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lastblossom's reviews
200 reviews
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A complicated set of lead characters set against a science vs. magic backdrop. Feels like a lot of pins being set up to be knocked over in future installments.
Thoughts
First off, be aware the genre is science fantasy. A giant portal opened up and people with missiles and smart phones came out of it. Calling it straight fantasy is going to set up some wildly wrong expectations. The "science vs. magic" thing has never been of interest to me, but I really like checking out debut novels, and the cover was too good to ignore. The verdict? Still to come! A lot of this book is scene-setting for future installments, which promise to swing a lot harder, so I feel like I can't accurately decide how I feel until I see how it ends. But for now, let's break down what we do have. Ruying is, by her own admission, a coward, and her navigation of an impossible situation is probably the most realistic incarnation I've read in a while. Her sister is more the "hero" type, and in another book in another world, she probably would be the fearless protagonist. I liked the choice to focus on a very un-heroic MC and the choices one has to make in a space where there are no correct moves - only moves of varying levels of wrongness. I also enjoyed the multiple plot threads running at the same time with various political bents.
The romance is where this series is going to be the most divisive. Falling in love with one's captor is a tale as old as time, and in this case it feels ill-advised. Antony pragmatically presents himself as the least of many evils, and he's probably right. That doesn't mean dating has to be on the table, and despite the fact that a chapter from his POV indicates his feelings are genuine, I'm still not a fan. That being said, the ending is a major turning point that promises some big moves in future installments. I shall have to wait patiently until then.
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
A complicated set of lead characters set against a science vs. magic backdrop. Feels like a lot of pins being set up to be knocked over in future installments.
Thoughts
First off, be aware the genre is science fantasy. A giant portal opened up and people with missiles and smart phones came out of it. Calling it straight fantasy is going to set up some wildly wrong expectations. The "science vs. magic" thing has never been of interest to me, but I really like checking out debut novels, and the cover was too good to ignore. The verdict? Still to come! A lot of this book is scene-setting for future installments, which promise to swing a lot harder, so I feel like I can't accurately decide how I feel until I see how it ends. But for now, let's break down what we do have. Ruying is, by her own admission, a coward, and her navigation of an impossible situation is probably the most realistic incarnation I've read in a while. Her sister is more the "hero" type, and in another book in another world, she probably would be the fearless protagonist. I liked the choice to focus on a very un-heroic MC and the choices one has to make in a space where there are no correct moves - only moves of varying levels of wrongness. I also enjoyed the multiple plot threads running at the same time with various political bents.
The romance is where this series is going to be the most divisive. Falling in love with one's captor is a tale as old as time, and in this case it feels ill-advised. Antony pragmatically presents himself as the least of many evils, and he's probably right. That doesn't mean dating has to be on the table, and despite the fact that a chapter from his POV indicates his feelings are genuine, I'm still not a fan. That being said, the ending is a major turning point that promises some big moves in future installments. I shall have to wait patiently until then.
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, War, and Classism
Minor: Confinement and Kidnapping
The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
For readers who like their haunting gothic tales with plenty of spice.
Thoughts
Gothic novels have always been a mixed bag for me. I love the aesthetic, but I often find myself let down by tepid endings that don't always fulfill the carefully laden promise. The Cruel Dark does no such thing, instead sticking the landing so beautifully and so perfectly that I immediately want to dive back in and read it again. You've got all the trademarks of a gothic novel - an intelligent young woman who sees ghosts (or DOES SHE?), a crumbling mansion that's seen better days, and a brooding love interest who may or may not be exceedingly dangerous. All of these are stitched together in a tense atmosphere with a hint of Rebecca, and a healthy dose of spice for readers who like it sexy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bea Northwick for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
For readers who like their haunting gothic tales with plenty of spice.
Thoughts
Gothic novels have always been a mixed bag for me. I love the aesthetic, but I often find myself let down by tepid endings that don't always fulfill the carefully laden promise. The Cruel Dark does no such thing, instead sticking the landing so beautifully and so perfectly that I immediately want to dive back in and read it again. You've got all the trademarks of a gothic novel - an intelligent young woman who sees ghosts (or DOES SHE?), a crumbling mansion that's seen better days, and a brooding love interest who may or may not be exceedingly dangerous. All of these are stitched together in a tense atmosphere with a hint of Rebecca, and a healthy dose of spice for readers who like it sexy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bea Northwick for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu Volume 1 by Natsuya Semikawa
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
tl;dr
The comfort food version of manga. An incredibly pleasant read with lovely illustrations and low drama.
Thoughts
Much like the comfort food featured in this series, Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu is warm and familiar with no real surprises, and that's the best thing about it. Each vignette takes on the same formula of a person in some kind of need finding solace in delicious food at a slightly magical izakaya, by trying out a new (for them) Japanese dish. I was delighted to see how well it captured the experience of eating: the one of a guy eating sushi for the first time was hilariously on point; and the hot tofu dish was such a pitch-perfect rendition of trying and failing to wait for a dish to cool before eating it, because it's just too good to wait. Reactions are large and joyous without going as far as the famous "foodgasms" of other food manga, and the food illustrations are extremely tasty. Anyone looking for a cozy, comforting, drama-free read will leave Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu satisfied, if not a little bit hungry for some Japanese food.
Edit: My review of the second volume is up now.
Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
The comfort food version of manga. An incredibly pleasant read with lovely illustrations and low drama.
Thoughts
Much like the comfort food featured in this series, Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu is warm and familiar with no real surprises, and that's the best thing about it. Each vignette takes on the same formula of a person in some kind of need finding solace in delicious food at a slightly magical izakaya, by trying out a new (for them) Japanese dish. I was delighted to see how well it captured the experience of eating: the one of a guy eating sushi for the first time was hilariously on point; and the hot tofu dish was such a pitch-perfect rendition of trying and failing to wait for a dish to cool before eating it, because it's just too good to wait. Reactions are large and joyous without going as far as the famous "foodgasms" of other food manga, and the food illustrations are extremely tasty. Anyone looking for a cozy, comforting, drama-free read will leave Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu satisfied, if not a little bit hungry for some Japanese food.
Edit: My review of the second volume is up now.
Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and War
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A volatile romance with great cat-and-mouse moments, and plenty of drama.
Thoughts
It's rare that a book promising cat-and-mouse delivers quite as well as this one. Usually you only get a bit of banter before the kissing starts, but there are some real twists and deceptions locked up in this one, and I loved it. (Don't worry, there's also kissing.) Anyone looking for conflicted leads with angst and internal hurts will find plenty here to go around. The chemistry between Rune and Gideon is volatile, with a dash of spice, and a really believable enemies-to-lovers(?)-to-enemies(?) roller coaster relationship. World building is effective, with rules about the use of magic explained with quick, but consistent strokes. Author's notes mention The Scarlet Pimpernel (a personal favorite) as a light inspiration, and I can totally see the spaces where it peeks through. I will say that I have never seen a character marked for death so obviously as [Name Redacted], and when they died I found myself somewhat relieved that it finally happened so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Recommended reading for fans of morally gray, complex relationships, hunter vs. hunted relationships, and a splash of dark fantasy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
A volatile romance with great cat-and-mouse moments, and plenty of drama.
Thoughts
It's rare that a book promising cat-and-mouse delivers quite as well as this one. Usually you only get a bit of banter before the kissing starts, but there are some real twists and deceptions locked up in this one, and I loved it. (Don't worry, there's also kissing.) Anyone looking for conflicted leads with angst and internal hurts will find plenty here to go around. The chemistry between Rune and Gideon is volatile, with a dash of spice, and a really believable enemies-to-lovers(?)-to-enemies(?) roller coaster relationship. World building is effective, with rules about the use of magic explained with quick, but consistent strokes. Author's notes mention The Scarlet Pimpernel (a personal favorite) as a light inspiration, and I can totally see the spaces where it peeks through. I will say that I have never seen a character marked for death so obviously as [Name Redacted], and when they died I found myself somewhat relieved that it finally happened so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Recommended reading for fans of morally gray, complex relationships, hunter vs. hunted relationships, and a splash of dark fantasy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Self harm
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Classism
The Princess Protection Program by Alex London
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
tl;dr
A fun fairy tale romp about taking control of your own story.
Thoughts
Fairy tale "twist" stories are almost as ubiquitous as as fairy tales at this point. Retellings, the "true" version, or even lightly inspired editions grace many a shelf (mine included). But Princess Protection Program is not a retelling. It's a what if? What if the characters from those tales saw their futures and wanted to opt out? And what if the opt out was just as restrictive as their original stories? When Rosamund decides to opt out, she learns she's not the only one - in fact, an entire school has been created for characters who want to avoid their preset, often tragic, endings. But the school feels more like a pause button than an escape, and Rosamund quickly finds herself wondering if her story will ever truly go anywhere. And therein lies the heart of this book - a tale not about escaping destiny, but taking control of it. I appreciated that the story also spent time discussing how everyone has their own story to pursue, even as we often are supporting cast in someone else's tale. All of it is written in a quickly-paced, whimsical book with lots of fun references and some playful pokes at life in "the real world." A great book for any middle grade reader who enjoys a good twist on an old classic.
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenwillow Books for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
A fun fairy tale romp about taking control of your own story.
Thoughts
Fairy tale "twist" stories are almost as ubiquitous as as fairy tales at this point. Retellings, the "true" version, or even lightly inspired editions grace many a shelf (mine included). But Princess Protection Program is not a retelling. It's a what if? What if the characters from those tales saw their futures and wanted to opt out? And what if the opt out was just as restrictive as their original stories? When Rosamund decides to opt out, she learns she's not the only one - in fact, an entire school has been created for characters who want to avoid their preset, often tragic, endings. But the school feels more like a pause button than an escape, and Rosamund quickly finds herself wondering if her story will ever truly go anywhere. And therein lies the heart of this book - a tale not about escaping destiny, but taking control of it. I appreciated that the story also spent time discussing how everyone has their own story to pursue, even as we often are supporting cast in someone else's tale. All of it is written in a quickly-paced, whimsical book with lots of fun references and some playful pokes at life in "the real world." A great book for any middle grade reader who enjoys a good twist on an old classic.
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenwillow Books for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Confinement
Court of Claws by Briar Boleyn
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Fans of the first will probably like this one even more.
Thoughts
In my review of the previous installment in this series, I mentioned that it was already a bit too dark for my tastes. Well, it's gotten darker. That makes my personal opinion pretty clear, so I'll keep this brief. If you liked the first book and you want something with more twists, more action, and more SPICE, then come on in! I also lamented that Morgan didn't seem to push back much in the first book. She pushes back a lot more now, but maybe... too much? Perhaps her Goldilocks moment will come in the third installment where she'll push back the exact right amount. With a cliffhanger like that, I certainly hope so.
Thanks to NetGalley and Starwater Press for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Fans of the first will probably like this one even more.
Thoughts
In my review of the previous installment in this series, I mentioned that it was already a bit too dark for my tastes. Well, it's gotten darker. That makes my personal opinion pretty clear, so I'll keep this brief. If you liked the first book and you want something with more twists, more action, and more SPICE, then come on in! I also lamented that Morgan didn't seem to push back much in the first book. She pushes back a lot more now, but maybe... too much? Perhaps her Goldilocks moment will come in the third installment where she'll push back the exact right amount. With a cliffhanger like that, I certainly hope so.
Thanks to NetGalley and Starwater Press for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Infertility, Physical abuse, Violence, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
An immersive narration with a bit of everything - romance, mystery, action, and just a dash of magic.
Thoughts
About halfway through this book, I thought "fans of The Mummy would probably like this." And then I discovered it's one of the comps, so, you know. Uh, I guess I agree. To be more precise, this is for fans of prickly romances featuring an intelligent but sheltered young woman and a dashing self-assured man with a military history, all set in Egypt while a bunch of rich colonizer types try to steal artifacts. The action pieces are big and high energy, with mysterious deaths, a secret dig, museum rivalries, and illegal artifact sales, all described in beautiful immersive detail. Also, there is magic. And if it sounds like I threw that in there as a casual aside, it's because the book kind of does too. There's magic in the world, even if no one remembers how to control it. But pieces of it here and there are common enough that it's no big deal. At least, not yet. The story seems to imply that magic is going to be a much bigger deal in future installments, and truly I am hoping for future installments. Because that cliffhanger? Dang.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
An immersive narration with a bit of everything - romance, mystery, action, and just a dash of magic.
Thoughts
About halfway through this book, I thought "fans of The Mummy would probably like this." And then I discovered it's one of the comps, so, you know. Uh, I guess I agree. To be more precise, this is for fans of prickly romances featuring an intelligent but sheltered young woman and a dashing self-assured man with a military history, all set in Egypt while a bunch of rich colonizer types try to steal artifacts. The action pieces are big and high energy, with mysterious deaths, a secret dig, museum rivalries, and illegal artifact sales, all described in beautiful immersive detail. Also, there is magic. And if it sounds like I threw that in there as a casual aside, it's because the book kind of does too. There's magic in the world, even if no one remembers how to control it. But pieces of it here and there are common enough that it's no big deal. At least, not yet. The story seems to imply that magic is going to be a much bigger deal in future installments, and truly I am hoping for future installments. Because that cliffhanger? Dang.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
Final Word by Janet Sumner Johnson
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Another entry in the grand tradition of stories about squabbling rich families and the fallout over a will.
Thoughts
Anyone looking for the cocktail of mysterious benefactors, strange mansions, treasure hunts with cryptic clues, and a high-stakes competition will find all that and more. Final Word is not shy about its inspiration - even referencing The Westing Game within its own text. And while there are certainly a lot of similar beats, this one opts to pick a more serious tone. The competition for the money is interspersed with themes of grief, family trauma, hurt, and forgiveness. The main character is surprisingly cynical (maybe TOO cynical?) for a pre-teen, but at least her level of savvy saves the reader from having to yell at her naiveté. The puzzles were all very clever and fun to try to figure out, and I appreciated all the literary references as well. Of note, this appears to be the first in a series, despite the main competition wrapping up in this volume. I will be curious to see where it goes from here.
Thanks to NetGalley and Holiday House for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Another entry in the grand tradition of stories about squabbling rich families and the fallout over a will.
Thoughts
Anyone looking for the cocktail of mysterious benefactors, strange mansions, treasure hunts with cryptic clues, and a high-stakes competition will find all that and more. Final Word is not shy about its inspiration - even referencing The Westing Game within its own text. And while there are certainly a lot of similar beats, this one opts to pick a more serious tone. The competition for the money is interspersed with themes of grief, family trauma, hurt, and forgiveness. The main character is surprisingly cynical (maybe TOO cynical?) for a pre-teen, but at least her level of savvy saves the reader from having to yell at her naiveté. The puzzles were all very clever and fun to try to figure out, and I appreciated all the literary references as well. Of note, this appears to be the first in a series, despite the main competition wrapping up in this volume. I will be curious to see where it goes from here.
Thanks to NetGalley and Holiday House for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Classism
Cells at Work! Lady 1 by Shigemitsu Harada, Akari Otokawa, Akane Shimizu
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
tl;dr
Another solid installment in the series with plenty of science to learn. This time with a butler.
Thoughts
The Cells at Work series has always been peak edutainment for me. The original was fun, Code Black was a great twist, and now we have a new installment - Lady? The most evident change is that they story now follows Macrophage instead of a Red Blood Cell, stylized as an ikemen butler (in fact, nearly all the characters in this are ikemen of some sort). The plot follows a lot of the usual virus-busting, but it also covers things like menstruation, dieting, anemia, and a physical exam. But most interesting to me is the relationship that the characters have with the body. The original series didn't touch on this too much, and Code Black was a person who actively did damage to their body. In this case, Macrophage raises a prayer of gratitude every time the body does something to take care of itself, even if it's a small token like a hot bath. But having an anthropomorphized reminder that your body will thank you if you take care of yourself is kind of nice. As usual, there's plenty to learn, all packaged in a fun storytelling device. Fans of the series will enjoy this one too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Another solid installment in the series with plenty of science to learn. This time with a butler.
Thoughts
The Cells at Work series has always been peak edutainment for me. The original was fun, Code Black was a great twist, and now we have a new installment - Lady? The most evident change is that they story now follows Macrophage instead of a Red Blood Cell, stylized as an ikemen butler (in fact, nearly all the characters in this are ikemen of some sort). The plot follows a lot of the usual virus-busting, but it also covers things like menstruation, dieting, anemia, and a physical exam. But most interesting to me is the relationship that the characters have with the body. The original series didn't touch on this too much, and Code Black was a person who actively did damage to their body. In this case, Macrophage raises a prayer of gratitude every time the body does something to take care of itself, even if it's a small token like a hot bath. But having an anthropomorphized reminder that your body will thank you if you take care of yourself is kind of nice. As usual, there's plenty to learn, all packaged in a fun storytelling device. Fans of the series will enjoy this one too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside 1 by Kumagae
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
tl;dr
A pleasant read about the joy of growing things and finding balance in your life.
Thoughts
The title and some of the narrative riff on the fact that living in the countryside is practically "another world" compared to busy city life. But the longer I read, the more I wonder if the city is the strange alternate reality instead. Yohei Sakuma is an exhausted manga editor, doing his job one day at a time simply because he must. When his division is shut down, he realizes he'd rather be anywhere but here, and takes up rice farming as a hobby just to get a change of pace. And it's here that he finds the joy of growing things. The narrative makes sure to point out that this isn't a romanticized "escape to the country life" story (there's a Starbucks just down the road, after all), but more about finding balance. Yohei and the reader are introduced to the concept of "half farmer/half x," someone who grows enough food for themselves, and spends the rest of their time pursing a career based on their own interests. It's a message that probably resonates with everyone, but seems especially sharp in the high-pressure world of manga publishing. The story meanders through these thoughts at an easy pace, and I found myself cheering for Yohei and his excellent wife (she cosplays and I love her), but also examining the balance in my own life. I can't wait to read more!
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
A pleasant read about the joy of growing things and finding balance in your life.
Thoughts
The title and some of the narrative riff on the fact that living in the countryside is practically "another world" compared to busy city life. But the longer I read, the more I wonder if the city is the strange alternate reality instead. Yohei Sakuma is an exhausted manga editor, doing his job one day at a time simply because he must. When his division is shut down, he realizes he'd rather be anywhere but here, and takes up rice farming as a hobby just to get a change of pace. And it's here that he finds the joy of growing things. The narrative makes sure to point out that this isn't a romanticized "escape to the country life" story (there's a Starbucks just down the road, after all), but more about finding balance. Yohei and the reader are introduced to the concept of "half farmer/half x," someone who grows enough food for themselves, and spends the rest of their time pursing a career based on their own interests. It's a message that probably resonates with everyone, but seems especially sharp in the high-pressure world of manga publishing. The story meanders through these thoughts at an easy pace, and I found myself cheering for Yohei and his excellent wife (she cosplays and I love her), but also examining the balance in my own life. I can't wait to read more!
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.