Book Review: The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang

Hello everyone,

Today’s review is on The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang.

Date Read: November 1st, 2022

About the Book

An epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic.

When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.

My Thoughts

If you have ever heard that this book has a lot of trigger warnings, they are not wrong. These things didn’t bother me, I mean they did, but not in a triggering way. The last 150 pages are definitely brutal! However, I can appreciate that R.F. Kaung wasn’t afraid to go into the atrocities of war. Was it hard to stomach? Yes, but I think that is the point – we as readers are supposed to be uncomfortable and sickened by happens to innocent people in the midst of war. While I can never understand viewing other people as not human and inflict so much torture on them, it is also a reminder that this is still happening today in parts of the world.

I’ll admit this started out kind of slow, and it wasn’t really until Part 2 where things started to pick up. But I still enjoyed seeing Rin go through her training at Sinegard. Also does anyone picture Jiang as looking a little like Uncle Iroh from Avatar the Last Airbender?

I won’t go into too much detail, but the last 30 pages take a creepy turn, and I am curious to see how it affects the rest of the trilogy.

Overall, The Poppy War is a brutal fantasy that can be scarring to some, but I think it is necessary. It definitely does not water down the atrocities of war, and that is not a bad thing. I am looking forward to getting to the rest of the trilogy. 4/5 Stars

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Hello everyone,

Today’s review is on Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas.

Date Read: October 23rd, 2022

About the Book

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

My Thoughts

Alright, I finally finished my re-read of the first four books in the Throne of Glass series, at the rate I’m going I should be done with the series sometime next year. (Note from future me: I finished the series in May, and it was worth it). I’ll be honest, I kind of forgot a lot about what had happened in this book, so I am glad I re-read it. I’m probably going to go into spoilers, so you’ve been warned!

So, okay, Rowan took an oath to Aelin, does that mean they’re mates too, or is that completely different. Also, it was interesting to see the dynamics of their relationship and how much it has changed since Heir of Fire.

I feel like a lot happens in this book, especially the fall of who we were led to believe is the main mastermind behind what was happening turns out to actually be a pawn, so things are far from over as far as the Valg are concerned. I feel like there is a lot more I want to say on this, but I don’t want to give away to many spoilers.

I liked seeing Manon’s character development over the course of this installment and how she is forced to make difficult decisions. I loved how she had to fight against her beliefs, on the one hand she wants to please her grandmother, but she’s torn whether to do so at the expense of her fellow witches, and also her hatred of the Valg.

Again, a lot happens, but I also don’t want to give away too many spoilers so I am going end my thoughts here. Overall, this was a good installment in the series. 4/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Mini-Reviews #20

Hello everyone,

Welcome to another installment of my brief thoughts on some of the books I have read.

Wild Things by Bruce Handy

Date Read: October 10th, 2022

I found this kind of dry and hard tog et into. It did have some good insights, but I don’t feel like I learned anything new.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Books by Leah Price

Date Read: October 14th, 2022

This was a fairly quick read. However the author makes some interesting points. I found myself disagreeing with them at times. However, it also made for some great discussions with others.

My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey

Date Read: October 18th, 2022

I did appreciate how Tessa Bailey tried to marry a murder mystery with a spicy romance. However, the main focus seemed to be the romance and most of the time Myles and Taylor were just trying to get into each other’s pants no matter where they were. it felt a little excessive. I guess I was expecting more focus on finding the killer and less on the characters’ libido. However, I did like the spicy scenes too, even though rough isn’t my thing. It was still somewhat enjoyable, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this anytime soon. 3/5 Stars.

Snow White with the Red Hair, Volume 1 by Sorata Akiduki

Date Read: October 19th, 2022

I really liked this introduction to the series and I hope to continue with it soon.

Kind of Curse by Stephanie Fournet

Date Read: October 24th, 2022

I picked this up because I loved the concept. I’ll be honest I expected the “curse” to be an actual curse and not just something that happens because of genetics. I also liked the romance between Mille and Luc, but it also felt kind of rushed. I wish they’d gotten to know each other beyond their attraction. But it was still cute, and I did really like how Luc proves to Millie that he is very different from her ex. I plan on reading more from Stephanie Fournet. And while the epilogue shows what happens to Mattie (Millie’s younger sister) and Alex (Luc’s younger brother), I’d still love to read more about them and how they adjust to what happens to them. 3/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: His Hideous Heart edited by Dahlia Adler

Hello everyone,

Today’s review is on His Hideous Heart edited by Dahlia Adler.

Date Read: October 13th, 2022

His Hideous Heart is a collection of short stories inspired by 13 stories by Edgar Allan Poe. I will be reviewing each story in a mini-review. I am really thankful that the works that inspired the short stories were included. The order will first be a review the original Poe story, followed by the reimagined short story.

Metzengerstein by Edgar Allan Poe

This was an interesting tale about an almost phantom-like horse and an unruly Baron who becomes maniacally attached to it. I loved how Poe sets up the story and captures the reader’s interest before getting to the meat-and-potatoes of the story. 3.75/5 Stars.

She Rode a Horse of Fire by Kendare Blake

I liked this retelling of Metzengerstein. I think Kendare Blake did a great job updating the story, but yet keeping the essence of the original. It didn’t quite have as much of the creep factor as the original, but it was also easier to follow along what was going on. I also liked how instead of a fire-red horse, it was a fire-red car. 4/5 Stars.

The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe

I remember reading this back in college and it being one of my favorite stories by Poe. It’s so simple, but still eerie as Montressor buries his friend Fortunato alive pretty much as revenge for a wrong that was supposedly committed. 5/5 Stars.

The Carnival by Tiffany D. Jackson

Well, this was an interesting take on The Cask of Amontillado. And in some ways a little bit more darker. This is definitely a what-of-a-bully-got-avenged story. 3.75/5 Stars.

Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

This is a bittersweet poem about love, and the object of that love dying. The argument could be made that the narrator is trapped in his pursuit of Annabel Lee, and that is love is more for the ideal of her. Even though it’s been almost 10 years since I lost read this poem, it is still a favorite. 5/5 Stars.

Night-Tide by Tessa Gratton

This was a sapphic retelling of Annabel Lee. I liked how it dealt with the taboo of Jaclyn’s relation ship with Annabel, especially in the time period this is set it ( I assume it is the 1800s). I appreciated how the author expanded upon the poem, but did so in such a way so as not to lose it’s essence. 4.5/5 Stars.

The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe

This was an interesting story of a man awaiting his death in a dungeon, while doing his best avoid it, while also going mad with terror. It is revealed a couple of times, but especially at the end that this story takes place during The Spanish Inquisition. 4/5 Stars.

The Glittering Death by Caleb Roehrig

Dang! This one had me on the edge of my seat, especially since there is no way out for Laura. I really liked how the main elements of the original work were incorporated into the story. I also liked how instead of the Inquisition, it is about a serial killer who perverts religion to justify what he does. It was definitely a ride. 5/5 Stars.

The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe

I can’t remember if I’d read this one back in college, I think I did for my class on Detective Fiction, especially since this story in particular is one of the earlier pieces of mystery fiction. Dupin can be seen as the 19th century predecessor to Sherlock Holmes. This was a fascinating mystery, and a great example of what my professor referred to as the “armchair detective.” It’s definitely worth a read from fans of Sherlock Holmes. 5/5 Stars.

A Drop of Stolen Ink by Emily Lloyd-Jones

I liked how this was a futuristic retelling of The Purloined Letter. It was fascinating and I would love to read more set in this futuristic world. I liked how instead of a letter it’s trying to find a tattoo that can be used for identification. It also had an interesting twist near the end. 4/5 Stars.

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

This is probably one of Poe’s most famous works. It is an interesting tale of murder, but also of guilt and one’s conscience getting the better of them. 4/5 Stars.

Happy Days, Sweetheart by Stephanie Kuehn

While this was an interesting retelling of The Tell-Tale Heart, it just seemed to be missing something. 3/5 Stars.

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

Another poem by Poe that is eerie/ The narrator seems to be haunted by a demonic raven waiting from his death. 4/5 Stars.

The Raven (Remix) by amanda lovelace

amanda lovelace does a good job of using the original poem for blackout poetry. In this version Lenore is still very much alive, and the raven is not quite so menacing. 4/5

Hop Frog by Edgar Allan Poe

It was hard to read at times because of the dated language. The king is most definitely cruel, but in some ways Hop-Frog is too, although he is more so motivated by revenge. 4/5 Stars.

Changeling by Marieke Nijkamp

This was an interesting retelling, and I’ll be honest and say that I think I liked this a lot more than the original work. I really liked how the author use the practice of leaving “changelings” for the fae, and uses it for the basis of the tale. it was also interesting how the story is told masterfully in two timelines, even thought it is a short story. This is definitely one of my favorites form the collection. 5/5 Stars.

The Oval Portrait by Edgar Allan Poe

An odd little story in which the narrator comes upon an entrancing painting and reads up on the sad and tragic tale behind it. 4/5 Stars.

The Oval Filter by Lamar Giles

Wow, this was a good retelling. I love how we don’t really know if Tariq is alive after the end of the story. The last section definitely had me on the edge of my seat. 4/5 Stars.

The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

An interesting story in which a group of aristocrats hole up in a castle while a plague rages throughout the land. However, the plague and death comes for them all. 3.75/5 Stars.

Red by Hillary Monahan

I was a little confused while reading this. However it was interesting. In this version death goes to a night club called Prospero’s! and kills everyone. 3.5/5 Stars.

Ligeia by Edgar Allan Poe

This story was kind of boring. Basically, it’s about our narrator who waxes poetically about the love of his life. She dies. He remarries, his second wife dies. His first wife takes over her body. 3/5 Stars.

Lygia by Dhalia Adler

I liked this retelling and how our main character goes mad with grief when her new girlfriend transforms herself into her deceased girlfriend. 3.5/5 Stars.

The Fall of the House of usher by Edgar Allan Poe

A sentient house and the last two surviving members of a once prestigious family. It’s and interesting romp. 3/5 Stars.

The Fall of the Bank of Usher by Fran Wilde

I really enjoyed this retelling. I definitely liked it more than the original. I liked the concept of an evil AI and genetically modified fungi that eventually leads to the fall of the bank. 4.5/5 Stars.

The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe

The first story featuring Dupin. The beginning reads more like a scientific text, but once it gets into the story it is more gripping. I also liked the twist at the end. 3.5/5 Stars

The Murders in the Rue Apartelle, Boracay by Rin Chupeco

This retelling was alright, I liked how mythical creatures are apart of this version of our world. I felt like the slang was overused to the point it kind of distracted from the story. I really liked the twist at the end. 3/5 Stars.

Overall, this was a good collection of stories. A little tedious to get though because I decided to read the original stories as well. It was great to revisit a couple of favorites by Poe, as well as to read these retellings. I have definitely met my short story quota for the year though. My only complaint is that none of these gave me the creeps like I wanted them to except The Glittering Death. 4/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Mini-Reviews #19

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to this installment of mini-reviews where I share brief thoughts on some of the books I have read.

Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence

Date read: March 18th, 2022

I immediately fell in love with this book, which is pretty much a collection of letters written to various books. I laughed a lot. I also related to it as a librarian. This is a new favorite and I highly recommend this love letter to books and libraries. 5/5 Stars.

Desire and the Deep Blue Sea by Olivia Dade

Date Read: March 18th, 2022

I enjoyed this short novella. I loved that it was kind of enemies to lovers, and that the two main characters were librarians. The conflict kind of bothered me a little bit and I wish there had been more communication between the two characters. But it just solidified that Olivia Dade is a new favorite author.

The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett

Date Read: March 21st, 2022

I liked revisiting Discworld. It took me a little bit to get into it, but that is mostly my fault because I was too focused on trying to catch all of the satire, however I’ve realized that the best way to enjoy Discworld is to not take it too seriously. I liked this introduction to the world, as well as getting to know some of the characters, especially Death! I am definitely going to keep reading the Discworld series.

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

Date Read: October 1st, 2022

I don’t really have much to say. This was kind of a little bit of a let down. I honestly was expecting to get creeped out, but the creepy scenes weren’t even that bad – and I consider myself a chicken when it comes to scary stuff. I did like this sort of gothic take on the Twelve Dancing Princesses, but I also found it slow. I think my expectations were too high. However, I will admit that the last 100 pages were pretty trippy and it made me want to keep going until the end. The characters were alright. I did find the religion fascinating, as well as the concept of the gods and goddesses of this world walking around. Overall, it was just okay. 3/5 Stars.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Date Read: October 9th, 2022

I don’t quite know what to say about this classic murder mystery, without giving spoilers. This meandered a little, however I also found myself on edge along with the ten characters. I loved the epilogue and I wished that the additional part explaining more about what really happened wasn’t included – but at the same time I am glad it was. This definitely proves Ms. Christie’s mettle with murder mysteries and I definitely plan on diving into more of her work. 3.5/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Hello everyone!

Today’s review is on Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

About the Book

After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.

Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemí’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.

My Thoughts

Well, this was a bit of a ride. Not quite what I had been expecting. I’ll be honest and say that it didn’t really scare me like I thought it would – maybe I am not as much of a chicken as I thought. However, that’s not to say that it didn’t have some unnerving parts.

Mexican Gothic started out kind of slow and it didn’t really pick up until the last 75 pages. I do get that is kind of the point as we follow Noemi as she tries to figure out what is going on at High Place. High Place was definitely an eerie place and I liked how we discovered the different layers to the house. Also, all the Doyles, except Francis, were awful. Howard was extremely creepy with his eugenicist ideals, and it was interesting just how deep that went. Virgil was just disgusting. Francis was the only one who was tolerable, and I really liked how he tries to look out for Noemi.

Noemi was okay, although she felt a little bit bland as a character, but I also get that her character development was not integral to the story.

One aspect that was interesting is that there were moments of this that were reminiscent of Wuthering Heights. I don’t know if that was the author’s intent, but it was still interesting to see those echoes throughout the novel.

There is more I would love to say but I also don’t want to go into spoilers. Overall, this didn’t fully scratch the spooky itch for me, and it also went in a weird direction in the end. But it was still somewhat good. 3.5/5 Stars

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Where I’ve Been

Hello everyone,

It’s been a couple of months since my last blog post, and I’ll be honest I wasn’t sure if I was going to be back. I’ve been debating since the beginning of the year whether it’s time to say goodbye to The Meanderings of a Bookworm for a couple of reasons:

1. I’m now working full-time and don’t have as much time to dedicate to my blog.
2. I’ve stopped writing reviews for the books I read. Mainly because it was taking the enjoyment out of reading because I put pressure on myself to write a review for every book I read. I would also get really behind on writing reviews and get overwhelmed. I have no one to blame but myself.

However, this isn’t goodbye just yet! I have a lot of drafts of reviews that can still go up, and I want to because a) I want to share my thought son these books, and 2) I put a lot of work into them.

My solution is that I am going to post every Friday starting July 7th. And based on the number of drafts I have, it should take about a year to get through them all. At that point, maybe I’ve gotten my blogging mojo back, or it will officially be the end of the blog.

Thank you to all of you who have supported by journey over the last few year!

Until next week, happy reading,

Janelle L.C.

Mini-Reviews #18

Hello everyone,

Welcome to another installment of Mini-reviews where I share my brief thoughts on several books that I have read.

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

Date Read: February 13, 2022 & November 30, 2022

I’d been interested in reading this ever since it took BookTube by storm. My interest was also piqued because the main character is plus-sized. I enjoyed this romance, it had the perfect amount of steam. I also liked that it deal with some hard stuff, namely April’s relationship with her parents and how her mom continuously fat shames her. In some ways I could relate to that. I also liked Marcus and how he treats April. I really enjoyed it, and Olivia Dade has become a new favorite. 4/5 Stars.

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

Date Read: February 13, 2022

I should have DNF’d this one, but some part of me wanted to keep going. I had been looking forward to it after reading the author’s previous work – Convenience Store Woman – but it was such a let down and disturbing. I understand that it is supposed to depict PTSD, but there was just too much that happened. The following are spoilers but it does contain physical, emotional and mental abuse; sexual assault; cannibalism and other stuff. It is a book that scarred me for several days I don’t know if I will read anything else by this author. 1/5 Stars.

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

Date Read: February 14, 2022

What sold me on this was that I’d heard it was a modern thriller retelling of Jane Eyre. I was nervous because I did not know if this could be pulled off, but Rachel Hawkins did it. I really loved how all the different components from the original work were included. It had some interesting twists and I am looking forward to reading more thrillers from Rachel Hawkins. 4/5 Stars.

Pure by Linda Kay Klein

Date Read: March 4, 2022

As someone who grew up under the influence of purity culture and still deals with some of the psychological damage it caused, I was intrigued to read this. I really appreciated everything that Linda Kay Klein shared and could relate to some of it, as well as well as some of the eye opening stuff. I highly recommend Pure for anyone who grew up in purity culture or would like to know more about it. It is definitely an impactful book. 5/5 Stars.

Cold Brew Corpse by Tara Lush

Date Read: March 8, 2022

I liked this second cozy mystery set in Devil’s Beach. I liked the several red herrings woven throughout the story. My only complaint is that the beginning seemed to drag a little. 3/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery

Hello everyone,

Today’s review is on Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery.

Date Read: March 16, 2022

About the Book

The sixth book in the Anne Shirley series.

‘It’s been lovely to be Anne of Green Gables again for a week, but it’s a hundred times lovelier to come back and be Anne of Ingleside’

There’s never a dull moment at Ingleside, Anne’s lively home: Anne is now the mother of five children – with a sixth baby on the way. But even with endless demands on her time, she couldn’t be happier and there’s nowhere in the world she’d rather be.

No matter what life brings – whether it’s the numerous scrapes her children get up to or Gilbert’s insufferable aunt outstaying her welcome by months – Anne faces every challenge with her usual verve for life. But then she begins to suspect that Gilbert doesn’t love her any more. She’s a little older, it’s true, but Anne is the same spirited redhead she’s always been. She hasn’t changed. But has he?

My Thoughts

This is kind of a different direction from the previous Anne books. While we do get some brief glimpses of Anne, most of the book follows her children, which makes sense, but I miss seeing Anne as she was before she has kids. Also, I found her a lot more cattier than she was before, and fat shames others. I do like that we get to know each child and their different personalities. I also love how they all share Anne’s love for imagination and how her and Gilbert cultivate that, or rather encourage it.

I also like how we get glimpses of what was going on culturally at the time, such as the theory of evolution and atheism.

Overall, this was an okay installment in the Anne series, but not my favorite. 3/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Mini-Reviews #17

Hello everyone,

Welcome to another installment of Mini-reviews where I share my brief thoughts on several of the books I have read.

A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson

Date Read: February 7, 2022

I originally picked this up for a project I was doing. This was okay, it held my interest. But it was generic Christian fiction. I think the one thing I liked was the main character realizing that she is not cursed and that she can live life to the fullest. I wish this had been a standalone, instead it builds up some of the drama that happens in the rest of the series. I do not plan on continuing with it. 3/5 Stars.

Anne’s House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery

Date Read: February 7, 2022

I liked this installment of the Anne books. However, it definitely has a more somber tone. Don’t get me wrong, it still has some touches of whimsy that made readers fall in love with Anne Shirley in the first place. I enjoyed getting to know Anne’s neighbors, and I loved the glimpse we get into her early years of marriage to Gilbert. I sobbed when tragedy struck Anne, if you know you know. Overall, not my favorite in the series, but I can also understand why the author chose to allow Anne to go through those things. 4/5 Stars.

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Date Read: February 7, 2022

I enjoyed this installment of the Little House series. It was interesting to see the contrast between how Laura grew up in near poverty, but her future husband’s family was somewhat well off (as seen in Farmer Boy). It was also interesting to read because it includes quite a bit that is included in the first few episodes of the TV series. 4.5 Stars.

The White Coat Diaries by Madi Sinha

Date Read: February 10, 2022

I’ll admit that what first drew me to this book was the gorgeous cover and I had somewhat low expectations of it. However, I loved it! It was a perfect blend of comedy and drama. I liked that the author wasn’t afraid to critique some of the problems with our health care system, specifically how hospital administrators seem to care more about about the dollar signs than actually helping people. My only complaint is that there is kind of a big time jump that takes place and then the book ends. But I definitely loved it and plan on reading more of Madi Sinha’s work in the future. 4/5 Stars.

The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss

Date Read: February 12, 2022

I had heard nothing but good things about this and I was looking forward to it. I enjoyed reading it. I loved how some of the most famous Gothic novels and how the offspring of those characters cross paths. I also loved how Sherlock and Watson also made an appearance. This did not quite live up to my expectations, but it was still good and I am planning on reading the rest of the series. 3.5/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.