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Bitsy's Books

Note: I'm uploading my books from Goodreads and since there are like 200+ it's going to take awhile. The uploading seems a bit wonky too, so hang with me as I fix things. Also there may be spoilers until I can make all the appropriate tags.

 

I'm an ex-English Major who, sick of reading classics after college, decided to read all the trashy books I didn't before because I was too snobby. Since graduating, I've entertained myself with comics, YA, and romance novels, finding out they can not only be decently written, but superbly written. I've since recovered from my classics aversion, but I'm now more open-minded reader willing to read from any genre. If a book has kick-ass heroines and/or witty banter and/or takes place in a different time or place (including fantasy settings), I will most likely fall in love with it. My favorite authors are Jane Austen, Shakespeare, E.M. Forster, Meljean Brook, Sarah Rees Brennan, Rachel Hartman, Catherynne M. Valente, and Aliette de Bodard.

Currently reading

The Blue Fairy Book
Andrew Lang
Apollo's Angels: A History of Ballet
Jennifer Homans
The Fierce Reads Anthology - Anna Banks,  Leigh Bardugo,  Jennifer Bosworth,  Emmy Laybourne,  Marissa Meyer Overall: 3 StarsI read this anthology because I was interested in Bardugo's and Meyer's novels...and this anthology pretty much cemented that they're the most interesting and well-written of the bunch. Still, I liked this offer from Tor - a quality product (the cover art for each individual story is AM-AH-ZING)and a chance for readers to sample authors for FREE!!! If you have an ereader, I highly recommend you check it out, especially for Bardugo's story. It's excellent. Oddly enough, the individual stories themselves aren't free. Oh and did I say it's FREE??????Favorite: The Witch of Duva by Leigh BardugoWorst: Prophet by Jennifer BosworthStandouts : Glitches by Marissa MeyerLegacy Lost by Anna Banks2.5 StarsA mermaid prince must wed a mermaid princess to ensure the survival of their race. One problem: Grom hates her. However, fate has other plans.If I was a bigger fan of mermaids, this story may have worked more for me. It was interesting, but not completely original. The world-building was clunkily inserted yet still left gaps in the readers' understanding. The prose vacilitated between needlessly wordy and beautiful imagery.The Witch of Duva by Leigh Bardugo5 StarsIn a Russian-based fantasy world, young girls are going missing in the Nadya's village. She suspects the beautiful widow who is viying for her father.I really enjoy fairytale retellings, especially those that turn fairytales on their heads. I was held rapt while Nadya discovered the secret behind the disapearances and discovers her place in the world. I loved how Bardugo created a world and creatures different from traditional Russian folklore, yet one that fits right into the traditional mythology at the same time. I'm really excited to read her full-length novel set in this world, Shadow and Bone.Prophet by Jennifer Bosworth2 StarsA teenage son of a cult leader comes of age and accepts his destiny.This is a very short story (6-13 pages on my Nook) and has hardly any time to develop the characters or for the reader to develop any sort of bond or emotional response. It's a very traditional villain origin story, but doesn't add anything new or do anything interesting. It's competently written, but rushed. Considering I've read many similar stories with similar plot devices this fell flat.Dress Your Marines in White by Emmy Laybourne3 StarsA scientist relives an experiment that goes horribly wrong.While this story was gripping and interesting, the more I thought about it, the more problems I had. How could blood type possibly cause aggression or hallucinations - things that are caused by the nervous system rather than the circulatory system? There were also plot points that made no logical sense (especially in a high-security military research facility). I didn't understand or connect with the POV character or his eventual decision and the rest of the characters were flat and stereotypical. Despite my (many) misgivings, the story kept me glued to the page. The narrative jumped back and forth between the report, flashbacks, and the current setting. A lesser writer could have muddled that terribly, but Laybourne does have storytelling skills. It’s just too bad it’s wrapped up in bad pseudo-science and weak characters. Also, the adult male protagonist says "a-hole" instead of "asshole" 3 times, making him sound like a 10-year-old girl who is still uncomfortable with swearing. He’s an ADULT. Get over it. Teenagers will not die if they read the word "asshole."Glitches by Marissa Meyer4 StarsIn this sci-fi retelling of Cinderella, Cinder, a cyborg, is adopted into the family of a well-meaning if flighty inventor. Cinder tries to form relationships and find her place, while trying to adjust to life as a cyborg.I was drawn to this story because of the Asian-inspired sci-fi setting and the unique world-building. The small domestic glimpse of Cinder’s world is fascinating and makes me curious about the greater world of her story. Meyer has a very easy voice that draws you in. However, I had assumed Cinder was Asian, but it is revealed that she is European. I was a bit put off that the author didn’t have an Asian heroine. Cinder’s plight is heart-breaking and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of The Lunar Chronicles.