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By Warren Rochelle

Genre: Fiction, Fairy Tale, Romance, Fairy Tale Retelling, Fantasy, Gay fantasy, Gay romance, Adventure, LGBTQ+

Word count: 76,446

ASIN: B08J6PWLWC

Format: eBook (Kindle, Kobo, Nook)

Publication date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Publisher: JMS Books

Type: Book, Short Story Collection

Warnings: violence, one rape (not described)

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Warren Rochelle and Other Worlds Ink!*

Introduction

When I saw Other Worlds Ink offering a blog tour for Warren Rochelle’s The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories, I immediately felt compelled to sign up and review it. Kindly enough, I received an ARC of what felt both a revelation and an exciting event: an LGBTQ fairy tale retelling book by an own voice for us! I. just. couldn’t. resist!

There are so many good sides in this book to explore. Care to do so with me?

Read on, loves!

Blurb

Fairy tales. We all know the traditional stories, right? Prince Charming, the hero, fights evil, wins the princess, happily ever after. Three sons, three wishes, witches, dragons, a quest, and happily ever after.

These stories are part of our cultural fabric. We retell them, over and over, and the stories change in the retellings, to reflect contemporary culture, such as Princess Charming, heroes and heroines as people of colour. It has been only relatively recently that queer folk have found their way into the retellings, as they have here, in this collection of stories, stories that grew out of questions:

What if the prince falls in love with Cinderella’s gay stepbrother?

What if Rumpelstiltskin doesn’t really want the Queen’s child? He wants his old boyfriend back, the King.

What if Beauty and the Beast were two men?

As fairy tales do, these stories explore the human condition, human experience, through the metaphors of magic and the magical, exploring what it means to be human. After all, all fairy tales are true. But this time, with a gay perspective.

In these tales, retellings and original ones, readers are asked to consider what price must be paid for happily ever after—which is not guaranteed. Love, on the other hand, without a doubt. These tales are love stories.

Duty or love? Is love worth great sacrifice?

So… once upon a time…

The Positive Sides

First, these stories are so poignant, they grabbed my heart and never let go. They’re beautiful, emotional, and intense and true. I swear, I would go about my day and think about the stories and the characters’ feelings or woes at work! Doing the dishes. Cooking up lunch. That doesn’t happen with all the books I read, but this one, it burrowed itself a den in my heart. And you know what? I’m happy it’s there.

Funny enough, the stories are interrelated!! They have references to the others embedded in them! So clever. I am pleasantly surprised and impressed as I wasn’t expecting this—I figured they were all standalones in their own little world. But oh, was I wrong. The stories also touch on deep important matters in the LGBTQ+ reality, like cultural divides, hope, acceptance, what’s expected of you, and so on. It was very poignant and much needed.

On a side note, I particularly enjoyed how amusing and foreign he made another language feel and how he wrote it out. As a polyglot myself, it was fun to see! Because I felt this on a personal level, haha. The author used a clever way to visualize not understanding another language, or at least its foreignness, like the pronunciation and how hard we try to associate it with the sounds we know.

As for the stories themselves, Rumpelstiltskin’s (the first one) made me cry with belonging and feels. I thought there was no princess like me ever even in a gay fairy tale retelling, but hey! I was proven wrong (again! Notice a pattern, here?). From the bottom of my heart: thank you. She was great and lovely. And the story itself with the fey and the long-lost love was perfect, so emotional. I still think about it spontaneously during the day.

I love that the Beast’s house is in-between worlds and states of mind… It explains all the magic and mystery surrounding it and how some people can find it and not others and when they do so. Nice! There’s also an invisible in-between crew (which is quite funny and hot-headed!) in the Beast’s house. And it’s the first time an author made me relate to the beast on a deep level, what with his insecurities and sadness and longing.

Can I say this too many times: I looooove the emotions, angst, and sheer love of all types (whether it be romantic, platonic, family, friends, etc.) in these stories! I don’t think this book will let my heart go anytime soon, if ever.

(This quotation comes from my favorite story in the collection, which happens to be the very first one!)

The Negative Sides

I should really say “the negative side” here and not “sides”, but oh well. There’s way too much telling in the The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories. While I don’t mind it much, I felt the stories were sometimes lacking in terms of connecting with the characters or “discovery” (at least from a reader’s perspective). Nevertheless, it didn’t ruin my experience but I’m pretty sure that’s because I find telling to be okay. Though I think it might be an issue with other readers, hence my mentioning it.

In Conclusion

All in all, it was lovely and touching to finally read about LGBTQ fairy tales. It was high time someone did this, by us, for us. I give this beautiful and poignant book, The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories, a rating of 4.5 out of 5. I had a pleasant time every time while settling into bed with my Kobo to read these enchanting stories of love, acceptance, struggles, and flawed but lovable characters. Please, give this book a read! Not only will you feel attached to the stories, their situations and characters, but you’ll also help to spread own voices LGBTQ fairy tale retelling fiction, which we’re in great need of. I recommend it to anyone with an open mind, a desire to travel into pages of a book and find themselves, and those looking to broaden their horizons.

If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit his Facebook author page, you can also follow him on Twitter and Goodreads. You can also add The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories to your bookshelves on Goodreads.

The Author: Warren Rochelle

Warren Rochelle lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, and has just retired from teaching English at the University of Mary Washington. His short fiction and poetry have been published in such journals and anthologies as Icarus, North Carolina Literary Review, Forbidden Lines, Aboriginal Science Fiction, Collective Fallout, Queer Fish 2, Empty Oaks, Quantum Fairy Tales, Migration, The Silver Gryphon, Jaelle Her Book, Colonnades, and Graffiti, as well as the Asheville Poetry Review, GW Magazine, Crucible, The Charlotte Poetry Review, and Romance and Beyond.

His short story, “The Golden Boy,” was a finalist for the 2004 Spectrum Award for Short Fiction. His short story “Mirrors,” was just published in Under A Green Rose, a queering romance anthology, from Cuil Press. “The Latest Thing,” a flash fiction story, is forthcoming in the Queer Sci Fi anthology, Innovation.

Rochelle is also the author of four novels: The Wild Boy (2001), Harvest of Changelings (2007), and The Called (2010), all published by Golden Gryphon Press, and The Werewolf and His Boy, published by Samhain Publishing in September 2016. The Werewolf and His Boy was re-released from JMS Books in August 2020. The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories is forthcoming from JMS Books in late September 2020.

Extreme: A Book Review

Book Reviews October 18, 2020 Leave a comment

53483098

Extreme the Book Web Site

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com

Goodreads

By Joan Gelfand

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Thriller, Romance

Pages: 282

ISBN: 9781421836515

ASIN: B08BX7RJQL

Format: Paperback, eBook (Kindle)

Publication date: 2020

Publisher: Blue Light Press

Type: Book, Novel

*I received a free paperback copy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Joan Gelfand and Blue Light Press!*

Introduction

When I was offered to review Extreme by Joan Gelfand (a paperback copy no less!), I couldn’t say no. I was intrigued about the techy and Silicon Valley aspects of this story right from the start. A startup? Seen from a woman’s perspective?

I had to read it.

If this sounds interesting to you as well, then let’s explore the story’s strengths and flaws together, shall we?

Blurb

Hope Ellson is from the wrong side of the tracks, but her genius transcends class. When Hope joins FearToShred, a Silicon Valley extreme gaming startup, Hope's mission is to groom the scrappy company for prime time. Enter Doug Wiser, her very married ex. While the two work in tandem, nefarious forces are at work behind the scenes. Adding to the excitement of this thriller are the stars and heroes of surfing and skateboarding. With a keen eye on women in tech, business ethics and dangerous stunts, "Extreme" will leave you breathless.

The Positive Sides

I’ll start with the ending because it struck me as a great way to write this book’s dénouement. Not only was the phrasing gold (you have to read it for yourself, it’s clever!), but there are still surprises to be discovered! Hope makes an important announcement to Doug, which has been hinted at throughout the book but comes off as a surprise in the end, really. I’m not used to seeing such big announcements at the end, they usually come about 3/4 of a novel or so.

But what about the characters? Well, I thought they were all an interesting bunch of -sometimes- conflicting points of views and motives. As for Hope herself, she underwent great character development. In my opinion, it was impressively well done. I thought she was very flawed from the get-go, which is rare in fiction for characters tend to be flawed but not enough, but I felt I walked beside her on her personal and professional quest. I had a blast learning about her world, her opinions and desires, and get an inside view at Silicon Valley! So many thrilling events took place in the story, and twists and turns and problems kept occurring—this made me very happy as it kept the reading experience fresh. It was one bad thing over the other, and kept me guessing about what would happen next.

As for the writing, I found I really enjoyed it. It is funny, sincere, true to real life (with exemples such as “matinees” at the cinema and the famous “WTF”). The author doesn’t back down from technological terminology and real life expressions and realities, which makes the story feel more grounded, more tangible, closer to us readers. Her vocabulary is both rich and familiar, which makes for an intriguing and odd combination. But it’s pleasant to read.

The Negative Sides

Well, this might come as a surprise, but the vocabulary itself made it both hard and pleasant to read. Let me explain: I said above that the vocabulary is rich and familiar at the same time, but that’s exactly what clashes in my mind as I read. I’m expecting familiar but I get rich vocabulary… Then, if I expect rich, I get familiar. It’s as though the combination of those two is odd and takes a while to become easy to read. It was still interesting and pleasant, but harder to read.

Lastly, what really bugged me was the adulterous relationship with Doug… this definitely didn’t please me. I despise those from being a child from a family broken by an adulterous relationship. I always try to avoid such reads because, I guess, it’s a trigger for me, or just something I really can’t stand either way (it’s not in my values). It wasn’t badly written, mind you, it’s just it’s not my cup of tea. However, I liked how it ended. It was responsible and mature both from Hope and Doug.

In Conclusion

Overall, this story is surprising, immersive, and friendly (I mean, I felt like I was Hope’s friend, going on her personal and professional development withher). Despite the vocabulary that makes it not confusing but harder to read, I enjoyed this inside look at a startup in Silicon Valley a great deal! I didn’t want to close the book and I found myself wondering about the characters and their situations even when I wasn’t reading. I call that a win! So, for all these reasons, I give Extreme by Joan Gelfand a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. I recommend this book to fans of contemporary fiction and those interested in everything technology. Also, as an upside, I’m not one for contemporary reads, but this one stood out. Another win!

If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit her Web site, you can also follow her on Twitter and Goodreads. You can also add Extreme to your bookshelves on Goodreads and visit the Extreme the book Web site.

Tavern: A Book Review

Book Reviews October 14, 2020 Leave a comment

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Deston J. Munden's Web site

By Deston J. Munden

Genre: Epic fantasy, high fantasy, fantasy, swords and sorcery, adventure

Pages: 447

ISBN: 9781795562584

ASIN: B07PWTR89Q

Format: Paperback, Ebook (Kindle)

Publication date: March 2019

Publisher: Self-published

Type: Book, Novel, First in a series

*I received a free ecopy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to BookTasters and Deston J. Munden!*

Introduction:

I was kindly offered by BookTasters to review one of the books they had, and Tavern’s blurb stood out to me. It sounded so fantasy-like and magical… How could I resist? So, here I am, reviewing it with pleasure!

I hope many of you will find this read to their liking as I did.

Shall we go on a quest together and explore this book in more details?

Come, dear reader…

Blurb:

Information, Power. Respect.

Xelnath of the Gnarled Root—a tavern owner, information broker, healer, and guildmaster of the Blackwind Company—has found a place, far better than the forest from which he came in the magical metropolis and city-state of Lladad in the Magiian Empire.

When a simple act of kindness draws the ire of a troubled assassin, his love-stricken Archmage father and an army of magically constructed golems, Xel must scheme with vipers of the high court, mingle with royalty at the castle, blackmail drug dealers in the slums, and fight assassins and mercenaries in the streets.

He needs to lean on the support of his motley crew of a dark elf assassin, a dragon pirate, a high elf royal, and a talking dog artificer to keep him from his own inner demons and doubts.

The Positive Sides:

For starters, may I say this lad writes excellent descriptions of fights and action scenes? Because it’s true. They were so engrossing and immersive! Moreover, the whole reading experience was amusing and thrilling (despite the first confusing chapter, though). The quest Xelnath embarks on is fun and so are the other, smaller adventures in his path.

Another magnificent point is how really exotic the story and settings are! There is an orc for a main character, as well as other creatures and tribes. And magic! Did I talk about this one yet? Nope. Here goes: I love the nature-based magic system found in Tavern. All this variety gives me the feeling I am reading The Witcher, which is amazing as I love this series. (I’m even reading it in Polish! Yup, that’s a polyglot for you.)

I loved being on this reading adventure with Xelnath the orc and his motley crew. It reminded me of why I enjoy High and Epic fantasy (I’ve been falling out of touch with it lately, but now I want to resume The Witcher books—still in Polish—and go back to Lord of the Rings). I call this a win by this book and author!

The Negative Sides:

However, I found that the text was sometimes too telling and not showing enough—it was rather straightforward in multiple occasions, but I’m not sure whether it’s a fault or the author’s intention. Hmmm… Also, the first chapter was confusing as h.

It took me a while to get used to the whole situation, the world, and the orc main character! Everything was too vague, and while I understand the strategy to keep his MC’s nature a mystery at the beginning, it doesn’t help the confusion. I had a hard time immersing myself or believing the story at first. But then after the first chapter, I had a blast reading!

In Conclusion:

What can I say? It rekindled my flame for this genre. I’ve had a blast (except that damn first chapter) and I can’t wait to read the next one in this series! I will definitely follow this series and author (already doing so on his Amazon Author’s page, yup). All in all, I give Tavern by Deston J. Munden a rating of 4 stars out of 5! If you enjoy high or epic fantasy, a big and varied cast of characters, and an intricate story with amusing parts, this is the read for you!

If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit his Web site, you can also follow him on Goodreads and Twitter. You can also add Tavern to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.

The Paris Model: A Book Review

Book Reviews October 12, 2020 Leave a comment

50496928

By Alexandra Joel

Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780063031968
ASIN: B083SN921G
ISBN (Audio): 9781799940357
Format: Paperback, Ebook, Audiobook
Publication date: September 2020
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Type: Book, Novel, Historical

I received a free paperback copy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Harper Collins and Harper Collins Canada Frenzy!

Introduction:

When I was offered the opportunity to review a historical fiction book for Harper Collins via the Harper Collins Canada Frenzy program, The Paris Model’s cover and title caught my eye. “What is this beautiful, beautiful book about?” I wondered. As I read the blurb, I knew I couldn’t pass this one up. I’m a fashion lover and a huge France fan, so this was the book for me. I knew it! I was so psyched when my request was granted and I received this beauty of a galley in the mail. Huge thanks to Harper Collins and the author, Alexandra Joel, for this jewel!

Now, how about we explore this book together in more details? You’ll see, it’s full of elegance, twists, and travel. But mostly, it’s a humane story full of emotions that will leave you breathless but with a feeling of satisfaction.

Blurb:

Grace Woods, a hard-working woman raised on an Australian farm, moves to postwar Paris to work for Christian Dior as a model after her disastrous marriage. Left with more questions about her past and her parents, Grace tries to go on a normal life, putting the past behind her. As she does so, she meets with colourful characters such as Julia Child and Jackie Kennedy. Yet, she’s still on a quest to find answers, and a young man she meets, Philippe Boyer, will help her in this endeavour. But she’ll have to help him too, and all of France. Will she be up for the challenge?

The Positive Sides:

The first great thing that jumped at me when I opened the book was how the writing is lush, enchanting and elegant, just like the world of fashion and modelling seems like. Don’t believe me? Here’s a quote:

She was in a jurisdiction of her own. Her mind, her very being, was fixed upon a single resolution. No matter the hour, nor the exquisite agony, she would continue until her child was born—healthy, safe, whole.

At last, her body surrendered its possession. Only then did she experience a sweet release. Happiness was her narcotic; she felt intoxicated with pleasure and relief.

It’s from the beginning, which simply grabbed my heart and made me tear up. Also, let’s be honest here: what a gorgeous cover! All those deep colours, the look of the historical fiction, and the cursive fonts used. GOR.GE.OUS! I love the French quotes and words throughout the book; it’s not overwhelming, yet it gives you a taste of the language and culture while being understandable from the context and attitudes of the characters (I speak French, so I always enjoy finding my language in a book—it’s pleasant and makes it even more home to me). Another great point is how this book is divided: sections within chapters and chapters within books for one book. They’re all short too and smooth to read. It’s a breeze! So pleasant.

Speaking of the story itself, there were tense, gripping moments when she was young. I didn’t get why we saw her childhood, but the family relationships are important, and it makes sense as we get bits of the issue at hand through Grace’s eyes. Plus, I love how clothes are important even outside of the fashion storyline; they’re all described in accurate terminology, which is a feat in my opinion (hey, I work with terminology what with being a translator, and this perfect use of terminology makes me glow with happiness!) Personally, I love how Grace wishes to travel, dreams of a life untethered to some place/someone and out and about around the world. I relate so much despite the era! I can feel Grace’s ache to explore.

Something that hit me hard is how the awful realism of the married life before is well depicted along with how women had to shut up and only do “women’s work”. I was so upset I put the book down. It was hard to read, but so true. I applaud the author’s dare. The despicable and awful sex scenes hit my heart hard. So many women suffered that and against their will… and I have strong issues with sex, being asexual myself, and this was a nightmare described in words. Thanks for showing this old reality in women’s lives.
On a more cheerful note, I found so cute the serendipitous way Grace hears about the job and becomes a model! Lovely! Such things happen in real life, too. People’s reactions are realistic and true, so it is charming to read. Outbursts, false beliefs, happiness, dreams… I like how her quest to find Siddy is reinforced by a certain meeting and how the absence of action on Grace’s part is explained right when her motivation is renewed. It didn’t ignore the issue! Great! It’s fantastic to see models and beautiful women in action, to see them being intelligent and not stupid like most deem them just because they “show off” in expensive clothes. They’re women, they’re more than just that! Really loved it, this different perspective.

And if I may add: OH, THE EMOTIONS! The FEELS! I am so invested in Grace! Everything she feels, I feel. Ohhh, the ending got me crying like a poor fountain. I relate so much to Grace’s thoughts about a second set of parents. My grandparents were so close to me, they were and always will be my second parents.

In addition to those feelings, I love all the clever historical inserts and references such as the Duchess of Windsor, Vogue (which existed back then), the Viscountess de Noailles, and locations, and news in the paper like Dior’s clothes are “revolutionary” and old laws like how a woman can’t get a passport without her husband’s approval in Australia (what even is this? Yew!) I adore how celebrities of the time in all fields (Julia Child, imagine that!) make an appearance. Some play an even bigger role :). The author even goes all in with historical figures—she writes them closely and often, like a certain friend of Grace’s, Jacqueline. Have fun discovering who she is like I have!

This is genuinely the perfect read to be surrounded by fashion instead of reading only magazines and articles! So many references, allusions and oh, the ambiance.

I thought this was just a novel about fashion and possibly romance, but wow, it is so much more! And the best thing? It’s based on a true story!!

The Negative Sides:

There were a few things that I noticed. Oftentimes the transitions between paragraphs, time, and locations feel clunky or rushed. Alas, I was disappointed that Grace isn’t asexual because I swear she was every bit like me in the first half of the book… This could have been awesome representation, but of course, it ended with her just not being with the right man for her… What’s new? I’m left sour and disappointed after being so hopeful and despite how much I related with her sexuality at first. Also, it’s a bit too telling at some points throughout the book, almost preachy, but with good values and honesty. I can tell the author wants to make a point with good intentions, but sometimes it feels contrite or too much. Lastly, maybe the story is a bit too fairy tale-like in the end to my taste. But hey, it is sweet sometimes, isn’t it? Once in a while, a happy ending doesn’t hurt…

In Conclusion:

Despite its few flaws, and mostly thanks to the sheer engrossing read it became to me, I give this fantastic book, The Paris Model by Alexandra Joel a rating of 5 stars out of 5! I loved it so much I am going to purchase a final copy for my own “favorites” bookshelf at home. Trust me, this is a great and poignant read with lots of historical references and figures. It was delightful! And though it ended a bit soapy to me, we need happy endings from times top times, don’t we? Go ahead and make yourself a favour: read this book!

If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit her Web site, you can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram. You can also add The Paris Model to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.

Waiting For Achilles: A Book Review

Book Reviews September 17, 2020 Leave a comment

By Jo Sarzotti

Genre: Poetry

Pages: 59

ISBN: 9781625570017

Format: Paperback

Publication date: 2019

Publisher: Black Lawrence Press

Type: Book, Poetry Collection

*I received a free paperback copy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Black Lawrence Press and Diane Goettel!*

Introduction

This book was recommended to me on Goodreads by none other than… the publisher! Yes, Black Lawrence Press added me as a friend, followed my reviews and sent me this recommendation. I couldn’t help adding Waiting for Achilles to my “Want to read” list and, desperate for a review copy of this poetry collection, I contacted them. Graciously, they granted me a copy. I’m so thrilled to have read this raw, moving and mythical-inspired poetry book!

So, not only is the cover gorgeous and quite relevant to the topics explored, the book is entertaining and deep with meaning.

Let’s delve into it together, shall we?

Blurb

A beautiful poetry collection inspired by many truths of life such as death, heartbreaks, joys, as well as Greek mythology. The theme of horses is a current that helps tie the poems together all while exploring different sides to reality and the fine line between myth and dreams and life.

The Positive Sides

I liked the continuous theme of horses, mostly black ones, throughout the poems. It felt unifying and helped put the poems in motion and dig into their meanings. It also felt like Ariadne’s string in Greek mythology.

The poem that stood out the most to me is “Abduction by a God”, which retells the story of Perspephone being abducted by Hades. Not only is it my favourite mythological story (yeah, I know, weird), the words chosen, the images depicted, and the rhythm just got to me. “Hospital Mind” is another one that got under my skin, but because of its sadness I can relate to as someone who spends a good chunk of my life in hospitals due to serious health issues. The emotions, feelings and descriptions are accurate and echo in me. “Fear of Drowning” is dark and angsty, heart-breaking because we’ve all been there too, with a broken heart, no matter its type. “Woman in Space” is entracing, beautiful, and speaks of feminism to me—or a lack of it. As for “Norse Mythology”, I rather enjoyed the Trickster (Loki), the Ourobouros, and the vikings. It made me grin and nod with approval, which is a good reaction to a poem. Lastly, “The Shoemaker’s Wife” describes the way we care about doing our duty, whatever it may be like the shoemaker’s wife (to be clear, I’m talking about picking up shoemaking herself), and how we have to cross boundaries to do it and succeed.

Of course, there are several interesting poems other than these I mentioned, but I figured sharing my experience was a good way to make you feel them, too. A bit, at least. The last positive point I’ll bring up is how loosely connected these poems sound to one another. It’s a tenuous strong, linking them all, but it’s there. And I think it’s amazing to see this subtle connection at play.

The Negative Sides

While all the poems are interconnected, forming an ensemble, the words and meanings are often separated and hard to grasp. It’s almost like they’re unrelated for the most part. I understand the free nature of poetry, as I write some myself, but this goes beyond seamless connections and transitions.

In Conclusion

For the sheer enjoyment I had reading this poetry collection (and look at that gorgeous cover!) as well as the difficulty of grasping a few of them, I give Waiting for Achilles a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. I plan on re-reading it down the road of my life and choose to keep it in my personal library. It’s a nice addition, deep, sometimes dark, always honest. I enjoyed the ride on Achilles’s black horse and gladly recommend this poetry collection to poetry readers, poets, mythology lovers, Greek world lovers, and those looking for diverse poems about other things than simply heartbreaks and love matters that seem to plague a lot of our contemporary poetry.

If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit her page on Black Lawrence Press's Web site. You can also add Waiting for Achilles to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.

Red Hood: A Book Review

Book Reviews August 20, 2020 Leave a comment

(Copyrighted by Catherine Girard-Veilleux, 2020)

Kobo

By Elana K. Arnold

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Adaptations, Retellings

Pages: 368

ISBN: 9780062742353

ASIN: B07S9S2SDV

Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook (Kindle & Kobo), Audiobook, Audio CD

Publication date: February 25, 2020

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Type: Book, Novel

*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Balzer + Bray, Harper Collins Canada, and Edelweiss+!*

Introduction

As for an introduction, I wanted to start in a very mature and serious way: WHERE WAS THIS BOOK WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER?! IT’S EXACTLY WHAT I WISHED FOR ALL THIS TIME! I NEEDED IT!

Now that this main thought and raw emotions have been made clear, how about we explore further together the reasons why I feel this way towards this book?

Blurb

This story, told in second-person point of view, follows Bisou Martel. She lives with her grandmother, whom she calls Mémé, and dates a wonderful boyfriend, James. But on homecoming night, Bisou finds herself fighting a wolf… but instead of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, she finds a wolf in men’s clothing. She will learn truths about her heritage, her loved ones, and make strong friendships all while navigating her love life, her womanhood. All for the sake of living life on her own terms, and vanquishing wolves that hide in plain sight.

Oh, what courage you have.

All the better to end you with.

The Positive Sides

I've been yearning for such a book for so many years! WHERE WAS IT WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER?! So I would know I wasn't alone with such a dark imagination… Love, love it! I kept reading and reading and wanting to find out and pushing away my much-needed sleep. Do I regret it? Not a drop!

Thank you LOADS for this ARC. It's my new baby. YIS! Now, why is it my new baby?

First of all, it is MARVELLOUS. It's so rich in terms of vocabulary, darkness and raw emotions! I loved the ongoing theme of blood, pretty well done and ominous. The characters are also something I appreciated. Particularly the main character, Bisou—I really love the depth and intensity of her worries, fears, and thoughts, as well as the honesty and truth of her character. Plus, I love that she calls her grandmother “Mémé” instead of “Mami”. Just like mine. And her strong but kind and open-minded and loving description of Mémé reminds me so much of my own! I felt for this character right away. Sue me. Bisou’s female friends really made me smile and feel warm inside; all that camaraderie, all that friendship! Lastly, James, Bisou’s boyfriend, is so kind, gentle, and understanding. He’s precious!

As for the writing, can I say fabulous? The second-person POV is so refreshing and unique. It also draws you into the dark easier such as when she or you are assaulted in the woods. It is gripping and very well done. It made me realize I would love more novels like this. Moreover, the descriptions are enough, precise, and very poignant. You get to know everything you have to and it touches you. Love this style. It is not crowded, just beautifully done. The way you remember things is awesome, artistic, and gripping, too. The flashbacks are artfully brought about and done. As well as all the intense emotions we feel with Bisou and her situations. I feel them so deep in my heart. And dun dun dun… What an amazing surprise! We get the awesome Mémé’s POV, too. I was thrilled and read it in one go! Since this is a retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood”, should I say “I devoured it”?

I adore how dark and mature this book is. It even tackles womanly periods, assault, sex, and STDs. And I loved the raw fight where Bisou didn’t have time to look good and her dress fell off her. So rarely done and so very realistic. Something that struck me with great positivity is the girl’s periods. The deal of periods in YA always amazes me because it is unfortunately so rarely tackled. But it is a reality for girls, one new they must learn to navigate. This book made me feel content about this aspect of womanhood. Sexuality is present, too, and while sex makes me personally unease, I think it’s a good move to insert it in a YA book (with such respect, too!) Indeed, there’s even a full sex scene with proper words used and respect. Then, Bisou admits to her grandmother she had sex with her boyfriend, James, and Mémé informs Bisou about how she can decide for her own body. It’s awesome and great, an awesome model for young women and teenagers who wonder about sex and/or none ever told them about respect of their own body and so on. It was brilliantly tackled! I would recommend it to all teenagers (yes, boys, too) so they can get a better understanding of what having sex/making love means. Now, let’s talk about how the gore and dark issues, topics, and descriptions are perfect! Oh, and don’t forget this story is highly feminist <3!

Here’s my favourite quote (it hit me hard with truth): “It’s that we need men to stop becoming wolves.” (p. 243, hardcover)

The Negative Sides

Sorry, none. Next?

In Conclusion

Honestly? I loved it so much I purchased my own hardcover copy (see above picture) because I wanted it on my favourite collection shelf, and it’s never leaving this house. Ever.

This is the book I yearned and waited for when I was young (and even today). I needed to read something dark, feminist and thrilling for a young fantasy readership. Red Hood bumped up in my list of all-time favourites to the top with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Finally, Arnold wrote the book little me needed. That I still need. It will stay with me always, and I hope it can fulfill a young girl’s (or boy’s) desires, unfortunately considered weird and different. We’re not alone.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Miss Arnold! You reached out to a deep part of me and made me feel understood. I will never cease coming back to Red Hood.

For all these reasons, I give Red Hood a rating of 6 out of 5 stars. What? I can’t go above 5 stars? Just watch me! Okay, fine, but I still give it the highest rating possible, good? Perfect!

If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit her Web site, you can also follow her on Twitter, her Amazon author page and Goodreads. You can also add Red Hood to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.

Ochre Dragon: A Book Review

Book Reviews July 17, 2020 Leave a comment

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Fiction, Sci-fi

Pages: 436

ISBN: 9781627473934

Format: Paperback, eBook (Kindle)

Publication date: December 27th, 2018

Publisher: Tom Bird Retreats, Inc.

Type: Novel, Series

Introduction

When I saw that beautiful cover with three women and a dragon (a dragon, so great!) who all looked powerful and intriguing, I knew I wanted to review this book. I was kindly granted my request, but alas I don’t think this book fulfilled all of its promises. At least to me.

Read on to find what worked and what didn’t!

*I received a free ecopy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to BookTasters and V. E. Patton!*

Blurb

On three distant worlds, three women journey towards their destinies. Before they started out, all three made a choice – to forget they share a single soul.

In tech-ruled post-Crack Earth, where magic doesn't officially exist, project manager Ali's humdrum life under the crumbling Melba Dome is becoming weirder by the day. Her fingers keep glowing, a snarky dragon takes up residence in her head, and people she thought were her friends keep trying to control, kidnap or assassinate her. To top it off, she can't figure out why her previously perfect memory is suddenly full of holes.

Meanwhile, on Heavens Gate, where magic and science have forged an uneasy alliance, research analyst Merindah is desperate to save her dying planet. What she lacks in magical ability, she more than makes up for in ambition, which comes in handy as she navigates family politics and feral deities. But when an impatient and not-so-extinct dragon begins to help her solve the puzzle of the Yarran journal, she realises her magic might not be as weak as she'd thought.

Finally, on Reverie, where magic rules unfettered, a young orphan becomes burdened with tainted magical gifts. Dee is alone, trapped in a waking nightmare. When she finally surrenders to the voices in her head, her out-of-control magic unleashes her dragon and propels her onto a path that could unravel the fabric of time and space.

Three women, three worlds – and their time is running out. Unless Ali, Merindah and Dee can reunite and unlock the secret of the Timegates in a single year, all is lost. They must each make unimaginable sacrifices to become the Key, the Gatekeeper, and the Fire who will save the Cosmos – or ignite Armageddon.

First though… they need to teach their soulmate dragons who's in charge!

The Positive Sides

The beginning of this book includes a beautiful, enchanting creation story. It’s magical and the most imaginative story I’ve read in a while—it’s intriguing. As for the writing, it is evocative with an enhanced vocabulary. Something I just crave! The descriptions are lengthy, detailed and crisp, which make them easy to picture. I love that we get clues and answers to a character’s situation from the other characters! All is connected very well, including the subplots. Wow! Another thing worth mentioning is that the women are older than what we usually see, too. Nice touch!

What about the characters? Well, first of all, I was surprised and delighted by the women run the planet of Heavens Gate. Such a good feminist take! It’s refreshing. Ali is so relatable to me anyway, what with her imagination and escapism, and also because she’s considered a weirdo. I loved her right away, then more and more. Plus, I connected so much with Merindah’s ambition. She was interesting to read. The bond between Ali, Merindah and Dee is so fun to unfold and discover!

But what really stood out to me, besides the graceful language, is the fantastic world-building. If you want to be transported out of this world, choose this book! The notions, concepts, and customs of the peoples we meet in this book are so different from ours. It’s a bit hard to grasp at first, but then you read and feel out of here. So pleasant! (Yes, this is escapism at its best, no regrets.)

The Negative Sides

This being said, if you want an easy read, look elsewhere. Everything sounds complicated and jumbled together. Moreover, the characters’ desires, thoughts and actions are overexplained. We often understand them from the context and their reactions, but now the author uses several paragraphs to explain them to us. It’s boring, and it also feels like she wants to cram the information in our head lest we forget. I found myself disconnecting from the story a lot. There is action and intense moments, but I fear it’s not enough.

In Conclusion

While the sheer idea, amiable characters and intense world-building made for a fun ride, the writing itself is too telling and explicative, it and weighs on the story instead of lifting it. Thus, I give Ochre Dragon a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5. I still recommend it to fantasy and world-building lovers, and even more if telling in stories doesn’t bother you. I think you’ll enjoy this read. But I’m not sure I’ll continue this series. Still, I’ll remember this book as having the best world-building I ever came across so far.

Cheers!

If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit her Web site, you can also follow him on Amazon author page and Goodreads. You can also add Ochre Dragon to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.

*Please note this book review contains affiliate links. This means I receive a percentage off your purchase, but it doesn't cost you anything more should you buy the book via my links! Thank you.*

Witch’s Jewel: A Book Review

Book Reviews July 8, 2020 Leave a comment

Genre: Urban fantasy, YA, paranormal

Pages: 272

ISBN: 9798613448913

ASIN: B085ZWVJMH

Format: Paperback, eBook (Kindle & Kobo)

Publication date: April 17th, 2020

Publisher: Self-published

Type: Novel, Series

Introduction

When I was offered the chance to review this book, the first in the Kit Melbourne series, not only was I thrilled but it would be nearly a euphemism to say I jumped on it. An urban fantasy with a strong young woman with an intriguing, magical plot, a promise of action and a pretty good time?

How could I say no?

*I received a free ecopy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Kater Cheek!*

Blurb

A sorcerous jewel. A mysterious uncle. Can a barista keep her magical heirloom safe from murderous crooks?

Kit Melbourne longs to quit her brother's coffee shop to pursue her artistic dreams. And despite the temptation to sell the sought-after enchanted gem she inherited from her uncle, she promises her family to protect it at all costs. But when her brother's tea-leaf reading predicts her imminent death, she's terrified to discover those who want it will kill to make it theirs.

Forced to dig into her late relative's murky past, Kit is doubly shocked when she learns the artifact's mighty power cannot be transferred unless its caretaker is dead. But despite her command of karate and fierce vampiric allies, her attackers show no sign of giving up their relentless lethal pursuit.

Has Kit's vow not to sell sealed her doom?

Witch's Jewel is the first book in the engrossing Kit Melbourne urban fantasy series. If you like strong female leads, high-stakes action, and nail-biting plots, you'll love Kater Cheek's enthralling tale.

The Positive Sides

Oh my God, the introduction! The very first sentence is intriguing, gripping, and full of mystery. That’s the first thing I notice (besides the gorgeous and colourful cover, that is)! The writing is smooth, entertaining, light, and funny but honest and dark at moments. I really enjoyed reading this book—it’s like a nice breeze on a warm summer day. As for the dialogues, they hit me as natural with the real expressions we use to tell things and it flows. It’s rather lovely and engaging.

Moreover, I love Kitley’s honest, friendly, and sassy voice. She injects jokes and cynicism here and there, which are loads of fun to read. Plus, I find entertaining how Kit isn’t always honest because she’s desperate for money as she’s broke. She might not be morally ambiguous, but sometimes she’ll take advantage of others or situations so she can have nice things, you know? Like food, for example. It was different from what I’m used to reading (and sick of as well!), but so refreshing! I really love the main character’s flaws and I can relate to her better. In addition to this, the way the subplots are all there, pushing the main plot is fantastic. This book reads so well!

As for the bindi, the magic jewel, I love how the things Kitley sees with it increase in intensity and clarity. It makes for good twists and turns that made me laugh and smile a few times. I also love that the author, Kater Cheek, uses creatures from foreign folklore like Kappa and Rusalka, which adds a nice diversity to the supernatural. She even explains why there are creatures from folklore and how come they’re here if they’re from overseas and frankly that was priceless. We’d all ask that and the way it was answered made me laugh in a beautiful way: I giggle snorted. Fabulous!

May I add something? I took this note in my Kobo, directing it personally to Kitley, the main character: “Omg gurl! You’re so oblivious to Fenwick! I ship them!” Isn’t that beautiful?! Come on, it’s sweet. I wanted to throw this note at Kitley’s head so bad, but alas. The romance really drew me in with so many feels and I’m not one for romance in stories. But it was very well laid out with a sad starting point I can relate to too well: too many bad heartbreaks and unrequited love.

Truthfully, I haven’t been this invested in a book and characters for a long, long while. Precisely a year, when my grandparents became ill and my grandma died. So this book is definitely a breath of fresh air—much needed in my case. And I am thankful for it. It made me smile, laugh, and anticipate the reading.

The Negative Sides

The only thing about this book is its middle. It’s not sluggish per se, since most of the subplots come together (and it’s brilliant!), but it was at a slower pace than what I prefer. I’m not taking any star off because of it, it’s more of a personal preference, yet I figured it was worth mentioning. Let’s move on!

In Conclusion

I give this book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars for the refreshing heroine, the gripping story, the pleasure I had looking forward to reading it, and the way I continuously thought about the story and its characters—even when I wasn’t reading! It gave me something to look forward to in a hard time, and I am grateful. The author also gave us a thrilling action-filled fantasy book with tastes for everyone, in my opinion. Finally, I loved it so much I am going to purchase the paperback version to place much lovingly into my “favourite books” bookshelf. I recommend it to those who love action, fantasy, different heroines (and quite strong!), and a touch of romance.

What are you waiting for? Go on and read Witch’s Jewel to find out what Kitley’s going to do with the bindi… and what happens to her.

If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit her Web site, you can also follow him on Amazon author page and Goodreads. You can also add Witch’s Jewel to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.

I’m Listed in the Book Blogger Directory!

Book Reviews, chit-chatting with Cat June 29, 2020 Leave a comment

Hello folks!

As a book blogger and reviewer, it's always exciting to be featured in a directory or to know someone liked my review. And now, for all authors looking for easy access to true book bloggers who review the particular genre you write in (you know, the right reviewer for your story?), well you have the Book Blogger Directory – 2020 Edition by Deena Rae from BookReviews4U!

Indeed, my blog, Ad Librum Aeternam, is listed as part of this beautiful and highly useful book! Not only is it a thrilling honour, but I believe it will help authors looking for the right reviewers for their book(s). And it will do so in an easy, structured manner to help you find them quickly.

Here's the blurb:

This Book Blogger Directory listing blog address, contact information, where reviews are posted as well as standard turn-around time and book formats accepted. Indexes listing bloggers by accepted genre to easily find blogger amendable to your subject matter.

More than 200, all current as of June 2020. Index listing each genre linked to each blog that accept books in that category.

Now, if that's not enticing, I don't know what is, fellow writers!

Its ebook regular retail price is $4.99 USD and its introductory price is $3.99 USD (5,44 $ CAD). Also, it will be available on most platforms for a month before going into Kindle Unlimited. So grab it before it's gone on the other platforms!

I purchased a copy for myself, of course. Not only will it help me know other book bloggers, but it might be useful for my publication plan, too. See? I think this book is a great idea if you're looking for trusty, helpful, and friendly book bloggers.

Here's the pre-order link to all your favourite platforms: https://books2read.com/BkBlog2020

It releases on July 10th.

I hope you will find it an entertaining and useful read.

Do let me know in the comments what you think of this initiative. Will you use it? Are you part of it?

Let's discuss!

See you next post, lovelies!

The Young Adult Writer’s Journey: A Book Review

Book Reviews June 18, 2020 Leave a comment

Sub.: An encyclopedia for YA writers

By Janet Schrader-Post & Elizabeth Fortin-Hinds

Genre: Non-fiction, Writing, Guide

Pages: 199

ISBN: 9781944056988

ASIN: B07K3VZ2ZK

Format: Hardcover, eBook (Kindle)

Publication date: November 23rd, 2018

Publisher: Tell-Tale Publishing Group

Type: Book

*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Tell-Tale Publishing Group and NetGalley!*

Introduction

It’s no secret that I’m writing young adult (a.k.a YA) novels and series. As soon as I saw this book on NetGalley, I knew I had to read it! Hopefully, it would give me advice and guidance on how to think like a teenager and what it is to be one now that I’m an adult. I was looking to supplement my knowledge both of the craft and my audience.

Guess what?

It did just that and more!

Let’s see how together, shall we?

The Positive Sides

The first and foremost attribute of this YA writing guide is really the knowledge of teenagers and how they feel and think. It is enlightening and well brought! Mostly to adults as we’re writing for teenagers, after all (even though a lot of adults read YA books too, but they’re not our main audience.) Then, I was surprised and overjoyed to find out there is a chapter about writing a series, yay! Also, did you know there are varieties of teen love? It’s wicked good to know! Plus, the explanations go into details such as what to consider with the first kiss scene—quite important for teens discovering love, in my opinion.

Now, what about the craft itself? Well, every stage of writing a novel is tackled such as the beginning, the sagging middle, the climax, the ending, and so on. Geography, both natural and manmade, and precise details like the kinds of crops in fields if you are in the country are touched upon as well. Insightful and a good reminder of how to world-build! The authors give information on writing craft in general such as POVs too, which is very useful. Moreover, there are informative steps-by-steps of the hero’s journey, falling in love, and more events and craft-related topics. The authors offer in-depth suggestions and explanations, which is something to love. You are not left wondering! Not everything is always explained in a step-by-step manner, but it is done so directly for what should be done and what should be avoided in writing YA. Super, super useful!

Something I particularly enjoyed about this book is the many examples. Diverse novels are mentioned as well as movies, comics, and video games (recent and well-known ones!) in order to make the concept of the hero’s journey clearer. It’s also filled with relevant and YA popular examples—quite contemporary ones at that too!

Lastly, the advice is direct and no nonsense. When it is not condescending (which happens frequently), it's very good, sound, and thoughtful. The explanations are of a similar nature: crisp, sharp, and straight-to-the-point.

The Negative Sides

All in all, I like the interspersed jokes but not the mean comments or ways of expressing themselves about bullied kids or rejects and so on. It sounds mocking. As someone who’s been badly bullied, this stood out in a very bad way.

Moreover, the drawings at the beginning of each chapter don't bring anything else to the plate. It doesn't add information, emotions, or else. They seem to play no important part except just to distract visually from the text.

In Conclusion

I greatly enjoyed this book! The Young Adult Writer’s Journey is filled with useful advice. Overall, I give it a rating of 4.5/5 stars—I took away .5 because of the condescending voice, mostly on sensitive topics. Otherwise, this book is SO useful and eye-opening. I will always recommend it as an excellent guide for YA writers of all types. You want to write YA? Look no further and pick up this book already!

If you want to learn more about the Elizabeth Fortin-Hinds, you can visit her page on Wise Words Publishing, you can also follow their publisher (owned by Elizabeth Fortin-Hinds) on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. You can visit their publisher, Tell-Tale Publishing Group. You can also add The Young Adult Writer's Journey to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.

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Introduction

Blurb

The Positive Sides

The Negative Sides

In Conclusion

The Author: Warren Rochelle

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The Negative Sides

In Conclusion

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