pickAs a lover of Beauty and the Beast who was looking for stories similar to read, I found a new series to binge read in the Twisted Tales series because of this book (yes, I am aware it is the third book in the series and I started out of order 😹). And I‘m not sorry. #TwistedTales #AsOldAsTime #YouCantStopMe
pickJust finished last night. A retelling of the Daphne story she is a powerful female MC who is not swayed by the charms of Apollo, not intimidated by the seemingly insurmountable task of saving Olympus and not phased by the mistrust thrown her way for being an outsider in Sparta. Fast paced, emotional, and a satisfying character journey. #recentlyread #nospoilers #retelling #recommendsday
“I would have worn the crown of snakes, and it would have been the world to run away from me”
#JenniferSaint#GreekMythology#Arianna#AncientGreece
(2022) I expect I'll probably lose some sort of genre-fan credit by confessing that I've never understood the appeal of “The Fall of the House of Usher.“ I've read it a dozen times (it's short at least), each time hoping it will knock me over, but then don't get it all over again. So I'm pleased that T. Kingfisher has taken that cipher of a story and crafted something engaging, accessible and even creepy. Of this version, I'd read a sequel.
pickI am always up for an Arthur retelling, and this one is unique, starting out after Arthur's death. Yet it also harkens back to some of the older tales with its almost episodic structure.
It is anachronistic (plate armor in the 5th century, among other things), but at least the author acknowledges it in his closing note.
Overall, this was an interesting read, and I'd recommend it for anyone with a fondness for all things King Arthur.
so-soIf this book didn‘t bounce back and forth so much between verb/writing tense, I‘d give it a higher score. It seems erratic in the visions Elaine seas seeing versus the current storyline that weaved a tale of getting Arthur to king with the support of his wild love, Gwen, valiant confidante Lancelot and sister and protector, magical Morgana.
I haven‘t arranged my TBR shelves in any sort of organized way yet in my new house, so closing my eyes and grabbing something seems like a good plan 😆📚. Keeping #bookspin easy!
It's been getting more and more chilly here in Michigan, so I'm very happy to take advantage of a sunshine-y day with some reading in the garden! Tirzah Price's latest Austen mystery was slow to start for me, but then suddenly I found I'd read more than 200 pages all at once. 😂 Planning to finish out the day with the final third of a different take on Fanny Price and, let's face it, probably a cocktail at some point. Happy Saturday, friends!
pickFor this year‘s #AustenianAugust, I revisited Persuasuon (beautifully narrated on audio) paired with an inspired-by romance set in Toronto‘s Golden Crescent neighborhood.
Like the author‘s P&P retelling which I enjoyed a few years ago, this folded elements of Austen‘s classic (reunited lovers previously separated by questionable advice) into something new by adding the unique cultural pressures & coming-of-age woes of a modern Muslim woman.
so-soSmall Favors felt like warm autumn sunshine in the beginning which is an odd way to start a horror novel but I was all for it. Even with the idyllic setting I could feel the tension lurking in the woods. I loved it but then it seemed to drag in the middle. Then the ending disappointed me just a bit. I guessed the big reveal from the moment the character was introduced and the normally astute main character was oblivious.
