goblingirlreads's reviews
774 reviews

Archangels of Funk by Andrea Hairston

Alright, I read a few other reviews and it appears I'm not alone: I am DNF-ing this at 5%. My biggest piece of wisdom is read the first chapter. This writing style is simply not for everyone.

The writing style is very unique and lyrical while being about a pretty complex science fiction environment. I simply could not compute all the details and poetry into understanding. My brain fought through every word. I think many people would find this exciting and beautiful. I really hope the people that it sings for, find it and love it. The themes and subject matter are compelling and I'm sorry I couldn't get my brain to the right frequency.

Thank you to Netgalley and TorDotCom for my review copy.

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

adventurous funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I'm absolutely obsessed with Emily Wilde and loved every single second of this book. Can't wait to get my hands on the next volume. The countdown begins!!

Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

While I can say that I did enjoy myself from beginning to end, I can't say that this book is particularly memorable or a stand out for me. The story is very simply told. The characters and their motivations exist but are not super fleshed out in a way that gives you a big insight to who these folks are. It feels almost like a drawn out folktale and I definitely see many people connecting very deeply with the themes of coming or age and aging, and the journey of life. I enjoyed myself but ultimately I don't think this book is for me. 

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

There's no denying that this book list lush and sexy. The vampirism in it is gruesome, yet beautiful. The bisexuality of everyone was perfect. Ultimately, the thing that brought it down for me was I didn't love Constanta, and she's our perspective character, so that's a bit tricky but I do see why this book is so loved and I did enjoy it. 

Morgana and Oz Volume One: A WEBTOON Unscrolled Graphic Novel by Miyuli

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Thanks to Netgalley and Webtoon Unscrolled for my copy. 

This book was FREAKING CUTE. It was very hard to read because every page had been watermarked but hopefully that won't be an issue in its final form and only bc it was an e-arc. I found everything about it so charming from the art style, to the concept of a witch and vampire clan that are enemies but it's hard to completely tell who's in the wrong, to our protagonist Morgana who is so loveably bad at magic. I didn't feel like I got to learn much about Oz in this first issue, but it is just that - a first volume. It also ends very abruptly and on a cliffhanger so it feels like more is needed to fully enjoy this story. Still, if you are a graphic novel person, this was lovely. Just be prepared to pick up the next books because this one does not resolve!

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir

dark mysterious

4.0

Compulsively readable. Deliciously horrific. These types of books that have a a thriller/mystery component, I never really love the "reveal" at the end. It never seems to match the build up for me, which is why I tend to avoid thrillers.  Can't say I loved this "reveal" either but it was vague enough to make me like it more than usual and it leaned into the horror elements in the build up in a way I really enjoyed. It's also super fast with all the chapters being so brief that I FLEW through it. Definitely recommended for a quick scare!

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark

adventurous funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Thanks to Tor & NetGalley for my copy of this book!

I was itching to get my hands on P. Djélí Clark's next book and I'm not disappointed. He is a master at world-building seamlessly with plot and character so suddenly you're in a very detailed magical world and it never once feels like info-dumping. Seriously, he's the master. This book is a fast paced adventure of one night in an undead assassin's life where she realizes she can't complete the job. She only has until dawn to either fix it or face some pretty extreme consequences. Because of that is absolutely nonstop action. It's also quite funny and quite a few of the quips really got me giggling! It's a bit of a whirlwind and I'm openly not a big fan of action stories (or movies) so those sections were not always, but that is a personal preference rather than a flaw in the book. Pick up if you're looking for a fun, action-packed, adventure that will fly by!

The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djèlí Clark

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A fantastic little book set in Clark's alternate Cairo. In this story two agents from the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities must handle a possessed tram car. I found the whole scenario absolutely delightful including the body horror of this entity when it finally reveals itself. He's done it again! I'm definitely a fan of P. Djélí!

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Jacqueline Woodson is an absolutely spectacular writer. Her words are honey and soothing to the soul. This is not a favorite of hers for me but it is still absolutely delectable. I wasn't pulled in too much by the story but I can't fault the writing.

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was an absolute delight! I don't think I was as invested in the love story as I was in the other bits, but I still found the whole thing to be charming and a lovely time.