Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

Wednesday, 29 May 2024

Audio: Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis

By: Caitlin Rozakis

Narrated by: Keval Shah

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Release date: 05-28-24 by Tantor Audio

Fantasy / to review

Another fantasy book that I do not quite know what to make of. Delightful, funny, dreadful. A really great book.

A man wakes up, dang! Worst place to be, some evil wizard lair. Double damn, he is the evil wizard. Ok, yes, I love that concept. Absolutely love it. So Gav is trying to get the feel of things. But people are trying to kill him, he is involved in an evil plan, there is a princess in a cell, and goblins running around. Also Gav is not keen on this whole "evil" concept.

Oh Gav, I mean I loved him. He was all, nope, evil sounds shitty, I want to try something else. Is he doing well? Absolutely not.

And the castle is a mess. The village outside is a mess. And there are plans, and knights running around. A hilarious tale

Great narration. From evil wizards, to townsfolk to goblins. He does it well and he kept me entertained.

A sharp-witted, debut high fantasy farce featuring killer moat squid, toxic masculinity, evil wizards, and a garlic festival-all at once.

It's bad enough waking up in a half-destroyed evil wizard's workshop with no eyebrows, no memories, and no idea how long you have before the Dread Lord Whomever shows up to murder you horribly and then turn your skull into a goblet or something.

It's a lot worse when you realize that Dread Lord Whomever is . . . you.

Gav isn't really sure how he ended up with a castle full of goblins, or why he has a princess locked in a cell. All he can do is play along with his own evil plan in hopes of getting his memories back before he gets himself killed.

But as he realizes that nothing-from the incredibly tasteless cloak adorned with flames to the aforementioned princess-is quite what it seems, Gav must face up to all the things the Dread Lord Gavrax has done. And he'll have to answer the hardest question of all-who does he want to be?

A high fantasy farce featuring killer moat squid, toxic masculinity, an evil wizard convocation, and a garlic festival. All at once. All in all, Dread Lord Gavrax has had better weeks.

Tuesday, 28 May 2024

TMST

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

5/28/2024 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Summer? (Jun-Aug)

Oh you know me. First of all, I have NO clue what is coming when. I still plan to read my own damn TBR. I confess, not a lot has happened there. I have my job cut out for me

6/4/2024 What outdoor activities do you like to do in the spring/summer?

6/11/2024 Have your reading interests changed over time?

6/18/2024 Share some LGBTQ-character books you've recently enjoyed.

6/25/2024 Mid-Year Check-In: What books have you loved so far in 2024?

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. Participation is optional and never required.

Monday, 27 May 2024

Carole´s Monday: Booklovers by Emily Henry

Author: Emily Henry

Title: Book Lovers

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

Format: Paperback

Pages: 377

Published: May 3, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Xmas gift)

Summary:

One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming...

Nora is a cut-throat literary agent at the top of her game. Her whole life is books.

Charlie is an editor with a gift for creating bestsellers. And he's Nora's work nemesis.

Nora has been through enough break-ups to know she's the woman men date before they find their happy-ever-after. That's why Nora's sister has persuaded her to swap her desk in the city for a month's holiday in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. It's a small town straight out of a romance novel, but instead of meeting sexy lumberjacks, handsome doctors or cute bartenders, Nora keeps bumping into...Charlie.

She's no heroine. He's no hero. So can they take a page out of an entirely different book?

Review:

Got this as a giftie at Xmas and I was waiting for warm weather to read it. Look at that cover! Def a spring/summer book.

We have two rivals. One is Nora who is a cut-throat literary agent. The other is Charlie who is an editor with a gift for creating bestsellers. The two find themselves in a small town for the summer. Nora is there to get-away with her very pregnant sister. And Charlie is there to help his family. They keep bumping into each other and maybe, just maybe, love will blossom.

What I love about this book most is that Nora and Charlie are both the archetype characters who are ALWAYS dumped for the local hottie in a small-town. This is the romance for those characters who aren't evil or bad....but city folk who loves the city and their jobs. I simply LOVED this trope. Such a refreshing thing to read.

Love Nora. Love Charlie. They are perfect for each other, but like lots of stories....it takes a cute small town for them to stop and smell the roses and fall in love. CUTEEEEEEE!

This book took me a while to read. It was like a dry, strong wine. Tasty, but best in small sips. There is a lot at play here and Nora has a LOT of demons to work out before she can get her well-deserved HEA. Charlie also has some stuff to work out as well. I loved watching them go from enemies, to friends, to lovers. It was well-done.

OOOO the banter was great!

That ending had me teary-eyed. And I literally "AWWWWED" so loud that it woke the puppy up from his nap. Whoopsies.

All-in-all, this was a gem. I really, really enjoyed it. I had to take small baby sips so it took me a while to finish it, but not all books are races. Great characters. Great town. And lots and lots of book references. This is perfect for book-lovers who love love. 5 stars.

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Refreshing

Challenge(s):

- Romance Reading Challenge #15 (Waterfront on cover)

Saturday, 25 May 2024

A Lady´s guide to fortunehunting by Sophie Irwin

By: Sophie Irwin

Narrated by: Eleanor Tomlinson

Series: A Lady's Guide, Book 1

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Release date: 12-05-22 by Harper Collins

Storytel.fi/historical romance

This one was fun. It was def more Austen then your traditional historical romance. Those usually go meeting-drama- lusty times-drama- lust. While here it was more an Austen adventure, and I really enjoyed that.

Kitty has 3 months and then they are out on the street. She has 4 sisters and as of now, no prospects. She takes matters into her own hands, goes to find a friend of her mother, and launches herself into the pre season. Hunting for a good match. Not too low, not too high.

Sure she is a pure mercenary, but she does it for the love of her sisters. I can respect that.

But as always, someone is watching and does not want a mercenary into their family. But hey I totally got Lord Radcliff too, he saw her for what she was.

Just a really good time. Fun, cute, some danger, blackmail, good times indeed. I will definitely be reading more.

Great narration too. At times though some voices blended into each other, but it did not take away from my enjoyment

The season is about to begin—and there’s not a minute to lose…

Kitty Talbot needs a fortune.

Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. This is 1818 after all, and only men have the privilege of seeking their own riches.

With just 12 weeks until Kitty and her sisters are made homeless, launching herself into London society is the only avenue open to her. And Kitty must use every ounce of cunning and ingenuity she possesses to climb the ranks.

The only one to see through her plans is the worldly Lord Radcliffe, and he is determined to thwart her at any cost.

Can Kitty secure a fortune and save her sisters from poverty? There is not a day to lose and no-one—not even a Lord—will stand in her way…

Wednesday, 22 May 2024

A sinister revenge by Deanna Raybourn

Series: Veronica Speedwell (#8)

Format. 310 pages, Hardcover

Published: March 7, 2023 by Berkley

Historical mystery

library

Yay, a new Veronica Speedwell book. The last one ended with Stoker leaving. Damn these two have issues. In this one she is trying to get him back, and it is going so and so.

And there is a case of his brother getting death threats.

And a dinosaur skeleton

A death long ago

Someone after revenge.

And Veronica trying to get lucky

Good book, I want that next one.

Veronica's natural-historian beau, Stoker, has been away in Bavaria for months and their relationship is at an impasse. But when Veronica shows up before him with his brother, Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, he is lured back home by an intriguing job offer: preparing an iguanodon for a very special dinner party.

Tiberius has received a cryptic message-along with the obituaries of two recently deceased members of his old group of friends, the Seven Sinners-that he too should get his affairs in order. Realizing he is in grave danger but not knowing why, he plans a reunion party for the remaining Sinners at his family estate to lure the killer out while Veronica and Stoker investigate.

As the guests arrive and settle in, the evening's events turn deadly. More clues come to light, leading Veronica, Stoker, and Tiberius to uncover a shared past among the Sinners that has led to the fatal present. But the truth might be far more sinister than what they were prepared for.

Tuesday, 21 May 2024

TMST

5/21/2024 Worst character jobs: what are they and who has them?

Oh, difficult. Who has the worst one? I have no idea, some do have pretty shitty ones, and I can not recall a single one

5/28/2024 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Summer? (Jun-Aug)

6/4/2024 What outdoor activities do you like to do in the spring/summer?

6/11/2024 Have your reading interests changed over time?

6/18/2024 Share some LGBTQ-character books you've recently enjoyed.

6/25/2024 Mid-Year Check-In: What books have you loved so far in 2024?

Monday, 20 May 2024

Carole's Monday. A night to Surrender

Author: Tessa Dare

Narrator: Carolyn Morris

Title: A Night to Surrender

Series: Spindle Cove #1

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 30, 2011

Where I got It: Library

Summary:

Welcome to Spindle Cove, where the ladies with delicate constitutions come for the sea air, and men in their prime are... nowhere to be found. Or are they?

Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men; it is a haven for those who live there.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn't belong here. So far as he can tell, there's nothing in this place but spinsters... and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It's a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch—a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram's makeshift army.

Susanna has no use for aggravating men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle... but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose?

Review:

Oh Dare. I do love you. I think I am getting all caught up with reading her stuff. Mmmm. I'll have to double check.

Here we have Bram and Susanna. Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of young ladies......the painfully shy, unhappy wives, bluestockings, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men. It is a haven and lead by Susanna. Bram comes exploding on the scene. He takes on the task to gather a militia in the area. It's a simple mission, but made complicated by Susanna. Both have no use for love and they have a different mindset on what this town needs.

This one took me longer than normal to finish. Not that it was bad, but.......mmm. I don't know. Something just didn't meet up for me. It all seemed unrealistic and I didn't buy the love right away. YES, the lust was there from the moment they met but even by the end I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

There was a moment near the end that I wanted to drop kick Bram. F you man. I get WHY he had that reaction (trauma and etc) but dang dude. Yes, he apologizes and blah blah blah, but what he said was beyond cool.

Once they patched things up it was very sweet seeing them be comfy in love. Finding the rhythm. Even though I wasn't a huge fan of this coupling, I enjoyed the story nonetheless. They actually talk...eventually...and it was nice seeing two damaged people finally find peace.

Oh! The narrator was good. I liked her voice.

In the end, this wasn't my favorite of the Dare books but I still had fun. I'm curious to get to book 2. There are some side characters I really want to watch fall in love. I'll give this 3 stars. The side characters and the epilogue gave the rating a boost.

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Decent

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #22

- Romance Reading Challenge #14 (A MC with a name that starts with 'S')

- Library Love #8

Wednesday, 15 May 2024

Audio short: Sing a song of sixpence

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Hugh Fraser

Length: 37 mins

Release date: 01-21-21

Publisher: HarperCollins

Storytel.fi/ mystery

So the text at storytel did not say anything about Pelliser. I thought this was a Marple one. But eh, the guy solved the crime pretty quickly.

A short who did it. It had to be someone in the house. And he solved it. The end

Good narration. Very British and fitting

Retired Scotland Yard detective Sir Edward Palliser is called upon by Magdalen Vaughan to help solve the murder of her wealthy, eccentric aunt, Miss Lily Crabtree. The authorities believe only members of the household could have committed the crime, and this suspicion is tearing the family apart. Who really killed Lily's aunt?

Tuesday, 14 May 2024

TMST

5/14/2024 Do you like to garden? Share some photos!

Oh damn, I meant to take photos! But then again, this is Finland. Nothing is blooming. No flowers, no trees. But I am the worst gardener, I just want pretty things, but I do not wanna take care of them. So I have some things and I hope they will live, and if not, eh. But yes nothing is blooming. Everything is still dead

5/21/2024 Worst character jobs: what are they and who has them?

5/28/2024 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Summer? (Jun-Aug)

6/4/2024 What outdoor activities do you like to do in the spring/summer?

6/11/2024 Have your reading interests changed over time?

6/18/2024 Share some LGBTQ-character books you've recently enjoyed.

6/25/2024 Mid-Year Check-In: What books have you loved so far in 2024?

Monday, 13 May 2024

Carole´s Monday

Title: The Little Mermaid

Length: 2h 15m

Released: 2023

Genre: Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Romance, Family
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Disney+

SUMMARY:

The youngest of King Triton's daughters, Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Longing to find out more about the world beyond the sea, Ariel visits the surface and falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Following her heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to experience life on land.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Well....I bit the bullet and decided to watch this. I'm not crazy about Live Action adaptions so I'm so picky on what I'll watch. This had such mixed reviews so I wasn't sure...well...the siren's call finally got me.

Here we have Ariel who is a mermaid and she wants more. She wants a different life...she wants to be human. This desire becomes more ardent when she sees Prince Eric and how amazing he is. He is compassionate, passionate, adventurous, kind to animals, and handsome. When her family won't listen, she turns to the evil sea witch to help.

Oh Ariel you innocent gal. I will say this version of the Prince I can see why she fell for him. She actually got to see him in action and hear him speak. Any young gal would find it hard not to fall for him.

Now...there are some minor changes to the plot and to some of the songs. I didn't mind them at all. I did appreciate the mention of the siren's song and how its magical and actually saved Eric at the same time as cursing him. That addition made me happy. I also loved the addition that when Ariel was turned she was given a little bit of amnesia. She couldn't remember the fact that she HAS to kiss him before the sun sets. I honestly felt like this made her not seem desperate. She got to know him and fall for him and then WANT to kiss just to kiss him. I liked that.

I am SUPER bummed that they cut out the French cook. Booo! I loved his little feud with the crab and the song lives in my head rent free.

The cast was okay. Surprisingly....I felt the weakest was King Triton. The actor is amazing but...he didn't seem hot-headed enough for the role. He had the sad thing going well, but when he was supposed to be angry....I just didn't buy it. I loved our Ariel and our evil witch. The voice acting was fun! I liked how they made the creatures look like actual creatures. Very cute.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the whole race thing. People lost their minds. But let's be real....it's a damned mermaid in a FANTASY movie. Who cares? She had the red hair still and a beautiful voice. That's all Ariel really is. I found it interesting pretty much all the daughters were of a different race. That was different. Did they all have different moms? I'm curious about the lore there.

But again......everyone chill on the race thing. It's a mermaid movie for kids. No one cared when they casted Brandy as Cinderella with an Asian prince who had a white dad and black mom..............Not sure why THIS is the hill people want to die on. The actress did a wonderful job and that is all I care about.

All-in-all, I did enjoy this much more than I thought I would. Some changes were great...some cuts I missed, but not enough to naysay the whole film. This was fun and a nice nod to the original. Casting was 95% okay. I had some issues with King Triton (he was too kind). Def worth the watch if you like the original. I'll give this 4 stars.

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Surprising

Friday, 10 May 2024

Audio short: Triangle at Rhodes

A Hercule Poirot Short Story

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Hugh Fraser

Series: Hercule Poirot Mysteries

Length: 49 mins

Release date: 10-14-21

Historical mystery/storytel.fi

I do prefer Marple, but always when I look for short stories Christie is the only thing that shows up, and I liked the cover for this Poirot one, oh well.

It was short. Well narrated. A voice a bit too soothing though, not so good when you are sleepy.

I wish my audio subscription site had an easier way too look for short stories, or had more! I always come back to these

This electric short story begins in October on the island of Rhodes, a veritable paradise of privacy, beauty and calm, or so Hercule Poirot has imagined.

The reality is quite startlingly different. The idyll is disturbed by the arrival of famed Chanel beauty Valentine Chantry, and a ripple of malice is felt across the island. Captivated by her wiles and immaculate good looks, one young married man falters, closely watched by Valentine’s brooding husband and the watchful eye of Poirot.

Amidst the heady pink gins and close quarters, Poirot senses that someone has murder in their heart, and he guesses right....

Wednesday, 8 May 2024

Audio. Only and forever

By: Chloe Liese

Narrated by: Nelson Hobbs, CJ Bloom

Series: Bergman Brothers, Book 7

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Release date: 04-02-24

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance /to review

This book had two narrators and they worked well together. They had their chapters and it flowed well. I think both were pretty new to me, but it was a good experience. I do have to mention though that the Swedish prononciation was lacking. When they mentioned a certain cake they said Poo cake. LOL

Then over to the book. I had issues, I got bored at times, and I felt zero chemistry between the couple. I should have loved that Viggo adored romance books over anything else, but I just did not feel it at all. And then he adopted a ton of animals and I was all, wow, slow down man.

And Tallulah was not nice at all.. I felt like there was more than her just not knowing what a relationship was. Then write it like that.

I did listen to the whole of it, but the feels were lacking for me. I want to feel their romance, but alas. So I will sadly end this with an ok.

It’s a room-mance for the books in this tender, steamy story about unexpectedly finding love and being brave enough to let it revise life’s narrative in the final book in the beloved Bergman Brothers series.

Viggo Bergman, hopeless romantic, is thoroughly weary of waiting for his happily ever after. But between opening a romance bookstore, running a romance book club, coaching kids' soccer, and adopting a household of pets—just maybe, he’s overcommitted himself?—Viggo’s chaotic life has made finding his forever love seem downright improbable.

Enter Tallulah Clarke, chilly cynic with a massive case of writer’s block. Tallulah needs help with her thriller’s romantic subplot. Viggo needs another pair of hands to keep his store afloat. So they agree to swap skills and cohabitate for convenience—his romance expertise to revive her book, her organizational prowess to salvage his store. They hardly get along, and they couldn’t be more different, but who says roommate-coworkers need to be friends?

As they share a home and life, Tallulah and Viggo discover a connection that challenges everything they believe about love, and reveals the plot twist they never saw happily ever after is here already, right under their roof.

Tuesday, 7 May 2024

TMST

5/7/2024 Share some POC author/character recommendations you've recently enjoyed.

I listened to my second Nisha Sharma book, with Desi characters. It looks like book 3 is coming in the Fall. I will def listen to that one too

5/14/2024 Do you like to garden? Share some photos!

5/21/2024 Worst character jobs: what are they and who has them?

5/28/2024 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Summer? (Jun-Aug)

6/4/2024 What outdoor activities do you like to do in the spring/summer?

6/11/2024 Have your reading interests changed over time?

6/18/2024 Share some LGBTQ-character books you've recently enjoyed.

6/25/2024 Mid-Year Check-In: What books have you loved so far in 2024?

Monday, 6 May 2024

Carole's Monday. Canadian boyfriend

Author: Jenny Holiday

Narrator: Joshua Jackson & Emily Ellet

Title: Canadian Boyfriend

Genre: Sports romance, Contemporary, fiction

Format: Audiobook

Published: January 30, 2024

Where I got It: Audible

Summary:

A charming and heartfelt romance about a woman who comes face to face with the fake Canadian boyfriend she made up as a teenager.

The fake Canadian boyfriend. It's a thing. The get out of jail free card for all kinds of sticky social situations. “I can't go to prom; I'm going to be out of town visiting my boyfriend in Canada.” It's all over pop culture. But Aurora Evans did it first. Once upon a time she met a teenage hockey player at the Mall of America. He was from Canada. He was a boy. She may have fudged the “friend” part a little, but it wasn't like she was ever going to see him again. It wasn't like she hurt anyone. Until she did—years later—on both counts.

When pro hockey player and recent widower Mike Martin walks into the dance studio where Aurora Evans teaches, he's feeling overwhelmed with the fact that his wife may not have been exactly who he thought she was and the logistics of going back to work. As one of the few people his angry, heartbroken daughter connects with, Aurora agrees to be a pseudo nanny to help him navigate the upcoming school year and hockey season. To his surprise, she turns out to be the perfect balm for him as well. Aurora gets him. The real him underneath his pro jersey. And yet, he still finds himself holding back, unable to fully trust again—especially when he finds out the secret Aurora’s been hiding from him.

Review:

Picked this for book club because why not? We needed a little bit of fluff, plus this matches up with a couple of my reading challenges. Win-win-win.

Here we follow Aurora (aka Rory) and Mike. The two met years and years ago...briefly...at a mall. From there it was history. Rory found herself a fake Canadian boyfriend so she wouldn't look like a loser at her school. Time went on and she slowly moved on. However, things changed when they met again. Mike is a star hockey player who thought he had it all until his wife died in a car accident and now he is a single dad who is picking up the reigns his wife left behind. Which includes getting their child to dance class. Enter in the teacher....Aurora Evans. He's overwhelmed and she's great with kids. Maybe she can be a nanny while the season goes? However, will they be able to fully trust each other? They both have secrets and guilt.

I did really like this one. There is a lot of mental health talk in here (so be prepared) but it was fitting. Rory was a ballet dancer with a Godzilla of a Ballet-mom. Poor thing did develop an eating disorder and anxiety issues. Poor thing.

Mike, of course, is dealing with his wife who passed and he uncovered that his wife was not FULLY telling the truth. There is guilt and anger and sadness. Plus, dealing with a sad daughter? Oof.

They both have a lot on their plate, but it was nice seeing them become friends first. They def are super supportive of each other and I loved it!

However there was ONE thing that bothered me. When Rory's whole "fake boyfriend' thing came out (yes not a spoiler...you know it will) he.....acted like shit. I won't spoil anything but I was SO annoyed at him. Yes, how and when she revealed her big ol' secret wasn't great. However........it's not that big of a deal. Yes, he felt like she betrayed his trust by not telling him the truth right away. But like dude....chill.

Besides that whole exchange, I really liked this book. Great characters. Lots of internal things for them to fix. I loved Rory at the end. So proud of her. This was very sweet.

The narrators were great. It was a duo set so it was fun to hear them sound like they were actually conversing. He would read Mike's dialogue and she would read Rory's. It was nice. I wonder why duo narrators don't do that more?

All-in-all, this was a nice sports romance dealing with mental health issues. I think Mike was overdramatic at the end, but it was resolved and they made up. The narrators were great and I def recommend listening to this.

I'll stamp this with 4 stars.

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Nice

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #21

- Romance Reading Challenge #13 (Sports romance)

Visa citerad text

Sunday, 5 May 2024

JIAM audiobook mini challenge

I am borrowing the whole text ;)

I will give it a go :)

Hey Audiophiles, as the hosts of the yearly Audiobook Challenge, Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I’m Talking About are excited to be hosting a mini challenge to celebrate Audiobook Month in June. Anyone can join, sign up below and choose your challenge(s).

We’d like to thank our prize sponsors, Libro.fm, Tantor Audio, Jennifer Estep & Karen Grey! We appreciate you helping us celebrate June is Audiobook Month!

Challenges

Complete at least one challenge to enter giveaway. See rules listed below.

Finish/Start a series in a month. (listen to at least 3 audiobooks in a series)
Love your Library (listen to 3 audiobooks from your local library)
Let there be Monsters (listen to 3 audiobooks with monsters/paranormal elements)
Going the Distance (listen to 3 audiobooks over 12 hours each)
Tackle your Audiobook TBR Pile (listen to 3 audiobooks you already own)

Rules

Challenge runs from June 1, 2024 through June 30th. Rafflecopter will close July 2, 2024. Winners will be announced on July 5, 2024. Rafflecopter start up post and prize details will post on June 1, 2024.
To enter, you must complete one challenge. You can complete more than one for extra entries, but no audiobook title can be used twice.
Audiobooks must be a minimum of 4 hours in length.
Audiobooks count towards your 2024 Audiobook Challenge goals and can be used for other challenges.
Declare your intentions by posting a blog post or sharing on social media. Let’s get everyone listening in June! #JIAMAudiobookChallenge

Friday, 3 May 2024

Audio: Someone you can build a nest in

Author John Wiswell

Narrated by Carmen Rose

Publication date Apr 2, 2024 by Tantor Audio

Running time 10 hrs

Fantasy/to review

This was a great book. I find it hard to say what kind of fantasy it was because it was told with humour and lightness in certain ways. But then it was also bloody and gory. It was just different and a blast to listen to.

Shesheshen is a shapeshifting monster. She falls in love with a human and thinks real love is that human giving her body as a nest so the kids can eat their "mummydaddy". Mmm sweet! But then she has never met another one like her, or really talked to humans.

People are trying to kill her as they think she has put a curse on them. Silly humans. She just wants to eat and be a big blob of nothingness at times.

She meets Homily, a kind woman, that cares for her when she is hurt and the story begins. What is love? What is humanity? What does it mean to be a monster?

I did not want to stop listening. It was so different from what I usually read in fantasy.

Great narration. I have listened to this narrator before and I always enjoy her style. It felt very fitting for the book and she got some real feels in,

Shesheshen has made a mistake fatal to all monsters: she's fallen in love.

Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, who happily resides as an amorphous lump at the bottom of a ruined manor. When her rest is interrupted by hunters intent on murdering her, she constructs a body from the remains of past meals: a metal chain for a backbone, borrowed bones for limbs, and a bear trap as an extra mouth.

However, the hunters chase Shesheshen out of her home and off a cliff. Badly hurt, she’s found and nursed back to health by Homily, a warm-hearted human, who has mistaken Shesheshen as a fellow human. Homily is kind and nurturing and would make an excellent co-parent: an ideal place to lay Shesheshen’s eggs so their young could devour Homily from the inside out. But as they grow close, she realizes humans don’t think about love that way.

Shesheshen hates keeping her identity secret from Homily, but just as she’s about to confess, Homily reveals why she’s in the area: she’s hunting a shapeshifting monster that supposedly cursed her family. Has Shesheshen seen it anywhere?

Eating her girlfriend isn’t an option. Shesheshen didn’t curse anyone, but to give herself and Homily a chance at happiness, she has to figure out why Homily’s twisted family thinks she did. As the hunt for the monster becomes increasingly deadly, Shesheshen must unearth the truth quickly, or soon both of their lives will be at risk.

And the bigger challenge remains: surviving her toxic in-laws long enough to learn to build a life with, rather than in, the love of her life.