Just finished this and my mind is still absorbing the insane plot. Well written, totally engaged from the start, thinking this had to be a step up from my assumption that this was going to be a variant zombie story. And it was. To an extent. But it went down a messed up path that challenged my level of mental wanderings about what humans know and what we think we know…what we hope for and what we dread. Hunting for more Lucy Snyder novels.

I read this book as part of my tutoring role. I cannot express enough how much I wish this could be required reading in all schools, no less many adults here in America. It is a beautifully written but heart wrenching story of one boy‘s journey while living in Sudan in the 1980‘s. The theme here is hope; one day at a time, never quit. It‘s also a gentle reminder of the impact we have on the world and each other.

OMG GO BUY THIS BOOK AND BE PREPARED TO READ IT IN ONE SITTING. *ahem*….sorry, but it‘s really really good! Well developed and characters with their own agendas, a bit reminiscent of The Witcher.

Can‘t believe I forgot to add this to my list! I‘ve always been a huge fan of Greek mythology, and have thoroughly enjoyed the retelling of many stories from a female perspective. This book is written by Natalie Haynes; English writer, broadcaster, classicist, and comedian - she is frakking brilliant and cannot write books fast enough to sate my appetite! Even more, listen to her podcast, Natalie Haynes Stands Up For the Classics.

It seemed like a light read, but as a Maddow fan I thought I‘d give it a try. What a wonderful surprise! The author did an excellent job of addressing the serious struggles and traumas teens can go through via a school assignment. It really doesn‘t matter if you‘re a Maddow fan or not, this book will remind you what it‘s like to be a teen. Adults should read this and remember that teens today are no different from their own teenage years.

This is a a beautifully written book about the gray lines between heaven and hell, as well as what it means to be someone with a story to tell. The author‘s style of writing is spot on, keeping the pace moving with a perfect mix of humor, heartache, action and tears. Highly recommend!

After Paradise-1 I decided to go back to classic Wellington and chose this book because it‘s one I‘ve not read. Not a huge werewolf fan, but loved every bit of this book. THIS is the storyteller, the style I love.

Yep. Now I‘m a HUGE Kuang fan. Character development and storytelling style has made me an instant fan. I‘m usually a fairly fast reader, but I took my sweet time with this one to absorb so many thought provoking topics. Looking forward to Yellow Face and her Poppy Wars trilogy. Very well done. 👍🏼👍🏼

As a long time David Wellington fan, not only was this my least favorite book, but I was incredibly annoyed to end the book with “to be continued.” Storyline was mostly rock solid, most of the characters were spot on, but the AI, Rapscallion, and Petrova‘s mother were so elementary compared to his usual character development. I‘ll read the sequel, but I‘ll get it from the library.

This book was a wonderful read, albeit it difficult and heartbreaking in so many ways. I loved the ending; perseverance is strength. Reading it as part of my Read Harder 2023 Challenge, it helped to “hear” the voice of a community so often belittled and targeted for simply being true to themselves.

Getting a jump start on the Read Harder 2023 Challenge with a children‘s book. 🙃 It was cute, not unlike so many other Children‘s books. Politically funny, depending on your world views. Think I‘m gonna start calling people stink bugs if they‘re that hardcore hateful. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The Bone Witch, The Heart Forger, & The Shadow Glass; what a brilliantly written and framed trilogy! The closest I can relate this to is The Witcher series, full of everything you‘re looking for in an excellent read. The Bone Witch is a bit slower than the other two, but worth the back story. My greatest hope is that the author gets her due and this becomes a highly rated television series or movie trilogy that draws even more fans to the series.

He looked at me for a moment, then smiled. “She‘ll forgive you eventually, you know. And she‘ll be very suspicious of why she‘s done it. And she‘ll be right. Won‘t she?”
—Imago

“But if everyone is onstage, who‘s in the audience?”
#BetterThanDexter

Caroline Kepnes, you brilliant scamp, I‘m disturbed by your ability to write a book in which I don‘t like any of the characters and yet I can‘t stop reading. Brilliant.

“Well, that‘s the nice thing about trees. They‘re not going anywhere. You can take all the time you need to get to know them.”

Just buy it and learn things that will blow your mind!

Beautifully framed retelling of one of psychology‘s favorite Greek mythologies. 👍🏼👍🏼

If you‘re a Buffy fan, this is a must read! It doesn‘t just take you back through the television series, but it brings about the relevance of what‘s current in news and culture. Brilliantly done!

Discovered this series back in the 90‘s, always loved the series and themes. The books are better than the poorly edited ebook versions (how does that even happen??). Unfortunately, finding the paper version is almost impossible these days. If you do find it and enjoy a different take on vampires, BUY IT.

“So, the paradox is that the ecosystem as a whole needs its participants to act with restraint in order to avoid collapse, but the participants themselves have no inbuilt mechanism to encourage such behavior.”

“She wasn‘t under any obligation to be polite to someone who thought she was his next victim.”

“I don't get why a person's smile is considered attractive. When someone smiles, they're showing their skeleton.”

“So she should not wish to undo the past but learn to accepts its consequences, and remember that not all consequences were evil.”

“There was comfort in ignorance, in thinking the world a certain way and not knowing any different.”

“You want to see a very bad man? Make an ordinary man successful beyond his imagination. Let‘s see how good he is when he can do whatever he wants.”

“…her voice finds my tongue and makes it her own.”

“Ah, we‘re slow learners,” Nanny countered, “but they (men) can‘t learn at all.”

"I love rules and I love following them; unless that rule is stupid."

Secrets are like flowers buried under snow. Eventually they rise up and push through into the light.