The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James

Title: The Woman in the Castello
Series: n/a
Author: Kelsey James
Source/Format: Won in a giveaway from the publisher; Paperback
More Details: Historical Fiction; Gothic; Mystery
Publisher/Publication Date: John Scognamiglio Books; July 25, 2023

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

Rome, 1965: Aspiring actress Silvia Whitford arrives at Rome's famed Cinecitt Studios from Los Angeles, ready for her big break and a taste of la dolce vita. Instead, she learns that the movie in which she was cast has been canceled. Desperate for money, Silvia has only one choice: seek out the Italian aunt she has never met. Gabriella Conti lives in a crumbling castello on the edge of a volcanic lake. Silvia's mother refuses to explain the rift that drove the sisters apart, but Silvia is fascinated by Gabriella, a once-famous actress who still radiates charisma. And the eerie castle inspires Silvia's second chance when it becomes the location for a new horror movie, aptly named The Revenge of the Lake Witch--and she lands a starring role. Silvia immerses herself in the part of an ingenue tormented by the ghost of her beautiful, seductive ancestor. But when Gabriella abruptly vanishes, the movie's make-believe terrors seep into reality. No one else on set seems to share Silvia's suspicions. Yet as she delves into Gabriella's disappearance, she triggers a chain of events that illuminate dark secrets in the past--and a growing menace in the present . . .

I was in the mood for another historical fiction novel, which is why I decided to give The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James a try. I liked this book for what it was: a story with family secrets, a crumbling and atmospheric castle, and a troubled movie set.

Set in 1965 Rome, it follows Silvia Whitford, a struggling actress hoping for a big break. Her initial hopes were dashed, but she got a second chance at a breakout role. Honestly, I liked how quickly the setup for the story came together, especially how the family secrets were a source of conflict but also closely connected to the movie.

Silvia was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She doubted herself—and she was far from perfect—but part of what was good about her character was her determination. The relationships she had—especially with her daughter and mother—were very complicated, but I ultimately liked how James handled that end of the story.

Some of the clues—especially about the rift between Silvia’s mother and aunt—were a little too obvious for me. It was a complicated situation, and the issue was larger than just some small misunderstanding. That being said, there were some thrilling scenes, and the castle—especially the portions about the film, which were detailed and good—were some of the best parts of the story. So, while I could guess how some of the scenario would go, I was still entertained by how the conclusion was executed.

Overall, I liked The Woman in the Castello.

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

Title: A Study in Drowning 

Series: n/a
Author: Ava Reid
Source/Format: NetGalley; eARC
More Details: Young Adult; Gothic; Romance; Fantasy
Publisher/Publication Date: HarperTeen; September 19, 2023

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. She’s had no choice. Since childhood, she’s been haunted by visions of the Fairy King. She’s found solace only in the pages of Angharad - author Emrys Myrddin’s beloved epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, and then destroys him. Effy’s tattered, dog-eared copy is all that’s keeping her afloat through her stifling first term at Llyr’s prestigious architecture college. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to design the late author’s house, Effy feels certain this is her destiny. But Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task: a musty, decrepit estate on the brink of crumbling into a hungry sea. And when Effy arrives, she finds she isn’t the only one who’s made a temporary home there. Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar, is studying Myrddin’s papers and is determined to prove her favorite author is a fraud. As the two rival students investigate the reclusive author’s legacy, piecing together clues through his letters, books, and diaries, they discover that the house’s foundation isn’t the only thing that can’t be trusted. There are dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspiring against them - and the truth may bring them both to ruin.

A Study in Drowning is my first Ava Reid novel, and, for me, it was probably the best place to start. When I heard it was going to be a gothic novel with mythology and academic rivals in a fantasy setting—a.k.a. some of the story aspects I’ve been enjoying the most this year—I was pretty much sold on it. And, in the end, I loved the story so much.

A Study in Drowning is a dark novel that’s definitely on the upper end of YA. The characters are college aged or just adults in general. And, while it wasn’t quite to the level of what was in Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic, this book still leaned quite heavily into many elements that are hallmarks of gothic fiction. There was this sense of dread and isolation, particularly with the strangeness that popped up once the setting transitioned away from the college. I always like a good house story—or those where the setting has as much character as the main cast—and Reid crafted one strange house. It was vividly described—imposing, suffocating, decrepit, and damp (and just outright waterlogged). It was a place that held a lot of secrets. It was the decay of splendor, which was also something featured in Mexican Gothic.

Literature was a big aspect, especially Effy’s hero worship of Myrddin. There were frequent quotes, which I enjoyed. In particular it offered an insight into the fictional society, the myths within the story, and helped with understanding Effy as well. Myrddin, especially, cast a large shadow over the story. Even though he wasn’t alive in the present time of the story, he was still the subject at the center of the book’s pivotal mysteries originated.

Effy’s journey, however, was still the focus of the story. Since it’s told from her point of view, the narration was informed by her trauma. And with it being so intrinsically linked to that, often the lines between what was real and what wasn’t was blurred. In general, I liked her character, as well as Preston’s. Their verbal sparring was a lot of fun to read, and there was a lot I liked about the way Reid ultimately handled their character growth through the myriad of obstacles and increasingly frightening circumstances.

All that to say, A Study in Drowning was a story as much about monsters—ordinary people and those that are magic—as it was about lost voices and silenced stories, and what it took to reclaim them. It’s only the first book I’ve read by Ava Reid, and it likely won’t be the last.

About the author....

Ava Reid is the author of critically acclaimed and bestselling adult fantasies Juniper & Thorn and The Wolf and the Woodsman, as well as the forthcoming A Study in Drowning, her young adult debut. After obtaining her degree in political science from Barnard College, she moved to Palo Alto, where she continues to haunt university libraries.

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Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher (HarperTeen) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you! 

Music Monday (255): Metro Boomin with A$AP Rocky and Roisee, Brandy with Tamia, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan

 Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: My pick today is Am I Dreaming by Metro Boomin with A$AP Rocky and Roisee. I haven't watched Spiderman Across the Spiderverse yet, but I plan to get to it soon. In the meantime, I've been listening to the film's soundtrack, and Am I Dreaming is one of my favorites.

Andrea: Hi all! his week I'm listening to Missing You by Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan. Have a great week!

What are you listening to this week?

Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans by Isi Hendrix

Title: Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans

Series: 
Author: Isi Hendrix
Source/Format: Publisher; ARC
More Details: Fantasy; Middle Grade
Publisher/Publication Date: Balzer + Bray; September 19, 2023

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

The first book in a fast-paced, witty, and big-hearted debut Afrofantasy trilogy about a twelve-year-old apprenticing in the kitchens at the prestigious Academy of Shamans, who must ally with a snarky goddess and a knife-wielding warrior to save her kingdom. Perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and The School for Good and Evil.  

Life is tough for twelve-year-old orphan Adia. Her aunt and uncle believe she’s an ogbanje, a demon-possessed child that brings misfortune wherever they go, and Adia can’t disagree—especially when she suddenly manifests mysterious powers that she can’t control, causing an earthquake in her village. So when Adia is offered a kitchen apprenticeship at the faraway Academy of Shamans, she flees with nothing but a pouch of change, her cat Bubbles, and the hope that someone there can figure out what's wrong with her—and fix it. But just as she's settling in, Adia stumbles upon a shocking Unlike her, the kingdom's emperor really is possessed—by a demon more wicked than any other. And he’s on his way to the Academy for a visit. Joining forces with a snarky goddess, a 500-year-old warrior girl, and an annoying soldier-in-training, Adia must travel through hidden realms to exorcise the emperor and save her kingdom. But to succeed, she first must come to understand the powers inside her…. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.

I had no expectations going into Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans by Isi Hendrix, but it was an absolute delight to read. From the endearing characters to an adventure full of danger, magic, and a little bit of a mystery, I was thoroughly charmed by this middle grade fantasy.

The story itself is relatively complicated. There were layers of lore woven into the fantasy setting, and the quest to save the kingdom had plenty of action and was exciting to read about. But the book also delved into more serious topics. Zaria is a place with a history of being colonialized. The village the titular Adia Kelbara comes from is described as “missionary infested”—where she was judged and labeled an “ogbanji.” The effects of Zaria's colonization appeared in various ways throughout the story: from the way Adia viewed herself to the disappearance (or abandonment) of beliefs.

But the book was also a coming of age story with a big central theme of self-acceptance. Adia didn’t start out in the best situation, and because of that I found it easy to sympathize with her plight and to root for her to succeed. Her journey wasn’t an easy one. She held a lot of instilled believes that proved challenging to let go of. But overall Hendrix handled the development of Adia’s character in a good way. She had a lot of potential, and it was gratifying to see something become of it.

There were other characters, and they were just as well-written as Adia. In particular, Bubbles, Adia’s cat, was mischievous and the occasional comic relief. The Academy of Shamans, though, was something else. I wasn’t expecting it to be that way. And it was ridiculous, but the reason behind it was anything but humorous. It was, after all, tied closely to the aforementioned history of Zaria.

Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans is the first book of a new series, and it was an excellent introduction. There are so many aspects left that I would want to see explored in another story, and I’m looking forward to what adventures await the characters next.

About the author....

Isi Hendrix is a Nigerian American children’s book author who has been lucky enough to live and work all over the world, from the Himalayas to the Amazon rainforest, during her past life as an anthropologist. Now she’s based in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY, where she lives with a rotating roster of foster kittens and a stubborn refusal to accept that she is highly allergic to cats. You can find her at www.isihendrix.com.

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Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Balzer + Bray) in exchange for an honest review, thank you! 

Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo

Title: Mammoths at the Gate

Series: The Singing Hills Cycle #4
Author: Nghi Vo
Source/Format: NetGalley; eARC
More Details: Fantasy; Novella
Publisher/Publication Date: Tordotcom Publishing; September 12, 2023

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

The wandering Cleric Chih returns home to the Singing Hills Abbey for the first time in almost three years, to be met with both joy and sorrow. Their mentor, Cleric Thien, has died, and rests among the archivists and storytellers of the storied abbey. But not everyone is prepared to leave them to their rest. Because Cleric Thien was once the patriarch of Coh clan of Northern Bell Pass--and now their granddaughters have arrived on the backs of royal mammoths, demanding their grandfather’s body for burial. Chih must somehow balance honoring their mentor’s chosen life while keeping the sisters from the north from storming the gates and destroying the history the clerics have worked so hard to preserve. But as Chih and their neixin Almost Brilliant navigate the looming crisis, Myriad Virtues, Cleric Thien’s own beloved hoopoe companion, grieves her loss as only a being with perfect memory can, and her sorrow may be more powerful than anyone could anticipate... 

I was very excited to be approved for an ARC of Nghi Vo’s latest installment in The Singing Hills Cycle. This adventure sees the traveling cleric, Chih, return to Singing Hills abbey, and I was all for the change of scenery. It meant getting back to one of my favorite characters, the neixin named Almost Brilliant. And, while the world at large in this series is fascinating, I’ve always kind of wanted a story set at the abbey—since it was a pivotal part of Chih’s background.

This novella was everything I was hoping it would be. It still had the nested story format, but I liked how Chih was far closer to this conflict and some of the history—rather than only an observer—since the focus was on a fellow cleric who they were once close to (who had passed away). It was a messy and sensitive situation, especially where tempers and mammoths are involved. In spite of its short length, I appreciated the emotional depth that was present in the story. It’s one of the aspects that the series has excelled at since its beginning. Again, there weren’t the most pages here. But it wasn’t necessary, since, like the other novellas in The Singing Hills Cycle series, it was easy to care about and understand the perspective of even the new characters that were introduced.

Mammoths at the Gate, has reaffirmed my love for this series, its characters, and the stories within the story.

About the author....

Nghi Vo is the author of the acclaimed novellas The Empress of Salt and Fortune and When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain. Born in Illinois, she now lives on the shores of Lake Michigan. She believes in the ritual of lipstick, the power of stories, and the right to change your mind. The Chosen and the Beautiful is her debut novel.

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Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Tordotcom Publishing) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!