Reviews and Comments

Enjoyed the setting and what Nethercott was getting at with this story. Interesting storytelling and world building with themes of personal, familial, generational, and cultural trauma. It can get dark but didn’t feel too heavy. The folklore tie-ins felt especially well done and I wish there was more exploration of the world, but it wasn’t that kind of story.

And look, I hated Isaac. Almost quit reading because of the character. Then eventually I saw parts of my past trauma responses reflected in his behavior and it clicked why I hated him so much. I still feel his backstory required me to give him too much of a pass, but hurt people hurt people and we all react and hurt differently.

Had a great time with this. I haven’t had this much fun in a fantasy setting since the Shades of Magic books by V.E. Schwab and the Witch King by Martha Wells.

The mystery aspects were well done - all of the pieces were available and figuring out broad strokes was even within my own grasp. It was great fun to see the internal logic spelled out and add to the world building.

For anyone that’s read this, have you also read the Foundryside series as well; are those books as good as this one?

Not my favorite of the stories, but still better than good. Slower burn, mysterious. I think some plot points/characters could have used a bit more fleshing out. If you’ve enjoyed the rest of Singing Hills, this has the familiar yet different feel to it and is worth your time.

Intentionally read this slow to savor it. This is what I want from a light hearted cozy slice of life - enough depth and emotional resonance for characters to work through small (but big to them) struggles without it feeling too perfect.

It is a bit episodic in nature at times, but the slow pace I read it made it so I didn’t mind that at all. If I gave into my desire to devour this quickly then I may have felt a little differently and knocked a star based on my mood influencing the feel.

Great if you like some of the other recent slice of life darlings that feature bookish or coffee themes. Lower emotional stakes but still has depth.

Ava Reid is a master of gothic horror, her prose takes root deep within you and doesn’t let go. I’ll read anything she writes and I trusted that even when I wanted to grief quit the book, that the payoff would be worth it.

I don’t care to reread this particular book, but it was an excellent read. Check the trigger warnings, they are no joke in this one.

More going at one time than normal. I blame the library, and book clubs. Also it can be hard being a mood reader.

One of those books that is so beautiful, even when it makes you hurt. It’s the tenderness of the rose petal and the piercing of thorn all at once. Added to my list of all time favorites.

Not much to say, it was fantastic. Stories within stories, sometimes meta but not obnoxious about it. The prose is poetic and nebulous at times, so that can be a no go for some, but I love it. I got lost in it a bit, but most likely my own fault for forcing myself to keep going when my mind was buzzing.

Just 10% in and this is already looking to be an instant favorite.

So happy I finally started this. Never had a book validated my love for narrative video games so much! I also finally understand why people enjoy Easter egg references in a book. When done well they are interesting bits of lore to the story for those who don’t know, and a deepening touch point for those who do. It’s also not just about nostalgia dopamine, but it actually serves to provide that depth without alienating others.

Not as powerful as Map of Salt and Stars, though still a touching and emotional book. I adored the tapestry of representation throughout.

Really great read, finished 95% of it on a travel day and finally did the last bit. I wish I had written down good quotes because there are so many, but alas, traveling and I didn’t have any of my normal stuff. All you need to know is alien sent to earth (and raised as a human) to observe humanity and report back. Took me longer than average to slip into the flow of the prose but was more than worth the effort.