DNF&Y [41]

 

DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I disliked about a book might be something you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! 

Heartless (Immortal Enemies, #1) by Gena Showalter

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Vengeance is irresistible…

Kaysar the Unhinged One, fae King of Midnight, can drive anyone to madness with his song. A ruthless warrior forged in hate, he lives to force his enemies to their knees. He will stop at nothing to succeed—even abduct and seduce his foe’s beloved bride, ensuring his own child one day sits on the male’s throne. Except, his prize escapes to the mortal realm before the first kiss, her heart transplanted into a mortal beauty with dangerous secrets…

Chantel “Cookie” Bardot is a professional gamer girl great at trash talking, bad at peopling. After a long awaited surgery, she begins to morph into a powerful fae princess. Catapulted into a strange land ruled by a cruel but seductive villain, she must battle flesh and blood monsters and navigate royal intrigues. But the true danger is Kaysar, whose every wicked touch tempts her beyond reason. Should she run…or descend into the darkness with him?

When I saw a book by Gena Showalter on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. Unfortunately, it was the second book in a series (really wish they'd listed that somewhere in the description), and after doing a little research realized it would be better if I read them in order. Luckily, my library had a physical copy of Heartless that I was able to snag. Sadly, this book was a major flop, and not at all what I expected from Showalter. 

For starters, both of the main characters were fucking psychopaths that needed therapy and possibly a padded room somewhere. Chantel "Cookie" said she was "murder curious" before ever leaving the human realm, and didn't really balk when she inevitably killed others. Kaysar's vengeance was understandable, if a little over-the-top. Although, I wasn't sure why the need to destroy his enemies overpowered his desire to search for his sister. Sure, one was more easily accessible than the other, but he seemed like a pretty motivated dude. 

Also, Cookie??? Do you have any idea how distracting it is to be reading about blood and gore only to have the character referred to as a snack? Every time I read the word "Cookie" it lessened the severity of the story. I think it was a poor choice in character names, and the one Kaysar eventually gives her isn't much better. Briar Rose? Seriously? It was unoriginal and unimaginative. I also have no idea if I'm pronouncing his name correctly, and stopped trying to sound out his last name entirely. 

The worldbuilding was lacking, the characters were dull and simple, and the story was repetitive and unnecessarily long. Additionally, the mental whiplash from the main characters was exhausting and exasperating in equal measure. Basically, it went like this:

Chantel: "You lied to me! I'll never forgive you!"

Kaysar: "I promise to do better."

Chantel: "Okay! One more chance."

Kaysar: *allows another truth to surface*

Chantel: "You lied to me! I'm leaving!"

Kaysar: "I will give you jewels! Also, I will do better."

Chantel: "Of course! You're sexy! One more chance, okay?"

Kaysar: "VENGEANCE SHALL BE MINE!"

Chantel: *gleefully murders everyone*

Kaysar: "You are perfection."

Chantel: "I think I want to go home now."

Kaysar: "MINE."

Chantel: "You're so hot when you're angry."

It was basically this for 200+ pages. There was no character growth, no exploration of the world, and just mind-numbing dialogue between two unhinged people. Chantel assumes she can navigate Kaysar's world because - get this - she played a VIDEO GAME that was similar. Killing in the game and killing in real life? Why would that be different? It was obnoxious. Her understanding of the world was limited, yet she thought she could just survive without too many problems. I got about halfway before calling it quits. (★★⋆☆☆)

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

🎧 Narrated by Eva Kaminsky

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A new love, a secret sister, and a summer she'll never forget.

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie … although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

The lack of communication in this book was slowly driving me insane. There were soooo many secrets and "missed opportunities" for honest conversations. And it wasn't just the kids . . . the adults were equally shady and evasive. At one point I actually wanted to SCREAM IN FRUSTRATION. That's when I knew I needed to stop trying to finish this book. It clearly wasn't working for me, and I'm not going to force myself to continue something I'm not enjoying.

The narrator was great, so bonus points for that. 

Unfortunately, everything else about the book made me cringe. The awkwardness between Abby and Leo, her reluctance to confront anyone about anything, and even the relationship between her and Savvy. Abby had so many opportunities to talk to Leo, Connie, her parents, Savvy, and yet she chose to avoid, avoid, and avoid some more. Every time I thought a conversation was inevitable, something would conveniently happen that kept her from being able to talk about it. I can excuse one or two "unexpected" disruptions, but it can't happen over and over again and still be believable. (★★☆☆☆)

Ice Planet Barbarians (Ice Planet Barbarians, #1) by Ruby Dixon

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Fall in love with the out-of-this-world romance between Georgie Carruthers, a human woman, and Vektal, an alien from another planet, in this expanded edition with bonus materials and an exclusive epilogue--in print only!

You'd think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you'd be wrong. Because now the aliens are having ship trouble, and they've left their cargo of human women--including me--on an ice planet.

We're not equipped for life in this desolate winter wasteland. Since I'm the unofficial leader, I head out into the snow to look for help.

I find help all right. A big blue horned alien introduces himself in a rather . . . startling way. Vektal says that I'm his mate, his chosen female--and that the reason his chest is purring is because of my presence. He'll help me and my people survive, but this poses a new problem.

If Vektal helps us survive, I'm not sure he's going to want to let me go.

I love that Ice Planet Barbarians is something Ruby Dixon initially wrote just for herself. It took years for this book to spiral into the success it is today, and it was totally unexpected. (The power of TikTok, right?) Dixon loved Science Fiction but wanted something more. She wanted something she couldn't find in the books that were already written, so she decided to create her own world and write her own story. All of this is in the author's note. She didn't write this book with the intention of it becoming a bestseller, she wrote it because it made her happy to have blue, pussy-eating aliens with ridged dicks who are led by their khui's and live on a desolate ice planet.

Vektal and his fellow Sa-khui are massive and fierce, but they're also insanely protective of their women and mates. I really liked their reverence for Georgie and the other human women, and how they treated them with the utmost care and respect (initial, non-consensual oral sex aside). And the purring! The idea of a khui resonating in someone's chest - a vibration that rumbled throughout their body - was one that always made me smile. I like when characters are "fated mates" and thought the physical manifestation of their connection was a nice addition to the story.

Does this book have a super deep plot with various fleshed out secondary characters? No. Is that what I expected when I picked up this book? Nope. Ice Planet Barbarians is exactly what I thought it would be: a smutty sci-fi romance with steamy sex scenes and a tolerable storyline. The story wasn't bad, but it's definitely not believable. You absolutely have to suspend your disbelief for this one to work, and certain aspects of the book were entirely too convenient (like how their language barrier was resolved). Did any of that detract from my overall enjoyment of the book? Not even a little. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ice Planet Barbarians, because I didn't go into it with any expectations other that hot alien sex.

I do dislike that the author changed part of her book because people found a certain aspect upsetting. She had her reasons for including it (she wanted to show how high the stakes were for Georgie and the others), but decided to remove the explicit details to make it more palatable. Dixon said she decided it didn't belong in the book, but she did originally publish it with the rape scene included, and it was there for years before being removed and only vaguely referred to. We all know what's happening even if the author only alludes to it. It's not like the act itself was removed from the book, just mentioned instead of outright explained. I wish the author hadn't changed her book because other people wanted her to, but I can also understand why she did it. (★★★★☆)

I plan on reading the next book in the series and want to thank Berkley Romance for the copies! I also want to thank Blissfully Bookish for the merch (picture originally posted on my Instagram).

State of the ARC [34]

 

State of the ARC is a monthly meme hosted by Avalinah at Avalinah's Books! It's an opportunity for readers to catch up on their long overdue ARCs, but right now I'm using it to keep up with my upcoming ARCs instead. It helps me stay organized! Edit: State of the ARC is currently being hosted by Sarah (All the Book Blog Names Are Taken) while Evelina is on hiatus.

At Least You Have Your Health by Madi Sinha (4/5)

The Sign for Home by Blair Fell (4/5)

This May End Badly by Samantha Markum (4/12)

Like a House on Fire by Lauren McBrayer (4/26)

Birds of California by Katie Cotugno (4/26)

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, #1) by Brandon Sanderson (5/3)

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston (5/3)

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (5/10)

Starry-Eyed Love (Spark House, #2) by Helena Hunting (5/10)

Dark Stars: New Tales of Darkest Horror by Various (5/22)

Primal Animals by Julia Lynn Rubin (5/24)

Desperately Seeking a Duchess (All the Duke's Sins, #2) by Christi Caldwell (5/24)

Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley (6/21)

Gilt by Jamie Brenner (6/21)

This Vicious Grace (The Last Finestra, #1) by Emily Thiede (6/28)

One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke (6/28)

A Shoe Story by Jane L. Rosen (6/28)

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (7/5)

Any Other Family by Eleanor Brown (7/12)

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher (7/12)

Some of It Was Real by Nan Fischer (7/26)

The Stars Between Us by Cristin Terrill (8/2)

Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon  (8/9)

Ruthless (Immortal Enemies, #2) by Gena Showalter (8/9)

Luck and Last Resorts (Love, Lists & Fancy Ships, #2) by Sarah Grunder Ruiz (8/9)

Hear Me by Kerry O'Malley Cerra (9/6)

The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe (9/13)

Neon Gods (Dark Olympus, #1) by Katee Robert🎧 Narrated by Zara Hampton-Brown & Alex Moorcock

Synopsis (via Goodreads): He was supposed to be a myth.
But from the moment I crossed the River Styx and fell under his dark spell... he was, quite simply, mine.

Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that’s ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city’s dark facade.

With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s bargain with a man she once believed a myth... a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed.

Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her—for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close…

A modern retelling of Hades and Persephone that’s as sinful as it is sweet.

Neon Gods was ridiculously spicy! I can't remember the last time I was so turned on by a book. Hades was mouthwateringly hot, and Persephone was his equal in every way. She might not have been familiar with his particular tastes at the start of the book, but she was an enthusiastic participant. She managed to seduce the "Boogeyman" simply by being herself around him, and he was all too happy to act out her darkest fantasies. 

Normally, a gruff and overprotective love interest irks me, but it really worked for this book. I enjoyed how Hades put Persephone's needs before his own, and how he would periodically pick her up and carry her around. He was doing it to keep her from hurting herself, and I adored him for it. He may have been growly and rough around the edges, but it was always about consent for him. He always checked on how she was doing, asked her if she was sure about certain things, and even made judgement calls based on how she was acting. If she seemed nervous or tense, he dropped everything and immediately changed their plans to something she'd be more comfortable with.

I loved that they actually discussed condoms, being tested, birth control, etc. It was very realistic and responsible. I also liked that the author chose to use normal words like pussy and clit. Normally, books go to great lengths to make a person's body parts sound like anything other than what they are. There was no "bundle of nerves" or "long, hard shaft," but characters simply naming parts of themselves. 

The narrators were fantastic! Although, Alex Moorock? Really? I have a hard time believing that's his real name, which means he chose it for this profession. Dork.

My one issue with this book was it's believability. I wanted more clarity about the world they lived in, and how their namesakes played a role in the story. Apparently, the thirteen all took positions that are reflective of the Greek Gods we're familiar with, which means they were other people entirely before climbing the social ladder in Olympus. If that's the case, who were they before becoming the elite force that rules the city? The legacy titles are inherited, but they too had to have other names before Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. Demeter wasn't always Demeter, so did she just conveniently have four daughters with the right names, or did Persephone and her sisters adopt new names when their mother moved up in the world? I really wish all of that had been explained a little more, and really think it would have helped my overall enjoyment of the book. 

Regardless, it's definitely a series I plan on continuing. I can't wait to see what Robert has in store for us next! (★★★★☆)

The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial daughter find a connection on the high seas in a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic.

Aboard the pirate ship Dove, Flora the girl takes on the identity of Florian the man to earn the respect and protection of the crew. For Flora, former starving urchin, the brutal life of a pirate is about survival: don’t trust, don’t stick out, and don’t feel. But on this voyage, as the pirates prepare to sell their unsuspecting passengers into slavery, Flora is drawn to the Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, who is en route to a dreaded arranged marriage with her own casket in tow. Flora doesn’t expect to be taken under Evelyn’s wing, and Evelyn doesn’t expect to find such a deep bond with the pirate Florian.

Soon the unlikely pair set in motion a wild escape that will free a captured mermaid (coveted for her blood, which causes men to have visions and lose memories) and involve the mysterious Pirate Supreme, an opportunistic witch, and the all-encompassing Sea itself.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I wanted to like this one more than I did, but the ARC felt too much like a rough draft and not something close to being finished. There were too many holes and unanswered questions, and not enough character development and plot. Evelyn and Flora/Florian (the two main characters) didn't grow or change throughout the book, and I was so disappointed by their lack of development (too one-dimensional for my liking).

We know Flora and her brother Alfie were orphaned as children, and Flora (I'm going to use Flora instead of Florian for the purpose of this review, just because it's easier. They were genderfluid and went by both names in the story. They changed their name depending on their circumstances and what they needed to do to survive.) Flora has very few memories of their parents, but I wish we knew how they ended up as orphans living on the street. I think it was a defining moment in their lives that the author just glossed over and only vaguely mentioned when it was necessary. They never knew their dad, but Flora remembers their mom hugging her and other warm memories. Why would her mom just up and leave them? Where did she go? It didn't make any sense. We needed more details and background information to really understand how their childhood shaped Flora and their actions.

As it stands, I didn't like Flora as a character. I'm all for morally gray characters in books, but there's still a line that shouldn't be crossed, if you want me to like the MC. For example, Flora has to kill to be accepted onto the Dove (happens right at the beginning), and to ask that of a child. . . it was wrong, but something I could have possibly gotten over if the conditions were right. Unfortunately, Flora looks the other way for YEARS while the ship they're on commits abhorrent atrocities. Not to mention the rape that was alluded to but never specifically confirmed. If you're going to include something as serious as rape, don't do it a disservice by brushing the harsh truths of it under the rug. They mentioned hearing someone's screams behind a locked door, and how no one did anything about it. They also spoke about another character having his way with the prisoners, but it felt wrong to minimize the impact of what was implied. More to the point, I can't support a character that looks the other way when children and innocent people are raped and sold into slavery to have only the gods know what happen to them. I don't care what their reasons are. 

I also didn't like that it was mentioned repeatedly, like the author wanted to make sure we understood what was happening behind those closed doors. It was loud and clear the first time they glazed over the details and essentially used the romance equivalent of fade-to-black. Also, it felt like the author wanted us to sympathize - or at least understand - Rake, but he was a monster. I had no interest in his POV and didn't really know why it was necessary. I understand needing to play a part, but was there not a single genuinely decent person in this book? Killing to survive is one thing, watching others suffer so you don't have to is another. 

As for Evelyn, she was too naive. She also wasn't very compassionate or considerate, even though I think that's how the author wanted to portray her. She left Keiko (her lady's maid, best friend, and sort of lover) without first making sure she'd be taken care of in her absence. She knew what kind of people of her parents were, and yet she did nothing to help her friend. Even when she went to write a letter, she "didn't know what to say," and it all just rubbed me the wrong way. Her basically forcing Florian into learning how to read was also frustrating. I get that it allowed them time to bond for the purposes of this book, but it was still obnoxious that Evelyn felt like she had to help him. 

Insta-love. 😐 It wasn't remotely believable, but somehow these two fell in love amidst the shitshow that was their lives. Lies? "No problem." Betrayal? "You're the one for me, babe!" It was cringe-worthy the way these two jumped from acquaintances to lovers. 

Evelyn's weird connection with the mermaid was never explained, which was really annoying. It was nice to her and seemed to care when she was around, but why? Additionally, her being able to figure out what mermaids ate when no one else has ever been able to . . . a little convenient. Did it propel the story? Yes. Did she immediately tell like 5 people what she discovered? You betcha. Why would she tell people how to keep a captured mermaid alive? Wouldn't that incentivize them to keep stealing and killing the mermaids???? Like, maybe keep that information a secret?

What about the magic? Surely that added something to the story . . . Wrong. It was poorly explained, and I have absolutely no idea how it works. The story aspect was interesting, but if you want me to suspend my disbelief you have to make it believable. There's a song that's mentioned at the start of the book that ends up being VERY IMPORTANT, but it's never mentioned again (in its entirety), and I honestly have no idea why it even mattered. Xenobia seemed to think it did, but I wish the author had explained why. I almost flipped back to look for the song, but then decided it wasn't worth the effort. 

I picked this book up back in 2020 when I received the ARC but stopped reading it when it didn't immediately capture my attention. I thought it was my mood, which ended up being partially true. I was invested enough this time to finish the book, but the ending left me feeling unsatisfied and more than a little annoyed. I really feel like The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea had the potential to be so much more than it was. It felt unfinished, like it was just the bones of the book. I heard there was going to be a sequel, and if it's from that person's POV (the person we see floating around at the end of this book), then I definitely don't want to read it. They were horrible. 

Absolutely love the cover though! (★★⋆☆☆)

House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis (via Goodreads): 

Bound by blood.

Tempted by desire.

Unleashed by destiny.

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.

Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.

As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.

With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new fantasy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas delves into the heartache of loss, the price of freedom—and the power of love.

I read House of Earth and Blood back in 2020 when it was released, but for some reason never got around to reviewing it. 😅 I recently reread the book in anticipation of House of Sky and Breath's release (which was good since I'd forgotten a few things about the story) and decided to review it now. Better late than never, right? Maas didn't disappoint with the first book in her Crescent City series, so I hope the second one isn't a letdown (looking at you, A Court of Silver Flames). 

I want to start by saying I noticed a lot of similarities (maybe references?) to ACOTAR during my reread that I failed to see when I read the book for the first time, but I'm going to save those comparisons for another post since I want this one to be spoiler-free. I could also be grasping at straws, but I think my thoughts have merit. I can't wait to share them with those of you who've read both series and see what your opinions are!

I absolutely loved Bryce and her no-nonsense attitude. Alphaholes has been added to my vocabulary and I plan on using the term often. Although, I do wish she gave certain people the benefit of the doubt, but I can see where she's coming from. Bryce has had a lot of bad experiences being half-human and half-fae, so her jaded attitude towards dominant males is understandable. Especially when one of those males is her father. I'm still unsure how I feel about him as a character - after his confession during the Summit - but still can't forgive his actions towards Bryce and even Ruhn. 

Maas destroyed me at the beginning of this book. I was wholly unprepared for what happened, and it took me a while to get over my initial shock. It wasn't any better during the reread, because I knew what was coming and that it was unavoidable. Although, it did make me appreciate those interactions and conversations more. Going into this book for a second time gave me a new appreciation for certain aspects of the story and allowed me to look for clues and threads that would be revealed later on in the book. 

Danika and the Pack of Devils are some of my favorite characters, regardless of how brief their interactions were. I really wish we'd gotten to see more of them throughout the book, but I can understand the importance of the story happening the way that it did. 

Sabine can go jump into a river and drown.

Hunt is Hunt. I adored him as a character, and my heart broke every time Micah Gave him another file. He wanted his freedom so badly and was even willing to sacrifice pieces of his soul to achieve it. I'm so happy he found Bryce and that they had each other to lean on, and I enjoyed seeing their friendship take shape. It made me happy to watch them go from acquaintances that were being forced to work together, to actual friends that depended on one another. She had his back and he had hers, and they would literally go to the ends of the earth if it meant helping each other.

The sexual tension in this book was palpable, and I'm disappointed Maas didn't let it go any further than it did. Bryce and Hunt were conveniently interrupted every time they started to act on their feelings. It was a little annoying by the end when I thought they'd FINALLY have their moment, only to be stopped before anything could really start. Don't even get me started on how House of Sky and Breath starts... Ridiculous. 

This book is PHENOMENAL. I never wanted to put it down, but once I got to Chapter 68 it was impossible to stop reading. The culmination of this story is just... WOW. There are no words to describe just how amazing the last part of House of Earth and Blood is. I don't know how Maas plans and builds her stories, but damn she's good (still ignoring you ACOSF).

There were a few inconsistencies that I wish someone had caught, but they're easy enough to overlook. For example, on page 225 Lehabah was "curling along Syrinx's side," but then on 226 she "flowed toward the distant shelves behind them," and then a few sentences later she's wrapping "Syrinx's tail around herself like a fur shawl."

Another example would be Bryce's choice of shoes. On page 249 she was walking, "her heels eating up the pavement," and on 251 she's running, "despite the flimsy flats she'd switched into at the gallery."

Hunt's eyes are yet another example. On page 346 Bryce comments: "He was close enough that she realized his eyes weren't black after all, but rather a shade of darkest brown." But every other time she mentions his eyes, they're black (even after this realization). On page 410 she thinks, "His face was flushed, and his eyes . . . Fucking Solas, his black eyes glittered, wholly fixed on her face."

These are small details that don't really affect the overall story, but I thought they were worth mentioning since they caught my eye. They didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the story or my love for its characters. Maas is really adept at fleshing out her secondary characters - even the ones I love to hate.

Lehabah, Syrinx, Aidas, Jesiba, June, Fury, Isaiah - all amazing, wonderful characters that I want to learn more about. Their roles range in importance throughout the book, but I think they're all vital to making this book one of the best I've ever read. However, I do wish Bryce's mother had been... warmer. She's so hostile - even towards Bryce sometimes - and it really grated on my nerves. She has a damn good reason to be protective of her daughter, but I still think she should have at least smiled and been happy around daughter every once in a while. She was almost Fae herself with that chip on her shoulder; the cold way she observed the world and everyone in it. 

House of Earth and Blood made me ugly cry numerous times, even during my reread. Maas likes to hit you where it hurts and then keep throwing punches. My poor, poor heart. If you haven't picked this one up yet, definitely give it a shot! It's worth it. Hopefully (!!!) Aidas is in the next book along with some answers. (★★★★★)

Stop reading if you haven't read the book! Small spoiler: How did Hunt and Viktoria get on the barge? I know Justinian painted his wings black to go unnoticed while flying, but he wouldn't have been able to carry the other two by himself. Since it was the Viper Queen's boat and there was nothing else in the water, how'd they get there?

Stop reading if you haven't read this book or A Court of Silver Flames! Another small spoiler: Additionally, why does Maas keep having her characters toss things into the water never to be seen or heard of again??? First, Cassian and his gift for Nesta and now Viktoria. 

Stop reading if you haven't read the book! Small spoiler: Speaking of leaving things... why did Bryce set the sword and her phone down? Both were on her person while she was fighting - the former on her back and the latter in her pocket - so it doesn't make sense that she'd leave them against a wall (especially considering how important the sword was). It's also incredibly frustrating that it wasn't mentioned again at the end of the book, yet Bryce comments on having to get a new phone. I feel like the Fendyr sword is a little more important. 

Stop reading if you haven't read the book! Small spoiler: Bryce gave up her eternal resting place for Danika, right? Danika then uses the last spark of her life to help Bryce make the Drop, so her essence is no longer in the Bone Quarter... does that mean Bryce gets her spot back? Or did they both just doom themselves to a nonexistence after death?

Mirror Girls by Kelly McWilliams [Blog Tour: Spotlight & Giveaway]

 

Halito! Welcome to the next stop on the Mirror Girls blog tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Thanks for stopping by today, and don't forget to check out the giveaway at the bottom! For the full tour schedule, please visit the Rockstar Book Tours website.

About The Book:
Title: MIRROR GIRLS
Author: Kelly McWilliams
Pub. Date: February 8, 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 320
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A thrilling gothic horror novel about biracial twin sisters separated at birth, perfect for fans of Lovecraft Country and The Vanishing Half

As infants, twin sisters Charlie Yates and Magnolia Heathwood were secretly separated after the brutal lynching of their parents, who died for loving across the color line. Now, at the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement, Charlie is a young Black organizer in Harlem, while white-passing Magnolia is the heiress to a cotton plantation in rural Georgia.

Magnolia knows nothing of her racial heritage, but secrets are hard to keep in a town haunted by the ghosts of its slave-holding past. When Magnolia finally learns the truth, her reflection mysteriously disappears from mirrors—the sign of a terrible curse. Meanwhile, in Harlem, Charlie's beloved grandmother falls ill. Her final wish is to be buried back home in Georgia—and, unbeknownst to Charlie, to see her long-lost granddaughter, Magnolia Heathwood, one last time. So Charlie travels into the Deep South, confronting the land of her worst nightmares—and Jim Crow segregation.

The sisters reunite as teenagers in the deeply haunted town of Eureka, Georgia, where ghosts linger centuries after their time and dangers lurk behind every mirror. They couldn’t be more different, but they will need each other to put the hauntings of the past to rest, to break the mirrors’ deadly curse—and to discover the meaning of sisterhood in a racially divided land.

Reviews:

"Steeped in atmosphere, equal parts ghost and sororal love story, McWilliams has written a pitch-perfect southern gothic thriller about race, family, and what it means to call a place home."―Christina Hammonds Reed, award-winning author of The Black Kids

"A moving story about sisterhood and perseverance in the face of a society that tells Black girls they are worthless."―Booklist

“MIRROR GIRLS is a spine-tingling, empowering look at justice and civil action that urges readers to be aware, to be true to themselves and to take action. As Magnolia observes, ‘As twin sisters, white and Black, we are a symbol of coming victory. A promise of change.’”―BookPage, starred review

"A spooky Southern gothic ghost story. "―BCCB

About Kelly McWilliams:

Kelly McWilliams is a mixed-race writer. She is the author of Doormat and Agnes at the End of the World. She lives in Seattle with her family.

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Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of MIRROR GIRLS, US Only.

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