Author Archives: Goddess in the Stacks

Book Review: Slayer

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slayerSlayer
by Kiersten White
Young Adult/Urban Fantasy
404 pages
Published January 2019

I am a Buffy fan. I’m not the biggest Buffy fan I know – that honor goes to a friend of mine, who I just gave a giant box of Buffy comic to, since we’re downsizing in preparation for the move to the new house. I haven’t seen anyone that happy in a while, and it made my day. (And hers, judging from the bouncing and squeeeeing and hugging!) But I am still a Buffy fan. I own DVDs of the entire show, plus Angel, plus the original movie. The box of comics I just gave away was Season 8 and some spin offs. Slayer takes place after all of that.

First I’m going to say, if you’re not a Buffy fan, seriously don’t bother with this book. You won’t understand a lot of what goes on, and while there are cursory explanations given in the book, it’s really not meant for people that haven’t watched/read the rest of the world. You’d be okay not knowing much about Angel, but you really do need to have watched the TV show of Buffy, especially that last season. While the book takes place after the comics, they’re not necessary to understand the plot as that, at least, is explained.

So, for the rest of us Buffy fans, this is a great continuation of the Buffy-verse. Nina is the daughter of Watchers – in fact the daughter of Buffy’s first watcher, the one before Giles. Given what befell the Watchers, the ones that are left are kind of antagonistic towards Slayers in general and Buffy in particular. So when Nina becomes a Slayer, her world goes sideways.

The world is mostly the same, but with a twist due to events in the comics. (It’s explained. You don’t need to have read them.) The book expands on how Slayer powers work, a bit, especially their dreams now that there’s more than one of them alive at a time. We do see mentions of familiar characters, with one notable scene where an old favorite appears briefly.

I really enjoyed the book, and I’m eager to read the second half of the duology when it comes out. I need to know how Nina’s story ends! The book ended on a subtle cliffhanger; the main conflict has been resolved, and the characters think it’s over, but we know it’s not. Similar to how many episodes of Buffy ended, actually.

So yeah. If you’re a Buffy fan, pick up this book, it’s pretty great. If you’re not – take a pass. Or start with the TV show and get yourself a new fandom if you’re feeling bored!

From the cover of Slayer:

Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watchers Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers – girls gifted with supernatural strength to fight the forces of darkness. But while Nina’s mother is a prominent member of the Watchers Council, Nina has never embraced the violent Watcher lifestyle. Instead, she follows her instincts to heal, carving out a place for herself as the school medic.

Until the day Nina’s life changes forever.

Thanks to Buffy, the famous (and infamous) Slayer that Nina’s father died protecting, Nina is not only the newest Chosen One – she’s the last Slayer, ever. Period.

As Nina hones her skills with her Watcher-in-training, Leo, there’s plenty to keep her occupied: a monster fighting ring, a demon who eats happiness, a shadowy figure that keeps popping up in Nina’s dreams . . .

But it’s not until bodies start turning up that Nina’s new powers will truly be tested – because someone she loves might be next.

One thing is clear: Being Chosen is easy. Making choices is hard.

Friday 56 – Slayer

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slayerThe Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice. The rules are simple – turn to page 56 in your current read (or 56% in your e-reader) and post a few non-spoilery sentences.

This week’s quote is from Slayer by Kiersten White. Slayer is set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, after the events of the comic book season that came after the TV show. (I’m a bit of a fan.)

Artemis had been even more affected by the test. When she had come back, she’d looked . . . haunted. “I don’t want to be a Watcher,” she had said. But being a Watcher was what she had always wanted. I couldn’t wrap my head around her not being on the Council someday in the distant future. In my mind, she already was.

When I tried to talk to her about the test, she refused. For the last four years she had been there for me, but I didn’t know how to offer her the same support, so I pretended like nothing was different. She let me. It was easiest for both of us.

On a side note, WE ARE CLOSING ON THE HOUSE TODAY. IN A FEW HOURS I WILL BE A HOMEOWNER!!!!

Book Review: You Have The Right To Remain Fat

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right to remain fatYou Have The Right To Remain Fat
by Virgie Tovar
Nonfiction
128 pages
Published 2018

You Have The Right To Remain Fat is a short manifesto on why society needs to change the way it treats fat people, and that we don’t need to lose weight to fit into society. Tovar talks about the sexism, classism, and racism that is often behind fatphobia and discrimination, the way culture has shifted around looks, and feeling comfortable in your own skin. She rips diet culture to shreds, shining a spotlight on the gaslighting technique that is heavy in dieting language. (You’re not losing weight because you’re not doing it right. You don’t have enough willpower to deprive yourself of essential nutrients? Shame on you.)

I could understand people being offended by this book – she basically says if you’re trying to lose weight for the sake of losing weight, you’re wrong. But if you really look at it, if that really is all you’re losing weight for, to be thin, shouldn’t society accept you as you are? If you need to lose weight for actual, valid health reasons, that’s different. But if it’s just for the sake of being thin – maybe rethink your reasons.

I’m going back on the Auto Immune Protocol as soon as we settle in to the new house – and while losing weight is a nice side effect, I’m doing it to control autoimmune symptoms. And in all the literature around AIP, it’s about not feeling fatigued or nauseous. It’s about getting your digestive system back on track and reducing the chronic pain. It’s NOT about losing weight, though people often do lose weight on it because it boosts the metabolism and cuts sugar. (Although it’s also used for hyperthyroid people, who often have unhealthy weight loss, so really it’s about stabilizing your weight!)

One of the most interesting parts of the book was when she discussed a conference she’d gone to and talked to women about fatphobia and inferiority complexes. First she asked if anyone there felt inferior. Of course, no one did. But then she asked a series of follow-up questions that pointed out behaviors born of feelings of inferiority. Things like: “Are you wearing something physically uncomfortable because you believe it makes you look better? Today did you refuse to do something you wanted to do because you were worried how it would make you look to someone?”

Out of curiosity, I read all the questions (there were eight or so) to my husband. He’d done exactly one of them. I have done all of them in the past, and still do some. (I’m currently a housewife. I don’t wear uncomfortable clothes.) It was rather eye-opening.

You Have The Right To Remain Fat is a quick, thought-provoking read that is uncomfortable at times but also makes you want to shout HELL YES at other times. I definitely recommend it.

From the cover of You Have The Right To Remain Fat:

Growing up as a fat girl, Virgie Tovar believed that her body was something to be fixed. But after two decades of dieting and constant guilt, she was over it―and gave herself the freedom to trust her own body again. Ever since, she’s been helping others to do the same. Tovar is hungry for a world where bodies are valued equally, food is free from moral judgment, and you can jiggle through life with respect. In concise and candid language, she delves into unlearning fatphobia, dismantling sexist notions of fashion, and how to reject diet culture’s greatest lie: that fat people need to wait before beginning their best lives.

Library Loot Wednesday

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Only picked up two books this week – I haven’t put anything new on hold, I’m just getting New Releases that I’ve had on hold since before they came out, at this point. I need to go get a library card for my new library so I can get holds on some of the books that are coming out soon!

This week I got The Gutter Prayer, a city fantasy whose description reminds me of Six of Crows,  and Here and Now and Then, a time-traveling fantasy for my Year of the Asian Reading Challenge.

I’ve spent the last couple of days relaxing and catching up on my reading, after packing a TON last weekend. Hopefully I’ll be able to get to these two soon!

TTT – Books I Loved Without Many Reviews on Goodreads

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. She has a linky on her page with everyone’s posts this week, go find other unappreciated great books! This week’s topic is “Books I Loved with Fewer than 2,000 Ratings on Goodreads” so I’m going to go through my Read list on Goodreads and see what I can find!

So the very first one I see is A Spark of White Fire, with only 288 ratings on Goodreads? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? Oh my god, that book was incredible. It ripped my heart out. It’s only been out since September, so maybe people just haven’t discovered it yet? Wow. JUST GO READ IT PEOPLE.

How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? has 1511 ratings, coming in much closer to the 2k mark, so I’m guessing that’s largely because it’s also new. (BUT FANTASTIC.)

Blanca & Roja also came out recently (October) and has 1229 ratings, so I’m sure that number will go up.

The Brilliant Death only has 774 ratings? WAT. Get on that, people. It is a fantastic, genderfluid political fantasy book with a touch of romance. It’s great.

Give the Dark My Love is one of my lady necromancer books, and at 1351 ratings, more people need to read it!

Alright, I know The Good Demon was a little polarizing, but I personally LOVED the southern gothic feel. It was lyrical and mesmerizing, and only has 480 ratings. If you don’t mind a little suspenseful horror, it’s really a beautiful novel.

HOW DOES UNBROKEN ONLY HAVE 336 RATINGS?! HOW?! This anthology spotlights teenagers living with chronic illnesses, mental illnesses, and disabilities of all kinds. It is an amazing piece of representation and I adore it. I thought it had made a big splash in YA circles, but apparently not as big as I thought.

Alright, all seven of those are fairly recent releases, let’s get challenging for the last three and see if I can find some older books…

Alright, so first we have The Wrong Stars (and its sequel, The Dreaming Stars) at 1766 and 366 ratings, respectively. This is a pair of science fiction novels with a fascinating premise and amazing representation, with a bisexual and demisexual woman as part of its core couple. (The other half is also bi.)

Next up we have Jackalope Wives and Other Stories by T. Kingfisher, also known as Ursula Vernon, at 539 ratings. I didn’t actually write up a review for this book, but I have read it, and really enjoyed it. The author writes magical stories that bring to mind the Wild West and wilderness, where you can only depend on yourself and maybe the hermit up in the mountains. She also has a hilarious Twitter.

Okay, for a really old one, let’s point out The Harrad Experiment. It’s a fiction book that portrays polyamory in a very positive light, and those are rather rare, because fiction thrives on conflict. It first came out in 1966. I have not actually hunted down more of Robert H. Rimmer’s books to see if more of his books feature polyamory, but I adore this one. And it only has 363 ratings on Goodreads.

For an eleventh, because I absolutely loved this book, is Sean Grigsby’s Smoke Eaters. It has 312 ratings currently, and the sequel, Ash Kickers, is due out in July. He writes an amazing future world where firefighters fight dragons, and it is badass. (And I LOVE his covers.)

Book Review: The Star-Touched Queen

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the star-touched queenThe Star-Touched Queen
by Roshani Chokshi
Young Adult/Fantasy/Romance
342 pages
Published 2016

I’ve had this on my TBR shelf for quite a while, but only got around to reading it because the library finally really wants it back. Oops! And now I’m regretting not reading it sooner because it is OH MY GOD FANTASTIC. This is one of those books that’s going to be hard to talk about without giving things away about the plot, but I’m going to try. Maya is the main character, a princess with a horoscope full of doom for whoever marries her.

She’s in for a surprise when she does marry, though, as she is whisked away from her father’s kingdom to a palace full of hidden doors and a husband who is more than he seems. She’s quickly embroiled in a mystery to find out not only the secrets her husband’s kingdom is hiding, but the secrets behind her own history.

I absolutely love reading non-western fantasy because there are NEW fantasy elements to discover. This book makes heavy use of reincarnation, which is not a common trope in western fantasy. Not reincarnation as karma, anyway. There is fate, and horoscopes, and choosing your own destiny despite those things, and spirit worlds, and OH IT’S JUST SO GOOD.

The second book, about Maya’s sister, came out last March, so I need to read that too.  The same author has written another book set in Paris, The Gilded Wolves, which came out in January and immediately hit the bestseller list. I’m glad, this author is fantastic. I’m not sure I’ll read it though, as the description doesn’t really intrigue me. But The Star-Touched Queen and its sequel, A Crown of Wishes – these are just my cup of tea!

From the cover of The Star-Touched Queen:

FATE AND FORTUNE. POWER AND PASSION. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE THE QUEEN OF A KINGDOM WHEN YOU’RE ONLY SEVENTEEN?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father’s kingdom. While Maya is content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran’s queen, she finds her voice and her power. As Amar’s wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire . . .

But Akaran has its own secrets – thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most . . . including herself.

A lush and vivid story that is steeped in Indian folklore and mythology, The Star-Touched Queen is a novel that no reader will soon forget.