bkwrm1317's reviews
209 reviews

Fascinating exploration into the soundscapes of the aquatic landscapes of our planet, and the voices within them. 

CWs for when the author refers to specific scientific experiments of yesteryear. 

Completed judge review for Indie Ink on 8.5.24. 

The following is a personal review, and does not reflect judging for Indie Ink 2024:

The second book in the Flowers of Prophecy series by Natalia Hernandez improves on the first novel, in my opinion. Pacing is more consistent with a medium/fast pace, as compared to the slower/medium pace of the first novel (The Name-Bearer). 

In The Follower of Flowers, we are reunited with our Name-Bearer (who is mostly going by the name Nova at this time), and are joined by Alric (a mage sent to support her quest to find and identify the Unnamed Prince) and Rawl (archer). They eventually need the help of the Cassalian (enemy to their people in Andala) they set free, Axchel, in order to find the Unnamed Prince. Their fates become further intertwined when the Unnamed Prince hails from Axchel's roots in the northern tribes. 

In the meantime, Damika, Taruka, and Petra are all on their own mission (turns out it's to find the Name-Bearer and return them to the queen of Andala, as they're considered a traitor to the crown). 

The additional timeline with Jesandirany and Sofia is a smidge confusing, since it doesn't indicate that it's a separate timeline, but context clues are all the reader has to go on. It took about half of the book to realize that this was indeed a separate timeline, and provided crucial background that influence the events of the present moment in the series. 

The character development of this novel was more satisfying than the first, certainly, as our characters end up encountering a number of challenges and obstacles that shape their identities and how they approach each other, understand themselves, etc. It was really interesting to watch the friendship/relationship between Nova and Axchel grow, and to see how Damika responded to learning of Nova/Phanessa's past and identity as the Name-Bearer. While the other daughters of Danray offered empathy and understanding towards Nova/Phanessa, at least to some extent, Damika feels particularly betrayed (a bit much for my taste) due to Nova's need to keep her identity a secret for her own protection and that of everyone around her in the Temple of Danray (events from the first book). 

I loved the subtle, yet direct, way that the author weaves Latinidad into this novel. From drinking mate (albeit only in specific regions of the world, just like in Latin America in our own world), and the importance of not skipping this as a moment of cultural understanding/connection, to the words used to describe creatures from the Dark Wood (montros, Orcuyos, Salta Sombras, etc.), Latinidad is layered into all parts of the world building and story quite effectively. 

One of my favorite parts of the novel was watching Nova come into herself/gain confidence in herself in this novel much more, and the way in which Axchel supports her in this novel. This ends up being key for Nova later in the novel. 

Enjoyable little whodunnit. My first read by Cosby, and I’ll definitely be coming back for more. 

A recently elected Black sheriff in a small Virginia town has to put his former FBI training to use when a teacher at the local high school is shot, and the once-beloved teacher quickly turns out to have actually been a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Reflecting on racism in the modern era in all its horror, the politics of small towns in the South, and how to keep our loved ones safe, among other topics. 

Was reading this book for Indie Ink 2023-24 for the "Writing the Future We Need: Latinx/e Representation by a Latine/x Author." At 71% of the way through the novel, there were exceedingly brief mentions of skin color, and one reference to drinking yerba mate (the only direct reference to Latinidad to that point in the novel). Otherwise, there were no real references to Latinidad/Latine identity, so this book did not feel a good fit for this category. 

At nearly 3/4 of the way through the novel, I preferred to spend my time for Indie Ink on other novels that needed additional readers and might fit the category better. 

Solid middle of the line read for me. 

I really enjoyed some of the twists and turns of Addie's story, her history with Luc, and Henry's involvement in her story. The insight we get into Luc with Henry's story is also really interesting. 

That said, this one didn't knock my socks off, as most really hyped up books end up being for me, but it's still worth the read for folks who enjoy Schwab, and who enjoy tropes of strong femme protags, women bucking the expectations of their times in historical fiction/fantasy, etc. 

Bit of a challenging read - very dystopian. I am interested in the content itself, the concepts that Onyebuchi is tackling, etc. But this particular approach to the topic was hard for me. The slow pacing was something I didn't pay enough attention to ahead of reading it either, so this one was one I had to pick up and put down a few times since I so often struggle with slow-paced novels. 

Things got a little bit dragged out in this second book in the series, in my opinion, but I still enjoyed. Writing was solid. Loved our protagonist coming more into herself/her abilities in this novel. 

Unfortunately, I felt that the protagonist's relationship was a bit toxic/started to feel a little toxic. 

Okay this author better not be problematic or messed up because THIS BOOK. 

I can get behind an enemies to lovers trope but this one was such a good slow little burn for the first chunk of the book while we got to know Violet. Xaden is HOT so I’m also glad this is a series. I felt like no way this could be a standalone. Definitely need to know what happens to them all, and more about this conspiracy VI’s dad apparently tried to warn her about. Whewwww! 

Really solid read. I’m glad I dug this one out from the innards of my TBR. 

Some of the Elvin/Goblin names and
honorifics are a bit challenging (guide at the end of the book), especially at first, but context clues will provide most of the needed information. 

Sweet half-goblin Maia, youngest son of the emperor, unexpectedly has to take the throne after the death of his father and elder brothers. What ensues is full of politicking, class difference, xenophobia, and other adventures as Maia gets acquainted with court. 

While not a traditional coming of age tale, Maia does come into himself in his time at court, and becomes much more confident in his knowledge and abilities. 

Re: racism and xenophobia - these are directed negatively towards Goblins in the novels due to Elvin racism and sense of racial superiority. 

Wow. This one hit me like a ton of bricks. I think a lot due to the quantum entanglement-ness of our protagonist and his wife as he goes on one of the strangest journeys a character could engage in, but also because it makes one think (as all the best SF does) not only on the human experience externally, but also introspectively.

His love for his wife and dedication to finding her again made me miss my own love, wherever he may be among the stars. 

"...I remember how the wine had stained your lips. I've always known, on a purely intellectual level, that our separateness and isolation are an illusion. We're all made of the same thing--the blown-out pieces of matter formed in the fires of dead stars. I've just never felt that knowledge in my bones until that moment, there, with you. And it's because of you. 
Yes, maybe I just want to get laid, but I also wonder if this sense of entanglement might be evidence of something deeper. This line of thinking I wisely keep to myself..." p 245

"...Being with Daniela isn't like being home.
It defines home. 
I remember thinking that the first time I made love to her fifteen years ago. Thinking that I'd found something I didn't even know I'd been searching for. 
It holds even more true tonight as the hardwood floor groans softly beneath us and the moonlight steals between the break in the curtains just enough to light her face as her mouth opens and her head tilts back and she whispers, so urgently, my name."