Highly Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Mythology and Lore Mixed with Action

Revisado: 05-17-24

FATHOMFOLK is a beautifully written tale with lore, duplicity, water dragons, and societal prejudice. Chan opens the door to a fantastical world where humans and mythological water creatures, fathomfolk, live together in Tiankawi, though not always in harmony.

This is the first novel in the Drowned World series. So, with that, there has to be set-up. As a reader, I want to be introduced to some of the main players and get the lay of the land. I want to learn about who and what the characters are in the context of the lore. In my opinion, Chan excelled at doing this. Everything came together in a seamless narrative—the characters, the exploration of Tiankawi, the social issues being addressed, and how the author wove in mythology/folk tales.

From the opening up until the end, I was captivated by this story. It brought in all the elements a fantasy reader could possibly want and still had time to infuse it with classism and racism. However, I will say that even though the more weighty issues are present, it doesn’t take away from the whimsy, action, and heart within these pages. FATHOMFOLK is just the beginning. And I cannot wait for more.

Audiobook Note: Emily Woo Zeller did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life. Her pace was right on point and the way the book flowed with her narration was very enjoyable.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The perfect mix of small-town quirkiness & mystery

Revisado: 06-22-20

Oh, how I love a good cozy mystery. In the first book of the Bookbinding Mystery series, Kincaid gifts her readers with a positively addictive read. From the beginning of TO KILL A MOCKING GIRL, I was instantly invested in Quinn, her parents, and Sister Daria. Then you throw into the mix a murder you know Quinn is going to stick her nose into, a dog that seems to be on the case with her, and all the quirkiness of a small-town. What more can you ask for?

What made this book even better is that the author’s writing just flows from one scene to the next. As the momentum builds within the investigation, so does the story. She manages to give weight to the more serious parts while still sprinkling the dialog with humor and sass. So good!

TO KILL A MOCKING GIRL was incredibly wonderful. Just the right amount of everything. I cannot wait to take my next trip to Vienna, Virginia.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A uniquely twisted thriller

Revisado: 03-26-19

BEAUTIFUL BAD is a smart and well-plotted psychological thriller showing the duality of human nature and of all the personalities involved. Ward explores the intricacies of who a person is and what makes them become who they are.

Let’s be honest. There is not much in the psychological thriller genre that has not been done before. Many times, I can see the ending long before I read it. However, for me, it is how the author uses the tropes and their particular story which keeps me reading. Ward expertly gave me characters and a tale I wanted to learn more about.

Living in the past and the present with Maddie, Ian, and Jo was addictive. Their lives were not only complicated by circumstances and careers, but also by their emotions and bonds with each other. If that isn’t enough to make the reader keep flipping, you add to that the twists, turns, and duplicity carefully placed within these pages all leading to that ending! I was spellbound by it all.

I cannot wait to read what Annie Ward gives us next. I hope it is just as dark and twisty as BEAUTIFUL BAD!!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas