August Reading Update
Sep. 2nd, 2023 05:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
penwallaMy beefiest month yet! I started a massive P&P variation reread in order to put together a rec list. Look for that later this month.
Currently Reading:
Mr. Darcy's Persistent Pursuit by Elaine Owen
Part of my rereading for this rec list I'm putting together. So far it's very mid, but I remember the sequel starring Lydia to be quite good, so I'm reading just to get to that.
"You Just Need to Lose Weight" And 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon
Ongoing. Wouldn't be surprised if I were scrambling to finish at the end of the year.
Witch King by Martha Wells
Just started this one! So far I'm enjoying it.
New Reads:
The Killings at Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah
5/5. Sophie Hannah really captures the style and spirit of a Poirot mystery, but she has a modern sensibility that means the books aren't bogged with racism and xenophobia.
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
5/5. I don't read a lot of horror but I really enjoyed this. It feels topical--conversion therapy, Christian cults, ableism--and it's a fast-paced, engaging read. I felt like Tingle really brings the protagonist to life and invests you into her journey quickly, and I could definitely relate to her situation as someone who also was raised in a homophobic religious tradition.
Dykette by Jenny Fran Davis
3/5. Extremely mixed feelings. I think it's important that books like this exist but I also hated reading this. Sorry but I don't want to spend time with this neurotic, tedious, overwrought set of characters, particularly our POV character. Might be more compelling to readers who are involved in butch/femme culture, to be fair! Internally I am a genderless blob and cannot relate to any of this. 1/5 on enjoyment, gets 2 stars for the messy queer rep that I know will appeal to others.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
1/5. You can read my chapter by chapter breakdowns and my full review elsewhere on this blog. It has moments of competence that make the overall suckiness even worse by comparison. I suspect the author's only fantasy consumption, if there is any, is popular YA.
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh
5/5. Dystopian space opera! Deradicalization! Surprisingly hopeful ending! Extreme importance placed on platonic relationships, but still queer! I've seen reviews call this out for not being nuanced enough and I hard disagree. I think this accomplishes exactly what it's trying to accomplish.
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
4/5. I think I was affected by the amount of hype this got because of the recent Netflix adaptation. As graphic novels go, there's nothing wrong with it, but it's a pretty simple story and the ending feels unsatisfying. Good but not great, didn't really leave a mark on me.
ATLS Handbook by American College of Surgeons
Listed for completion's sake. No rating.
Rereads:
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
4/5. Marred by a bizarrely racist characterization of Pilar, otherwise classic Christie.
Unequal Affections by Lara S. Ormiston
4/5. Overall a solid marriage of convenience P&P. Has two flaws: one is weird gender essentialism, a thing that I was not sensitive to when I got into this genre and am now very annoyed by. The other is that the book does what I think a lot of books of this type do, where they treat the man's hurt feelings as equivalent to the woman's anxiety about marriage, even though in this time period there was a massive difference in social, legal, and financial power between man and woman. Like, come on.
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
5/5. I love this book. The magic system is really interesting and integrated well into the historical context of the world at that time, and the romance is really compelling. Very excited to read the rest of the series this year.
The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah
4/5.
Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah
5/5.
The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah
5/5.
These new Poirot novels by Sophie Hannah are overall solid, retaining the feel and charm of Christie's work but bringing a modern sensibility. Really enjoyed these. The first one gets a star docked solely because one of the plot points the mystery hinges on is the singular "they" being grammatically incorrect. Don't care if that's historically accurate! It annoys me! My ratings are subjective!
The Companion by Jann Rowland
3/5. This is an interesting premise, and not one I've seen before, but it squanders its promise pretty quickly. Once Anne is out of Rosings, she becomes a plot device who facilitates romances, and improbably has no side effects or lingering trauma from her lifetime of abuse. There's basically no conflict for the back half of the novel--everyone loves Elizabeth to an absurd degree, and she and Darcy's romance is bland and plodding.
Miss Darcy's Companion by Sophie Meredith
3/5. This is a classic premise of the genre, but it's not a well-executed take. There are three things about this I dislike. One is the style--it feels like Meredith is trying to be Georgette Heyer, but it just feels like the book is bloated with Regency-era slang. The dialogue is really unnatural sounding, too, especially Georgiana and Darcy. The narration can be fun in places, but it's not always carried off well. Second, I hate the masculine condescension of this book. Every time Darcy calls Elizabeth "my girl" or jokingly threatens to spank her I want to hurl. I don't care if it's historically accurate. It's 2023 and it's gross and unpleasant to read. Third, this is just not a compelling romance, and the third act conflict between Darcy and Elizabeth is handled so badly. The book treats it like they're both at fault, and yet they are obviously NOT. He should have to grovel way more.
Mr. Bennet's Dutiful Daughter by Joana Starnes
4/5. Another classic premise. I love marriage of convenience, and this would be 5 stars if not for the stupid third act conflict. I've said it before and I'll say it again: marrying for money is a completely normal thing to do in this time and place, especially in Elizabeth's position. Like, it is hypocritical for the narrative to laud Darcy for using his money and power to protect Elizabeth, and yet to not laud Elizabeth for what is arguably a much greater sacrifice to protect her sisters and mother.
Miss Darcy's Companion by Joana Starnes
5/5. This is the best of the companion!Elizabeth novels I read this month. The romance is the most compelling, the book makes the best use of misunderstandings and side characters, and it has the least annoying third act conflict by far.
One False Step by Elaine Owen
5/5. This is a marriage of convenience AU that uses the letter Darcy gives Elizabeth as a starting point. I really like the set up for this one, and it has another decent third act conflict.
Duty Demands by Elaine Owen
5/5. Forced marriage AU. I like the way this one sets up a misunderstanding by having the proposal go through Elizabeth's uncle; I think it's a good way to start them off on opposite sides without it feeling too forced. Good relationship development, Darcy actually acknowledges that Elizabeth would have felt compelled to marry him due to her financial circumstances, etc.
Currently Reading:
Mr. Darcy's Persistent Pursuit by Elaine Owen
Part of my rereading for this rec list I'm putting together. So far it's very mid, but I remember the sequel starring Lydia to be quite good, so I'm reading just to get to that.
"You Just Need to Lose Weight" And 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon
Ongoing. Wouldn't be surprised if I were scrambling to finish at the end of the year.
Witch King by Martha Wells
Just started this one! So far I'm enjoying it.
New Reads:
The Killings at Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah
5/5. Sophie Hannah really captures the style and spirit of a Poirot mystery, but she has a modern sensibility that means the books aren't bogged with racism and xenophobia.
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
5/5. I don't read a lot of horror but I really enjoyed this. It feels topical--conversion therapy, Christian cults, ableism--and it's a fast-paced, engaging read. I felt like Tingle really brings the protagonist to life and invests you into her journey quickly, and I could definitely relate to her situation as someone who also was raised in a homophobic religious tradition.
Dykette by Jenny Fran Davis
3/5. Extremely mixed feelings. I think it's important that books like this exist but I also hated reading this. Sorry but I don't want to spend time with this neurotic, tedious, overwrought set of characters, particularly our POV character. Might be more compelling to readers who are involved in butch/femme culture, to be fair! Internally I am a genderless blob and cannot relate to any of this. 1/5 on enjoyment, gets 2 stars for the messy queer rep that I know will appeal to others.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
1/5. You can read my chapter by chapter breakdowns and my full review elsewhere on this blog. It has moments of competence that make the overall suckiness even worse by comparison. I suspect the author's only fantasy consumption, if there is any, is popular YA.
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh
5/5. Dystopian space opera! Deradicalization! Surprisingly hopeful ending! Extreme importance placed on platonic relationships, but still queer! I've seen reviews call this out for not being nuanced enough and I hard disagree. I think this accomplishes exactly what it's trying to accomplish.
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
4/5. I think I was affected by the amount of hype this got because of the recent Netflix adaptation. As graphic novels go, there's nothing wrong with it, but it's a pretty simple story and the ending feels unsatisfying. Good but not great, didn't really leave a mark on me.
ATLS Handbook by American College of Surgeons
Listed for completion's sake. No rating.
Rereads:
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
4/5. Marred by a bizarrely racist characterization of Pilar, otherwise classic Christie.
Unequal Affections by Lara S. Ormiston
4/5. Overall a solid marriage of convenience P&P. Has two flaws: one is weird gender essentialism, a thing that I was not sensitive to when I got into this genre and am now very annoyed by. The other is that the book does what I think a lot of books of this type do, where they treat the man's hurt feelings as equivalent to the woman's anxiety about marriage, even though in this time period there was a massive difference in social, legal, and financial power between man and woman. Like, come on.
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
5/5. I love this book. The magic system is really interesting and integrated well into the historical context of the world at that time, and the romance is really compelling. Very excited to read the rest of the series this year.
The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah
4/5.
Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah
5/5.
The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah
5/5.
These new Poirot novels by Sophie Hannah are overall solid, retaining the feel and charm of Christie's work but bringing a modern sensibility. Really enjoyed these. The first one gets a star docked solely because one of the plot points the mystery hinges on is the singular "they" being grammatically incorrect. Don't care if that's historically accurate! It annoys me! My ratings are subjective!
The Companion by Jann Rowland
3/5. This is an interesting premise, and not one I've seen before, but it squanders its promise pretty quickly. Once Anne is out of Rosings, she becomes a plot device who facilitates romances, and improbably has no side effects or lingering trauma from her lifetime of abuse. There's basically no conflict for the back half of the novel--everyone loves Elizabeth to an absurd degree, and she and Darcy's romance is bland and plodding.
Miss Darcy's Companion by Sophie Meredith
3/5. This is a classic premise of the genre, but it's not a well-executed take. There are three things about this I dislike. One is the style--it feels like Meredith is trying to be Georgette Heyer, but it just feels like the book is bloated with Regency-era slang. The dialogue is really unnatural sounding, too, especially Georgiana and Darcy. The narration can be fun in places, but it's not always carried off well. Second, I hate the masculine condescension of this book. Every time Darcy calls Elizabeth "my girl" or jokingly threatens to spank her I want to hurl. I don't care if it's historically accurate. It's 2023 and it's gross and unpleasant to read. Third, this is just not a compelling romance, and the third act conflict between Darcy and Elizabeth is handled so badly. The book treats it like they're both at fault, and yet they are obviously NOT. He should have to grovel way more.
Mr. Bennet's Dutiful Daughter by Joana Starnes
4/5. Another classic premise. I love marriage of convenience, and this would be 5 stars if not for the stupid third act conflict. I've said it before and I'll say it again: marrying for money is a completely normal thing to do in this time and place, especially in Elizabeth's position. Like, it is hypocritical for the narrative to laud Darcy for using his money and power to protect Elizabeth, and yet to not laud Elizabeth for what is arguably a much greater sacrifice to protect her sisters and mother.
Miss Darcy's Companion by Joana Starnes
5/5. This is the best of the companion!Elizabeth novels I read this month. The romance is the most compelling, the book makes the best use of misunderstandings and side characters, and it has the least annoying third act conflict by far.
One False Step by Elaine Owen
5/5. This is a marriage of convenience AU that uses the letter Darcy gives Elizabeth as a starting point. I really like the set up for this one, and it has another decent third act conflict.
Duty Demands by Elaine Owen
5/5. Forced marriage AU. I like the way this one sets up a misunderstanding by having the proposal go through Elizabeth's uncle; I think it's a good way to start them off on opposite sides without it feeling too forced. Good relationship development, Darcy actually acknowledges that Elizabeth would have felt compelled to marry him due to her financial circumstances, etc.
