Review: Drowned Country by Emily Tesh, 2020

Drowned Country by Emily Tesh, 2020
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Drowned Country" utterly captivated me from the moment I began reading. This mesmerizing sequel to "Silver in the Wood" transported me into an atmospheric, dark fairy tale world that blended adventure, mythology, and a deeply touching love story. As a fan of the first book, I found this installment to be just as enchanting, and I believe newcomers to the duology will be equally enthralled.

The story follows Henry Silver as he reluctantly takes on the mantle of the Wild Man of Greenhollow, embarking on a thrilling quest to find a missing girl in the enigmatic Undersea. I was captivated by the danger, magic, and mythical creatures that populated this incredible realm, which drew me even deeper into the rich folklore and fantasy that the author masterfully weaves.

One aspect of the novel that particularly resonated with me was the love story between Henry Silver and Tobias Finch. The sensitive portrayal of their relationship within the narrative added depth and emotion to the story. I found their connection heartwarming.

The author's bewitching, alluring, and at times, haunting writing style swept me away. The vivid descriptions, well-paced narrative, and immersive world-building made "Drowned Country" a truly exceptional reading experience, and I was completely absorbed in this magical realm of adventure and romance.

In conclusion, "Drowned Country" stole my heart with its captivating and haunting tale of love, magic, mythology, and adventure. The unforgettable characters, evocative themes, and enthralling twists left a lasting impression on me, and I wholeheartedly recommend this sequel to anyone who dares to dive into its magical world.

I rate this novella 5 out of 5 stars.

#DrownedCountry #MagicalAdventure #LoveAndMythology #LGBT #QueerLit #EmilyTesh #SilverInTheWood #Fantasy #Romance

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Review: Book Lovers by Emily Henry, 2022

Book Lovers by Emily Henry
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Book Lovers by Emily Henry, 2022

I trite retread of any one of Nora Ephron's rom-com novels turned movie starring Meg Ryan. Some may consider Book Lovers a fresh coat of makeup for all the tropes found here and updated for the times. It was a guilty read for me at first, but by the time I was halfway through and half invested in the characters, I was reading faster to get it over with and done.

In Book Lovers, Nora Stephens (I'm sure this is a nod to Nora Ephron) is an intelligent workaholic literary agent living in New York. Dragged into a monthlong trip to the picturesque small town in North Carolina by her younger sister (ulterior motives and all), Nora runs into her professional arch nemesis, Charlie. I don't think I have to say much else, but yes, Nora and Charlie get it on more than once, lurid details and all.

I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.

#HateRead #RomCom #EmilyHenry #NotMegRyan #NotNoraEphron

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Warm Bodies, by Isaac Marion, 2010

Warm Bodies, by Isaac Marion, 2010

Zombie boy R meet human girl Julie. R decides not to eat Julie and save her instead, beginning a strange and somewhat creepy sweet romantic relationship.

It's a not-so-typical zombie story. It's more like a zombified Romeo and Juliet story with the zombification in reverse.

The language in the story was beautifully crafted and carefully chosen to elicit wistful love and longing feelings.  Light humor and delight punctuated what otherwise would be just creepy or unnerving.

I found that it was easy to notice when R was calling Perry's memories or if he was just thinking himself during the beginning and ending of the book.  Towards the middle, I had to read back a paragraph or two when something didn't make sense only to find out the "point of view" switched.

My biggest complaint was Julie's dad. His character seemed to appear towards the end of the book and as the bad-guy.  It was too convenient of a plot device to move the story to a close.

Some of my favorite passages from the book:

"Are my words ever actually audible, or do they just echo in my head while people stare at me, waiting? I want to change my punctuation. I long for exclamation marks, but I’m drowning in ellipses."

"None of us are particularly attractive, but death has been kinder to me than some. I'm still in the early stages of decay. Just the grey skin, the unpleasant smell, the dark circles under my eyes. I could almost pass for a living man in need of a vacation."

All in all, the book was ok.  There is a movie version released in 2013 that has different ending. Maybe the movie version is better.

Isaac Marion

movie trailer:

http://youtu.be/qrI8YIZsBok

Authors Website: http://www.isaacmarion.com/warm-bodies/


My rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars) - It was ok.