holocaust to a whole new generation of readers. The Girl Who Sang is perfect for fans of March , Maus , and Anne Frank’s Diary .

Goodreads | Amazon

I’m a firm believer that books about events in the past that are significant, especially books which are accessible to all ages, should be available. When I saw that this was not only a memoir but a graphic memoir of a holocaust survivor, I definitely wanted to give it a read. Sadly we have reached a point in time where the number of people who lived through World War II are very few, so it’s important that their stories are told and that people continue to learn about those events. Estells/Enia’s story is both heartbreaking and uplifting, starting before the war and progressing through her loss. She lost most of her family as so many did, and had to survive through horrible and scary things, relying on people who could have turned on her at any moment. It’s also the story of those who did help her and her brothers to survive, those who risked themselves to keep the children as safe as they could. The artwork is beautiful and informative, many details of specific places and customs woven into the story. Since it’s a graphic memoir it is accessible and easily read, but full of Estelle’s impactful story and should be shared and read for a personal view on the events of the holocaust.

Goodreads currently has a giveaway running for this book, so be sure to check that out! The Girl Who Sang comes out on January 23rd, so make sure to pick up a copy.

Happy reading!

Blitz | The Penance of Valentine Cash by Rebecca Rook

January 16, 2024 DeAnneLeave a comment

The Penance of Valentine Cash
Rebecca Rook
Publication date: January 16th 2024
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Neil Gaiman’s American Gods meets Jennifer Mason-Black’s Devil and the Bluebird in this modern adaptation of the Greek legend The Twelve Labors of Hercules for young adult fantasy readers.

Valentine Cash is dead.

When she dies in an accidental collision she caused on the cusp of musical fame, Valentine is offered a deal: Complete a series of difficult tasks to get her life back. Fail, and she dies a final, everlasting death. Guided by Route 66 the Mother Road of America on her quest, she tackles one herculean task after another, giving up a piece of herself with each trial.

Valentine begins to understand that the fame she once sought won’t bring her happiness or belonging – and if she fulfills the penance, she must decide what’s more important: Her old life or restoring the lives of the strangers who died alongside her.

The young and the ancient, the tangible and the mythical, collide as Valentine learns the true meaning of redemption, connection, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

The Huntsmen had arrived.

They were all large, dressed in furs, leathers, and thick boots. The men had thick beards and braids; the women either wore braids or had shorn hair. All of them wore armor of some kind, with runic designs upon their crests. Ghost green flames danced and kissed across their skin. As Valentine watched, she saw that their skin flickered and faded in the moonlight, alternately translucent and opaque. During the translucent phases, she saw their skeletons underneath.

She shivered.

Then, beyond the Huntsmen, she saw the mounts.

They were stunning.

Each horse shimmered, dressed in golds and silvers, blues and violets, coppers and moonlight. They were enormous, with hooves the size of dinner plates and lush manes that draped across the starlit skin. Valentine watched as they huffed, stamped their feet, and half-reared. They were ready, she could tell. They wanted to hunt, to chase.

She heard Malcolm’s prosaic voice in her head. Choose the smallest mount.

Valentine scanned the herd. There.

The smallest mount glowed like a golden fire in the moonlight, with a silver mane. Compared to the others, this one was dainty, almost delicate. Valentine cast a quick glance at the Huntsmen, then started forward, crouching low to avoid notice. As she moved forward, she draped the bridle over her shoulder, then pulled out the packet of frankincense and myrrh. She poured it into her hands, then crept forward. She stopped before the golden creature, a good six feet away. Though this mount was smaller than the others, it was by no means tiny.

When Valentine stilled, the horse raised her head.

What do you want, mortal? The voice sounded like a crack of lightning in her head. The eyes glowed with violet flame.

Author Bio:

Rebecca Rook designs tabletop games, manages a little free library dedicated to sequential art and comics, and lives in the Pacific Northwest with two wonderful dogs. She writes young adult fiction in the fantasy, thriller, and horror genres.

A 2021-2022 Hugo House Fellow in
Seattle, WA, she also attended the 2021 Tin House YA Fiction Workshop in
Portland, OR. Rebecca was selected as one of the 100 invited writers to participate in the Write Team Mentorship Program’s curated Pitch-a-Thon event before being chosen as a Mentee for the 2021 Program. Prior to this, she completed the wonderful Yearlong Workshop for Young Adult and Middle Grade Fiction at Hugo House.

Website / Goodreads / TikTok / Instagram

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Review | What I Should’ve Texted by Pierre Alex Jeanty

January 14, 2024 DeAnneLeave a comment

What I Should’ve Texted is a collection of words that have been buried. A spill of hidden thoughts that never made their way out.

This collection from poet Pierre Alex Jeanty is a beautiful expression of the unspoken things that needed to be said and must leave our lips as we attempt to close chapters that we were forced to abandon.

Whether you are looking for closure from past heartbreaks or trying to make sense of your feelings and emotions during a current one, What I Should’ve Texted will help you give life to the thoughts that never got a chance to escape.

Pretty much everyone has had a breakup that was difficult to go through, or an ex who refused to cut the connection. This poetry collections examines words that a person might have swallowed down as they went through the grief and healing from a severed relationship. The collection itself is a journey, with signs of slow resolution on the part of the author as they moved past a relationship that in a lot of ways is portrayed as very toxic. As it progresses you can see the catharsis, realizations and boundaries that are being set by the author. It was very real and raw in it’s portrayal and something I think most people can identify with in some way.

Happy reading!

Review | Empty Smiles by Katherine Arden

January 13, 2024 DeAnne2 Comments

It’s been three months since Ollie made a daring deal with the smiling man to save those she loved, and then vanished without a trace. The smiling man promised Coco, Brian and Phil, that they’d have a chance to save her, but as time goes by, they begin to worry that the smiling man has lied to them and Ollie is gone forever. But finally, a clue surfaces. A boy who went missing at a nearby traveling carnival appears at the town swimming hole, terrified and rambling. He tells anyone who’ll listen about the mysterious man who took him. How the man agreed to let him go on one condition: that he deliver a message. Play if you dare.

Game on! The smiling man has finally made his move. Now it’s Coco, Brian, and Phil’s turn to make theirs. And they know just where to start. The traveling carnival is coming to Evansburg.

Meanwhile, Ollie is trapped in the world behind the mist, learning the horrifying secrets of the smiling man’s carnival, trying everything to help her friends find her. Brian, Coco and Phil will risk everything to rescue Ollie—but they all soon realize this game is much more dangerous than the ones before. This time the smiling man is playing for keeps.

The summer nights are short, and Ollie, Coco, Brian, and Phil have only until sunrise to beat him once and for all—or it’s game over for everyone.

I was excited to read the conclusion to this series and find out what would happen with Ollie and her friends. I do feel like we got more of a glimpse of the Smiling Man in this installment, and enjoyed the carnival setting, but in a lot of ways I felt like it was a little disjointed. There were a couple different POV’s and jumping in time just a little. I wanted there to be a more climactic event since this was the last book in the quartet and unfortunately felt like I didn’t get that. I did like a lot of the elements that were throughout the book and the clowns were wonderfully creepy, it just felt a little rushed for my taste. When we finally did get some action towards the end it was over too soon. Still, I’m glad to have read the conclusion and do feel it wrapped up the quartet to satisfaction.

Happy reading!

Review | Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab

January 12, 2024 DeAnneLeave a comment

Where there are ghosts, Cassidy Blake follows … unless it’s the other way around?

Cass thinks she might have this ghost-hunting thing down. After all, she and her ghost best friend, Jacob, have survived two haunted cities while travelling for her parents’ TV show.

But nothing can prepare Cass for New Orleans, which wears all of its hauntings on its sleeve. In a city of ghost tours and tombs, raucous music and all kinds of magic, Cass could get lost in all the colourful, grisly local legends. And the city’s biggest surprise is a foe Cass never expected to face: a servant of Death itself.

Cass takes on her most dangerous challenge yet…

I’m so glad I finally picked up the conclusion to the Cassidy Blake trilogy and a little upset I waited so long. I don’t want to delve into too much since it is the last book of the trilogy, but I really enjoyed how Cassidy seemed to grow up a little in this book, she was more open to recognizing things about herself. I think New Orleans as a setting was perfect, though I think my favorite setting of the three was Paris overall, and felt like the locations they selected for the TV show to highlight were very appropriate. All in all it was a really solid conclusion and I was more than satisfied with where the characters were left at the end.

Happy reading!