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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
spellbindingstories has commented on (13) products
House of Hollow
by
Krystal Sutherland
spellbindingstories
, March 03, 2021
This was gripping, and despite the fact that I could quickly feel horror creeping over and sinking into my limbs from the first chapter, I could not set it down. The addictive tale follows three sisters, once missing but since returned... that is until the eldest sister, Grey, goes missing once more. What follows is an eerie, fairytale-esque journey to uncover what happened to Grey as circumstances relate to what happened to the sisters in their childhood. Overall, the story’s tone, paired with masterful writing, is sure to captivate readers—hooking them and keeping them reading despite the trepidation of what inevitably is sure to come. Basically, I’m sure I’ll be having nightmares for weeks after reading this one. If you’re a fan of eerie, fairytale horror, this one is definitely for you (though perhaps not so close to bedtime).
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Kingdom of Back
by
Marie Lu
spellbindingstories
, May 03, 2020
I'm a little ashamed to say that I had no idea Maria Anna "Nannerl" Mozart existed prior to this book. I'm not big on classical music, so there really wasn't a way for me to know of her, but I'm nonetheless sad that I had never heard of her before this. I mean, I'd heard of Wolfgang Mozart plenty before, but never her which is terribly sad. Because this was my first introduction to her, despite the fact that it was fictional, I became very invested in her story. I found myself entranced by this unique and fantastical take on her life, and her relationship with her brother. It is inherently a very fragile thing, given the nature of how society treated her versus her brother, but it was handled very well in my opinion. Truthfully, this style of book was a little unexpected from Marie Lu (who I only know of from her dystopian work), but she clearly knew what she was doing. So far, its my favorite work from her yet!
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Wicked Fox
by
Kat Cho
spellbindingstories
, June 27, 2019
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho was an automatic five stars from me!!! Though I knew very little about the book going in, I couldn’t put it down once I began. The main storyline is a beautiful blend of Korean mythology and modernity. Its focus follows a young gumiho named Miyoung but shamans, ghosts, and even dokkaebi make appearances. Humans, however, play perhaps the second greatest role in the story considering that Miyoung is surrounded by them and even half of one herself. Her love interest, Jihoon, is also human. This love story acts as pretty much the main story line of the novel, and its safe to say that it was absolutely endearing. It was so heart-warming to see the two characters connect and grow together. However, as fun as Miyoung and Jihoon’s romance was, I think my favorite part of the book was the side-relationships. The various friendships Miyoung creates with Jihoon and his friends was developed very slowly and thoughtfully, which I really appreciated. Jihoon’s contrasting relationships with his grandma and his mother were probably the highlight of the book for me. They were so complex and intricate in their own ways that each had me in tears at one point or the other. I really appreciate the extra mile the author took to ensure that such relationships maintained significance in the story and for the characters. It’s far too often that such relationships are simply pushed aside in romances so seeing them so fully developed makes me so excited! I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel!!!
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Little Darlings
by
Melanie Golding
spellbindingstories
, May 16, 2019
This story was equal parts horrifying and gripping. I don’t typically read anything horror because I’m a bit of a scaredy-cat, but the Grimm element of the story intrigued me so I decided to give it a go. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. Even in spite of my fear, I knew I had to continue to see where the story led. The atmospheric writing creates an unforgettable tale, one that is sure to make the hair on the back of one’s neck stand up. The characters were a definite highlight, each unique and clearly fleshed out. It was easy to become attached to both Lauren and Harper. I loved every second of getting to follow their individual paths as they became intertwined in the same mystery. I would say this book is a definite must-read, especially if you’re a fan of all things Grimm and horror. I hear there is going to be a motion-picture in the future so I definitely look forward to that! P.S. You probably don’t want to read this if you’re pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or have recently had a child. I know that if I was any of the three previously mentioned, I likely would have a hard attack reading this book.
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The Gilded Wolves
by
Roshani Chokshi
spellbindingstories
, December 20, 2018
Ever since I heard about The Gilded Wolves, it became one of my most anticipated releases of 2019. Not only do I adore Roshani Chokshi’s writing, but I also love books with an ensemble cast of characters (especially when said characters are going on a heist!!!). First, I’ll talk about what makes this story great. I think the highlight of the entire story is the characters. Each individual felt unique, but also like a puzzle piece or part of a whole. They each have such colorful backstories that allow readers to easily grow attached, but when they are placed alongside one another, the characters automatically seem to fit and come together as a single unit. I never once doubted their love or loyalty to one another. It was as evident and tangible as the book I held in my hands. Their pure belief in one another marked this story’s characters as ones easily loved and remembered. It’s so hard to choose which character is my favorite, because I love them all, but if I was forced to choose, it would have to be a tie between Zofia and Enrique. Not only did I love their individual personalities, but I also loved their personalities in tandem with one another. When they work or even joke alongside one another, they’re an undeniable duo. I’m really interested in seeing how their relationship will develop in the future, an aspect that will likely haunt me until I’m able to get my hands on book 2. Another great aspect of the story is the setting. Though this story takes place around an actual historical event in history, the fantasy element makes it distinctive. It felt like something that could’ve easily been overdone or underdone, but Chokshi found the perfect balance. It felt like the characters were simultaneously in Paris and in a fantasy world yet to be discovered. Overall, a job well done. Now, to briefly mention what made this story a four-star read instead of five… I hate to say it, but the beginning of this book was slow and confusing. I mean, I was invested, but I had to re-read almost everything several times in order to understand completely. It was only until I was half-way through the story that I felt myself being sucked into the plot. Don’t get me wrong, the story is amazing and the backstory is a necessary matter to draw out and explain in detail. However, the fact that it stalled the level of my interest initially, because of how much effort it took to organize the characters and plot, definitely didn’t work in its favor. This book is definitely one to check out. I am stocked for a sequel!
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Darkest Legacy
by
Alexandra Bracken
spellbindingstories
, September 17, 2018
First and foremost, I'm so happy Alexandra Bracken decided to return to this universe and create another story for fans. Zu was my favorite character in the initial trilogy, so getting a standalone centered around her and told from her perspective was a wonderful experience. Though Zu is a prominent figure in the first three books and part of the core four characters, readers didn't learn as much about her as the other three. Part of this is because she is younger than the others, and the other part is because she does not speak and therefore relate her thoughts and feelings in the same way the other characters were able explicitly do so. However, this book is 576 pages of pure Zu thought. Readers are able to learn so much more about her, her powers, and how she's grown. Plus, we get an inside look into how her relationship with Chubs, Liam, and Ruby has developed following the end of In the Afterlight. Seeing her interact with new characters was also really great, but my heart sang whenever she was with or even thinking of the other core three (Also Vida, of course!). I really loved this story, but I did have to knock off a star because of how rushed the ending was. The book had spent so much time setting up certain things and making them important, only to brush over them in the end. I wish more time had been dedicated to the ending to really flesh out what happened so the story could have felt like it had a more definite end. I heard this was a standalone, but the ending left so many loose threads that I'm not so sure anymore. I don't know if it was initial or not. Other than the ending, this story was great and my love for these characters is now eternal. 4 stars!
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Darius the Great Is Not Okay
by
Adib Khorram
spellbindingstories
, August 28, 2018
Books like these demonstrate why representation and diversity are so important in fiction. I had entered the book anticipating it to as a cute romance, but I found myself surprised yet untroubled by its absence (I mean, there are some hints at romantic feelings, but you have to squint as much as Sohrab to really see it). Rather than focus on romance, the story is centered on identity and Darius's struggle with depression. By the end of the book, I had a river of tears streaming down my face. Protagonists such as Darius are rare finds, yet he is the most authentic character I've read about in a long time. His pain, his anger, and his worry are all palpable and easy for readers to recognize their own emotions in. No matter who you are, you'll find yourself drawn into this story and no matter whether you are like the leading character or his exact opposite, you'll be able to learn something from this book. While I absolutely loved this book, one thing that might bug some readers is that the entire book kind of ignores the unofficial "show, don't tell" rule of writing fiction. While I'm sure a lot of readers will get annoyed by this, I surprisingly liked it. It took awhile to get used to, but I felt like it really worked for this story and I can see why the author chose to tell the story in this manner. Throughout the novel, readers are essentially trapped inside Darius's head the same way he is trapped by his depression. The writing style doesn't allow us to leave his head by showing us what is really happening and, instead Darius filters information to tell us his interpretation of events and individuals. It really places the reader in his position which works perfectly for the message this book delivers. It sounds weird, and I'm sure many others will disagree, but I really appreciated it.
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Dinner List
by
Rebecca Serle
spellbindingstories
, July 30, 2018
About half-way through this book, I realized that the author was the same woman who wrote Famous in Love (which I shamelessly adored). This felt like a huge revelation, since this particular book seemed like a huge deviation from her former releases. The writing style and mature story line are almost unrecognizable, and I really appreciated this aspect. It showed me the diversity of her skills as a writer, which makes me even more excited for her future releases! But onto the actual book review... Though this book is short, there is a lot of info and emotion packed into the 288 pages that are given. Rather than reading a story from start to finish, the book's short chapters made me feel like I was taking brief sneak peeks into Sabrina's life. The timeline is as befuddled as her emotions, and though it seems as though it would be confusing to understand, it somehow works. I felt the emotions of the characters in all their anger, resentment, and denial. Audrey Hepburn's inclusion on the dinner list is truthfully what initially drew me in, but I definitely stayed for the characters and their tangled relationships. While there were some relationships that I felt deserved more of a spot light, I did feel like everything was successfully wrapped up by the story's end. Though the ending did feel slightly depressing, the book delivers a nice message that will leave an impression on readers. All in all, a good read that feels memorable! 3.5 stars!
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Lies You Never Told Me
by
Jennifer Donaldson
spellbindingstories
, June 28, 2018
This book is one clever, clever page-turner. From the first page, I found myself drawn to the story and its characters, yearning to understand how their lives would intertwine and, if not, what connection they shared that would make them co-narrators of this story. My desire to find out what would happen next was so strong that it felt almost physically impossible to put this book down. I can't put my finger on what it was exactly, but something about the writing really drew me in. Both narrator's voices were very strong and distinctive. Not only that, they felt like the realistic thoughts and reactions of the teenagers they belonged to and their circumstances. Its been far too often that the books I've read have featured teenage protagonist with voices that were either too mature or too immature. I think Lies You Never Told Me hit the perfect middle-ground, in which the narrators' voices were perfectly reflective of their age and mindset, which I greatly appreciated. That being said, I also have to say that there were several instances in the story where I was looking for more than what I was given. If I'm honest, Sasha's story-line felt a bit off at times. The character is vital to story, but a huge part of her arc seemed almost unnecessary in a larger context, with little motivation seemingly being given for her actions. Certain aspects of the story likewise didn't seem to meet full closure by the story's end, which was a bit disappointing. Overall, this book is totally worth the read if only for that one plot twist. I can't say it or even hint at it since its so good, but I gasped out loud once I put two and two together. The author did a truly fantastic job.
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Empirium 01 Furyborn
by
Claire Legrand
spellbindingstories
, June 28, 2018
It wouldn't be an exaggeration if I said that this book has literally garnered all the hype in the world. Almost anywhere you turn, no matter what social media site you're using, it seems as though everyone is talking about this book. At times, such hype can be alarming since it can lead to disappointment if something doesn't live up to your expectations. However, Furyborn is a book which definitely withstood the hype test in my eyes and is deserving of all the commotion it has been making. First and foremost, I have to say that this was a very unique book to read. Not only was the premise and style inventive (I really love the world this story is taking place in), but the fashion of jumping between separate-but-connected timelines was refreshing. Such a unique style of story-telling is uncommon for my reading taste so it was strange at first but also very fun to jump into. Furyborn's cast of characters were also very fun. For the first half of the book, I didn't particularly care for Eliana but I really liked Rielle. However, as the story continued and readers were given further perspective into character's backstories and characterization, I began to quickly warm up to Eliana. Then, by the end of the book, she was undoubtedly my favorite character! Though she has a long journey to take in terms of growth, she is a character whose character arc I immensely look forward to. I am likewise intrigued by Rielle and her character arc, especially since the various time frames this story is told through hints at multiple directions that have yet to be realized. I'm very interested in seeing how such paths come into play, and if they are as good/bad as the future makes them out to be. Overall, I thought this was a great first book in the series. I look forward to reading the sequel!
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Picture Us In The Light
by
Kelly Loy Gilbert
spellbindingstories
, May 19, 2018
I wasn't exactly sure what I would be getting myself into when I picked up this book, but it ended up being a very beautiful story. The leading character, Danny, is where the focus of the story lies but there are a multitude of stories within his own. Even if the story is technically about him, I feel like its meaning extended beyond more than just the one individual. The narrative was beautifully written and I was definitely intrigued. However, I do have to admit that it didn't feel like anything was happening until I was more than half-way through the book. The first 200 or so pages essentially functioned as backstory. While this payed off in the long-run, it did initially make me feel like I had to push my way through the first half of the book to get to the good stuff. Overall, I would rate this book around 3.5 stars!
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The Wedding Date
by
Jasmine Guillory
spellbindingstories
, March 25, 2018
The plot of a stranger asking someone to be their fake girlfriend and attend a wedding is an ancient trope, adored and adapted by many writers of varying genres. For this reason, my initial impression while reading The Wedding Date was that it resembled a story you might read on a fanfiction website. Its a concept that has been done by so many people, making it feel like you might have already read the book before even if you haven't. However, as the story continued, and the main plot moved from the wedding shenanigans to the relationship development, the narrative shifted from fanfiction-like to genuine. The chemistry between the two characters was absolutely adorable and it felt realistic, though their lack of proper communication was very frustrating for me personally. There were certain moments where I wanted to fling my book across the room in annoyance. However, the cuteness always brought me back on board when I continued reading. However, despite the chemistry between the two leads, I felt like a different aspect of the story grabbed my attention the most. Alexa's program for helping the youth of the Berkeley area immediately grabbed my attention and touched my heart. Furthermore, the connection between the project and Alexa's sister Olivia only furthered my admiration for this aspect of the story. I loved it so much, in fact, that I almost wish it had been the focus of the story, with Alexa and Drew's relationship serving as a side-plot. It makes me excited to see what type of stories the author will publish in the future. Overall, I would rate the entire book 3.5 stars!
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Belles 01
by
Dhonielle Clayton
spellbindingstories
, March 23, 2018
I knew from reading the synopsis of this book that I would immediately love it. We meet our main character, Camellia, immediately and it’s through her naïve eyes that we are carried through the story. Since Camellia is essentially an outsider on account of her gifts, I believe that she worked as a great protagonist since readers are able to realistically learn about this creative universe through her perspective as she herself learns. Her slow character development led readers in a natural direction that was easy to follow. I absolutely fell in love with the mystery behind the true nature of this magical, fictional New Orleans. My only complaint is the writing style, which is technically only a matter of taste. It was initially hard to get into but once I became used to it, I eventually came to love and enjoy it. Overall, this is a completely original and thoroughly unique story which conveys a clear message that the author skillfully intertwines with the plot and heart of the story. Such a message is not thrust down reader’s throats, but told in a fashion that allows readers to develop their own perspective of the matter. The story works almost as an interpretative, symbolic piece representative of the struggles each and every individual likely feels each time they look in a mirror. I’m definitely anticipating book 2 of this series!
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