Category: Reviews
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The Shadow of the Gods – John Gwynne’s Inspired Take on Norse Mythology
We get to know our main characters in isolation, learning about their varied backgrounds, bonds, and motivations. Gwynne leaves just enough hints to allow readers to connect some of the dots on their own before their storylines begin to converge. Eventually, as all of their destinations start syncing up, it becomes clear that there’s more…
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Georgie, All Along Tempers its Romance with Thoughtful and Relatable Characters
Instead of focusing on the progression of falling in love, the bonds that grow between Levi and Georgie build toward a climax of healing past wrongs. Their romance is handled like an inevitability, leaving the dramatic tension to build toward whether each character will overcome their pasts. The most important journeys in this novel revolve…
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The Wilderwomen – the Paranormal Road Trip for Everyone Feeling a Bit Lost
Lang’s writing powerfully captured the appeal of the road trip novel, using the shifting setting and characters at hand to move the plot forward. With each stop the sisters made, I was left wishing I could spend more time with each of the colorful individuals they came across. But as the book came to a…
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Babel: An Arcane History – a Period-Piece Tackling Colonialism that Struggles at the Finish Line
Though I feel it fails to choose whether to be either a fantasy or fully-developed alternate history, Babel’s greatest success is as an engrossing and well-researched examination of early- to mid-nineteenth century Britain and the effects of its colonialism, both at home and abroad. It examines the mindset of those who are assimilated into Western…
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Harrow the Ninth – Delighting in Misdirection
I left Harrow the Ninth feeling like I’d just unwound a most fascinating puzzle box. When the final reveal actually unfolds, I felt like I had triumphed in successfully solving the conundrum of the story.
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Hell Followed With Us – a Metaphor for Our Times and For Queer Lives
White’s choice to replace traditional gender dysphoria with the fear of Seraph allows for a discussion on the determination and fear of a young trans person while allowing any reader, no matter their background, to understand the threat of puberty for a significant portion of youth today.
Blake is Reading 