Category: Fiction

Categories
Blog Fiction

The Puppeteer’s Daughters

by Heather Newton, Book 50 of 2022

This is a story of 3 half sisters coming to terms with the declining health of their father and their differing relationships with him after discovering an unexpected addendum to his will. This book has a mild element of magical realism that I just loved. The characters were well developed and easy to become invested in. I’m not a huge fan of family dramas but I’m glad I requested this one and I’d recommend it to those who generally enjoy them.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Recommended for: those looking for family drama with a touch of magical realism. 
Content Warnings: Family Drama, Body shaming, Addiction

Categories
Blog Fiction Social Justice

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

by Becky Chambers, Book 45 of 2022

Cover of the book A Prayer for the Crown-Shy featuring abstract forest scene with orange sky, green hills, white trees, and tea cart traveling down a winding road through it.

A lovely continuation of the story started in “A Psalm for the Wild-Built”. The only thing that’s gotten me through the last few weeks has been my undying love for Mosscap, the sentient robot and his quest to learn about humans and their needs. Would absolutely recommend it to anyone eager for a vision of a better world in these trying times.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Categories
Blog Fiction

Cult Classic

by Sloane Crosley, Book 29 of 2022

I have so many feelings about this book.The story centers on Lola, an engaged woman in New York City who can’t seem to stop encountering her ex-boyfriends. I felt like the story took a little more time than I would have liked to heat up but once it did I could not stop reading. It was unexpected, suspenseful, and often laugh out loud funny. Plus extra bonus points for having one of my favorite covers of the year so far.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Categories
Blog Fiction

The Immortal King Rao

by Vauhini Vara, book 27 of 2022

I really enjoyed the premise of this book and won’t spoil it by sharing more than the book’s description already has. I’d consider it less science fiction and more dystopia or unconventional family saga. It includes all the thought-provoking and depressing social commentary I usually enjoy with interesting historical references and context. While I enjoyed the premise and writing of this book, I did find myself annoyed by the pacing. Lately I’ve read several books that felt more like the author was trying to write something that could be easily adapted as a mini series for tv instead of writing for the actual audience, the people reading the book. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC.

Categories: Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Content Warnings: Death, Climate Change, Rape, Sexual content, Murder

Categories
Blog Fiction

Nettle & Bone

by T. Kingfisher, book 21 of 2022

My take, this is a charming and fun fantasy novel for low stakes enjoyment and dark humor. The main character, Marra, is a wonderfully relatable princess on a quest to save her sister and family. I won’t give away the details but this book was worth the read just for the secondary characters, a lovely bunch of misfits. Kingfisher mixes worldbuilding similar to Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and characters similar to those in the House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, yet still creates something that feels special. Would absolutely recommend it. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC.

Categories: Fiction, Fantasy 
Content Warnings: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Death of a Child, Cannibalism

Categories
Blog Fiction

Mecca

written by Susan Straight, book 17 of 2022

Mecca is a wild ride through California through the eyes of several interconnected narrators. Just as I was becoming invested in one storyline, the author pivoted to a new equally compelling perspective. I was kept on the edge of my seat waiting for some of the threads to be resolved. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a tremendously human and gritty depiction of the day to day life of some of southern California’s most overlooked populations. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC.

Categories
Blog Fiction

Bibliolepsy

by Gina Apostol, Book 79 of 2021

As other reviewers have expressed, I’m sure I am not well read enough to understand this book fully. That didn’t keep me from enjoying its particular quirks. I was endlessly impressed that Apostol fit so much into such a short novel. Despite having been written in 1997, the troubles of Primi trying to be herself on her own terms while the world is already out of balance felt timely in 2021. I loved that her darker aspects felt like a natural inheritance from her parents (so richly described in so few words) and the narration was perfectly suited. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: well read book lovers looking for something different than the usual bookstore or library based story.

Content Warnings: Abandonment, Sexual Assault, Death of Parents, Abuse

Categories
Blog Fiction

Olga Dies Dreaming

written by Xóchitl González, book 74 of 2021

This cover though!!!

This story has it all- humor, romance, political and social commentary. The two main characters are a set of adult siblings from NYC struggling with their relationships as a result of the radicalization and subsequent estrangement from their mother. I read a lot of novels with heavy topics and this one is no different (see content warnings).  It was impossible to stop listening to this one. I’m hoping to travel to Puerto Rico in early 2022 and I was looking for something to enrich my knowledge of the territory and its history. This was it. The narration was excellent, the storytelling was rich and left me with a lot to think about. This was an unexpected favorite of the year.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: anyone who loves character driven novels, social and political commentary, strong female leads, or is interested in learning more about the U.S. and Puerto Rico’s complicated and important relationship.

Content Warnings: Emotional Abuse, Abandonment, Sexual Assault, Grief 

Categories
Blog Fiction

My Monticello

written by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, book 63 of 2021

In my opinion, 2021 is really turning out to be the year of the short story collection. “My Monticello” is a timely and expertly narrated collection that centers around identity, race, and the current American political crisis. I would absolutely recommend this collection for those who enjoy dystopian fiction, or otherwise known in today’s climate, realistic fiction. The audiobook narration is one of the best I’ve listened to and the stories were all engaging and/or terrifying. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: those who enjoy dystopian fiction and social commentary.

Content Warnings: Police Violence, Racism, Microaggresions, Death of a Parent, Racism, Sexual Abuse, Mental health, Self Harm 

Categories
Blog Fiction

Light from Uncommon Stars

Written by Ryka Aoki, Book 61 of 2021

Shizuka watched Lan and Thought of all the immigrant mothers in their neighborhoods. She thought of all those who had braved leaky boats, smugglers, and pirates to deliver their families from Vietnam. Then spent the rest of their lives never leaving Monterey Park.

Ryka Aoki, “Light from Uncommon Stars”

This book is a lot. It has deals with demons, a transgender protagonist, sentient AI, space travel, and LOTS of classical music. I can see how some people will LOVE this story but for me it felt like it took on a little too much at times. That being said there is a lot to love; tons of badass women, a doughnut shop, great narration, and lots of warmth and humor to balance the gravity of the conflicts. Ultimately its message is about what makes a life worth living and that is something I can get behind. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: those interested in LGBTQ+ Representation, Science Fiction, and want something with substance but not too heavy.

Content Warnings: Transphobia, Familial Abuse, Racism, Violence, Sexual Abuse, Mental health, Self Harm