Otherwood was a brilliant story, and I loved it – but I also sort of don’t know what to make of it? It’s one of those stories that you understand more subconsciously rather than in a straight-forward manner. When I got the review copy, I expected it to be a fantasy woodsy tale, but it’s nothing like that – it…
Continue Reading→Category: Magical realism
A Poignant Magical Realism Story About Getting Over Loss And Grief A Hall of Keys and No Doors by Emmie Mears, ★★★★☆ 4 stars
Do you know how sometimes you’ll finish the last sentence of a book and think, “This was magic. Pure magic”? This is what happened to me with A Hall of Keys and No Doors by Emmie Mears. Although slow to start – what a satisfying book and what a strong ending. Really left my heart full. Check out on Goodreads…
Continue Reading→A Book That Brings Some Magic Back Into The 21st Century The Heavens by Sandra Newman
It’s been a while that I’ve read a book like The Heavens – one that’s essentially a contemporary, but somehow feels so much like a fairytale. And it’s not that it’s got any fairytale stuff going on at all – perhaps it just hints at magical realism or something like that. No, it’s more in the way the story is…
Continue Reading→The Four Women by Michelle Keill A Complex, Emotional, Smart And Incredibly Dark Tale
The Four Women is a strange, unique story you can’t quite make something of, at first. The strongest thing about it is that it’s littered with dark premonitions and foreboding, but it’s dosed so measuredly that it will keep you guessing about why what happens will happen – even if you’ve known it will happen ever since you’ve started reading…
Continue Reading→[Magical Realism] A Soft And Comforting Story Of Love And Magic The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
This was one of my most magical reads of the year! I am absolutely in love with this sweet, adorable story. And I’m not a sweet story person even! For anyone who loved Practical Magic, this is the softer and more sepia tale that will not give you even a drop of sadness. Well, maybe a little bit of wistfulness!…
Continue Reading→Mythological + #OwnVoices + Mental Health = Fascinating Novel!! Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
I cannot believe Freshwater is a debut novel. Akwaeke Emezi is a rising star, an incredible writer, and I hope to see many more masterpieces by her. Will I be re-reading this one? Oh, yeah – definitely. And you know what it means when I say I would reread a book. Check out on Goodreads Get at Book Depository ★★★★★ 5 stars…
Continue Reading→The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar Mermaids, Merchants And Courtesans... In A Book
The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, when you first read its name, conjures up a certain magic, which only intensifies when you look at the cover. Which is why I absolutely did not know what to expect from this book! So let’s see what it’s all about! Check out on Goodreads Get at Book Depository ★★★★☆ 4 stars It’s the autumn…
Continue Reading→The Plague Charmer by Karen Maitland Dark, Atmospheric And Very Medieval
If you like reading well researched, incredibly atmospheric, not sugar-coated historical novels about the middle ages, The Plague Charmer is just for you. My review of this wonderful book has been long overdue, so let’s start. Check out on Goodreads Get at Book Depository ★★★★✬ 4.5 stars Life is pretty tough in the middle ages – work is hard, food is…
Continue Reading→Beauty And Ugliness In Love: The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson One Of The Most Beautiful Books I Read This Year
This book has been amazing. So amazing, that as usual, I let a half a year pass before I even thought of reviewing it. Months later, I still get vivid flashbacks from this unbelievably strong, beautiful, and yet visceral story. Check out on Goodreads Get at Book Depository ★★★★★ 5+++ stars A man suffers a terrifying car crash and ends…
Continue Reading→This Just In: Magical Alice Hoffman Still Writes Magically Or, Review of The Rules of Magic
Check out on Goodreads Get at Book Depository ★★★★✬ 4.5 stars You might have been able to tell from my headline that I really love Alice Hoffman’s writing. I started this year by reading Faithful and was insta-fanned right away (Yes, I just invented that word.) I also read Practical Magic in preparation for reading The Rules of Magic, and although I could…
Continue Reading→Haunting, Haunted, Sad and Diverse – In Case I Go by Angie Abdou A book that can't decide between horror and historical, and that's a good thing
Check out on Goodreads Get at Book Depository ★★★★☆ 4 stars In Case I Go caught my eye instantly. The blurb makes you feel like it’s a book struggling with its identity – should I be a horror? A historical novel? Just a contemporary with magical realism? AND I LOVE THIS. Mixtures between genres make the best stories! If you’ve…
Continue Reading→Everything Should Be Practical – Even Magic Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Check out on Goodreads Get at Book Depository ★★★☆☆ 3 stars As we’re nearing the release of The Rules of Magic, let’s look back to where it all began. Back in the 90’s when I was but a wee lass, there was Practical Magic. Which wasn’t just a book – it became a beautiful movie too! In fact, that’s how I come…
Continue Reading→How To NOT Find A Spark In A Brilliantly Set Up Story The Finding of Martha Lost by Caroline Wallace
Check out on Goodreads Get at Book Depository ★★★☆☆ 3 stars We need to talk about how I found myself feeling about The Finding of Martha Lost. Cause I for sure am not lost about how I feel about this book. You could say I am finding myself with quite a strong opinion. Enough of the puns! Let’s talk straight…
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