Victorian Soul Book Critiques: Archive

Here is a (horribly outdated) archive of past critiques, and further down, my features. Not all of the links work well, so if the link isn't shown, I'll tell you where to find them in my Blog Archive.

example:

Author Last Name, First Name

I'll tell the Book Title (which is the link), if it is part of a series, applicable genres, and my reading age advisory.

Note: If you wish to not leave this page, right click the link title and press 'Open link in new tab'. Most are set to do that, but a few are buggy due to the amount of links on the page.

My Favorite and Least Favorite Reads of:
2014

Author, By Last Name:

Alcott, Louisa May
The Inheritance, a classic Gothic novel about an orphan of mysterious heritage, Ages 12+

Andrews, Ilona
Magic Bites, Kate Daniels #1, an Urban Fantasy about a mercenary magician with a sword called Slayer, Ages 18+
Magic Burns, Kate Daniels #2, wherein Kate encounters some Irish myths, Ages 18+
Magic Strikes, Kate Daniels #3, Kate tries to seek vengeance during the Midnight Games, Ages 18+
Magic Bleeds, Kate Daniels #4, Kate has a slightly unpleasant family reunion, Ages 18+
Magic Slays, Kate Daniels #5, Kate starts her own business, but not without roadbumps. Ages 18+
Magic Rises, Kate Daniels #6, Kate must survive the panacea panic in Europe, Ages 18+
Magic Breaks, Kate Daniels #7, Kate must solve a murder in time to save the Pack, Ages 18+

Ashley, Amanda
Beauty's Beast, a Paranormal Romance slash Fairy Tale Retelling about Beauty and the Beast, Ages 18+

Atwood, Margaret
The Handmaid's Tale, about a Dystopian society in which women have no power, Ages 18+

Beukes, Lauren
Moxyland, a standalone cyberpunk dystopia about everything not being as it seems, Ages 18+

Bishop, Anne
Written in Red, The Others #1, a surprisingly funny dark urban fantasy with harnessed wolf puppies, Ages 16+
Murder of Crows, The Others #2, where things in the Courtyard take a darker turn, Ages 18+

Block, Francesca Lia
The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold, a Short Story collection of urban fairy tale retellings, Ages 16+

Brennert, Alan
Moloka'i, a Historical fiction about a girl from Honolulu with leprosy, Ages 18+

Butcher, Jim
Storm Front, Dresden Files #1, an Urban Fantasy about a wizard private investigator, Ages 18+
Fool Moon, Dresden Files #2, the continuing misadventures of a wizard private eye, Ages 18+
Grave Peril, Dresden Files #3, where Harry gets a little skeevy with vampires, Ages 18+
Summer Knight, Dresden Files #4, my favorite so far due to the faeries, Ages 18+
Death Masks, Dresden Files #5, where Harry proves his adulthood, Ages 18+

Canavan, Trudi
Thief's Magic, Millennium's Rule #1, about a fantasy universe that can be traveled using magic, Ages 18+

Carriger, Gail
Soulless, Parasol Protectorate #1, Alexia accidentally kills a vampire, Steampunk, Ages 18+
Changeless, Parasol Protectorate #2, Alexia goes to Scotland to find the source of vamp/werewolf mortality zones, Ages 18+
Blameless, Parasol Protectorate #3, Alexia flees to Italy after ladybugs prove vicious, Ages 18+
Heartless, Parasol Protectorate #4, Alexia must save the queen after a ghost rumors of her death, Ages 18+
Timeless, Parasol Protectorate #5, Alexia travels to Egypt after being called there by an ancient queen, Ages 18+

Chevalier, Tracy
The Girl With a Pearl Earring, a historical fiction about the tale behind the famous Vermeer masterwork, Ages 16+
Remarkable Creatures, a historical fiction about Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot, Ages 16+

Clarke, Cassandra Rose
The Mad Scientist's Daughter, a standalone Sci-fi Romance about a robot and a human falling in love, Ages 18+

Collins, Suzanne
The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games #1, a gladiatorial game determines your fate in this YA dystopia, Ages 14+
Catching Fire, The Hunger Games #2, where Katniss must prove her love of Peeta- or else, Ages 14+

Danticat, Edwidge
Breath, Eyes, Memory, a Vintagey fiction about the women of Haiti, Ages 16+

Davies, Elizabeth
The Spirit Guide, a Historical Paranormal Romance about a woman who sees ghosts, Ages 18+

Demick, Barbara
Nothing to Envy, an O.o.O.C. about North Korean defectors, Ages 16+

Doctorow, Cory
The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, a Sci-fi novella about a Disney-esque dystopia, Ages 18+

Draven, Grace

Entreat Me, a Romantic Beauty and the Beast Retelling, Ages 18+

Duncan, Rod
The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter, The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire #1, a steampunk mystery featuring a cross-dressing heroine, Ages 16+

Erikson, Steven

Gardens of the Moon, Malazan Book of the Fallen #1, Epic Fantasy, Ages 18+

Erin, Aileen
Cipher, Shadow Ravens #1, a light sci-fi about a girl with unstable DNA, Ages 16+

Evans, Chris
Of Bone and Thunder, a Standalone Epic Fantasy novel based on the Vietnam War, with Dragons, Ages 18+

Farmer, Nancy
The House of the Scorpion, Matteo Alacran #1, YA dystopian about being a clone, Ages 12+

Fenn, J. Lincoln
Poe, a Standalone Horror/Urban Fantasy about a young man who dies on Halloween, Ages 18+

Fenton, Maggie
The Duke's Holiday, Regency Romp Trilogy #1, Funny Historical Romance about a girl trying to save her family's castle, Ages 18+

Fleming, Ian
Casino Royale, James Bond #1, where I root for the villain and begrudge the hero, Ages 18+

French, Albert
Billy, a standalone historical fiction based on real-life racial injustice in 1930s Alabama, Ages 16+

Frost, Jeaniene
Halfway to the Grave, Night Huntress #1, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance about a half human half vampire huntress of vampires, Ages 18+
One Foot in the Grave, Night Huntress #2, UF/PNR about Cat and Bones's continued adventures.
At Grave's End, Night Huntress #3, UF/PNR focuses more on Cat's relationships with people other than Bones.

Gaiman, Neil
Stardust, a standalone about a young man's quest to bring a star home for his lady love, Ages 16+
Stardust: Book to Film Comparison

Gischler, Victor
Ink Mage, Ink Mage #1, Epic Fantasy with Tattoo Magic (Yantra Tattoos), Ages 18+

Gordon, (Emmanuel) Taylor
Born to Be, O.o.O.C. a Roaring Twenties memoir about an African American man who becomes a famous spiritual singer, Ages 16+

Haggard, H. Rider
She: A History of Adventure, She #1, a Victorian Fantasy/Adventure about She-who-must-be-obeyed, Ages 16+

Harris, Charlaine
Dead Until Dark, Sookie Stackhouse #1, a fun Paranormal Romance with Vampires and Mind Readers, Ages 18+

Hieber, Leanna Renee
The Eterna Files, (unsure if it will be a series), a Victoriana read that pits America and Britain against each other in the battle to find immortality, Ages 16+

Hoffman, Alice
Second Nature, a Magic Realism story with elements of Beauty and the Beast, Ages 18+
The Foretelling, a Young Adult about a tribe of Amazons, Ages 14+
Practical Magic, a Magical Realism about two sisters who may or may not know some practical magic, Ages 18+
The Dovekeepers, a Magical Realism Historical about the Siege of Masada, Ages 18+

Hunter, Elizabeth

The Scribe, Irin Chronicles #1, Paranormal Romance with Fallen (and Forgiven) Angels. Ages 18+

The Singer, Irin Chronicles #2, Paranormal Romance, Do Not Read unless you've read The Scribe, Ages 18+
The Secret, Irin Chronicles #3, PNR/UF, the last Ava and Malachi hurrah, Ages 18+.

Huong, Duong Thu
Paradise of the Blind, Historical about a woman reminiscing about growing up in Communist Vietnam, Ages 16+

James, Elliott
Charming, Pax Arcana #1, Urban Fantasy about an outlaw Werewolf, Ages 18+

Jordan, Kelsey
The Lycan Hunter, A Gardinian World Novel (#1), Mythology-rich paranormal romance dealing with shapeshifters, Ages 18+
Heart of a Rocky, Gardinian World Novellas (#2), PNR/UF Omar and Asim Tyson's stories.

Kay, Susan
Legacy, a Historical Fiction account of Elizabeth Tudor's life, Ages 18+

Kaye, Rainy
Summoned, a Paranormal Romance about a genie whose master has infinite wishes. Ages 18+

Kaysen, Susanna
Girl, Interrupted, a Memoir about a teen in a mental health facility during the late '60s, Ages 16+

Kennedy, Jeffe

The Mark of the Tala, The Twelve Kingdoms #1, Romantic Fantasy, Ages 18+

Kenyon, Sherrilyn
Night Pleasures, Dark Hunter #1, Paranormal Romance about immortal hunters of Daimons, Ages 18+

Knight, Edward M.

A Thirst For Vengeance, The Ashes Saga #1, Dark Fantasy, the-Name-of-the-Wind-esque, Ages 16+

Koontz, Dean
Odd Thomas, Odd Thomas #1, Paranormal Fiction with Romance, Ghosts, and Horror, Ages 18+
Forever Odd, Odd Thomas #2, about Odd's continuing adventures seeing dead people, Ages 18+

Kostova, Elizabeth
The Historian, Historical Fiction/Paranormal about if Dracula truly lives, Ages 16+

Lackey, Mercedes
The House of Four Winds, One Dozen Daughters #1, a romantic pirate fantasy romp, Ages 14+

Lafferty, Linda
House of Bathory, a Historical/Contemporary Vampire Tale, Ages 18+

Mallory, James
The House of Four Winds, One Dozen Daughters #1, a romantic pirate fantasy romp, Ages 14+

Márai, Sándor
Embers, a classic novel about friends meeting after 41 years apart, Ages 16+

Marion, Isaac
Warm Bodies, Warm Bodies #1, a zombie/human love story, Ages 14+

Martin, George R.R.
A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire #1, an Epic Fantasy with Multiple POVs and gray morality, Ages 18+
A Clash of Kings, ASoIaF #2, continues the epicness of the first, Ages 18+
A Storm of Swords, ASoIaF #3, a book where Mr. Martin tests his mad wedding planning skills, Ages 18+
A Feast For Crows, ASoIaF #4, where I relate to characters I haven't related to before, Ages 18+
A Dance With Dragons, ASoIaF #5, where Mr. Martin leaves me wanting, Ages 18+
Fevre Dream, a Historical Standalone about vampires and steamboats, Ages 18+

Masson, Sophie
Trinity, The Koldun Code #1, a romantic thriller with paranormal aspects, Ages 18+

du Maurier, Daphne

Rebecca, a Historical Classic of Mystery and Suspense, Ages 16+

McCaffrey, Anne

The Rowan, The Tower and the Hive #1, Sci-fi with a touch of Romance, Ages 16+

Crystal Singer, The Crystal Singer #1, Sci-fi with singers and without a save the world plot, Ages 16+

McKinley, Robin

The Hero and the Crown, Damar #1, High Fantasy with a dash of Romance, Ages 14+

Sunshine, Standalone Urban Fantasy about Vampires and Magicians, Ages 18+

Meredith, David C.
The Reflections of Queen Snow White, a Fairy Tale Retelling of Snow White's Story, Ages 18+

Milan, Courtney
The Governess Affair, Brothers Sinister Prequel, a historical romance without Lords and Ladies, Ages 18+
The Heiress Effect, Brothers Sinister #2, a historical romance where the gowns are hideous, Ages 18+.

Mitchell, Margaret
Gone With The Wind, a Classic Epic Historical Romance of the Old South, Ages 16+

Moran, Michelle
Rebel Queen, a Historical about the 'last queen of India' Rani Lakshmibai, Ages 16+

Morrison, Toni
Beloved, a Classic Historical/Magical Realism about an escaped slave who isn't free, Ages 18+

Natusch, Amber Lynn
Unborn, Unborn #1, an UF/PNR with a fast pace and elements of Greek Mythology, Ages 18+
Unseen, Unborn #2, an UF/PNR sequel which reminded me of American Gods. Ages 18+

Pehov, Alexey
Chasers of the Wind, Cycle of Wind and Sparks #1, Epic Fantasy about married assassins, Ages 18+

Penelope, L.
Song of Blood and Stone, Earthsinger Chronicles #1, Epic Fantasy Romance about a woman trying to help a spy, Ages 18+

Rand, Ayn
Anthem, a novella about a dystopian society where 'I' doesn't exist, Ages 14+.

Rees, Celia
Pirates!, a Historical YA I read as a teen about an unusual friendship between two girls, Ages 14+

Rice, Anne
The Wolf Gift, The Wolf Gift Chronicles #1, about a man attacked by a wolf who gains strangeness, Ages 18+
Interview With The Vampire, The Vampire Chronicles #1, a vamp named Louis recounts his life to a budding journalist, Ages 18+

Rosoff, Meg
How I Live Now, a standalone look at a future war in England, dystopia-style (YA), Ages 16+

Rostand, Edmond

Cyrano de Bergerac, Classic Historical Fiction about the aforementioned man, written as a play, Ages 14+

Rowling, J.K.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter #1, about an orphan who gets into an exclusive magic prep school, Ages 9+

Sanderson (the Benevolent), Brandon

The Way of Kings, Stormlight Archive #1, Epic Fantasy with Multiple POVs, Ages 16+
Words of Radiance, Stormlight Archive #2, Epic Fantasy with Battles ect., Ages 16+
Warbreaker, Warbreaker #1, a FREE book of Epic Fantasy, (see critique for link), Ages 16+

See, Lisa
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Historical about female friendship and nüshu script. Ages 16+

Setterfield, Diane
The Thirteenth Tale, Historical about a mysterious author's true biography, Ages 18+

Shankman, Helen Maryles

The Color of the Light, Contemporary and Historical Vampire, Ages 18+

Shors, John
Beneath a Marble Sky, a Historical Love Story about a princess in Hindustan during the construction of the Taj Mahal, Ages 18+

Sijie, Dai
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, Historical Fiction about China's Cultural Revolution, Ages 18+

Tessaro, Kathleen
The Perfume Collector, a Historical about a woman's mysterious inheritance, Ages 16+

Tsukiyama, Gail
The Samurai's Garden, Historical about a young Chinese man recovering from TB at his grandfather's Japanese beach house pre-WWII

Ung, Loung
First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers, Out of Orbit Critique #1, Memoir about the Cambodian Genocide through the eyes of a young girl, Ages 14+

Velde, Vivian Vande
Dragon's Bait, Young Adult Fantasy about a girl accused of witchcraft left on a hillside as Dragon's Bait, Ages 12+

Warren, Kaaron
Walking the Tree, a Standalone Sci-fi/Fantasy about a woman setting out to find her place on the island, Ages 18+.

Weeks, Brent
The Black Prism, Lightbringer #1, Epic Fantasy world where magic is derived from sunlight, Ages 16+
The Blinding Knife, Lightbringer #2, Kip becomes his own man, the Guile family connives, Ages 18+
The Broken Eye, Lightbringer #3, Gavin and Kip struggle to return to the seat of power, Ages 18+

Wells, H.G.
The Invisible Man, a classic Sci-fi thriller about a man who becomes invisible, Ages 14+

Welty, Eudora
The Optimist's Daughter, a woman deals with her father's death while unraveling her past (Classic), Ages 16+

Wilde, Oscar

The Picture of Dorian Gray, a classic Gothic Horror about an immoral immortal, Ages 14+

Wilson, C.L.
Lord of the Fading Lands, Tairen Soul #1, Epic Fantasy Romance with truemates and shifters, Ages 18+

Yolen, Jane
Briar Rose, The Fairy Tale Series, a Fairy-Tale retelling combined with Holocaust fiction, Ages 14+

Z

Zafón, Carlos Ruiz
The Shadow of the Wind, The Cemetery of Forgotten Books #1, a Mysterious Historical Fiction, Ages 18+

Out of Orbit Critiques
#1: First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung (Memoir)
#2: Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick (Nonfiction about North Korean defectors)
#3: Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (Memoir about being a teen in mental health facility)
#4: Born to Be by Taylor Gordon (Memoir about an African American spiritual singer)

Mini Macabre Review Monday (October)
(A scary short story review feature with links to where you can read them for free)
#1: "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson and "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
#2: "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe
#3: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving and "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe
#4: "The Birds" by Daphne du Maurier and "The Oval Portrait" by Edgar Allan Poe

Confessions of an Insomniac Book Devourer: (sporadically every other Sunday)