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Nadia

@once_upon.a_fantasy

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Alpha, beta and ARC reader.
Love fantasy!
Occasional controversial opinions.

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I decided to let my partner pick my next read after finishing The Isle in the Silver Seas, and he decided on Murtagh.

I read the rest of the Eragon series earlier this year so rounding off the series was a good choice on his part.

Objectively this is a really good book with a lot of plot, strong characters, interesting villain motivation, and many, many more things.

And the many more things were the problem for me.

Sometimes I felt a bit like there was too much extra detail. Like, I don't need a menu list for a feast.

So, in my opinion, I found it too long, which is why it took me nearly a week to read. Well, that and I'm trying to do non-book things in the evenings.

That being said, the emotional trauma and hurt of Murtagh and Thorn were absolutely amazing. I loved the parts where we got to dive into their backgrounds and what happened to them while Eragon focused on, well, Eragon. by @once_upon.a_fantasy

10

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a day ago

There is a lot to be said for The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri, but as I am limited in space I'll focus on the three major themes that run through the book: cultural imperialism, immigration and propaganda.

Cultural imperialism: historically the British empire enforced (or tried to) a homogeneous identity throughout. Guided by the "superior" British culture. Languages, fashion, food and more were all targets for local cultures to conform to. Languages were forbidden, clothing was Elizabethan etc. This is something the story plays around with, in the form of the stories that feed The Isle. They must conform to a certain narrative for each.

Immigration: this one hit a little more personally, as I am an immigrant, and what the book does with this is show how difficult it can be to conform. But also how it really isn't a good thing to homogenise culture through immigrants.
There is blame thrown at immigrants in the book for the Isle struggling, immigrants are killed for their stories and what they bring to it. But, really, it's dying and immigrants could offer the Isle new life. A fresh injection so to speak. Everything bad happening is not the fault of immigrants, but they are easy scapegoats.

And last, but not least, propaganda: it ties into the two above. Controlling the narrative of stories by those in power is something people should never accept.
It is incredibly dangerous to have a small group of people control what is shared with the larger group. And the book explores this beautifully as well.

Everything in this comes back to books and stories, and I found that a perfect frame for what the book is trying to say. Books are important, books can teach you about life and others (fiction in particular!) and stories are the lifeblood of human kind.

This is a wonderful book that has never been more important than in the current political climate.
The only reason why this is not a 5* read for me is because I struggled a bit with the pacing here and there. by @once_upon.a_fantasy

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8 days ago

ARC Review

Women being allowed to unapologetically be themselves has come a long way. And yet still has a long way to go.

The reality is that we should not be "allowed" anything, but just be. Sadly, there seems to be a backlash against that now, making this novel all the more important.

My feminist heart was breaking throughout this story with everything it gave me, and I could not put it down from page 1.

This is historical fiction that creates a beautiful story of a woman learning to be herself and the cost of that. Set in the time of the witch hunts, and all the prejudice it lends.

It follows Tilda over roughly 10 years of her life and deals with her struggles with being the daughter of a woman executed as a witch, falling in love, the reality of her stigma and so much more.

I am a bit at a loss for words right now, but this book was something truly magical. And horrific in its realism.

The book officially releases on the 3rd of November. by @once_upon.a_fantasy

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10 days ago

A lot of good books this month, including my first 5* since May.

Lots of emotional devastation, which is my favourite thing. 😁

More fun stuff in October hopefully, with lots of spooky stuff! by @once_upon.a_fantasy

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15 days ago

ARC Review

I came across this book some months ago, and in true me fashion, I was interested because of the cover.

So when the ARC application form went up I hurried on over and applied.

I was ecstatic when I was approved!

And it was worth it!

Second chance romances is one of my top 5 tropes, and I love witchy/gothic/spooky stuff so this is really right up my alley.

As usual I could have done with longer of them being exes because that is what truly makes my chest squeeze. But, it does also move forward slowly and let the reader sit in the hurt, which is my main requirement for second chance.

Sunday is a really fun MMC and despite his look he's a teddy bear. And a silly one at that. He made me laugh quite a few times with his sarcastic comments.

Bellamy is adorable too, and the pair have a cute dynamic, but Sunday did steal the show for me.

This is a perfect spooky season read.

Its official publication date is the 31st of October, so right on Halloween. by @once_upon.a_fantasy

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16 days ago

ARC Review

I really enjoyed book 1 in the Sea and Skye series so when book 2 came up for ARCs you can bet I signed up IMMEDIATELY!

I'd Kiss You in the Rain has more sad bois in moody Scotland, and I love that.

Jordan Victoria really can write some excellent sad bois.

Now, as the story between Noah and Robbie is incomplete (at least in terms of publishing) I am missing parts. But they are coming, and I'll be signing up for that ARC. I'll be signing up for all the ARCs.

This is a quick read, I think all of it took me about 4 hours to read it, and it has lots of ED.

I very much look forward to where the next half of the story is going. I have many questions, and I just look forward to it being set more in its own frame rather than the frame of book 1.

Seeing Robbie and Noah grow together should be really good.
I do love a grumpy/sunshine with 2nd/3rd chances.

It officially comes out on the 23rd of October. by @once_upon.a_fantasy

9

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17 days ago

Two questions dominate the second half of The Radiant Emperor duet:
What makes a villain?
And
What is the cost of victory?

In the end it's up to the reader how to answer those questions.

There are far too many things in this book that I loved and I could do a deep dive into it. But as I am limited in characters I will just talk a bit about the things that stood out to me enough for me to make a note of them.

At one point Zhu has to pretend to be a woman. So she's a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman. And Ouyang finds her pretending to be a woman unbelievable. The whole interaction had me laughing with its absurdity. It was an excellently humourous look at gender and sex vs expectations of the two.

A split between the body and the self is something that carries several characters through the story. They have their self, which is to be protected, and they have their bodies, whose goals often don't align with the self.

The sympathetic villain is also explored heavily in this with villainy being a matter of perception.

And lastly, the political web that is spun in this story is incredibly intricate, a tug on one string reverberates into others. But at the same time it is incredibly petty, as politics often are, but also speaks to the interconnectedness of tearing things down. Nothing is isolated and things happen because others might be doing things you're unaware of.

I'll finish this with a quote:
"I spent the first part of my life being told I was nothing. The world, never seeing my value, would have thrown me away without regret. I'm sure you know the feeling. Even though you had your revenge to cling to—when the world treated you as a thing, didn't you dream of being a person, as I did? You and I, General: we were both denied a chance to live freely, let alone be great or have our names remembered, for simply being who we are." by @once_upon.a_fantasy

10

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17 days ago

What is in a name? What does a name mean for an identity? For the self?

What does it mean for the self when a nameless girl assumes her brother's name after his death?

These questions are heavily explored in Shelley Parker-Chan's She Who Became the Sun.

Zhu's value comes from pretending to be a man. All her accomplishments are recognised because she's perceived as a man.
And isn't that just the heartbreaking truth?
We may have more equality now than ever before (for now) but that isn't true for all women. The difficulties of being a woman are more prominent in many parts of the world still.

Questions about gender and identity mingle beautifully into the narrative as well. What it means to question your gender, and what that means if it's different what the sex you were born with.

It also holds a sharp criticism of anti-intellectualism and the dangers of lacking knowledge. Preferring brawn over brains, so to speak. And it's punished.

The book was really good for my brain, but didn't do much to my heart.

Nevertheless, it's an incredibly well-crafted story with strong characters. I absolutely loved the journey this sent me on and I look forward to book 2. by @once_upon.a_fantasy

14

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20 days ago

Happy Sapphic September!

I know, I know. Shame on me that I arrived at the 23rd before reading an appropriate book. Time got away from me. I have no other excuse.

It's always nice to read some J. J. Arias though. She genuinely writes some of my favourite contemporary sapphic books.

Destination You is no exception. It's a cute and lovely story about two people falling in love despite their reasons not to.

It's very slice-of-life and drama free. Very mature and grown-up. It's a nice little detour from some of the stuff I normally read.

And, as always from JJA, has excellent spice! 😏

It also has a little nod to Guava Flavoured Lies, which I read earlier this year and also loved.

Just overall a lovely time. Worth every second I spent on it. by @once_upon.a_fantasy

8

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23 days ago

ARC Review

I nearly missed this ARC as it ended up in my spam folder. Good thing I was looking for something else and stumbled upon it.

I seem to just be devouring this series by Cole Beckett. I could not put this one down.

The story is a bit too slice-of-life at times, but it serves a purpose. A purpose I was delighted by.

What I mean by that you'll find out when you read the book.

I absolutely loved seeing the relationship established in book 1 develop further here, and it's lovely, and sweet. And delightfully spicy. 😏

There might be some memorables.

Now, the main thing that I struggled a bit with was the ending. It wasn't quite what I would have wanted from it, but (!) it was still incredibly satisfying to me. And I hope, maybe (please all of my literary goddesses and muses!!) it will pan out how I hope.

The official release date is the 28th of September. by @once_upon.a_fantasy

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24 days ago

So, I got the ARC for book 2 of Redline and thought it best to catch up.

And I did!

Now, it's not a secret that I don't care for sports romances, but apparently I'm not too bothered by racers. I used to like cars, I suppose that makes sense. 😁

The story, however, is so much more than sports though. It's about ambition, walking your own path, and healing.

Multiple chest squeezes were had with this book. Despite my stress levels at the moment it's nice to know I'm not entirely dead inside.

I will be jumping right into book 2! by @once_upon.a_fantasy

10

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25 days ago

ARC Review

Earlier this year, I beta read a different story for @leighamongthornes and begged her to let me be a permanent beta reader for her (fine, I didn't beg, but I would have had she required it.)

There is something in Leigh's narrative voice and story telling that speaks to my soul.

I've thought about what that something is, and I can't quite put it into words. The only word that kept coming back to me was: quiet.

The story telling is quiet, and that seems to be something my soul likes. I suppose that makes sense. I am a quiet person.

The story has one of my top 5 tropes. Naming it wouldn't be a spoiler per se, as it's revealed fairly early on. But I shall refrain regardless as I enjoyed the initial setup greatly.

It deals with a great many themes such as greed, corruption, spiritualism, nature, love and loss. But many besides as well.

One thing I didn't care for was a minor vibe in the book that made me think of Harry Potter. As JKR is a scummy anti-rights activist, I believe the more we shun it the better. But that's me.

I think giving this a read would be worth your time. I firmly believe that Leigh is someone to watch in the romantasy/romantic fantasy space.

The book officially comes out on the 7th of October. by @once_upon.a_fantasy

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a month ago