A prequel set in the world of Ash, Huntress is the story of Kaede and Taisin and their quest to travel to the fae kingdom during a perilous time-- theA prequel set in the world of Ash, Huntress is the story of Kaede and Taisin and their quest to travel to the fae kingdom during a perilous time-- the crops are failing, strange creatures are rising out of the woods, and the future is unclear. The novel itself is a telling of one of Ash's favorite stories of the hunt in Ash, and it's fun to see the origins of it and how in the telling it changed (the novels are set some hundred years apart.)
Action packed and captivating, Kaede and Taisin, as well as prince Con and a small band of determined travelers journey through the kingdom to pay visit to the fae Queen, falling in love along the way. ...more
Ash is Malinda Lo's take on the fairy tale classic of Cinderella, and a rich and entertaining read. Ash makes for a ingenuous female protagonist-- resAsh is Malinda Lo's take on the fairy tale classic of Cinderella, and a rich and entertaining read. Ash makes for a ingenuous female protagonist-- resourceful, kind and lovely. The dashing prince, the ball, and the scheming stepmother with overbearing sisters are mostly side-dressing to the story of Ash coming into her own as a person, her belief and faith in the old ways of magic. I found the worldbuilding intriguing, especially with the conflict between the rise of science and the dismissal of magic, and the ethereal descriptions and imagery of the fae people were vivid and compelling.
Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, who is intriguing and captivating and she wants to spend as much time with her as possible, even though Ash's duties as a servant to her stepmother take her elsewhere. Ash strikes a deal with Sidhean, a fae who she develops a friendship with-- Ash's relationship with the fae is interesting, especially since various versions of Cinderella have the protagonist with some fae heritage (hence the small feet and the shoe trope!) but I loved the rich history of it, especially Ash's mother and her involvement with the fae, and how Ash mourning her mother's death (and accepting it) directly led to her own entanglement with the fae herself.
It's not everyday you find a book that has girl meet girl, girl makes a deal with the supernatural in order to dance with girl at a ball, and girl fights her way through the whole story for her own happy ending. Lovely book....more
A evocative telling of the relationship between Ben and Pete during World War II. Unlike most romance novels, this story starts out with an establisheA evocative telling of the relationship between Ben and Pete during World War II. Unlike most romance novels, this story starts out with an established relationship, so the main story is not about the anticipation of getting together, but instead a very rich and rewarding tell of their relationship development as the war unfolds around them. Letters and flashbacks and the promise of reunion make this novel a must-read for those aching for a slow burn. ...more
Set on a series of picturesque New England islands, Tides weaves together multiple narratives for a rich and compelling story. The teenage protagonistSet on a series of picturesque New England islands, Tides weaves together multiple narratives for a rich and compelling story. The teenage protagonists are likeable and their struggles are relatable, from the ambitious aspiring marine biologist Noah, and Mara facing her responsibilities as the future leader of her selkie pod. Cornwell brings to life a vivid portrayal of selkie mythology, and the romance between Gemm, Noah's grandmother, and selkie Maebh was a fantastic portrayal of elderly queer couples, especially a story that ended happily despite the difficulties they faced when they were young.
I would have loved to see more from Lo, Noah's younger sister, whose keen observation, art skills and empathy made her one of my favorite characters, and her struggles with eating disorders and self image were well written. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for seeing more of her in a sequel, perhaps!
Altogether the story's tone is captivating and the beautiful, haunting tone really places the reader on these islands among the waves and the magic. ...more
A devastatingly heartbreaking telling of the The Iliad, from a the point of view of a central yet often passed-over player in the events of the TrojanA devastatingly heartbreaking telling of the The Iliad, from a the point of view of a central yet often passed-over player in the events of the Trojan War; Patroclus, whose close relationship with Achilles has been long discussed by academics. Miller's Patroclus is a steady narrator, whose love for Achilles holds steady even as they take on the larger than life-- deities, clashing kings, and age-old prophecies. Miller also excels at bringing to life minor characters in The Iliad like the warm and intelligent Briseis, who in the original classic was nothing more than the mentioned trophy sex slave that Agamemnon and Achilles argued over. Here, she is multi-faceted and becomes a dear friend of Patroclus.
A lovely, layered story unfolding throughout time. Ethereal and enchanting, the novel is told in intersecting stories-- a mysterious tale told to You,A lovely, layered story unfolding throughout time. Ethereal and enchanting, the novel is told in intersecting stories-- a mysterious tale told to You, the reader from an unknown storyteller, painting a lush and descriptive image of the circus and all the wonders within, from the food to the performers to the events-- and the story of two fated rivals, locked in a fierce magical competition that only allows the survival of one winner. They fall in love. And finally, the story of Bailey, a boy whose destiny is intertwined with the circus.
