As expected from Holly Black, the narrative is evocative with a dark, mystical atmosphere. Not only is the fascinating world of Elfhame resurrected, but it is infused with new details and creatures that make it irresistible. I also enjoyed the rawness of Suran’s point of view, even though I would have loved to have Oak’s perspective too.
Fiction
Fiction book reviews
- Book reviews
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BLOOD AND MOONLIGHT by Erin Beaty
This cover is simply stunning! The beautiful central image of a woman wrapped in vines and flowers grabbed my attention and refused to let go. The additional details of buildings in the background allude to the story’s setting, while blood dripping down her fingers makes the design a bit ominous.
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QUEENIE by Candice Carty-Williams
The casual writing style infused with satire was a pleasant surprise that had me laughing numerous times despite the challenging storyline. Queenie’s first-person narrative also drew me in, and several flashbacks were skillfully used to strengthen the story. I especially loved the text messaging, emails and lists, which made the writing more engaging and creative.
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A MARVELLOUS LIGHT by Freya Marske
The rich writing style is filled with clever metaphors and descriptions that seem borderline excessive but help establish an entertaining magical world. In contrast, I found the narrative underwhelming and monotonous even though it seemed fitting for the historical setting.
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EXCUSE ME WHILE I UGLY CRY by Joya Goffney
The simple writing remains vivid, clear and engaging throughout. A casual, light-hearted tone is also established, making this book an easy read and enhancing the cute storyline.
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BLOODMARKED by Tracy Deonn
Between the Order, the powers and the war, I was once again stunned by the intricate and creative world Tracy Deonn creates. Not even the blocks of information used to deliver the worldbuilding or my slight confusion around the intricacies of the powers could detract from the incredible world.
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WHITE SMOKE by Tiffany D. Jackson
The clear writing style is delightfully haunting. A tense, creepy atmosphere is established from the start and maintained throughout the story. As strange events occur, the history behind these is gradually teased out, keeping the information easy to grasp and engaging.
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LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn
Told from Bree’s point of view, the rich narrative nicely captures everything she encounters and feels. Her gradual immersion into the secret, magical world alongside ours is perfect for gently establishing the complex world without the dreaded info dump. Not only is the worldbuilding filled with intricate lore, but it also touches on serious themes such as racism and slavery.
