Category Archives: books/book review

Book Review: Finding Salus, by Meg M. Robinson

Somewhere around the internet, I picked up an Audible code for Meg M. Robinson‘s Finding Salus. On an unrelated, humorous side note, my husband’s name is Saul and I have mistyped this title as “Finding Saul” almost every single time and had to correct it.
finding salus audio cover
Chloe Chadwick’s last remaining family member, her grandmother, dies in a car accident and leaves her a letter that changes everything Chloe thought she knew about herself. The letter directs her to Salus, an island off the coast of Connecticut that can’t be found on any map.

When she arrives, she learns that she’s a part of a secret world living alongside humanity, one consisting of magic, shapeshifters, and elementals, where the Greek gods aren’t just believed in, they’re actually present. But within twenty-four hours of her arrival, a man is murdered, and Chloe is the only suspect. Things only get worse when she has to learn how to control her newfound powers while simultaneously clearing her name.

But then, there’s a second murder and the pressure is on her-as well as the suspicion. With some of the unusual residents on Salus calling for her arrest, Chloe finds herself desperate to uncover the many secrets of her new home, including the killer. But will her newfound friendships and skills as a private investigator be enough?

my review

I generally enjoyed this. I thought it got a little info-dumpy with all the magic lessons, and that slowed things down a bit. The mystery also basically solved itself when the author was ready to wrap the book up, instead of Chloe actually doing anything to solve it. But I thought the world was interesting, I liked the characters, and I’m curious to see how the romance(s) develop. (I wish it would turn into a why-choose romance. But I know better than to hope for that.) All in all, the book won’t be topping my favorites chart, but I’d happily read the next one…or listen to it. Maria McCann did a fine job with the narration.

finding salus photo


Other Reviews:

rogue wolves prison banner

Book Review: Rogue Wolves Prison, by Eva Brandt & Cara Wylde

I grabbed a copy of Rogue Wolves Prison, by Eva Brandt and Cara Wylde, on one of it’s Amazon freebie days…or maybe it’s a perma-freebie. Either way, I picked it up for free on Amazon.
rogue wolves prison

Once, I knew what my future was going to be like. I was bound to mate an Alpha chosen by my father, to be his Omega and have his pups. But I changed that future when I dared to fight off my would-be mate. When I killed him and became a rogue wolf.

There’s only one place left for me now – Rogue Wolves Prison. The penitentiary built for the most vicious, unrepentant werewolves alive. It’s not a place where I can expect to survive sane, let alone find love and a soulmate.

But all my expectations, hopes and fears are torn apart the moment I meet Killian Wolfsbane.

He’s fierce, destructive, stronger than any werewolf I’ve seen. He’s the leader of The Killers, the gang that holds almost as much power over the prison as the Warden. He looks at me with yearning and protects me, but can’t seem to bear my presence. I can see myself in his grief.

It’s foolish to pursue the attraction between us. It’s foolish to hope. It’s foolish to expect salvation. But maybe it’s not foolish to believe in him. Rogue Wolves Prison might be hellish, but there might be a future for me here.

my review

I’ll admit that I picked this book up thinking it was another with a similar plot. But by the time I realized my mistake I decided to just go with it. But, ya’ll, this book is a mess. It’s underdeveloped, cheesy, and simplistic.

Angela seemed to develop abilities as needed…in fact, whole plot points that made no sense popped up as needed. The villain that showed up at the prison seemed to be evil for no apparent reason and showed up to be maniacally and actively evil for, again, no apparent reason. I almost got whiplash from the ‘I did this, no, my family did that, no, they’re good after all.’ It made the whole thing feel inconsistent.

Worst of all, that same back-and-forwards left Angela feeling utterly without agency. Sure, not every heroine has to be a strong character, but she’s basically a limp rag. Killian had a little more character, but not much.

All in all, I’m just glad to be finished with it.

rogie wolves prison photo


Other Reviews:

A review of “Rogue Wolves Prison: An Omegaverse Romance” by Cara Wylde and Eva Brandt

 

 

we all fall down banner

Book Review: We All Fall Down, by Rose Szabo

I received a copy of Rose Szabo‘s We All Fall Down through Bookish First.

we all fall down cover

In River City, where magic used to thrive and is now fading, the witches who once ruled the city along with their powerful King have become all but obsolete. The city’s crumbling government is now controlled primarily by the new university and teaching hospital, which has grown to take over half of the city.

Moving between the decaying Old City and the ruthless New, four young queer people struggle with the daily hazards of life―work, school, dodging ruthless cops and unscrupulous scientists―not realizing that they have been selected to play in an age-old drama that revives the flow of magic through their world. When a mysterious death rocks their fragile peace, the four are brought into each other’s orbits as they uncover a deeper magical conspiracy.

my review

I had a really strange experience reading this book. Whenever I was reading it, I enjoyed it. But as soon as I set it down, I was reluctant to pick it back up again. As a result, it took me an inordinately long time to finish it. And I ended up feeling so-so about it in the same way.

I love the cover; think it’s absolutely stunning. And I had so much fun reading the beginning and picking out who each character is. I thought the writing was really good, easy to follow. I thought Szabo played with the idea and ideals of gender in interesting ways, and I think they tried to do the same with race (both with actual characters of color and metaphorically with the idea of ‘monsters.’) I’m just not sure they were as successful in this latter aspect.

However, I also thought the plot slow and the ending too vague to be satisfying. So, all in all, not bad, but not an all-out winner either.

we all fall down photo


Other Reviews:

ARC Review: We All Fall Down by Rose Szabo

Early Review – We All Fall Down (River City Duology, Book 1) by Rose Szabo (4/5 stars)