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bookedbymadeline's reviews
907 reviews
A Spartan's Sorrow by Hannah Lynn
Overall it’s not the worst myth retelling I’ve read but it was wildly disappointing compared to Lynn’s other novels and especially as a so-called “feminist retelling.” I’m hopeful other Clytemnestra retellings are better so far now I’d say it’s a skip and to research the myth/plays rather than read this retelling.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The first chapter pulled me in!
I know a bit about the story because of Troy (the movie) but don’t know most of it. This is probably the darkest, most depressing myth retelling I’ve ever read and one of the few that has made me cry.
Slower paced compared to Lynn’s other books and my least favorite of hers so far. I will say I did enjoy getting to know the characters and marked a lot of memorable passages! I also was glad to finally learn the rest of the story surrounding Clytemnestra and Orestes.
Slower paced compared to Lynn’s other books and my least favorite of hers so far. I will say I did enjoy getting to know the characters and marked a lot of memorable passages! I also was glad to finally learn the rest of the story surrounding Clytemnestra and Orestes.
I didn’t love how much Clytemnestra talked down about other women, especially Helen, her own sister. She’s trapped in a marriage to a man she hates and has never loved and yet she seems to think she’s the only woman stuck in that situation?!
Clytemnestra is very complex and often times unlikeable. I can sympathize with her for losing her daughter but that doesn’t give you free rein to be shitty about other women and act like you’re a goddamn martyr. Oh and the way she treats Electra, her youngest daughter? Listen she was annoying and arrogant but she’s a child and she can clearly tell that her mother has favorites and she’s not one of them-of course she’s going to act out and hate you?!
This was the most infuriating, pick me, internalized misogyny book that Lynn has written thus far in the series. The other 2 I’ve read do a great job of giving a voice to women but this one does so at the cost of tearing other women down the majority of part 1. Anyone saying there’s feminist undertones in this story has to be joking. The amount of times whore is used and Clytemnestra victim blames made me set the book aside for 3 days to calm down.
Lastly this is me being Nitpicky maybe but twice she mentions Penelope and her suitors when the suitors did not arrive to Ithaca yet! This book takes place mostly during the war in Troy, but the suitors don’t show up until after the war has ended and Odysseus is on his (long journey) home. Just made me irritated that such a glaring mistake was mentioned not once but twice. Also, Athens did not have an acropolis nor democracy at this time for another 500+ years?! Sooo many inaccuracies that are easy to research😭
Overall it’s not the worst myth retelling I’ve read but it was wildly disappointing compared to Lynn’s other novels and especially as a so-called “feminist retelling.” I’m hopeful other Clytemnestra retellings are better so far now I’d say it’s a skip and to research the myth/plays rather than read this retelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and War
Minor: Incest and Rape
My Darlings by Marie Still
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to netgalley and Rising Action Publishing for the eARC of My Darlings by Marie Still!
Pulled in immediately and didn’t want to put it down! I finished My Darlings in just 2 days, I was gripped the entire time. I loved
the switching POVs and occasional timeline switches to slowly reveal the secrets/twists! I was also happy that the author included content warnings at the start of the book because this is very dark.
MC is unlikeable but sooo intriguing and complex. And really all the characters are unlikeable but they’re like “love to hate them” type characters-very dramatic, entertaining, and over the top rich people 😂 It’s described as desperate housewives meets Dexter and for once the comparison is spot on!!
I predicted a couple of twists early on but not all of them so I was pleasantly shocked! The ending was soo good 😨 I’d highly recommend My Darlings for anyone looking for a fast paced thriller with unlikeable characters and a serial killer POV! Definitely a favorite for September ❤️
TW/CW: murder, blood, violence, child abuse, alcoholism, body shaming, suicide, hazing, bullying, child death, infidelity, torture, domestic violence, emotional abuse, drugged without consent or knowledge, underage drinking, body horror, self harm
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Self harm, and Suicide
Minor: Pregnancy
The Eid Gift: An Adam and Zayneb Story by S.K. Ali
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Too much telling over showing. I adored Love from A to Z but honestly it should’ve been left alone because I just couldn’t care about them further the way they’re written now
Love from Mecca to Medina by S.K. Ali
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
I loved the first book, Love from A to Z but what in the heck is this…Was Ali’s writing style always this much telling over showing?! It got so annoying and cringey. They’re supposed to be 2 married adults but they sound like they’re still teenagers. I had second hand embarrassment from that cat POV like that was a choice 👀
Based on other reviews the fact that this hinges on miscommunication I’m just gonna hate read it so DNFing now
Based on other reviews the fact that this hinges on miscommunication I’m just gonna hate read it so DNFing now
A Half Baked Idea: How grief, love and cake took me from the courtroom to Le Cordon Bleu by Olivia Potts
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A beautiful exploration on grief! Follows the author as she grieves the death of her mother, falling in love, and quitting her career to go to culinary school.
This book was full of heart and humor. It’ll make you laugh, smile, cry, nod your head in agreement, and make you hungry! I loved the discussions on grief and the non-linear journey it takes to process. I also enjoyed the recipes and reading about her adventures in baking at Le Cordon Bleu!
Would highly recommend if you enjoy books that explore grief/loss or if you’re a foodie 🩷
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer
How to Piss Off Men: 109 Things to Say to Shatter the Male Ego by Kyle Prue
funny
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the eARC of How to Piss Off Men by Kyle Prue!
Laugh out loud funny! Quick, easy read full of humor while also addressing the very real issue of toxic masculinity and patriarchy.
Included phrases and questions to piss off men, with explanations and sometimes personal stories about Prue! We’ve all had a man try and mansplain at least once in our lives so this book is perfect for combatting that or just providing some much needed humor in our deeply depressing patriarchy-led world 🥲
I’ve followed Prue for awhile on TikTok so I was really excited to read his book! It’s hilarious and one I’ll be getting a physical copy for my library!
I also liked that he makes note warning that although funny and devastating, these things should only be said if you are safe to do so because well, men are men, and as women, queer people, and/or BIPOC people it’s not always safe to say these things.
My personal favorites included “oh so it’s like Kohl’s cash?” (Say this when a man tries to explain crypto), “I love your cosplay” (say this to a man wearing a sports jersey), and “Team Jacob eh?” (Say this to a man with a wolf tattoo)
What We Sacrifice for Magic by Andrea Jo DeWerd
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
10 pages in but I can already tell it’s not going to be for me. It’s very telling over showing and the writing feels choppy, disconnected. We get a paragraph about Elizabeth making out with her bf and then the next one is info dumping about her family and their magic business?! Weird choice….
Based on other reviews, it seems to stay slow paced for the most part with pacing issues and continues with telling over showing. Also the narration style feels very YA when this is an adult book (I love YA but if I’m reading and adult book I expect an adult voice).
On paper this is the perfect book for me but in execution it’s severely lacking.
Based on other reviews, it seems to stay slow paced for the most part with pacing issues and continues with telling over showing. Also the narration style feels very YA when this is an adult book (I love YA but if I’m reading and adult book I expect an adult voice).
On paper this is the perfect book for me but in execution it’s severely lacking.
Strangers by Taichi Yamada
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Like most Japanese novels, the descriptions are a mundane look at the day to day of our characters without being overly descriptive (so really a perfect mix). I enjoyed the explorations on loss, grief, and longing! It’s not exactly what I expected from a horror book, especially given what I know of Japanese horror movies.
It was a somewhat quick read, I felt engaged while I was reading and enjoyed following the MCs journey! The twist at the end was somewhat expected and what I predicted early one but it was still well executed.
Although it wasn’t quite what I was expecting from a horror book, it was still an interesting read! I’d recommend more for literary fiction lovers though as opposed to horror fans due to its slower pacing and only minor hints/discussions of ghosts and the supernatural.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
One of the easiest classics to read! I love classics but sometimes the language/prose makes it difficult to read more than a chapter or few pages a day. But this had me speed reading!
I was Confused though about the mentions of god/goddesses kissing ie Phaeton and Persephone? All the imagery made me confused as to what the purpose was; is it symbolic? Was Lucy actually seeing them?
Loved this and perfect for summer! I loved the characters and the humor/funny moments. I can see now why it’s considered a must read and can’t wait to read more from Forster! Would definitely recommend for any classics lover or readers trying to get into the classics.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Classism
Daddy by Emma Cline
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
I tried to read this in Dutch and it went better than I expected in terms of understanding the vocab! However most of the stories were boring and I found myself losing focus. Just when they’d get good/exciting, they ended?! It’s why I tend not to read short stories often, even though I’ve enjoyed Cline’s novels her short stories aren’t my taste