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I had a realization recently, looking at my blog. It appears as though I've finally reviewed enough books that they're not all visible under the "popular tags" list anymore.
SO I decided to be helpful and make a master list of the reviews on the site.
(Also, because I was asked: necro-commenting is perfectly okay. I'm always happy to discuss older reviews/books with folk! (Same for Scales!))
( There be reviews below )
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Sticky: Review Master List
Jun. 23rd, 2021 06:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kalinaraArt in the Blood - Verdict
Jun. 12th, 2025 10:06 pmkalinaraSo yeah, I've finished another book! Yay!
Did it pass?
Yeah, I think it did. But let's talk about it in a bit more detail.
So this book is a different style of mystery than any of the previous books in this series. For once, Jack's issues are not the plot. Instead, this reminds me a bit more of something like Midsomer Murders, where we have a complex cast of characters and dynamics that weave together in its own story. Our investigating heroes are separate, friendly outsiders with no stakes in the mystery except the drive to find out the truth.
Well, kind of. There are a few elements that keep this from being a standalone story.
Most of that comes from Alex Adrian. It's not a coincidence, I think, that Jack gets very invested in Alex's story. Alex is a grieving widower, who thinks he knows the cause of his wife's death, but hasn't been able to truly comprehend it or move past it.
And of course, Jack Fleming knows exactly what it's like to grieve a woman that he loves, without understanding what happened to her or why. He finally got those answers in the last book and now he can give those answers to someone else.
We also see a lot of development for Jack and Bobbi. Jack's still pretty avoidant and his trust issues are on full display. But they talk and they move forward, and Bobbi makes her choice for the future. That's pretty great.
And I think it's significant that Jack now has three people who know the truth about what he is, who are not horrified or disgusted or judgmental. He's getting to be honest with them and has been rewarded for it. That's kind of nice.
That aside, I do think that this is the weakest book in the series, so far. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. A breezy Midsomer adventure is a welcome reprieve after the intensity of Bloodcircle and before, well...
If my memory's correct, this reprieve will not last that long. Hah.
So yeah, I enjoyed it very much, and it's time to make a decision for next week.
Did it pass?
Yeah, I think it did. But let's talk about it in a bit more detail.
So this book is a different style of mystery than any of the previous books in this series. For once, Jack's issues are not the plot. Instead, this reminds me a bit more of something like Midsomer Murders, where we have a complex cast of characters and dynamics that weave together in its own story. Our investigating heroes are separate, friendly outsiders with no stakes in the mystery except the drive to find out the truth.
Well, kind of. There are a few elements that keep this from being a standalone story.
Most of that comes from Alex Adrian. It's not a coincidence, I think, that Jack gets very invested in Alex's story. Alex is a grieving widower, who thinks he knows the cause of his wife's death, but hasn't been able to truly comprehend it or move past it.
And of course, Jack Fleming knows exactly what it's like to grieve a woman that he loves, without understanding what happened to her or why. He finally got those answers in the last book and now he can give those answers to someone else.
We also see a lot of development for Jack and Bobbi. Jack's still pretty avoidant and his trust issues are on full display. But they talk and they move forward, and Bobbi makes her choice for the future. That's pretty great.
And I think it's significant that Jack now has three people who know the truth about what he is, who are not horrified or disgusted or judgmental. He's getting to be honest with them and has been rewarded for it. That's kind of nice.
That aside, I do think that this is the weakest book in the series, so far. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. A breezy Midsomer adventure is a welcome reprieve after the intensity of Bloodcircle and before, well...
If my memory's correct, this reprieve will not last that long. Hah.
So yeah, I enjoyed it very much, and it's time to make a decision for next week.
Art in the Blood - Chapter Twelve
Jun. 12th, 2025 08:18 pmkalinaraSo we've made it to the final chapter. And maybe some reveals!
( It's a whodunnit, after all. And vampires, perhaps, have a big advantage here... )
( It's a whodunnit, after all. And vampires, perhaps, have a big advantage here... )
(no subject)
Jun. 11th, 2025 12:54 amkalinaraAgain, another delay! I'm sorry about this. RL has just been rather hectic for me. But my next review should be up on Thursday.
(Edited for a better commitment)
(Edited for a better commitment)
A Cast of Corbies - Chapter Six
Jun. 6th, 2025 11:03 pmkalinaraSorry for the delay with this part! Things have been a bit hectic for me. But I'm glad to be back.
Well, maybe not so glad when it comes to this book, which seems to really bring out the teenage misogynist in me. I don't WANT to dislike the female lead or the relationship that we're being shown in this book, but it's getting pretty rough.
I don't want to immediately blame the co-writer for this, but there is a distinct difference in style from Lackey's other works in the series. Gwyna, for example, was portrayed as pretty headstrong and occasionally ran a little roughshod over her partner, but I didn't dislike her the way I do Magpie. It does make me think that one of my next books will be a different Lackey-and-Sherman team up (maybe the Bard's Tale tie in, "Castle of Deception" - which could be fun as it also includes a very different style of renegade dark elf) so I can compare the tone and style.
I also feel like the treatment of Roma in this book feels different, and this is where I feel my whiteness as a detriment as a reviewer. To ME, the micro-aggressions and dismissal/obliviousness of the white characters toward Raven and Crow feel possibly more realistic than we've seen so far from previous white characters, but also more frustrating and uncomfortable for me as a reader. It makes me wonder what a reader of color, particularly a Roma reader, would feel about this. Is this better or worse to read? Is harsh realism more preferable to a naive escapism?
I don't know the answer to that one. But if nothing else, I appreciate this book making me think about it, I suppose.
( It's still not as fun to read though... )
Well, maybe not so glad when it comes to this book, which seems to really bring out the teenage misogynist in me. I don't WANT to dislike the female lead or the relationship that we're being shown in this book, but it's getting pretty rough.
I don't want to immediately blame the co-writer for this, but there is a distinct difference in style from Lackey's other works in the series. Gwyna, for example, was portrayed as pretty headstrong and occasionally ran a little roughshod over her partner, but I didn't dislike her the way I do Magpie. It does make me think that one of my next books will be a different Lackey-and-Sherman team up (maybe the Bard's Tale tie in, "Castle of Deception" - which could be fun as it also includes a very different style of renegade dark elf) so I can compare the tone and style.
I also feel like the treatment of Roma in this book feels different, and this is where I feel my whiteness as a detriment as a reviewer. To ME, the micro-aggressions and dismissal/obliviousness of the white characters toward Raven and Crow feel possibly more realistic than we've seen so far from previous white characters, but also more frustrating and uncomfortable for me as a reader. It makes me wonder what a reader of color, particularly a Roma reader, would feel about this. Is this better or worse to read? Is harsh realism more preferable to a naive escapism?
I don't know the answer to that one. But if nothing else, I appreciate this book making me think about it, I suppose.
( It's still not as fun to read though... )
(no subject)
Jun. 4th, 2025 09:41 pmkalinaraSlight delay on the next review, sorry. In the mean time, please enjoy Scales's most recent Eragon recap!
pangolin20Chapter Twenty-Six (Part III) | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Eight (Part I)
Kerlois: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Eragon! Last time, Solembum gave Eragon some vague advice, Eragon discussed that with Saphira, and Brom decided to teach Eragon how to read.
( Some setup so we can actually go look at the records. )
|
In Sylvan Shadows - Chapter Four
May. 31st, 2025 10:34 pmkalinaraSo last time, Elbereth was a tool. I hope he improves over time. Aballister's lady henchman seems fairly interesting though.
( I know elves can be annoying, but THAT annoying? )
( I know elves can be annoying, but THAT annoying? )
Art in the Blood - Chapter Eleven
May. 28th, 2025 07:04 pmkalinaraSo last time, Jack and Bobbi reached a relationship milestone. And some artist dude might know about vampires. Eh, it's good for Jack to have friends.
( Well, hopefully not murdery friends... )
( Well, hopefully not murdery friends... )
A Cast of Corbies - Chapter Four and Five
May. 24th, 2025 11:17 pmkalinaraSo last time, there was a job offer and our lead character gets subjected to even more unchallenged racism. Fantastic.
I suppose it's realistic that the white heroes growing up in the society presented in the book would have some racist ideas. That's true in real life too. We've got things to unlearn over time. But it feels harsher in this book.
Rune had a fair amount of childhood experience with traveling Roma musicians at least. And the one time she does express some racist assumptions outloud, Talaysen corrects her and they move on. Kestrel isn't overtly racist, though it's possible that their differing cultures may have been an element in the communication issues between him and Robin. Something that they eventually end up addressing, with both of them acknowledging fault and the intention to improve.
But we've seen two separate characters "say" downright nasty things in their narrative thoughts without any kind of acknowledgment or correction and honestly, it sets my teeth on edge. Especially since one of these characters is being positioned as a love interest. Right now, I'm inclined to want Raven to take Crow and run far away from these assholes.
( Let these 'Free Bards' fly free for themselves! )
I suppose it's realistic that the white heroes growing up in the society presented in the book would have some racist ideas. That's true in real life too. We've got things to unlearn over time. But it feels harsher in this book.
Rune had a fair amount of childhood experience with traveling Roma musicians at least. And the one time she does express some racist assumptions outloud, Talaysen corrects her and they move on. Kestrel isn't overtly racist, though it's possible that their differing cultures may have been an element in the communication issues between him and Robin. Something that they eventually end up addressing, with both of them acknowledging fault and the intention to improve.
But we've seen two separate characters "say" downright nasty things in their narrative thoughts without any kind of acknowledgment or correction and honestly, it sets my teeth on edge. Especially since one of these characters is being positioned as a love interest. Right now, I'm inclined to want Raven to take Crow and run far away from these assholes.
( Let these 'Free Bards' fly free for themselves! )
In Sylvan Shadows - Chapter Three
May. 17th, 2025 07:21 pmkalinaraSo last time, we met Elbereth. Who kind of seems like a dick. He and Cadderly also kind of seem like they want to bang. So that's new.
( Also Danica finally broke something with her head )
( Also Danica finally broke something with her head )
Art in the Blood - Chapter Ten
May. 14th, 2025 08:04 pmkalinaraAfter a flood of belated Tables of Contents (I'm not sure I got tenses right there), I'm now back to reviewing! Yay!
So last time, Jack saved an artist. Then mildly hypnotized an artist. But the guy's okay, that's the important part, right?
( To be fair, if I could hypnotize people, I'd abuse it horribly )
So last time, Jack saved an artist. Then mildly hypnotized an artist. But the guy's okay, that's the important part, right?
( To be fair, if I could hypnotize people, I'd abuse it horribly )
A Cast of Corbies - Chapter Three
May. 11th, 2025 12:48 pmkalinaraSo last time, we had a pretty interesting set up, a dilemma that doesn't completely make sense but is at least challenging, and a female lead who is both racist and bizarrely possessive over a man she's just met.
And look, I always take my recollection of female characters with a grain of salt. As a teenager, I was, sadly, one of those girls (or girl-adjacent folk) who tended to not care for female characters for really stupid, internally misogynistic reasons. And if there's one thing this blog has helped me do is appreciate many of those female characters that I didn't care for back then.
I'm HOPING that'll be the case with Magpie, because the more I read, the more I'm starting to remember really disliking her. She's definitely not had a good start though.
( I like a good bickering courtship as much as anyone, but there's a line between bickering and 'do you two even actually LIKE each other' and this one seems like it might be the latter. But we'll see... )
And look, I always take my recollection of female characters with a grain of salt. As a teenager, I was, sadly, one of those girls (or girl-adjacent folk) who tended to not care for female characters for really stupid, internally misogynistic reasons. And if there's one thing this blog has helped me do is appreciate many of those female characters that I didn't care for back then.
I'm HOPING that'll be the case with Magpie, because the more I read, the more I'm starting to remember really disliking her. She's definitely not had a good start though.
( I like a good bickering courtship as much as anyone, but there's a line between bickering and 'do you two even actually LIKE each other' and this one seems like it might be the latter. But we'll see... )
(no subject)
May. 9th, 2025 05:49 pmkalinaraThe next Cast of Corbies review will probably be up Sunday. Sorry for the delay!
(Edited to reflect current level of laziness)
(Edited to reflect current level of laziness)
In Sylvan Shadows - Chapter Two
May. 6th, 2025 07:04 pmkalinaraSo last time, we met with some elves. They seem like okay sorts, if a bit besieged. We'll have to see what comes of that.
( I wonder where Aballister's gone off to... )
( I wonder where Aballister's gone off to... )
Art in the Blood - Chapter Nine
May. 2nd, 2025 07:27 pmkalinaraSo last time, we left off with a cliffhanger - an artist in danger! Oops!
( and they say the art world is brutal... )
( and they say the art world is brutal... )
A Cast of Corbies - Chapter Two
Apr. 28th, 2025 06:44 pmkalinaraSo last time, we started a book! It's got some interesting ideas and some spotty execution. But I'm intrigued by the idea of seeing more about how the Free Bards actually function.
I do wish the main female character wasn't such a prickly killjoy.
( I'm not saying every female character needs to be likable but I don't particularly want to hang out with this woman... )
I do wish the main female character wasn't such a prickly killjoy.
( I'm not saying every female character needs to be likable but I don't particularly want to hang out with this woman... )
