Kermes Vermilio by Brendon Luke

 

Ebook provided by the author for review. Thank you.

1/5 stars

DNF at 31%

A very disjointed book. Here's a character, they're dead. Here's another, oh they're dead as well. Now this character is alive again. I don't care about anyone because there's no reason to.

We keep jumping through time and to different people and nothing seems to connect.

I couldn't work out if it was actually earth or some kind of alternate universe, there was some kind of talk about different opposing tribes which I expected to be more relevant than has been.

The writing style itself didn't flow for me, I found it tiring to try and read. The final straw for me was a guy who is empowered by the raping of his sister. No thank you.

Stef Out x 

Someone Else's Skin by Sarah Hilary

 

2/5 stars

I liked the characters and the plot was interesting but I felt like there were too many things being juggled and some got dropped. They were originally going to talk to Ayana but then her storyline got all but abandoned. They made a massive thing about Marnie having tattoos and they may have been seen by the wrong person but I didn't understand the relevance of the tattoos and them being seen by this person was forgotten.

Also the writing style itself could use a bit of pruning. Near the beginning a character's only description was "obese girl in a black tracksuit". Are you telling me there was no better way to describe her than that? It feels very dehumanising. Also Marnie was referred to as a child as living in "near-autistic" silences. That just made me cringe. A lot of autistic people are not silent. And then there was the chapter opening where two or three sentences were used to describe thunder. The "then" and "now" chapters could have been clearer. The ending felt very rushed as well.

Stef Out x 

The Anti-Consumerist Druid by Katrina Townsend

 

Ebook provided by the author for review. Thank you!

5/5 stars

An engaging and beautifully written book. A little bit memoir, a little bit self-help, and a sprinkling of spiritual guidance in the vein of follow your instincts and emphasis on everyone's journey is different.

Katrina writes with unflinching honesty, she openly admits when she makes mistakes but dispenses with a woe is me attitude, she just gets on with it. Her advice is real and solid and you can apply the principles of shopping consciously and appreciating the small things in life even without having issues with a shopping addiction.

There are also some great points about the climate and social media. It's too easy to feel powerless and overwhelmed about climate change but even small changes can make a difference. Katrina doesn't say it specifically but a lot of the book in general makes me think of the old make do and mend philosophy. As for social media, moderation is key and kill the comparison. It always feels like everyone is in a better place than you but so much is behind the scenes and not all of it is necessarily good.

As for Druidry... It's not something I knew a lot about beforehand although I have had fleeting interests in Wicca and Paganism over the years (and a lot of witchy themed books on my shelves to show it). However, reading Katrina's story of discovery and her spiritual experiences and finding that Earthly connection was truly inspiring.

On the whole I loved and appreciated this book and I look forward to reading future works by Katrina.

Stef Out x