fiction – Pass Me That Book

Book Review: Of Love and Demons

Hello Everyone,

Of Love and Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, translated from the Spanish by Edith Grossman, this was published in 1994 and immediately made one of my top favorite reads of the year. At just 160 pages, this was a flawless masterpiece (in my opinion) and while it is a bit of a rough read and you should definitely pay attention to trigger warnings, this was a truly unique story that drew me in and refused to let me go.

Gabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez is considered one of the most significant authors of the 20th century. In 1972 he was awarded Neustadt International Prize for Literature and 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature. His writing is some that I have long desired to try, and now I can certainly see how he’s become such a popular author.

Based on Goodreads Description: On her twelfth birthday, Sierva Maria, the only child of a decaying noble family in an eighteenth-century South American seaport, is bitten by a rabid dog. Believed to be possessed, she is brought to a convent for observation. And into her cell stumbles Father Cayetano Delaura, who has already dreamed about a girl with hair trailing after her like a bridal train. As he tends to her with holy water and sacramental oils, Delaura feels something shocking begin to occur. He has fallen in love, and it isn’t long until Sierva Maria joins him in his fevered misery. Unsettling and indelible, Of Love and Other Demons is an evocative, majestic tale of the most universal experiences known to woman and man.

This was the first book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez that I’ve read and it certainly won’t be the last. It’s strong writing and subtle means of being slow to start but draws you in and when done, you think about this story for days. It’s a haunting tale of power, arrogance, greed and beauty. Women are shown truly how they were treated, as were slaves. It’s depiction of white versus black was well handled and believable.

I felt that the pacing of this book was decently handled. It starts off a little slow but by the midway point, you are totally invested in this novella. I felt the characters helped make the whole story worth reading. Triggers to add for the story: sexual content, depiction of slavery, harsh language, bigotry, sexism, and racism. This is a rough read but it’s also a very good read. Tread carefully, fellow readers. If you have further concerns, don’t hesitate asking me in the comments!

My rating for this novella is five stars. It’s one book that I will be thinking about for years to come. Such a powerful little tale that packs a punch. I highly recommend it to readers that enjoy historical fiction and short stories.

Until next time,

-Pass Me That Book

Netgalley Review: The First Sister

Book Title: The First Sister

Author: Linden Lewis

Series: Trilogy

Genre: Sci-fi

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Page Count: 400

Notes/TW: graphic violence, murder, implied torture, threats of sexual violence, implied sexual assault, implied rape, child prostitution, loss of bodily autonomy, non consensual surgery, human experimentation, gender dysphoria, misgendering, PTSD, racism, (?)

Goodreads Summary:

First Sister has no name and no voice. As a priestess of the Sisterhood, she travels the stars alongside the soldiers of Earth and Mars—the same ones who own the rights to her body and soul. When her former captain abandons her, First Sister’s hopes for freedom are dashed when she is forced to stay on her ship with no friends, no power, and a new captain—Saito Ren—whom she knows nothing about. She is commanded to spy on Captain Ren by the Sisterhood, but soon discovers that working for the war effort is so much harder to do when you’re falling in love.

Lito val Lucius climbed his way out of the slums to become an elite soldier of Venus, but was defeated in combat by none other than Saito Ren, resulting in the disappearance of his partner, Hiro. When Lito learns that Hiro is both alive and a traitor to the cause, he now has a shot at redemption: track down and kill his former partner. But when he discovers recordings that Hiro secretly made, Lito’s own allegiances are put to the test. Ultimately, he must decide between following orders and following his heart.

My Thoughts:

Ooh, what a great opening chapter this is going to be a five star read for sure! (Waittttt for it)

My Review:

Dnf’ing this. It had a strong first chapter then it progressed into the territory of “we want you to spy on this person because REASONS” and I have a strong idea of where this is going. After checking out the other reviewers, I’m thinking I’m correct about my suspicions and this is a tired, overdone plot. Strong writing and decent characters, but come on. I also grew bored by about 40% of the way through. Which isn’t a good sign. Too bad. That opening chapter had given me such high hopes for a good five star read.*

*=also my review on Goodreads

My Rating:

⭐⭐⭐

Until next time,

-Pass Me That Book

Book Review: I Who Have Never Known Men

Book Title: I Who Have Never Known Men

Author: Jacqueline Harpman

Series: Standalone

Genre: Translated, Adult Fiction, Sci-fi/Dystopian

Publisher: Seven Stories Press, Avon Eos

Page Count: 200

Notes: translated from the French in 1995. TW for death of a loved one, suicide, and starvation

Goodreads Summary:

WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY SOPHIE MACKINTOSH, MAN BOOKER PRIZE-LONGLISTED AUTHOR OF THE WATER CURE

‘A small miracle’ The New York Times

‘For a very long time, the days went by, each just like the day before, then I began to think, and everything changed’

Deep underground, thirty-nine women live imprisoned in a cage. Watched over by guards, the women have no memory of how they got there, no notion of time, and only vague recollection of their lives before.

As the burn of electric light merges day into night and numberless years pass, a young girl – the fortieth prisoner – sits alone and outcast in the corner. Soon she will show herself to be the key to the others’ escape and survival in the strange world that awaits them above ground.

My thoughts:

What a heavy punch to the gut this was! I’m still recovering!

My Review:

Mesmerizing. Haunting. Deeply thought provoking. And a touch infuriating that there are not always answers in life. A masterpiece of trauma, intrigue, and the desperate urge to survive on a (potential) hostile world.*

I Who Have Never Known Men is a fascinating look at what happens when a society crumbles after all the men have gone, and left the women who were prisoners free to do as they wished. It’s a look at humanity and hope and survival of the fittest. For 200 pages there’s a lot to unpack here and I’m sure my review isn’t going to bring it justice. I read this after seeing the cover above (my copy is different) and I was immediately “yes, that’s the book to read right now” and I finished it in less than two hours.

The writing, the tension, and the pacing are all brilliant. A few other reviewers on Goodreads have said that it’s a bit slow to start and I agree. It does take a few pages to grip you. But once it does you want to find out what happened. Why were they imprisoned? Who were those guards?

Does it answer everything? No. Does it have a happy ending? Again no. But this is such a powerful read in the same similar light if on a very different scope as The Handmaid’s Tale that I didn’t care about the unhappy ending. I just was impressed by the authors writing ability. She truly is a damn good writer.

I can’t say more without revealing the plot and all but I will say that this is a hugely important read I wished more people would read. I’m clearly giving this a glorious 5 stars.

Please read this. Seriously. Read it.

*= on my Goodreads review

My Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Until next time,

-Pass Me That Book

Book Review: Filthy Animals

I’m kinda “meh” on the cover in all honesty.

Book Title: Filthy Animals

Book Author: Brandon Taylor

Series: Anthology

Genre: Adult Fiction, Short Stories

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Page Count: 300

Notes: I was made aware that his book, Real Life was a favorite of many friends and it was semi popular when it was published but I haven’t read that one, and not likely going to after this one.

Goodreads Summary:

A group portrait of young adults enmeshed in desire and violence, a hotly charged, deeply satisfying new work of fiction from the author of Booker Prize finalist Real Life

In the series of linked stories at the heart of Filthy Animals, set among young creatives in the American Midwest, a young man treads delicate emotional waters as he navigates a series of sexually fraught encounters with two dancers in an open relationship, forcing him to weigh his vulnerabilities against his loneliness. In other stories, a young woman battles with the cancers draining her body and her family; menacing undercurrents among a group of teenagers explode in violence on a winter night; a little girl tears through a house like a tornado, driving her babysitter to the brink; and couples feel out the jagged edges of connection, comfort, and cruelty.

One of the breakout literary stars of 2020, Brandon Taylor has been hailed by Roxane Gay as “a writer who wields his craft in absolutely unforgettable ways.” With Filthy Animals he renews and expands on the promise made in Real Life, training his precise and unsentimental gaze on the tensions among friends and family, lovers and others. Psychologically taut and quietly devastating, Filthy Animals is a tender portrait of the fierce longing for intimacy, the lingering presence of pain, and the desire for love in a world that seems, more often than not, to withhold it.

My Thoughts:

Did not realize that this was centered around love triangles, ugh.

My Review:

I hate being the odd one out but I hate love triangles unless done well and this was not done well at all. For one thing, it dragggggged and I wasn’t overly impressed with the characters as a whole. The LGBT elements were good but I didn’t feel even remotely connected to the characters.

I saw another reviewer say this is as good as Sally Rooney and if that’s the case, I’m firmly avoiding her works. No offense to those that have enjoyed her writing but this just wasn’t for me whatsoever.

(This review also posted on my Goodreads!)

My Rating:

2.5 ⭐

Until next time,

-Pass Me That Book

Upcoming Release: Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao

Hello Everyone,

I just saw it on Twitter and wanted to share a huge anticipated release. I read a book ages ago and adored it. She’s one of my favorite authors and just did a cover drop. Ta-da!

After the ending of the Iron Widow I can guess that it’ll pick up where it left off. I’m hoping that it’ll dive right into the action and that this won’t be another cliffhanger! But even if it is, as soon as I get a copy, I’m dropping everything and reading it immediately! Who’s with me?

Have you read Iron Widow yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear your theories about what happens in the next book.

Until next time,

-Pass Me That Book

Book Review: Storm

Hello Everyone,

Title: Storm

Author: George R Stewart

Series: Standalone

Genre: Classic, Literature, Thriller

Publisher: Penguin Books

Page Count: 400

Notes: DNF

Goodreads Summary:

A violent storm, affectionately known as Maria, sweeps through California and changes the lives of many in its path.

My Thoughts:

I think that’s the shortest Goodreads Summary I have ever posted!

My Review:

Storm promised to be a good thrilling time, but I was bored. This was meant to be a slow build but not only was I bored, I just wasn’t feeling it. So what’s “it” about? Storms. Sorry. Couldn’t help it lol.

Storm is about a hurricane named Maria. It’s about her slow build up to a place in California that’s desperately in need of water, suffering a drought. This was set back in the early days but it kinda felt similar to today’s choppy weather. It’s good writing and interesting notes about how weather is gathered and what scientists in weather all do and how they do it. It’s about preparing for the unexpected and horrific strong hurricane’s that comes out of nowhere. It’s about survival of the fittest.

It wasn’t a bad read. I dnf’d at about 45% of the way through, however. I might return to it though I doubt it.

My Rating:

2 ⭐.

Until next time,

-Pass Me That Book

New Release Review: Nettle and Bone

Hello Everyone,

Book Title: Nettle and Bone

Author: T Kingfisher

Series: Standalone (I think)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Fantasy

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

Page Count: 300

Trigger warnings: starvation, murder, rotten teeth scene, gore, death of dogs, demonically possessed chickens, dark magic, child abuse, off screen rape, abusive husband, light language (?)

Goodreads Summary:

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself.

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra’s family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

My Thoughts:

I flew through this book in one sitting! It was sooo good! I really hope that this spins into a series though it doesn’t need to. It’s fun, fast, and just the right sort of dark that I love in fantasy stories. This is my first T Kingfisher and it won’t be my last!

My Review:

Marra is a fascinating character. I think she’s one of the first covenant raised children in a book that I actually liked. She wasn’t overbearingly religious and there was barely a hint of religion in here. I liked her attitude and her humor. She was easily identifiable with.

The story begins with her sisters. Damia is married off to a king, and she winds up dead. It’s suspected murder but nothing can be proven. Her other sister, Kania, goes to marry the same thing while Marra hides in a covenant. The family is pulled apart and Marra realizes that no one is going to rescue them. She has to do the rescuing and to do that she may need to kill a king.

She makes a few friends here and there. A witch that has a demonically possessed chicken. A forty year old sell sword. A bonedog whose name is Bonedog.

The quest is good, and fun for the reader, but for the characters they encounter all sorts of trouble along the way. And at the end there’s a brief feeling of loss and grief though we leave off with a happy ending.

I adore books like these. I love the dark atmospheric setting, the slow build up and the characters were all handled perfectly. I’m happy to rate this 5 stars. If I could, I’d give it ten stars in that I had such a good time! If you’re looking for a pick me up, I definitely recommend this one!

My Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Until next time,

-Pass Me That Book

Book Review: The Far Pavilions

Hello Everyone,

Book Title: The Far Pavilions

Author: MM Kaye

Series: Book One of Two

Genre: Adult Fiction, Historical, Adventure, Romance

Publisher: St. Martins Press

Page Count: 1000

Goodreads Summary:

A magnificent romantic/historical/adventure novel set in India at the time of mutiny. The Far Pavilions is a story of 19th Century India, when the thin patina of English rule held down dangerously turbulent undercurrents. It is a story about and English man – Ashton Pelham-Martyn – brought up as a Hindu and his passionate, but dangerous love for an Indian princess. It’s a story of divided loyalties, of tender camaraderie, of greedy imperialism and of the clash between east and west. To the burning plains and snow-capped mountains of this great, humming continent, M.M. Kaye brings her quite exceptional gift of immediacy and meticulous historical accuracy, plus her insight into the human heart.

My Thoughts:

This book took me a solid week to read! Long winded, lots going on, a bit sexist here and there but those were the times, and I felt as though I would never finish reading this book. I learned there’s a part two. I’m not sure I’m going to read that, lol.

My Review:

This book was a struggle for me right from the start. While I was liking the adventure and the characters, it felt as though it went on and on and on. A 1000 pages of epic adventure, romance, and historical fiction at its best. While people adored Gone With The Wind this was the epic I wanted! The writing was lush, beautiful, and detailed.

I know a lot of newer book reviewers might not be enthusiastic about reading this 1000+ page time, but I’m insisting that it’s worth it! The ending is bittersweet, and the characters and setting will sweep you away. From India to England there’s something new to devour from each page.

The story starts with a premature baby being born in winter and the mother dying due to her not used to the fiercely cold winds. The story expands. It touches to n war. Cholera takes the baby-main character-father and uncle’s lives. More are lost. Travels are had.

This book does have it’s horribly sexist moments. While it’s a relic of the time it’s set in, there are certain things that are hugely sexist in the book. There’s dry spells here and there when it feels like nothing happened. And the ending was a slow burn that felt bittersweet; exactly as those on Google and Goodreads both have stated.

I feel as though this, while a hefty tome, is well worth the effort in reading. Especially if you’re a fan of Gone With The Wind and Outlander. This is equally as huge and well written as the pair.

My Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Until next time,

-Pass Me That Book

New Release Review: You’ve Lost a Lot of Blood

Hello Everyone,

Book Title: You’ve Lost a Lot of Blood

Author: Eric Larocca

Series: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, Horror

Publisher: Author

Page Count: 300

Trigger warnings: violence, torture, abandonment, cancer, child death, parent death, other(?)

Please note: The only horror authors I’m familiar with are Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Paul Tremblay. Horror is a new genre to me and I’m already finding that I like being scared but I don’t like gore for the sake of gore. I’m attempting to list triggers as I can. If I missed something vital please let me know in the comments!

Goodreads Summary:

A disturbing new vision of terror from the author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke.

“Each precious thing I show you in this book is a holy relic from the night we both perished-the night when I combed you from my hair and watered the moon with your blood.

You’ve lost a lot of blood . . .”

My Thoughts:

I honestly don’t know what to think about what I just read!

My Review:

I first encountered Eric Larocca about a year ago when I read Things Have Gotten Worse Since Last We Spoke and thought that the title and cover art was absolutely hysterical (if morbid) and picked up the slim volume not realizing what I was reading. I read it in a single sitting and I’m still thinking about that brilliant, disturbing book to this day. I never read anything like that before. Even King didn’t make me shiver like that.

What’s this about? Well I don’t want to give anything away. I went into this blind but I will say that this was another book that creeped me out! It’s short but packs a punch straight to the gut! I’m devouring everything by the author that I can get my hands on. Highly recommend!

My Rating:

⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Until next time,

-Pass Me That Book

Netgalley Review: The Circus Infinite

Hello Everyone,

Another book I picked because of the cover. I have no shame. 😆

Book Title: The Circus Infinite

Author: Khan Wong

Series: Standalone (?)

Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure

Publisher: Angry Robot

Page Count: 400

Trigger warnings: scenes of violence, drug use, torture

Goodreads Summary:

Hunted by those who want to study his gravity powers, Jes makes his way to the best place for a mixed-species fugitive to blend in: the pleasure moon. Here, everyone just wants to be lost in the party. It doesn’t take long for him to catch the attention of the crime boss who owns the resort-casino where he lands a circus job. When the boss gets wind of the bounty on Jes’ head, he makes an offer: do anything and everything asked of him, or face vivisection.

With no other options, Jes fulfills the requests: espionage, torture, demolition. But when the boss sets the circus up to take the fall for his about-to-get-busted narcotics operation, Jes and his friends decide to bring the mobster down together. And if Jes can also avoid going back to being the prize subject of a scientist who can’t wait to dissect him? Even better.

My Thoughts:

I tried reading this three times. I managed to finish it. I’ve got mixed feelings about this book.

My Review:

Wow. This book is heavy. I had a hard time reading this. It took three tries like I said above. I have no clue how to write this review. On the one hand, awesome ideas. An ace main character that controls gravity and reads people’s minds? So cool!

But there’s also the negatives. This book is dark. And heavy. Please pay attention to triggers when diving into this book!

Let’s start with the world building. This was so cool. Loads of interesting things were in this book. The circus was only a part of it. The planets, the people, and the characters were all fascinating! The whole idea of the book was supremely intriguing and I so wanted to like it.

But there were scenes in this that just felt like it was trying to hard, and seriously stretching believability. I’m aware this is science fiction/fantasy, yet I struggled to connect with a lot of the characters. I didn’t really get the plot, and I just have no clue how to review this book.

Maybe I might need to read the again but I’m giving this a 2.5 stars rounded up to a generous three. It had great elements! It had a lot of promising features! But it just wasn’t to my taste.

My Rating:

⭐⭐⭐

Until next time,

-Pass Me That Book