Sunday Reviews

Sunday Reviews

You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson


You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson is a queer, political, and feminist collection guided by self-reflection.

The poems range from close examination of the deeply personal to the vastness of the world, exploring the expansiveness of the human experience from love to illness, from space to climate change, and so much more in between.

One of the most celebrated poets and performers of the last two decades, Andrea Gibson’s trademark honesty and vulnerability are on full display in You Better Be Lightning, welcoming and inviting readers to be just as they are.

My Thoughts

You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson is a collection of poetry that I borrowed from the library last month.

Gibson’s poetry is considerably more down-to-earth than what I typically read. That isn’t a bad thing. In fact, I found the collection quite enjoyable.

One thing that particularly impressed me was Gibson’s relationship with rhythm. As a poet myself, I can appreciate the skill involved. There is a natural cadence to the writing that makes it easy to hear the poems being performed, even when you’re simply reading the words on a page.

Gibson’s background in spoken-word poetry really comes through in the work.

Another strength of the collection is its accessibility. I would especially recommend this collection to queer readers. Both the representation and the way Gibson expresses queer experiences make it a worthwhile read.

Ultimately, You Better Be Lightning is a collection I would recommend, even to people who don’t ordinarily read poetry.

You don’t have to share a poet’s particular style to appreciate their craft, and Andrea Gibson certainly demonstrates that here.

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Sunday Reviews

Sunday Reviews

Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld Book 1) by Nikita Gill (Author)


The first book in the instant #1 New York Times bestselling trilogy!

This #1 New York Times bestselling novel-in-verse from world-renowned poet Nikita Gill is a richly imagined retelling of the Greek myth of Hekate, a goddess of the underworld. Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Alexandra Bracken.

Born into a world on fire, Godling Hekate has never known safety. After her parents are on the losing side of the war between the Titans and Olympian Gods, Hekate is taken to the Underworld, where Styx and Hades agree to raise her. Orphaned and alone, Hekate grows up, desperate to uncover her divine purpose and sense of belonging amongst the horrors and beauties that make up the land of the dead.

When Hekate finally uncovers her powers and ascends as the Goddess of witchcraft and necromancy, she realizes that even the most powerful Olympians fear her. But when immortal war breaks out again, threatening to destroy all everyone has ever known, Hekate finds that she’s the only one who can bring the deadly conflict to an end.

In this stunningly intimate reimagining of a Greek myth, internationally renowned poet Nikita Gill showcases the underworld and its chthonic deities in all their glory, and weaves a gripping story about the young Goddess Hekate coming of age within their midst.

Meet all the Goddesses of the Underworld:

Hekate: The Witch

Styx: The River

Nyx: The Night

My Thoughts

Every once in a while, you come across a writer whose words seem to reach right into your mind and pull out thoughts you didn’t even realize you were having.

For me, Nikita Gill is one of those writers.

I’ve loved her poetry for a long time. There is something about the way she puts words together that speaks to me. Sometimes I swear she’s reading my mind with her verse.

So when I picked up Hekate: The Witch, I was already looking forward to it.

I wasn’t disappointed.

The book is a retelling of Hekate’s story through poetry, and for someone like me, who will almost always choose poetry when given the opportunity, that made it even more appealing.

I read it quickly. Not because I was rushing to finish, but because I wanted to keep reading.

One of the things I appreciated most was how the verse brought Hekate to life. I’ve known of Hekate through mythology, but reading her story this way made me feel as though I knew her better.

There is something special about telling a story through poetry. It can reach places that ordinary storytelling sometimes doesn’t. A few carefully chosen words can carry so much emotion, and Gill has a wonderful way of doing exactly that.

Usually, when I finish a book, I can point to a particular scene or passage that stayed with me. With Hekate, I can’t really do that.

The whole book stayed with me.

It wasn’t one moment that made an impression. It was the experience of reading the story, getting to know Hekate through Gill’s verse, and feeling that connection from beginning to end.

I don’t review poetry nearly as often as I review other books, which is a little funny considering how much poetry I read and write. But this one deserved a place on my Sunday review list.

If you enjoy mythology, poetry, or stories that explore familiar figures in a different way, I recommend giving Hekate: The Witch a try.

And if you’ve never read Nikita Gill’s poetry before, I think she’s well worth discovering.

Sometimes a book doesn’t need one unforgettable moment.

Sometimes the entire book is the unforgettable part.

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Sunday Reviews

Sunday Reviews

Fated to the Alpha By Raven Foxmore

So I healed a magic wolf in my ER, got kidnapped by the sorcerer who owns him, and discovered I’m the only thing standing between Chicago and literal darkness. 

He materializes out of a blackout like he owns the dark — storm-grey eyes, zero warmth — and gives me thirty seconds to prove I’m not the reason his city is tearing itself apart.

Most infuriating man I’ve ever met.

Except then he stays up all night protecting me, steps between me and everything trying to kill us, and somewhere in a tunnel with shadow monsters scraping the walls, his hand steady on my arm, I stop pretending I don’t feel it.

So we complete a bonding ritual beneath the city and seal the breach bleeding Chicago dry.

And the enemy we thought we’d stopped used our bond like a beacon to find us.

The thing powerful enough to save this city just painted a target on both of us.

If they break one of us, they break both.

My Thoughts

The only way to get this is to go to Raven Foxmore, author’s Page to sign up for her Newsletter. It is however free.

This is an interesting little read. Worth picking up. The premise has appeal. It has well written Characters.

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Sunday Reviews

Sunday Reviews

Trying to Run Back by Samantha Calcott and Melinda Lauer

Barrister Samuel Follett of Chathom County keeps to himself. After a life filled with betrayal and scandal, it’s safer this way.

Until a powerful man from his past returns, threatening to take everything he’s worked for away … again.

John Mowbray, the future Fourth Earl of Rothesay, has known Samuel since he was a boy and Samuel played with his older sister, Rose. Boisterous and outgoing, John wishes for nothing more than to bring Samuel out of his shell.

And if he has to fight a Duke to save the man he loves, so be it.


Get lost in this sweet but steamy LGBTQIA+ Regency romance!

My Thoughts

*Preorder. Releases October 8th. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy for an Honest review.

The first book was hard to put down…this was even better. I literally finished reading it with no break. The characters are so relatable. I enjoyed the read.

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Sunday Reviews

Sunday Reviews

The Dragon in the Sock Drawer by Kate Klimo

For Magic Tree House readers who are ready for something longer, the Dragon Keepers series has the perfect length and reading level, along with the fast-paced writing, adventure, and sense of teamwork that kids love to read.

Ten-year-old cousins Jesse and Daisy have always wanted something magical to happen to them. So it’s a wish come true when Jesse’s newly found thunder egg hatches and a helpless, tiny, but very loud, baby dragon pops out. Soon the two kids are at the dragon’s beck and call, trying to figure out what to feed her. An Internet search leads them to the library, which leads them back to the Internet, where they find a very strange Web site called foundadragon.org. Here the cousins discover that the dragon’s hatching has designated them “Dragon Keepers.” Not only do they have to feed the dragon, whom they named Emmy, but they also have to keep her safe from the villainous Saint George, who has kept himself alive over centuries by drinking dragons’ blood!

My Thoughts

So I bought this when my youngest was in third grade. We read the entire series together. It is a cute middle grade read. The series is fun and worth a read, even for adults.

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