Book Review: The Iron Children by Rebecca Fraimow

Title: The Iron Children

Author: Rebecca Fraimow
Genre: Science Fiction - Fantasy 
Publisher: Rebellion Publishing Ltd - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: February 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781786189882
Read: January 28-29, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Asher has been training her entire life to become a Sor-Commander. One day, she'll give her soul to the gilded, mechanical body of the Sor and become a commander to a battalion of Dedicates. These soldiers, encased in exoskeletons, with extra arms, and telepathic subordination to the Sor-Commanders, are the only thing that's kept the much larger Levastani army of conquest at bay for decades. 

But while on a training journey, Asher and her party are attacked, and her commander is incapacitated, leaving her alone to lead the unit across a bitterly cold, unstable mountain. Worse, one of the Dedicates is not what they seem: a spy for the enemy, with their own reasons to hate their mechanical body and the people who put them in it. 

To get off the mountain alive, Asher and her unit will need to decide how much they're willing to sacrifice -- and what for.

Review: The Iron Children is hard to categorize as a story. It's definitely a novella in length--less that 200 pages--and outstanding in the world building. It's part fantasy, part science fiction, part religious commentary, and all fascinating. 

I was blown away by Rebecca Fraimow's mastery of story craft. In the space of roughly half the length of most novels, Rebecca creates relatable characters, a complex world, high-stakes conflict, an established military hierarchy, and a complicated belief system. I've read (and enjoyed) novels with more pages and less substance that The Iron Children. Seriously, my hat's off to Fraimow.

Told in alternative points of view, the reader is given insight into the world via Asher, a Sor-Commander novice; Barghest, a Dedicate sergeant; and the unnamed spy among the troops. Asher and Barghest's points of view are written third person while the spy's is written as first person. This is a clever writing choice because it keeps the reader questioning the spy's identity and building suspense until the pivotal "big reveal." 

Overall, The Iron Children is an outstanding addition to both the science fiction and fantasy genres and is worth a read by anyone who enjoys blurring the lines between these genres.

Book Review: Witch King by Martha Wells

Title: Witch King

Author: Martha Wells
Genre: Fantasy - Epic Fantasy
Publisher: Tordotcom - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: May 31, 2023
ISBN: 9781250826794
Read: May 11-31, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: After being murdered, his consciousness dormant and unaware of the passing of time while confined in an elaborate water trap, Kai wakes to find a lesser mage attempting to harness Kai’s magic to his own advantage. That was never going to go well. 

But why was Kai imprisoned in the first place? What has changed in the world since his assassination? And why does the Rising World Coalition appear to be growing in influence? 

Kai will need to pull his allies close and draw on all his pain magic if he is to answer even the least of these questions. 

He’s not going to like the answers.

Review: Witch King by Martha Wells is filled with complex magic, expansive world building, complicated characters, badass action, and one seriously snarky demon. I fell in love with Kai from the start. First, he wakes up to find that he's not only been murdered and entombed at the bottom of the sea--a move that limits his powers--but someone thinks they can ensnare him to use as a magical familiar. Talk about starting the day off on the wrong foot. Then things seem to go from bad to worse the more Kai and his ragtag band of compatriots try to solve the mystery of who killed him and why.

The world Wells has created is as complex as Tolkien's Middle Earth and filled with magic both complicated and subtle. While the magic isn't fully explained and can be a little confusing at times, it all makes sense within a world that features demons, witches, and humans working together against a common foe. The powers welded by the characters is defined and includes limitations, such as Kai's abilities being weakened by water. Some may find the lack of full disclosure of the mechanics behind the magic frustrating, but I didn't mind it because the action surrounding the use of the magic served as enough of an explanation. 

In addition to being powerful, Kai is snarky, and I'm totally here for it. Demons should be snarky, in my opinion. His relationship with Ziede is like that of siblings in that they care deeply for one another, are comfortable enough to call out the other's BS, tease one another, and kick anyone's ass who seeks to harm the other. Despite being a demon, the relationship with Ziede makes Kai seem more human in many ways, but then he "eats" an attacker and we're reminded that he's most definitely not human. He's a complex character and I'd love to see more of him in the feature. 

There was one aspect of the book I found a little jarring at first but quickly adapted to and that was the alternating time lines. The story begins in the present but jumps back in time around the third chapter. Even though the chapters set in the past are clearly marked as "the past," some reads may find the alternating time lines to be headache inducing since everything is told from Kai's point of view. However, once I got into the rhythm of Wells's writing style, I found the dual time lines to be a clever way to fill in backstory for Kai, Ziede, and other characters while maintaining forward plot movement. In order to understand the present events Kai is facing, the reader must know the history of this world. Rather than have endless conversations or huge info dumps in the middle of the story that bogs down the plot, alternating the chapters works well to provide the reader with that crucial background information.

Overall, Witch King is a fun read, and anyone who love epic fantasy will find it a worthy addition to their shelves.

Book Review: Blood Born by Shelley Wilson

Title: Blood Born

Author: Shelley Wilson
Genre: YA Horror - YA Vampires - YA Fantasy
Publisher: BHC Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: May 23, 2023
ISBN: 9781643973401
Read: May 5-8, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Emma's brutal death at the hands of a vampire should have been the end, but a mysterious hooded stranger steps in, changing her life forever. 

As seventeen-year-old Emma struggles with her new vampire gifts and cravings, her grandmother isn't surprised at all. Hinting that she knew this day would always come, she leaves to get help, promising to explain everything when she gets back, but she never returns. 

Instead, the beautiful and enigmatic Cara, a fellow vampire, shows up at her door. Promising to help her locate her missing grandmother and uncover her ancestry, she brings Emma to the Haven, a sanctuary for half-blood vampires. 

Thrust into a war between the Immortal vampires and the half-blood rogues, Emma's simple life begins to unravel as blood and secrets entwine to reveal a dark history and an even darker destiny. She'll need to survive long enough to discover who she really is and which side she wants to be on.

Review: Vampires. I love them. From the folklore to their modern re-imagining at the hands of authors like Anne Rice, Jay Kristoff, Charlaine Harris, Jonathan Maberry, and so many more, I can't get enough of the Fanged Folk. (As long as they don't sparkle. Sorry, Twilight fans, but no...just no.)

Shelley Wilson has created a blend of the old and the new vampire tropes. Each vampire has their own set of abilities and powers with a few commonalities. Yes, they're stronger than humans but not supernaturally strong. Yes, they're faster than humans but not supernaturally faster. Yes, they require blood and have issues with sunlight. But the uniqueness of Wilson's vampires makes for interesting reading.

Blood Born is definitely aimed at a young adult audience, and the younger side of YA, truth be told. While it's fun to learn about the vampires and the differences between them, especially the Immortals and the Rogues, from Emma's point of view, we never really dive deeply into the relationships she's forming with the other vampires in Cara's group. I would have like to have spent a little more time exploring these budding relationships, and perhaps this will be something Wilson plans to cover in the continuation of the series. 

Overall, Blood Born is a promising start to a new series. How Emma and the others develop over time will be interesting to watch.

Book Review: The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill by Rowena Miller

Title: The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill

Author: Rowena Miller
Genre: Fantasy - Historical Fantasy - Folklore 
Publisher: Redhook - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: March 28, 2023
ISBN: 9780316378475
Read: March 14-19, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Trigger Warnings: Abuse (spousal), classism

Synopsis from Publisher: In the early 1900s, two sisters must navigate the magic and the dangers of the Fae in this enchanting and cozy historical fantasy about sisterhood and self-discovery. 

There is no magic on Prospect Hill—or anywhere else, for that matter. But just on the other side of the veil is the world of the Fae. Generations ago, the first farmers on Prospect Hill learned to bargain small trades to make their lives a little easier—a bit of glass to find something lost, a cup of milk for better layers in the chicken coop. 

Much of that old wisdom was lost as the riverboats gave way to the rail lines and the farmers took work at mills and factories. Alaine Fairborn’s family, however, was always superstitious, and she still hums the rhymes to find a lost shoe and to ensure dry weather on her sister’s wedding day. 

When Delphine confides her new husband is not the man she thought he was, Alaine will stop at nothing to help her sister escape him. Small bargains buy them time, but a major one is needed. Yet, the price for true freedom may be more than they’re willing to pay.

Review: I'm on the fence with this book. On one hand I love Fae bargains and how they can go so very wrong. The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill feature such a bargain, which pleases my dark little heart. However, it take fooooorrreeevveeerrr to get to it so on the second hand, I wanted to slam the book against the wall far more times than I care to count and scream, "Get to the freakin' point already!" My antagonistic view of the first half of the book wasn't helped by the disconnect I felt as a reader to the two sisters, Alaine and Delphine.

The sisters don't exactly see eye-to-eye on several issues, but that's to be expected. I have two sisters and if the three of us ever agree on anything, then chances are Hell has frozen over. I do like the naturalness of that sibling relationship, especially once it become obvious that Delphine is in over her head, both with her abusive husband and with the Fae. 

The writing is beautiful, I must admit. It has a lovely lyrical quality that's hard to capture and reminds me of so many fairy tales I read as a child--and still love to read, if I'm honest--and yet, the slow pace of the beginning almost made this a DNF for me. But once the plot truly clicked into place--namely the major bargain demanded of the sisters--the pace picked up and I blew through the pages. Getting to that point, though, was more of a chore than it should have been.

Overall, Rowena Miller has crafted an interesting blend of fantasy, feminism, and Fae bargains. If you enjoy a slow build fantasy book with a fast payout at the end, then you'll be happy with The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill. 

Book Review: What Walks These Halls by Amy Clarkin

Title: What Walks These Halls

Author: Amy Clarkin
Genre: Young Adult Horror - YA Dark Fantasy 
Publisher: The O'Brien Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: April 10, 2023 (Kindle edition); June 10, 2023 (Paperback edition)
ISBN: 9781788493734 (Kindle edition); 9781788493734 (Paperback edition)
Read: April 2-3, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: A prickling sensation grew on the back of her neck, spreading up her scalp. It was the feeling of being watched. She whirled to face the doorway but it was empty. 

Raven O’Sullivan doesn’t remember what happened in Hyacinth House five years ago. When her father died during a paranormal investigation there, everyone said it was an accident, but she’s pretty certain it’s her fault. 

Her brother, Archer, wasn’t there that night. When asked to investigate the supposed ghost of Hyacinth House, he can’t resist saying yes. Even if his sister wants nothing to do with it. 

Éabha McLoughlin has grown up seeing and hearing things no one else does. Now that she’s starting college, she finally has the freedom to find out why. The daring Archer and his eclectic team seem like a good place to start. 

But everyone has their secrets, and they all lead back to Hyacinth House …

Review: I love ghost stories, haunted houses, and paranormal investigations so I was excited to come across What Walks These Halls by Amy Clarkin. With it being in the young adult genre I wasn't expecting the same level of thrills and chills as would be in an adult market novel. However, I was surprised by the level of creepiness Clarkin attains while still keeping the writing suitable for younger readers.

The cast of characters is varied, and there's a touch of romance peppered throughout the story that seems a little forced or out of place. The standard teenage/young adult angst is in full swing among the characters. I did appreciate the inclusiveness of the author by representing LGBTQIA+ people among the romance. However, that doesn't make up for the seemingly forced nature of said romances. It's as though the romance angle was an afterthought rather than an organic byproduct of the story itself.

As for the characters, I struggled with them from time to time. Sometimes they read a well-defined and other times they seemed underdeveloped. This inconsistency made it hard to fully connect with the characters, but as for the plot of the story, I was all-in. The plot was intriguing and the pacing was good because it kept my interest. I wanted to know what happened next, and that's the hallmark of a good plot.

Overall, What Walks These Halls is a good book and definitely a positive step for a debut author. I'm curious to see what comes next from Amy Clarkin.

Gone by Ruby Speechley

Title: Gone

Author: Ruby Speechley
Genre: Suspense - Thriller - Mystery 
Publisher: Boldwood Books - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: February 21, 2023
ISBN: 9781837513765
Read: February 16-18, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Last night my son, Shay, sneaked out of the house and didn’t come home. He promised not to go to the illegal party in the woods. But someone’s been attacked and Shay has gone missing. The police want to know if he saw what happened. I’m worried he could be involved.

After all the trouble he’s been in lately, mixing with the wrong crowd, coming home beaten up and scared, I thought we’d put it all behind us. Trouble is, Shay resents me moving my new boyfriend into the family home. I found all sorts on his laptop, including a half-written email warning me not to trust David. What does he know that I don’t? 

I’m beginning to fear for his safety. What is David hiding from me? Who have I let into our lives? 

I don’t know who I can trust. Will I ever see my son alive again?

Review: As suspense thrillers go, Gone by Ruby Speechley is really good, but I have read better. There were some thing that seemed out of place or not fitting the to story Speechley is telling. First, the cover. Swing sets always make me thing of young children, but the kids in this story are teens so the swings on the cover are the first thing that seem out of place, even though it does make for a striking cover that draws your attention.

The second issue I had is with the third person point of view. Normally, this works very well in suspense books, but for some reason it doesn't seem to fit this story. I tried reading some of the story in first person, from Rachel's (the mother) point of view, and I honestly liked it a lot better. If Speechley had chosen to write from Rachel's POV in first person, the suspense, the motherly panic of wondering where her child is, and the suspicion of those around her would've all be heightened and given more insight into Rachel's character, which I had a hard time connecting to Rachel.

But, overall, these are minor issues. The plot is very well constructed and the characters are well-rounded. The story's pacing is good and the ending is worth the read. Speechley does a great job of laying out clues, building suspense and suspicion, but I wish I'd had more of an "edge of my seat" reaction to reading the book. 

Book Review: Big Bad Me by Aislinn O'Loughlin

Title: Big Bad Me

Author: Aislinn O'Loughlin
Genre: Young Adult - YA Urban Fantasy - YA Fantasy
Publisher: Little Island Books - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: April 11, 2023
ISBN: 9781915071040
Read: April 2-4, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Trigger Warnings: Animal harm (brief), blood drinking, self-harm, drugs/being drugged without knowledge, and mild gore.

Synopsis from Publisher: Canadian teenager Evie Wilder just found out she’s a werewolf. Now her mom’s gone missing, she and her sister Kate have to go into hiding, and there’s not a single helpful vampire slayer to be found. 

With the help of Kevin, the dorky-hot manager of the guesthouse where she and Kate lie low, Evie starts to harness her wolfish side. But Kevin seems to know a suspicious amount about vampires… 

Meanwhile, animal attacks are increasing, local teens are going missing, and Evie is about to find herself at the centre of a supernatural showdown.

Review: I loved this book! As a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, I was often reminded of the beloved series, and yet Aislinn O'Loughlin's writing comes across as fresh and immediate.

Told from the dual perspective of sisters Evie and Kate, Big Bad Me is a fun romp filled with werewolves, vampires, slayers, snark, and humor. Evie is just learning that the slightly odd life she thought she had is actually much, much weirder because she's a werewolf and her mom and sister have been trying to keep that fact from her. Now their mom is missing and it's up to Kate--who's a Buffy-esque hunter--and Evie to find her. Throw in a hot guy who knows far more than he should, Kate's crush on the girl next door, general teenaged mayhem, and it's a party!

O'Loughlin's world definitely pays homage to Buffy, Scooby-Doo, Stranger Things, and others in the young adult urban fantasy genre, but also stands on its own as a new voice within that genre. The characters are multi-dimensional and the world is familiar and yet new in its approach. Some of the pop culture references may not hold up over time, but that shouldn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, Big Bad Me is worth the read simply for the pleasure of having read a great book.

Book Review: The Echo of Old Book by Barbara Davis

Title: The Echo of Old Books

Author: Barbara Davis
Genre: Historical Mystery - Romance
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: March 28, 2023
ISBN: 9781662511608
Read: March 4-9, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Rare-book dealer Ashlyn Greer’s affinity for books extends beyond the intoxicating scent of old paper, ink, and leather. She can feel the echoes of the books’ previous owners―an emotional fingerprint only she can read. When Ashlyn discovers a pair of beautifully bound volumes that appear to have never been published, her gift quickly becomes an obsession. Not only is each inscribed with a startling incrimination, but the authors, Hemi and Belle, tell conflicting sides of a tragic romance. 

With no trace of how these mysterious books came into the world, Ashlyn is caught up in a decades-old literary mystery, beckoned by two hearts in ruins, whoever they were, wherever they are. Determined to learn the truth behind the doomed lovers’ tale, she reads on, following a trail of broken promises and seemingly unforgivable betrayals. The more Ashlyn learns about Hemi and Belle, the nearer she comes to bringing closure to their love story―and to the unfinished chapters of her own life.

Review: The Echo of Old Books is the first book I've read from Barbara Davis, and I really enjoyed it. Part historical mystery, part historical romance, part modern "coming to terms with self," the story is emotional and haunting.

Ashlyn Greer hasn't had the easiest life after losing both parents at a young age. However, things seem to be on the upswing when she inherits An Unlikely Story, a rare and used bookstore, where she's spent many happy hours and learned the craft of restoring old books. Beyond her love for books is a special ability Ashlyn is only starting to fully understand: she can sense and connect with the residual psychic impressions left behind by a book's previous owner(s). It's a gift that makes running An Unlikely Story interesting, but when Ashlyn happens upon two unique books, her gift quickly takes a slightly darker turn.

The books she discovers are written by two authors, Belle and Hemi, but are alike in appearance. One is titled "Forgetting Belle" and is written by Hemi, and the other is titled "Forever and Other Lies" and is written by Belle. However, both books detail the same torrid love affair between the two authors but from different perspectives. It doesn't take long for Ashlyn to become obsessed and soon finds herself in the midst of a decades old romance and mystery.

The Echo of Old Books is well-written and obviously benefits from a lot of detailed research on Davis's part. The stories of Hemi, Belle, and Ashlyn are seven together like a beautiful tapestry hanging against the backdrop of old books. Given Ashlyn's psychic gift, there is a touch of magical realism to the story, which only serves to bring emotions to the forefront and heighten the reader's need to keep turning pages. 

Book Review: Oh My Goth: Jokes for When You Feel Dead Inside by Andrew Shaffer

Title: Oh My Goth: Jokes for When You Feel Dead Inside

Author: Andrew Shaffer
Genre: Humor - Jokes
Publisher: Indigo Dot Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: May 22, 2023
ISBN: 9781949769470
Read: March 26, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Even the most jaded of Hot Topic clerks will crack a smile at this morbidly funny joke book compiled by New York Times bestselling humorist and low-key goth Andrew Shaffer. 

This illustrated collection is perfect for Halloween-or anytime, really, since true goths know that every day is Halloween.

Review: "You know it's hot out when goths start wearing purple." This direct quote is one of the many sad attempts to create humor in Oh My Goth: Jokes for When You Feel Dead Inside by Andrew Shaffer. The so-called jokes aren't really funny. The witticisms aren't all that witty. I feel as though I should apologize to the Hot Topic clerks mentioned in the synopsis because even they deserve better than bland goth-dad jokes.

"Some people are such treasures that you just want to bury them." That's precisely what I'd like to do with this book, unfortunately, I can't because I received a digital review copy. I may not be able to bury it, but I can delete it and try to forget I ever read it.

Book Review: Fractured Oak by Dannie Boyd

Title: Fractured Oak

Author: Dannie Boyd
Genre: Thriller - Mystery - Magical Realism
Publisher: Indigo Dot Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 9781958160046
Read: March 19-21, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: It’s hard to catch a killer when the only witness is a tree. 

In 1853, after Catherine Miller is murdered for daring to become a doctor in a field full of men, a molecular fusion between human decay and natural rebirth transforms her into a Northern Red Oak. One hundred and seventy years later, she remains a mute but sentient tree, rooted near a secluded Northeast Ohio house. After she watches in horror as the newest homeowner murders one of his PhD students, Catherine is resolved, somehow, to see that justice gets served. 

Fortunately, present-day Catherine has an unwitting ally: Lani Whitaker, a fourth-generation detective facing mandatory retirement and sick of being treated like a dried-up relic by her young chief of police. When the body of that same PhD student turns up in the woods, Lani is determined to solve the case and go out with a win. 

Two women, generations apart, linked to each other through murder. Can solving a twenty-first-century homicide shed light on a nineteenth-century killer?

Review: First, let me say that Dannie Boyd is a pen name for author Carrie Rubin, who has several medical thrillers published under her own name. Apparently she chose a pen name for Fractured Oak because it deals with magical realism, a departure from her normal books, in addition to the mystery of who killed whom. With that being said, on to the review...

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. Catherine, the third woman to graduate from medical school in the United States, is murdered in 1853, discovers her soul melded with that of an oak tree, and then finds herself witness to a modern-day murder. This alone was enough to hook me into the story because trees live silent lives, and honestly, I have often wondered what they may have witnessed over their lifespans--especially the long-lived trees like oaks and redwoods. What horrors have they seen? What joys? What forgotten moments and forgotten people have they known? At least in some way, Boyd has answered a few of these questions by telling part of the story from Catherine the Tree's point of view.

Then there's Lani, the detective trying to solve the murder. Faced with ageism, she's determined to not let everything she's worked her entire life to achieve go down without a fight. I loved her spirit and her humor. I've known my fair share of cops, and Lani would be right at home among any of them. 

The best part about Fractured Oak is that as a reader I got a two-for-the-price-of-one murder plot. Told in alternating points of view between Catherine and Lani, and although the murderer is known for the contemporary death, there's no lack of tension because that comes in the form of the uncertainty of whether Lani will catch the killer. The resolution of Catherine's murder in 1853 is left until the end but is no less satisfying. 

Fractured Oak is a unique blend of mystery, psychological thriller, and magical realism that simply works in a beautiful blend of colorful characters, detailed world building, mysterious clues, and a touch of magic.

Book Review: Piñata by Leopoldo Gout

Title: Piñata

Author: Leopoldo Gout
Genre: Horror - Occult Fiction - Latinx Fiction
Publisher: Tor Nightfire - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: March 14, 2023
ISBN: 9781250781178
Read: February 28 - March 5, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Trigger Warning: Graphic violence including child abuse/death and gore

Synopsis from Publisher: It was supposed to be the perfect summer. 

Carmen Sanchez is back in Mexico, supervising the renovation of an ancient abbey. Her daughters Izel and Luna, too young to be left alone in New York, join her in what Carmen hopes is a chance for them to connect with their roots. 

Then, an accident at the worksite unearths a stash of rare, centuries-old artifacts. The disaster costs Carmen her job, cutting the family trip short. But something malevolent and unexplainable follows them home to New York, stalking the Sanchez family and heralding a coming catastrophe. And it may already be too late to escape what’s been awakened… 

They were worshiped by our ancestors. 

Now they are forgotten. 

Soon, they’ll make us remember.

Review: Where do I begin to explain my love for this book? It's creepy. It's visceral. It's atmospheric. It's dark. It's everything good horror should be and more.

Carmen Sanchez is an architect and single mother of two daughters: sixteen-year-old Izel and eleven-year-old Luna. When she's hired to spearhead the renovation of an ancient abbey to a sleek, modern hotel in Mexico, Carmen sees it as a way for her to give the girls a first-hand view of their cultural heritage. In typical teenaged fashion, Izel hates being uprooted from her friends back home in New York while Luna embraces the experience with open arms. But Carmen's problems are soon to extend beyond her daughters' attitudes. When a job site accident exposes a long-forgotten chamber within the abbey, Carmen finds herself on the losing end of employment. The family returns to their urban home but something seems to have tagged along and is focused on Luna. Can Carmen find a way to save her daughter before an ancient Aztec god can exact its revenge on the world?

One of my favor subgenres of horror is folkloric horror, and Piñata nicely fills that category. Drawing on the rich history of Mesoamerica, Gout creates a new twist on the traditional possession story. Laced throughout the narrative are the echoes of colonialism, past and present misogyny and sexism, indigenous religions, and violence. The imagery is intense and graphic, which some readers may find difficult to read, and the fear is palpable. At times Gout seems to fall into the "info dump" trap and this drags the pace of the story down a bit, and at other times, the dialogue seems a bit stilted and unnatural. However, overall, Piñata is a wonderfully horror-filled dark tale that any fan of dark fiction will enjoy.

Book Review: Gone to the Wolves by John Wray

Title: Gone to the Wolves

Author: John Wray
Genre: Literary - Coming of Age
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: May 2, 2023
Read: April 16-20, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Kip, Leslie, and Kira are outliers―even in the metal scene they love. In arch-conservative Gulf Coast Florida in the late 1980s, just listening to metal can get you arrested, but for the three of them the risk is well worth it, because metal is what leads them to one another. 

Different as they are, Kip, Leslie, and Kira form a family of sorts that proves far safer, and more loving, than the families they come from. Together, they make the pilgrimage from Florida's swamp country to the fabled Sunset Strip in Hollywood. But in time, the delicate equilibrium they've found begins to crumble. Leslie moves home to live with his elderly parents; Kip struggles to find his footing in the sordid world of LA music journalism; and Kira, the most troubled of the three, finds herself drawn to ever darker and more extreme strains of metal. On a trip to northern Europe for her twenty-second birthday, in the middle of a show, she simply vanishes. Two years later, the truth about her disappearance reunites Kip with Leslie, who in order to bring Kira home alive must make greater sacrifices than they could ever have imagined. 

In his most absorbing and ambitious novel yet, John Wray dives deep into the wild, funhouse world of heavy metal and death cults in the 1980s and '90s. Gone to the Wolves lays bare the intensity, tumult, and thrill of friendship in adolescence―a time when music can often feel like life or death.

Review: As a teen in the 1980s, I fell in love with metal, mostly thanks to one of my older brothers, and then, thanks to that same brother, before the decade was over, I knew all too well the pervasive anxiety caused by Satanic Panic. It was a dichotomy that was hard to understand, much less resolve, and John Wray has captured those feelings of belonging and alienation, power and helplessness, life and death, and heavy metal's innate appeal to youth looking for something to call their own. 

Kip, Leslie Z., and Kira are three teens looking for "something real" in 1980s Florida and find one another through their shared love of metal music. They quickly become inseparable and, as many teens vowed they would do during that era, they make the pilgrimage to Hollywood's Sunset Strip after graduation. However, things aren't as shiny and golden as they believed it to be and soon the trio drift apart. It's only years later when Kip and Leslie Z. reunite to save their troubled friend Kira they discover the "something real" they were searching for in their youth. 

Gone to the Wolves pays homage to one of the greatest musical eras with all it's hair-raising, head-banging glory. It's poignant, nostalgic, and humorous while somehow feeling relevant to modern times. At times the writing seems to drag a bit, but it soon picks up again. The characters are engaging with Leslie Z. as a queer person of color into heavy metal being the most intriguing of the three. The ending seemed a little rushed given the build up to Kip and Leslie Z. tracking down Kira in Norway, but overall, Gone with the Wolves is a fun read, especially for anyone who remembers the "good ol' days" of the 1980s.

Closed for New Review Submissions

 

Memento Nerdy is temporarily closed to new review submissions as I work to clear out a backlog of reviews. I apologize for any inconvenience, but this is a necessary step in order for me to catch up on everything. 

Memento Nerdy has always been a one-woman-show and will continue to be so in the future. I don't like closing to new submissions, but it's not forever. 

I hope to reopen for submissions June 1.

Thank you for understanding and for your support of Memento Nerdy.

Jeannie

Book Review: Black Cranes - Anthology

Title: Black Cranes - Tales of Unquiet Women

Authors: Lee Murray, Geneve Flynn, Nadia Bulkin, Ehline Cuyegkeng, Rin Chupeco, Grace Chan, Angela Yuriko Smith, Gabriela Lee, Rena Mason, Christina Sng, Nancy Holder, Alma Katsu
Genre: Anthology - Horror
Publisher: Raw Dog Screaming Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: March 23, 2023
ISBN: 9781947879560
Read: March 26 - April 12, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: *Winner of the Bram Stoker & Shirley Jackson Awards* 

Almond-eyed celestial, the filial daughter, the perfect wife. 

Quiet, submissive, demure. 

In Black Cranes, Southeast Asian writers of horror both embrace and reject these traditional roles in a unique collection of stories which dissect their experiences of 'otherness, ' be it in the colour of their skin, the angle of their cheekbones, the things they dare to write, or the places they have made for themselves in the world. Black Cranes is a dark and intimate exploration of what it is to be a perpetual outsider. 

NEW EDITION This Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-winning anthology in which Southeast Asian authors explore what it's like to feel otherness, took the literary horror communities and readers by storm in 2020 when it was first released. Now, Raw Dog Screaming Press is proud to re-release it in hardcover and paperback. The hardcover edition has new cover art by Greg Chapman, synching artistically to other books within the Black Cranes universe. The interior has been redesigned by book guru Todd Keisling who has incorporated images and textures for a lush reading experience. A new afterword by Nancy Holder, six-time Bram Stoker Award winner and New York Times best-selling author has been added to this edition. 

Many of the stories included have been recognized individually. Grace Chan's Aurealis-nominated story "The Mark," was shortlisted for Australia's Norma K. Hemming Award, which recognizes excellence in the exploration of themes of race, gender, sexuality, class, or disability in a published speculative fiction work. The Eugie Foster was also awarded for Elaine Cuyegkeng's story "The Genetic Alchemist's Daughter." Black Cranes was an Aurealis Award Finalist, Australian Shadows Award Finalist, British Fantasy Award Finalist, and was Locus Award Recommended

Review: Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet Women features fourteen outstanding short stories from women that beautifully capture what it means to be both a woman and Asian.* Each author brings her own voice, perspective, experiences, and cultural history to the anthology, which gives it a robust and dynamic appeal. Whether the stories are based in science fiction, folklore, or the seemingly mundane world, each addresses the central themes in a unique way.

Here is my breakdown and thoughts on each story:

1. The Genetic Alchemist's Daughter (Elaine Cuyegkeng): A twisted tale about the pursuit of "perfection" and who defines it. 

My thoughts: Wow. A fantastic way to start the anthology with hints of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and The Stepford Wives. I'd love to see this worked into a full-length novel. 

2. Kapre: A Love Story (Rin Chupeco): Mythological creatures from the Philippines take center stage in an unconventional love story.

My thoughts: I'm a sucker for mythology and folklore, so this story satisfied on multiple levels. I loved the inclusion of different creatures that have wildly contrasting views on humanity and the relationship their kind should have with humanity. 

3. A Pet Is For Life (Geneve Flynn): Featuring the kuchisake-onna (slit-mouthed woman) from Japanese urban legends, Flynn delivers a dark twist on predator and prey.

My thoughts: I freaking loved this story! Intensely visual and dark. I can absolutely see this as a horror movie.

4. Phoenix Claws (Lee Murray): Rooted in cultural bias and racism with a unique spin on the hungry ghost trope.

My thoughts: So twisted, and yet, despite the supernatural element, I can totally see the events of this story playing out as written.

5. Of Hunger and Fury (Grace Chan): Another spin on the hungry ghost myth, Chan creates a vibrant landscape filled with mystery and complex relationships.

My thoughts: A visceral entry that made me question reality. I'm still thinking about this one.

6. Skin Dowdy (Angela Yuriko Smith): One of the shortest stories in the anthology, this is a dark tale of technology, love, and revenge. 

My thoughts: Although short, this is another story I can see making a great movie or a full-length novel. So many elements to explore and yet presented a complete, satisfying package.

7. Truth Is Order and Order Is Truth (Nadia Bulkin): A delightfully dark tale of Nyai Roro Kidul (Indonesian mermaid).

My thoughts: A little confusing at times, but overall, a dark twist on mermaids and the folklore that surrounds them in different cultures. 

8. Rites of Passage (Gabriela Lee): A tale featuring the Philippine tiyanak (vampiric creature that takes on the form of an infant/toddler) and engkanto (mythic elemental forest spirits) that gives new life to the monstrous birth horror trope.

My thoughts: Dark, disturbing, and wildly imaginative. I loved this twisted-timeline story and again, would love to see it worked into a novel or even a movie. 

9. The Ninth Tale (Rena Mason): Never try to outsmart a huli jing (Japanese fox spirit) or you just may end up reaping what you sow.

My thoughts: Another entry rooted in folklore and so beautifully written I was sad to see it end. 

10. Vanilla Rice (Angela Yuriko Smith): Smith's second entry is no less powerful than her first. With a focus on identity and what makes us who we are, Vanilla Rice is a take of DNA manipulation gone awry.

My thoughts: We all have something we'd like to change about ourselves, but what if the choice of making that change was taken from us? Are we truly who we're meant to be? Short and though-provoking, and definitely one of my favorite.

11. Fury (Christina Sng): Set in the future on another planet, Fury is one of the longer stories and explores what it means to be human.

My thoughts: A solid science fiction story that has a few of my favorite elements: a strong female protagonist, a unique spin on zombies, and best of all, a cat!

12. The Mark (Grace Chan): Chan's second offering is no less disturbing than her first. A woman discovers a strange mark on her husband's torso and begins to question everything.

My thoughts: Vivid writing once again builds a complex relationship that will have you questioning if this is a tale of body snatchers or a woman mad with grief.

13. Frangipani Wishes (Lee Murray): Murray pulls off a rare second person point-of-view story about the lengths one will go to in order to better themselves with the flair of a classic Twilight Zone episode.

My thoughts: This started out a little confusing because of the second person POV, but I soon got into the meat of the story and was not expecting the twisted ending.

14. Little Worm (Geneve Flynn): Playing with the myth of the kwee kia, this story makes you wonder if the characters are actually faced with a "ghost child" or are they simply dealing with generational trauma.

My thoughts: Flynn's second story was my favorite of the anthology. I really wanted this to be longer because I didn't want it to end, and yet the ending was so perfect, I couldn't have asked for a better way to wrap up this wonderful anthology.

Overall, I loved Black Cranes and will definitely be seeking out more stories from these authors. They each have strong, powerfully unique voices that must be heard in all their glory, and this anthology is a fantastic way to discover them.

*For the record, I'm not Asian but have been close friends with women who are, including daughters of Asian immigrants--specifically, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and the Philippines--for years and have witnessed their struggles. However, I do not make any claim to fully understand those struggles as I am, after all, only an outsider to their respective cultures and families despite years long friendships.

Book Review: Plein Air Techniques for Artists by Aimee Erickson

Title: Plein Air Techniques for Artists

Author: Aimee Erickson
Genre: Nonfiction - Art - Painting
Publisher: Rockport Publishers - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9780760379356
Read: March 20, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Take your plein air artwork to the next level through easy-to-understand workshop-style lessons and skill-building exercises. 

In Plein Air Techniques for Artists, award-winning artist and respected workshop instructor Aimee Erickson demystifies how to capture a variety of light effects and guides you in strengthening your plein air skills through practice. This accessible book covers: 

• Materials and gear. Gain a basic knowledge of the possibilities so you can keep your options open and your plein air process fresh. 
• Composition and value. Explore the impact of proportion, color, value, line, edges, shape, and texture. 
• Color. Consider how knowledge and intention, your color palette, and what you see—your perspective—take turns being in charge of the color game, inventing rules and finding solutions. 
• Light effects. Learn how conditions of the day—how much light there is, and whether it’s soft, diffuse, golden, harsh, pale, or dusky—affect everything we see and how we paint. 
• Design and the visual idea. Discover strategies for developing a visual idea, from creating serial studies to working with a camera to improvisation. 

Featuring exceptional still lifes, figures, and landscapes by other noted artists working in a range of mediums, Plein Air Techniques for Artists gives artists at all levels of experience the guidance they need to grow as a plein air artist.

Review: "Plein air" is just a fancy way of saying "painting outside." It normally is referring to painting during daylight hours, but Aimee Erickson doesn't limit the techniques demonstrated in this book to strictly daytime. Plein Air Techniques for Artists covers the range from morning, noon, and even twilight and nocturnal. (Personally, I think nocturnes are far more interesting than daylight paintings and don't receive nearly enough attention.)

Erickson covers the basics from materials and gear to various forms of lighting--indirect, back, front, sunlight and shadow, and nocturnes--to special effects and even includes a glossary and quick reference guide. As part of the materials and gear section, I appreciated the explanation of the various mediums and their pros/cons such as oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc. Erickson also provides information on composition and value, perspective, color, and so much more. 

Plein Air Techniques for Artists is perfect for the beginner as well as the more experienced artist who may be looking to expand their knowledge.

Book Review: Balls Up by Bobika

Title: Balls Up - A Contraceptive Journey

Author: Bobika
Genre: Nonfiction - Health - Comic
Publisher: Europe Comics - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: December 21, 2022
ISBN: 9791032813737
Read: March 20, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Trigger Warnings: This is a "graphic novel"-style nonfiction tale of one man's journey into the world of male contraceptives. As such, it contains both textual and artistic representations of male genitalia, contraceptives, intercourse, and cis heterosexual men. Therefore, the subject matter may be disturbing or offensive to some readers and is not suitable for very young audiences.

Synopsis from Publisher: Bobika is a man who has been practicing birth control since 2016. This is the sometimes moving, and often enlightening, story of his journey as he explores the methods of contraception available to him. Full of nutty anecdotes and accounts of his meetings and discussions with sociologists, doctors, and feminists, Balls Up is a reminder that, in addition to a personal choice, (male) contraception is above all a social issue.

Review: I am by no means an expert on contraceptives, especially male contraceptive techniques. (After all, I am female.) However, I do know that for the majority of time it has fallen to women (yes, I'm aware this is a cis-heterosexual-centric view point but I can only speak from my personal experience) to bear the brunt of contraceptive responsibility. It's unfair, really, since human reproduction does take two participants. Bobika, the author of Balls Up, agrees with the unfairness. Hence...this book.

Now, unless you've been living under a rock here in the United States, you are surely aware that women's reproductive rights are very much in the news. With the reversal of Roe v. Wade, options for women--regardless of personal beliefs/views on the subject--to take control of their own bodies are dwindling. Rather than being a personal choice, reproduction has become a political and social matter, which is one reason I find Balls Up and the idea of male contraceptive practices to be timely.

Bobika addresses the issue from historical, medical, social, and personal views. The book is informative, but also shouldn't replace sound medical advice from a licensed physician. (Men, if you're interested in the topic, do your research and have a frank discussion with your doctor before trying any of the techniques mentioned in this book.) At times humorous, Balls Up is candid look at the subject, and as the author writes, "...We [cis-heterosexual men] have a debt to pay, and it would be super dope of use to move our lazy butts and take the initiative, without waiting for women to rouse us out of our dormancy (p. 101)." 

So, how about it, guys? Are you ready to go Balls Up?

Book Review: Kawaii Doggies by Olive Yong

Title: Kawaii Doggies

Author: Olive Yong
Genre: Art - Drawing - Kawaii - Animals
Publisher: Rock Point - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9780760379851
Read: March 20, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Learn to draw all kinds of cute dogs doing all sorts of silly things through 75 step-by-step tutorials. 

Whether you are “team dog” or “team cat,” dogs have idiosyncrasies that we all find entertaining! In Kawaii Doggies, the follow-up and perfect companion to Kawaii Kitties, popular Instagram artist Olive Yong (@bichimao) perfectly captures these moments, including playing, sleeping, eating, digging, chasing their tails, being good buddies, wearing cute costumes, and more, along with how to draw your favorite breeds and puppies. 

In addition to the easy-to-follow tutorials, Olive shares: 

• An introduction to the kawaii art aesthetic 
• Suggestions for drawing tools 
• Tips and tricks for drawing and coloring your dogs 
• A facial expression directory 
• Coloring pages swarming with pups for you to decorate 

So, get ready to perfect your drawing skills, as well as be inspired to create your own dog characters or illustrate the daily activities of your favorite pet.

Review: Dogs are full of personality, goofy, lovable, and Olive Yong has made them even more adorable in Kawaii Doggies. But this book is far more than a how-to manual for drawing your favorite drool-machine.

In addition to step-by-step instructions for drawing your own cute doggies, Yong takes the reader on a basic tutorial of kawaii-style drawing: what is it, tools of the trade, and how to get the most out of the book's tips and tricks. After mastering the basics, Yong teaches facial expressions, poses and moods, capturing daily activities and dress-up, favorite breeds and puppies, and so much more. 

Overall, Kawaii Doggies is a great addition to the Kawaii Doodles book series and perfect for anyone interested in the art of kawaii or someone looking to try something a little different with their art.

Book Review: The Nine Lives of Summer by Jem Vanston

Title: The Nine Lives of Summer

Author: Jem Vanston
Genre: Fiction - Animals - Cats
Publisher: Two Fat Cats Publishing - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: March 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781399944238
Read: March 19, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Trigger Warnings: This book contains references to war, death, suffering, and animal abuse.

Synopsis from Publisher: One cat, nine lives and a quest to find a way home 

Summer is a cat living happily with ten-year-old girl Sami and her family in Syria. Then the war comes. Sami and her parents are forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to flee as refugees, leaving Summer behind. On her journey through nine lives in a dozen countries, Summer discovers her purpose – to find Sami again. The quest leads Summer all over the world, meeting diverse people from a vast array of cultures and backgrounds, through exciting adventures and heart-break, desperate struggle and survival. But she never ever gives up hoping and searching. 

Will Summer ever find Sami, and be reunited with her family in her furever home once again?

Review: If you're a regular reader of Memento Nerdy Reviews, you know I love animals, especially cats. I've been fortunate to share much of my life with these furry, funny, fabulous creatures so I was excited to read The Nine Lives of Summer by Jem Vanston, but my heart was not ready to face the heartache contained within these pages, and yet I'm happy I read the book for it's wondrous tale of a love that transcends lifetimes.

Vanston's depictions of war-torn Syria are gut-wrenching, as are the trials faced by Summer (the cat) and her family. The emotional parting between Summer and her beloved Sami struck a deep chord within me because I've had to make the hard decision to leave a beloved furbaby behind in order to move to a new place. (Granted, I wasn't in a war-torn area and was eventually reunited with my furry companion because I was able to leave him with family, but it still dredged up some painful memories.) However, Sami leaving Summer behind is only the beginning of the emotional rollercoaster ride Vanston has created.

Through years and multiple lives, Summer is always looking to be reunited with Sami. Some of the lives are long and comfortable. Some are short and filled with struggle. All of these combine to create an incredible journey that is both life-affirming and guaranteed to hit you right in the feels...hard. At times poignant, humorous, sad, and harrowing, the end result is a tale that makes me hug my own kitties a little tighter in appreciation for their companionship and endless love. 

Overall, The Nine Lives of Summer is perfect for anyone who likes animal stories, but be warned--this book will make you ugly-cry. Also, it may not be suitable for young kids as it does contain a couple of graphic scenes as told from a cat's point of view.