"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.