I felt nervous going into The Golden Enclaves because I was delighted with A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate with their much more complex, uncoI felt nervous going into The Golden Enclaves because I was delighted with A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate with their much more complex, unconventional and gritty perspectives on the magical school trope and I really needed the final instalment to deliver.
So did it?
The truth is that I read this during the holiday chaos, knee-deep in festive vibes and margaritas. Admittedly, my focus might've been more on spending cherished time with friends than the book and I probably wasn’t as immersed as I should have been. Maybe I should have read it when I could have given it the focus it deserves, because it’s not necessarily an easy read. It’s uncomfortable, dark and tightly woven.
Nonetheless, I still really liked it and it was a worthy conclusion. If I met El/Galadriel in real life, I feel like we would be friends, and for me, she’s relatable on so many levels. Again, I know she’s not for everyone, yet I have grown to love her stream-of-consciousness snarky dark-queen narration and the way she challenges traditional notions of heroism.
Like its predecessors, The Golden Enclaves still retains all the same funny, profound, clever and savage parallels to life and capitalism. I can’t really talk about much else without spoiling this book and the previous books, however, I will say, I was surprised, shocked, amused and delighted.
I guess there are some plot directions that are super extra and I caught myself thinking what the hell am I reading, but in the end, I found when I let it go and embraced it, the story came together really nicely for me and this overall was a satisfying conclusion to the series.
Also, I have decided I too would like a sassy mouse familiar named Precious who keeps my best interests at heart and occasionally bosses me around.
It’s no secret many, including me, were smitten with romaniris in Divine Rivals and for good reason. They were adorable yet flawed and we got to see aIt’s no secret many, including me, were smitten with romaniris in Divine Rivals and for good reason. They were adorable yet flawed and we got to see a lot of character growth while experiencing their wholesome You’ve Got Mail but with magical typewriters love story unfurl. I was hoping to experience the same magic in Ruthless Vows. And to a degree, it delivered. There is no doubt Rebecca Ross' lyrical prose is lush and stirs up all the emotions.
So why the 3 stars? (3 stars aren’t bad. It’s still good, not great.)
Maybe it's partly because I was on holiday and not binge-reading like usual, but honestly, the first 40% was a bit of a slog, holiday or not. Still, I stuck with it, hoping for that Divine Rivals magic to kick in. And it did. It just took a while.
You know you've found a new favourite author when they leave you questioning the very fabric of your star-rating reality.
This book ticked every box, You know you've found a new favourite author when they leave you questioning the very fabric of your star-rating reality.
This book ticked every box, hit every sweet spot, and cemented a piece of its soul into my mind. How are we meant to rate such a transcendent experience with these star-shaped symbols that we use to try to assign personal meaning to books that made an impact on the very core of our being?
Am I being melodramatic? Perhaps. But anyway, have the whole galaxy of stars, Ms. Gillig. I guess that's all just a long-winded way to say I loved it and if you have similar tastes to me, you might love it as well. And if you don’t, that’s cool too.
A creepy mist-plagued village and woods, a 500-year-old mercurial mind monster who talks in rhymes, a book within a book, and beautiful poetic writingA creepy mist-plagued village and woods, a 500-year-old mercurial mind monster who talks in rhymes, a book within a book, and beautiful poetic writing without being too flowery. Rachel Gillig’s darkish fantasy gothic fairytale, was an atmospheric read with elements of slow-burn romance and a small touch of spice, which had me ensnared.
Worlds with forbidden magic aren’t anything new, and if you’re an author building such a world, it needs to be done with care and originality; otherwise, you risk getting flagged as tropey. However, I found One Dark Window gripping and innovative, where how using magic always comes with consequences, making the stakes much more fascinating and dangerous. I think, personally, it’s best to go into this book with not much knowledge, so I won’t describe the system of magic or much else. Go into it in the dark, read and enjoy.
5 stars for pure enjoyment levels. I need book 2 ASAP!
Re-reading Divine Rivals for a second time before Ruthless Vows was a nice refresher for my brain, and this cynic2nd read 5th Dec 2023- 25th Dec 2023
Re-reading Divine Rivals for a second time before Ruthless Vows was a nice refresher for my brain, and this cynical Grinch was still completely besotted, enthralled and invested the second time around.
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Back for another rendezvous with my besties Winnow & Kitt. RTC.
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1st Read 21st July - 31st July 2023
How much I adored this book and Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt surprised me as BookTok recommendations can be a hit or miss. But this was a sublime read.
Set in a destructive heart-wrenching war between gods (trigger warning for war and heavy war themes), Iris and Roman are both pure and adorable and I loved both of them, their quirks and their flaws.
Despite using a well-worn premise of academic rivals to lovers, the story and world are innovative, intricate, evocative and heavy-hitting, combining fantasy and historical fiction, including the rich mythology of gods, amazing supporting side characters and more.
An agonising wait for the sequel, that's for sure!
Edited 30 May 2024: I've downgraded this to 3 stars, after one year and revised the review to be more honest, based on current feelings toward the booEdited 30 May 2024: I've downgraded this to 3 stars, after one year and revised the review to be more honest, based on current feelings toward the book.
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If Daenerys Targaryen was blended with Katniss Everdeen, as well as Storm from the X-men (perhaps even a sprinkle of Hermione Granger), you might be able to get a feeling for the essence of our main character Violet Sorrengail. Fourth Wing is set in Basgiath War College, a world not too dissimilar to Panem meets Hogwarts meets Ninja Warrior, with dragons, and includes a big dash of spice.
What sets Violet apart from other comparatively cunning, compassionate and courageous heroines, though, is that Violet is differently-abled, with a type of connective tissue disorder representative of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a hereditary disorder and chronic illness caused by a defect in collagen, which makes for a unique skew beyond your usual main character trope. It's always appreciable to see #OwnVoices representation from an author.
• I particularly loved the dragons and the world of magic they bring. Tairn and Andarna were highlights with their grumpy and sweet personalities, and the unique bond and communication with their chosen human added a special touch. • There was decent diversity representation, and a reminder to fan artists that Xaden Riorson is meant to be a POC, as confirmed by Rebecca Yarros.
Disliked:
• The world-building could've been more detailed and immersive. • The dialogue often felt cringe-worthy. • The plot followed a formulaic pattern. • Some of the bullies, like Jack Barlowe, felt like caricatures or maybe just psychopaths with no backstory. • Xaden went from being a mysterious and intriguing character to a tropey love interest. The romance felt too instant for an enemies-to-lovers arc. (hide spoiler)]
However, it’s an entertaining read with innovative world-building, so if you like ACOTAR, The Hunger Games, Divergent, dragons, Harry Potter, etc., you’ll probably like this - a big part of my enjoyment from reading this book came from nostalgia for those books.
Another round of speed-reading to jog my sieve-like memory.
1st Read 28 March 2023 - 25 April 2023
DespEdit: On pause for now
2nd Read 13 March 2024 -
Another round of speed-reading to jog my sieve-like memory.
1st Read 28 March 2023 - 25 April 2023
Despite having some similarities, I found that The Stolen Heir was a much darker book than any of the other Folk of the Air books that Holly Black has written.
However, I loved Wren as a narrator. She had a turbulent upbringing and I love watching her character arc.
Next, we have Oak Greenbriar, the charming, flirtatious Prince of Elfhame, but we all know that his backstory is shrouded in tragedy. Although hairy goat hooves don't really do it for me. But whatever floats your goat.
Do I recommend this book? Yes! 4.5 stars. Despite the goat hooves and a polarising ending, Holly Black is a master. I'm looking forward to book two from Oak's perspective.
A playful, endearing, light, quick middle-grade fantasy read that turns classic fairytale tropes on their heads, with Cimorene, an independent, intellA playful, endearing, light, quick middle-grade fantasy read that turns classic fairytale tropes on their heads, with Cimorene, an independent, intelligent princess who doesn't want to abide by conventional standards of what society thinks a princess should be and thus, runs away to live with dragons—a good palate cleanser, full of feel-good vibes.
Can certainly see where Elizabeth Lim, author of Six Crimson Cranes, one of my fave discoveries of 2023, gets some of her inspiration from....more
The perfect book for anyone who's ever looked at Godzilla and thought, 'He (she/they?) seems misunderstood.The perfect book for anyone who's ever looked at Godzilla and thought, 'He (she/they?) seems misunderstood....more
Shape-shifting dragons, forbidden magic, evil stepmothers, a cursed princess and princes, ensorcelled kingdoms, and a delightful companion in the formShape-shifting dragons, forbidden magic, evil stepmothers, a cursed princess and princes, ensorcelled kingdoms, and a delightful companion in the form of a chatty paper crane named Kiki. Six Crimson Cranes takes East-Asian mythology and culture and blends it with classic fairytales (The Wild Swans by H.C. Andersen/The Six Swans by The Brothers Grimm) to give it a modern and innovative twist.
Out of all the books I've read in 2023, Six Crimson Cranes may be the standout of the year thus far. But full guilty disclosure, I do adore some Disney movies (i.e. not the racist, sexist ones, gosh), and grew up on a staple diet of The Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, so this vibe is right up my alley.
Delighted to have discovered Elizabeth Lim and her flawless prose and I highly recommend this book.
An underrated, thought-provoking classic written in the 1920s, Passing is a story of two women navigating race and identity in a segregated society, aAn underrated, thought-provoking classic written in the 1920s, Passing is a story of two women navigating race and identity in a segregated society, and interestingly still reflective of today’s world, where privilege can hinge on melanin levels and Eurocentric beauty standards....more
Shuggie Bain is the kind of book that punches your soul and leaves you staring at the ceiling, contemplating if happiness was ever real or just a crueShuggie Bain is the kind of book that punches your soul and leaves you staring at the ceiling, contemplating if happiness was ever real or just a cruel myth.
The things my book club roped me into! No regrets though....more
A poignant and deeply moving historical fiction starting from the events of the catastrophic Gundagai floods, this novel offers a powerful glimpse intA poignant and deeply moving historical fiction starting from the events of the catastrophic Gundagai floods, this novel offers a powerful glimpse into Australia’s early settlers through the eyes of Wagadhaany, a Wiradyuri woman. While there are moments of joy, the overwhelming feelings I experienced were sadness, anger, and discomfort as it exposes Australia’s dark and disturbing history of white settlement.
This book serves as a stark reminder that the fight for equality—particularly for our First Nations people—is far from over. The distressing truth is that figures like James and David Bradley still exist today: racist, power-hungry men who perpetuate inequality and inequity.
That said, the beauty of this story shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s a vital read that manages to balance pain with moments of light and hope. I’d also recommend pairing it with Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe for an even richer understanding of Australia’s history....more
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