The Biased Bibliophile

Book Review: Redemptor

Genre: YA Fantasy Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once again I’m astounded by everything Jordan Ifueko fit into just one book! I honestly wasn’t sure that Ifueko could top the epic feat of Raybearer, but Redemptor was absolutely stunning!

Redemptor picks up where Raybearer left off and follows Tarisai as she attempts to fulfill her promise to the abiku by anointing the leaders of the 12 realms to her council, and then entering the underworld. However, her task turns out to be even more difficult than it first appeared, as she is afflicted by ojiji, evil beings from the underworld, and a revolutionary nicknamed “The Crocodile” starts raising legitimate concerns while also provoking alagbados across the empire.

This book has everything you could ask for and more! I personally really enjoyed the philosophical ideas raised throughout the novel. Ifueko urges readers to contemplate purpose, worthiness, and responsibility through Tarisai’s experiences. Perhaps the most powerful message that I took away from the novel is that our worth does not lie within our usefulness to the world or others, we deserve to live for ourselves as much as anyone or anything else.

Additionally, I adored the fact that Tarisai’s friendships in the novel are just as important to her as romance. It was especially refreshing to read about how her relationship with Dayo developed, considering how rarely authors write platonic relationships between female and male characters. Tarisai’s romantic life also flourished in this book, but it did not take center stage, a detail that I particularly appreciated.

Furthermore, the novel was action-packed and held my attention the whole way through. I enjoyed the fact that Ifueko incorporated details about Dayo’s asexuality, and his acceptance from other characters.

Overall, if you liked Raybearer, you will certainly love Redemptor! Jordan Ifueko has raised the bar for all fantasy novels!

Book Review: The Portals of Tartae

Genre: YA Fantasy, Portal Fantasy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

After connecting with the author on Facebook, I was extremely excited to dive into The Portals of Tartae by Marcia Soligo! Marcia graciously sent me a signed copy of her wonderful novel, and I have to say, it was such a pleasant surprise!

The novel is about Olivia Halin, a young girl who is suddenly thrust into a seemingly unknown world, named Tartae, with her best friend, Trevor. Olivia and Trevor soon discover that there is something strange and magical about this world with two moons. The two go on many adventures in Tartae and are tasked with a huge challenge that puts the fate of both Tartae, and their own world, in their hands.

Honestly, if I were describing this book to someone, I would say it is similar to The Chronicles of Narnia, only it’s more modern and ultimately higher quality! The Portals of Tartae gives the reader that same whimsical feeling, that you get when you experience another world through a book. However, there were so many ways in which this book raised the bar for portal fantasy.

First of all, the writing in this novel is poetic, and absolutely breathtaking at certain points! On top of that, the themes throughout the book of conquering evil and appreciating nature (among others), are so inspirational and are flawlessly intertwined with the plot. This book has so much depth, that I feel as though I could read it again and find countless more hidden treasures within its pages!

Additionally, the characters were very likeable in so many ways, but Olivia truly shined as the protagonist! From the outset of the book I felt as though Olivia was very easy to relate to. Her feelings were similar to feelings that many people experience in their lives, and I soon became invested in her story. Soligo clearly put a lot of work into developing Olivia, and all the other characters in the novel.

I also enjoyed the little romantic details of Olivia’s life, but I appreciated that the romance did not overtake the plot of the story. Similarly, I love that Olivia’s best friend is a boy, and that their relationship was both deep and platonic. While I occasionally enjoy the friends-to-lovers trope, I think it is used a lot, and Olivia’s relationship with Trevor felt perfect in my opinion.

Overall, I think The Portals of Tartae is a highly underrated book that has the potential to become a modern classic portal fantasy novel! I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to read and review this wonderful hidden gem, and I hope many others get the chance to discover the magic that I experienced while reading this book!

Book Review: Lakesedge

Genre: YA Fantasy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was beyond excited when I received an email from NetGalley saying that my wish for Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone was granted! I heard that this book was going to be in one of the monthly book boxes I’m subscribed to, so I was elated to have the chance to read it early! This gothic fantasy has everything you could want, including spooky vibes perfect for this Autumn season!

When the lord of her village demands that Leta’s brother come live with him at the mysterious estate of Lakesedge, Leta is not about to let her brother go alone. She’s not sure what is more dangerous, the spine-tingling visions she’s had since arriving at the manor, or the lord himself, nicknamed the Monster. Not to mention her chilling encounters with the Lord Under, who Leta has not seen since she was lost in the woods as a child. However, as she starts to uncover more of Lakesedge’s secrets, Leta begins to believe that their is more to the Monster than meets the eye. But how can Leta balance her complicated ties to the underworld with keeping her loved ones safe?

Normally when I read I take notes because I want to remember what I plan on including in the review, but Lakesedge is one of those rare books that completely drew me in, and I couldn’t stop reading to take notes. The story is truly all-encompassing, and you really feel like you’re at Lakesedge with Leta. The overall tone of this book is so darkly enticing that you feel as though you want to live in this world.

In my opinion, the details and descriptions throughout the novel made it stand out. While there wasn’t necessarily a lot of world building, the descriptions gave me such a vivid picture of Lakesedge. Lakesedge is like a world in and of itself.

Furthermore, there were not many characters, but the few main characters in the novel were well-developed and relatable. I adored the fact that Leta was conflicted about loving a monster. Most novels focus on the protagonist loving the person behind the monster, but Leta loved the person and the monster, which was a unique twist.

I honestly don’t have enough words to accurately convey how wonderful and creepy this book was! I will certainly be displaying this book on my shelf when I get it in my book box, and recommending it whenever people are looking for spooky reads that draw you into the story. Lakesedge will be published next Tuesday, September 28th, and this is certainly a book you don’t want to miss!

Book Review: If You, Then Me

Genre: YA Contemporary, YA Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I recently borrowed If You, Then Me by Yvonne Woon from the library, solely based on the title, and it was such an enjoyable and wholesome book! If you’re looking for a lighthearted or quick read with some cute romance, then this is the book for you!

The novel follows Xia, a high school student who was recently accepted into her dream school, which is also a competition for young app developers. Only 20 students are accepted, and at the end of the year one student is awarded a million dollars to start their company. Xia knows she has what it takes to succeed at the Foundry, and her AI app, Wiser is top notch. However, when Xia starts to see that the life of an app developer may not be as simple as she imagined, she questions her path at the Foundry.

If You, Then Me had so many fun and interesting aspects. I truly enjoyed reading about Xia’s struggles with finding her place within the career she aspires to. She was such a likeable and relatable character, that you can’t hep but to root for her!

Additionally, there was just enough romance in the novel to be cute, but not too much that it took over the plot. The romantic aspects added to Xia’s adversities with finding her place in the world, and her journey showed so much growth throughout the novel.

Overall, If You, Then Me was a wonderful and lighthearted book that told a unique story!

Book Review: Sawkill Girls

Genre: Horror, Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, YA Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand was yet another book I was avoiding since I’ve seen so much hype about it, but when The Novel Neighbor recommended it to me, I finally decided to pick it up. Overall, this book was certainly unexpected and had a good balance of suspense and horror. Definitely a great book if you’re looking for something spooky this Fall!

The book is told from 3 alternating perspectives: Marion, who just moved to Sawkill Island with her mother and sister, Zoey, the outspoken daughter of Sawkill’s sheriff, and Val, the popular girl who seemingly gets everything she wants. Girls have gone missing in Sawkill for as long as anyone can remember, but it becomes personal when Zoey’s best friend goes missing, and shortly after Marion’s sister disappears too. The two team up, determined to figure out what’s going on, but they soon realize that the mystery they are trying to solve is much darker and deeper than they ever imagined.

The mystery aspect of the novel really kept my attention throughout the whole story. The author did a superb job of giving the reader enough information to keep them captivated, while still leaving a big reveal for the end of the novel. From the start of this book, it is clear that something mysterious and mystical is happening in Sawkill. That fantasy aspect also encouraged me to keep reading.

Overall, the characters were pretty likeable, but I felt like their dynamics with one another was what made the novel truly stand out. As a reader I could feel the tension between the characters, and the emotions they felt were portrayed in a genuine manner. It definitely made the characters more relatable. Despite the alternating POVs, I felt like each character was unique and distinct. While there were sometimes conflicts between the characters, I still felt empathetic towards whichever character’s perspective I was reading.

All in all, horror and suspense aren’t necessarily my favorite genre, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I highly recommend it to anyone who also appreciates aspects of fantasy within horror!

Book Review: 11/22/63

Genre: Sci-Fi, Historical Fantasy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Whenever I’m in the mood to read a long book, it’s always a struggle to find the right one. When you’re reading 500+ pages, you want to be sure that you’re not wasting your time. While Stephen King novels are a hit or a miss for me, I thoroughly enjoyed 11/22/63!

In my opinion, you have to be a talented author to write a book over 800 pages and not lose your readers. I was certainly invested throughout the entirety of 11/22/63. The story was slow, but didn’t necessarily feel like it was dragging. I also think longer books can be advantageous because there is more room to develop characters.

I would not recommend reading 11/22/63 if you are in a reading slump, but it is the perfect book to read over time. It’s nice to read a little every day because I felt more invested in the story.

Additionally, this book had elements that appeal to many different readers. The time travel aspect is ideal for Sci-Fi lovers, while the time period is perfect for readers who prefer historical fiction.

Overall, a pretty good read!

Book Review: Raybearer

Genre: YA Fantasy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

When The Novel Neighbor announced that they were doing a virtual event with Jordan Ifeuko and Chloe Gong, I immediately had to read Raybearer, which has been on my TBR since it came out! I don’t normally buy books before reading them, but after finishing Raybearer and watching Jordan Ifeuko speak at the event, I had to buy Redemptor! If you enjoy fantasy, this is a duology you do not want to miss!

Essentially, Raybearer is about Tarisai, a girl who is half demon, and was basically created to fulfill her mother’s wish of killing the rulers of the empire they live in. The rulers of the empire become immune to different forms of death as they choose 11 members of their council, and by the time they have a full council, they can only die from old age, or by the hand of their council members. Tarisai’s mother was granted 3 wishes by Tarisai’s father, and she uses that wish to demand that Tarisai kill the crown prince when she is anointed to his council. Tarisai is torn between wanting to connect with other people, and wanting to avoid her destiny of killing the crown prince, but ignoring a binding wish is not as easy as it may seem.

This book is so complex and has so many moving parts! I’m highly impressed by Ifeuko’s world-building abilities, and I can’t wait to see how she further develops Tarisai’s world in Redemptor. In the virtual event I attended, Ifeuko said that she spent 12 years writing Raybearer, and I am honestly not surprised. This book has been very clearly thought through, and has so much novelty, it is astonishing.

There is truly nothing missing from this wonderful novel. Diverse and 3 dimensional characters, enchanting myth and lore, a creative magical system, and a vast and multi-cultural world are some of the many aspects you can look forward to in this book. After reading Raybearer, I sincerely don’t know how Ifeuko fit so much high quality ingenuity into one book!

I’ve found with some novels I have a hard time writing a review because I simply don’t have a lot to say, but with Raybearer I have the opposite problem: I’m having difficulty writing the review because there is so much to say! Trust me when I say, this is not a book you want to pass up on! Jordan Ifeuko has received a lot of praise for Raybearer, and after reading it myself, it is clearly well-deserved. This book is perhaps one of the best debut books I’ve ever read!

Book Review: One Hundred and Sixty Minutes

Genre: Nonfiction Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Normally, I wait a few days after finishing a book before I review it, but I literally just finished reading One Hundred and Sixty Minutes: The Race to Save the RMS Titanic by William Hazelgrove. I absolutely loved this book! If you think you know the history of the Titanic, think again and read this book. Hazelgrove morphs a seemingly well known story into a riveting tale in this stunning book!

Clearly, the book is about the Titanic, but it’s so much more than your run-of-the-mill Titanic story. The author adds a new depth to the story by dispelling the idea that it was tragically unpreventable, and that people accepted their fates with honor and grace. He paints a vivid picture of the true heroes of the story: the two wireless officers on board, Jack Phillips & Harold Bride, along with the Captain of the Carpathia, Arthur Rostrun.

Frequently, I have mixed feelings about many nonfiction books because the actual story is interesting, but the stories are not always conveyed in a captivating way. However, I was enthralled with this book throughout its entirety. Honestly, there are not many nonfiction books that I would consider “page-turners” or that I literally couldn’t put down, but I finished this book in under 48 hours.

Truthfully, when I requested this book on NetGalley, I was interested because the lore around the Titanic is fascinating to me, but I had never read a book about it before. I kind of thought, “If you’ve read one book about the Titanic, you’ve read them all,” but it is abundantly clear that Hazelgrove’s book is original and unique.

He refrains from depicting the story through rose colored lenses. He points to multiple mistakes that could have been avoided, which could have saved all the lives that were lost, or circumnavigated the disaster entirely. While he admits that this event shows a failure of human compassion, the fact that he highlights the unsung heroes of the tragedy, left me with a sense of hope and inspiration.

Whether you’re particularly interested in the Titanic or not, this is a book everyone should read! It’s quite possibly one of the best nonfiction books I’ve ever read!

Book Review: Dragon by Midnight

Genre: YA Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I recently joined BookSirens, a site that is dedicated to connecting readers with new books! I was absolutely stoked to find Dragon by Midnight by Karen Kincy on the site because I had recently added it to my TBR, and I could not wait for it to be released! This wonderful book is kind of a mashup of Cinderella and Aladdin, and I did not know how much I needed this book in my life until I finished reading it!

The book is about Cinderella, who turns into (you guessed it), a dragon at midnight! She had literally no clue what happened to make her turn into a dragon, and she was desperate to return to her human form. Enter Sikandar, a mysterious sorcerer from a faraway land, who conveniently promises to help her break the curse. During their quest, both characters face tremendous adversity, and are left questioning where they belong in the world.

I was so pleasantly surprised with this novel! I love fairytale retellings in general, but when there is an unexpected twist to the original story, I cannot resist! Overall, this was a fun and whimsical story that left me wanting more. (Thankfully there is going to be a sequel!) The plot moved at a nice pace, the characters were likeable, and the conclusion is just *chef’s kiss*!

Honestly, many fairytale retellings are not really original, but Dragon by Midnight was filled with novelty while also incorporating aspects of the stories we know and love. I absolutely adored how the author wrote the ending, which is drastically different from the original fairytales! All in all, the book was a wonderfully enjoyable fairytale retelling with a compelling and unique twist!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book Review: Let’s Talk About Love

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shoutout to The Novel Neighbor for recommending another great book with an ace character! Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann is an absolutely wonderful book for anyone who is wanting to read novels with ace representation!

Alice is asexual. She has known this for a while, but she doesn’t feel comfortable telling others about her identity. After two rough breakups that essentially happened because Alice’s partners did not understand asexuality and she didn’t really know how to explain it, Alice is looking forward to a summer of watching TV shows, working part time at the library, and hanging out with her best friends. However, things start to fall apart when her family starts badgering her to declare law as her major, her two best friends are in a romantic relationship with one another and seem to be leaving her behind, and she meets Takumi, a cute guy who works at the library with Alice.

I enjoyed this book for so many reasons, but most importantly, it really goes in depth about asexuality. Although Alice is certain about her identity, she struggles with it too. She feels disconnected from the LGBTQIA+ community because she is not only bi, but ace two identities that have negative stigmatizations in the LGBTQIA+ community.

On top of that, Alice does not feel sexual attraction, but she adores anything that is aesthetically pleasing. When Takumi falls into the aesthetically pleasing category, she questions her feelings and experiences confusion. Alice desperately wants to find a romantic partner in life, but she feels as though no one understands that she can love them just as much as anyone could love her, despite not feeling sexual attraction.

Additionally, I liked that Alice also faced other obstacles, such as trying to find what she wanted to do with her life. Many college students go through similar adversities, so I felt like the fact that Alice had trouble figuring out what she wanted to do, expanded on the sense of reality that the book had. Reading about Alice finding her place in the world was endearing, and I was rooting for her the whole story through.

Overall, this is a cute and lighthearted book that simultaneously makes serious statements about identity and asexuality. This is definitely a book that everyone should read, and I would especially recommend it for those who are looking to read more books with ace characters!