SAPPHIC! VAMPIRES! 1920S SINGAPORE! If that doesn't make you want to read this book then I'm sorry, but you have no taste. No, but you should read thiSAPPHIC! VAMPIRES! 1920S SINGAPORE! If that doesn't make you want to read this book then I'm sorry, but you have no taste. No, but you should read this book if you like any of the mentioned things, plus gothic horror and villains who do NOT get redemption arcs.
This book starts off nice enough, with a girl who got a good job with an eccentric boss/mistress who may or may not turn out to be a vampire. Things are fine and dandy, but there are strange happenings going on in the background.
Gradually, the story gets darker and darker and then steps into straight up unhinged territory. I love it. With that said, do check out the content warnings before starting, since some scenes may be disturbing.
I don't remember the last time I read a book that had a "choose your own" ending, which is one of the many many things that drew me to this book. And you do get to choose.
Usually with love triangles I have a favourite and the main character chooses the wrong person just about every time, so for me to have a choice and to be able to pick who I like better is just so wonderful.
I read both endings and I like one of them more than the other. One is a happier ending, the other one bittersweet. There's also a secret third ending if you sign up for the author's newsletter and I was actually expecting something like that, and I'm intrigued to see it.
Also, can we talk about that cover??? Because wow. It represents the book perfectly.
Please read The Wicked and the Willing friends, you won't regret it.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*...more
BETH DID NOTHING WRONG!!!! SAY IT WITH ME!!!! SHE! DID! NOTHING! WRONG!
I really had a blast listening to this book from start to finish. The atmospheBETH DID NOTHING WRONG!!!! SAY IT WITH ME!!!! SHE! DID! NOTHING! WRONG!
I really had a blast listening to this book from start to finish. The atmosphere was properly spooky, and the setting easy to imagine. I loved both Beth and Shea, but I think Shea's PoVs were a bit more entertaining.
I was not expecting this to have paranormal elements, so I was pleasantly surprised when it happened. Personally, I think a dash of paranormal makes everything better.
Also the narrators did a fantastic job, I'd listen to something narrated by them again. Actually, I started a book narrated by one of them right after this, not on purpose, it was just next in line, but funny how that happens.
The only thing I didn't really like here is the ending, I don't think it was fitting. I may not choose to ignore it and make up my own ending. But for that, it's rounded down on the 4.5 scale instead of up....more
I really did not care for this book until the last 40 pages or so. I don't know what it was trying to do here, so if someone can enlighten me I'd be vI really did not care for this book until the last 40 pages or so. I don't know what it was trying to do here, so if someone can enlighten me I'd be very much obliged.
This book was recommended to me by a twitter friend through that "12 months, 12 books recommended by 12 friendYou know what? I'm dnfing, I don't care.
This book was recommended to me by a twitter friend through that "12 months, 12 books recommended by 12 friends" thing and I'm sorry, but I gotta dnf.
It's not just because of the rape scene OF A CHILD at the start, but mainly because of that. It happens literally as soon as you open the book, and it doesn't give you any time to recover from it.
Aside from that, I kept trying to like it or to care about what's happening with the characters, but I just couldn't. So I'm saving my sanity....more
Not bad, could've been better. I kinda wish that demon twist didn't happen, but not everything can be that easy.Not bad, could've been better. I kinda wish that demon twist didn't happen, but not everything can be that easy....more
The art is pretty and that's about it. The story is basically what we already know, so nothing new. I'd like a full series about Madam Satan though.The art is pretty and that's about it. The story is basically what we already know, so nothing new. I'd like a full series about Madam Satan though....more
I'm starting to believe that with every issue of this comic, the creators asked themselves "how can we make this darker?" and then they do. I'm here fI'm starting to believe that with every issue of this comic, the creators asked themselves "how can we make this darker?" and then they do. I'm here for it though.
This issue is Edward's origin story. Yet again, I'm glad they tackled this because the show didn't. Edward wasn't a saint there either, but here we see just how bad a boy he really was....more
In the sixth issue we learn how Salem became a familiar and how Ambrose's cobras did too.
I did like this, but it was just alright. I'm glad we got an In the sixth issue we learn how Salem became a familiar and how Ambrose's cobras did too.
I did like this, but it was just alright. I'm glad we got an origin story for Salem though, because the show doesn't explore that as far as I remember....more
Sabrina's trial is happening and she receives help from an unlikely place.
I love that Betty and Veronica are witches now. I thought it was them in thaSabrina's trial is happening and she receives help from an unlikely place.
I love that Betty and Veronica are witches now. I thought it was them in that very first scene a few issues ago, and then I was like "no it can't be them" but it was!
And a very special someone is back. Now that twist, I like.
In this issue, Sabrina is getting ready for her Dark Baptism and Madam Satan is scheming in the background.
It was alright and the first of three that In this issue, Sabrina is getting ready for her Dark Baptism and Madam Satan is scheming in the background.
It was alright and the first of three that felt short to me.
But can we talk about Harvey for a second? I hate him. He's a lot better in the show, but so annoying here. What gives Harvey? Bleh.
There's also an older appearance of Madam Satan at the end, her very first mission. She's beautiful in every version, and the actress they chose for the show matches both the old and new versions really well....more
This was even better than the first one. We learn more about Madam Satan and I can't help loving her already. And I'm definitely going to steal her ouThis was even better than the first one. We learn more about Madam Satan and I can't help loving her already. And I'm definitely going to steal her outfit from the end, it's so fetch....more
I've seen most of the tv show (except the last season) and this is both like it and not.
The first issue is a prequel to Sabrina's life before she wasI've seen most of the tv show (except the last season) and this is both like it and not.
The first issue is a prequel to Sabrina's life before she was a teenager. It shows what happened to her parents and how she met the infamous Harvey Kinkle.
It was cute, and dark too, of course, but still fun. The art style is good, although not my favourite.
At the end there's Sabrina's original appearance in the comics which is so different from this version. I've seen it before, although I haven't read it, and I tend to prefer her appearance then to now. And the story was more innocent then also, but I don't mind that it's darker now.
One of the best YA slashes I've read, everything was so good!! It's a really fast read, but enough time was taken to develop the town, story and charaOne of the best YA slashes I've read, everything was so good!! It's a really fast read, but enough time was taken to develop the town, story and characters.
My favourite was definitely Rust though, I liked him from his first appearance and hoped he'd have more page time. (view spoiler)[I also shipped him with Quinn which was silly in retrospect, but at the time they seemed like they'd be good together. (hide spoiler)]
I adored Quinn as well, her relationship with her dad, and the way she took charge and wasn't afraid to fight back when it counted.
I didn't predict anything, I was vaguely suspicious of one character, but I truly had no idea who was behind it all. That whole thing was pretty clever too, (view spoiler)[young vs old people, I mean (hide spoiler)]. I kept being surprised at every subsequent reveal, and the vibes were immaculate.
The one thing that kinda came out of nowhere was (view spoiler)[Rust & Cole's relationship, the only time we see them interacting was at the party and my spidey sense didn't go off, I really thought they used to be friends and now weren't, nothing deeper. I might have to go back and reread that part to see if I missed something (hide spoiler)].
I'm glad I managed to read this before seeing the movie, it was a lot better. If you are planning on seeing it, please read this first, because the movie removed a lot of the backstory, and changed Quinn's personality (and her dad's too). ...more
I don't tend to read apocalyptic books often, but when I do, I really know how to pick 'em! I absolutely loved this, it was clear to me from the beginI don't tend to read apocalyptic books often, but when I do, I really know how to pick 'em! I absolutely loved this, it was clear to me from the beginning that I'd, at the very least, like it.
Billy Merasty's narration blew me away, his pronunciation and tone was just *chef's kiss*, one of the best audiobook casts I've ever seen. I'm glad he also narrates book two, I know it'll be a joy to listen to.
Everything worked for me here, the length, the story, the characters, the writing style, the Anishinaabe culture woven in, the pacing...yes, it's a slightly slower novel where not a lot of action happens, but everything else makes up for it.
I didn't even mind that we never learned what *actually* happened out there to make all the technology die, I'm just rolling with it, I don't have to know.
This was also the perfect wintery read, I highly recommend you read this as you watch the snow fall outside! Ours has unfortunately melted, but I'm hoping for some more next year.
Anyway, this book has been on my tbr since 2021, (I think it was a bit longer, but I only added it then) and I'm super glad I finally gave it a listen, I was seriously missing out! If you haven't read it yet, this is your sign, friends. ...more
This was ridiculous and I loved every minute of it.
My introduction into the world of Preacher started with the tv show. Said show is a bit of an...acqThis was ridiculous and I loved every minute of it.
My introduction into the world of Preacher started with the tv show. Said show is a bit of an...acquired taste. It took me four tries to get into it and I'm still not done.
The comic's been in the back of my mind for a few years now (right around the time I stated the show the first time), and it was about time I saw what it was all about.
And now I'm glad I also watched the show. It helped me to know who's who and why they're important.
But, the comic is better overall, and a lot crazier. It's hard to explain why it's amazing so you'll have to read it to find out....more
Heather Evans is a former journalist who lost her job under odd circumstances. Her mother's just committed suicide and Heather makes her way to the hoHeather Evans is a former journalist who lost her job under odd circumstances. Her mother's just committed suicide and Heather makes her way to the house to sort through things and make funeral arrangements.
Having left home at sixteen, Heather was a bit estranged from her mother, but she has no idea just how much information about her mother's life will come to the surface when she finds a box of letters, addressed to her mother from Michael Reave, a notorious serial killer.
It's now up to Heather to find out how her mother came to know such a man, and how deep the connection really goes...before it's too late.
This is an extremely captivating book. In part I think it's due to the horror elements. They had my brain working at full speed, wondering if there would be a supernatural twist to the story or not.
I had trouble stopping to eat and, you know, breathe because I was having too much fun reading. This book scared me, not many do. This is a very good thing.
The atmosphere is phenomenal and I found myself snapping out of thinking I'm actually in a deep dark forest about to be stalked and killed by unknown creatures.
It's fairly short, but feels longer. It might be that the words are close together so there's more of them overall? I don't know. I didn't mind.
I was not expecting to love this as much as I do and yet here we are. I'm still in awe.
The story was perfectly spooky and I kept getting annoyed at the small crumbs we were given because that was not fair. I need to know everything, and I need to know it now!!!
It came together nicely at the end. I guessed one of the plot twists early on, but it didn't make me enjoy the story any less.
Let's talk about the characters now.
Heather, while perfectly capable of defending herself, did make some stupid decisions. Like not calling the police each time after she found something amiss in her home. Someone's seemingly been inside and you just ignore it? Really Heather? Really?
Despite that, she's a good heroine. She's brave and willing to risk herself to save her friends. I like her.
Michael is another story. I wasn't sure if he was guilty or not until the end, even with the strong evidence against him. I was so convinced that there had to be something huge behind his innocence/guilt and in a way I was let down.
Colleen is one character I started off disliking and felt bad for by the end when everything she endured becomes clear. We only see her from Heather's perspective so it's nice to get different views too.
I still have some unanswered questions. One is about the forest creatures. We didn't learn enough about what's really out there. And the other is this big event that everything's been building up to. Why does it happen *NOW*, specifically? Why is that date/time special? Did I miss that somewhere?
Ok finally now, for those of you who may have scrolled to the bottom to see if the book is worth reading, YES. It definitely is. And it's worth rereading too.
*Huge thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*...more
“Some people are repelled by darkness. Others are drawn to it, to the static crackle of power in a place. To the hum of magic, or the presence of the “Some people are repelled by darkness. Others are drawn to it, to the static crackle of power in a place. To the hum of magic, or the presence of the dead . They can see these forces staining the world like ink in water.”
The best word I can use to describe Gallant is wow.
My first book by Schwab was Vicious which was a masterpiece, then I read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue which I didn't like, and I wondered where this book would fall on the scale. As if it wasn't clear by my rating, Gallant is closer to Vicious in brilliance, and a stunning work in its own right.
I was immediately captivated by the author's writing style, which never fails, and the ease with which she draws you into a completely new world, while making you care about the characters.
Olivia is a girl who can't speak, stuck in a school full of gray, until a letter disrupts her daily routine and she's summoned to a mansion called Gallant, which finally brings some colour into her life.
But Gallant is not just a house, it's more than one, and has secrets of its own. Secrets, that Olivia is determined unearthe, no matter what it takes.
Again, WOW. The less you know about this, the better, so that you can discover things as Olivia does.
I love Olivia. She's unique, but not in a tropey way, and I really felt for her. She goes from a scared little mouse to a very brave girl over the course of the book.
And of course I love Hannah, Edgar and Matthew too, even Death.
There's also this special way that certain characters use to communicate with each other that's based on something creative which is so endearing. And the subtle love story in the background is beautiful.
In short, I love everything about this and so will you. So READ THIS BOOK, IT'S AMAZING, I PROMISE.
*Huge thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*...more
Well, this was fun, somewhat scary too, although I already know the events. It's exactly as you'd expect, the movie but expanded. If you watch the movWell, this was fun, somewhat scary too, although I already know the events. It's exactly as you'd expect, the movie but expanded. If you watch the movie instead of reading this you won't miss that much though....more