Book Review: Inspection by Josh Malerman
Posted on April 11, 2019 39 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Del Rey (March 19, 2019)
Length: 384 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
While Inspection is only my second Josh Malerman, I’ve read enough and heard enough to know it is a crapshoot every time you pick up one of his books. With this author, you just never know what you’re going to get—an inevitable consequence of his creativity and unpredictable writing style. And unfortunately, this time I took a risk, but it didn’t pan out.
In a word, Inspection is strange. At the heart of this tale is a mad scientist couple seeking to raise a group of children to be the best that they can be, and in order to create these little geniuses, they have developed an experimental program called Parenthood and set up shop in the middle of the wilderness. As infants, twenty-six boys and twenty-six girls, each named for a letter of the alphabet, were placed in their respective facilities, separated by sex. Overseen by Richard, also known as D.A.D. to his charges, the Alphabet Boys have no idea that the girls exist—or any female, for that matter. Likewise, the Letter Girls who are tended by Marilyn, nicknamed M.O.M., are completely unaware of the existence of men or the outside world. Small differences in their education aside, both groups are raised without knowledge of the opposite sex, or any form of religion.
However, as the children gradually approach puberty, what happens when they start questioning their guardians and become more curious about the world around them? In the boys’ tower, 12-year-old J wants to be obedient and please his D.A.D., knowing that bad behavior gets children sent away to the “Corner” where they are never seen again. But at the same time, he can’t help but look out at the trees and imagine something more beyond. Meanwhile, in the girls’ tower, similar suspicions are starting to arise in K, whose boldness and intelligence has always led her to seek out answers. As expected, her quest for the truth eventually leads her to discover her male counterpart J, but it’s when their two storylines converge that things finally start to get interesting.
Still, as you can probably gather from the novel’s description alone, it’s complicated. To Malerman’s credit, his imagination knows no limits, and his ability to come up with these incredible ideas and push the boundaries of horror is what makes for fantastic reading for fans of the genre. I certainly don’t dispute the originality of Inspection, and I think that its premise makes for an intriguing thought experiment.
But that’s just it: this whole book is a singular great concept that sadly never materializes into anything I would call a coherent or engaging story. And yes, while I did say that things got interesting eventually, by the time it actually happens it was much too late. To call this book a slow-burn would be much too generous—it’s really more of a no-burn. If you were able to stay focused for the entire first half of the novel, then kudos to you. Unfortunately, I was unable to say the same, finding J’s depthless and rambling sections especially challenging to slog through. Only the occasional breaks provided by the perspective of Warren Bratt, an author hired to write all the “educational” books the Alphabet Boys read, kept me motivated enough to continue.
Also, calling this one a horror would be a bit of a stretch. It lacked the suspense and intensity I was expecting, which in turn fed into the slowness of the pacing. On another level, it put a distance between the reader and the characters, which made it even more difficult to get into the story. Things looked up once we were introduced to K’s perspective, possibly because I felt Malerman gave her a more compelling personality, but again, this improvement felt inadequate, coming in much too late in the game. The bloodbath of the ending was almost laughable in its absurdity and desperation, mainly because by that point, I just couldn’t bring myself to care anymore.
Honestly, I don’t know what could have made the book better. Its innovativeness and originality notwithstanding, the premise alone kind of dooms the story, I think. Some ideas are just better on paper than in execution, and I believe Inspection is a prime example. While this probably won’t prevent me from trying more of Josh Malerman’s books because I will always be drawn to unique stories, I’m sad to say I was sorely disappointed by this one.
Waiting on Wednesday 04/10/19
Posted on April 10, 2019 15 Comments
Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
The Night Country by Melissa Albert (January 7, 2020 by Flatiron Books)
Sometimes I feel like I’m in the minority when it comes to Melissa Albert’s debut, The Hazel Wood, but I liked it a lot and I’m glad we’re finally getting more details on its sequel, though it appears it won’t be arriving for a while yet.
“Can you ever truly escape the Hazel Wood?
In the sequel to her New York Times bestselling, literary/commercial breakout, The Hazel Wood, Melissa Albert dives back into the menacing, mesmerizing world that captivated readers of the first book. Follow Alice Proserpine and Ellery Finch as they come to learn that The Hazel Wood was just the beginning of worlds beyond, “a place where stories and real life convene, where magic contains truth, and the world as it appears false, and where just about anything can happen, particularly in the pages of a good book” (The New York Times).”
Book Review: The True Queen by Zen Cho
Posted on April 9, 2019 18 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Sorcerer Royal
Publisher: Ace Books (March 12, 2019)
Length: 384 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
It has been three and a half years since I read Sorcerer to the Crown and I was initially a bit worried about how much I remembered of the story and whether it would impact my experience with this sequel. Happily, when the blurb to The True Queen became available, it appeared that the focus would be on a new set of characters.
Indeed, while a few familiar names from the first book will crop up every now and again, indubitably the stars of the show here are a pair of sisters named Muna and Sakti. The girls’ journey together first began off the coast of the island of Janda Baik, after a storm washed the two of them ashore with no memory of who they were. The powerful witch and protector of the island, Mak Genggang, found them and took them in. Sakti, endowed with magic, immediately came under the witch’s tutelage, although that relationship remained strained. Muna, meanwhile, is magic-less, but has a much more favorable opinion of Mak Genggang.
However, one day Sakti approaches Muna with irrefutable evidence that they have been cursed—in the middle of the former girl’s torso is a void that will keep spreading as she fades away. Desperate, the sisters take it upon themselves to identify who cast the curse, but instead they wind up nearly causing a diplomatic crisis. To smooth things over, Mak Genggang decides to send Sakti and Muna abroad to meet with Prunella Wythe, Britain’s new Sorcerer Royal, who has also opened a magical school for girls. There, they will present themselves as a pair of international students, but also search for more clues as to who cursed them. But unfortunately, the quickest way to their destination is through the dangerous realm of faerie, and while two girls departed Janda Baik, only Muna emerges safely on the other side in London and Sakti is feared lost forever.
Similar to the first book, The True Queen explores the themes of racism and oppression. Apparently, despite the fact it is a woman who currently holds the prestigious office of Sorcerer Royal, attitudes towards women wielding magic have not changed that much since we last visited this world in Sorcerer to the Crown. “Proper ladies” simply did not involve themselves with the thaumaturgical arts, and thus even Prunella, who has come so far since the previous novel with her newfound wealth and status, still has to fight hard to be heard. And of course, this time we also have the perspective of a foreigner newly arrived in Regency-era Britain. Overwhelmed by the strange rigid rules of this hierarchical society, Muna finds herself simultaneously vaunted and condescended to by the upper class, and even those with the best intentions are sometimes guilty of prejudgment or lack of sensitivity.
But in many ways, The True Queen is also a very different book than its predecessor. When it comes to the plot, I don’t know that it captured my attention with the same combination of unique aspects and magical allure as the first book did. Yes, the beginning sections intrigued me with the introduction of the vivid characters of Muna and Sakti and the fascinating story of how they ended up with Mak Genggang, followed by the kerfuffle in the faerie realm which resulted in Muna alone in England meeting with Prunella and the women of the magical school by herself. Likewise, the final chapters were hard to put down because of the drama and suspense surrounding the conclusion. Where I felt the story faltered, however, was everything in between. Pacing was part of the problem, which slowed as we switched tack from worrying about Sakti to focusing on the “fantasy of manners” elements of the world. In fact, one thing that really turned me off was the general lackadaisical attitude towards Sakti’s plight, and I was especially disappointed in Prunella and Henrietta’s dismissiveness and horrible bedside manner in response to Muna’s concerns. It’s also hard not to feel that Muna was the less interesting sister. From the start, it was clear Sakti was the more forceful personality, being more strong-willed and impulsive than her meeker and more pensive sibling. Even though Muna is the at the center of this story, she had a way of being overshadowed by the supporting characters.
Overall, The True Queen was a solid read, even if it didn’t quite reach the heights of Sorcerer to the Crown. Simply put, there were no surprises this time around in that I found many elements of the plot predictable and the central character was probably the least interesting to me. That said, I had a good time catching up with some of the wonderful people I met in the first book and it was a delight to be back in this world.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Sorcerer to the Crown (Book 1)
Audiobook Review: The Night Visitors by Carol Goodman
Posted on April 8, 2019 28 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Night Visitors by Carol Goodman
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 2.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Thriller, Suspense
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: HarperAudio (March 26, 2019)
Length: 8 hrs
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Narrator: Jane Oppenheimer
Every once in a while I’ll take a break from my sci-fi and fantasy and satisfy my craving for a good thriller, so when I saw The Night Visitors by Carol Goodman and took in its synopsis and cover, I thought it would be perfect. You see, I have something of a weakness for snowbound thrillers. And for a while, things were going great and I thought I’d found another gem on my hands. Regrettably though, that was until the second half, when the story’s carefully constructed premise started falling apart with too many absurd twists and coincidences. There’s also a paranormal aspect, which I’m usually all for, except I didn’t feel it worked quite as well here.
The story opens late at night in a bus station, following Alice as she places a frantic phone call to a social services hotline requesting help to get her away from an abusive relationship. Traveling with her is ten-year-old Oren, whom Alice is desperate to protect. She tells the woman on the other end that she needs to go somewhere no one can find her, and receives instructions to go to Delphi, New York, where Alice is assured someone will be meeting her and her boy.
Enter Mattie, a fifty-something social worker whom the hotline calls to do the late-night pickup. With a winter storm rolling in, however, the original plan to bring Alice and Oren to a local shelter had to be abandoned. Instead, Mattie breaks protocol in favor of safety and brings them to her house in the middle of the woods where she lives alone. It is also the house her parents used to own, before they died along with Mattie’s little brother, who was the same age as Oren at the time, to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Or that’s what Mattie tells people, anyway. The truth is a lot more complicated, but she doesn’t need anyone digging into her past.
As it turns out though, Mattie’s not the only one keeping secrets. Alice herself is hiding a few of her own, and she hasn’t been entirely truthful to the social worker about what she’s running away from. Lately, she’s also been noticing something strange about Oren. Somehow, he seems to sense or know things before they happen, but as much as it scares her, Alice is reluctant to tell anyone for fear they’ll take the boy away from her.
I’ll give The Night Visitors this—I reviewed the audiobook and it was a quick listen; at no time was my listening bogged down by any lulls or boring bits. That said though, part of the problem was the utter craziness that happens in the second half of the novel, when the plot practically implodes on itself and the author completely drops the ball on the ending. The beginning on the other hand was interesting and suspenseful, slowly teasing the mystery as we alternated between Alice and Mattie’s POVs. As the story unfolded, it became clear that not all was at it seemed. In the end, I don’t know what I expected. Perhaps, with all the characters’ lies being so carefully and methodically revealed, I had thought we would get a more complex and satisfying conclusion. Instead, all that build-up led to very little payoff, with an ending that felt brute-forced and trite.
Also, normally I’d say a bit of paranormal activity spices up a good thriller. Not so much in this case. Again, it was an element that felt awkwardly shoehorned in and doesn’t feel organically connected to the rest of the plot. As well, I found it difficult to get feel enthusiastic about the idea because its implementation came across as lazy and didn’t seem all that well developed. Needless to say, if you’re looking for any answers or clarity, I wouldn’t hold your breath.
Finally, I had a hard time getting into any of the characters. A part of me understands that these kinds of thrillers and unlikeable characters usually go hand in hand, but at the same time, there’s only so much nastiness, ignorance, smugness, virtue signaling or judgmental self-righteousness I can take. That said though, I can appreciate how every character in this book is a flawed and unique individual. As the novel endeavors to point out, there is good and bad in everyone, and sadly, some people who have been hurt and damaged in the past end up going on to hurt and damage others.
Ultimately, this story is about Alice and Mattie both trying to break this vicious cycle by learning to open their hearts to each other—and in the end, that’s a message I can get behind. And quite honestly, The Night Visitors wasn’t all bad. I loved every moment early on as the story was meticulously laying down its foundations, but simply wished the second half hadn’t spiraled out of control the way it did. It’s passable if all you’re looking for is a standard thriller, but I just expected more from its early potential.
Audiobook Comments: Jane Oppenheimer did a perfectly fine job narrating, but the audiobook could have been improved with a second narrator. Not only would it have been less confusing when the story switched between the POVs, I think a narrator who sounded older would have been better suited to read Mattie’s chapters.
YA Weekend: Girls with Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young
Posted on April 7, 2019 20 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Girls with Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Suspense
Series: Book 1 of Girls with Sharp Sticks
Publisher: Simon Pulse (March 19, 2019)
Length: 400 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
From the moment I picked up Girls with Sharp Sticks, I found myself drawn in by its spell and mysteries. Right away we’re thrust into a setting of what is ostensibly a school, except I was seriously weirded out by the major Stepford Wives vibes and surreal attitudes of its students. The young women in this all-girl elite boarding school are all beautiful, poised and well-behaved—unnaturally, painfully so. Their bizarre curriculum includes subjects and activities such as “Growing a Beautiful and Prosperous Garden”, while their report cards employ a scale to measure their level of obedience. The mostly male teaching staff have a creepy tendency to get too handsy and seem all too comfortable in taking advantage of the girls’ eagerness to please, hiding their true intentions behind patronizing smiles and empty warm words.
So, exactly just what the hell is going on at this so-called “Innovations Academy”? The need to find answers was what kept me turning the pages. The plot of Girls with Sharp Sticks follows Philomena (Mena to her friends), who is one of the dozen perfectly proper and physically flawless young ladies in her peer group at the school. The girls rarely get to leave the premises, except for the rare field trip where they are closely chaperoned. On one such outing, however, Mena manages to slip the notice of the academy guardian, chancing to meet a boy named Jackson while buying candy at a gas station. But their moment doesn’t last long before Guardian Bose catches Mena, berating her cruelly before violently dragging her back to the bus. From them on, she begins questioning the ways of the school and the behaviors of her teachers. Then when one of the girls is suddenly taken away for “Impulse Control Therapy”, Mena starts to fear for herself and her friends. What are the little “vitamins” the doctor dispenses to them each night? Why won’t their teachers allow them any interaction with the world outside the school? And why did Jackson look upon her with such confusion and horror when she told him what goes on inside its walls?
Gradually, the truth of Innovations Academy comes out as the story unfolds, in a way that almost sneaks up on you. Of course, the feelings of “wrongness” about Mena’s entire situation are present from the very first page, but they start off subtle—particularly because the reader takes their cues from the protagonist in response to the various scenarios. The genius is in the way Mena is written, and the progression of her character growth as her thinking and attitudes transform over time. She begins this tale as one of the academy’s top students, completely buying into their mission and methods. Instead of feeling frustrated with Mena though, I think this only made her a more likeable character and made it easier to sympathize with her—for even as when she was beating herself up over the gas station incident, I burned with indignation on her behalf, knowing that soon enough she will be looking back on this moment with a whole new perspective.
Indeed, despite the conditioning, Mena is a strong and tenacious girl with a curious streak that cannot be suppressed for long, no matter how hard the academy tries to control her life. It is only a matter of time before her eyes are opened and she realizes that not only are Innovations Academy’s methods unusual, the staff have also been lying to her and her friends about what they’ve been doing at the school. Speaking of which, one of the most notable strengths of this book is the bond between all the girls. While it was Jackson who first “awakens” Mena to the possibility that not all is at it seems, I was glad to see ultimately that his role was limited and that it was she and her friends who worked together to save themselves. At its heart, this story features a strong sense of female friendship and sisterhood, something we honestly don’t get to see enough in YA.
I also loved that Suzanne Young did not shy away from darker or more difficult themes, including physical violence or psychological manipulation and abuse. While this resulted in some distressing moments or scenes that made this book hard to read, the overall mood of eeriness and suspense created was very effective. There’s a dreadful anticipation in knowing that none of the girls are safe, that every time you turn the page is another potential for a bombshell twist that brings bad news for Mena and her friends. But if you feel angry, disturbed, or creeped out at anytime while reading this novel, then that means the author did her job right.
All in all, I had a great time with Girls with Sharp Sticks. I would take a look if you enjoy intense dystopian stories, but personally, what I loved best about this novel was the strong character relationships and reading about how these amazing young ladies banded together to support and protect each other. The ending was a little out of left field but not entirely all that shocking, considering all the other surprises in the plot. Regardless, this novel was absolutely worth the read and I look forward to Suzanne Young’s next installment in the series.
Audiobook Challenge 2019: 1st Quarter Update
Posted on April 6, 2019 16 Comments
Spring is upon us, and with it comes a quarterly update on what I’ve been listening to for the last three months in audiobook format. This time of the year often presents opportunities to enjoy even more audiobooks (not that a reason is ever required) as hours are spent spring cleaning, enjoying the outdoors, and finding ourselves in various other audiobook-friendly situations. Here’s a quick refresher on the challenge details and a look at my progress:
Challenge Details
- Runs January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019. You can join at any time.
- The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2019 than you did in 2018.
- Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
- ANY genres count.
- Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
- You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.
- If you’re a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweeting about the challenge.
- Updates plus a giveaway will be posted twice during the year. The first update will be June 30, 2019, and the last update will take place on December 15, 2019.
Levels
- Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
- Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
- Stenographer (can listen while multitasking) 10-15
- Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
- Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
- My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
- Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+
My current tally sits at 12 audiobooks completed which is better than I thought I would be at this point in the year, but compared to my 2018 progress report for the same time frame last year (in which I completed 15), it would appear I am under-performing! I better step it up, especially if I want to go above and beyond my soft goal of My Precious and go for gold with Marathoner!
Friday Face-Off: Desert
Posted on April 5, 2019 33 Comments
Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme created by Books by Proxy! Each Friday, we will pit cover against cover while also taking the opportunity to showcase gorgeous artwork and feature some of our favorite book covers. If you want to join the fun, simply choose a book each Friday that fits that week’s predetermined theme, post and compare two or more different covers available for that book, then name your favorite. A list of future weeks’ themes are available at Lynn’s Book Blog.
This week’s theme is:
“Nomad is an island.”
~ a cover featuring a DESERT
Mogsy’s Pick:
Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
I’ve long been a fan of western-fantasy settings, and Rebel of the Sands takes this one step further by combining it with an Arabian Nights feel, plunging readers into world of harsh sun and sand. Supernatural beings like the Djinn and magical horses fill these pages, as well as mortals endowed with special powers. These cases are explained in a very imaginative way, pulling in elements from legend and mixing them with the author’s own ideas.
But how do the novel’s covers measure up? Let’s take a look at them now:
From left to right, top to bottom:
Viking Books for Young Readers (2016) – Speak (2017)
Polish Edition (2017) – German Edition (2016) – Spanish Edition (2016)
French Edition (2016) – Romanian Edition (2018) – Serbain Edition (2016)
Winner:
There are some great covers for this book, and what really struck me were the subtle differences like the style of the border used in many of them. I find it amazing how that one feature can completely change the look and tone! Hence when choosing my winner this week, I considered everything from the color scheme and layout to the central image and art style, etc. and in the end, the Romanian Edition probably gets my vote for best all-round cover. I love the contrast between its bright border against that deep blue background, and the fact you can clearly see the silhouette of the girl on the horse, unlike some of the other covers. I also like the little touches, like the moon in the starry sky.
But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?
Book Review: The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab
Posted on April 4, 2019 34 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Near Witch
Publisher: Titan Books (March 12, 2019)
Length: 354 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
When I heard that V.E. Schwab’s long out-of-print debut novel The Near Witch was going to be re-issued, my first thought was, “Oh hell yes, I’d read it!” even with the full understanding that things might be a little rough. Schwab may be an experience writer now, but debuts are debuts—most are like raw, uncut gems, their latent potential waiting to be released. I certainly wasn’t going to judge it by the same standards as I would apply to her later books.
What I didn’t expect, however, was how much I loved this. The prose was plain, the story was simple, but in that straightforwardness was also a refreshing sweetness and charm I haven’t seen a lot from the author’s newer works. In a way, The Near Witch reads very much like a traditional folk tale. Taking place in the sleepy little village of Near, the story follows Lexi, who lives with her mother and little sister Wren. Before her father died, he had taught her that witches are just like anyone else—there are good ones, bad ones, and most just wish to be left alone to their own lives. Unfortunately though, many of the other villagers hold on to more old-fashioned views, mistrusting the two elderly sisters who live on the edge of town. Whispers of witchcraft have long surrounded Magda and Dreska Thorne, but for the most part, the people of Near have tolerated their presence.
However, that was before the children started disappearing, called from their beds by a magical voice in the wind. Suspicions immediately fall upon the Thorne sisters, who are also accused of protecting a mysterious stranger who has just arrived in town. But Lexi has met this stranger, and knows he has nothing to do with the disappearances. Cole, as she called him, is just a youth hardly older than herself, and he has an idea of the real reason behind the missing children. Lexi wants to help him, but her efforts are prevented by her overprotective uncle Otto as well as some of her “friends” like Tyler who think proper girls should know their place and leave the search to the men. What none of them realize is that Near’s legends know no bounds or limits; an ancient force has awakened, and it won’t rest until a wrong has been righted.
As I said, there is nothing complicated about the plot to The Near Witch; in fact, Schwab places more emphasis on the atmosphere than the story or even the characters. But I think this, more than anything, is what gives the book that timeless allure, like a fairy tale or legend you can pick up five, ten, or twenty years from now and still have its setting and mood resonate with readers. This has allowed the novel some lenience, despite having many of the same flaws as typical debuts. For example, Lexi and Cole aren’t particularly well drawn, nor are many of the other townsfolk who read like clichéd archetypes. But because this falls into the expected pattern for a story resembling traditional folklore, a perceived weakness actually ends up becoming a strength.
So although The Near Witch might not be as complex or developed, I nevertheless found it to be more enjoyable than some of the author’s newer books. Its classic themes are familiar and relatable, like those of friendship, love, and redemption. It is also a story about a young woman wanting something more than what society has dictated for her, as well as her determination to show that she can and will succeed where those trying to suppress her have failed. While nothing new is presented here that thousands of Young Adult novels have not already covered, the beauty and pureness of the story’s ideas and emotions come through in their simplicity.
Also included at the end of this book is a heartbreaking little novella called The Ash-Born Boy, intended to be a prequel that reveals Cole’s origins. The fairy tale-like feel is even stronger in this one, given that it is so short, beguiling, and tragically dark. If you enjoyed Cole’s character in The Near Witch, then you’ll no doubt also love this story which adds even more depth to his personality and explores his troubled past.
In sum, there is nothing deep or earth-shattering about The Near Witch, but this magical 2011 debut by V.E. Schwab nonetheless managed to exceed all my expectations for it. Her writing was solid even then, deftly creating the timeless atmosphere and weaving in the folktale vibes I loved so much. All in all, a delightful and enjoyable read—like a nice, sweet treat.
Waiting on Wednesday 04/03/19
Posted on April 3, 2019 22 Comments
Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
Shark Beach by Chris Jameson (May 28, 2019 by St. Martin’s Press)
There were a ton of new cover reveals this week, but you know what I’m most excited about? Killer sharks. Chris Jameson is coming out with his third shark book, and it’s the kind I would push to the top of my TBR just because I can’t get enough of these guilty pleasure reads.
“A dream getaway is about to turn into a living nightmare. . .
Rick and Corinne Scully and their kids have visited Florida’s Captiva Island many times. This year, they’ve brought along their best friends, who can’t wait to finally experience the place the Scullys call Paradise on Earth.
But this vacation is turning out to be a lot different than planned. The Scullys never expected the rowdy college spring-breakers renting the house next door, or a hurricane that would sweep through the Gulf Coast, or the century-old shipwreck that washed up on the shore. They never knew about the military research being done at a nearby marine institute–and the test subjects that escaped during the hurricane. In the aftermath of the storm, the Scullys and their friends will try to salvage what’s left of their time at the beach. They believe it’s safe to go back in the water. . .but they’re dead wrong.”
Book Review: The Deepest Blue by Sarah Beth Durst + Giveaway
Posted on April 2, 2019 22 Comments
***The giveaway is now over! Thank you to everyone who entered!***
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Deepest Blue by Sarah Beth Durst
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Tales of Renthia
Publisher: Harper Voyager (March 19, 2019)
Length: 368 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Sarah Beth Durst’s The Queens of Renthia introduced readers to a world where nature and humankind coexist in a state of precarious balance. While life would cease to exist without the presence of the natural spirits, they also see humans as the invaders of their domain and would gladly see us all dead. If not for the protective powers of a Queen who holds control over all the spirits in the area, human settlements would be under constant threat of vicious attacks.
But that trilogy only focused on a very narrow slice of the world—the forests of Aratay, to be exact. And if you were anything like me, you probably also asked yourself the same questions after reading: is it like this everywhere else? And if there are forest spirits, does that mean there are also desert spirits, grassland spirits, ocean spirits?
Some of these answers, in part, can be found in The Deepest Blue, something of a spin-off off the original series. It can be read as a stand-alone, as this time, our focus is on a whole new set of characters. The novel transports us to the crystal blue shores of the island nation of Belene, home to our protagonist Mayara, a young woman about to be wed to her best friend and love of her life, Kelo. Surrounded by friends and family, she can hardly wait for the big day. Her only regret is that her older sister would not be there to witness her happiness, Elorna having perished in an accident eight years ago, while diving for shellfish. The family has never been the same since. Understanding better than most how dangerous the island and its surrounding waters can be, Mayara vows she would never take the love she and Kelo shares for granted, that they would make the most out of their new lives together.
However, that future may be snatched away before it has even begun. On the day of their wedding, a deadly storm sweeps through Belene, destroying homes and taking lives. Such a powerful destructive force could only have been caused by the ocean spirits, and Mayara fears she may be the reason for their sudden attack, for she has been hiding a secret, one known only to a very few. But now that most of Belene is destroyed and so many close to her are dead, she has no choice but to finally reveal it: she has the power to control the spirits. To save those she loves, Mayara must make a difficult choice—sacrifice herself and be sent to a lonely island where others like her tested, or spend a life on the run so that the spirits and their watchers, the Silent Ones, will never find her.
For those who have read The Queen of Blood, The Deepest Blue mirrors it in some ways. Both are about reluctant protagonists who come into their power to control spirits and must compete with other young women to become Queen. But the way things are on the islands is very different from the forests. Mayara finds herself in a fight for life, as only one woman can become Heir while the rest of them must die—a situation that is much bloodier and cutthroat than we are used to. In this sense, the comparisons in the synopsis to The Hunger Games are warranted, in terms of action, violence, and brutality.
Mayara, however, is a very different kind of heroine from a lot of these stories. As the last to arrive on the island, she has also received the least training. Knowing that her chances of survival are low, she decides on another tactic, reaching out to the competition in the hopes of making friends and allies. Consequently, The Deepest Blue became less about a tale of individual survival, instead transforming into one of sisterhood and cooperation against the elements. I was also pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of Kelo’s perspective. I don’t want to elaborate too much on his role for fear of spoiling the plot, but I did like how the romance in this book eschewed conventions by focusing on an already established relationship between a newlywed couple.
There was also more complexity to this story than I expected. Threads of political machinations and mystery are woven throughout, adding more intrigue to the premise. The ways of the islands are fascinating, and I loved that Durst expanded on the magic, spirits, and cultures of her world by taking us to this whole new setting. As much as I enjoyed the original trilogy set in the forests, there’s just something so alluring about Belene and its tropical islands and oceans, and the fact that this is the backdrop to so much vicious scheming and violence simply intensifies the suspense.
All told, The Deepest Blue was a most welcome addition to the world of Queens of Renthia, and I’m also thrilled because this book made me realize I was not quite ready to say goodbye to all the magic yet. Fans of the trilogy will be sure to love this one too, and while I highly recommend starting out with those books first, new readers can also jump right in and enjoy it on its own.
The Deepest Blue Giveaway
And now time for the giveaway! Since I enjoyed The Deepest Blue so much, I want to share the love with a copy I’m putting up for giveaway. With apologies to our international readers, due to the costs of shipping, this giveaway is open to residents of the US only. One winner will receive a hardcover copy of the book. To enter, all you have to do is send an email to bibliosanctum@gmail.com with your Name and valid Mailing Address using the subject line “THE DEEPEST BLUE” by 11:59pm Eastern time on Monday, April 8, 2019.
Only one entry per household, please. The winner will be randomly selected when the giveaway ends and then be notified by email. All information will only be used for the purposes of contacting the winner and sending them their prize. Once the giveaway ends all entry emails will be deleted.
So what are you waiting for? Enter to win! Good luck!
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