"Victoria" Review

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novel sheds light onto the life of a figure of enormous historical stature, Queen Victoria. I was drawn into the determined, passionate mind of a young queen who chose to rule with her own wits and might and succeeded wonderfully.

Based on multiple historical texts, including letters and notes by Queen Victoria, this book seems to be simultaneously both historically accurate and fascinatingly insightful into who Queen Victoria was as a person.

It has a slower pace to the text with less action and more introspection. Victoria goes from a 2D historical figure to a fleshed-out tangible young girl and monarch under the careful hand of the author. She blossoms from a girl into a woman. Most of the 'action' of the book occurs in the mind of home-schooled Victoria as she tries to navigate new and unfamiliar political territory as the queen of a country.

"The Corner Store Witch" Review

The Corner Store Witch by H.D. Lynn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Throw This Book at Me for offering this book for free in exchange for an honest review!

This book reads like a short story or a manga volume. It's a quick read. In a way it feels like a fresh voice on the scene of fantasy and sci-fi as it offers a diverse cast although it felt a bit forced and undeveloped at times. It does include lots of references for fantasy/sci-fi lovers. The main character is frank and real yet was brought down since she was a combination of forceful and whiny. Definitely be aware that this book is crude.

The pacing for the most part was great, more on the speedy side. I would have liked to see something dramatic with build-up before the end though. I was shocked when I reached the end and felt like nothing climactic had happened. I didn't connect with all parts of this book but it reminded me of a video game and I definitely enjoyed many of the references.

I'd say it's a gallant attempt at an original premise but I think it could be improved in many ways.

"Bone Witch" Review

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars



An interesting premise that was not implemented as well as it could have been. The plot seemed thin and there was no clear end goal or purpose. The narrative meandered and lost itself in its extended flashbacks and occasionally over-zealous narration. I found myself falling out of the story rather than staying in it as there were some odd formatting issues and a decent amount of grammar and spelling issues (ARC). I also don't think some of the metaphors fit for the background of the protagonist. They just didn't seem like something she would say or know.

Some concepts were also left very abstract. After reading I still am not able to explain the concept of a heartglass. Is it made of the emotions you have? Does it take your heart literally out of your chest and transform it? How do you live without your heartglass if it gets lost or shattered? It is tied to your life so someone could break it and you die? Then how can you get another one if you lose one? That part unfortunately didn't make sense to me.

However this novel does have a lot of potential and I'm sure the grammar, formatting and spelling issues will be cleared by the time it reaches publication. I think the idea of bone witches, versus just the usual elemental witches is a unique and creative touch and I definitely enjoyed seeing that explored. Many of the characters were well-conceived and some of the in-the-moment plot points were original and fascinating.

I do think there was too much narration versus action (tell vs. show if you will). I most enjoyed the moments spent in the main character's point of view. I think that that the monsters too were creative and well-written. However, there was a lot of history introduced in large chunks that later was not needed. I think this slowed down the novel and a better integration of only the most core historical facts as needed would greatly improve the reading continuity, which as is is kind of choppy.

Overall there were too many little issues I found with the novel (its implementation not its concept) that I couldn't stay as into it as I really wanted to. While this book didn't resound for me, I look forward to seeing how this author develops artistically as she refines her style.
I received an ARC of this book for free for an honest review.

"Good in Bed" Review

Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided this novel for free by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I read by this author and I wrote this review without seeing any other reviews or summaries online before and while reading.

Note: I see after writing my review that there are many negative reviews but I think it also depends in how you approach the story and what you expect from it. If you give it a chance, I think it can really grow on you. Obviously it won't be for everybody but no books are.

I picked up this book with no prior knowledge of the author or her works and an erroneous expectation that it would be a simple, mindless read; I expected the stereotypical heroine female figure and plot-line and I could not have been more happy to be proved wrong.

"Good in Bed" is a masterful book that takes readers on an emotional journey from the perspective of Cannie, a woman suffering from a recent relationship shake-up. As well, Cannie (or Candice) is a size sixteen woman, a reality that drives much of the story.

This novel is one of the deepest books I have ever read in the Women's Fiction category. Both comical and tragic, this book sweeps you into the pages and makes you care. I laughed at some of Candice's jokes and wise remarks and felt Candice's deep sorrow. In my experience, very few light fiction books are this complex.

"Good in Bed" proves an extended exploration into relationships - in a dramatic fashion - and how they go wrong. Alongside romantic love, this book delves into the deep relationship between a mother and a daughter and the ties between friends. The relationships feel fresh.

What I did not like was that even though Cannie was a potential target for prejudice, there is obvious evidence she herself suffers from other prejudices, against lesbian relationships for one.

This novel is complex, emotional, and real. Even though it was written in 2001, it reads as if it were written with this year in mind. It's timeless, topical fifteen years after it was written.

The characters are vivid and fun; they possess rich, detailed backgrounds; their interactions are honest, heart-breaking, and hilarious. The way the backstory is unveiled felt well-planned.

Halfway through the book I felt like it could go in any direction and so it kept me on my feet. I feel lucky in having read this book; I would compare it to finding a genuine jewel in a chest of imitations. This book always felt real.

"Good in Bed" is a delightful dissection of many problems and stereotypes that drag down people in society today: divorce, 'fat' stereotypes, trying to fix a broken relationship, the difficult path to self-acceptance, depression, the lies we all tell, and the false, hyper-glamorized face of the entertainment industry (by which many of us eventually judge ourselves and our lives).

This novel explores these themes. And yet, from the casual book cover, I would never have guessed at the wonder of the world inside it. "Good in Bed" always remains true to itself and it doesn't hold its punches.

"Good in Bed" is the kind of story that I imagine people will be reading in years to come.