Book Den

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Wishlist | Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Wednesdays are for wishlists, and this week I'm adding Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

Alien Clay is a thrilling far-future adventure by acclaimed Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky.

The planet of Kiln is where the tyrannical Mandate keeps its prison colony, and for inmates the journey there is always a one-way trip. One such prisoner is Professor Arton Daghdev, xeno-ecologist and political dissident. Soon after arrival he discovers that Kiln has a secret. Humanity is not the first intelligent life to set foot there.

In the midst a ravenous, chaotic ecosystem are the ruins of a civilization, but who were the vanished builders and where did they go? If he can survive both the harsh rule of the camp commandant and the alien horrors of the world around him, then Arton has a chance at making a discovery that might just transform not only Kiln but distant Earth as well.

I am such a fan of Adrian Tchaikovksy. I was so excited to see the cover reveal for Alien Clay. My favorite thing about alien worlds is discovering what kind of alien life resides there. I love that the book description says "alien horrors". This is a must buy for me.

Monday, August 28, 2023

Review | Wild Spaces by S.L. Coney

Source: review copy provided by publisher. This is a review of my reading experience.

Robert R. McCammon’s Boy’s Life meets H. P. Lovecraft in Wild Spaces, a foreboding, sensual coming-of-age debut in which the corrosive nature of family secrets and toxic relatives assume eldritch proportions.

An eleven-year-old boy lives an idyllic childhood exploring the remote coastal plains and wetlands of South Carolina alongside his parents and his dog Teach. But when the boy’s eerie and estranged grandfather shows up one day with no warning, cracks begin to form as hidden secrets resurface that his parents refuse to explain.

The longer his grandfather outstays his welcome and the greater the tension between the adults grows, the more the boy feels something within him changing —physically—into something his grandfather welcomes and his mother fears. Something abyssal. Something monstrous.

Why did I read Wild Spaces?

The first thing that drew me to Wild Spaces was the cover. Tentacles and a dog? I had to know more! Then the comparisons to Boy's Life by Robert McCammon (and obviously Lovecraft) sealed the deal. Boy's Life is my favorite book of all time. That's a lot of hype to live up to for me, but if a book captures even a sliver of what McCammon captures, I'm a happy reader.

The Strengths

I loved Wild Spaces. It's growing on me even more the longer it sits in my mind. In Wild Spaces, the main character is an 11 year old boy who I don't believe is ever named. His grandfather who has never been around shows up and things aren't right with the grandfather or at home.

The sea is one of my favorite elements in every single genre that I read. Wild Spaces incorporates the sea and it is disturbing! This novella hits hard at times.

The Weaknesses

I told you there was a dog and Wild Spaces is being compared to McCammon. I loved Wild Spaces, and I loved Teach (the dog). I usually blatantly spoil the fate of the dog, but this one is nuanced. The scenes with Teach won't be a hit with everyone that reads this, but the story in its entirety worked for me.

Would I recommend Wild Spaces to others?

Yes, absolutely. If you love horror and novella length works for you, I absolutely recommend Wild Spaces. I think I'd compare it to Chad Lutzke more than I'd compare it to McCammon so hold on to your heart and get ready to be disturbed by family and the sea.

⭐⭐⭐⭐★
4/5 stars

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Sunday, August 27, 2023

Recent Updates and Currently Reading | August 27

Hello! School has started and cross country season has started and cub scouts is about to begin. I'm wrapping up a two years long project at work, and my brain is just broken. But I'm going to try to do some catch up around here today.

I got to watch both episodes of Ahsoka yesterday. Is anyone watching? I'm loving it except for that one thing that happened in Kenobi that also happened in Ahsoka. If you know, you know.

If you guys are on Bluesky, come find me @bookden.bsky.social.

I started working on a Trick or Treat Hotel puzzle. I'm ready for Fall!

Finished Reading

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ - I read Ender's Game with my 14 year old. It was assigned reading for his freshman English class. I'm so glad to have finally read it. I've avoided it due to not wanting to support Orson Scott Card, but we bought it used and had to read it so here we are!

Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie ⭐⭐⭐★★ - This was a lot of fun. I read this with the Horror Spotlight discord group in preparation of the A Haunting in Venice movie.

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ - I love Catriona Ward so much. If all goes well today, I'll have a review for this one out this week.

One Piece, Volume 11: The Meanest Man in the East by Eiichiro Oda ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ - I'm so excited for the live action series that starts this week. I believe season one will be through volume 12 so I'm close to be caught up enough to watch! Each thing that gets released about the show looks better and better! I enjoyed this volume.

Currently Reading

The Wager by David Grann - Whoa, this true story! A British ship was sent out for treasure and everyone assumed the men died when the ship wrecked. 283 days later a boat arrived that had been pieced together from the wreckage holding a group of men from the original ship. They were hailed as heroes until 6 months later another boat arrived holding men that told a completely different story of mutiny, murder and cannibalism. I'm 40% or so in, and I can't wait to finish the whole thing.

Added to the TBR

The Wager by David Grann - I had to have this, and I had to start it immediately.

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison - Thank you a million times to Berkley for sending this out to me. This is my most anticipated book of the year so I will be diving in soon!

This post is being shared as part of The Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, Book Date’s It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Recent Updates and Currently Reading | August 13

Hello, friends! Are you ending your summer with a really great book? I'd love to hear about it. We are heading back to school, and the reading has been light for me!

Posted Last Week

Backlist Titles We Should Be Talking About

Finished Reading

One Piece, Volume 10: OK, Let's Stand Up! by Eiichiro Oda

One Piece, Volume 10: OK, Let's Stand Up! by Eiichiro Oda ⭐⭐⭐★★ - Hopefully I can get caught up through Volume 12 before watching the new Netflix series at the end of the month!

Wild Spaces by S.L. Coney ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ - I loved this. Hopefully I will have a review out in the next couple of days so keep an eye out for that.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare ⭐★★★★ - Oof! I may review this one, too. I read this with my 14 year old since he was assigned this as part of his summer homework for his honors English class. His teacher strongly recommends they read the No Fear Shakespeare edition. I clearly didn't understand half of this book when I read it high school. I really, really wish I still didn't understand.

Currently Reading

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - My son was also assigned Ender's Game. We are loving this one.

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward - I'm almost done with Looking Glass Sound - I simply haven't had time due to reading summer assignments with my son. It's so good, and I'm excited to see how it ends!

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace - This poor book is waiting for me to get back to it!

Added to the TBR

The Narrow by Kate Alice Marshall - Kate Alice Marshall is an autobuy for me. I have no idea what this about, but I'm pretty sure it's another young adult.

This post is being shared as part of The Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, Book Date’s It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.