Looking for a dark academia similar to Ninth House to kick off the -ber months?! While the pacing is a bit on the slower side, and the characters are somewhat flat, this one is a good story to slowly ease your way into the season, imo.
Synopsis In this Irish folklore-inspired sapphic fantasy from #1 New York Times bestseller Allison Saft,…
What I really loved about this book was how completely it transported me to a cozy, atmospheric, alternate post-WWI (and post-magic!) England. I adored the relationships between Mouse, Roger, Bertie, and John, and honestly wished we’d gotten even more of their dynamic. The setting and world-building was perfect, and I especially enjoyed the premise of Mouse having to restore the Faerie-blessed manor she grew up in to inherit it.
I thought this was such a cute YA read! And as a scholar and linguist myself, I was fascinated by the dilemma our group of young students faced in Language X. But the stars of the show were definitely Naomi and Daziel.
There’s just something about a high-stakes, conspiracy-packed mystery that I find easy to fall into. I know, I know—they all follow a certain rhythm; you can feel the twists coming, you know there’s going to be corruption and secrets stacked on secrets…
When I first started reading this book, it felt like it was going to be this super cool mash-up of like, Halloweentown and The Originals (or something similar). I especially loved the concept of a paranormal Underground centered around an HBCU and Black history and culture.
Let me tell you— I was INVESTED in this story. Like, I’m talking, I started it last night and finished it this morning at 2:30 this morning. I flew through it. I don’t want to spoil anything or influence anyone’s opinions or thoughts too much as they read, so I’ll just say this: Coralys sucks, Oke is life!
I have been a longtime listener of Ann’s podcast, Vulgar History, and, as a historian myself, could not have been more excited to read this book. As such, my expectations were high… and she absolutely delivered. I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun reading a biography.
I really appreciated how real this story felt. Not just because it is based on a true story, but because it feels as though it captures life as it actually could have been—during the war and particularly in its aftermath, in both Europe and the United States—without necessarily being overly detailed…
The long and short of it? Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe starts off rough (SO much information—names, details, locations, etc.—thrown at you), but if you stick with it, it’s super, super interesting; definitely a real-life Game of Thrones!
As a family historian, I was immediately drawn to Anneke Jans in the New World and its effort to bring real ancestors to life on the page. But I’ll be honest: I struggled at times with the large cast (and very similar names), the number of deaths, and some historical references that could’ve used more explanation.
This was such a devastating, horrible, beautiful ode to asexuality, all-consuming love, and the kind of grief that doesn’t leave you. Relayed in stunning, poetic prose, Don’t Let the Forest In is an absolute delight of a horror that will wreck you, heal you, and still leave you with questions long after you’ve finished it.
