#ScifiMonth Waiting on Wednesday 11/02/2022
Posted on November 2, 2022 14 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
Rubicon by J.S. Dewes (March 28, 2023 by Tor Books)
“J. S. Dewes, author of The Last Watch and The Exiled Fleet, returns with a new science fiction space opera that melds elements of Scalzi’s Old Man’s War with Edge of Tomorrow.
Sergeant Adriene Valero wants to die.
She can’t.
After enduring a traumatic resurrection for the ninety-sixth time, Valero is reassigned to a special forces unit and outfitted with a cutting-edge virtual intelligence aid. They could turn the tide in the war against intelligent machines dedicated to the assimilation, or destruction, of humanity.
When her VI suddenly achieves sentience, Valero is drawn into the machinations of an enigmatic major who’s hell-bent on ending the war—by any means necessary.”
* All SciFi Month artwork courtesy of Simon Fetscher.
Get Ready for #SciFiMonth 2022!
Posted on November 1, 2022 21 Comments
It’s that time of the year again! November is upon us, which means so is Sci-Fi Month! Hosted by Lisa of Dear Geek Place and imyril of There’s Always Room For One More, the event enters its tenth year in 2022 and once more The BiblioSanctum will be participating.
Starting today, we’ll be joining other bloggers, authors, and readers in a month-long celebration of everything science fiction. But that doesn’t mean we’ll stop covering all our other favorite genres! You will most definitely continue to see our usual reviews, weekly memes and features, spotlights, and all that other fun stuff. The only difference is, some of our reviews and posts will branch off from the usual to encompass the various mediums of science fiction.
The organizers have also arranged for some pretty exciting features like giveaways, readalongs, and a whole lot of other fun activities. So if this is something you’re interested in taking part of, head on over to the Google form to sign up.
Also, the great thing about Sci-Fi Month is that it’s a casual, low-pressure event. It has no deadlines, no specific challenges or quotas to meet–just a month of fun to enjoy, discuss, and share everything science fiction. Sci-Fi Month is whatever you make it, and you are welcome to join anytime.
As for my plans, I’ll most likely be playing things by ear. Unlike the last couple of years though, I have made a reading list already, and have even gotten started on a few of these books! Here’s what I hope to be covering this month, a mix of new releases and catch-up titles from earlier this year:
I’ll also be doing my best to keep up my regular features like Waiting on Wednesdays and keep them sci-fi themed, and who knows, I may even get some time to tackle an event challenge or two! Just look for the posts tagged with “SciFi November” or containing the SciFi Month images and hashtags to see how I’m getting involved.
So what are you waiting for? Grab the #SciFiMonth banner (created by artist Simon Fetscher) and come explore the wonders of science fiction with us! Also be sure to follow the event on Twitter @SciFiMonth so you won’t miss a thing. In the meantime, feel free to let us know:
How long have you been a fan of science fiction?
Why do you like sci-fi and what is your favorite thing about it?
What are your favorite books/games/films/TV shows in the genre?
What are your plans for Sci-Fi Month?
Audiobook Review: Ghostwritten by Ronald Malfi
Posted on October 31, 2022 12 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: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tantor Audio (October 11, 2022)
Length: 12 hrs 58 min
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Narrator: Joe Hempel
Novellas and short stories are not my preferred format so I don’t often read them, but there are some authors for whom I will make an exception, and one of them is Ronald Malfi. Although I am still somewhat new to his work, his books Come With Me and Black Mouth have already rocketed up my list of favorite horror novels, and when I found out about Ghostwritten—anthology or not—I knew I had to read it.
This collection contains four separate self-contained stories, but they all take place in the same shared world and are united by the common theme of books, storytelling, and the written word!
The Skin of Her Teeth
This opening story was my second favorite of the collection. It begins with talent agent sitting down with her colleague to discuss one of her screenwriter clients who has gone MIA. Davis McElroy had been tapped to adapt a bestselling book for the big screen, but it seems he hasn’t been heard from in weeks. With deadlines looming, our agent decides to go check up on him and is shocked by what she finds. There’s a reason why no screenwriter has ever successfully adapted this particular novel and those who’ve attempted it have all met disturbing fates.
The tone of this one gradually gets darker and more ominous as it progresses, a horror story through and through. Still, as an avid reader and a booklover, I was tickled pink by the themes raised by this tale. We’ve all heard the saying, a good story sometimes takes on a life of its own. Or how about, an author pours his or her entire heart and soul into writing a book? The Skin of Her Teeth takes these idea to a whole new level.
The Dark Brothers’ Last Ride
This one was riveting but also downright weird, which might explain why I enjoyed it but didn’t love it. It follows two brothers, Danny and Tommy, who are part of a smuggling operation. For their latest job, they are instructed to deliver a book to a very particular buyer whose demands are strange but simple: don’t touch the book, and don’t talk to anyone about what they’re transporting. The brothers are also given a time-consuming and circuitous route to their destination, but they’re told it’s of the utmost importance not to stray from this specific path.
Needless to say, someone breaks the rules, leading to fatal results. This story started out strong but eventually devolved into a fever dream of bizarreness. Stylistically this story just wasn’t for me, but others may enjoy it more.
This Book Belongs to Olo
For me, this one ranked about the same as the previous story. At the heart of this tale is boy named Olo, who isn’t like the other neighborhood kids. The child of two writers, he lives in an imposing mansion where he often plays alone, talking to mannequins on the front lawn and running around in a creepy clown mask. He’s also great with papercrafts, creating a pop-up book that replicates the labyrinthine house in which he lives. Then one day, he makes his way down to the playground to invite all the local kids to his birthday party, because his storybook needs some new friends, you see…
This was one of the more harrowing tales in this collection but also on the stranger side, reading like a drug-induced hallucination or nightmare. It also dragged on a little too long without adding much to the plot. I did love the atmosphere though, as well as the inventive twist on the creepy old house concept. Plus, the characterization of Olo was amazing. This is one kid you won’t ever want to cross.
The Story
And speaking of inventive twists, this last novella treats us to a horrifying take on the classic Choose-Your-Own-Adventure tale. As the story opens, a journalist receives tragic news from an old colleague. One of their mutual friends whom they used to work with on a supernatural themed podcast has killed herself. Finding some the circumstances behind her death obscure and suspicious, our protagonist decides to do his own digging into the project she was working on before she died, uncovering an urban legend about a story on the darknet that is different for everyone who reads it. Very soon, he becomes drawn into his own story, and as fiction warps into reality and vice versa, the wrong choices he makes will have deadly consequences.
I was glad to see the anthology end on a strong note with a story that’s pure horror with some mystery thrown in. This one had a bit of everything—interesting premise, suspenseful plotline, deep character development. I felt for the protagonist, his complex feelings for his late friend, his determination to get to the bottom of her apparent suicide, and then the fearful desperation and paranoia as his reality began to unravel. The terror and dread of this shook me to my core.
Ronald Malfi fans, do yourselves a favor and pick up Ghostwritten, and don’t let the short fiction anthology format put you off. The tales in here are a good example of his talent for storytelling and why he has so quickly become one of my favorite horror writers.
Audiobook Comments: A bit of a missed opportunity here to use multiple narrators for the different stories to reflect the diverse personalities and backgrounds of their respective main characters, but in spite of that, Joe Hempel made it all work. He delivered a great performance, and I would highly recommend the audiobook edition.
Bookshelf Roundup 10/30/22: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on October 30, 2022 19 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 Minotaur Books for sending me finished copies of a couple of mystery thrillers. Blackwater Falls by Ausma Zehanat Khan is the first book of a new series starring Detective Inaya Rahman. I’ve read the author’s fantasy, and now I’m curious to check out her work in another genre. Desolation Canyon by P.J. Tracy is also part of a series, the second of the Detective Margaret Nolan sequence. I actually recently got an ARC of the third book, so I’m thinking I should start here first.
Earlier this month I was also super excited to receive an ARC of The Cradle of Ice by James Rollins, with thanks to Tor Books. It’s the second book of the Moonfall series, and it’s huge! I had a really good time with the first book so I’m really excited. And speaking of excitement, from the amazing team at Ace Books I received a review copy of Raven Unveiled by Grace Draven. The next book in her Fallen Empire world, this is one of my most highly anticipated books this year.
Also thanks to the kind folks at Penguin Workshop and Wunderkind PR for a review copy of Area 51 Interns: Zoned Out by James S. Murray and Carsen Smith. This is the second book of the middle grade series, which I hadn’t realized until I looked it up, but I believe it can be read as a standalone. At least my daughter hasn’t been complaining; she actually started the book earlier this week and seems to be enjoying it. And with thanks to Saga Press, I also received an ARC of Loki’s Ring by Stina Leicht, described as an intergalactic space adventure about a starship captain on a quest through space to rescue the robot she loves as a daughter.
Thank you also to Penguin Random House Audio for my listening copies this week, a nice trio of horror titles: Five Survive by Holly Jackson, All the Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce, and Sign Here by Claudia Lux.
Reviews
Little Eve by Catriona Ward (4 of 5 stars)
Lute by Jennifer Thorne (4 of 5 stars)
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson (3.5 of 5 stars)
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (2.5 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!
Book Review: A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
Posted on October 29, 2022 9 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of A Dowry of Blood
Publisher: Redhook (October 4, 2022)
Length: 304 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
After I finished A Dowry of Blood, I went to look up the book on Goodreads and was not surprised to see that the ratings for it were all over the place. Because this one is very much a niche book. I have a feeling it will strike the perfect note for some, while for others it will fall flat on its face. Stylistically, you could tell author S.T. Gibson was going for a certain vibe, and whether it’s a vibe that appeals to you will depend on your personal tastes.
A Dowry of Blood reimagines the story of Dracula, though the classic figure is never mentioned by name, referred only to as “My Lord” by our narrator, Constanta. This is the tale of how she became the bride of her vampire master and lived for centuries by his side, eventually helping him add two more members to their immortal family as they migrate across Europe.
The book opens upon the site of a massacre, with our protagonist barely clinging on to life while the rest of her family lay dead around her, slaughtered by a group of armed men. Like a vulture attracted to the carnage, the vampire lord suddenly appears before her and offers her salvation and a chance to live forever. Filled with desperation and in awe of the power of her savior, she accepts—and becomes reborn as Constanta. And her first act as a vampire? Exacting revenge on her family’s killers, reveling in her newfound powers.
As the years pass, the obsessive love for her master continues to consume Constanta, until they arrive in Spain and meet Magdalena, so beautiful and full of life—the perfect addition to their clan. Gradually, Constanta’s jealousy of the other woman turns to admiration, respect, and then love. And later, when the trio end up in Russia, the young artist and actor Alexi also awakens a protective instinct in Constanta after he joins their family, forcing her to face some difficult truths about her relationship with her lord.
If you enjoy retellings from a different angle, ones that are a little unconventional, then A Dowry of Blood might provide you with what you are looking for. But although the novel may reimagine the character of Dracula from the point-of-view of his “wife”, it also makes several nods to the original classic which inspired it. The entire tale is told in second person epistolary format, addressing her words to her vampire master. I also feel that the prose is written in a way that brings to mind the works of Anne Rice, with dramatic language that at times is almost too flowery.
The results, however, are quite effective. It’s as though Constanta is speaking directly into your mind, creating an atmosphere that feels both immediate and immersive. The mood is thick with seduction and gothic vibes, as the narrative takes us through the darkest parts of history including times of plague and war. Yet at the same time, it’s not all just filth and blood and death. We’re also treated to the imposing backdrops of resplendent castles and the bustling theater scene and nightlife of cities at the prime of their power.
But for all that, the scope of this story feels small. The overall plot is also uncomplicated and linear. Remove all the paranormal and fantastical dressings, and what A Dowry of Blood boils down to is a story about our main character struggling to break free from an abusive relationship. In that sense, there’s really nothing sexy and romantic about this book. Whatever we get to see is constrained by Constanta’s limited experience within the sphere of influence strictly enforced by her husband, and she freely admits she knows little of the world outside of their little family. And unlike Magdalena and Alexi who are a little more willing to test their master’s limits, Constanta herself displays little motivation to go against his wishes for most of the book.
Still, simple plot or not, the point is that our protagonist does eventually find the emotional strength to break that vicious cycle to protect those she loves. It was an epic journey, in its own way, of Constanta’s centuries-long awakening from the spell cast upon her by her so-called beloved.
Bottom line, A Dowry of Blood is a gothic vampire novel filled with dark and sexually charged vibes—not so much “horror” in the traditional sense, but more designed to fill you with a sense of unease. As I said, I believe the response will be mixed on this one due to its niche appeal. Not so sure that it was really for me, but nevertheless I was quite impressed by the way it was all put together.
Book Review: Little Eve by Catriona Ward
Posted on October 27, 2022 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: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Nightfire (October 11, 2022)
Length: 271 pages
Author Information: Twitter
Originally published in the UK in 2018, Catriona Ward’s award-winning Little Eve has been republished by Nightfire Books, and compared to my first experience with her work The Last House on Needless Street, I have to say this one was definitely more my speed.
On the Isle of Altnaharra, just off the coast of Scotland, lives Little Eve and her family of six headed by her “Uncle”. On a cold winter day in 1921, the local butcher making his usual delivery of meat to their crumbling castle makes a horrific discovery when he notices the front gate open. On the altar of the nearby church, he finds five bodies laid out in the shape of a star, each with their right eye gouged out. More shocking yet, one of victims still lives—a girl named Dinah. All other family members are accounted for—all except Eve. It’s believed that she is the one who committed this atrocity.
The story then flashes back in time to 1917 where readers get to the world through Eve’s eyes—a dreary and secluded existence created by Uncle for her and her “sisters” whom he controls with draconian force and cruel punishment. Anyone to step out of line would be subjected to days locked in the dark cellar without food or water, for example. Uncle also fills his family members’ heads with a number of strange “truths” and forces them all to participate in his rituals to prepare for the end of the world, all the while maintaining a semblance of normalcy to the outside world so that one will come around asking difficult questions—though of course everyone in town already has their suspicions.
One of these outsiders is Chief Inspector Christopher Black, who has long known things are not as they seem at the castle on Altnaharra. After the massacre of 1921, he has also taken upon himself to get to the bottom of the case.
What Catriona Ward has deftly created here is a chilling tale of horror with the classic trappings of a cult story and old-school gothic vibes, but she has also added some of her own flair and resonating twists. Alternating between the earlier and later points in the story, the author plays with the flow of time leaving her readers feeling disoriented and adrift—but this is all by design. Rest assured everything will come together in the end.
And speaking of disorienting, Eve’s narrative itself is the very definition of unreliable, leaving you constantly guessing and wondering, but in the best way. The very confusion is what creates the sensation of uneasiness and dread, the specter of the other shoe waiting to drop. We explore her childhood through her relationship with her family members, especially Dinah, the lone survivor of the 1921 massacre. As young girls, they were almost inseparable, and brainwashed together by Uncle’s manipulative ways. Eve came to be in all on the dubious religion he preached, believing in snake gods rising from the sea to bring ruin to the earth, and that she would be the chosen one to succeed Uncle and inherit his powers. Some of the things Eve describes makes it difficult to discern whether what she witnessed was real or simply the product of her delusions. Or perhaps, could there be an actual supernatural element at play here?
Ward’s writing also shines with a story like this. All the ingredients are there for her to turn Little Eve into a delectable gothic horror mystery, from the setting of the dilapidated castle by the stormy sea to the shocking opening scene with the gruesome discovery. A dark pall hangs over the entire story—again, by design. This complements the cult elements well, casting a oppressive, gloomy and almost hopeless shadow over all the novel’s characters and events, which was most keenly felt in the sections that take place at Altnaharra.
All told, Little Eve is a haunting gothic tale drenched with terror and atmosphere. Twisted and cleverly plotted, this story is crafted to mess with your mind and keep you guessing. Recommended for horror fans who enjoy exceptional characterization and complex motifs.
Waiting on Wednesday 10/26/2022
Posted on October 26, 2022 8 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
Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward (April 11, 2023 by Nightfire Books)
Be on the lookout for my review of Little Eve tomorrow! It worked a lot better for me than the first book I ever read by Catriona Ward, and has made me curious to check out more of her work.
“Unsuccessful author Dickie has returned to the lonely cottage on the New England coast where years ago he wrote his first book, never published. Here, he intends to write his last — his masterpiece.
Dickie’s protagonist is based on his nemesis, Sky, now dead. After the publication of Sky’s first novel, Looking Glass Sound, Sky’s fame and ego drove them apart. Dickie’s last book will be a thinly veiled account of their friendship, and later, their enmity — a poisonous, New England Brideshead Revisited. This is Dickie’s revenge.
As he writes, the lines between fiction and reality slip. Events in the manuscript start to chime eerily with the present. Dickie discovers notes in Sky’s handwriting in the cottage, written in his favorite green ink, making crushing comments about Dickie’s writing and broken heart. Is Sky haunting Dickie? Has Dickie murdered Sky — or the other way around?
As Dickie goes deeper into the work, a terrifying suspicion arises — that he himself may be an entirely fictional character, being written by Sky the novelist. Which version of the cottage, the sound — and which version of Dickie — is real?”
Book Review: Lute by Jennifer Thorne
Posted on October 25, 2022 17 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: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Nightfire (October 4, 2022)
Length: 274 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
There’s no place on the planet quite like Lute, an idyllic little island off the British coast. And for the last seven years, protagonist Nina Treadway has been happy to call it home. An American, she moved here after getting married to be with her husband Hugh, whose family has been the island’s protectors for generations. Now the mother of two young children, Nina can’t imagine a more perfect and beautiful place to raise them, especially with another world war raging out beyond Lute’s peaceful shores.
But all that happiness and harmony demands a price. There’s a reason why Lute is said to be blessed with good fortune, why the weather is always mild and none of its residents have ever been lost to war. As wife of Lord Treadway, Nina has heard of The Day, of course, but she has always dismissed it as a myth or local legend. On the face of it, it just sounds too outlandish to believe. As the story goes, every seventh year on the summer solstice, the island claims the lives of seven random people as sacrifice. On this day, the people of Lute, normally so warm and welcoming, become highly unsettled and extra careful—for no one knows who will die, only that by The Day’s end, there will be seven fewer among them. No more, no less.
As the book opens on the eve of The Day, Nina is still ever the skeptic, watching as everyone around her prepares to hunker down. By this same time tomorrow though, she will learn for herself the truth of the island and be horrified and humbled by the weight of the Treadway title and the responsibilities that come with it.
The novel Lute is named for the island obviously, which is quite appropriate considering the setting is as much a character as the humans. I very much enjoyed author Jennifer Thorne’s descriptions of Lute, a haven untouched by the violence and strife in a world ravaged by brutal fighting. While the major powers at large are waging war over resources, our eponymous island has everything it’ll ever need, seemingly in a separate existence than everything else. The resulting impression is of a tiny pocket of civilization forgotten by time, which might explain how, at first, I actually thought this book was a historical, when in fact it takes place in modern times or perhaps in a not-too-distant dystopia future.
I also believe this had a lot to do with what made Lute so effective as a horror novel. Thorne builds up the island as a peaceful and safe refuge, when in reality it is anything but. As we get to the parts where The Day starts claiming its first victims, initially I found the sudden bloodbath difficult to square away with my first impressions of the island. It made the brutality of the deaths feel starker and more ominous.
As a character Nina was particularly well developed, especially her transition from a doubting outsider to a full-fledged islander who finally understands what she is up against, going through the full gamut of emotions ranging from uncertainty, disbelief, confusion, guilt, and finally acceptance. The various side characters are also well written, namely the handful of close friends Nina has made since arriving on the island, the way they have adopted our American protagonist as one of their own even though the United States was on the wrong side of the war.
In fact, my only criticism of this novel was everything outside of the scope of the characters and happenings on Lute. That is, the entire background of the resource war was not very well explained or developed, and to be honest, all of it—the war, Nina’s American roots, etc.—came across as rather unnecessary, as in the story would have worked just as well without any of that. There was also a quality to the backdrop which felt tacked on, like the author decided to throw in the dystopian aspect only after the fact, or perhaps this book initially began as a World War II story before she decided to update the setting and create conditions for a new war (which might also explain the aforementioned historical vibes I got from this). After a while, I even learned to tune out the world outside Lute as nothing more than a distraction to the more immediate terrors and tragedies unfolding on the island.
All in all, Lute was not without its flaws, but as a horror novel, its premise was intriguing and the execution of it was solid. Highly recommended if you’re looking for an atmospheric read which embraces the simple pleasures of the genre.
Book Review: One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Posted on October 24, 2022 22 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Mogsy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Shepherd King
Publisher: Orbit (September 27, 2022)
Length: 432 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
It might be the spooky season, but just because the nights come earlier and there’s a chill in the air, sometimes a book needs a little more than mood to help get it off the ground. One Dark Window is certainly an ambitious debut that strives for those Gothic fantasy vibes and romantic allure, but the polish just isn’t quite there.
The story follows Elspeth Spindle, who survived a mysterious illness in her childhood which left her with magical abilities. Fearing persecution, she goes in hiding to live with her aunt and uncle, keeping the secret of monster trapped inside her head—an ancient spirit she calls Nightmare. Sometimes Nightmare controls her, but sometimes, it also protects her.
In addition, Elspeth gained the power to absorb the essence from the Providence Cards, twelve magical playing cards that give their owners special abilities. But this magic also has a cost. When the Providence Cards were created, this also destroyed Blunder, the world in which the book takes place. It’s a dreary existence, and nowhere is safe. One day, Elspeth runs afoul of a highwayman while in the forest, and discovers that the bandit is in fact Ravyn Yew, the king’s nephew in disguise. Ravyn also happens to be the Captain of the Destriers, the kingdom’s fearsome law enforcers and the very people Elspeth hopes to avoid.
Fate has other plans, however, as our protagonist unwittingly becomes the key to the Yew family’s mission to reunite the Providence Cards and cleanse the blight from Blunder. This unfortunately requires her to get close to Ravyn, to whom she feels a connection growing in spite of herself. Meanwhile, the Nightmare inside her mind is also becoming stronger, and Elspeth wonders how much longer before it takes over her mind completely.
No doubt with all these elements, One Dark Window had the potential to be the dark and eerie novel it aspired to be, but due to a few missteps and questionable stylistic decisions, it fell short of those expectations. Mainly, we have a story here that struggles with an identity crisis. For one, rather than Gothic, things felt more melodramatic. We’re clearly going for an atmosphere that’s dark, violent and bloody, yet this is somewhat sabotaged by the cringey Young Adult vibes not to mention the cheesy, riddle-me-this way the Nightmare speaks.
I also feel that while author Rachel Gillig is obviously talented and has a way with words, she stumbles with the narrative and pacing. Momentum was very slow to build, and even once we had achieved it, the plot struggled to maintain it. Then there was the slow-burn romance between Elspeth and Ravyn, which to its credit was a luxuriant and seductive, but it was also hard to see self-indulgence or shake the feeling that Gillig prioritized their romance arc even though it was only supposed to be a subplot. No other relationship between Elspeth or any of the other characters got nearly as much attention, and the glossing over of other parts of the story also made some the big reveals at the end very predictable.
Ultimately, my feelings for One Dark Window were as mixed and confused as the novel’s direction and themes. There’s a sense that it tries to be too much and so it doesn’t quite meet any of the goals that it set for itself, and as you know, books that are neither here nor there are always the hardest ones to review. Bottom line, I probably would have enjoyed this one a lot more had I been in the mood for a YA fantasy romance, which I’ve been known to crave on occasion. This time though, I’d been expecting something more mature and a lot darker, and while there were hints of that which came through, it just wasn’t enough.
Bookshelf Roundup 10/23/22: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on October 23, 2022 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.
Autumn is in full swing, and I love this time of the year. The frigidly cold days are still some ways off, and sunshine plus a brisk breeze equals my idea of the perfect weather. We also get some decent leaf change where we are, so it’s pretty gorgeous. Earlier this week, my family took a drive to the Shenandoah Valley area and stayed overnight in Luray, home of the famous caverns. Though it was a very brief trip, I definitely needed it! I’m feeling a lot more rested and mentally refreshed.
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!
Big thanks this week to Nightfire Books for an ARC of The Spite House by Johnny Compton, because who can resist a haunted house story? Certainly not me. With thanks also to Tor Books for a review copy of The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal and their YA imprint Tor Teen for a finished copy of The Luminaries by Susan Dennard. The latter also came with this gorgeous enamel pin!
Earlier this month I also received In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker from the awesome team at Grand Central Publishing. This one’s new to me, but after some research I found out it’s a paranormal fantasy about witches, so count me in! And from the kind folks at Harper Voyager, I received an ARC of Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep, the final book of her Gargoyle Queen trilogy. I can’t wait to see how things end.
With thanks to Macmillan Audio for my haul of listening copies this week! They’re reissuing the audiobook of My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby this fall, so I couldn’t resist jumping on the opportunity. I’m also super excited about The Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson, the conclusion to the Wax and Wayne books of the Mistborn saga. For my thriller fix, I also received The Prisoner by B.A. Paris, as well as White Horse by Erika T. Wurth for when I’m in the mood for some horror.
Reviews
Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison (4.5 of 5 stars)
The Witch in the Well by Camilla Bruce (3.5 of 5 stars)
Roundup Highlights:
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!
The BiblioSanctum 