This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi – author of the Shatter Me series – was a quick DNF for me, unfortunately falling into the category of books I shelve under “Interesting Premise, Weak Writing.” I only made a few chapters in, but here are four key issues I would have addressed to make it a …
Continue reading Why This Woven Kingdom Fell Short: 4 Key Issues
Ink & Sigil by Kevin Hearne was a fun, fast-paced read set in a magical version of Scotland. It follows the misadventures of an endearing curmudgeon and Sigil Agent, Al MacBharrais, who reads like a ready-to-retire Sherlock Holmes who’s just a little bit depressed. Along with his lovably lewd hobgoblin sidekick Buck Foi (yes, really), …
Continue reading Unpacking Ink & Sigil: A Witty, Irreverant Mystery-Action Urban Fantasy
What makes a good story? Each book review you'll find here is a case study with examples of creative writing do's and don'ts. I analyze character development, pacing, writing techniques, worldbuilding, and prose with the goal of helping myself, and hopefully others, become a better writer. This is not a “here’s what to read next” …
The Book of Dust is a new series by Philip Pullman, and a continuation of another series he completed around 18 years ago called His Dark Materials (you may recognize it by the name of the first book, The Golden Compass which was made into a movie in 2007). La Belle Sauvage (Book of Dust #1) is …
Continue reading Book Review: La Belle Sauvage (Book of Dust #1)
Spinning Silver is set in the snow-swept kingdom of Lithvas, a land ruled by an arrogant tsar and terrorized by the ruthless, otherworldly Staryk. Novik lightly draws inspiration from the Legend of Rumpelstiltskin, a folktale with European roots that shares the lessons to be learned from greed, the pursuit of power, and “getting out of …
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