Review: Menagerie

Menagerie: Menagerie | Rachel Vincent
Published by: Mira, September 29th 2015

Genre: Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 429

Format: Ebook

Source: Mira, via Netgalley

From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent comes a richly imagined, provocative new series set in the dark mythology of the Menagerie… 

When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah in her black swan burlesque costume is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town. 

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed. 

Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale

I did not know what to expect from this, which is probably why I put off reading it for so long despite it being written by one of my auto-buy authors. I've seen reviews calling it literary which ... I do understand, as it raises questions about humanity, but it's very firmly fantasy, which made me happy.

Circus, supernatural creatures, and deep questions about what it means to be a sentient being? Hell yes. Honestly, this book does so many things so well, and I don't have enough time to praise them. But I want to touch on the main character, suddenly finding her rights stripped, suddenly being property of a menagerie, and being put in a position where she could have dropped all that, forgotten her situation, because of her relationship with one of her captors. AND SHE NEVER DID. Even as she liked the guy, she was aware of his position of power, of the imbalance, and that was never romanticised, which was perfect. Handled so well.

The writing is strong as always, but the storytelling in this is immense and blew me away. I love the characters and the relationships between them (not necessarily romance either, more friendships and familial bonds) but I'm amazed by how unique and creative this book is. I want to read the next one!

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Review: Harley Quinn, Volume Two

Harley Quinn: Volume Two: Joker Loves Harley  | Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, John Timms

Published by: DC Comics, June 27th 2017

Genre: Comics, Science Fiction, Superheroes

Pages: 144

Format: Ebook

Source: DC Comics, via Netgalley

Harley Quinn's punk-rock epic concludes with a BANG. Too deep and not covered enough, their undercover mission comes to an end as the gang takes on thieves and murderers. All the laughs and some of the quacks are all here.

Taking a break comes with unexpected woes when Harley and Ivy head to the Bahamas for sun-kissed beaches and ice-cold drinks.

Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti continue their mammoth run on this New York Times best-selling title in Harley Quinn, Volume 2: Joker Loves Harley!

Collecting: Harley Quinn 7-12

(4.5, should be 5 but marked down because of one comic.)

Let me just say: great story, nice plot twist, awesome canon queer Harley and Ivy, incredible supporting cast, and fun as all hell writing.

K, now I'm gonna talk about something I LOVE about this comic. The non-sexualisation of Harley.

Bear in mind I've read Suicide Squad Vol 1 recently and got kinda pissed about Harley being a dumb, sexy blonde in that. But this series... Harley is smart and quirky and sex-positive WITHOUT being sexualised. In this volume, she wears a bikini without being presented as a sex object, and SHE'S NAKED without being overly sexified (which is a word now.) But in the Christmas comic in this volume (I forget the name, sorry!) this happens:

THIS. IS. RIDICULOUS!!! (and really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this 20-page comic)

Harley's boobs over-exaggerated for no real reason, super low cut top for no reason (she's going into a dangerous situation, why can't she wear the same thing she ALWAYS does???) Oh, and my personal favourite bit: the male scientist in the background looking at Harley's ass through binoculars. This just feels so male-gaze-y, when every other comic I've read in this series manages to avoid it.

This team can do better. I know they can. I was ecstatic and thrilled and surprised when, in the first volume, Harley was drawn and written as this real person, this real WOMAN. I hope this is a blip I can put in the back of my mind, I really do. I still love this series, but I'm honestly, disappointed (and shocked tbh - I never saw this coming.)

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Obsidian And Stars

Ivory And Bone: Obsidian And Stars  | Julie Eshbaugh

Published by: HarperTeen, June 13th 2017

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperTeen, via Edelweiss

In the sequel to Ivory and Bone—the prehistoric fantasy novel that New York Times bestselling author Amie Kaufman described as a “richly crafted world of life-and-death stakes”—the story shifts to Mya’s viewpoint as vengeful adversaries force her to flee the life she once knew.


After surviving the chaotic battle that erupted after Lo and the Bosha clan attacked, now Mya is looking ahead to her future with Kol. All the things that once felt so uncertain are finally falling into place. But the same night as Kol and Mya’s betrothal announcement, Mya’s brother Chev reveals his plan to marry his youngest sister Lees to his friend Morsk. The only way to avoid this terrible turn of events, Morsk informs Mya when he corners her later, is for Mya to take Lees’ place and marry him herself. 

Refusing to marry anyone other than her beloved, and in an effort to protect her sister, Mya runs away to a secret island with Lees. And though it seems like the safest place to hide until things back home blow over, Mya soon realizes she’s been followed. Lurking deep in the recesses of this dangerous place are rivals from Mya’s past whose thirst for revenge exceeds all reason.

With the lives of her loved ones on the line, Mya must make a move before the enemies of her past become the undoing of her future.

Did I love this as much as book one? Yes. Actually I did.

I didn't think this could stand up to the tense, romantic, historically-rich Ivory and Bone, but this book is every bit as wonderful. One of my favourite things is how different the action scenes are to any other book I've read, because they're fighting with era-appropriate weapons like spears and darts, and I LOVE IT. It makes every fight stand out when sometimes fight scenes can be flat and dull. In the same way, these details make even everyday tasks stand out in these books, and I adore these authentic touches. In a sea of historical and history-inspired fantasy worlds, this one is so memorable.

But now let me ramble a bit about my main loves Mya and Kol. I love them SO MUCH, and they really show how great leaders they can be in this book. I cannot wait to see what they do next (but can I just pretend this happy ending is the real end and nothing else bad happens?) and how their relationship progresses after that best of endings. Seriously, that end made me so, so happy, especially after the book tricked me into thinking things would never work out (tricky, tricky book.) I live for their relationship tbh.

My only issue is a queer death, even if it was necessary for the story (and another queer, secondary character still survives.) I'd like to see more queer characters introduced into the series with the next book, please, and let them all live!

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Review: Angel Unleashed

Angel Unleashed  | Linda Thomas-Sundstrom

Published by: Harlequin Nocturne, April 1st 2017

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Mythology

Pages: 304

Format: Ebook

Source: Harlequin Nocturne, via Netgalley

A fine line between vengeance and desire… 

As an immortal Blood Knight, Rhys de Troyes is familiar with quests. It's obvious that the ethereal beauty who just arrived in London is on one of her own. But Avery Arcadia Quinn seems intent on keeping her secrets, even as Rhys strips away all her defenses. 

A grounded angel, Avery seeks to recover the wings stolen from her centuries ago when the Knights were created from her suffering and pain. She swore vengeance, but her burning connection with Rhys threatens to consume her anger, her mission…and even her vow to destroy him.

This was not what I expected - it was SO MUCH better.

Urban fantasy and romance blended with all my favourite parts of Arthurian legend.  I want to read the author's other books - that's how much I enjoyed this. There was a bit of instalove, which is to be expected of the genre - but I kept expecting the big reveal that they were together in the past, before Rhys had died, and his memories of that had been lost too. But that didn't happen.

I loved a whole lot about this - great world building and setting (yay, London!), interesting characters (the MC is no damsel), and secrets that make this story even better. I want to read more in this world!

The only things that really bugged me were I thought it went on too long, there were SO MANY action scenes basically one after the other, and Avery didn't really defend herself in the beginning (Rhys came to her rescue A LOT when she could have handled it.)

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: The Star-Touched Queen

The Star-Touched Queen  | Roshani Chokshi

Published by: St Martin's Griffin, April 26th 2016

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Mythology, Diverse

Pages: 342

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you’re only seventeen?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father’s kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran’s queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar’s wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire…

But Akaran has its own secrets—thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most…including herself.

A beautiful story of love, self-discovery, and magic. This book is so good at showing the beauty and wonder in even the darkest hells and monsters, and I just fell in love with it for that - and for the main chararcters. The Star-Touched Queen is everything I wanted it to be - romantic, detailed, immersive - and full of so much more mythology, legends, and creatures. I was ensnared from page one.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★