Category: Reviews

RADIANCE by Catherynne M. Valente – Review

RADIANCE by Catherynne M. Valente – Review
Posted November 27, 2015 by Tammy in 4 1/2 stars, Reviews / 20 Comments

The nitty-gritty: A weird and wonderful trip to the stars and planets, a perplexing and unsettling mystery, and a rather frustrating—but ultimately rewarding—reading experience. Pluto and Charon in a verdant jungle embrace: between them grew vines as thick and long and mighty as the Mississippi river, great lily-lime leaves opening, curling toward the distant star […]

Tor.com Novella Review: THE BUILDERS by Daniel Polansky

Tor.com Novella Review: THE BUILDERS by Daniel Polansky
Posted November 23, 2015 by Tammy in 4 stars, Reviews / 7 Comments

The nitty-gritty: A story about gun-toting animals, with an unexpected combination of violence and wit, and some emotional moments as well. “That’s an ugly hat,” Barley started. Bonsoir’s eyes went wide with mock fury. “This is the greatest hat anyone has ever worn,” he said, pointing at his beret. “This hat was a gift from the Emperor […]

PLANETFALL by Emma Newman – Review

PLANETFALL by Emma Newman – Review
Posted November 9, 2015 by Tammy in 4 stars, Reviews / 14 Comments

The nitty-gritty: An intense and fast-paced story, with several mysteries that aren’t revealed until the end, but with an unexpected turn of events that I found disorienting. Planetfall has been getting stellar reviews, and I’m definitely on board with this highly readable story that I literally could not put down. However, I also had a […]

THE GIRL WITH GHOST EYES by M.H. Boroson – Review

THE GIRL WITH GHOST EYES by M.H. Boroson – Review
Posted November 5, 2015 by Tammy in 5 stars, Reviews / 19 Comments

The nitty-gritty: A magical tale steeped in Chinese folklore and history, with memorable characters, exciting action, humor and one very special eyeball spirit named Mr. Yanqiu. “This wood came from a peach tree that grew at Mount Longhu,” I said, “in the shadow of the Hanging Coffins. My husband cut the wood himself. He was […]

TELL THE STORY TO ITS END by Simon P. Clark – Review

TELL THE STORY TO ITS END by Simon P. Clark – Review
Posted October 30, 2015 by Tammy in Reviews / 7 Comments

The nitty-gritty: An atmospheric middle grade story, perfect for the Halloween season, but whose deeper meaning somehow escaped this non-middle grade reader. When I saw the cover of this book as one of St. Martin’s Griffin’s offerings for review, I immediately requested a copy. I mean, just look at it! A creepy staircase with a […]

AFTER ALICE by Gregory Maguire – Review

AFTER ALICE by Gregory Maguire – Review
Posted October 20, 2015 by Tammy in 3 1/2 stars, Reviews / 15 Comments

The nitty-gritty: An Alice in Wonderland re-telling that didn’t quite hit the mark, but a wonderful look at the effect of Victorian society on a handful of memorable characters. So Mama waggled her fingers in the air, Go, go, and settled her crown of hair, the color of browning roses, upon the bolster of the […]