Book Review: Bitter Medicine by Mia Tsai
Posted on March 24, 2023 15 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, Romance
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tachyon Publications (March 14, 2023)
Length: 272 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Fantasy romance isn’t my usual genre, but I will confess to indulging in it whenever the mood strikes! Bitter Medicine by Mia Tsai came right at the perfect time when I was looking for something lighter—an urban fantasy inspired by xianxia, a genre of Chinese fantasy literature that often features magic, mythology, and immortals.
In this book, love is also a dominant theme. The story follows Elle, a powerful glyph maker descended from a Chinese medicine god. However, she lives a rather lowkey life in Raleigh, North Carolina, working at an unassuming charms shop which caters to the local population of supernatural denizens. The reason she’s keeping a low profile is because she is in hiding with her older brother, Tony, whom she had vowed to keep safe from those hunting him. Unfortunately, when one of those hunters is also your murderous younger brother, that means having to keep your location secret from the rest of your family too.
So, Elle spends her days creating magical calligraphy for her clients, many of whom work for the faerie agency that owns the shop. Their top security expert, a French half-elf named Luc, has become one of her regulars, coming in frequently for healing magic and protective glyphs. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s handsome and charming, and before long, Elle has developed quite a crush. But Luc has his own secrets, and as much as he is drawn to Elle, he’s reluctant to let himself get too close. He’s done some things he’s not proud of in his line of work and is still trying to atone for them, even if it means being completely beholden to his tyrannical boss. Luc has no say over which missions he is sent on, and whatever tenuous relationship he has with Elle might be done for when he finds out that his next job will involve tracking down her younger brother.
At its heart, Bitter Medicine is a tale about two immortals who fall in love and find their way to each other despite the numerous obstacles in their path. What both surprised and impressed me was how all these elements were balanced so well, focusing mainly on the romance between Elle and Luc without sacrificing the quality of the story and other aspects like world-building. The characters were also wonderfully developed. Both Elle and Luc have sacrificed so much for the people they care about, and while their backstories make it easy to understand why they do what they do, all the secrets between them also mean they are both reluctant to dive into a relationship. As a result, we get a slow-burn but sweet romance that is also a story about finding your true self as well as the courage and trust it takes to open up to someone else and share that knowledge with them.
Granted, when things heat up, the love scenes can burn pretty hot. Like, scorching hot! But also, in the tradition of most contemporary fantasy romances, the story can be unbearably cheesy at times, with corny rom-com dialogue and awkward cliches. And it’s true that Elle’s “quirkiness” can sometime borders on grating, while Luc maybe plays the role of fraught and tortured immortal a little too well. But considering how the author was also partly inspired by C-dramas, I guess mission accomplished?
There’s some fantastic world-building here as well. Even if the details and explanation into Elle’s role are somewhat glossed over, I think Tsai makes up for it with the amazing integration of Chinese legends and mythology into this modern setting and fantasy world that includes other mythological creatures like fae, elves, and even harpies, redcaps, sphinxes, and the Jersey Devil.
If you can imagine the drama of a Chinese soap opera mixed with the action and magic of a gritty urban fantasy, that pretty much describes Bitter Medicine. Overall, it ended up being a very enjoyable, heartwarming read that perfectly hit the spot. If you’re looking for a touching fantasy romance full of tenderness and emotions, Mia Tsai’s debut should be on your list.
Waiting on Wednesday 03/22/23
Posted on March 22, 2023 12 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
Cassiel’s Servant by Jacqueline Carey (August 1, 2023 by Tor Books)
The big news of the week was of course the cover reveal for this retelling of Kushiel’s Dart told from Joscelin’s point of view. The original Kushiel trilogy had a lot to do with getting me into the fantasy genre in the first place, so it has a special place in my heart, and to this day it’s still one of my favorites of all time. I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting for this book, now that there’s finally both a cover and description I could just cry.
“The lush epic fantasy that inspired a generation with a single precept: “Love As Thou Wilt.”
Returning to the realm of Terre d’Ange which captured an entire generation of fantasy readers, New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Carey brings us a hero’s journey for a new era.
In Kushiel’s Dart, a daring young courtesan uncovered a plot to destroy her beloved homeland. But hers is only half the tale. Now see the other half of the heart that lived it.
Cassiel’s Servant is a retelling of cult favorite Kushiel’s Dart from the point of view of Joscelin, Cassiline warrior-priest and protector of Phèdre nó Delaunay. He’s sworn to celibacy and the blade as surely as she’s pledged to pleasure, but the gods they serve have bound them together. When both are betrayed, they must rely on each other to survive.
From his earliest training to captivity amongst their enemies, his journey with Phèdre to avert the conquest of Terre D’Ange shatters body and mind… and brings him an impossible love that he will do anything to keep.
Even if it means breaking all vows and losing his soul.”
Audiobook Review: Weyward by Emilia Hart
Posted on March 21, 2023 16 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 (Overall): 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Macmillan Audio (March 7, 2023)
Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
Author Information: Twitter
Following the lives of three women through different times in history, Weyward by Emilia Hart is a lyrical generational novel that explores the relationship between magic and the natural world. Opening in 1619, we first meet Altha, the young daughter of a local healer who has just been arrested on the suspicion of murder. Accused by the family member of one of her mother’s patients, Altha’s imprisonment and her subsequent trial is described by her in her journal, revealing how the town feared her for a witch and believed her to possess powers that allowed her to control animals.
Next, we meet Kate, a London woman who fell for the wrong man and is now trapped in an abusive marriage. After finding out she is pregnant, she decides to leave Simon so that her daughter would not have to experience the violence as she had. After weeks of planning her escape, she makes her way to Weyward Cottage, an old property that she recently inherited from her great aunt Violet, that her husband has no knowledge about. There, Kate begins building up a new life for herself and her unborn child, befriending the townsfolk and getting a job at the local bookstore. While settling in, she comes across a stash of old letters and other writings that her great aunt has collected, giving her insight into her family’s’ origins.
And finally, in the year 1942 as World War II rages, we meet Kate’s great aunt Violet, who at this time is only teenager with dreams of becoming a biologist one day in order to study her beloved insects. Unfortunately, her strict wealthy father has expressly forbade any kind of real education for her, keeping her secluded at their old family manor until the day she is to be married off. And then came Frederick, Violet’s cousin who is currently serving in the war. Something awful happens, and Violet is unceremoniously exiled to an old cabin where she discovers old family secrets her father had tried to keep hidden—secrets about her mother, rumored to have gone mad before her death. At last, Violet will get answers about the mysterious woman who gave birth to her, and the Weyward legacy she left behind.
First off, I’m impressed that this was a debut, as it is beautifully and thoughtfully written. At its heart, the novel can be viewed as a character study of these three women who lived centuries apart, and yet their lives are wonderfully intertwined and at once juxtaposed into an engaging narrative. The author also seamlessly weaves magical realism into every thread, giving each woman a connection to the natural world, letting them find their power and their place in it. Altha, Kate, and Violet all had compelling stories, sharing some similarities in their struggles but were also given unique ways to solve their conflicts. Gradually, Hart reveals how the women are related through history, connected by the name Weyward.
I’m also normally not a huge fan of magical realism stories, but here it was handled in a way that was easy to follow and understand. Centering around nature and animals, it fit well with the themes of the book, which heavily implies that the characters’ innate magic and nature magic are one and the same. In the 17the century timeline, there is even the mention of witchcraft and the association of women’s healing with it, which I think will make Weyward appealing to fans of books by Louisa Morgan or The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow.
I also had the pleasure of reviewing the audiobook version, narrated by Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley, and Nell Barlow. I was happy with the involvement of multiple narrators, as the story came to life beautifully with their voices reading their respective roles. Highly recommended.
Bookshelf Roundup 03/19/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on March 19, 2023 20 Comments
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
Received for Review
My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!
Huge thanks to Union Square Co. for a review copy of Going Dark by Melissa de la Cruz, she’s an author I’ve enjoyed in the past and I love the sound of this YA mystery thriller!
Thank you also to Tor Books for an ARC of Ebony Gate by Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle, the first in a new fantasy series described as a “female John Wick story with dragon magic set in contemporary San Francisco’s Chinatown.” It’s become one of my most anticipated releases for this summer.
Also thanks to Orbit Books for the arrival of a couple finished copies, and what great timing! I’m hoping Infinity Gate by M.R. Carey will be my next read, followed by The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten (or vice versa, depending on my mood).
With thanks to the kind folks at Minotaur Books also came these surprise arrivals, but I’m very excited because Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton was already on my reading list, as the sequel to Mickey7 which I really enjoyed. There’s also the mystery sci-fi thriller Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen, set in a world where an event seven years ago called The Blinding made everyone go blind in a matter of months. With the use of a technology that simulates vision, people were able to adjust to the new normal, until a killer finds a way to hack into the system to change what people see.
Just one audiobook in the digital review haul today, with thanks to Penguin Audio for the psychological sci-fi thriller The New One by Evie Green which follows a stressed out couple whose troubled teenage daughter ends up in a coma and is not expected to recover. Heartbroken, they agree to be a part of an experimental program which would give them their daughter back, but in the form of an artificial copy and perfect in every way.
Reviews
Feed Them Silence by Lee Mandelo (3.5 of 5 stars)
Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep (3.5 of 5 stars)
What I’ve Been Reading
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!
Novella Review: Feed Them Silence by Lee Mandelo
Posted on March 17, 2023 14 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Feed Them Silence by Lee Mandelo
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tordotcom (March 14, 2023)
Length: 112 pages
Author Information: Website
In the near future, the planet has been ravaged by environmental degradation and climate change, leading to food shortages and mass extinctions. At the center of this story is one of the world’s last wild wolf packs, on the verge of perishing following a particularly harsh winter. Having just received a large grant to test out a new and potentially groundbreaking technology, neuroscientist Dr. Sean Kell-Luddon seizes upon this opportunity to test out a neurological interface which would allow the translation of an animal subject’s perception into the mind of a human. Her team has captured a female wolf, dubbed Kate, surgically inserting implants into her brain which would send signals back to the scientists. Sean, who has volunteered to be the human subject, would then be able to connect to Kate’s mind directly, experiencing everything that the wolf sees, thinks, and feels. Using this information, it might be possible to gain a better understanding of the creatures, and perhaps to even save them from dying out.
At first, the results are everything the researchers could hope for. Kate’s implants begin providing valuable data right away, as Sean experiences a connection with the wolf that is stronger and more intimate than any bond she’s ever had—stronger than even the relationship she has with her wife Riya. In fact, their marriage has been strained as of late. Riya complains of the long hours Sean spends at the lab, an issue which has not been helped by the new wolf project. The longer Sean spends interfacing with Kate, the more she also feels detached from her real life, losing objectivity with her job and her colleagues. Those around her are noticing the way the work is affecting her, but all that’s on Sean’s mind are her precious wolves and thinking about the next time she can be inside Kate’s head again.
Feed them Silence was my first book by Lee Mandelo, and for a tiny novella it packed quite a punch. Now, while it’s not uncommon for me to feel conflicted about a book after reading it, especially if it tackles controversial themes, I was honestly left with no idea how to feel about this one.
In the end though, I decided I enjoyed it. Yes, the characters are terrible people, and story itself is BLEAK BLEAK BLEAK, but I think it’s also important to acknowledge the positive along with the negative. For one, there’s no question that it’s well written, and it was clear Mandelo was out to challenge readers’ preconceptions even if it made them feel uncomfortable.
Most importantly, the writing captured my attention and I was hooked. While I see that Feed Them Silence often gets tagged as Horror, at its core I don’t feel it fits as neatly into the genre, even though its premise reminded me immediately of David Cronenberg’s The Fly. Perhaps because they both play out like a warning against scientific hubris, or the fact that they’re both stories about brilliant scientists completely losing control of themselves, feeling their humanity slip away inch by inch. Of course, in Sean’s case, it was her mind falling apart, but it’s interesting to note that, like Seth Brundle, her motivation also came initially from a place of good intentions before her eventual obsession led to destroying her life with that same kind of unbridled energy.
But boy, how impossible it is to ignore just what awful human beings the characters are. No doubt this is by design, but forget being able to sympathize with either Sean or Riya, who are both self-righteous pieces of shit with their heads far up their own asses. Theirs is a marriage based on guilt and manipulation, there’s infidelity involved (“only” three times), and nobody seems to care enough to actually communicate beyond jumping straight to unreasonable ultimatums. If we were supposed to despise Sean, then good job, Lee Mandelo, mission accomplished. But as a result, we were left with nothing to inspire us to root for Sean, and with nothing in her marriage with Riya worth fighting for, it also meant free reign for this egoist to completely cave to her obsession.
Like I said, it’s a bleak book. And while I love science-y books, it was ultimately heartbreaking to see Sean’s passion for the science and her work become twisted by darker motives. Granted, there was a glimmer of hope left in the ending, but on the whole, I have a feeling animal lovers will probably dislike how things play out.
All this is to say, Feed Them Silence will not be for everyone, but on some level, it did work for me. Despite the unlikeable characters and some plot elements that didn’t quite sit right, I found the story fascinating and utterly engaging. Overall, I found this novella deftly written, and I appreciate its unique perspective.
Waiting on Wednesday 03/15/23
Posted on March 15, 2023 13 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 Will of the Many by James Islington (May 23, 2023 by Gallery/Saga Press)
“At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.
AUDI. VIDE. TACE.
The Catenan Republic – the Hierarchy – may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.
I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus – what they call Will – to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.
I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.
But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.
And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.
To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.
And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.”
Book Review: Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep
Posted on March 14, 2023 14 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 3 of Gargoyle Queen
Publisher: Harper Voyager (March 7, 2023)
Length: 432 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Even though deep down I know these books aren’t intended to be much more than guilty pleasure reads or brain candy, this third and final installment of the Gargoyle Queen probably could have used a bit more oomph. That said, I thought Conquer the Kingdom was still a very entertaining and overall satisfying ending to this romance and adventure-infused fantasy trilogy.
In the wake of the events at the end of Tear Down the Throne, our protagonist the crown princess Gemma Ripley of Andvari is on the hunt for a dangerous enemy who has vowed to destroy her kingdom. But even with her powerful mind magier powers and the help of her friend and spymistress Reiko, the two them have not been able to track down the scheming Milo Morricone.
However, an opportunity to lure him in may present itself in the coming days, with the Sword and Shield gladiatorial tournament being held soon in the capital city of Glanzen. At the same time, the event also brings much risk to Gemma amidst an influx of visiting strangers. Already she has to watch her back with Queen Maeven of Morta, who has already tried to take her down, but as Milo’s mother, she may also be the key to understanding the enemy’s diabolical plans. Meanwhile, Gemma’s relationship with Maeven’s other son Leonidas deepens, creating another set of problems as their future together becomes uncertain. After all, Leonidas still has a duty to his own people, and while he may have Gemma’s love and trust, it will be harder to win over the rest of Andvari.
Like the previous books, Conquer the Kingdom was a fun romp, though the action was definitely heavier on the back-end, leaving the first two thirds of the novel relatively uneventful. Throughout the series, Gemma has faced countless challenges and many foes, and because of this I had expected the conflict to be somewhat bigger and more significant. Instead, for most the story Gemma occupies herself with trying to find Milo, and when she isn’t making any headway on that front, the narrative is mostly filled with idle conversation with few highlights.
Still, as a final installment, it achieved the purpose of wrapping up loose ends and tying up the storylines for the various characters. Even though most of the plot lacked intensity, the author did a good job capturing the complexities of the different relationships for Gemma, including her romantic one with Leonidas and her adversarial one with Queen Maeven. Side plots also explored supporting characters like Reiko and Kai, and of course the series’ unique and fascinating creatures like the gargoyles and strix.
But by far the best and most exciting part of the novel came near the end with a rescue mission that culminated in an epic showdown, making up for the slower start. Not only was it an explosive way to conclude the trilogy, but the finale also provides an emotional and satisfying sendoff for this cast of memorable characters, rewarding readers with feel-good vibes. This makes The Gargoyle Queen a great choice for fantasy fans who are perhaps looking for something lighter and more casual. While the series has never pretended to be anything more or anything less, I do love how accessible it is without sacrificing any character development or the depth of their relationships.
When I think back to my first book by Jennifer Estep, which was Kill the Queen, I find it amazing that we’ve now come to the end of her second trilogy set in this world. While I have no clue whether she’ll follow it up with a third, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if another spinoff does come to pass, since clearly there are still so many stories in this Crown of Shards/Gargoyle Queen universe still waiting to be told. If that happens, I know I’ll be reading.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Capture the Crown (Book 1)
Review of Tear Down the Throne (Book 2)
Bookshelf Roundup 03/12/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on March 12, 2023 22 Comments
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
No Bookshelf Roundup last week because I was sick. Caught some bug from my kids because their school is a festering petri dish of germs on any given day, but I’m feeling much better now! Going to be a bit of a longer post today as we make up for the last two weeks…
Received for Review
My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!
With thanks to Orbit Books I received an ARC of Infinity Gate by M.R. Carey. I’m really excited to see the author tackle sci-fi and the multiverse.
Also thank you to Tordotcom for the following finished copies: Dead Country by Max Gladstone is the newest novel set in the world of the Craft Sequence, Feed Them Silence by Lee Mandelo is a horror novella about a scientist who uses a neurological interface to link her mind with a wolf with disturbing results, and The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill, described as a contemporary retelling of The Crane Wife story from Japanese folklore.
From the kind folks at Minotaur Books also came the surprise arrival of The Wayward Prince by Leonard Goldberg, the seventh book in The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries series which looks very intriguing. I’ve not actually read any of the books though I think I might have some of the earlier ones on my shelves.
Also thrilled to receive ARCs of Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle and Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward, definitely two of my most anticipated releases from my favorite horror publisher Nightfire Books. I’m prepared to be scared.
Big thanks also to Angry Robot for a review copy of Moths by Jane Hennigan, a dystopian thriller about a toxin which infects only biological males, killing them in their sleep or turning them into psychotic killers. This is giving me some pandemic fiction vibes, but I’m willing to give it a shot!
A new month means new audiobooks! With thanks to Brilliance Audio, I received a listening copy of Mothered by Zoje Stage. From the wonderful team at Simon & Schuster Audio I received a bunch of exciting titles including The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda, Arca by G.R. Macallister, The Curator by Owen King, and A Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen. Last but not least, thank you to Hachette Audio for a review copy of A Brief History of Living Forever by Jaroslav Kalfar.
Reviews
Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury (4 of 5 stars)
The Angel Maker by Alex North (4 of 5 stars)
Murder at Haven’s Rock by Kelley Armstrong (4 of 5 stars)
Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth (4 of 5 stars)
Nocturne by Alyssa Wees (2 of 5 stars)
What I’ve Been Reading
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!
YA Weekend: Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury
Posted on March 11, 2023 13 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Young Adult
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry | Simon & Schuster Audio (February 28, 2023)
Length: 512 pages | 15 hrs and 12 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
A haunted house sits in the center of Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury, a young adult horror novel following the lives of two young black women whose stories unfold a decade apart.
In the beginning we meet Daisy Odlin, a seventeen-year-old who can see dead people. Living in Toronto, a bustling city home to millions, encountering ghosts everywhere she goes has been an unavoidable reality for as long as she can remember. Negative vibes seem to attract them, as Daisy believes, and unfortunately, there’s little for her to feel happy about these days. Her older boyfriend has just dumped her and, completely new to love and naïve to the toxic signs of an abusive relationship, Daisy is left feeling lost, sad, and angry. But then one day, a phone call changes her life. Her mother has just inherited a mansion in rural northern Ontario, offering a fresh start and a chance to escape. Having spent her childhood summers there, Daisy’s mom has plans to turn the house into a luxurious AirBnB, but strange things start happening almost as soon as they arrive. The two of them are also staying in the separate bunkie on the property, and for no reason she can fathom, Daisy is forbidden to ever set foot in the main house. Why is her mother being so secretive, and why do their neighbors, a family of self-proclaimed psychics, keep insisting on coming over to do a spiritual cleansing?
Ten years later, the house is again at the focus of a popular investigative web series called Haunted, whose creator Brittney wants the new season to be about the missing and forgotten black girls who go ignored in the media. But Brittney has a personal stake in this story as well. Her cold, disparaging mother, who had stayed at the house as an AirBnB guest, later claimed in her bestselling book that the experience turned her life around. Brittney, however, believes it all to be a sham. She wants to debunk the “Miracle Mansion” myth by shining a light on the tragic events surrounding a young black victim that occurred there, and also to expose her mother for the liar and scam artist she knows her to be.
This novel was a great read, which I actually enjoyed more than my last book by Liselle Sambury. Don’t get me wrong, Blood Like Magic certainly had its moments, but it was still at its heart a rather run-of-the-mill YA paranormal fantasy while Delicious Monsters told a much more sophisticated story that explored themes and topics going far deeper than its YA horror label. In fact, despite its haunted and ghostly trimmings, this book wasn’t conventionally frightening or even that creepy at all. The monsters our main characters deal with are of the more earthly sort, as both Daisy and Brittney wrestle with their emotional demons while looking for the truth in different ways.
As with most stories told via dual perspectives though, Delicious Monsters occasionally runs into issues related to pacing and balance. While efforts were clearly made to split the attention between the two protagonists, I felt that Daisy’s chapters were not only more eventful and detailed, but they were also infused with more intellectual and emotional depth.
Granted, Brittney’s role as a filmmaker might have put her into a more secondary role than her subject, who was Daisy herself, but I never really understood the former’s deep and unbridled bitterness for her mother. Meanwhile, in Daisy readers got more of a coming-of-age narrative exploring the ups and downs of a girl trying to navigate relationship problems, mom problems, moving-from-the-city-to-a-small-town problems…all the while struggling with the fact she sees dead people. Not to mention it can be a callous world with some of its more hideous realities—such as a one-sided relationship with an older man exhibiting predatory behavior by taking advantage of an inexperienced and moonstruck teenager.
Likely that also explained why I was more willing to give Daisy a pass when it came to the excessive hostility wafting off her character, as I felt that she had been badly treated in the past, and as a seventeen-year-old still trying to figure out life, the angst might have been slightly warranted. On the other hand, I had a much tougher time connecting with Brittney whose approach to life with a massive chip on her shoulder got old pretty quickly. I just find it hard to sympathize with judgmental characters who think that feeling crappy entitles them to be nasty to their friends or people they don’t know. Like I said, it might have something to do with the fact I felt readers didn’t get to know Brittney as well as Daisy, but generally, there is a lot of anger and resentful coming off from both characters in this book, where the supporting characters are definitely more reasonable and likeable.
Its flaws aside though, I would still recommend Delicious Monsters. This feels like a very personal book, which can be gleaned in moments especially from the Daisy chapters, and despite the uneven pacing and slower first half, the ending with its revelations and emotional punches made it all worthwhile.
Thursday Thriller Audio: The Angel Maker by Alex North
Posted on March 9, 2023 16 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 (Overall): 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Macmillan Audio (February 28, 2023)
Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Narrators: Rosalie Craig
If you could see the future, would you want to?
At 17 years old, Katie Shaw didn’t know what to say to her boyfriend Sam when he asked her that question. What if you didn’t like what you saw, and there was nothing you could do about it? Life is a series of decisions, and if you could see the future but didn’t know which choices led you there, then how could you even begin to know how to change it?
The day she and Sam had that conversation also ended up being the worst day of Katie‘s life. One moment of impulse was all it took, a single irresponsible decision by our protagonist which led to her beloved little brother Chris having to walk home from school by himself. It meant that the young boy was all alone and defenseless when a knife-wielding madman named Michael Hyde ambushed him from out of nowhere and almost took his life. This attack changed the Shaws’ lives forever. The trauma left Chris with scars both physical and mental, sending him down a path of darkness which led to drug abuse in his adult years. Katie never forgave herself, and now almost twenty years later, she is still living with the guilt. Estranged from Chris, she instead pours all her love and attention into her own family which includes Sam, now her husband, and their young daughter Sienna.
But then one day, Katie receives a phone call from her mother. Sounding very distressed, she claims that Chris has turned over a new leaf in recent years, but now she’s worried because he’s gone missing. Aware of her mom’s massive blind spot for anything that has to do with her youngest child, Katie has some doubts, but promises to try and see what she can find out. But what neither of them know is that Chris has caught the attention of a serial killer with dangerous delusions of being able to see the future, who will stop at nothing until he catches his prey. Meanwhile, a pair of detectives investigate the murder of wealthy philosophy professor Alan Hobbes, who had mysteriously put all his affairs in order just hours before his death—almost as though he’d known his killer was coming. In Alan’s possessions, the detectives also find a collection of notes and items related to a serial killer from the 1950s and 60s known as the Angel Maker.
Gradually, the story begins to weave together the threads connecting the police investigation into Alan Hobbes’ death with Katie Shaw’s frantic search for her brother. Along the way, the events of the past and present are revealed through the eyes of multiple characters, showing that the plot actually goes much deeper than previously realized.
The Angel Maker featured some great writing, and in fact it may be my favorite of Alex North’s novels that I’ve read so far! I would describe the pacing as slow burn, but definitely balanced enough that it was never boring. That said, the amount of setup in the first half of the book can be quite daunting and demanding on the reader’s patience, mainly due to the shear amount if background context involved as well as the not-so-linear format of storytelling.
Ironically, I found the detective chapters to be the driest, as their sole purpose appeared to be revealing the history of the Angel Maker murders and the backstory for our killer (speaking of which, North also seems to have a penchant for writing over-the-top villains and this was no exception). Thankfully though, to make up for this we have Katie’s chapters which were always running a mile a minute as she pretty much solves the mystery of her missing brother on her own, thank you very much.
This novel was also a good listen, as I had the pleasure of reviewing the audiobook edition read by Rosalie Craig. It was my first experience with her as a narrator and I thought she did a fine job with all the characters’ voices which ranged from young to old with very diverse backgrounds and accents.
Part police procedural, part psychological thriller, The Angel Maker blends mystery, horror and even a dash of the supernatural as it explores the doctrine of determinism and questions whether our fates are written in stone or alterable. Throw in a hefty dose of heart-wrenching family drama as well, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a compelling read. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, I wouldn’t miss it.
The BiblioSanctum 