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nclcaitlin's reviews
1612 reviews
Betting On You by Lynn Painter
3.75
THIS HAD ME SQUEALING AND KICKING MY FEET!
Bailey and Charlie meet on a plane flight where they immediately decide they get on each other’s nerves - polar opposites yet connected over their parents’ divorce.
Three years later, they are both in training for the same job at Planet Funnn where the funniest friendship and text messages occur.
This might be one of the funniest rom-coms I have read. Bailey is an uptight rules follower while Charlie is cynical and charming. Charlie is stellar at getting Bailey involved in his hijinks.
Yet, not only is it light and cute and amusing, it also covers deeper topics, delving into changing family lives and how we can be affected by our parents and their lives. Wanting your own happiness and comfort and security as well as wishing for theirs too even when this may diverge.
I think this is one of those books that worked so well for me as I digested it through audiobook. I think otherwise reading it might have been too cringy for me with the dialogue and teen angst. However, the narrator did a phenomenal job and I throughly enjoyed myself.
Get ready for Taylor Swift references, bookstagram shoutouts, and a cute kitten called Puffball.
Mr Nothing and Glasses have my heart!
Bailey and Charlie meet on a plane flight where they immediately decide they get on each other’s nerves - polar opposites yet connected over their parents’ divorce.
Three years later, they are both in training for the same job at Planet Funnn where the funniest friendship and text messages occur.
This might be one of the funniest rom-coms I have read. Bailey is an uptight rules follower while Charlie is cynical and charming. Charlie is stellar at getting Bailey involved in his hijinks.
Yet, not only is it light and cute and amusing, it also covers deeper topics, delving into changing family lives and how we can be affected by our parents and their lives. Wanting your own happiness and comfort and security as well as wishing for theirs too even when this may diverge.
I think this is one of those books that worked so well for me as I digested it through audiobook. I think otherwise reading it might have been too cringy for me with the dialogue and teen angst. However, the narrator did a phenomenal job and I throughly enjoyed myself.
Get ready for Taylor Swift references, bookstagram shoutouts, and a cute kitten called Puffball.
Mr Nothing and Glasses have my heart!
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
4.0
This is a reader’s love letter. A ballad. An ode.
I was so scared going into this book. People seem to either love it or hate it, and I typically need a driving plot and strong characters to enjoy a story and a lot of reviewers complained this was meandering and plotless. I disagree. I fell in love.
“Do you believe in the mystical, the fantastical, the improbable, or the impossible? Do you believe that things others dismiss as dreams and imagination actually exist? Do you believe in fairy tales?"
Far beneath the surface of the earth, hidden from the sun and the moon, upon the shores of the Starless Sea, there is a labyrinthine collection of tunnels and rooms filled with stories.
Zachary stumbles across a book that narrates a long-ago incident from his past that was never related to anyone. From there, he follows whatever lead he can searching for the Starless Sea hinted at in the volumes contained in this book.
Told non-conventionally, this is a story containing stories that all link to the Starless Sea and the library. It is hard to connect all the pieces together and you echo the confusion faced by our protagonist Zachary. The book itself puts it aptly:
For every connection they make between one book and another there are more that don't fit. Some stories seem completely separate and distant and others feel explicitly connected to the story they have found themselves in together now.
Morgenstern seems to know what readers will be thinking before we can put it into words.
I admit to the first 75% being a lot stronger to the last 25% where it just becomes a lot more surreal, crazy, and loose.
This had the potential to be a 5 star ⭐️ read, but the ending left me disappointed and feeling slightly cheated. However, I have to use Morgenstern’s own words:
Or maybe that's what I got out of it and someone else hearing the same story would see something different.
I am very glad I did read this!
There’s a sentient kitchen, lots of cats, owls, an abundance of pastries and tea.
I would be hesitant to compare this to other books but I would recommend this if you enjoyed (or even if you didn’t as I admit to not loving all of the following):
- Ten Thousand Doors of January
- Piranesi
- Lonely Castle in the Mirror
- Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.
I was so scared going into this book. People seem to either love it or hate it, and I typically need a driving plot and strong characters to enjoy a story and a lot of reviewers complained this was meandering and plotless. I disagree. I fell in love.
“Do you believe in the mystical, the fantastical, the improbable, or the impossible? Do you believe that things others dismiss as dreams and imagination actually exist? Do you believe in fairy tales?"
Far beneath the surface of the earth, hidden from the sun and the moon, upon the shores of the Starless Sea, there is a labyrinthine collection of tunnels and rooms filled with stories.
Zachary stumbles across a book that narrates a long-ago incident from his past that was never related to anyone. From there, he follows whatever lead he can searching for the Starless Sea hinted at in the volumes contained in this book.
Told non-conventionally, this is a story containing stories that all link to the Starless Sea and the library. It is hard to connect all the pieces together and you echo the confusion faced by our protagonist Zachary. The book itself puts it aptly:
For every connection they make between one book and another there are more that don't fit. Some stories seem completely separate and distant and others feel explicitly connected to the story they have found themselves in together now.
Morgenstern seems to know what readers will be thinking before we can put it into words.
I admit to the first 75% being a lot stronger to the last 25% where it just becomes a lot more surreal, crazy, and loose.
This had the potential to be a 5 star ⭐️ read, but the ending left me disappointed and feeling slightly cheated. However, I have to use Morgenstern’s own words:
Or maybe that's what I got out of it and someone else hearing the same story would see something different.
I am very glad I did read this!
There’s a sentient kitchen, lots of cats, owls, an abundance of pastries and tea.
I would be hesitant to compare this to other books but I would recommend this if you enjoyed (or even if you didn’t as I admit to not loving all of the following):
- Ten Thousand Doors of January
- Piranesi
- Lonely Castle in the Mirror
- Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.
The Blood Dimmed Tide by Stephen Aryan
4.25
Kokochin, one of Hulagu's many wives, is forced to track down Temujin, the Emperor’s son who has gone rogue, the Empress holding her lover Layla captive.
Temujin has vowed to destroy his father knowing that his power as a Kozan can’t fall into his hands and joins other Kozan who agree to teach him and influence fate.
Persian General Kaivon is trusted to be the on the Khan's council allowing him to feed information back to Esme, a Persian doctor and member of the House of Grace seeking freedom for Persia from the Mongols.
Thankfully, Aryan provides a recap for you at the start of the book! All authors please do this!!!
This book was just as incredible and heart-pounding as book one!
If you have been following my reviews, you may be aware battles and action sequences quickly lose my interest. However, Aryan kept me gripped with each and every scene! His descriptions, manoeuvrings… Awe-astounding!
It still amazed Zoran that there were so many different bits stuffed inside a body. It was so pink, and some parts were purple. He even saw a beating heart for a few seconds before it stopped. The killing went on and on, but eventually it ended.
The amount of research and Aryan’s dedication is impressive and stunningly displayed. Never boring, he gives up a sprawling look at the movements of different key players. Not to mention, the fantasy element lets him reflect on events even further back such as Jesus’s birth and the Wise Men and who these men of influence and wisdom might have been in the context of this story.
Finally, I have to comment on the characters. There are a lot of POV characters and each chapter tends to be a new perspective. However, I was gripped by each story and when the focus changed, I would get annoyed and then get annoyed again when I had to move on from that character! That is extremely rare to find in a multi-POV story!
”Great men and women can create wonders in their lifetime that last for generations, even centuries. Is that not how humans can become immortal? Extending their reach through history, beyond even our limits?"
Thank you to Angry Robot for providing an arc in exchange for a review!
Temujin has vowed to destroy his father knowing that his power as a Kozan can’t fall into his hands and joins other Kozan who agree to teach him and influence fate.
Persian General Kaivon is trusted to be the on the Khan's council allowing him to feed information back to Esme, a Persian doctor and member of the House of Grace seeking freedom for Persia from the Mongols.
Thankfully, Aryan provides a recap for you at the start of the book! All authors please do this!!!
This book was just as incredible and heart-pounding as book one!
If you have been following my reviews, you may be aware battles and action sequences quickly lose my interest. However, Aryan kept me gripped with each and every scene! His descriptions, manoeuvrings… Awe-astounding!
It still amazed Zoran that there were so many different bits stuffed inside a body. It was so pink, and some parts were purple. He even saw a beating heart for a few seconds before it stopped. The killing went on and on, but eventually it ended.
The amount of research and Aryan’s dedication is impressive and stunningly displayed. Never boring, he gives up a sprawling look at the movements of different key players. Not to mention, the fantasy element lets him reflect on events even further back such as Jesus’s birth and the Wise Men and who these men of influence and wisdom might have been in the context of this story.
Finally, I have to comment on the characters. There are a lot of POV characters and each chapter tends to be a new perspective. However, I was gripped by each story and when the focus changed, I would get annoyed and then get annoyed again when I had to move on from that character! That is extremely rare to find in a multi-POV story!
”Great men and women can create wonders in their lifetime that last for generations, even centuries. Is that not how humans can become immortal? Extending their reach through history, beyond even our limits?"
Thank you to Angry Robot for providing an arc in exchange for a review!
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
3.0
Reclusive Sally Diamond is thrust into the media spotlight when she tries to incinerate her dead father, causing widespread outrage.
Now she's the center of attention from curious reporters and investigating police detectives. Also, playing into the thriller aspect, disturbing information from her past that she can’t remember but is being brought to the light.
I don’t know if I would call this a straight thriller. It takes a while to get to the ‘thriller’ aspect and even then it doesn’t feel like it takes centre stage.
This is a really hard book to describe without spoiling anything!
There are two narrators.
Sally is so fun - odd, socially awkward, funny. The other narrator takes us on a totally different journey with a totally dark story and I cannot say anything more without giving things away!
“Every decade or so, we come up with new labels to categorize people. You could have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder or PTSD. Some might even have said you have autistic spectrum disorder or that you have an attachment disorder. The fact is that you are a bit odd, that’s all. You are you. As unique and different as every other person on the planet. Your oddities are not disabilities (although we call them disabilities to get your welfare allowance), they are mere quirks of your personality.”
I would recommend Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (character-wise) and The Reappearance of Rachel Price (plot-wise) if you enjoyed this!
Minor spoilers:
The ending kind of sucked.
If you want a healing book, a closed ending, a happy ever after, this book will not deliver.
The ending made it feel like a lot of the book was pointless.
And yes, I did have to google ‘ending explained’ because it felt like the book ended extremely prematurely.
Now she's the center of attention from curious reporters and investigating police detectives. Also, playing into the thriller aspect, disturbing information from her past that she can’t remember but is being brought to the light.
I don’t know if I would call this a straight thriller. It takes a while to get to the ‘thriller’ aspect and even then it doesn’t feel like it takes centre stage.
This is a really hard book to describe without spoiling anything!
There are two narrators.
Sally is so fun - odd, socially awkward, funny. The other narrator takes us on a totally different journey with a totally dark story and I cannot say anything more without giving things away!
“Every decade or so, we come up with new labels to categorize people. You could have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder or PTSD. Some might even have said you have autistic spectrum disorder or that you have an attachment disorder. The fact is that you are a bit odd, that’s all. You are you. As unique and different as every other person on the planet. Your oddities are not disabilities (although we call them disabilities to get your welfare allowance), they are mere quirks of your personality.”
I would recommend Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (character-wise) and The Reappearance of Rachel Price (plot-wise) if you enjoyed this!
Minor spoilers:
The ending kind of sucked.
If you want a healing book, a closed ending, a happy ever after, this book will not deliver.
The ending made it feel like a lot of the book was pointless.
And yes, I did have to google ‘ending explained’ because it felt like the book ended extremely prematurely.
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
3.5
Welcome to Jurassic Park! Just kidding, it’s an alternate universe Greenland where Kaijus can tear holes through reality if they’re not monitored.
Scalzi always manages the perfect blend of world-building, action, humour, and whacky science to keep you on your toes, engaged, and non-stop laughing.
Expect nuclear exploding Kaijus, helicopter rides to shoot horny pheromones at Bella and Edward, and terrifying tourists trips. And a lot of fun millennial popular culture references.
“I was just thinking that Edward’s Tumescent Cloaca would have been an excellent band name.”
“Emo, obviously,” Kahurangi said.
“Their first album glistened with promise, but their follow-up was a little flaccid.”
“Their third album was really shitty.”
“To be fair, the competition was stiff that year.”
“I just thought that they should have showed more spunk.”
The audiobook was a really good performance too!!
Scalzi always manages the perfect blend of world-building, action, humour, and whacky science to keep you on your toes, engaged, and non-stop laughing.
Expect nuclear exploding Kaijus, helicopter rides to shoot horny pheromones at Bella and Edward, and terrifying tourists trips. And a lot of fun millennial popular culture references.
“I was just thinking that Edward’s Tumescent Cloaca would have been an excellent band name.”
“Emo, obviously,” Kahurangi said.
“Their first album glistened with promise, but their follow-up was a little flaccid.”
“Their third album was really shitty.”
“To be fair, the competition was stiff that year.”
“I just thought that they should have showed more spunk.”
The audiobook was a really good performance too!!
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
3.75
Serapio, The Crow God Reborn, had slaughtered the Watchers, thrown the sun from its course over Tova, and ushered in a new era. Serapio had done his part, now it is time for Balam, Lord of the House of Seven, to do his through dangerous Dream Walking magic.
However, Serapio failed to kill The Sun Priest, his nemesis, her death his very purpose. She, Nara, had been replaced by an impostor.
Serapio was rescued by the Carrion Claw but finds that the reassuring pool of shadow that had been with him since he was a child was gone. Now he’s alone, afraid. Waiting for the world to make sense just like when he was a child and faced constant betrayal by those around him.
I have to admit to putting off reading this for so long because I saw many reviewers saying how disappointed they were in this second instalment and that they felt bored and nothing happened.
Did we read different books?
This had such big character moments and development. My heart ached for each character as they hid from or discovered their inner trauma. Even though our characters are all separated and isolated, this let the reader really delve deep into their psych.
Perhaps that’s why other readers were frustrated as our cast from book one didn’t have a big show down or get together.
Sometimes he felt as if he were two people. One was the Odo Sedoh, a man molded into a vengeful god and honed to a single purpose. Blessed with a destiny above all others. The other was a lonely boy constantly seeking connection, trying desperately to find his footing in a world that had no place for him. He hated the boy and his weakness, his foolish desire to find friends and family.
I always find Roanhorse’s world-building masterful. This is rich with culture: with different clans, religions, practices, and even genders! Especially considering these aren’t considered long for fantasy books, so to pack so much in is pretty impressive!
Also, can we talk about the covers? Because GIMME!
Very nearly four stars 🌟
However, Serapio failed to kill The Sun Priest, his nemesis, her death his very purpose. She, Nara, had been replaced by an impostor.
Serapio was rescued by the Carrion Claw but finds that the reassuring pool of shadow that had been with him since he was a child was gone. Now he’s alone, afraid. Waiting for the world to make sense just like when he was a child and faced constant betrayal by those around him.
I have to admit to putting off reading this for so long because I saw many reviewers saying how disappointed they were in this second instalment and that they felt bored and nothing happened.
Did we read different books?
This had such big character moments and development. My heart ached for each character as they hid from or discovered their inner trauma. Even though our characters are all separated and isolated, this let the reader really delve deep into their psych.
Perhaps that’s why other readers were frustrated as our cast from book one didn’t have a big show down or get together.
Sometimes he felt as if he were two people. One was the Odo Sedoh, a man molded into a vengeful god and honed to a single purpose. Blessed with a destiny above all others. The other was a lonely boy constantly seeking connection, trying desperately to find his footing in a world that had no place for him. He hated the boy and his weakness, his foolish desire to find friends and family.
I always find Roanhorse’s world-building masterful. This is rich with culture: with different clans, religions, practices, and even genders! Especially considering these aren’t considered long for fantasy books, so to pack so much in is pretty impressive!
Also, can we talk about the covers? Because GIMME!
Very nearly four stars 🌟
The Dawn of the Cursed Queen by Amber V. Nicole
3.5
The World Ender is dead, and The Hand of Rashearim now walks around blindly, listening to every demand of Nismera who ruthlessly reigns over the realms.
Only, Samkiel isn’t dead and Dianna can’t let anyone know she has brought him back from the dead. Not even Samkiel as she struggles to find the right time as he slowly heals.
There is a lot of POVs in this one which gives you such a sprawling look from so many different places and characters on both sides of ‘good’ and ‘evil’.
How can you start to feel sorry for the bad guys?!!!! Nooooo!
“Since I have a pussy, they prefer queen, but we all know in our world the title of king holds more power."
Dianna is stubborn. Hard-headed. Strong-willed. She is chaos, Samkiel is order. Their souls are literally made for each other. This is the epitome of touch them and you die.
Perhaps it was truly a funny thing not to realize how broken or damaged you were until someone came along and picked up every single fractured piece and showed you how just being you was enough.
It felt like a lot happened but nothing major really did? Like nothing that seriously advanced the plot from where we were left at book two. However, whilst being a filler book to set things up, it really didn’t feel like it. Action, emotions, a lot of spice (I skipped them but there were A LOT)…
Overall, another heart-gripping romantasy from Amber! Heavy emphasis on the romance (and physicality) for this one!
Thank you to Headline for providing the arc in exchange for a review!
Only, Samkiel isn’t dead and Dianna can’t let anyone know she has brought him back from the dead. Not even Samkiel as she struggles to find the right time as he slowly heals.
There is a lot of POVs in this one which gives you such a sprawling look from so many different places and characters on both sides of ‘good’ and ‘evil’.
How can you start to feel sorry for the bad guys?!!!! Nooooo!
“Since I have a pussy, they prefer queen, but we all know in our world the title of king holds more power."
Dianna is stubborn. Hard-headed. Strong-willed. She is chaos, Samkiel is order. Their souls are literally made for each other. This is the epitome of touch them and you die.
Perhaps it was truly a funny thing not to realize how broken or damaged you were until someone came along and picked up every single fractured piece and showed you how just being you was enough.
It felt like a lot happened but nothing major really did? Like nothing that seriously advanced the plot from where we were left at book two. However, whilst being a filler book to set things up, it really didn’t feel like it. Action, emotions, a lot of spice (I skipped them but there were A LOT)…
Overall, another heart-gripping romantasy from Amber! Heavy emphasis on the romance (and physicality) for this one!
Thank you to Headline for providing the arc in exchange for a review!
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
3.5
A WWII The Song of Achilles.
1914 Henry Gaunt and Sidney Ellwood are classmates at an English boarding school. Gaunt has part German heritage, is reserved, awkward and anti-war. Ellwood is part Jewish, extremely popular and eager to fight in the war.
We follow them as they enlist separately to fight in the war where millions and millions of lives were lost.
Ellwood and Gaunt find fleeting moments of solace in one another as their friends endlessly die around them, knowing at any moment they could be next.
Winn masterfully shows the way youth were manipulated into wanting to be remembered and glorified. Propaganda, fear, labelling… Especially for those who are already on the fringes of society and facing dislike or stigma from their peers.
”Over the top, you cowardly bastards!” I cried, my voice breaking, because I did not want to do it, I didn’t, Elly, I knew those men, but what other choice had I? They were stupid with fear, and only more fear would move them.
Running through this novel is the beauty of poetry. Both Gaunt and Ellwood love poetry and constantly recite it. I have never considered myself a poetry fan, however this book interwove poetry in such a way that profoundly touched on the harrowing, unspeakable experience of war.
“My dearest, darling Sidney,' There was nothing else. Only dead white paper, blank and meaningless. A comma, followed by nothing. Death summed up by grammar.”
I am genuinely amazed that this is a debut novel. It feels like a classic piece of literature. I will not be surprised if this is studied at school.
So why isn’t this a raving five stars? I think because there were so many characters and deaths that I just felt a disconnect. I know Winn was showing how the war didn’t discriminate and killed and killed and killed. Yet, I need time to settle with characters.
I think some moments also just felt too melodramatic for me, like a scene made big for theatre production.
If you enjoyed this, I would recommend The Warm Hand of Ghosts by Katherine Arden.
Tennyson from “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, 1854:
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!” he said.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
1914 Henry Gaunt and Sidney Ellwood are classmates at an English boarding school. Gaunt has part German heritage, is reserved, awkward and anti-war. Ellwood is part Jewish, extremely popular and eager to fight in the war.
We follow them as they enlist separately to fight in the war where millions and millions of lives were lost.
Ellwood and Gaunt find fleeting moments of solace in one another as their friends endlessly die around them, knowing at any moment they could be next.
Winn masterfully shows the way youth were manipulated into wanting to be remembered and glorified. Propaganda, fear, labelling… Especially for those who are already on the fringes of society and facing dislike or stigma from their peers.
”Over the top, you cowardly bastards!” I cried, my voice breaking, because I did not want to do it, I didn’t, Elly, I knew those men, but what other choice had I? They were stupid with fear, and only more fear would move them.
Running through this novel is the beauty of poetry. Both Gaunt and Ellwood love poetry and constantly recite it. I have never considered myself a poetry fan, however this book interwove poetry in such a way that profoundly touched on the harrowing, unspeakable experience of war.
“My dearest, darling Sidney,' There was nothing else. Only dead white paper, blank and meaningless. A comma, followed by nothing. Death summed up by grammar.”
I am genuinely amazed that this is a debut novel. It feels like a classic piece of literature. I will not be surprised if this is studied at school.
So why isn’t this a raving five stars? I think because there were so many characters and deaths that I just felt a disconnect. I know Winn was showing how the war didn’t discriminate and killed and killed and killed. Yet, I need time to settle with characters.
I think some moments also just felt too melodramatic for me, like a scene made big for theatre production.
If you enjoyed this, I would recommend The Warm Hand of Ghosts by Katherine Arden.
Tennyson from “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, 1854:
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!” he said.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Running Close to the Wind: A Queer Pirate Fantasy Adventure! by Alexandra Rowland
2.75
A very conflicted three stars.
Avra has insanely good luck. Sadly, that means he keeps running into Captain Teveri, a pirate who has tried everything they can to get rid of Avra who is like an annoying, clinging cat, a piteous pup, a lecherous leech.
Avra, now a former agent for the intelligence ministry, seeks a mutually beneficial alliance with Teveri as he has recently stolen classified information that could change the tides ( get it ;)? ) of Tev’s crew.
Oh, and of course, there’s an unfairly hot priest on board who has taken vows of celibacy. Avra has taken an oath to get in his pants.
“Therefore I will point out, to my great regret, that it is more prudent to wait on the matter of beating him up and leaving him for dead until we have a contract for the sale in hand. At which point, we can maybe just butcher him and sell the meat to Eel-Face Yusin as some weird kind of fish.”
The main character was INFURIATING. He is a self-proclaimed flibbertigibbet and just won’t shut up. Which I normally love. But he’s also a 35-year-old man who refers to himself as a ‘poor little slut’ multiple times.
Avra is, simply put, pathetic and annoying. He has zero filter, no intelligence, and one heck of a sex drive. Like he is unbelievably horny all the time. Yet he is oddly entertaining, like a train wreck you can’t tear your eyes from.
”In the last two days, I have been through more than any silly little slut should ever have to go through!"
Thankfully, Tev is a lot easier to root for. Gender non-conforming, done with everyone’s crap (understandable), broody, witty, and seemingly nursing a dark past.
Also, he writes the best inventory entries, ship logs, and diary accounts which end and start each chapter!
This book is just bizarre. Absolutely whacky.
Turtle astrology. Sea serpents. Glowing, blue dogs. Cake competitions… Like 20% of the book is a cake competition where they trade insults.
So this book is like its main character - infuriating, long-winded, yet utterly addictive and hilarious.
This kept going between two, three, or four stars! 🌟
Would I recommend this? Kinda? I had a fun ride but I also wanted to scream and rip my hair out.
“And we're all going to try to get through this with our so-called friendships and sanity intact until we can fuck Arast over and die in a blaze of glory."
Thank you to Pan MacMillan for providing a physical arc in exchange for a review!
Avra has insanely good luck. Sadly, that means he keeps running into Captain Teveri, a pirate who has tried everything they can to get rid of Avra who is like an annoying, clinging cat, a piteous pup, a lecherous leech.
Avra, now a former agent for the intelligence ministry, seeks a mutually beneficial alliance with Teveri as he has recently stolen classified information that could change the tides ( get it ;)? ) of Tev’s crew.
Oh, and of course, there’s an unfairly hot priest on board who has taken vows of celibacy. Avra has taken an oath to get in his pants.
“Therefore I will point out, to my great regret, that it is more prudent to wait on the matter of beating him up and leaving him for dead until we have a contract for the sale in hand. At which point, we can maybe just butcher him and sell the meat to Eel-Face Yusin as some weird kind of fish.”
The main character was INFURIATING. He is a self-proclaimed flibbertigibbet and just won’t shut up. Which I normally love. But he’s also a 35-year-old man who refers to himself as a ‘poor little slut’ multiple times.
Avra is, simply put, pathetic and annoying. He has zero filter, no intelligence, and one heck of a sex drive. Like he is unbelievably horny all the time. Yet he is oddly entertaining, like a train wreck you can’t tear your eyes from.
”In the last two days, I have been through more than any silly little slut should ever have to go through!"
Thankfully, Tev is a lot easier to root for. Gender non-conforming, done with everyone’s crap (understandable), broody, witty, and seemingly nursing a dark past.
Also, he writes the best inventory entries, ship logs, and diary accounts which end and start each chapter!
This book is just bizarre. Absolutely whacky.
Turtle astrology. Sea serpents. Glowing, blue dogs. Cake competitions… Like 20% of the book is a cake competition where they trade insults.
So this book is like its main character - infuriating, long-winded, yet utterly addictive and hilarious.
This kept going between two, three, or four stars! 🌟
Would I recommend this? Kinda? I had a fun ride but I also wanted to scream and rip my hair out.
“And we're all going to try to get through this with our so-called friendships and sanity intact until we can fuck Arast over and die in a blaze of glory."
Thank you to Pan MacMillan for providing a physical arc in exchange for a review!
Medea by Rosie Hewlett
For fans of Circe, feminist rage, and witchy power!
An author who manages to make you love, sympathise, and root for a character only to do a whole 360 and make you hate their actions and who they have become, yet still feel compassion for them is talented.
Medea: best known for her marriage to legendary hero Jason and then killing her own children.
Here, Hewlett develops Medea, delving into her childhood and history to show how her dark side, her lust for power, and her eventual unfathomable betrayal was nurtured by trauma and the mistreatment and abuse by her father and brother.
Medea is powerful, taught by Circe (name drop!) to wield her magic given by the goddess Hecate. However, Medea is forbidden from using it unless her father wills it. She is his weapon, just like Jason uses her as his own hidden weapon later on.
Love or leverage?
“And I also know how they will tell his story. It is the same for any woman who defies their place in this world. Jason will be the hero, and you? They’ll either make you his adoring, lovesick damsel or they’ll make you the villain. Those are the only roles they feel comfortable with us occupying.”
I also have to shout out Atalanta and the budding friendship there. Atalanta just really wanted the best for Medea but Jason’s involvement just makes Medea push her away. Just like Circe.
Not to mention, the interactions between the Argonauts was just so fun!! I would love to read an Atalanta retelling by Hewitt, especially as it is my favourite Jennifer Saint book!
An author who manages to make you love, sympathise, and root for a character only to do a whole 360 and make you hate their actions and who they have become, yet still feel compassion for them is talented.
Medea: best known for her marriage to legendary hero Jason and then killing her own children.
Here, Hewlett develops Medea, delving into her childhood and history to show how her dark side, her lust for power, and her eventual unfathomable betrayal was nurtured by trauma and the mistreatment and abuse by her father and brother.
Medea is powerful, taught by Circe (name drop!) to wield her magic given by the goddess Hecate. However, Medea is forbidden from using it unless her father wills it. She is his weapon, just like Jason uses her as his own hidden weapon later on.
Love or leverage?
“And I also know how they will tell his story. It is the same for any woman who defies their place in this world. Jason will be the hero, and you? They’ll either make you his adoring, lovesick damsel or they’ll make you the villain. Those are the only roles they feel comfortable with us occupying.”
I also have to shout out Atalanta and the budding friendship there. Atalanta just really wanted the best for Medea but Jason’s involvement just makes Medea push her away. Just like Circe.
Not to mention, the interactions between the Argonauts was just so fun!! I would love to read an Atalanta retelling by Hewitt, especially as it is my favourite Jennifer Saint book!