Review - The Splendid City by Karen Heuler

 

 

 Title: The Splendid City

Author: Karen Heuler

Pages: 275

Publisher: Angry Robot

Release Date: 14th June 2022

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

 In the state of Liberty, water is rationed at alarming prices, free speech is hardly without a cost, and Texas has just declared itself its own country. In this society, paranoia is well-suited because eyes and ears are all around, and they are judging. Always judging. This terrifying (and yet somehow vaguely familiar) terrain is explored via Eleanor - a young woman eagerly learning about the gifts of her magic through the support of her coven.

But being a white witch is not as easy as they portray it in the books, and she's already been placed under 'house arrest' with a letch named Stan, a co-worker who wronged her in the past and now exists in the form of a cat. A talking cat who loves craft beers, picket lines, and duping and 'shooting' people.

Eleanor has no time for Stan and his shenanigans, because she finds herself helping another coven locate a missing witch which she thinks is mysteriously linked to the shortage of water in Liberty.

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My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Angry Robot and NetGalley*

Eleanor has been sent to the new state of Liberty as a punishment for transforming her co-worker Stan into a talking cat.

Sharing an apartment with Stan is bad enough, but there is something very strange happening in Liberty - water is rationed, people are taken away in vans, and a witch has disappeared.

While Eleanor investigates what happened to the witch, Stan is determined to win a treasure hunt and will do anything to reach it first.

The premise for this book really intrigued me, especially the fact that the protagonist turned her co-worker into a talking cat.

Eleanor was a likeable and relatable protagonist. I really liked that she wasn't perfect.

Stan was an pretty awful character, but it was interesting to read from his perspective.

The setting of Liberty was interesting, and I can easily imagine something like that happening in real life.

The plot was mixed for me - while I did enjoy finding out more about Eleanor, Stan, and what was happening, my interest did wane and I struggled a little with the writing style.

I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more.

Overall, this was a mixed read.

 

 

Review - The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

 

 

 Title: The Warm Hands of Ghosts

Author: Katherine Arden

Pages: 387

Publisher: Penguin

Release Date: 13th February 2024

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

The sweeping new novel from New York Times bestselling author Katherine Arden.

World War One, and as shells fall in Flanders, a Canadian nurse searches for her brother believed dead in the trenches despite eerie signs that suggest otherwise in this gripping and powerful historical novel from the bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

January 1918. Laura Iven has been discharged from her duties as a nurse and sent back to Halifax, Canada, leaving behind a brother still fighting in the trenches of the First World War. Now home, she receives word of Freddie's death in action along with his uniform - but something doesn't quite make sense. Determined to find out more, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital. Soon after arriving, she hears whispers about ghosts moving among those still living and a strange innkeeper whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion. Could this have happened to Freddie - but if so, where is he?

November 1917. Freddie Iven awakens after an explosion to find himself trapped under an overturned pillbox with an enemy soldier, a German, each of them badly wounded. Against all odds, the two men form a bond and succeed in clawing their way out. But once in No Man's Land, where can either of them turn where they won't be shot as enemy soldiers or deserters? As the killing continues, they meet a man - a fiddler - who seems to have the power to make the hellscape that surrounds them disappear. But at what price?

A novel of breathtaking scope and drama, of compulsive readability, of stunning historical research lightly worn, and of brilliantly drawn characters who will make you laugh and break your heart in a single line, The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a book that will speak to readers directly about the trauma of war and the power of those involved to love, endure and transcend it.

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My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley

A nurse in the First World War, Laura Iven is back home in Halifax, Canada after being discharged.

Laura's brother, Freddie, is still fighting as a soldier in the war, but one day Laura receives his uniform in the post.

Desperate for answers as to what happened to Freddie, Laura makes her way back to Belgium.

Laura hears whispered stories of ghosts walking alongside the living, and a man with a violin who can make people forget their troubles.

Will Laura find out what happened to Freddie?

The premise for this book really intrigued me, and I was excited to read it.

I really liked Laura as a protagonist - she was likeable and relatable. She had been through a tough time, but was still determined to help others despite still grieving herself.

Freddie, Pim, Winter and Jones were all characters that I liked, but Laura was my favourite.

Faland was an interesting character, and I liked the mystery surrounding him. He was quite a complex character, and I was never entirely sure how he would react.

The setting of Belgium in the First World War was interesting, and I thought the author did a good job of capturing some of the horror of what happened.

The plot was enjoyable and held my attention. I did find that my enjoyment dipped in the middle to second half, but only a little.

I enjoyed the split perspective narrative of Laura in her present, and then Freddie several months previous. It was interesting to see how they lined up/came together.

The writing style was easy to follow and I am interested to see what the author does next.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

 

 

 

Review - The Empire (The Empire, #1) by Michael Ball

 

 

Title: The Empire (The Empire, #1)

Author: Michael Ball

Pages: 400

Publisher: Zaffre

Release Date: 13th October 2022

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

 Welcome to The Empire Theatre.

'It's the jewel of the north, The Empire. Lord Lassiter bought it for his second wife, Lady Lillian and she supervised every detail of the restoration. There's not a finer theatre in the country'.

But The Empire is not just a theatre. From music hall to vaudeville, from revue to grand musical spectacular, it holds a special place in the nation's heart. For its audience, for its actors and singers, for the stagehands, the front-of-house staff, for its backers and its debtors - and above all for its owners - it truly is a palace of dreams.

And for young Jack Treadwell, struggling to adapt to civilian life after the horrors of the trenches, it's a lifeline. When he receives a letter out of the blue inviting him to work at The Empire, he leaps at the chance. After all, it's owned by the family of his former commanding officer, Edmund Lassiter.

But as Jack soon discovers, it is not just the actors who are donning a disguise. With whispers of a cover-up, a scandal and sibling rivalry, tensions rise, along with the curtain. For there is treachery at the heart of The Empire and a dark secret waiting in the wings. Can Jack discover the truth before it is too late, and the theatre that means so much to them all goes dark?

Following the lives and loves of the Lassiter and Treadwell families, from the aftermath of the Great War and the Roaring Twenties to the dark days of the Second World War and the Blitz, Michael Ball's debut fiction series charts the story of the high notes and the low notes of British musical theatre in all its glamour, greasepaint and glory.

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My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley*

 

The Empire Theatre is owned by the recently widowed Lady Lassiter. Leaving for America to mourn, the running of the theatre is left to the staff, some of whom do not wish to see the theatre do well. There are even people in the town that plot to take the Empire for themselves.
When Jack Treadwell turns up at the Empire following the suggestion of his deceased mother, he finds himself flung into a new and exciting life working at the theatre.
At the Empire, Jack makes friendships and works to save the theatre. All the while, secrets and plotting threaten to ruin everything the staff are working for.

As a fan of the author, I was intrigued to see what their debut novel would be like and it did end up surprising me.
There were a lot of characters introduced at once, which I did find a little confusing. Jack Treadwell was possibly the character that had the most runtime so to speak. He was a war veteran who had recently returned back to the UK after being in France. I liked his relationships with the other characters.
Whilst I didn't particularly have a favourite character, I did like that there was a variety of different characters with different backgrounds and motives. However, some of them did seem a bit two dimensional.
One of my favourite dynamics in the book ended up being between Joe and Agnes, which I hadn't expected at the beginning.
The setting of the 1920s was interesting, and the time period affected the story line.
The plot was enjoyable and held my attention throughout. There were several events that surprised me, and more layers to the novel than I expected. However, I was never gripped or sucked into the plot.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Review - Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

 

 

Title: Stone Blind

Author: Natalie Haynes

Pages: 379

Publisher: Mantle

 Release Date: 15th September 2022

Blurb from Goodreads:

 

 ** Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023 **

In Stone Blind, the instant Sunday Times bestseller, Natalie Haynes brings the infamous Medusa to life as you have never seen her before.

'Witty, gripping, ruthless' - Margaret Atwood via Twitter
'Beautiful and moving' - Neil Gaiman via Twitter

'So to mortal men, we are monsters. Because of our flight, our strength. They fear us, so they call us monsters.’

Medusa is the sole mortal in a family of gods. Growing up with her Gorgon sisters, she begins to realize that she is the only one who experiences change, the only one who can be hurt. And her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know.

When the sea god Poseidon commits an unforgivable act in the temple of Athene, the goddess takes her revenge where she can – and Medusa is changed forever. Writhing snakes replace her hair, and her gaze now turns any living creature to stone. The power cannot be Medusa can look at nothing without destroying it. She is condemned to a life of shadows and darkness.

Until Perseus embarks upon a quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . .

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My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley*

Unlike her Gorgon sisters, Medusa is mortal. However, because of her wings, Medusa stays away from the other mortals.

When Medusa catches the eye of Poseidon, the sea god, his actions lead to Medusa being cursed by the goddess Athene - where Medusa's hair once was is now a mass of snakes, and any living creature that meets Medusa's gaze is instantly turned to stone.

Medusa stays at her home with her sisters, safe until a young man named Perseus comes searching for the Gorgons.

As a fan of Greek mythology and having enjoyed several of the author's previous works, I was looking forward to reading this.

While Medusa is a main characters in this book, the story has several main characters whose lives entwine quite cleverly - alongside Medusa, there are chapters on Athene, Poseidon, Perseus, Andromeda, and several others.

The chapters about Medusa and her sisters were interesting and I really liked their close relationship.

Perseus was a character I disliked immensely, and the chapters on Athene made me see her in a new light.

The volatile relationships between the different gods were interesting to read, especially when they were trying to one-up each other or get revenge.

I thought the author did a really good job of weaving several story-lines together, and it was done in a very engaging way.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend.

Review - Princess of Souls (Hundred Kingdoms, #2) by Alexandra Christo

 

 

 

Title: Princess of Souls (Hundred Kingdoms, #2)

Author: Alexandra Christo

Pages: 417

 Publisher: Hot Key Books

 Release Date: 11th October 2022

Blurb from Goodreads:

Return to the world of TO KILL A KINGDOM for a brand-new fantasy adventure about a young witch groomed to steal souls for an immortal king and the reckless, rebellious boy to whom her fate is tied.

For sixteen years, Selestra has been trapped in her tower on the Floating Mountain, preparing to take her mother's place as the King's Witch, who foretells deaths in the Festival of Predictions. Outrunning your fate earns a wish and the chance to steal the King's immortality. But die and your soul is forfeit. And though thousands have tried, nobody has ever beaten death.

A soldier in the King's army, Nox is an unlikely candidate for the Festival, but, driven by revenge, he is determined to steal the King's immortality and kill the entirety of his court, starting with Selestra.

Yet when Selestra touches Nox in her very first prediction, their fates become entwined, and death seeks to take both their souls. Only by working together can they survive long enough to escape the dark fate and the immortal King that now hunts them.

A feast of storytelling, featuring breathtaking journeys, nail-biting battles and powerful magic.

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My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley*

Selestra has spent her life trapped behind palace walls, the heir to her mother's place as the immortal King's witch.

Every year at the Festival of Predictions, people risk the price of having their souls claimed by the King for the chance to earn a wish and take the King's immortality for themselves. However, doing so means attempting to avoid almost certain death, something no one has ever been able to do.

This year, Nox, a soldier in the King's army, takes part in the Festival, driven by the need to avenge his father's death at the King's hand.

When Selestra and Nox's futures become linked, they will have to work together if they want to survive until the end of the festival.

Together can they bring an end to the King's tyranny?

Having both enjoyed and not liked some of the author's previous books, I was a little hesitant to try this one, but I'm glad I did.

I found both Selestra and Nox to be likeable and relatable protagonists, and they'd both had tough lives, but I did like Selestra more. Their interactions were enjoyable to read, but I did find the jibes a bit too much at times.

My favourite character was Irenya, Selestra's friend, and I liked their relationship.

Selestra's mother was quite an interesting, complex character. I would have liked to find out more about her and her past/experiences as the King's witch.

The setting was interesting and I enjoyed finding out more about the world and its lore.

The plot was enjoyable and held my attention. The pacing was pretty good throughout, but I did start to lose interest a little towards the end. I didn't feel overly invested in what happened, but I was rooting for Selestra to show her mother and the King that she was more than just the heir.

The writing style was easy to follow.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Review - Blood to Poison by Mary Watson

 

 

 Title: Blood to Poison

Author: Mary Watson

Pages: 396

 Publisher: Bloomsbury YA

Release Date: 14th April 2022

 

Blurb from Goodreads: 

 An epic South African fantasy from award-winning author Mary Watson, for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and The Gilded Ones.

Seventeen-year-old Savannah is cursed. It's a sinister family heirloom; passed down through the bloodline for hundreds of years, with one woman in every generation destined to die young. The family call them Hella's girls, named for their ancestor Hella; the enslaved woman with whom it all began. Hella's girls are always angry, especially in the months before they die.

The anger is bursting from Savannah – at the men who cat-call her in the street, at her mother's disingenuous fiancé, even at her own loving family. Each fit of rage is bringing her closer to the edge and now Savannah has to act to save herself. Or die trying. Because the key to survival lies in the underbelly of Cape Town, where the sinister veilwitches are waiting for just such a girl.

Blood to Poison is a furious and mesmerising story about discovering magic, historical rage and love in all its guises.

 

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My Review:

 *I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley*

A blood curse runs in Savannah's family, one that gives some of the girls an unparalleled anger and causes them to die young. Savannah's beloved aunt died from the curse, and now signs point to Savannah being next, and soon.

Savannah struggles to contain her anger, but she must if she wants to find a way to stop the curse before it is too late.

The premise for this book really intrigued me, so I was excited to read it, but, unfortunately, it ended up being a mixed read.

Savannah was an OK protagonist - there were times when I found her annoying, and times when I felt sorry for her - but I never felt that I really connected to her, or was invested in what happened to her.

None of the characters particularly stood out for me, but I did like that Savannah had family members and friends that looked out for her.

The setting of Cape Town was interesting, as was the magic in the book - the Four Sisters and the Veil Witches - but I would have liked a bit more information on these.

The plot was mixed for me, as there were parts where I got a little bored, but I found other parts interesting. However, I wasn't invested in what happened and did get confused a couple of times - partly due to the writing feeling a bit disjointed.

Overall, this was a mixed read.

 

Review - The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

 

 

 

 

Title: The Last Tale of the Flower Bride

 

Author: Roshani Chokshi

 

Pages: 304

 

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

 

Release Date: 16th February 2023

 

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

 

 A sumptuous, gothic-infused story about a marriage that is unraveled by dark secrets, a friendship cursed to end in tragedy, and the danger of believing in fairy tales—the breathtaking adult debut from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi.

Once upon a time, a man who believed in fairy tales married a beautiful, mysterious woman named Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada. He was a scholar of myths. She was heiress to a fortune. They exchanged gifts and stories and believed they would live happily ever after—and in exchange for her love, Indigo extracted a promise: that her bridegroom would never pry into her past.

But when Indigo learns that her estranged aunt is dying and the couple is forced to return to her childhood home, the House of Dreams, the bridegroom will soon find himself unable to resist. For within the crumbling manor’s extravagant rooms and musty halls, there lurks the shadow of another girl: Azure, Indigo’s dearest childhood friend who suddenly disappeared. As the house slowly reveals his wife’s secrets, the bridegroom will be forced to choose between reality and fantasy, even if doing so threatens to destroy their marriage . . . or their lives.

Combining the lush, haunting atmosphere of Mexican Gothic with the dreamy enchantment of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is a spellbinding and darkly romantic page-turner about love and lies, secrets and betrayal, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

 

 

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My Review:

 

 *I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley*

A scholar of fairy tales meets the enigmatic Indigo Maxwell-Castenada, an heiress who is as beautiful as she is mysterious.

When the two marry, Indigo asks that the bridegroom never digs into her past, and the two live happily ever after.

Or, at least, they do until Indigo has to leave for her childhood home because her estranged aunt is seriously ill.

At the House of Dreams, the bridegroom is enticed by the promise of secrets and finds himself unable to stop from searching for answers.

Who is Azure?

Why does Indigo not talk about her and where did she go?

The premise for this book really intrigued me, especially the mystery element.

Out of the bridegroom, Indigo and Azure, I found Azure to be the most interesting character and I enjoyed her chapters the most. I didn't like Indigo very much, but she was a complex character. I felt indifferent about the bridegroom.

The plot was interesting and held my attention, but I wasn't gripped.

The magical realism element was intriguing and made the novel unique.

I enjoyed the writing style and found it easy to follow.

While I did like this novel, I can see other people enjoying it more than I did.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, unique read.