Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Review: The Bitter Crown by Justin Lee Anderson

 

The Bitter Crown (Eidyn #2) by Justin Lee Anderson
Orbit
Publication Date: December 5th, 2023
Paperback. 560 pages.

About The Bitter Crown:

"A war once held in the shadows now escalates into full-scale revolution in the second novel of Justin Lee Anderson’s epic Eidyn Saga. The fog of war is lifted and the conspiracy at the heart of Eidyn finally exposed. Now that they know the truth, Aranok and his allies must find a way to free a country that doesn’t know it’s held captive. But with divided loyalties and his closest friendship shaken, can their alliance hold against overwhelming odds? The quest to retake the country begins here."

I was blown away by The Lost War when I read it last year, and–like most people–I was completely shocked by the twist at the end which left me dying for the sequel and left The Bitter Crown a lot to live up to. Fortunately, The Bitter Crown was an excellent sequel and continued the story with consistency and intrigue to almost match the first book.

The Bitter Crown picks up not too far from where The Lost War left off and we’re thrust right back into the world with all the characters we know from the first book. I won’t say specifically what the big twist from the first book is because it’s honestly a very substantial spoiler/twist that I would really hate to ruin for anyone, but this sequel generally deals with the fallout of that big twist and what happens next. All of our characters must now decide what to do about the conspiracy they’ve uncovered, and not everyone agrees on just what to do or how to treat certain players involved, whether on their team or not.

I’ve really enjoyed following and getting to know all of the different characters and perspectives in this series, but I will say that there were quite a few times in The Bitter Crown that I felt exceptionally frustrated by some choices that were made and some of the arguments that arose between characters. Some of this made sense, as I’m sure there would be a lot of tension and conflicting opinions on how to handle things, but sometimes it just felt more generally annoying than critical to the plot.

We also see major development occur with each character we follow, largely because of a major event from The Lost War that occurs and means that big changes are, essentially, inevitable. It was interesting to watch everyone come into their own and rediscover who they are, what their motivations are, and where they stand on many different situations. I also appreciated that there was a lot of exploration of moral ambiguity among the characters and that I think really fits well with the rest of the story and general themes explored in this series so far. Loyalties are definitely tested and there are a lot of different types of ties between people explored and tested, and I especially appreciated that so many of the outcomes from these tests were varied and unexpected at different times.

The Bitter Crown felt very much  like a second book in a series and I don’t mean that in a negative way, as it did exactly what it was supposed to. There was an abundance of time spent figuring out how to deal with the immediate fallout from what happened in the first book and it felt incredibly realistic with how everyone opted to move on. There continues to be an immense amount of political intrigue and machinations occurring in every corner of this world, and I’ve liked the many different explorations of power and approaches towards handling things.

Anderson's pacing in The Bitter Crowns leans to the slower side, which allows readers to really immerse themselves in the characters’ internal struggles and intricacies of the world-building. There was a lot of planning going on in this book that I enjoyed getting to spend time on, as it allowed for a lot of introspection into the characters as well as further exploration of the world itself. That being said, there was still plenty of action and plenty of time spent progressing the plot and preparing us for the third book and what I’m sure are many more crazy things to come.

Overall, I’ve given The Bitter Crown four stars! While I didn’t love this one quite as much as The Lost War, this has been a really thrilling fantasy series and I’m absolutely hooked to find out where Anderson will take the story next.


*I received a copy of The Bitter Crown in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org


Monday, March 11, 2024

New Release Spotlight: All Our Yesterdays: A Novel of Lady Macbeth by Joel H. Morris

Today I'm delighted to share with you all a spotlight for Joel H. Morris' new release, All Our Yesterdays, out tomorrow, March 12th! This is a debut historical fiction novel that follows the life of the young Lady Macbeth years before the events of Shakespeare's play takes place. I was shocked that this was Morris' debut novel, as it is both ambitious and excellently executed with engaging and eloquent prose. Below, you'll find some information about the book including a brief a synopsis, some early praise, and some additional information about the author. Be sure to have a look–and happy reading!


ABOUT ALL OUR YESTERDAYS:
Author:  Joel H. Morris - Website
Pub. Date: March 12th, 2024
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 363

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop.org  


SYNOPSIS:
A propulsive and piercing debut, set ten years before the events of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, about the ambition, power, and fate that define one of literature’s most notorious figures: Lady Macbeth


Scotland, 11th Century. Born into a noble household and granddaughter of a forgotten Scottish king, a young girl carries the guilt of her mother’s death and the weight of an unknowable prophecy. When she is married at fifteen to the Mormaer of Moray, she experiences the violence of a sadistic husband and a kingdom constantly at war. To survive with her young son in a superstitious realm, she must rely on her own cunning and wit, especially when her husband’s downfall inadvertently sets them free.

Suspicious of the dark devices that may have led to his father’s death, her son watches as his mother falls in love with the enigmatic thane Macbeth. Now a woman of stature, Lady Macbeth confronts a world of masculine power and secures the protection of her family. But the coronation of King Duncan and the political maneuvering of her cousin Macduff set her on a tragic course, one where her own success might mean embracing the very curse that haunts her and risking the child she loves."


Early Praise:
“[A] beautiful interpretation, which is so rich in its descriptions and well-crafted characters. . . A most enjoyable setup for the Scottish play.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“All characters are drawn with inventiveness and depth. . . Entirely illuminating. . . [A] beautifully realized tale of a daughter, mother, and wife ultimately at the mercy of Fate’s unknowable interventions.” – Booklist

“A gorgeous evocation of a mother and son in a prison of their own too-powerful story, All Our Yesterdays is a triumph of both research and imagination, a heartbreaking and revelatory read.” – Jennifer Croft, author of The Extinction of Irena Rey

“Intriguing. . . Crisp, no-nonsense prose conveys the narrative’s gathering darkness [and] Morris intelligently explores the era’s gender dynamics. . . [An] entertaining prequel to Shakespeare’s complex and haunting tragedy.” – Publishers Weekly

“[A] wonderfully atmospheric novel. Morris drops the reader into a fully realized 11th-century world with all the sights and sounds. Carefully chosen words and small details shape this fearful and foreboding world. . . [A] rich study of one of the most vilified literary characters.” – Historical Novels Review

“As sharp and cutting as an obsidian dagger, Joel H. Morris’s All Our Yesterdays dives deep into Lady Macbeth’s backstory, replacing desire with fear, calculation with grief, and loss, not ambition, as the spark that ignites her bloody journey. You’ll never read Shakespeare’s play the same way again.” – Liz Michalski, author of Darling Girl

About the Author:
(bio from author's website)

Joel H. Morris is the author of All Our Yesterdays, his debut novel. He has worked most recently as an English teacher and, for the past twenty years has taught language and literature. He is the recipient of a year-long Fulbright Research Scholarship for archival research in Germany. Prior to earning a doctorate in comparative literature, he spent several years as a bookseller before joining a small maritime expedition company as a sailor. His essays, translations, and stories have appeared or are forthcoming in Lit Hub, Electric Literature, Crime Reads, Michigan Quarterly Review, Copper Nickel, Pembroke Magazine, and others. He lives in Colorado.



Friday, March 8, 2024

The Friday Face-Off: Current Read #25

                  Friday Face Off New

 Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme at Books by Proxy. Join us every Friday as we pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.  You can find a list of upcoming topics at Lynn's Books.


This week's topic is:
Current Read #25

I recently saw The Last Yakuza by Jake Adelstein on sale and decided to check it out because why not learn more about the yakuza? I've been really enjoying it so far and have been pretty hooked by Adelstein's nonfiction accounts and in-depth research into not only the culture and lifestyle of the yakuza, but also various area of Japanese culture. Adelstein covers a history of the yakuza through a biography of sorts about Makoto Saigo. If you're ever in the mood for some nonfiction, this has been a great choice so far!

     
2023 US Paperback | 2018 French 

     
2018 Polish | 2017 French

     
2016 US Hardcover | 2023 US Kindle

My choice(s):
I think these are all pretty great covers! I'm particularly drawn to the two French editions (I think the first one at least is evoking the art style of the traditional tattoos), as I find the artwork captivating.  I also like the different US versions and think they bring something interesting to the mix of as well. Which cover(s) do you like the most?

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Mini-Review: Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

 

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan
Orbit
Publication Date: February 27th, 2024
Paperback. 448 pages.

About Fathomfolk:

"Welcome to Tiankawi – shining pearl of human civilization and a safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest. Or at least, that’s how it first appears.

But in the semi-flooded city, humans are, quite literally, on peering down from skyscrapers and aerial walkways on the fathomfolk — sirens, seawitches, kelpies and kappas—who live in the polluted waters below.

For half-siren Mira, promotion to captain of the border guard means an opportunity to reform. At last, she has the ear of the city council and a chance to lift the repressive laws that restrict fathomfolk at every turn. But if earning the trust and respect of her human colleagues wasn't hard enough, everything Mira has worked towards is put in jeopardy when a water dragon is exiled to the city.

New arrival Nami is an aristocratic water dragon with an opinion on everything. Frustrated by the lack of progress from Mira's softly-softly approach in gaining equality, Nami throws her lot in with an anti-human extremist group, leaving Mira to find the headstrong youth before she makes everything worse.

And pulling strings behind everything is Cordelia, a second-generation sea-witch determined to do what she must to survive and see her family flourish, even if it means climbing over the bodies of her competitors. Her political game-playing and underground connections could disrupt everything Nami and Mira are fighting for.

When the extremists sabotage the annual boat race, violence erupts, as does the clampdown on fathomfolk rights. Even Nami realises her new friends are not what they seem. Both she and Mira must decide if the cost of change is worth it, or if Tiankawi should be left to drown."

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this debut fantasy novel from Eliza Chan. The first thing I have to touch on, however, is how absolutely gorgeous I think the cover for Fathomfolk is–it's truly a work of art! Fathomfolk takes place in a world where humans and fathomfolk live together in a very tense, fractious environment that has led to much unrest and poor living conditions for fathomfolk who have suffered as a result of the humans' actions. 

What I liked: I loved the setting of a semi-submerged city and all the different fathomfolk that inhabit this world, including sirens, kelpies, seawitches, and more. I thought the world-building was incredibly expansive and rich, with a lot of complexity to it that made it something I was constantly curious to learn more about. That being said, this also ended up being a bit of a con as well, which I'll get to later in this review. I also thought there was some well-written real-world commentary on topics such as social hierarchies, socioeconomic issues, privilege, and poverty. I appreciated that there were POVs from different characters in very different roles in this world, which added important varying perspectives and allowed readers to see different aspects of the world.

What I didn't like: As mentioned, the world-building was rich and complex, but unfortunately this at times ended up feeling as though the author just tried to do a bit too much in one book that wasn't quite big enough for it all. As much as I appreciated the differing POVs, I also felt that there were a bit too many characters to keep track of overall and I lost interest during certain POVs that just didn't grab my attention, which caused the pacing to feel a bit disjointed at times as well. I think this book had a lot of potential and it certainly is an impressive debut, but I often felt like there were just a few too many ideas thrown in at once and it could've been pared down a bit in places or expanded in others. 

Overall, this was a very promising debut and although I think this book could've used a bit more cohesion, I'd definitely be curious to read more set in this world or from this author as the creativity was really top notch. I've given Fathomfolk three stars. 


*I received a copy of Fathomfolk in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org


Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes & A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks by David Gibbins

   

 Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.


This week's upcoming book spotlights are:


Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes
Publication: April 9th, 2024
Tor Nightfire
Hardcover. 377 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"Space exploration can be lonely and isolating.

Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray has dedicated her life to the study and prevention of ERS—a space-based condition most famous for a case that resulted in the brutal murders of twenty-nine people. When she's assigned to a small exploration crew, she's eager to make a difference. But as they begin to establish residency on an abandoned planet, it becomes clear that crew is hiding something.

While Ophelia focuses on her new role, her crewmates are far more interested in investigating the eerie, ancient planet and unraveling the mystery behind the previous colonizer's hasty departure than opening up to her.

That is, until their pilot is discovered gruesomely murdered. Is this Ophelia’s worst nightmare starting—a wave of violence and mental deterioration from ERS? Or is it something more sinister? Terrified that history will repeat itself, Ophelia and the crew must work together to figure out what’s happening. But trust is hard to come by… and the crew isn’t the only one keeping secrets.
"

I'm excited for some new space horror! I also had a good time with Barnes' previous release Dead Silence, so I'm really looking forward to this one!


A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks by David Gibbins
Publication: April 2nd, 2024
St. Martin's Press
Hardcover. 304 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"F
rom renowned underwater archaeologist David Gibbins comes an exciting and rich narrative of human history told through the archaeological discoveries of twelve shipwrecks across time.

The Viking warship of King Cnut the Great. Henry VIII's the Mary Rose. Captain John Franklin's doomed HMS Terror. The SS Gairsoppa, destroyed by a Nazi U-boat in the Atlantic during World War II.

Since we first set sail on the open sea, ships and their wrecks have been an inevitable part of human history. Archaeologists have made spectacular discoveries excavating these sunken ships, their protective underwater cocoon keeping evidence of past civilizations preserved. Now, for the first time, world renowned maritime archeologist David Gibbins ties together the stories of some of the most significant shipwrecks in time to form a single overarching narrative of world history.

A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks is not just the story of those ships, the people who sailed on them, and the cargo and treasure they carried, but also the story of the spread of people, religion, and ideas around the world; it is a story of colonialism, migration, and the indominable human spirit that continues today. From the glittering Bronze Age, to the world of Caesar's Rome, through the era of the Vikings, to the exploration of the Arctic, Gibbins uses shipwrecks to tell all.
"

As someone who loves history and who likes reading about shipwrecks... this sounds pretty much right up my alley! Very curious to learn about some more historically important shipwrecks.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Review: Empire of the Damned (Empire of the Vampire #2) by Jay Kristoff


   

Empire of the Damned (Empire of the Vampire #2) by Jay Kristoff
St. Martin's Press (US)/Harper Voyager (UK)
Publication Date: March 12th, 2024
Hardcover. 756 pages.

About Empire of the Damned:

"Gabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost.

After turning his back on his silversaint brothers once and for all, Gabriel and the Grail set out to learn the truth of how Daysdeath might finally be undone.

But the last silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by children of the Forever King, drawn into wars and webs centuries in the weaving, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the truth of the Grail revealed.

A truth that may be too awful for any to imagine."

Empire of the Damned does not let up on the drama or intensity that Empire of the Vampire began. The Holy Grail has been saved, but the quest to determine their role in the ending of Daysdeath is now even more fraught with enemies and unknown obstacles.

I’ll admit that I haven't been enjoying this series as much as the Nevernight trilogy, but it’s still an undeniably solid vampire fantasy series with robust world-building, complex and charismatic characters, an ever-twisting plot, and a narrative full of wit and surprises. Kristoff also never fails to create an atmosphere that is dripping with intrigue and always hinting at a constant sense of darkness and uncertainty as to what’s next.

I can’t give too much of a summary of what’s happening in this book as spoilers abound everywhere, so detail will be kept as vague as possible throughout this review. That being said, we pick up not too far from where we left off with Gabriel imprisoned in one narrative and trying to figure out their next step in another. Kristoff also includes an incredibly helpful recap of the first book at the beginning of the book, something that I have loved seeing more often in fantasy series lately.

One of the most notable aspects of this book so far has been its narrative structure, which feature Gabriel recounting his experiences up until the present to the vampire scribe XX. While I like how much this framing structure effectively allows readers to dive deep into Gabriel’s mind and motivations, it sometimes feels a bit cumbersome due to the fact that a majority of the book is told within quotations. I’m not sure what an alternative would be, as I’m not a fan of italics, either, but it just feels a bit odd at times. Fortunately, Kristoff’s writing makes it easy enough to forget all the quotations and instead become immersed in his compelling dialogue and eloquent narrative style.

Gabriel remains a captivating character who is somehow effortlessly charismatic and stays somewhere in the morally ambiguous realm of character. He is incredibly stubborn and also has steadfast loyalty to those he cares about-loyalty to a fault, I’d say. He’s one of those characters that, although may occasionally annoy you, is impossible not to root for.

Empire of the Damned does also open perspectives a bit with the addition of one different POV that really adds to the world in a much-needed way. I was really glad that Kristoff decided to add this additional perspective, as it really enriched the world while also allowing readers to continue to follow characters that were not within Gabriel’s perspective on the journey.

The pacing of Empire of the Damned is on the slower side, and it’s not that the pacing or plot ever fully stops moving forward, but rather that there just doesn’t always feel like a lot is happening on the page. There’s a lot of discussion that takes place and hinders some of the forward plot movement, which actually fits the overarching pacing of the story well. With the slower pacing, we are able to learn more about the intricate vampire hierarchies, evolving relationships between characters, and the detailed lore and history of the different clans. Everything works together to consistently add depth to the world Kristoff has created, which really helped me feel immersed in my reading experience. 

Overall, I’ve given Empire of the Damned 4.5 stars! This is a solid sequel that builds in great ways upon the first book while also continuing to build up and set the stage for the next book. There’s something for everyone in this book, and I think fans of vampires, atmospheric storytelling, and dramatic tales of power, loyalty, and betrayal will have a great time with it.


*I received a copy of Empire of the Damned in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org


Friday, March 1, 2024

Month in Review: February 2024

 

February has been a busy month for me! It's been a bit of a slow blogging month for me as a result of the other business of the month, so I apologize for that, but I already have a number of reviews planned for March so hopefully things will be picking up!

In reading news, apparently fourteen is just the number of the year so far because I–shockingly–read fourteen books once again this month. I'm not going to complain about that at all! I read some wonderful books in February, such as The Tainted Cup and Stone Blind, both of which have become some favorites of mine. I also read the anti-war classic Johnny Got His Gun and thought it was truly thought-provoking, incredible, and frankly horrifying read that I heartily recommend to people, but with some warnings that it is a fairly intense subject matter. I also read my second Cormac McCarthy book, All the Pretty Horses, and... I didn't love it. I see why it's a classic, but it wasn't for me–I still think I'll try out Blood Meridian sometime, though, since I didn't hate The Road. Have a look below to check out some of the other books I read in February, as well as what else I posted on the blog!

How was your February?  Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!

   

# books read: 14
The Tainted Cup (Shadow of the Leviathan #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett 
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I absolutely loved this fantasy mystery and pretty much can't wait for the sequel (which won't be for a while, I know). 

Stone Blind
 by Natalie Naynes 

Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I've read so many Greek myth retellings lately that I keep thinking I'm burnt out on them, but then I start reading one like Natalie Haynes' Stone Blind and I can't help but forget that I'm tired of them–this was stunning, hilarious, and tragic all at the same time.

What Feasts at Night (Sworn Soldier #2) by T. Kingfisher ★.75
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I didn't love this one as much as I've loved some of T. Kingfisher's other books (including the first Sworn Soldier book), but this was still a solid, enjoyable read with some trademark Kingfisher wit. 

The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert 
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: Since I don't read a lot of YA these days, I'm always pleased when I come across one that I have a great time with, and this was one of those times. I really liked Albert's ability to create a tense, ominous atmosphere that really drew me in.

Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo 
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: This was a intense, difficult read, but such a worthwhile one. I really recommend it, but keep in mind it's a story about the effects of war so can be a lot to take in sometimes. 

The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss 
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I actually hadn't planned to read this until I decided to do a re-read of the Kingkiller Chronicles (which I plan to do once the third book is officially/finally announced), but my husband decided to read it and since we so rarely read the same books I thought it'd be fun to read it at the same time! I had a fun time with book, and it really reminded me how much I do love Rothfuss' writing.

The Bitter Crown (Eidyn #2) by Justin Lee Anderson 
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: This was a really great sequel! I didn't like this quite as much as the first book, but it was still a really excellent fantasy and I can't wait for the next book. 

The Broken Places by Blaine Daigle 
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was a horror that I picked up on a bit of a whim and I'm really glad I did because it was excellent!

Swim Home to the Vanished by Brendan Shay Basham 
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was another somewhat random pick and it ended up being a very interesting read. It was a little hard to follow at times and the pacing was a bit off, but overall I found it a worthwhile read. 

 Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai 
Source: | Format:
Thoughts: I read one of this author's books a year or so ago and was really captivated by her historical fiction that brought a lot of light to important topics, so when I came across this one I was really intrigued by the premise. This was another great historical fiction that once again was very informative and really shared some struggles that Vietnam has faced both during and since the war. 

House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City #3) by Sarah J. Maas 
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was definitely a book meant to start bridging some gaps and fill in information that has been built up to in the first two books. I'm not sure if it's been my favorite so far, but I still had a great time with it and enjoyed learning so much more about the world and lore. 

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy 
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: I really didn't care much for this one, I'm sorry to say. There were moments throughout the book that I enjoyed, but overall I just didn't care about what was happening.  I feel terrible saying that about a prize-winning classic, haha, but this one just wasn't for me. I didn't mind The Road, so I do plan to check out some of McCarthy's other work still. 


Under the Influence by Noella Crooks 
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a perfectly fine contemporary story about the current state of influencers and social media, but nothing about it was really that meaningful or stuck out to me. 

 Scarlet Angel (Mindf*ck) by S.T. Abby 
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: Somehow I've been drawn into this series and I'm pretty curious to see how it ends now. 

DNF/To-Be-Finished:
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless
There was nothing immediately wrong with this book, but I just wasn't finding myself overly invested in the story so decided to set it aside for the time being. 


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