Elle

If I could rate a book 10 out of 10 I would for Rolfe's glorious, beautiful ‘Wolf and Bear'. Discussing feelings in a safe environment, this book aimed at young readers is a beautiful answer for those kids looking to understand their feelings, and how it's okay to not be happy all the time. Sometimes we are sad, sometimes we are angry, in the end, those who love us will always be there for us, and just outside the darkness. All we have to do is take the first step. Ahh Rolfe, beautifully poignant and an incredible resource for parents, children and carers as well. Delighted to have witnessed a true case of the ‘why adults should read children's books'. Ordering a second copy immediately for my Child Psychotherapist mother for her work! A strong contender for anyone looking to flesh out their library, whether personal, school, home or local.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy! I will sing from rooftops about this one! Arthurian legends with a feminist angle? SIGN ME UP. The first couple of chapters were slow to start, but after getting through them oh wow was it worth it... I am blown away by the end of this book I absolutely devoured it in the end. And am distraught it is over.

I stayed up from 00:01-5:56 to read this ASAP after being tortured to wait after reading the first two... And now I shall return to being TORTURED once more. JLA weaves magnificent tales. Never have I found myself so enrapt in the world and characters of each page. Mastery and I am so glad I stumbled across it when I did. The third book does not disappoint. All those fan theories? Either squished like a bug, biting and gnawing with suspicion or leaving me outright crowing in the dead of the night with the righteousness or dismay I have been left with. And now... with that for an ending? I wait...

Full on tears at the beauty of this piece of writing. Full RTC when I've regained my wits.

I adore any adaptation of Peter Pan. Aside from this one. I picked this up so many times trying to read it, as I was so SO desperate to love it from the description. A feminist adaptation of my favourite story? Sign me up! It was an intriguing tale and had a great plan, clever world building and adaptations to the original material. I wanted to love it. A great take at portraying PTSD, abuse, misogyny and homophobia... But I was bored. The stakes felt high, but I had no connection to the character and their narration. I received an arc copy for review and leave this view voluntarily

DNF. Bleh. Lovely premise, loved the beginning. But by part two, i'd had enough.

I have always had a fascination with the messages that were believed to be contained by the simplest of petals, and how in Victorian times, when many people were made to be quiet, flowers the natural beauty, proved to be a source of creativity and expression for all who concerned themselves. I have been on the hunt for a book discussing the messages behind each flower species and have been very sad at the dismal books I have found... This book made me extraordinarily happy the mere second I opened the cover, and gasped at the wisdom incased within the covers. This book is beautiful, brilliant and just what everyone interested in Floriography needs on their bookcases!

“Ross has always held me captive with her work: Ruthless Vows is no different.”
Where do I start? I absorb Ross' words into my bloodstream at any and all opportunities. I adore her mastery of the pen and her absolute gift at translating words on a page, into a world that seemingly existed as truthfully as the one I sit here writing this in. The sequel is not an easy road to set upon. But it is a road I am mighty glad Rebecca Ross has gone down. The story felt expertly laid at the readers feet, each page answering lingering queries, building upon mythologies and adding absolute angst and urgency word by word. Ross cleverly details her sequel with arcs in storytelling, world building, character building and just awe-inspiring magic. Words can barely cover how magical this book was to read. Ross manages to effortlessly return the style of the first book and its formats (many letters again!) and return the mystery and intrigue of the connection between our beloved main characters and their typewriters. Since 2018 Rebecca Ross has held me captive between worlds of unexplainable decadence: Divine Rivals, and Ruthless Vows, is no different. Beautifully superb.

Finally. FINALLY. Just read this in one sitting. And damn wasn't it cute! A real easy read, cute fairytale love story, I loved it for what it was. And Foxes are the best!

DNF.

5 stars.
As someone who considers themselves within the disabled community, this book seemed right up my alley and had rather strong reviews so I added it to my TBR and read a couple of pages to get an idea on writing style... Since that fateful day, I have picked this book up and devoured it every opportunity I have had. This is a book that should be on all bookshelves. From a psychology point of view it leaves a reader with endless ponderings on how intrinsically ableist our society and environment makes us. This book encourages all readers to try harder. To find the breadcrumbs dotted among our history and cultures that feel so utterly wrong when identified without societies rose-tinted glasses. This book helped me consider how even those within the community fall prey to the inner trappings of society and the changes we must incur. How can the community, not me, not you, but US do better. And also, why we should be aiming to do so. Leduc is incredibly human as a writer and writes with a passion that she aims to keep as open and guided as she can, and although other reviewers found her discussion a whine, I found it an open-conversation we all should be having, in all walks, strolls, runs, swims, wheels, stays of life. Because why is a wheelchair or access dog a phenomenon more so than the idea of a fairy godmother? The world is not a fairy-tale, but fairy tales are this world, and are certainly influenced and vice-versa by the world we reside in. This book addresses a large percentage of the fairy tale and folklore that our children and ourselves encounter in this modern world and presents the views of many in a calculated and clear way that really supports her message.
“Give me stories where disability is synonymous with a different way of seeing the world and a recognition that the world can itself grow as a result of this viewpoint.”

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook for this tale in exchange for an honest review. Fable as a story has a smooth-sailing (pardon the pun) adventure tale that takes most of the twists and turns you expect in a satisfying way. The story lacks worldbuilding that at times feels important to plot development and I found myself often wanting to know more about the world itself and what that would mean for the characters and their intentions.
In terms of the audiobook, the team behind fable have picked the best person for the job. The speaker tells the story with the amount of gusto and passion hoped for, and makes the story entertaining. The only flaw with the audio presentation is that the gaps between chapters is fractionally too long, and each chapter had me glancing down to make sure that it hadn't paused itself!

The best non fiction book I've read (listened to) in a while... one that I need a physical of on my shelf. A revelation in so many ways.

I enjoyed the first one enough to be ah nice another vol! Shame it was just meh- I read it with only two or three lines in the book sticking with me, and some in the wrong way...

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced readers copy, in exchange for an honest review. Anyone who knows me, knows Greek Goddesses and Poetry are two of my biggest loves... The first time I picked up Mateer's work, Aphrodite Made Me Do It, I felt seen, loved and ached within the pages. It's no shock, that this achingly gorgeous collection is an easy five star review for me. The connection between mother and daughter is never, ever a simple tale- especially ones filled with trials and tribulations. Connecting to the readers inner child, understanding inner discrepancies in their personal truth and opening the wounds we all seemingly share as a collective, is Mateer's mastery at work. It's beautifully done. And I found myself highlighting about 90% of the collection! I hunger already for the next work of a poet such as Mateer.

“Oh, what memories can hold on us, as well as for us.”
This art is a reimagining of the Mother of horror, a Mother of classic storytelling, and her beginnings. This Gothic, Historical fiction piece is written in a way that (as a reader with some but not lots of knowledge in Mary Shelley's story) invokes moments of wondering where the line between fiction and fact truly lies. How much can we truly know from our history books and others accounts. The book works between two timelines, that are merely 4 years apart but feel worlds of character growth in between. With a constant longing, a consistent mystery, and a gorgeously mesmerising storyline, ‘Mary' is a delightful work of prose that discusses the origins of Shelley's famous ‘Frankenstein', and all that memories can hold on us as well as for us.

Absolutely mesmerising, a debut to watch and follow. Bear creates a compelling interwoven tapestry of sisterhood, familiar tales, differing perspectives and absolute heartache. I have been blown away. The Greek mythology realm has reams of tales about Medusa, and some of my favourite feminist reads showcase the inequality and unfairness between Athena/ Atheni's jealousy and temper to the innocence of Medusa, a mere mortal. Adapting the tale to showcase those affected by the tragedy and destruction opens doorways in so many ways.

I don't often rate books 5* but this deserves it clearly. A thoroughly well planned and executed gree the myth retelling. I thought it was beautifully done and made me see the strength in Persephone many stories lack. I've always had strong love with the Greek goddesses but this book helped me in discovering how many of us young women and girls can be seen in Persephone and her chaos of calibre. Thank you Bea, I am enthralled and cannot wait to see what is next from you.

a good conclusion, left feeling unsatisfied. Fairly predictable for the storyline, however the character development is encouraging. If you enjoy morally grey characters go for it. I think, you care so much about a couple of characters you keep reading, but then the story itself is a bit too predictable.

Its taken me some time to process this book. I am a big fiction reader, an even bigger fantasy reader. But dragons, I typically struggle within the genre. Simply put: I needed time to breathe, to appreciate and to understand so many things this book opened me up to. I assumed, as many mere mortals do, that the crazed reaction of booktok was overly played. A book like this one was introducing many to the genre, but that means nothing to the quality. I sit here, a week later. Still spellbound by Yarros' command of a quill (okay pen whatever!). Filled with enemies to lovers, Disability representation, devastating split second moments, beautifully described environments and dragons- wow. Ticks so many of my dream book boxes. The thing that stays with me the most? The disability representation. I had to place the book down for a moment, because I was caught by the one thing I always tend to avoid within the fantasy genre. I ignore my disabilities, because who could ever see a female main character limping around, assistance dog in tow, taking a breather from running to adjust medications? I certainly could not! I've never imagined myself in the fantasy genre, I've imagined myself as versions of my favourite characters, always shoving the things that make me ‘different' into the corner of a mental backpack, always niggling, never taking centre stage. This book interwove our MC's disability within the story in a way that felt like home. When she struggles to walk a flight of stairs, I hear the echo of my own footsteps. I feel like I could, like many other readers, write an essay on how this book will be ingrained into my life and my future book tales forever. Typically,-and true even of those who have disabilities- when approached in writing, a characters disability often feels leaden, and added as an afterthought. Yarros creates a calamity of chaos that welcomes the silver thread of Violet's imperfections as if it crests the waves of the stories chartered waters. Thank you Yarros. How do I follow that brief explanation? I can't. But the plot and the intricacies within the story have me reeling days after a one sit wonder of a read. There are moments I am still going back over, analysing in seven different ways, sharing with friends and discussing. Only SJM and JLA have had such a grip on me with theories, tribulations and discussions I could revel in for hours. I am rushing towards November, and where the adventure leads...


ALSO







SPOILER












?!?!?!?!?!??!! I FREAKING LOVE THE NICKNAME?!?!?!?!?!!?

A beautifully written story. Not typically my style but a beloved author of mine from early works.

As a sister who writes longingly to a missing (passed) brother this book sliced like a knife between my heart and my soul. The emotional hurricane of a mc felt tortured and truthful and brave and required no imagination as often what she wrote or thought felt transpired from mine own. Heartbreaking page upon page. I have few words to describe how this book has left me feeling. But put simply this is the quickest I have read a book in a while, a mere two hours that passed like minutes... thank you for putting your pen to paper as always Rebecca Ross.

*****
A cozy, fantastical tale of adventure and emotion... or should I say practicality? Alone in its style within the genre, it sets itself up as a challenge many authors may attempt but few succeed. Fawcett engages with the audience in the most enjoyable research paper I have had the fortune to read. A tale filled with enjoyable and enriching world-building, a reasonably-headed MC who writes in an intriguing format that at times feels slightly stilted but oh, how genius Fawcett is to use those moments to garner imperfections within her characters. A thoroughly entertaining read, filled with feelings of warmth, and connection, to what the idea of family really means. I am delighted to know their story continues, and cannot wait to delve further into Fawcett's world building and style. Read in one sitting without a check on the time!

“Alexa, add Vampire Repellent to my shopping list!”
Superbly spooky! As a fan of Cinderella is Dead and Kalynn Bayronn's other works, when this was announced as BOTM for October I was so excited! As soon as I picked it up, I knew it was going to be spectacular! Perfect for ages 8-12 as a slightly spooky vampire read. Feels like stranger things, Amari, and Buffy wrapped up in one little book.

Giving it a rating already seeing as I'm one of the few who got to see this amazing show during previews as well as having just finished reading the script through again. The set, actors, music show in one was incredible with some inspiring moments of dialogue that tugged at both the heartstrings and the laughter trapped in our throats. I may be biased as a Harry Potter fan but I can truly say that from where I was sat the story (which is exactly what this is) was well woven and well worth the money spent and I cannot believe I can finally hold each and every line in my hands... Moments within the script truly bring each of these characters to life especially those we got a brief mention of in the Deathly Hallows epilogue. As a stand alone script I believe there will truly be some magic lost by those who have yet to see it, however it will be a script well worth... Pardon, it IS a script well worth a five star review.

“huh? How did I finish it so fast? When is the sequel?”.
Edgmon has crafted a great piece that explores queerness, trauma and pain, mental health, found family and morally grey characters. It intrigues me how brilliantly woven our MC's indigenous background is interwoven within the story and it features a strongly diverse cast, each with their own characteristics and personality. This book is a brilliant piece of escapism that takes you away from page one, right up to the last page and you go “huh? How did I finish it so fast? When is the sequel?”. Reincarnation of Gods, Morally grey characters, Enough stuff happening to someone they turn to Villainy? Urgh I loved it. I look forward to seeing where the author goes next. It is a book that is very of its time, and certain references were slightly jarring at time. Overall, certainly a piece I will be recommending to those teens who have felt out of place, misjudged, abused by peers, or obsessed with mythology. I guess... Younger me's...