Scan barcode
turrean's reviews
2265 reviews
I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A worthy premise (three young people trying to escape their expected societal roles) and Beagle’s lovely writing made for an enjoyable read.
The dragons were fascinating; they seemed nearly to the end to be alien and unknowable. It made the scarcity of detail about Robert’s unexpected powers all the more irritating. I found the whimsy heavy-handed…sort of randomly sprinkled in, according to the recipe for high fantasies of the sort described as a “romp,” and which are invariably compared to The Princess Bride.
The female main character was irritating.Poor thing, she couldn’t help it, what with the beauty and the trembling and the tears and the foolish romantic daydreams. One scene in particular illustrated this. Cerise’s mother describes the expectations and burdens of marriage to a high lord or king, using terms such as: hostess, overseeing kitchens, supervising servants, playmate, lover, mother. All very much the traditional female role, though it’s clear both women in the conversation recognize this as actual hard work. There is never ever a single hint of the burden the princess will eventually carry as the sole heir to her father’s throne. But maybe that won’t matter since she’ll marry that nice dragon master? In a scene where the dragon-fighting team is facing certain death, the two male characters ponder fate and dream of rest, while the female character considers which of the male leads would be a more satisfactory romantic partner in the aftermath of the battle.
I think I would have been satisfied by the ending a mere decade ago. But no, not in 2024, not when there are more nuanced heroines in other novels, and stories which don’t rely on entrenched gender roles. It’s interesting to see the rise of the cozy fantasy has gone hand in hand with the rise of queer love stories; diverse casts; valiant (albeit reluctant) heroes of all genders; and older, more experienced characters. More of that, please.
The dragons were fascinating; they seemed nearly to the end to be alien and unknowable.
The female main character was irritating.
I think I would have been satisfied by the ending a mere decade ago. But no, not in 2024, not when there are more nuanced heroines in other novels, and stories which don’t rely on entrenched gender roles. It’s interesting to see the rise of the cozy fantasy has gone hand in hand with the rise of queer love stories; diverse casts; valiant (albeit reluctant) heroes of all genders; and older, more experienced characters. More of that, please.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Fire/Fire injury
The SpellShop by Sarah Beth Durst
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
Lots of good stuff here: a delightful setting; engaging characters; and a thoughtful narrative that explores the idea of coming home. Like the protagonist, I’m a librarian, and so I particularly enjoyed the attention the story pays to the value of books, good research skills, and the stubborn pursuit of slow, incremental improvement.
The pace of the story is uneven, with the late-breaking revelation of a triple threat (political, magical, and romantic) to Kiela’s newfound refuge. There’s a fun plot twist that almost immediately neutralizes the danger, so Kiela can return to the more important business of making jam, reading books, and falling in love.
The scale of the world is a bit suspect, too. Caltrey is supposed to be on the neglected outskirts of a greedy Empire—the amiable island folk apparently have zero knowledge of the world’s political realities—but is simultaneously within a day’s easy sailing from its capitol. The authority of a lone unsupported shipwrecked representative of the aristocracy is not questioned, even though it was clearly within the power of the oppressed populace to drop her quietly off a cliff somewhere.
The physical book has a lovely design, with purple-shaded pages and dreamy cover art. I’m glad I read a print copy of this one.
The pace of the story is uneven, with the late-breaking revelation of a triple threat (political, magical, and romantic) to Kiela’s newfound refuge. There’s a fun plot twist that almost immediately neutralizes the danger, so Kiela can return to the more important business of making jam, reading books, and falling in love.
The scale of the world is a bit suspect, too. Caltrey is supposed to be on the neglected outskirts of a greedy Empire—the amiable island folk apparently have zero knowledge of the world’s political realities—but is simultaneously within a day’s easy sailing from its capitol. The authority of a lone unsupported shipwrecked representative of the aristocracy is not questioned, even though it was clearly within the power of the oppressed populace to drop her quietly off a cliff somewhere.
The physical book has a lovely design, with purple-shaded pages and dreamy cover art. I’m glad I read a print copy of this one.
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.
Made it about half of the way through and skimmed the rest. The two main characters are very enjoyable, but the action dragged interminably in the middle. A few of my least favorite fantasy tropes were trotted out (lust at first sight, she’s not like other girls, traitor in our midst, the secret everyone knows, and of course…the heel of one of the stiletto boots I wear to the office gets stuck in a crack a few feet away from a ticking bomb but I’m too stupid to TAKE OFF THE BOOT.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, and Blood
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A thrill ride! Undead killers, death cults, a Mardi Gras-style citywide celebration, and a goddess who rebukes an overexcited petitioner for mansplaining: Dead Cat Tail Assassins has it all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Enlightening and entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Reynard's Tale: A Story of Love and Mischief by Ben Hatke
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Lyrical writing and delightful artwork. The story seems simple but has many layers. A gentle quirky humor pervades.
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell by Brandon Sanderson
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Fantastic, chilling novella. The story has some of the hallmarks of a western, with some solid links to Zorro and other masked crusaders.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A delight. Full of wryly humorous middle-aged characters, who unite to overthrow an evil that has come to threaten their community. The novel has everything. Doughty maidservants! The apparent reincarnation of Captain Wentworth from Persuasion! Gallant geese! The main character is quite colorless and drab to begin with (not her fault, poor thing) but makes quite satisfactory process over the course of the story. I thought the ending was rushed and side explanation about magical “layers“ was a bit glib. All in all, though, a superb retailing of The Goose Girl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Blood
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Complex, insightful, thoughtful. The story examines the ethical dilemmas of time travel, but (as in all good speculative fiction!) those are stand-ins for the decisions we face in “real” life. Or in this simulated approximation of real life, lol…
Bryony and Roses by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A very satisfying reworking of Beauty and the Beast, which rectifies several issues that, as an adult, I found most annoying in modern retellings. Support from your sisters! Hobbies to pass the time while enchanted! Wisdom with age!