oracle_of_madness's reviews
1325 reviews

This is such a cool read! I have never read a book by this author before, and I'm so happy that I got this chance to experience Gibson's writing.

So the story is amazing, and the writing is perfection.  Laura, a "good girl" type who may harbor some carnal desires, starts college and immediately falls for senior Carmilla.  Carmilla is in the same poetry seminar Laura is in.  And, when she sees her beloved teacher pay attention to Laura (a new girl and a freshman at that!), immediate jealousy sparks, and this turns into just the best enemies-to-lovers read.  

By the way,  this book takes place in the 60s, and the author really made me feel that vibe through their writing and descriptions.   I'm talking about word choice, things I imagine people would say at that time period. 

The atmosphere was haunting and a perfect setup for this sapphic romance to bloom in the shadows and for Laura to learn the secret between Carmilla and their teacher.   

I really enjoyed this and definitely recommend it! 

Out February 13, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc! 

In the author's note,  Katherine Arden calls the time period of WWI "darkly surreal" and I must agree, especially considering the care and knowledge the author put into this recreation of a time that is less understood by many than, of course, WWII.  

A brother and a sister separated by this war.  Laura is in Nova Scotia when a ship explodes, killing many, including her parents and destroying her home.  Soon after, she receives a box of her brothers belongings, including his jacket and tags, a note saying that Freddie is missing and presumed dead.   After some strange occurrences, Laura travels to France with a few friends to once again take up the mantel of the nurse and search for her brother.

Freddie, meanwhile, finds himself trapped and only survives with the help of a soldier from the enemy's side. To save this person, he sacrifices himself, but not in the way you may think.  Will Laura find him? And, what will she risk in the process?

I have feelings!!!!! Romantic, devastating.. . This book is not just "one of my favorites"... this has to be the best book I have read in quite some time.  I can not wrap my head around the author's ability to in this one book, break my heart, and then completely rebuild it.  The attention to every single harmful effect of war on all different people juxtaposed with a touch of magical realism that scorched me completely... this is absolutely brilliant.  I'm honestly speechless, and  I know I'm going to now be searching for the next book that hits this hard, this deeply and yet has me holding onto it for dear life. 

Out February 13, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc! 

I have two main thoughts on this book that sort of are in conflict.  First, the book is just a bit too long imo. Second, it's just an incredible, brilliant piece of fantasy.  

I was really flummoxed by how long the book was bc for whatever reason this seemed insurmountable at times.  But there was no way I could have stopped reading.  This author speaks on magic in so many different forms and, for obvious and yet still surprising reasons,  love being one of the greatest forms of them all.

This book begins with Susannah,  one of my favorite characters, grieving the loss of her little sister, Laura. She also grieves for the simultaneous loss of her friend Mo and ex-boyfriend Daniel.   When a year passes and all three miraculously return to life, they find out about some pretty incredible changes and begin a sort of test to try and stay alive.  

This story is full.  It is told from all character's perspectives throughout and really left me feeling like I have gone through this whole thing with them.  Not just main characters, but the community itself.   The author doesn't just paint a picture but truly fleshed out these individuals.  And, yet I feel like they are all endlessly bound together.  I really enjoyed this! 

Out February 13, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc! 

I loved this! I think as far as sequels go, this was just perfect.   Alex heads into kan homeland,  Galacia, accompanied by Angus and kan horse, Hob (btw, the horse is fine).  Staying in kan hunting lodge, Alex discovers that the caretaker has passed away and in such a way that has started rumors of a Moroi.  Readying the house for Miss Potter (one of my all-time favorite experts in mushrooms),  Alex hires a local duo to help out around the place.

Of course, the Moroi that even Alex knows ka should have initially believed in at this point turns out to be a bit more real than just a rumor.   This Moroi and what it does really remind me of sleep paralysis which is something I struggled with for a little over a year, and trust me, it's a terrifying experience.   

I really liked this.  I think one of my favorite aspects of this book was learning so much more about Alex and particularly T. Kingfisher's created country, Galacia.  It's horrifying but also cozy and funny.  I just hope I get to see more about Alex.  I am in such awe of this author and their creativity and humor.  The balance between feeling scared and cozy vibes is just brilliant. 

Out February 13, 2024! 

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc! 

I love a book in verse.  Particularly ya novels written by amazing authors such as this one about topics that many of us truly experience at a young age.  It's the lyrical and hard-hitting feeling of these lines that really resonated with me, particularly about a topic that so many of us, no matter what our gender is, understand.  

Samira is Sudanese living in DC.  Her mother wants nothing more than to protect her from the alarming amount of harm that could happen in this country that feels so different to her.  As many mothers do, she winds up alienating Samira, so when real problems do begin to happen, she feels as though she has nowhere to turn.

This story that unravels throughout this book is juxtaposed with some very beautiful thoughts on the myth of Persephone and her relationship with Hades , the underworld, and her mother.  This ancient tale feels more relevant than ever being spun through Samira's story.  Less about the girl and her desires and so much focus on the mother's reaction and Hade's controlling nature.  In this case, we do get the tale from the girl's side of the story.  

When a man, Horus, enters Samira's life, she feels so much at once and doesn't quite understand or have the ability to clearly see the red flags.  I felt a deep connection with Samira's honest character and definitely recommend this one! 

Out January 6, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc! 

Alright... I have a confession to make.  I've never read a book by this author before and I didn't even recognize his name so I had no idea he is the author of what, I have heard, is some really absolutely incredible scifi/fantasy.  So I've been literally telling people,  just absolutely clueless, how im so surprised this book is so freaking great! Lmao.... aaaaaahhhgg..   that's my life.  Apologies. 

Now that THAT is out of the way, I will continue to heap praises on this marvelous read.  This story takes place in a dystopian style world in which there are attacks from titans at an enormous seawall that protects this empire, while the people that live within make heavy use of plants for protection and control.  However, sometimes, these plants can be used to harm as well.

The murder/mystery aspect (which was so fascinating) mixed with these very interesting details of the people, politics and, of course,  the plants and their varying uses to enhance many humans, all this together makes just the best read.  It's this author's brilliant ideas, especially the plants, their uses, and their side effects, but also the characters themselves who each are very well thought out and fleshed out in this story.   Just the combination of all these factors, the smallest details to the main flow, the whole plot, idea, of the book... created for me a scary world definitely,  but also a world I felt like I was in, literally inside of, every time I picked this book up (and, while frightening thought I very much so desired to be this enthralled.) Like I was walking by Din's side (the main character) the whole time and feeling like I was experiencing the exact same emotions as him. That's how real this felt to me.

So, if you can't tell, I loved this book.  I am begging.... begging for more.  Please!!!! 

Out February 6, 2024! 

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc! 

I had to dnf this after the first several chapters because the main character and their everything just was literally putting me in a bad mood.

So, I just did not like the constant thought process of the main character feeling like the poorest person because they did not get into this school.  They do work at the school as a grounds keeper/gardener.   But, the rich students are really rude to them, which yeah I get that... but the whole time Ash is feeling sorry for themself, they also feel like everyone else is incredibly stupid.   Which, I personally just don't like reading this point of view.  The thing is, I totally get this feeling, which may be why it's so annoying to read about.  Because feeling like this is not helpful and usually makes any situation worse for me personally so I associate this vibe with just feeling negative.  Anyways, I really do apologize, but I had to put this one down.  

This is just my opinion and I really appreciate receiving this review copy from Netgalley and the Publisher.  

If you're looking for a cute romcom, then this is perfect.  Grumpy/Sunshine and fake-dating are just the most obvious reasons for wanting to read this.  What I didn't see coming was the care the author took to portray these characters and their supposed flaws.  

Mabel thinks she is prepared to spend time with the gruff, sexy and famous footballer Alfie, but is definitely not prepared for the real person beneath these characteristics.   It also seems that Alfie is not at all prepared for her.  This is one of the reasons this story is so cute, but another is the sweet way they have with each other.  And then there's the spice! 

I had a lot of fun reading this one!

Out February 6, 2024! 

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!