keepcalmblogon's reviews
181 reviews

Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of the Unbelievable, the Unsettling, and the Bizarre by Aaron Mahnke, Harry Marks

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adventurous informative lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of the Unbelievable, the Unsettling, and the Bizarre was a Macmillan Audio pick, and it was curious, to say the least! This book was put together by podcaster Aaron Mahnke (who some might recognize from Prime’s Lore) and read by him with discussions and the end of each chapter with author Dana Schwartz (Anatomy: A Love Story).

The stories in this book were all entertaining, whether they were eerie coincidences or fantastic beyond imagining, as only life can be! There was a whole chapter on literature/authors—and I had a great time testing my knowledge; there were only two I didn’t know! I did find the opening chapter, “Curious Americana,” to have romanticised some parts of American history that had to do with colonization and didn’t like a few of the ways it handled Native Americans. They were essentially told through the lens of that time, rather than this time. I also wish there had been more stories from around the globe, as the book is predominantly stories from Western Civilization. Overall though, I did give this book 5 stars for its entertainment factor and easy to digest storytelling and narration—despite some of Aaron’s “dad jokes” that end most chapters!
Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human by Dr. Guy Leschziner

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informative medium-paced

5.0

Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human was a Macmillan Audio pick, and it was super fascinating! The idea that the sins arise from biology or mental health instead of moral failings and/or human nature melded science and christianity uniquely! As an atheist, I had “no skin in the game” and was simply intrigued by the notion that moral behaviors/lack thereof had less to do with choice than biology. While this book had a focus on the “seven deadly sins,” I found most appealing the science behind certain drives that can “lead to sin,” i.e. hunger, reproduction, rest. When we think about Maslow’s human needs: food, sleep, shelter, belonging, it’s not hard to see how these basic needs/drives when overdone lead to problems for the individual, and larger society, so therefore were translated by the religion of the culture into a “sin,” or what not to do to survive and benefit the society.

While one would think this kind of book would be dry, Leschziner uses anecdotes from his own work and clients to back up his hypotheses. When not hypothesising, he uses established scientific data to inform the reader. This was a very-well researched book with interesting theories and data throughout. It was definitely a 5 star read!

Leschziner narrates the audiobook himself and I appreciate that when it comes to nonfiction and science!


A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke

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funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A New Lease on Death was a murder mystery and that is not my usual genre, but something about it made me grab it, and I’m glad I did. Tbf, it had the supernatural aspect of ghosts, and a ghost and her roommate were the mystery solving duo. Cordelia Graves died in her apartment which Ruby Young then rents, excited to find it’s fully furnished, and not at all scared of the ghost she discovers!

This book had great gal pal vibes as well as comedy! The mystery wasn’t overwhelming and the investigation was realistic. The characters were silly caricatures of Boston townies, which I thought was fun. 

In the end, this book that I wouldn’t have normally picked up was 4 stars, and I’m excited to see how the next book plays out because this one very clearly set up a bigger mystery about Cordelia’s own death!
Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Children of Anguish and Anarchy was a surprise book from Macmillan Audio, and I was so excited to receive it! I listened to books one and two as rereads in anticipation! What’s wild is Cynthia Erivo voiced this book and omg!! 

While I did ultimately love how this concluded, this book felt more rushed than one and two, which I think makes sense based on its size alone. And yet, while rushed, I wouldn’t say not fleshed out or not providing of closure. But everything did happen quite fast without the running and chasing and slow moments of tentative peace I was used to books one and two having. But, I loved how the world of Orïsha was expanded! In the end, this was another four stars. I need to know though, what about Roën?!


Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I also reread Children of Virtue and Vengeance as an audiobook, and this time around it landed as four stars for me. 

I appreciated how heartbreaking this book rightly had to be based on the story it was presenting. I also think that Inan and Zélie struggling with their ideals of magic was so well done. It takes a lot of skill to write enemies beginning to change their minds and switch positions on an issue–essentially coming to see things through the other person’s eyes, but in a way that had them nearly switching sides and thus still disagreeing. I think Adeyemi did that so beautifully.

I also loved the introduction of a new love interest in Roën! But in the end, I wasn’t as enamored of this book as I was of book one, so it came out to four stars for me. 
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I found Children of Blood and Bone when it published in 2018 and Tomi was on Jimmy Fallon. I’m a huge fan of Jimmy’s because he’s from my town, so when he selected CoBaB as his book club pick, I had to have it! Recently, I did a reread in anticipation of the release of the conclusion.

Immediately, this book presents the broken land of Orïsha, torn apart by the prejudiced laws of the monarchy against the magical maji—despite the maji having lost their power. 

Zélie is rightfully hurt and angry at the monarchy because when magic disappeared they enacted a slaughter against the defenseless former magic-wielders, killing her mother in front of her—and countless others. 

Zélie’s brother, Tzain, and her father are magicless kosidán, so Zélie seems to find herself in a different position from Tzain, who also witnessed their mother’s murder, but does not face the day-to-day prejudice that Zélie does as a divîner with white hair that sets her apart from kosidán. Tzain seems like the perfect son, and Zélie is often the hot-headed mess-up. But Zélie is also the hero of this story. 

Zélie reluctantly allies herself with the princess Amari, and soon after Tzain joins them. Meanwhile, Amari’s brother, Prince Inan, is hot on their trail with the army. 

In the end, there is heartache, blooming romance, hidden magic, enemies-to-lovers, and action, action, action! I gave this five stars when I first read it, and five stars again now!

P.S. This time around I listened to the audiobook and loved Bahni Turpin!


A Curse of Frost and Stone by Lara Buckheit

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thank you Lara for letting me be an ARC reader! I was so excited to find out what Val was up against in book two, and I was not disappointed!

A lot of books suffer from a sophomore slump, but this was not one of them! Despite not remembering every little detail from book one, there were enough context clues and reminders to not feel lost in the plot. Val is as messy yet badass as ever, though, and her cohort is there to love and support her through her trials. 

ACOFAS definitely sets up some major book three action, and I am so excited to see where this goes–especially after that ending!!

A Curse of Frost and Stone is four stars for me!
The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The moment I began The Courting of Bristol Keats I was getting Holly Black’s Elfhame vibes! I’m starting this review with recommending this to any Folk of the Air fans! But this is an adult Elfhame in which we get some incredible romantic tension and spice!

Bristol suffers from family secrets and suppressed magic. She enters Elfhame having made a bargain to help them if they help her, but she doesn’t realize that not everything she’s heard of fae is true. I really enjoyed the constant irony of the story through multi-POVs. While knowing the secrets of each party might seem spoilery, it really upped the anticipation of converging truths coming to a head. I also found the POVs of inanimate objects, locations, and beasties to be so fun and unique!

I enjoyed the found family, training, and reluctant allies tropes. I felt the romance was the perfect amount of tense and spicy without anything too gratuitous. I did not expect the ending to be a cliffhanger though! Now I have to be patient while waiting for the next book! In the end, this was five stars for me!
Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero

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adventurous inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

R.M. Romero has been a must read author for me since The Ghosts of Rose Hill, and I was excited to read Romero’s prose! Tale of the Flying Forest is described as Jewish Narnia, and I definitely felt that! Tale of the Flying Forest is middle grade, so while I definitely enjoyed it, it’s probably not for many of my peers, but I highly recommend it to those who enjoy middle grade or have a middle grade reader. I like that it dealt with dark themes, like child abuse and grief, but I loved the positivity of finding literal family and discovering one’s own courage and heroism. I thought it was unique how it brought Judaism in with Jewish stories, language, and ideas. Even as an atheist, I enjoyed learning about aspects of Judaism, and it felt very natural in its delivery, so I believe anyone of any background or religion would still enjoy this book. This book is five stars from me!
The Thief's Keeper by Kyrie Wang

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The Thief’s Keeper, “a heartwarming coming-of-age medieval adventure” is exactly that! Thank you, Kyrie, for the free audiobook to review. This was my first Spotify audiobook as well, and I enjoyed that system! Aelfric and Aliwyn are two characters who are in flux finding themselves and their places in the world. It was so cute watching them negotiate a tentative team on the run, and sweet when at crossroads they kept coming back to each other. I felt the historical aspect was fun in what it portrayed and was clearly well-researched. I also liked the addition of a fictional people that helped to give a lot of subplot and subtext on overcoming  prejudice and the importance of seeing people as people–it was also portrayed through the interactions of the Normans with the English, but the Vasfians really highlighted it. I read Healer’s Blade back when it had a different title and ending and character names, but I still was so happy to see the past of these two characters and how it played into what they’d end up going through. Now I’d love an audiobook of Healer’s Blade to read the final edition of Aliwyn’s story!

I think in the end this was just heartwarming and engaging enough to be four stars!

I liked the narrators fine as well, but I did prefer the chapters narrated by Michael Hajiantonis a little more, they felt more polished.