I bought this anthology because it was for a good cause and because Laura Thalassa wrote trashy dystopian smut in it. That's good enough reason for meI bought this anthology because it was for a good cause and because Laura Thalassa wrote trashy dystopian smut in it. That's good enough reason for me. ...more
If a story does its job, it doesn’t ever end. Not really. But it can change. This is the nature of folktales. They shift to fit each teller. T
If a story does its job, it doesn’t ever end. Not really. But it can change. This is the nature of folktales. They shift to fit each teller. Take whatever form suits the bearer best. What begins as a story of sorrow can be acknowledged, held like a sweetheart to the chest, rocked and sung to. And then, it can be set down to sleep. It can become an offering. A lantern. An ember to lead you through the dark.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
❗This review may contain some minor spoilers❗
I can't tell you how delighted I am that this buddy read was such a success. @♡ Meli ♡ thanks for suggesting we read this, it was the best decision ever! I expected that I would like it, I just didn't know it would be this much.
To begin with, the plot is spectacularly intelligent, well thought out, and complex. I was amazed at its strangeness, the crazy, unexpected revelations that came one after the other, and the way it thoroughly manipulated my thoughts and emotions. Not to mention, that magnificent ending left me with bittersweet tears running down my face. I was wholly at this book's mercy! Besides, I have always had a weak spot for books based on folklore or mythologies and this one is no exception. The author, GennaRose Nethercott, merged historical facts with fantasy and folklore so perfectly that I couldn't tell apart reality from fiction. She took Baba Yaga's lore and made it even more epic than it already was. There is only one questionable moment that left me wondering had just read, but it just left me more bewildered rather than anything else. Additionally, I am not the biggest fan of books with multiple points of view, those with more than two or three narrators, at least. However, this story somehow makes it work. While there are three main narrators, the protagonists, Issac and Bellatine, and the house, Thistlefoot (yeap! the house narrates and it's awesome!!), there are several other narrations of secondary or lower characters. It may seem a bit annoying to some, myself included, but in this case, they only added more intrigue and suspense to the story. There aren't a lot of authors who can pull this off. Most of the time I'm begging for the chapters to end so I can get to the ones I like the most. Nonetheless, it is always fascinating to get a firsthand experience from each character, even if constantly switching from one point of view to the other, then to another, can be a bit exhausting.
Furthermore, I am enchanted by the Yaga siblings. Issac is a human mess of self-depreciation, self-harm, and bad decisions. He is a spineless opportunist, who only knows how to save himself. In spite of that, he hides compassion, love, and pain inside of him in a way that makes him more authentic than most literary characters. He has a special power that allows him to shift into any person whose appearance he memorised (and he memorised a lot) that helps him scam and manipulate those around him. He is by no means a hero, in fact, he is quite the opposite. He is so deeply flawed and untrustworthy that no one should like him, yet they can't help but do, myself included.
In addition, his sister is nothing like him. Bellatine Yaga is a dedicated, kindhearted, and solemn young woman, afraid of herself and what she can do if she loses control for even a second. Just like her brother, she has a special power. However, hers is stranger and far more frightening than Issac's. She has the ability to animate humanoid objects, among other spookier things, yet has little to no control over it. This has led to her hating and fearing her powers, hiding them at all costs, and keeping even those closest to her at arm's length.
Additionally, what I particularly like about the Yaga siblings is their relationship. They had become estranged after Issac unexpectedly and unceremoniously ran away from home at the age of seventeen. After many years of not seeing each other, Bellatine and Issac meet again after inheriting Thistlefoot from a deceased, mysterious grandmother from Russia. Issac manipulates convinces Bellatine to repurpose the strange house into a puppet theater and tour around the US. While there are many ups and downs during their travels Bellatine and Issac come closer and slowly reconnect. There is a lot of resentment and jealousy between them, as well as plenty of love buried deep inside them. Their relationship has to be one of the most realistic and authentic sibling relationships I've come across. Most of the time, literary siblings are either close enough to be best friends, far enough apart to be enemies, or completely indifferent to each other. Bellatine and Issac are a blend of all three.
Moreover, the most fascinating and important character in this book is, of course, Thistlefoot. Similar to the lore, it is a house with chicken legs that it uses to move about tirelessly. It also has a mind and feelings of its own and an aptitude for storytelling. Its point of view is purposed to provide vital context largely happening in the past, more specifically, Baba Yaga's and its backstory. Thistlefoot's point of view is naturally the most interesting of all others as it holds the truth about what is happening in the present and how it came to be, giving the information to the reader little by little in the most captivating and tantalising manner.
Nevertheless, these three main characters are not the only interesting ones in this book. Firstly, we have adorable, fearless Winifred Hardley with a peculiar background. Winnie becomes Issac and Bellatine's companion sometime during their tour through some strange and unexpected circumstances. She is a lovely addition to their team. She is compassionate and loyal, and good-natured. She is also my favourite character in the book after Issac's cat, Hobcap. Unsurprisingly, the cute cat is the one who stole my heart with her cute, clawed paws. There is literally no one more loyal and protective than her in the entire book. Even when Issac didn't want her, she refused to leave his side. There's also the Duskbreakers band, which constitutes of Shona, the headstrong leader, Rummy, the empath, and Sparrow, the scientist. They are a music band turned vigilante heroes, protecting people from the big bad evil lurking in their country. They started out giving a bit of an asshole vibe, but soon after they proved to be a huge help to the siblings and eventually formed a bond with them. Besides, while there isn't much in the way of romance as it is not the main focus of the story, there is enough between Bellatine and Winnie, and Issac and Shona that turned me into a bit of a simp.
Finally, there is the antagonist, the Longshadow Man. He is an evil ghoul that wreacks havoc on anyone who crosses his path, yet his actions are not as purposeless as they seem at first. He is persistently looking for Thistlefoot, and while his intentions are not clear from the start, they are starkly malicious. Despite his devilish character, he is absurdly fascinating. He is a mystery for the majority of the book and is immensely powerful, able to manipulate people by using their fears to convince them to commit violent crimes.
All in all, this is an incredibly fascinating read. I am so glad I found a reason to read it, even though I should have done so sooner. The plot is incredible, the characters are awesome, and the lore is absolutely magnificent. Once again, thank you @♡ Meli ♡ and @lujine ♡ for giving me an excuse to read it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and I apologies to those who are going to read my review thinking it'll be a short one....more
"The queen was chosen by Ithicana’s guardians. Thrice, death has tried to claim her, and thrice was he denied. He will not test her mettle again.”"The queen was chosen by Ithicana’s guardians. Thrice, death has tried to claim her, and thrice was he denied. He will not test her mettle again.”
"I taught myself to feel nothing. And you make me feel."
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
❗This review contains minor spoilers❗
⚠️Trigger Warning: Coarse language⚠️
Yes, "I taught myself to feel nothing. And you make me feel."
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
❗This review contains minor spoilers❗
⚠️Trigger Warning: Coarse language⚠️
Yes, I read the third book in the series before the second one and it seems like I've made the right choice. Valiant, the second book in the series, has different protagonists. Honestly, I don't know why the series order would be set like this but...oh well. It is what it is. I wanted to complete Roiben and Kaye's story before moving on to another one. I will read the second book, of course. I can't leave a series unfinished.
I am pleased to report that Ironside was a significant improvement to Tithe. It was still a little dull but not to the same extent as book one. The plot was much more interesting, fast-paced, and emotional. I also cared a lot more about the characters than I did previously. Not counting Kaye, Roiben, Corny, and Lutie-loo. I have loved them with all my heart since book one and I never stopped. There were some pretty cool twists, although a few were a little predictable but still enjoyable. I caught some major foreshadowing for The Folk of the Air series that blew my damn mind so thoroughly I haven't recovered yet. Also, I found the ending to be pretty satisfying and really really cute.
I found that Kaye had a much better character arc in this book and her storyline was more intense and emotional. I felt truly connected to the character. She also learned how to deal with the fae like a badass. Sure she's one of them, but a lot of those who have lived in Faerieland their whole lives couldn't manage as well as she did. She's a damn genius. As for Roiben, he was as charming and beautiful as ever, with his own spectacular moments of brilliance in him. Even though he sent Kaye away like a dumbass. Seriously, I fell in love with him all over again. Every time he talked about/to Kaye my eyes shifted into heart shapes and threatened to jump out of my skull in delight. With a little more practice, he could really give Cardan a run for his money. Holly Black's fictional boys are just...more
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