"The first weapon I ever held was my mother's hand."
Let Us Descend is a stunningly written, dreamlike exploration of the realities of slavery through"The first weapon I ever held was my mother's hand."
Let Us Descend is a stunningly written, dreamlike exploration of the realities of slavery through the eyes of a young, grief-stricken girl who is set on a harrowing journey through ever-deepening circles of hell told in a style that is reminiscent of oral tradition and legend, drawing inspiration from Dante's Inferno.
Annis, our protagonist, lives in a world steeped in both the terrifying realities of slavery and the equally frightening, if less tangible, world of spirits. She is resilient, intelligent, and kind and constantly yearns for the human connection that is systematically and cruelly denied her at every turn.
With commentary on Western society's obsession with the morality of labour and rest, a bee motif that brings hope in times of darkness, and a narrative thoroughly steeped in grief—each word dripping with the aching pain of loss—Ward delivers a piece of literature that is in a league of its own, addressing the realities of slavery with an uncompromisingly blunt gaze.
This heart-wrenching novel will stay with me for a very long time.
“I don’t cover my ears. If she must bear it, the least I can do is bear witness.”
Representation: Black MC, bisexual MC (relationships with both a woman and a man on the page)
Trigger/Content Warnings: slavery, sexual assault, trafficking, murder, drowning, blood, confinement, violence, animal death, starvation, vomit, death, suicide attempt, pregnancy as a result of sexual assault, body horror
Our Share of Night is such a monster of a book that I've struggled with how to review it. The amount of explicit child abuse in this novel was difficuOur Share of Night is such a monster of a book that I've struggled with how to review it. The amount of explicit child abuse in this novel was difficult to stomach, and I would encourage anyone sensitive to the torture and mutilation of children in media to prepare themselves before diving in. While I was deeply disturbed by much of the content here and thoroughly disgusted by the behaviour of the majority of the characters, I must say this was one of the most intriguing horror novels I've ever read. From commentary on Argentinian history (specifically the 'dirty war' and the disappeared), classism/the dehumanization of the poor, and the pursuit of power and immortality at any cost, to the complexities of familial relationships and generational trauma, Enriquez ties a plethora of fascinating ideas together with a cult of darkness, taking me on a journey I never could have anticipated.
While the writing was, at times, a touch clunky and bloated (possibly as a result of translation), and there were some forrays into nonessential characters that distracted from the primary narrative, I was fully immersed and invested in this story from the beginning, especially when it came to Gaspar and Adela, who truly deserved so much better. The slow unravelling of the mysteries of the Order was as painful as it was mesmerizing, and the demonization of the upper echelons of society was frankly cathartic. The many LGBTQIA+ characters in a plethora of combinations were lovely to see, and I was especially grateful to the author for showing queerness not only in the villains and morally grey characters in the story but also in one of the very few indisputably good human beings, Pablo. The fact that she also dove into the realities of the AIDS crisis in South America was truly commendable and added another layer of richness to this novel's historical setting and thematic throughlines.
I've barely begun untangling my thoughts on this strange, surreal, twisted novel, so I may return after my brain has a little longer to percolate and add to this review.
As it stands now, I am left a little baffled, quite disturbed, and a lot in awe of what Enriquez managed to do in this single, massive tome.
Representation: multiple bisexual POV and secondary characters, prominent gay secondary character, several examples of nonmonogamy/polyamory, many gay tertiary characters, MLM and WLW sex, a largely latino/a cast of characters, and a prominent secondary character with an amputated limb.
Trigger/Content Warnings: child abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual), child murder, child torture and mutilation, kidnapping and confinement of children, blood and gore, body horror, violence, murder, cannibalism, autocannibalism, dismemberment, torture, mutilation, domestic violence, death, suicide, threatening suicide, death from HIV/aids, alcoholism, overdose, self-harm, eating disorders, homophobia and homophobic slurs, racism, loss of parents, vomit, classism, ableism, bullying
The story centres two characters from different generations and backgrounds, both grappling with their own personal challenges. One character is grievThe story centres two characters from different generations and backgrounds, both grappling with their own personal challenges. One character is grieving the loss of his spouse, feeling aimless and empty without his lifelong companion, while the other is dealing with her mother's mental illness and the weight of parentification on her shoulders. They strike up an unlikely friendship at a library, bonding over a shared list of books that not only connects them to each other but to several other characters in the story.
At first, I thought the premise seemed a bit cheesy—typical book club material, you know? But I was pleasantly surprised! The depth and authenticity of the characters really won me over. Their complexity and the genuine relationships they formed, especially through their shared reading experiences, resonated with me deeply. Despite my initial skepticism, I found myself emotionally invested in the story, shedding tears multiple times.
What I loved most were the characters and the central narrative about how reading and discussing books can bring people together, how literature can be a guiding light through difficult times, especially through grief (which was, sadly, my own experience a few months after reading this as I processed my own loss of a loved one through books). It was touching and heartfelt, and it reminded me of the power of literature to connect us not only to friends and family but to strangers we may never meet who have, despite wildly different circumstances, felt precisely the same range of human experiences and emotions that we have. We are not so different, and books can bridge the gap if we let them.
A beautiful book with a beautiful message that I would highly recommend!
Representation: Black & South Asian MCs
Trigger/Content Warnings: grief, self-harm, suicide, death, partner loss, loss of a sibling, mental illness, parentification, racism
Like much of Baldwin’s work, Giovanni’s Room was written over half a century ago yet remains timeless and topical. An incredibly subversive work at thLike much of Baldwin’s work, Giovanni’s Room was written over half a century ago yet remains timeless and topical. An incredibly subversive work at the time, Baldwin used his own experiences as a young gay American man living in Paris to explore the complex dynamics within the gay community of the time, full of contradictions and conflict, freedom and strict roles.
Baldwin wanted, perhaps most of all, to examine the multitude of ways that shame and self-hatred can steal our joy, leaving us alone and full of regret. His protagonist, David, is so afraid of being vulnerable, of being anything other than the paragon of 1950s maleness, that he can never allow himself to open up to another person and accept their love. Giovanni challenges his understanding of relationships, domesticity, and masculinity - and rather than embracing a new way to live, a way that could, perhaps, lead to a bliss he had yet to experience, David pushes it all away - runs back to what feels safe and familiar, hurting multiple people in the process. David believed that escaping to Europe would allow him to break free of the indoctrination of toxic masculinity and to accept himself in a way he couldn’t manage at home in America. Still, it turns out that no matter where you go, there you are, and what he’s running from is so internalized and so part of who he is at a fundamental level that without deconstructing that foundation, doing that work, simply arriving in a different place with different norms, laws, and freedoms won’t be enough.
David is a deeply unlikeable yet profoundly human protagonist, flawed and stuck in his ways, yearning for a change he can’t bring himself to ask for. He can’t let go of what he thinks his life should look like, even when that means losing the (possible) love of his life.
Giovanni’s Room is a poetic and profound exploration of identity and coming to terms with your true self, gender norms and expectations and how they intersect with sexuality and shame. This is a melancholic reverie, full of grief and regret for what could have been. There is also commentary on aging, xenophobia and the mistreatment of immigrants, misogyny within the gay community, abuse of power within gay relationships, and much more. A fever dream, a reminiscence of a whirlwind romance after it’s been snuffed out.
Trigger/Content Warnings: homophobia (including the internalized variety), transphobia, death, murder, sexual assault, misogyny, suicidal ideation, toxic relationship, xenophobia
“The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them.”
A traipse through the wonderful world of fungi with surprisingly lyrical writing th“The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them.”
A traipse through the wonderful world of fungi with surprisingly lyrical writing that is as dense as it is engaging, Entangled Life was fascinating from the first page to the last!
I already knew fungi were fantastic, but Merlin Sheldrake has reinvigorated my love for this strange and largely unknown kingdom of organisms. From ancient fungi as tall as a two-story building to the largest organisms on modern-day earth, down to the tiniest hyphae that make up a mycelial network, Sheldrake explores what we know and what we don't about fungi and all the wild and wonderful possibilities just out of reach on the horizon.
I learned so much from this book and had a lovely time reading the elegant prose and lush descriptions, following along as the author asked more questions than he answered on a quest for knowledge and enlightenment.
“Are we able to release ourselves from these metaphors, think out side the skull, and learn to talk about wood wide webs without leaning on one of our well-worn human totems? Are we able to let shared mycorrhizal networks be questions, rather than answers known in advance?”
There is so much love and passion and awe seeping out of these pages, and I sincerely enjoyed the ride. I can't wait to see what scientific discoveries mycologists will be making over the next decade - I genuinely believe we're on the cusp of something truly transformative!
A twisted family tree as metaphor for the colonization of the Virgin Islands with generations of vivid characters suffering from the ebb and flow of yA twisted family tree as metaphor for the colonization of the Virgin Islands with generations of vivid characters suffering from the ebb and flow of yearning for freedom yet craving belonging, in and out in perpetuity like a tide.
This is not an easy read, exploring abusive relationships in many forms. A family cursed, broken in ways that cannot be healed and twisted by secrets, shame, and pride.
But it’s also a story of resilience. Community and survival. Hope and magic and the places we call home, no matter who’s flag flies overhead.
A book that takes its time to reveal the pearl inside, an extended effort that bears fruit.
“Without food, Frank felt high and he felt that he knew, really knew, that his women didn't just give way to slice of knife or wall of water or ceasing of a beating heart. They last. They rise like volcanoes, like a pustule on the skin. They explode and do their cleansing damage.” (360)
"It wasn't the first time I had let a bookish impulse carry me beyond the bounds of reason."
A fascinating novella about identity, love, lies, and the "It wasn't the first time I had let a bookish impulse carry me beyond the bounds of reason."
A fascinating novella about identity, love, lies, and the power of books - Rosa pulls us into a world of dreamlike vignettes centred around our unnamed narrator, bookseller by day, aspiring writer by night, and the target of his affections, the mysterious Severina, who visits the shop to steal an eclectic array of books.
With literary allusions galore, double meanings, and the unexpected need to bury a body, this novella is both a love letter to the literary and a surrender to the incomprehensibility and vulnerability of love itself.
One thing I will say is that several moments early on fell heavily into the male gaze in an uncomfortable way. While these moments took away a bit from my enjoyment of the story, I did appreciate that the author did not seem to be endorsing the actions of his narrator, rather judging them.
I can't wait to read most (or all) of the books referenced in this novella before returning to get even more out of these jam-packed 89 pages!
"Bookshops are infested with ideas. Books are quivering, murmuring creatures."
Trigger/Content Warnings: death, stalking, medical content
You can watch me talk about all the books I read in February as I set up my reading journal here: https://youtu.be/NY7bgSmoggM
Ousman’s story is one worth reading, and Ousman himself is an example of true bravery, perseverance, and optimism despite the odds.
Ousman’s journey aOusman’s story is one worth reading, and Ousman himself is an example of true bravery, perseverance, and optimism despite the odds.
Ousman’s journey across a continent and then an ocean in search of a life of opportunity was harrowing and horrific, to say the least. The suffering and challenges he faced while still a child were hard to fully grasp, but his unwavering commitment to his goal was an inspiration.
This is a very short read and written in quite a matter-of-fact manner, yet the emotions it stirred in me were overwhelming. Please read this memoir!
Trigger/Content Warnings: child labour, death of a parent, forced confinement, death, imprisonment, trafficking, violence, police brutality, misogyny, attempted sexual assault, drowning, homelessness, and more.
The Last Nomad is a brutal yet tender look at the strict gender roles and purity culture of Somalia before the civil war, with sprinklings of the joy,The Last Nomad is a brutal yet tender look at the strict gender roles and purity culture of Somalia before the civil war, with sprinklings of the joy, beauty, and wonder of a disappearing culture.
An incredibly difficult read with one particularly graphic scene that I will never forget, but surprisingly full of nostalgia and hope, as well.
Trigger/Content Warnings: child abuse/physical abuse, purity culture and sexual assault, animal death and cruelty, sexism, death of a parent, FGM* (very graphic), sexual assault of a child, blood and gore, murder, gun violence, housing insecurity
The Stationery Shop is a beautiful and heartbreaking story of first love lost to outside forces. We follow Roya and Bahman, two teenagers with passionThe Stationery Shop is a beautiful and heartbreaking story of first love lost to outside forces. We follow Roya and Bahman, two teenagers with passion, ideals, and a love for poetry, living through the building political upheaval of 1950s Tehran.
But their budding love is cut short through no fault of their own, and they are separated across an ocean to live separate lives.
I loved how the story was written and found the characters incredibly vivid. Following their lives, both together and apart, felt like an honour, even as I felt their pain.
I was deeply invested in the story and rooting for these characters, but something was missing as much as I loved it. Something about the reveal of what truly pulled them apart didn't sit quite right with me, and I have not been able to put my finger on exactly why. Perhaps it was the way the "villains" of the piece were framed, but something didn't quite click for me in that respect. I also vastly preferred the sections of the story that took place in 1950s Tehran over the more modern sections in America and didn't always love the way Roya's marriage was depicted.
Regardless, I would recommend this book and was deeply moved by moments throughout!
Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual harassment, colourism, classism, death, police brutality, violence
Pūrākau: Māori Myths Retold by Māori Writers brings together talented Māori voices to reimagine the stories of Māori oral tradition in a variety of foPūrākau: Māori Myths Retold by Māori Writers brings together talented Māori voices to reimagine the stories of Māori oral tradition in a variety of forms, from poetry to modern retellings. Not only did reading these stories pique my interest to seek out the original myths, but they also made me want to explore these authors' other works!
Each and every story had something of value to bring to the collection, but my absolute favourites were: - Me aro koe ki te hā o Hineahuone! by Jacqueline Carter - Hinepūkohurangi and Uenuku by Kelly Joseph - Shapeshifter by Tina Makereti - Te Ara Poutini by Nic Low - Kurungaituku by Ngāhuia Te Awekotuku, and: - Te Pura, Warrior Taniwha of Te Wairoa by Renée
I would highly recommend this collection and I am so glad we chose it for our book club pick for March!
Trigger/Content Warnings: death, incest, suicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, animal cruelty
Blythe wants to be a mom, but she’s afraid. Afraid she’ll not live up to her husband’s high standards, or that she won’t feel a connection with her baBlythe wants to be a mom, but she’s afraid. Afraid she’ll not live up to her husband’s high standards, or that she won’t feel a connection with her baby, or that she’ll turn out like her mother and her mother’s mother before her. Descended from a long line of reluctant mothers, Blythe swears she’ll break the cycle. But Violet isn’t what she expected. And Blythe can’t keep her promise.
Told in a long letter after the tragedy that changed their family forever, The Push is a generational tale focused on fraught mother/daughter relationships, grief, and one woman’s slow unravelling.
Did Blythe do everything she could?
Who is telling the truth?
Is there something wrong with Violet?
This book was heartbreaking and immersive, and I loved the open ending that allows the reader to decide what they believe. But as good as this was (and it was good), it just wasn’t really my cup of tea. I would recommend it with the caveat that you check trigger warnings because it’s full of potentially triggering content and honestly very upsetting.
Trigger/Content Warnings: child abuse, death, parental abandonment, neglect, cycle of abuse, miscarriage, fatal car crash, child death, infant death, self-harm, suicide, infidelity, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence
someone will remember us I say even in another time (Fragment 147)
If Not, Winter was my first introduction to Sappho's writing, and I have been thoroughlsomeone will remember us I say even in another time (Fragment 147)
If Not, Winter was my first introduction to Sappho's writing, and I have been thoroughly bewitched. It is incredible to me that these ancient words, rescued from damaged papyrus and recovered from walls and vases, can be so relevant and evocative thousands of years later. Sappho writes of many things, but love and beauty are at the forefront. In these difficult times, being reminded that we are only human and that we are just as lost and small as we were in ancient times brings a strange sense of comfort. We are all connected in the ever-expanding family tree of humanity, and if only we could value love and beauty in the ways Sappho did, perhaps we would know peace.
For the man who is beautiful is beautiful to see but the good man will at once also beautiful be. (Fragment 50)
A deadly curse, a forbidden love, and a brand new world of magic await you in A Marvellous Light!
Edwin "was one barely powered magician with nothing bA deadly curse, a forbidden love, and a brand new world of magic await you in A Marvellous Light!
Edwin "was one barely powered magician with nothing but a tendency to let books replace people in his life."
Robin was a brand new baronet turned civil servant dumped into a world of magic he never even knew existed.
Together? They made a scrumptious enemies to lovers pair.
Edwin and Robin were both lovely on their own and as a couple, and their slow-burn romance was adorable and scorching at the same time. The world-building was adequate (though I'll always take more in my fantasy), and the magic system was unique and, honestly, wonderful.
The world, the characters, the magic, and romance kept me going, but the plot and central "mystery" were a bit lacking. The sex scenes in this book are also much more explicit than I'm used to, which left me a bit embarrassed listening to the audiobook!
Overall I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the sequel, which focuses on some of the secondary characters from the first instalment in a sapphic romance.
"It didn't take long to become so accustomed to something that you could describe the exact shape of its absence."
Trigger/Content Warnings: explicit sexual content, bullying, violence, emotional abuse, murder, death, death of a parent, homophobia
"Nothing but a symbol? People die for symbols. People have hope because of symbols. They're not just lines. They're histories, cultures, traditions, g"Nothing but a symbol? People die for symbols. People have hope because of symbols. They're not just lines. They're histories, cultures, traditions, given shape."
The Gilded Wolves, taking place in Paris in 1889, is an unlikely mix of magic and found family with a touch of Indiana Jones-style adventure and relics. I found myself intrigued by the characters, magic system, and central mystery. I also loved that the main cast of characters was so diverse in terms of race, sexuality, and neurodivergence, especially the excellent bisexual representation in Enrique.
In the author's note, Roshani Chokshi mentions that she was guided into the world of The Guilded Wolves through a piece in NPR about human zoos, specifically the "Philippine village," which was one of the largest and most viewed exhibits during the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis Missouri that displayed Filipino people as entertainment. It lead her to learn about a similar village displaying Black people in the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889. She states that she "wanted to understand how an Era called La Belle Epoque, literally The Beautiful Era, could possess that name with that stain." and that she "wanted to explore beauty and horror through the eyes of the people on the sidelines." While I think this is an admirable goal, I didn't feel this issue was explored nearly enough. Several of the characters are people of colour, yet their experiences regarding their race were often glossed over or ignored.
This is a common issue with historical fiction (or fantasy set in a historical period) glamourizing history and pushing aside the experiences of the marginalized to celebrate the gilded extravagance of the privileged few. As Roshani Chokshi adds in her author's note, "History is a myth shaped by the tongues of conquerors." I believe authors have a responsibility to acknowledge the experiences of the oppressed in these periods and balance those experiences with the story they want to tell, and I'm not sure Chokshi quite managed that balance here.
I hope the rest of the series finds that equity between the realities of the time and the diverse story Chokshi wants to share.
The Priory of the Orange Tree is a detailed look at a complex and varied fantasy world, full to the brim with political and religious contrasts, dragoThe Priory of the Orange Tree is a detailed look at a complex and varied fantasy world, full to the brim with political and religious contrasts, dragons, magic, and lore... and I fell completely in love with it!
We follow four POV characters as they travel the continents and cross the sea, in search of home, a dragon, a sword, and a jewel. The Nameless One is set to rise again, after 1000 years of slumber within the abyss, and the people of this world will rise to meet him.
Ead, a maid of honour to the Queen of Inys, hides a dangerous secret.
Tané, a young orphan from Seiiki, has trained her whole life to become a dragon rider.
Niclays, an anatomist and alchemist, is living in exile by order of the Queen he betrayed.
Loth, lord and heir to Goldenbirch, and close friend to the Queen, has disappeared without a trace.
Their stories weave and converge as the tale unfolds, and relationships develop (both romantic and platonic) that transcend the page. I fell in love with almost every character and felt deeply invested in their futures. I adored the magic system and the exploration of how history becomes myth and religion. I appreciated the varied representation of diverse identities that felt grounded and real, especially the central sapphic romance. I was moved by the discussion of mortality, loss, mental illness, and grief.
I gasped, cried, laughed, and held my breath.
I am so heartbroken that this is a standalone novel and there won't be any more adventures with this cast of incredible characters. If you are a lover of high fantasy run, don't walk, to read this book!
Content Warnings: alcoholism, infidelity, murder, death (including parents and loved ones), depression, infertility, miscarriage, plague, suicidal ideation & suicide, torture, violence (graphic), war
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a touching, whimsical, wholesome, lovely tale of found family, acceptance, and belonging. And I adored it with all myThe House in the Cerulean Sea is a touching, whimsical, wholesome, lovely tale of found family, acceptance, and belonging. And I adored it with all my heart.
Linus is sent to assess the viability of an orphanage by the sea, and the magical children (and adults) he meets there will change his life forever. Each character is complex and wonderful and reading about them made my heart grow ten sizes. I honestly love them all, but I must mention my deep appreciation for Chauncey and his pure heart and absolutely adorable dream, Sal and his stunning poetry and quiet strength, Talia's gruff love and fierce loyalty, and Lucy's diabolical sense of humour and vulnerability.
This book explores important issues in a straightforward and at times heavy-handed way, but it didn't bother me. The message may be clear, but it is an important one. Not all themes must be hidden behind layers of metaphor and innuendo. Sometimes you can just say what you mean:
“Hate is loud, but I think you'll learn it's because it's only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you're not alone, you will overcome.”
A book about protecting children no matter who or what they are, finding love and acceptance for those who are different, and seeking to understand each other rather than shut each other out with hate and fear, and full of some of the most vivid and loveable characters I've had the pleasure to read about, The House in the Cerulean Sea is a new favourite.
“Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar.”
Trigger Warnings: child abuse, confinement, body shaming, xenophobia
What makes someone a person? Can you capture that essence, transfer it? Or is it unfathomable? Boundless?
Klara and the Sun is a complex and, ironicallWhat makes someone a person? Can you capture that essence, transfer it? Or is it unfathomable? Boundless?
Klara and the Sun is a complex and, ironically, profoundly human exploration of sentience, worth, class, love, loneliness, environmentalism, belonging, and grief, all told through the eyes of a sun-worshiping solar-powered AI named Klara.
Klara's view of the world is naïve and childlike, and as she learns about humans and what they've built, we learn her: how she thinks, and feels, and grows.
Klara is an AF (Artificial Friend), an invention born out of necessity in a world of decreasing connections and contact; a personal robot cum perfectly subservient best friend for that one special child. But when Klara is chosen and learns her child is sick, she knows she must do whatever it takes to save her, even if she loses herself along the way.
While this wasn't a perfect novel, and I had some qualms with the direction Ishiguro took the narrative, it was still a touching and fascinating look into an alternate reality not too far removed from our own.
Wow—I loved this! Gideon the Ninth is a unique take on speculative fiction with a fascinating world, vivid characters, compelling relationship dynamicWow—I loved this! Gideon the Ninth is a unique take on speculative fiction with a fascinating world, vivid characters, compelling relationship dynamics, and a bit of a closed-room mystery—all injected with a lot of humour.
I love the casual queerness of several characters, and I found Gideon, our protagonist, hugely entertaining. While it took me a little while to warm up to her, I really adored her once I did. I loved seeing a little more of the vulnerability underneath her standoffish, sarcastic exterior, and I enjoyed seeing her develop a variety of different types of relationships with the characters she meets, finding connection, friendship, and belonging in a way she had never felt before.
This was also paced very well, in my opinion. I was invested from the first chapter and intrigued the whole way through, and while the plot moved along at a steady pace, it never felt rushed.
I will say that this book does have one of my series' pet peeves: Muir ends this first instalment a bit abruptly, abandoning too many threads to be picked up in subsequent books, leaving me feeling like there wasn't a true conclusion to the first part of the story or any of the character arcs of the first book. In this case, Gideon is our protagonist, and while we have a fantastic beginning and middle for her character arc, we don't really get an end to her journey of internal growth. I would have, at the very least, appreciated a strong hint at her origins, and though I'm sure this will be addressed in future books in the series, I can't help but feel that reveal belonged here as the button to her story, even if there was more to learn or more to be revealed later on.
I also realize that not all characters with dynamic chemistry have to end up together romantically. Still, I must admit I was a bit disappointed that we didn't see (view spoiler)[Harrow and Gideon (hide spoiler)] start a romantic relationship. I do quite enjoy their dynamic throughout the whole book as it evolves and changes; and I especially appreciated how their relationship solidified by the end of the book. I thought it was wholesome, heartwarming, and lovely. But, I am such a romantic at heart that I really wanted them to fall in love romantically. Then again, friendship is fantastic; we love friendship, and this book is, in many ways, an exploration of the many faces of platonic intimacy, so this is not really a drawback. I simply must admit that I was hoping for that throughout the entire book and was kind of sad that it didn't happen!
I was able to foresee many of the twists and reveals here, but there was still enough that surprised me throughout the story that I didn't feel that it was too predictable. There was a nice balance between giving us enough hints to figure out the mysteries ahead of time while still keeping the upper hand as the author to surprise us, and I feel, in general, that Muir did a fantastic job managing all of the mysterious twists and turns!
Anyway, I loved this book, and while the ending did bug me *just* a little bit, I can't help but give it five stars. It is fantastic overall, and I enjoyed the experience of reading it so much that I immediately wanted to jump into the sequel - so I can't be too mad about the loose threads at the end of this installment. I trust Muir to tie them all up through the rest of the series, and in general, I'm excited about this world and his characters and love how unique this story is!
Representation: multiple sapphic characters, including a lesbian MC
Trigger/Content Warnings: violence, blood, death, loss of parents, body horror, suicide, infant and child murder
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