Review Time! - Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

Title: Labyrinth Lost

Author: Zoraida Córdova

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Witches, LGBTQ+ (M/F and F/F)

Series: Brooklyn Brujas #1

Release Date: 6 September 2016

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

I received a free digital review copy of this book via NetGalley. NetGalley provides review copies from publishers in exchange for fair and honest reviews.

You know sometimes there are books where you hear the premise and just have to read it?

This book was like that for me. I'm guessing it'll tempt a lot of other people too ;)

Premise:

'Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives.'

Alex is a bruja (a Latinx witch,) whose Deathday is coming up (this is a lot less fatal than it sounds.)

Her Deathday will mean accepting her powers and her legacy. But... what if she doesn't want to? Is that even an option?

Alex will have to face the consequences of her actions, and, along with local brujo (dude-witch) Nova, will have to face the dangers of the realm of Los Lagos.

Best bits:

I know people say this a lot - but this is a page-turner.

It's pacey, it's got a chatty but fairly confident tone... and you'll totally want to know what happens next.

The rules governing magic here are clearly understood by the author - you're in safe hands, because she knows this world inside and out.

I like the way Córdova blends elements of different Latin American cultures deftly, while also adding her own unique elements - I love it when the author takes the effort to look effortless ;)

I thought Rishi was a quirky bundle of fun (and I'm a big fan of quirky,) and Alex responded in a realistic way to her situation (what teenager wants to be like their parents, after all,) but I actually had a real soft spot for Nova.

Nova is the bad-boy with a heart... or is he? Dun-dun-dunnnnn!

I guess I just felt a connection with Nova - someone who brings light to those around him, but is made dark by doing so. (And hopefully that was suitably vague enough to avoid spoilerage.)

(If you could avoid the urge to psychoanalyse that last paragraph...? Please & thank you!)

The heroine here though is most definitely Alex.

This bisexual Brooklyn bruja is a great blend of power and vulnerability - someone that people can relate to and look up to at the same time. She's awesome.

Not so great bits:

There was the odd moment here where I was like, 'Don't do that. That is a stupid-a*s decision.' They did it anyway.

Sometimes you just can't talk sense into fictional characters, no matter how hard you try ;) But I guess that's part of what makes us so invested in the lovable little idiots.

There is also love of a geometric (i.e. triangular) variety. Less annoying than most triangles, but maybe just a touch rushed-feeling.

And I'm never going to be happy about animal sacrifice being part of the magic system in use in any particular book. It just goes too much against my personal beliefs.

There's violence and blood and stuff - as a warning to those who don't like those things. I didn't notice any swearing - but it's possible the odd word snuck by me.

Verdict:

This is a great book.

And if you're looking for a new fantasy series to get obsessed with?

(Yes nerdlets, I see you! You can't hide from me!)

This is a perfect candidate for your next fandom-level bookish fave.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Site

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Review Time! - Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

Title: Salem Falls

Author: Jodi Picoult

Genre: Contemporary, Crime*, Witches*, Magic Realism* (*ish)

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

I figured of all Jodi Picoult novels, this was the one I'd be most likely to enjoy.

It has witch-y elements and secrets and atmosphere, and all that sort of stuff. Cool, huh?

So when I saw it in the library I figured I'd pick it up and give it a try.

And there is a lot to talk about here - buckle up guys!

Premise:

Jack St Bride is a man looking for a fresh start and a town where no-one knows him. What he finds is Salem Falls.

Addie Peabody is the owner of Salem Falls' local diner. She's clinging onto a painful past when Jack St Bride walks in one day, looking for work...

Gillian Duncan and her coven are hiding what they are from their town and their families.

One night can change everything.

Salem Falls may be a small town, but it has a lot of secrets - what really happened in the woods that night?

Best bits:

I loved that this book had so many layers. It's one that really gives you a lot to think about. 

Even the title can be interpreted in as many metaphorical ways as you can shake an English teacher at. (Please don't shake your English teacher - they don't appreciate it.)

All the different aspects and themes going on in this novel make up an uber-intricate piece of fiction.

And it's good for books to make us think occasionally - to challenge our perceptions and ideas. Salem Falls certainly does that.

This is a book that is just full of feels. I mean it - the intensity is like: argh!

And every time you think we're headed somewhere something else happens!

You're like: dude, are you even serious right now?!?!?!


Jack's already dealing with the thing and the other thing and you're going to stick THIS on his plate as well?!

LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!!!!

The writing is serviceable and draws you on... and by the end, you SO want to know what happens that you WILL finish this book!

I liked the atmosphere and all the intricacies, and the fact that nothing here is quite what it seems to be.

I also liked the references to Arthur Miller's The Crucible (UK - US) (note to self: want to read or find on audiobook,) and Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (UK - US) (which I listened to on audiobook in the LA Theater Works version (UK - US,) and loved.)

Not so great bits:

It can't be avoided that the mean theme of this book is rape and sexual assault, mainly involving underage girls.

There is a lot about the subject in this book - and if it's an issue that affects or distresses you then I strongly advise that you do not read this book.


There's also some swearing and violence.

While you can tell that Picoult has made an effort to balance-up the portrayals of sexual assault, and its victims, in this book, I still felt like it didn't make clear enough that teenage girls are rarely the seducer in these cases, and that false allegations of rape are extremely rare.

Girls are also rarely quite as manipulative as I felt some of them came across here; some of this may even be seen as victim-blaming. I personally think it stops short of that, but others may not see it that way.

It did also get a little over-dramatic for my tastes (I could practically hear the Eastenders cliff-hanger music in places,) but it keeps your attention I suppose.

I didn't find the denouement (me and all my posh and fancy words ;P) to be all that convincing, given what happened before.

I can't really go into too much detail about that, given the spoilerific possibilities, but I just wasn't quite sold on the resolution here.

I hated Jack's mother - she was just so holier-than-thou but she didn't seem to give two sh**s about Jack.

Jack himself I have mixed feelings on - again, can't go into too much details due to spoilers, but one of his flashback scenes changed the way I looked at the character and how he treats women.

While the writing was largely fine, I occasionally got the feeling that the writer was mentally high-fiving herself for being so smart. Not often, true, but it annoyed me.

Verdict:

Not entirely sure how much I liked this one. I did like it, and I didn't like it: does that make sense?

Still, the amount of thought-provoking moments and happenings make this well worth the read.

And if you like books with lots of intensity, lots of stuff going on, and a deep level of atmosphere, then this is one for you.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Site

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