Friday, April 4, 2025

Month in Review: March 2025

April has arrived, and just in time! Well, not in time for anything in particular, but I feel like March was a long and hard month. Not all bad, but just.. a lot. Hope you're all hanging in there with me!

In personal news... I'm still hunting on the job front, which is honestly always the most disheartening and demoralizing experience for me. I've also had some unexpected expenses come up which has been super fun and not stressful at all. It's also annoying when your hobbies (like aerial) cost money and you really just want to go to class, haha. I've also been dealing with some health stuff--nothing serious--that's been rather annoying, and trying to get anything done in our healthcare system is just a pain. One highlight was finally getting to make it to another metal show, though, and I got to see some bands I really love, so that actually brought me a lot of joy and peace and I'm extremely grateful I got to go. 

In reading news, I had a surprisingly strong reading month! March was a month where I really leaned into mood reading, and honestly it was really nice and made me miss when I predominantly mood read. Because of my mood reading, I also hopped around my reading, so there are a few books I started in March that I haven't quite finished, but I plan to do so in April so I've listed those below as well. I don't think I read any new favorites, but I still had a great time with my March reads. Some highlights include Joe Abercrombie's The Devils and Johanna van Veen's Blood on Her Tongue. I also finally got around to reading Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung and now I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner because it was so intriguing. 

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

# books read: 13

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I had so much fun with this, and I really loved what Abercrombie did with this story. I don't think I loved it as much as I thought, but it was still a fantastic book and I'm eager for a sequel.

Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: Johanna van Veen has come out of nowhere and blown me away with how truly eerie and unexpectedly gruesome this was, and I had a blast. Can't wait to read more from her! My review for this one is linked below. 

We Will Be Jaguars: A Memoir of My People by Nemonte Nenquimo ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I've read a lot of books about the Amazon rainforest and its inhabitants and I'm also eager to learn more, so I was really excited this new memoir from a member of the Waorani tribe in Ecuador in the Amazon rainforest. This dives into traditional ways of life for Nemonte Nenquimo, the fight to save the rainforest, and so much more. A really worthwhile and informative read!

Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I love whatever genre encompasses these types of completely 'what the fuck' short stories and thought this one had some real great hits. There were a few that didn't click with me, but Chung certainly knows how to fully commit to all sorts of crazy ideas and I'm totally here for it. 


As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner 
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: I think I would've liked this is there weren't fifteen perspectives. Fifteen. I just got tired. The writing was great, though. Maybe I'll try The Sound and the Fury because I don't think I've read that one?

Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: I've been meaning to read this one for years, so I'm glad I finally was able to since I hear people raving about it all the time. I think it was exactly what I expected based on what I've heard, and what a story! I don't think it's for everyone, but it really shows how strong Buehlman's range is. 

Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask by Anton Treuer ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I've enjoyed other work from Anton Treuer, so I thought I'd pick this one up because I think there's always more to learn, and that was correct! I managed to learn so much more from this book and think it's a book I'd highly recommend to anyone!

 Swordheart by T. Kingfisher ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: This wasn't my favorite of T. Kingfisher's work, but her trademark humor and wit was out in full force and made this a joy to read. 

Once Was Willem by M.R. Carey ★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: M.R. Carey never fails to deliver on creating some truly unique and immersive stories, and this was no exception. I really enjoyed my journey with Once-Was-Willem in this one.

Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I've follow C.G. Drews (aka PaperFury) for soo many years and this was the release from CG that I'd been waiting for! 

House of Frank by Kay Synclaire ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I somewhat picked this up on a whim and ended up really liking it! I had never heard of it and had no idea what to expect going in, but it ended up touching on some really important topics and had a great story.

Pay the Piper by Sarah Connell ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: This was a review request and it was a Pied Piper retelling, which was really entertaining! I'm seeing a few more Pied Piper retellings these days, which I think is awesome.

Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs by Rebecca Gransden ★★★★
Source: Author | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: This was another review collection and was a collection of short horror stories that was also pretty batshit at times. I had a great time!



To-Be-Finished:
I didn't have any DNFs this month, but I am in the middle of some books that I'm hoping to finish up in April. As mentioned, I did a lot of mood reading in March, so I kept picking up books and leaving others unfinished when I still planned to finish them. They are:

Let Only Red Flowers Bloom: Identity and Belonging in Xi Jinping's China by Emily Feng - This has been so fascinating so far!
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriela Garcia Marquez - This is both not at all what I expected and also exactly what I expected? I think I'm liking it, though!
The Great When by Alan Moore - Very classic Alan Moore style at times, but also feels like one of his most accessible prose novels so far. Really enjoying it!
Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi - This is such an interesting concept. Definitely has some noir vibes to it which is how it was described, and that's honestly not always my vibe, but I'm super intrigued by this one and the world Onyebuchi has created.
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Review: Pay the Piper: A Novella of Utter Speculation by Sarah Connell

Pay the Piper: A Novella of Utter Speculation by Sarah Connell
Publisher: Speculation Publications
Publication Date: April 1st, 2025
Paperback. 112 pages.

About Pay the Piper (from the publisher):

"In the dark days of plague and poverty, when the church rules with an iron fist, and knowledge is punished with fire, an orphaned girl stumbles upon a legacy of magic. Lucie has only ever known her small farm and the overprotective care of her brother, Tilo, until she learns of the Gathering. Run from the village of Hamelin by the tyrannical White Bishop, these exiles have been forced to live apart from their families. Lucie discovers that she and Tilo are part of this group, expelled from the village as the children of an accused witch.

The village of Hamelin is in trouble. Ragged children roam the streets, the poor and downtrodden struggle to fill their bellies, and the homes of the wealthy are infested with rats. A mysterious figure appears with an offer that is too good to be true; reunite the families torn asunder by accusations of witchcraft, provide a home for Lucie and her people, and the rats will be gone.

But this is a contract signed with blood, and for Lucie, the Mayor of Hamelin, and the White Bishop, the price may be too high."

I'm always up for a fairy tale retelling, especially when they are working with a slightly less popular story (at least currently in the mainstream fiction world) and bring it to life in new ways. I'm not quite as familiar with the Pied Piper tales as I am with other classic tales and I've actually been wanting to explore more versions of it, so I was thrilled when I was offered a chance to read Sarah Connell's Pay the Piper.  I loved the way this short tale wove history, myth, and enchantments into a cohesive and entertaining tale.

The story follows Lucie, an orphaned girl who has been living with her brother, Tilo at their small farm. One day she discovers that her brother has been meeting with The Gathering, a group of people who have been exiled due to their following of the old ways and accusations of witchcraft. The town of Hamelin is also dealing with an extensive rat problem, and a curious figure arrives and offers a solution to the town's problem... if the town agrees to cease the exiling of those accused of witchcraft. 

I really enjoyed Connell's writing in Pay the Piper and found it to be readily engaging and easy to read. It was descriptive, immersive, and very much captured the superstitious atmosphere that at times permeated the setting. It's clear from the author's note that Connell put extensive research into crafting the historical elements of the story, and I appreciated how much this really brought the story to life. The world felt completely rooted in its era and easily captured the mix of fear and folkloric elements of the story that matched the atmosphere.

Lucie is an excellent protagonist and I loved seeing her adapt to her new circumstances. Because she has inherited her mother's abilities and skills with her flute, we get to see her learn more about herself and her mother as she embraces and explores this new discovery. I really enjoyed learning about The Gathering and witches along with Lucie and found her attitude towards everything happening around her both relatable and admirable.

Pay the Piper is brief novella, but it felt like it was just the right length to feel complete--although I think there is also plenty of room for expansion if the occasion ever arose. I could easily see this tale and Lucie's story unfold into something longer and more complex. As it is, though, I think this shorter format worked excellently and the author balanced the setting, plot, character development, and related progressions in a thoughtful and successful manner.

If you enjoy fairy tales, historical fiction, a little bit of fantasy, or stories about the struggle to exist, then Pay the Piper is one you will want to add to your TBR. 

*I received a copy of Pay the Piper in exchange for an honest review. This has no affect on my opinions.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Esperance by Adam Oyebanji & The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

 

 Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

Esperance by Adam Oyebanji
Publication: May 20th, 2025
DAW
Hardcover. 432 pages.
Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:
"The history-bending speculative fiction from Adam Oyebanji, award-winning author of BRAKING DAY.

An impossible Detective Ethan Krol has been called to the scene of a baffling a man and his son, who appear to have been drowned in sea-water. But the nearest ocean is a thousand miles away.

An improbable Hollie Rogers doesn't want to ask too many questions of her new friend, Abi Eniola. Abi claims to be an ordinary woman from Nigeria, but her high-tech gadgets and extraordinary physical abilities suggest she's not telling the whole truth.

An incredible As Ethan's investigation begins to point towards Abi, Hollie's fears mount. For Abi is very much not who she seems. And it won't be long before Ethan and Hollie find themselves playing a part in a story that spans cultures, continents... and centuries.

An extraordinary speculative thriller about the scars left by the Atlantic slave-trade, by a master of the genre."

I am unbelievably intrigued by this one and cannot wait to have a chance to check it out. "A speculative thriller about the scars left by the Atlantic slave-trade"? Uh yeah, I'm in!

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
Publication: May 20th, 2025
Harper Voyager
Hardcover. 352 pages.
Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:
"From the nationally bestselling author of The Luminous Dead and The Death of Jane Lawrence, a transfixing, intensely atmospheric fever dream of medieval horror.

Aymar Castle has been under siege for six months. Food is running low and there has been no sign of rescue. But just as the survivors consider deliberately thinning their number, the castle stores are replenished. The sick are healed. And the divine figures of the Constant Lady and her Saints have arrived, despite the barricaded gates, offering succor in return for adoration.

Soon, the entire castle is under the sway of their saviors, partaking in intoxicating feasts of terrible origin. The war hero Ser Voyne gives her allegiance to the Constant Lady. Phosyne, a disorganized, paranoid nun-turned-sorceress, races to unravel the mystery of these new visitors and exonerate her experiments as their source. And in the bowels of the castle, a serving girl, Treila, is torn between her thirst for a secret vengeance against Voyne and the desperate need to escape from the horrors that are unfolding within Aymar’s walls.

As the castle descends into bacchanalian madness—forgetting the massed army beyond its walls in favor of hedonistic ecstasy—these three women are the only ones to still see their situation for what it is. But they are not immune from the temptations of the castle’s new masters… or each other; and their shifting alliances and entangled pasts bring violence to the surface. To save the castle, and themselves, will take a reimagining of who they are, and a reorganization of the very world itself.
"

How insanely good does this sound? I'm always a bit of a sucker for books like these that play with a sort of breaking down of norms. Caitlin Starling is a little hit or miss for me these days, but because The Luminous Deep remains a book I absolutely loved, I am always eager to check out everything she writes!

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Review: Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs by Rebecca Gransden

Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs by Rebecca Gransden
Publisher: Cardboard Wall Empire
Publication Date: October 30th, 2024
Ebook. 187 pages.

About Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs:

"Dangerous creatures, neglected kids and dejected employees face the weird, odd and perilous. Enter a world where possessed pageant girls get their revenge, a pigeon leads to an underground cult, and a video game mod threatens to unleash hell itself. Enjoy fourteen stories of spite, mischief, and malevolence!"

Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs is a raw, visceral collection of horror stories that offers a little something for a wide range of horror fans--especially those who enjoy the grotesque and slightly absurd. I am always up for a collection of chilling stories, so when Rebecca Gransden reached out to me about checking out her horror story collection, I was eager to take a look. The stories in this collection lean heavily into gore and body horror at times, so definitely keep that in mind before diving in if you're sensitive to graphic content. That being said, this was a highly compelling collection of stories that I think knows how to use all the different elements of horror in ways that make them shine through best, and I had a great time exploring the scenarios created by Rebecca Gransden.

One of the things that kept me most hooked on this collection was the sheer variety of stories in this collection. Each story feels distinct from one another, yet Gransden's writing style and atmospheric tone manages to tie them all together and effectively created a cohesive yet unpredictable reading experience. The imagination in these stories was incredibly high. The stories often start with seemingly innocuous premises (well, some of them, at least) before veering into some form of chaos and they often embrace a somewhat absurdist tone while still remaining sane enough for us readers to follow along. From my previous experiences reading more absurdist horror, I have found that they can often leave me as a reader feeling a bit lost and uncertain, but I found that these stories avoided by maintaining enough reality that I felt like I could consistently find my footing and instead immerse myself in these worlds.

The collection begins with "Turducken," a story that I think sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the collection. In this story, we follow a turducken (which, if you've not heard of a turducken before, is a  dish that contains turkey, duck, and chicken) as it breaks free from its intended destination (someone's oven) and embarks on a its own journey. I think this story really set the tone for what kind of ride the reader was in for, and after finishing the collection, I still think that's the case. It's the perfect introduction to the collection's 'anything goes' style. A few other standout stories for me included:

"Seeping Willow": This is a story  about a boy who eventually decides to reclaim control of his life after enduring abuse from his mother. This one was quite dark, but I appreciated its message and execution.

"Fuck It Cat and the Mod Hex From Hell": This one very much reminded of some horror films/stories I've read before, but it managed to take the idea and make it fresh and unique, and I really liked the occasional chaotic energy that seemed to run through it. I was constantly looking forward to seeing what would happen next.

"Happy Bunny": This was honestly just a wild ride that explored some really intriguing themes, and I easily understand why it became the titular story.

As with any collection, some stories worked better for me than others. The ones that didn't quite land tended to be ones where I felt slightly lost in the narrative or where the writing felt a bit jilted or convoluted. However, nothing ever fully pulled me out of the experience, and I found the collection engaging overall. And lastly, one small note for animal lovers: while there’s nothing too extreme, there were some moments involving animals that I was a little nervous about, so just something to keep in mind as well.

Overall, Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs is a thrilling and unpredictable horror collection that kept me entertained throughout. I'd love to see what Rebecca Gransden could with a longer form story, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her work.


*I received a copy of Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs in exchange for an honest review. This has no affect on my opinions.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Monday, March 31, 2025

Review: A Drop of Corruption (Shadow of the Leviathan #2) by Robert Jackson Bennett

A Drop of Corruption (Shadow of the Leviathan #2) by Robert Jackson Bennett
Publisher: Del Rey
Publication Date: April 1st, 2025
Hardcover. 480 pages.

About A Drop of Corruption (from the publisher):

"In the canton of Yarrowdale, at the very edge of the Empire’s reach, a Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air—vanishing from a room within a heavily guarded tower, its door and windows locked from the inside.

To solve the case, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial detective, the great Ana Dolabra. At her side, as always, is her bemused assistant Dinios Kol.

Ana soon discovers that they are investigating not a disappearance but a murder—and one of surpassing cunning, carried out by an opponent who can pass through warded doors like a ghost.

Worse still, the killer may be targeting the high-security compound known as the Shroud, where the Empire harvests fallen titans for the volatile magic found in their blood. Should it fall, the Empire itself will grind to a halt, robbed of the magic that allows its wheels of power to turn.

Din has seen his superior solve impossible cases before. But as the death toll grows and their quarry predicts each of Ana’s moves with uncanny foresight, he fears that she has at last met an enemy she can’t defeat."

Robert Jackson Bennett has done it again with A Drop of Corruption. I loved The Tainted Cup when I read it last year and have been positively dying to read the sequel.

I'll admit, I think I loved The Tainted Cup just the slightest bit more than this one, but I suspect that has more to do with it being my first introduction to this world and the characters that grabbed me so much.

In A Drop of Corruption, we have another mystery on our hands, and Din and his peculiar advisor, Ana, are on the case. I love watching these two work through an investigation, but I have to say that I love learning about this captivating world and the leviathans that inhabit it. This time, the duo are on the scene of a possible disappearance and/or murder. The suspect appears to be someone who is capable of making someone vanish without any evidence left behind whatsoever, even in fully that are on very high floors with only windows and long drops below.

I still really love Din's narrative voice. It's a bit dry at times, highly intelligent, and is full of sharp wit. His interactions with Ana add so much to both of their personalities and development, especially as we see them interact and discuss not just the case, but occasionally some more private, personal matters as well--though these conversations are of course much rarer. I also appreciated getting to know more about Din’s background in this book, though there’s still a bit of mystery left surrounding him. It's also been interesting to see his growing disillusionment with his job and how that adds some extra layers of complexity to his motivations and even ability to do his job. He wants to do something more, something different, and struggles at times to see whether what he's doing is helpful or worthwhile. I found this to be a particularly relatable concern, and I think it also really adds to a better overview of where Din is coming from.

We also learn more about Ana, though once again, we aren’t given everything just yet--but what we do learn in this book certainly makes me eager for much more. I keep waiting for Ana's intelligence to become annoying as we work our way through the story, for some reason Bennet manages to write her in a way that doesn't feel obnoxious. He leaves her feeling stumped or uncertain in plenty of moments, which made her still feel like a real person despite her seemingly enhanced abilities and odd traits.

My biggest issue with A Drop of Corruption is the pacing. It was quite slow at times, and I actually found myself struggling to get through parts--not because it was bad, but because it felt like we were stuck in repetitive motions. It lacked the page-turning elements that would have kept me reading more quickly. It felt like there was a lot of Din gathering information, reporting it to Ana (who is inevitably doing something weird, perplexing, and/or revolting), then Ana having some cryptic idea, Din then carrying out the idea the following day, and repeat. And while all of this is generally interesting, this cycle got a little old at times. I imagine that might be much of what it's like to be an investigator of sorts at times, but as a reader I expected slightly more riveting content sometimes.

I’d say the first half to two-thirds of this book had the slower pace I've described above, but once we got into the meaty developments--especially those involving the leviathans and broader world-building--things really pick up for me and I was once again captivated and remembered why I've been loving this series so much.

This world is so vivid and I tended to feel the same sense of unease or dread that Din does when he happens upon something horrifying or deeply unsettling. There's a thick atmosphere of things being not quite right in this setting, and it leaves me feeling--probably much like Din--eager to get out.

What keeps drawing me to this series is the underlying sense of something vast and much deeper and grander that's happening behind the scenes. I am dying to learn more about this world, the leviathans, and everything in between. There’s so much left to explore and so many mysteries and things that are left unsaid or secretive, and I can't wait to see how this story continues to unfold. If you enjoyed The Tainted Cup, I think you'll have a fantastic time diving back into this world! If you haven't yet started this series, what are you waiting for!?

*I received a copy of A Drop of Corruption in exchange for an honest review. This has no affect on my opinions.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Friday, March 28, 2025

Anticipated April 2025 Releases

  

April is right around the corner, and of course that means a brand new month of exciting new books coming out. April is shaping up to be a particularly jam-packed month and I'm really looking forward to a lot of these. I've already read a couple that have been incredible (make sure you add The Raven Scholar to your TBR!) and have high hopes for the rest. 

What April  releases are you most looking forward? Let me know below, and be sure to let me know if I missed any of your most anticipated releases on this list as well.
Happy reading!


A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett || April 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson || April 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Staircase in the Woods
by Chuck Wendig || April 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang || April 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy || April 22nd -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Whisper in the Wind by Luke Arnold || April 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Cold Eternity by S.A. Barnes || April 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Pretender by Jo Harkin || April 22nd -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker || April 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata || April 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin || April 22nd -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell || April 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau || April 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton || April 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Big Chief by Jon Hickey || April 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Heartwood by Amity Gaige || April 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh || April 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Cat Who Saved the Library by Sosuke Natsukawa || April 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools by Mary Annette Pember || April 22nd -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Golden Road by William Dalrymple || April 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Last Dynasty: Ancient Egypt from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra by Toby Wilkinson || April 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Hollow Half: A Memoir of Bodies and Borders by Sarah Aziza || April 22nd -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

A Billion Butterflies: A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory by Jagadish Shukla || April 22nd -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America by Michael Luo || April 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Lie that Binds Them by Matthew Ward || April 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Notes from a Regicide by Isaac Fellman || April 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Pay the Piper: A Novella of Utter Speculation by Sarah Connell || April 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Cut by C.J. Dotson || April 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah || April 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Enigma by RuNyx || April 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Bad Nature by Ariel Courage || April 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Audition by Katie Kilamura || April 8th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Forged for Destiny by Andrew Knighton || April 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

What are your anticipated April releases?