User Profile

Elska Bee

ElskaBee@outside.ofa.dog

Joined 1 year, 1 month ago

Favourite Genres: horror, magical realism, fantasy (but I'll give almost anything a go!) Lover of all things creepy and spooky or excessively cute

This link opens in a pop-up window

Elska Bee's books

Currently Reading

View all books
Another Castle (2021, Oni Press, Incorporated) 3 stars

Review of 'Another Castle' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Queer and anti-monarchy/pro-democracy fantasy? Well sign me up!

Of course I actually didn't know anything when I picked this up except that I needed a graphic novel for a reading challenge and the cover was really pretty. Honestly the story is very basic and I found the art to be competent but not impressive nor really my aesthetic taste. It was still a nice quick read and might be a good pick for younger readers (middle grade and early YA).

Review of 'Nothing but Blackened Teeth' on 'Goodreads'

1 star

[1.5]
I'd heard the bad reviews, I saw it on everyone's worst books of lists. But I'm telling you I went in with an open mind! I had this recommended by someone who actually liked it and that was my final straw for finally picking it up. I thought "hey it might be good, I like a lot of unpopular books".

To sum up my thoughts and feelings, I present to you a list of ways one might interpret this book from most to least generous:

1. The author is actually a great writer and I just don't get it/the writing style isn't for me

2. The author intended this as a satire, but I don't get it

3. The author intended this as a satire, but it's a very poorly done one

4. The author is a terrible writer who doesn't know the meaning of words or how to …

Review of 'Pack of Lies' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

[3.5]
This was perfectly fine, but struggled to hold my attention. Despite having one of my favourite narrators, I kept losing focus so I guess maybe the writing left something to be desired. The plot was fine but maybe lacked focus and I wish the romantic chemistry had been better developed. The sexual chemistry was off the charts though and I think it gets an extra half star for that lol.

Ultimately a quick, but forgettable read for me.

Review of 'Seasparrow' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I want to thank Kristin Cashore. Mildly TMI, I have chronically dry eyes due to allergies. I'm talking eyelids feeling like sandpaper, eyedrops only working for like one singular minute before they're dry again, desert level dry eyes. So this book was exactly the kind of relief I needed since I was tearing up on a near constant basis Every. Single. 'my girl' had me misty

This is a relatively plotless book, but that's a good thing because the time spent on character development was more than enough to hold my attention. Hava is proof that a good, well-written character is not necessarily a likeable character (though I loved her), as she struggles to interact with others in conventional ways and often expects the worst intentions even without evidence. But of course she isn't mean and rude for no reason, the events in her life preceding this book make hating …

Harley Quinn Black + White + Red (Paperback, 2021, DC Comics) No rating

Review of 'Harley Quinn Black + White + Red' on 'Goodreads'

No rating

Hi, infamous Harley Quinn stan here. This is a bit of a mixed bag of a collection, some I quite liked, some were really fun, and others were just okay. Because this is such an eclectic collection, I don't find it worth rating as a whole volume but I can say it was well worth my time and a fun way to spend an evening flipping through and enjoying the different stories and art styles. There's not really anything revolutionary story or concept-wise, especially for a seasoned fan of the clown princess of crime, but fans will enjoy the callbacks and references.

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (Paperback, 2021, Berkley) 4 stars

Review of 'The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels' on 'Goodreads'

No rating

the synopsis did not adequately prepare me for the actual content of this book. I would think if people are flying around in magical buildings using spells and stuff it would be important to mention that. I am not in the mood for full on historical fantasy and the synopsis gave me ZERO indication that's what this is when I picked it up off the shelf in the library. Not to mention the lack of any kind of explanation of the world, just thrown straight into the deep end. So, colour me confused when I managed 11% through this chaos of unexplained houses landing on houses and steering into ponds or whatever.

This is for someone, but that someone isn't me.

Winner of the 2010 John Newbery MedalFour mysterious letters change Miranda's world forever.By sixth grade, …

Review of 'When You Reach Me' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Super cute book that really accurately captures what it's like to be a 12 year old learning about the world, friendships, and the trials and tribulations of growing up.

Don't go in expecting this to be a time travel novel, while ultimately that's what this book culminates as, it's more of a cosy magical realism-esque contemporary novel. That said, if you are struggling with it the ending is so good that it was worth the more bland parts of the novel.

It is middle grade so I always keep in mind that I am viewing this through my adult lens, but even so this book dragged at times. Mostly due to the length (the set up is very, very long compared to the payoff) and the blandness of the writing style. It is told through a letter/story written by the main character who is 12, but I feel a lot …

Every Heart a Doorway (2016, Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom) 5 stars

Review of 'Every Heart a Doorway' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

[4.5]

Such a quick read that I have little to say. While I think the character work could have been stronger and the plot was fine but not great, I did enjoy this. In some ways a 4.5 may be overselling that enjoyment, but the book successfully made me cry at the end and felt like a successful introduction to this series/universe and so I'm very keen to continue on.

I'll admit I was scared of the hype and it didn't entirely live up to that hype but idk, you give me a diverse cast full of complicated feelings, hopes, and dreams, and you've sold me.

TW: no actual eating disorder is depicted in the book, but there are fantastical elements that reference eating in a way that could be triggering for people with eating disorders

Seventeen-year-old Mara cannot remember the accident that took the lives of three of her friends …

Review of 'Unbecoming of Mara Dyer' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

This isn’t a book; it’s a compilation of cliches and cringe and the worst tropes the YA paranormal romance genre has to offer. I thought as a Twilight enjoyer (I know, I'm sorry) I thought I could handle Mara Dyer. I cannot.

I did finish it and can't help but think that if you cut out the high school drama and the romance, this could be a halfway entertaining paranormal thriller. But the drama and romance are cringe af and so drag the whole book way, way down. Even a 2 star is generous, but I don't quite put it on the same level of trash as my 1 star ratings.

Honestly unless you read this as a teen and are nostalgic for it, steer way, way clear. I have read so many YA paranormal/fantasy series from this time period (2005-2011 ish) and this is one of the worst (second …

A House at the Bottom of a Lake (Hardcover, 2020, Del Rey) 3 stars

Review of 'A House at the Bottom of a Lake' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

[3.5]

Excellent vibes for anyone who likes something bordering on surreal and full of terrifying whimsy. A unique writing style that at times worked really well to amp up the creep factor and at other times came off as a bit corny. The plot was shockingly straightforward and ultimately a bit of a let down. I don't mind unanswered questions, but as soon as this book gets really interesting - it ends.

A good quick horror read, just don't go in with high expectations.

Husband Material (Paperback, 2022, Sourcebooks Casablanca) 5 stars

Review of 'Husband Material' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

[4.5]

The first half is pure sitcom energy that had me bursting out laughing regularly (very hard to do btw), then the second half is filled with a complex discussion about relationships and marriage and gay culture vs straight culture. I adored both halves despite how disparate they were but can see why I saw a lot people really hating this after reading the first book.

I think this does fail as a romance on most levels, but as a contemporary novel about two messy people trying to figure shit out this succeeds enough that it didn't lose points because of the lack of romance. The only thing I think that held this back from a true 5 is that it is very long for what it is and the relationship conflicts felt a bit repetitive at times.

The prince and the dressmaker (2018) 5 stars

Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride or rather, his parents are looking for one …

Review of 'The prince and the dressmaker' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

[4.5]

The genderfluid prince book of my dreams! I'm obsessed with the rep and how it's just an accepted part of Sebastian, not something that needs to be exposition-ed at you, it just IS. I think this is the perfect book for exposing younger audiences to fluid genders. The themes are easily digestible, clear, and still retain some nuance despite the simplicity.

The friendship and developing feelings between Frances and Sebastian is very cute. The art is lovely and I recommend getting a physical copy if you can as the matte printing is gorgeous (as a opposed to the typical glossy printing). The dresses are just so darn cool!

The plot is a little cliche, but it didn't bother me. Also anachronisms abound as the time period is left very vague even if real countries are mentioned. Again, not something that bothered me, but something to be aware of going …

That Weekend (Paperback, 2021, Random House Inc) 2 stars

Review of 'That Weekend' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

[2.5]

Meh. This book had major pacing issues and had me pretty bored throughout. I wouldn't have bothered finishing it if it wasn't so easy to get through. It does get interesting towards the end but honestly only one of the twists got me and I can't say it was a twist I enjoyed.

I think the main character was just so bland. I think this same story from the perspective of another character involved or even the FBI agents would have made for a more interesting read. Or maybe just cut the book down by a hundred pages.

Monstress, Vol. 1 (Paperback, 2016, Image Comics) 3 stars

"Set in an alternate world of art deco beauty and steampunk horror, Monstress tells the …

Review of 'Monstress' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Lol I'm confused.

Don't get me wrong, I love the body horror/cosmic horror elements. I thought Ren the cat was pretty cool. I'm a sucker for a badass main character too who will destroy anything that gets in their way. BUT - I every 20 or so pages I was questioning whether I wanted to continue reading or DNF...

I felt overwhelmed with the amount of information, characters, lingo, etc. dumped on me from the beginning with little or no explanation. Then to have the "lecture" inserts that were so dry I couldn't bear to read them at all. I wish it was integrated more naturally in the story. This is a problem I usually have with anime and manga a lot (and this definitely felt a lot like those media forms). I also struggle when the main character's goals and motivations are unclear. It means I have no sense …

Monstress, Vol. 1 (Paperback, 2016, Image Comics) 3 stars

"Set in an alternate world of art deco beauty and steampunk horror, Monstress tells the …

Review of 'Monstress' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Lol I'm confused.

Don't get me wrong, I love the body horror/cosmic horror elements. I thought Ren the cat was pretty cool. I'm a sucker for a badass main character too who will destroy anything that gets in their way. BUT - I every 20 or so pages I was questioning whether I wanted to continue reading or DNF...

I felt overwhelmed with the amount of information, characters, lingo, etc. dumped on me from the beginning with little or no explanation. Then to have the "lecture" inserts that were so dry I couldn't bear to read them at all. I wish it was integrated more naturally in the story. This is a problem I usually have with anime and manga a lot (and this definitely felt a lot like those media forms). I also struggle when the main character's goals and motivations are unclear. It means I have no sense …