the_midwest_library's reviews
733 reviews

What a beautiful memoir, I don't pick up a ton and when I do this is the type of story I want. The contents are raw and speak to systemic issues through the authors loved experiences with sexual assault, childhood assault and trauma that became the birth of a social movement. 

This was my Feb 2025 bookclub pick and I think a wonderful choice. 

This is a tough one to rate because it's so short, it feels as though we only spend a moment of time within the authors mind. This book is less than 100 pages and we follow a haunting tale as the author struggles with his own depression to the point of hospitalization. The writing is beautiful, and captivating. I think this was a really important read to really understand those who suffer from depression from a new perspective. 

Okay so I'm really loving the world and the characters in this series and I know we are in the begining but things are falling into place and I have a feeling books 4 on are going to HITTTTTTT 

This book would be a knockout if I loved battle sequences because there are some great ones, but personally I'm not really into battle sequences but honestly besides some funky dialogue (lol Philip told me it gets better and I trust him) I really loved this. I was surprised what characters I ended up enjoying in this one ...no one as much as Asher but there are some contenders for second place in my heart. 

Okay so, this isn't quite as strong as book 1 which I gave 4 stars, so I feel good at 3.5 here. But that doesn't mean I don't love the series so far. The characters are all fantastic and I'm enjoying each of their stories. The secrets we learn in this book added to the lore of the world.  However.....Phil....the dialogue plz. It's killing me hahaha but I know it gets better. Some of the dialogue sent me into orbit with how cliche it was. But these are still fabulous, and I'm excited for this series to find its footing because I've heard it only gets better!!! 

Gosh what an impactful book, short, powerful. I've also read Are Prisons Obsolete and loved that one as well. It's hard to really capture this book, it feels like something you have to experience. If you are at all interested in intersectionality, racism, social movements of reform then pick this up. 

My favourite quote in the book is when the author was asked about whether she still has hope for the future. Her reply "Optimism of the will. Pessimism of the intellect." And if that doesn't sum me up as a person idk what does. 

I want to preface this by saying, I am a BIG fan of the Empire of the Wolf trilogy, so much so that I lovingly pestered Mr. Swan into sending me a physical arc of Grave Empire (I started the pestering at Tyranny of Faith so hard work really does pay off 😜). So thank you to Orbit and Richard (we are pals now first names only hahah) for sending me this. While the arc was sent to me, I'm a hater to my core, so if I'm telling you it's 5 stars, truly you have to believe me, as I don't give out 5 star ratings lightly. 


What a way to open up this world, Nema's Hell truly it was brilliant. I immediately was drawn to our main cast of characters, especially Peter and Retana.  Peter's story, a simple one on its face: a soldier of some prestige found himself stationed at a remote outpost where strange things are happening. The woods are screaming, quite literally, and sightings of monsters are on everyone's mind. 

Retana is a political ambassador for a race of mer-people, representing the Sova Empire and her interests. While not quite a simple trip, it soon turns fraught with dark magic threatening the mortal world. 

The story is dark, creepy, and addictive. I'm not a horror reader, but I am a Grimdark fantasy lover and so this world is right up my alley. Check trigger warnings if you don't love the ookie spooky.  

I am a firm believer in publication order and so while not required, I do think your reading is only enhanced for the better if you read this series after Empire of the Wolf, as it takes place 200 years in the future and is directly set in the same world and as a direct result of things that occured in EotW. 

I'm really excited to see where this one goes. This book is not without flaws, I do think some of the larger plot concepts towards the end of the book with varying beings and otherworldly events and "things" were a scooch clunky. There was a moment where I was taken out of the book in the midst of a larger plot reveal/explanation due to the phrasing choices but I was pulled back in not two paragraphs later and was desperate for more. So for me, all is forgiven and now I demand book 2 😜

I was highly highly impressed with how this world expanded in such tangible ways. In HOLY SHIT ways, in WHAT AM I READING ways. Richard Swan thank you for writing these books for me and only for me, because I just eat them up 👀👀👀. 

Phil you silly sob, you really did the dang thing. And, guess what? I quite liked it!!!! 

Okay so, this is a series that imo has a lot to love, we have horny elves (Tolkien did not prepare me for that), a Nevernight x Hogwarts magical school, a brooding spicy sad boy (think Fitz mixed with Logan Nine Fingers), and a political system that is one spark away from going up in smoke. Oh, and dragons. 

The beginning of this book had me sat, I LOVED the whole front like third of this book, really nice setup and a plot that felt really unique while playing with some well known tropes. The middle was a bit slower but nothing I can't forgive and I thought the ending was really nice, setting us up for the rest of the world. 

Overall, I think this is a unique series, I can't quite decide if the series has truly found its footing yet, it's like I'm 80% of the way in the door but I just want someone to come along and yank me in so I can really get that last 20%. 

Let's see where this one takes me! 

I have been loving being back in this world, and I really loved the characters we got to see in this installment. 

Overall I do love the originally first law trilogy more than I have loved the standalones but I think it's just because I truly every day of my life miss Glokta hahaha maybe next year I'll dive into the Age of Madness trilogy and found out my First Law reading experience! 

Overall, what a great read. This book is essentially one large battle sequence broken up into varying events. While this is not what I am typically drawn to, in person Abercrombie fashion the characters are just oh so juicy. Some key players are back on the board in a big way causing chaos and sewing tomfoolery left and right. 

Overall I quite enjoyed this installment. Onto Red Country. 

Hm I'm torn on this one. 

On the one hand it's a somewhat beautiful book, on the other hand it's a 200 page list? 

There were some moments that felt special and introspective but overall I just couldn't find the point of it all. 

It's not a bad book, it's just....not a book I enjoyed.