A Fragile Enchantment (Review)

Book Blurb

Niamh Ó Conchobhair has never let herself long for more. The magic in her blood that lets her stitch emotions and memories into fabric is the same magic that will eventually kill her. Determined to spend the little time she has left guaranteeing a better life for her family, Niamh jumps at the chance to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland. 

But Avaland is far from the fairytale that she imagined. While young nobles attend candlelit balls and elegant garden parties, unrest brews amid the working class. The groom himself, Kit Carmine, is prickly, abrasive, and begrudgingly being dragged to the altar as a political pawn. But when Niamh and Kit grow closer, an unlikely friendship blossoms into something more—until an anonymous columnist starts buzzing about their chemistry, promising to leave them alone only if Niamh helps to uncover the royal family’s secrets. The rot at the heart of Avaland runs deep, but exposing it could risk a future she never let herself dream of, and a love she never thought possible. 

Transporting readers to a Regency England-inspired fantasy world, A Fragile Enchantment is a sweeping romance threaded with intrigue, unforgettable characters, and a love story for the ages.

 Review

A Fragile Enchantment was a really cute book. It was a really good Cinderella-esque story with a very warm-hearted ending. However, if you take a step back and examine the time frame of the book, some eyebrow raising is needed. The entire book takes place in the span of, at most, a month. You go from two characters that absolutely despise each other when they first meet to being together in every sense of the word at the end. If they spent a week hating each other, then that’s only 3 weeks (21 days) of being friends to eventually loving each other. Plus, you need to take into consideration the few days or even a week that Kit goes back to hating Niamh (because is it really a YA romance novel if there isn’t miscommunication?). To me, it feels unrealistic. You know that post that is going around asking which characters definitely break up after the book, yeah these characters. This really boasts to the “fragile” in A Fragile Enchantment.

There was chemistry between the characters. Niamh conveniently was the only character who could break the ice on Kit’s heart. It was really cute seeing each character defend the other. Kit felt pretty dynamic in comparison to Niamh. He went through, I think, the most character development in the entire book. Niamh really didn’t change. She remained that selfless person who really didn’t act for herself. Even at the end, she had to rely on others to a point in order to get what she wanted. She was a very static character. All in all, I felt like all the characters didn’t really undergo character development. For some it was: Oh no! I got into trouble so I’ll quickly explain my side and all will be well. For others it was: I’m going to finally voice my opinion because I’m in a tough spot and get my way, but my overall personality and demeanor isn’t going to change. 

Furthermore, the magic system and such did not feel too immersive. I liked the powers each character had and the little lore that was given. But, I wish we were given more. It was there and it served a purpose. However, I couldn’t explain it on paper if I tried.

I really liked that Allison Saft included more than one religion in the book. You could tell which characters were monotheistic and which were polytheistic. In a lot of fantasy books nowadays, there is only one overarching religion which is very unrealistic. Having more than one religion in the book makes the book feel like the setting was realistic and could definitely be something that could exist today. I think that it helped that the settings were based on real countries: England, Ireland, and Spain. 

Overall, I would rate this book 3 stars out of 5. I would recommend this book to romantasy readers ages 14/15 and up because of mild language and fade-to-black sexual indication.

The Wren in the Holly Library

 

Blurb:

Can you love the dark when you know what it hides?

Some things aren’t supposed to exist outside of our imagination.

Thirteen years ago, monsters emerged from the shadows and plunged Kierse’s world into a cataclysmic war of near-total destruction. The New York City she knew so well collapsed practically overnight.

In the wake of that carnage, the Monster Treaty was created. A truce...of sorts.

But tonight, Kierse―a gifted and fearless thief―will break that treaty. She’ll enter the Holly Library...not knowing it’s the home of a monster.

He’s charming. Quietly alluring. Terrifying. But he knows talent when he sees it; it’s just a matter of finding her price.

Now she’s locked into a dangerous bargain with a creature unlike any other. She’ll sacrifice her freedom. She’ll offer her skills. Together, they’ll put their own futures at risk.

But he’s been playing a game across centuries―and once she joins in, there will be no escape...

Review:

What drew me to this book was its uniqueness. Not often are fantasy books set during the modern age. I liked the premise of monsters always existing in the shadows and then choosing to emerge into society with ramifications. I feel like K. A. Linde did a good job with issuing a semi-realistic description of the event if it did in fact take place. 

The book definitely felt like an easy read. It was fast paced and there was no need to fill in details on your own. K. A. Linde described sights and events clearly. At some points it did feel like more telling than showing, however, it didn’t draw much attention. 

I really liked the inspiration of Irish mythos. As a lover of the mythology behind the Tuatha dé Danann, I was tickled pink with all of the allusions and direct conversations in the book.

This leads into one of my biggest complaints about the book. There was way too much going on. When drawing on inspiration for a fantasy book from other fairy tales, legends, or mythologies, you need to stick with one or two. K. A. Linde didn’t just include the Irish mythos and its key figures, she included warlocks, werewolves, witches, merfolk, nymphs, vampires, wraiths, and the list goes on. It was too much and too messy. Alongside this there is the feeling of more than one storyline happening in the book. While having subplots is to be expected in a book, especially an adult book, these didn’t feel like subplots. It was like there were two stories being told at the same time in a not so cohesive way.

Thus enter Ethan and Gen-- two side characters and the best friends to the protagonist, Kierse. Obviously they’re painted as important to Kierse at the beginning of the book, however, they don’t hold any weight for the rest of the book until the very end where they play a massive role. When they do enter at the end of the book, and have this great ta-da, it is awkward, jolting, and confusing. If they were so important, why was that importance not carried throughout the whole book? I don’t mean importance to the protagonist, but importance to the plot. I understand that there is most likely going to be a series built out of this book, but I felt left feeling empty with the ending. It wasn’t sufficient in the way things played out. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a cliffhanger, but this wasn’t that. It was a “oh, I want these characters in the next book so I’m going to shuffle them in at the end with this major revelation that makes absolutely no sense with what else has been going on except for one hint a few chapters before.” If K. A. Linde wanted Ethan and Gen to be as important to the ending as Kierse, then they needed to be more present and active in the rest of the story.

I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars because of the plot holes, inconsistencies, overwhelming pace, and character developments. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. I recommend this book to readers 18+ because of sexual themes and disturbing imagery. In the words of today’s youth: it was mid.

House of Hollow (Book Review)

 

Book Review and Discussion

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Iris Hollow has always been strange. Something happened to her and her two older sisters when they were children, something they can’t quite remember but that left each of them with an identical half-moon scar at the base of their throats. 

Iris has spent most of her teenage years trying to avoid the weirdness that sticks to her like tar. But when her eldest sister, Grey, goes missing under suspicious circumstances, Iris learns just how weird her life can get: horned men start shadowing her, a corpse falls out of her sister’s ceiling, and ugly, impossible memories start to twist their way to the forefront of her mind. 

As Iris retraces Grey’s last known footsteps and follows the increasingly bizarre trail of breadcrumbs she left behind, it becomes apparent that the only way to save her sister is to decipher the mystery of what happened to them as children. 

The closer Iris gets to the truth, the closer she comes to understanding that the answer is dark and dangerous – and that Grey has been keeping a terrible secret from her for years.

Review:

This book left me absolutely messed up. There were times where I had to reread sections because it was absolutely mind boggling. 

This story is incredibly original. It takes traditional fairy tale tropes (I’m talking the dark Grimms tropes) and twists them to fit the modern setting. It includes diverse characters (not so much race, moreso gender and sexuality) that paint a vivid and authentic modern day. I feel like Sutherland did a great job including enough allusions that the story felt like it could happen today. Now, obviously it is a fantasy horror book (now more commonly known as paranormal horror) so we know that it can’t happen. However, there are times where you are sitting at the edge of the chair or couch in anticipation of what is going to happen next because it feels so real.

I felt like Sutherland was trying to paint a picture of feeling out of place in your own skin, finding your ownself, and breaking away from family which are all things that teens feel. The entire book felt like a metaphor to all the struggles that teenagers undergo. Therefore, I do think that this book is appropriate for teens, but it does have some harsh language, discussion of sexuality, and dark imagery. Therefore, I think it is for teens 16-17 and up.

As you can see, I rated this book 3.5 stars. That is because of some characters and the ending. There was a specific character, Tyler, that at the end of the story I could not figure out what his role in the book is. There were some times where his character helped reveal some new information, however, the ratio of needed presence to unneeded presence was tipped too far into the latter. I did love his character. I liked his background, history, and vibe. However, he felt unnecessary to the plot: a total npc. However, Tyler only knocked the book down half a star. 

Second. The ending felt incredibly empty and too cleanly wrapped up. I was incredibly dissatisfied. You mean to tell me that after every major revelation at the end of the book, there are absolutely no consequences? None whatsoever? Nah! I think Sutherland wanted the book to have a happy ending, however, a happy ending did not make sense for this book. In what ways are the characters-- except for the mother-- deserving of a happy ending? Why do these characters just get to have a normal life after everything that happened? There really was no trying to right wrongs. I just… I just couldn’t understand the ending. I wanted to knock the book down to a 2.5 or 3 stars because of the ending, however, the rest of the book was very memorable and good that I couldn’t do that.

Discussion: If you haven’t read the book, stop reading here. Spoilers ahead!

I really, honestly, cannot get behind the ending. Iris should not have just waltz back to the living world to Cate to continue on. Cate shouldn’t have forgiven her or Vivi. I know if I was in Cate’s shoes, I wouldn’t have. Then, Iris has the audacity to then become someone different. Why would you put Cate through that? The whole reason why Cate forgave Iris was because Iris acted like the original one. Now, Iris is going to take that away from here? No way. I think that Iris and Vivi should’ve tried to atone. I know it was Grey who did most of it, but the other two went along with the whole skin-napping. AND, nothing happened to Grey except that the sisters don’t talk to her anymore. I feel like something more should’ve happened. The girls didn’t deserve a happy ending for killing three kids, stealing their skin, and assuming their lives. Like, no way.

I also feel like the father wouldn’t have given up on his quest for vengeance just because Iris went “Papa.” If that’s all it took, why did she do that when he was still alive? It was terribly inconsistent.

The Forest of Stolen Girls (Book Review)

 

~Blurb~

1426, Joseon (Korea). Hwani's family has never been the same since she and her younger sister went missing and were later found unconscious in the forest near a gruesome crime scene. 

Years later, Detective Min―Hwani's father―learns that thirteen girls have recently disappeared from the same forest that nearly stole his daughters. He travels to their hometown on the island of Jeju to investigate… only to vanish as well. 

Determined to find her father and solve the case that tore their family apart, Hwani returns home to pick up the trail. As she digs into the secrets of the small village―and collides with her now estranged sister, Maewol―Hwani comes to realize that the answer could lie within her own buried memories of what happened in the forest all those years ago.

~Book Review & Discussion~

I was excited to start “Forest of Stolen Girls” on two accounts: 1) I was set to teach ESL in South Korea back in 2021, however, due to certain circumstances I didn’t go. When I stumbled on this book while browsing, I was excited to see how Korean history influences literary fiction. 2) I am trying to step out of my comfort zone of fantasy fiction books into other genres.

I give this book a 5/5. I recommend this book to ages 14/15 and up who love mystery and history. One thing to keep in mind as you read the book is that Hwani is only 18 years old and sheltered. Some reviewers didn’t like how Hwani was very biased, immature, and one-track minded. They felt that there was some disconnect with the character because of it. However, as someone who works with older teens, that is exactly how they think and are. I liked that June Hur introduced a very realistic character that underwent good character development by the end of the story. Does Hwani have room to grow? Yeah. I mean who doesn't. But, that doesn’t lessen the growth she did go through. 

A few parts did feel rushed. The fast parts made the slower parts feel like trying to scoop freezer-burnt ice cream. Not great, but it’s still tasty. I didn’t take down a star because it also felt realistic to an actual investigation. Sometimes things are moving fast and great, and other times feel excruciating slow. Most crime movies and TV shows don’t accurately depict that.

I felt like I had a slight advantage when reading this book. As I was preparing to teach in South Korea, I was learning a bit of the language. I just wanted to order food in peace, okay? Hur introduced a few Korean words--romanization version anyways-- into the text. If I didn't know the words off the bat, I think I would've been pretty confused during some parts. She does eventually define the words, but some like norigae (노리개) were not defined because it's a traditional clothing accessory. You can draw some conclusions using context clues if you're a good critical thinker, however, it is not obvious what it is. There are also some name modifications, such as adding -ah or -yah to the end of a name, that wouldn't make sense if you didn't know the language or brushed up on your Korean dramas. Hur did include a pronunciation guide-- I love those-- however, I felt like it should've been at the beginning of the book and not the end. But again, personal preference.

The main thing that stood out to me with this book is the messages about siblings and their bonds. I think Hur was trying to emphasize the importance of having a healthy and open relationship with siblings. That, in all cases, you can’t expect their relationship with parents to mirror yours, but it’s still a valid experience. Growing up, I thought my brother had never gone through the same challenges as I did with our parents, only to find out years later, he had different ones that he still carries with him. Our parents made mistakes with us though they tried their best not to. They had never been parents before after all. I’ve rekindled my relationship with my brother much like Hwani did with her sister and I’m thankful for it. We’ve also learned to forgive a few mistakes our parents made too.

As you go to read this book, be prepared to face some generational trauma. Both on the micro scale (parent to child) and macro scale (country to citizen). There were a few parts of the story that I was near tears because I knew the book had some footing in historical fact. The trauma basically all the girls in the book went through would've been too much for me. From finding a parent deceased or knowing the terrible actions a parent is taking on your behalf is nothing a child or frankly anyone should undergo. When you enlarge that on your own country turning you over to another to an unknown but horrible fate, what mentality would that inflict on a woman? or anyone? 

Alongside the historical aspects of the book, I like that Hur included the haenyeo (women of the sea). These women were the breadwinners of their family as they dived for seafood. In a world history that was/is consistently patriarchal, I'm glad that Hur included historically accurate strong women to prove that  women have always been capable to do "a man's job." I feel this is an important message for all girls and boys of today. Girls can be the breadwinners and the providers alongside boys, just as boys can stay at home and care for the family alongside girls. Both are roles worthy of equal respect and choice.

Reminder: This a personal account where personal opinions are given. Please feel free to comment your response to my review and discussion, however, please remain respectful as I will be to you as you are to me. 

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night (Book Review)

~Book Review~

Summary: Twelve years ago, the Hin country was forcefully taken by the Elantians, a race from across the seas. They forced the Hin people to change their language and way of life to be like the Elantians. Now, eighteen-year-old Lan, left with an obscure sign from her mother, is an indentured servant at Madam Meng’s Teahouse as a result. After a fateful encounter with Zen, a Hin practitioner, Lan is thrust into a world of mythology, qí, and death. She must come to terms with her history and power to bring back balance to an unraveling world.

Aim of the Text: I believe that Wen Zhao had at least three things she wishes for readers to take away from the book. Firstly, is the effects that colonialism has on those who were conquered. There are two perspectives in the book that paints a vivid picture of life under a malicious military regime. We see that there are two choices for people under these conditions: let your life be ripped out from you and conform or die. The second thing that I believe we are to take away from the text is the corruption of power. While it is human nature to seek power, whether it be for selfish or selfless means, Wen Zhao shows what the difference is in her book. We follow a character that after they make the proverbial deal with the devil, descend into someone they are not on the most intrinsic level. The final thing that I believe Wen Zhao wants the reader to take away or be aware of is the differences between Western and Eastern ideology. There is the Western point of view of metal, technology, advancement, and aggression, and then there is the Eastern point of view of balance, energy, nature, and zen. 

Overall Opinion and Recommendation: I gave Song of Silver, Flame Like Night a 4 out of 5 stars. I loved the storytelling within the text as well as the call back to Chinese mythology and history. I liked the dynamics between the characters. There were a few characters that I thought were unnecessary for a large chunk of the book until the end. However, there were a few secondary characters that had some rather beautiful development. I can’t wait to see what happens for Lan, Zen, and their friends in the second book. What knocked this book from a 5 to a 4 is the readability of the text. I thought Wen Zhao did a great job explaining some of the Chinese words in the book. However, before she got to explaining I was lost. I was lost for quite a bit. After I was lost, I got a little impatient. Wen Zhao did a lot of exposition in her book. I do mean more than just the build up to the climax. She was explaining her world a lot in some places of the book I wish she wasn’t. It felt like the main fights were put on pause while she explained another thing about the mythos of her book. It was rather irritating having to wait for the resolution of the fight, because Wen Zhao needed to uncover another secret when it could’ve waited after the fight. To me, having a character stop fighting to explain something to another character is unrealistic. They’re fighting for their life; they shouldn’t be having meaningful dialogue.

I do recommend this book from anyone between the ages of 14 and up. There is some mild swearing but it is not excessive or unwarranted. I hope, should you choose to pick it up, that you enjoy it, and have your pen (or pencil) at the ready for some meaningful quotes and some good “huh?” moments.

If you’d like a more in depth analysis of the text, continue. Be prepared for some spoilers.

“The Last Kingdom had been brought to its knees, but the view was mighty fine from here.” pg 1

One of the two major themes of Song of Silver, Flame Light Night was colonialism. Wen Zhao did an incredible job emphasizing the extremes of colonialism. As a reader, we got to see perspectives from those directly under the regime of the conquerors, those who were not directly under the regime, and from the conquerors themselves- both those who do and don’t find interest in the culture they overthrew. The Hin were meant to represent the Chinese people, or more broadly those of East Asian descent, whereas the Elantians were meant to represent those of European descent. 

We experience a majority of the book through either Lan or Zen’s perspectives. Lan, who used to live a cushy life before the conquest of the Elantians, is now forced to work as a Songgirl at a Teahouse (essentially a prostitute for enough money). She is resentful and vengeful against the Elantians’ for killing her mother and friends. She experiences pain at the memories of her beloved ones and she experiences a lot of survivor’s guilt. Additionally, she is fearful. She has no power of her own at the beginning of the book. Her only two choices are prostitution or death. There are no chances for a girl like her in a world where being who she is is wrong. Zen, alternatively, also experienced the conquest of the Elantians, however, it was in a different way. He was tortured by the Elantians for a few years before he was able to flee to the School of White Pines. He experienced not having a choice between compliance or death. 

For those who were under the Elantian regime but not directly experiencing it, such as the Village of Bright Moon Pond, life seemed to progress as normal. However, they were confined to their village because they knew if they left, they would die. They experienced a different type of colonialism than Lan and Zen because they were not directly submerged in it. I would like to note that even though they didn’t seem to have it as bad as Lan and Zen, they also didn’t have it as good as they used to.

Finally, Wen Zhao allowed us a look into the minds of the conquerors. There were two main conquerors who we got a look into: Lishabeth and Erascius. Lishabeth is the version of a conqueror who conquers because she sees those who are different as inferior and savage. She believes that the world should be cleansed of the Hin and their “magic.” While Erascius shares Lishabeth’s belief of the Elantians are superior, he believes much can be learned about the Hin and their mythos. 

One thing that I took note of was the inspiration of major European conquerors. The Elantians’ name, when said aloud, sounds a lot like Atlantis. Atlantis was this supposedly vast empire that dominated a large chunk of the world before it ultimately dissolved under the sea. Secondly, the descriptions (light hair, skin, and eyes) of the Elantians was very similar to that of the Vikings who are infamous for their raids of villages in Europe. Lastly, the ruler of the Elantians, King Alessander, reminded me of Alexander the Great: a Macedonian king who was known for Eastward expansion and conquests into India. Additionally, Alexander the Great had a habit of renaming cities and towns into Alexandria. King Alessander did the same by renaming the Heavenly Capital “King Alessandertown.” Finally, Erascius’ name reminded me of the Roman Empire as well as Erasmus who was known for his ways of spreading Christianity. I rather liked these callbacks to modern history as a reminder that conquest is not a fictional experience but a very real one.

I would like to caution some readers who are big into history. While the Hin and Elantians are inspired by China and Europe, it is still a fictitious story. I recognize that the West did not conquer China in the traditional sense. Look up “The Opium Wars” for more information. I believe that Wen Zhao chose those of European descent as the colonizers in this book because they are the most widely known for being conquerors throughout history. So, as a reader one cannot approach this as a historical book. It is loosely based on historical events throughout the world and not a retelling of true events. Additionally, Wen Zhao takes some creative liberty with the four Demon Gods. She chose to swap the colors of the Dragon and the Tiger. I have a feeling I know why, however, my theory will be either proven to be correct or not in the second book.

“A sword’s purpose may be determined by its wielder, but take the weapon away entirely, and neither the merciful nor the cruel may draw blood.”  pg 122

        We see through the characters the effect power has on people. Some people actively seek power for wrong whereas some people initially seek power for doing good. Both Lan and Zen seek power for the right reasons. However, Zen slowly descends into corruption as the Black Tortoise takes over. However, Lan has better luck with the White Dragon as she is able to choose the terms of her newly formed power. We see Lan and Zen change their ideologies throughout the book. Zen goes from choosing the peaceful route as he was taught by the Grandmaster, and then chooses the vengeful, death-ridden route that Lan had originally wanted. Lan is the opposite. She was ready to spill blood for blood at the beginning, but then we see that she acts in defense and flees before she chooses to kill. Just as the quote above states, power is a neutral force, it is up to the wielder to choose whether it's for good or for evil. However, keeping in mind the cultural history of the text, one must also consider yin and yang. There can be no good without evil, no evil without good, no sunlight without darkness, no darkness without light. There has to be a balance. 

One thing that I believe the book asks is can good or evil exist if there is no means to do good or evil? In order for Lan and Zen to do good, they must do what most consider an evil action: kill. Can evil only be defeated through other evil actions? Does evil have to exist in the world in order for good to exist? I feel like this book raises a rather philosophical question in that regard.

Please remember and respect this is my personal opinion and take on the book.