yellowbinge's reviews
203 reviews

The Patron by Antonia Rachel Ward

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Publishing date: 12.07.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and Querencia Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

The book as a meal: No food, just a cigarette thanks

The book left me: Curious ...

Negatives:

Overall "plot" lost some steam underway

Positives:

Explorative topic

Features:

Numbered poems, evocative and sexual themes, toxic/dangerous love

Why did I choose this one?

Poems! Poems about women? I am a woman and would like to read poems about women.

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

Devourable. This book is bite-sized and is easily eaten up in a single sitting. That is exactly what I did.

What was the vibe and mood?

It had a sense of betrayal, some regret, feeling like what you are doing is wrong, maybe a bit of a mistake.

Final ranking and star rating?

3 stars, C tier. Another title I couldn't quite connect with. I found the contents fascinating, but I also found myself to maybe not be the correct audience. I also think some more coherency and length would help me connect a little. But maybe I also should admit that there are others who would enjoy it more as is. Will recommend to a certain someone who eats this kind of stuff up.

Favorite poems:
vii: bloom
xi: pride

Slow Burn by Mike Allen

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Publishing date:

Thank you to Netgalley, Mythic Delirium, and RDS Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

The book as a meal: A bag of jellybeans with a load of different flavors, you never know what comes next

The book left me: Feeling empowered?

Negatives:

Felt somewhat disjointed at times

Some stories had unsatisfying endings

Positives:

Surprisingly feminine and feminist stories

Varying themes

Features:

Illustrations to introduce and close off stories (repeats a lot), switches between poems and stories

Why did I choose this one?

In my short story era clearly, and I once again trust RDS to give me the best of the best. The cover was eye-catching, and I originally read the blurb wrong and thought the first paragraph was the singular story in here. I was delighted to be proven wrong and get a buffet of stories instead.

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

In between. Some stories were more compelling than others (as it should be), and some moved very slow or very fast. I think this book is best consumed in small bursts of stories instead of attempting to swallow it whole.

What was the vibe and mood?

Vibes and moods switch between stories, but there was an edginess to everything. It felt dark and dead/dying most of the time.

Final ranking and star rating?

3 Stars, C tier. Even when I praise the book, I can't give it higher than 3 stars. I did enjoy my time, but now after having read it, I don't really remember anything that happened or any of the stories. I am left with the feeling that I did enjoy it, but it hasn't stuck with me. An okay collection of stories, and I think a select few in my circle will be delighted by it.

Favorite stories:

Strange Wisdoms of the Dead

The Butcher, The Baker

Good to the Last Drop

Gherem (this one would have been stellar as a standalone, stunning, and probably my favorite out of all of them)

I'm Not the Same Again Today by Lainey Oslin

Go to review page

4.0

Lore Olympus: Volume Seven by Rachel Smythe

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced