stitchsaddiction's reviews
1142 reviews

Al and Kitty Tait are a father and daughter duo who run the Orange Bakery together and Breadsong is a, wonderful emotional book that tells their story with a focus on Kitty's anxiety and how the process of making bread - and other delicious baked goods, helped the then 14-year-old Kitty reconnect with those around her and discover her passion.

Bread.

Breadsong takes the reader along with Kitty from her initial curiosity over watching Al making a loaf at home to the two working together making delicious baked goods for friends and family to the opening of their bakery and it's an emotional journey for anyone who knows how lost you can feel when the internal voices outweigh those around you.

I truly believe that a methodical way of creating something in be so beneficial to quieten anxiety and often the depression that coexists with it. Kitty's journey will both inspire and cause tears to fall. She is someone to admire as are her parents for their perseverance and strength...

Kitty and Al's perspectives of the journey both of the mental one to recovery and the ups and downs are honest and often highlight the realities they face. Nothing is sugar-coated and it's an excellent story.

They're also kind enough to provide the reader with many recipes to try and I need to casually slide this towards my home baker; my husband, to see if there's any he wants to make.

Kitty and Al deserve all the success in the world and are an inspiration to anyone who is struggling to find that one thing that can help them feel less isolated.

A Game of Strength and Storm is a gender-bent retelling of the Labours of Hercules and that had me wanting to read this book. I'm a sucker for Greek Mythology at the best of times, but a well-written retelling will always have me wanting to get lost in the story and Rachel Menard's story was no exception.

Our protagonist Gen, is a MindWorker and through using her blood, hair or saliva can control (willing) animals to do their will. The animals can refuse something that they strongly disapprove of which I thought was well done, and is a reminder that free will is always so important in life. She's been a victim of circumstance and lost everything and is determined to save her father from false imprisonment. (No spoilers I promise, this is all mentioned in the synopsis!)

She's well-written and although the way her perspective of all that unfolds highlights she's the good guy in this battle? She's not perfect and is aware of that herself - she's prone to mistakes and has made decisions she's later regretted but that is a human trait; no one is infallible.

I liked that not only do we get Gen's perspective but also those of the two StormMakers, twins Castor and Pollux. Their ability sounds both dangerous and also incredible - they can capture and control nature especially lightning and wind which truly does sound like you'd be a God with that power. This comes with a weight of responsibility that Lady Castor disregards and makes her the perfect antagonist but also a victim of her arrogance and desires. 

I quite liked her Devil May Care attitude to a degree but she's also horrible for something she does. (I wasn't a happy reader at all and was cursing her to be hit by her lighting storm!) Pollux on the other hand is more level-headed and Menard has written him in such a beautiful way that I could see in my mind him weaving miniature storms, winds etc to tell stories and it was just *chef's kiss*.

The true evil is the Empresses, and I did hope to read more of their barbaric ways but a true villain is always written well and those of Grecian Mythology are on another level of insanity. The games the Empresses play with their citizens lives are another level and to know they simply don't care of things go wrong was delicious. (Yes, I am giggling maniacally because I can't help but find them both awful and incredible.. I'm a bad person.)

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯, 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦. 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

The concept of the lottery is an excellent albeit terrible idea - and I can only imagine how desperate you'd be to enter as all seem to know that their hope comes with the knowledge they would have their hands metaphorically tied behind their back. The Empresses are manipulative and always 10 steps ahead. Menard's dedication to give each of those facing the rulers to be unique with very different and hard to accomplish wishes mirror the difficult or should I say Herculean tasks from the original tale. 

I love this book, the world-building is well done and not overly complicated so if doesn't distracf from the  story, and how if affects the three people trying to get what they need. I will need to get the sequel as soon as I can, as we're left on a cliffhanger that has me wondering just how much Gen will have you go to find happiness and save her father... 

Also, Pollux deserved the biggest of hugs because he's lovely. His unwavering ability to believe in not only more, but the good each ability could have especially his own is refreshing.

Just as we take the train to go to Tarascon or Rouen, we take death to go to a star. - Vincent to Theo, Sept. 1888 
 
Starry Night: van Gogh at the Asylum is an emotional as well as educational read. 
 
Focusing on Vincent van Gogh's time at the Saint-Paul de Mausole psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. This would be where Vincent went in 1889 after the mental crisis that had led to the removal of his ear. Martin Bailey combines extracts from Vincent's letters and writings, as well as other items to explore probably the most infamous time in van Gogh's life. 
 
I liked how the book was laid out, with chapters showcasing letters, paintings and drawings, archived documents from museums, posters and postcards, as well as photographs from the time as well as taken by the author. As with all people who become famous long after their tragic passing? The sight of van Gogh's, thoughts in his own hand further adds to the acknowledgement that an artist whose work has affected millions of people struggled so much with belonging. 
 
Vincent van Gogh created 150 pieces of art in the small room he had at the asylum during his time in Provence when he wasn't walking in the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and the foothills of the Alpilles. Many of these as any lover of art, are some of the most famous of his work including of course Starry Night as well as The Iris and The Almond Tree Branch in Bloom which are all breathtaking. 
 
The artwork that's reproduced in the book is vibrant so that you're able to see each brush stroke and the colours have remained bright to this day. Bailey provides us with information about the paintings which are insightful and add to the wonder and understanding of van Gogh's work. 
 
Bailey's dedication to learning about, and in turn educating the reader, about Vincent van Gogh is evident on every page and his research is thorough and it's apparent just how important the artist is to the author (as he is to many). I found it wonderful albeit heartbreaking to not only read more about some of Van Gogh's artwork but also the various mental and physical health conditions that would not impact Van Gogh's life but indirectly those such as his brother Theo who tried everything he could to help his much-loved brother. 
 
To know each letter began My Dear Theo hurts my heart because the love is apparent even when the madness he endured held onto him. 
 
This book's a dedication to a man who deserved more, and in truth to his brother too who loved faithfully until the end. 
 
To know that we get to witness the world through Vincent's eyes is a wonderful thing and I think that the year he was surrounded by the beauty of Provence kept him with his loved ones both family and friends just a little longer. Van Gogh will never be forgotten, but it is work such as this that enables us to know more of the man than his beautiful paintings and sketches. 
 
If ever I wish to time travel it would be to Provence and to simply talk with Vincent because he like so many poets, had a heart and soul that was too fragile and good for this world. 
 
Van Gogh would leave Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in May 1890 and would leave the world July of that year by his own hand. 
 
Vincent van Gogh was 37 years old. 
 
Theo van Gogh would join his brother after pasing away in January 1891 at just 33 years old leaving behind his wife Johanna and son Vincent who was six days from his first birthday. 

If the debut had me on edge, Disciples of Chaos had me wondering just where my breath had gone and whether I could have it back.

MK Lobb's return to the world of the Seven Faceless Saints has the reader thrust into a tumultuous world with the Rebellion gaining in strength and a power shift showing the realities of all our protagonists had known. The atmospheric world-building continues to be exquisitely done, and you can easily feel as though you're at the side of our heroes as Damian faces the many emotions and doubts that his PTSD causes, and Roz contemplates the reality of an empty victory. The author has put so much effort into making their characters have a realism to them, you're able to connect with their thoughts and feelings regardless of the fantasy setting. 

Even heroes have fears and often have to face more consequences for their actions than the enemy after all and Lobb has cast a light on their mental health thoughtfully and genuinely which is commendable. 

The balance between the dramatic events that continue to unfold from book one and the story of Damian and Rosana is perfectly done. The tension is tangible, and I genuinely did struggle to catch my breath at times because both the lovers and their comrades just don't seem to be given a break. You will experience a plethora of emotions as you read this series and Disciples of Chaos at times had my heartbreaking and needing a moment to step away because I was so drawn into the story because of the writing.

I loved this book, which sounds mad given that it made me cry, angry... and fearful. However, that is why I loved it and was torn between needing to get to the end and see if would everything be resolved and not wanting to come to the last word because then that first read would be over.

A re-read will be had, but I don't think I will experience the exquisite emotions in the same way again and that makes me sad. M.K. Lobb is now an auto-buy author for me thanks to these books.

Seven Faceless Saints is the debut novel by MK Lobb and what an incredible one it is.

From page one, I was curious and truly invested in this fantasy world that reminded me partially of Renaissance Italy from the evocative world-building that Lobb blesses the reader with. The book gives us everything we could ask for, with a mysterious murder magical saints who have an almost cult following and a rebellion building amongst the citizens who want to destroy the corrupt system that disregards its citizens.

Not only is there the mystery of just why so many people are dying throughout the city and their deaths seeming to be hidden away? But we get a second chance romance too with our heroine and rebellious Rosanna and the Guard who was foolish enough to break her heart; Damian..

Damian has ptsd, a soldier haunted by the realities of war, and he's so beautifully written that his pain and haunted soul is one you wish to protect. Whereas Rosanna is a fierce and loyal disciple who will do what it takes to learn the truth to every doubt she's ever had and if it means the destruction of her enemies as well as the system itself? So be it.

Lobb is a master storyteller and I couldn't believe that this was her first novel because it's incredible. The twists and turns Damian and Roz (alongside the reader as we're in the dark too) encounter are done so well that you're left on the edge of your seat or up to 3am needing to know more. To ensure the duo survive the next chaotic situation they're thrust into.

Lobb has given us a series that takes you away from the chaos of reality, and ensures you're left hungering for more. I have a feeling that MK Lobb's books will find a place on my bookshelves well into the future if they're anything like Seven Faceless Saints.

The Poisons We Drink is Bethany Baptiste's debut novel and one that is filled with expressive world-building where people are divided between humans and witches and animosity between the two groups is high and has been for decades.

Venus Stoneheart, an eighteen-year-old Witcher is our protagonist and works hard doing all that she can to support her family. Laws have to be broken, and risks taken because survival in this world for Witchers is paramount. She's strong-willed, and fierce despite her fragile place in society because of who and what she is and I thought she was the perfectly written underdog.

The magical aspects are refreshing and one I've not seen that often, specifically the concept of brewing the potions that witchers can create which adds to making the book stand out. The author takes time to lay down the fabric of the magical aspects without dragging the raider down with too much lore which given the length of the book is ideal. There's a perfect balance between knowledge and plot that ensures you can understand the more fantasy elements.

Whilst it may seem that the book is somewhat slow at first because such lores need to be laid out? The Poisons We Drink is a book I didn't want to put down, I became eager to know just how Violet would manage to balance protecting her family and facing the dire situations that arose thanks to the antagonism between the humans and Witchers. 

The racism that exists between the two (primarily human > Witcher) is written with the severity that is warranted and whilst yes, it's fantasy?  Would easily be placed as an example of racial issues across the world today. Baptiste's writing is so good in this area, and you as the reader will find yourself wanting to scream at characters to do better to not be beyond cruel because you do end up walking alongside Violet throughout the book.

I can't wait to see what is next for this author.

𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭? 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵? 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵? 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦?

I first encountered Olivie Blake when I was reading fanfiction and knew without a doubt they were a born writer. Regardless of any difficulty they faced getting the plot from the mind to the page? It would be worth it because she was born to create.

I loved that fanfiction, I came away from the Atlas Six series with my thoughts in a whirlwind and promptly wanted more from Blake.

My love of their world-building and ability to make readers familiar with a place they've never been is once more done to perfection so Chicago comes to life for us this time in Alone With You in the Ether.

Not only is this a love story, but it's also a book that places a focus on mental health in a delicate and often profound manner and how it can not only affect the person suffering from it but how it can impact relationships whether it's familial, romantic or friendships. Even now, mental health is often neglected or misinterpreted in media, and still deemed to be something to hide away and pretend isn't affecting them.

Regan fascinated me with her ways of seeing the world and people and her almost dismissive yet blasé way of viewing everyone. Her way of coping with the dreariness of everything around her is to almost play make-believe or make an impulsive decision regardless of the outcome that could occur. She's complex and feels out of place in the world and yet, she also comes across as being delicate and breakable.

This is a character-driven book that will cause you to experience a plethora of emotions. I found myself crying, and angry and often smiling softly at the love Arlo and Regan have for one another and some of the words they utter to express their love and fears over falling in love. 

Alone With You in the Ether was everything I hoped for, and so much more. It displayed Blake's love of writing, exploring people's emotions and the fragility of humanity.

I thought the premise of this would be great fun sadly there was a cultural divide as I simply didn't know the stickers that the author mentioned as a way of telling his story as I didn't have them here in the UK.

The premise is really good, as each sticker is associated with something in the author's life and if it was perhaps able to be more relatable to a broader audience in my opinion? It would be a non fiction book you could easily relax and connect with.

I wish I'd been aware of the divide prior to reading this otherwise perhaps I'd not accepted my copy of the book. C'est la vie.

I feel that The Carnival of Ash had so much potential with the ideas of massive libraries, poets who'd draw my mind to the greats of history and a fantasy-styled world that reminded me of the Renaissance era of Italy.

What I got was far different and I was left feeling almost betrayed by the author.  Whilst I was hoping for intrigue, magical aspects and The Borgias meets fantasy it felt more like The Borgias met a dark horror.

I think you can tell, I wasn't impressed, however, I kept going and I found myself more and more led astray as I encountered poets who weren't genteel and filled with a plethora of emotions that made them feel almost capable of seeing the different than mere mortals but instead, they were pompous, pretentious and in dire need of a heavy book or two to the nose and jaw to stop their talking. 

There are very trigger-worthy subject matters on the first page and that was also extremely unsettling because there wasn't a single indication of what I'd face. 

(Su*cidal Idolisation, gore, violence including SA, Blood, M*rder, ableism, sexism, misogynistic views, Fatphobia, and familial ab*se)

Whilst the world-building to create this fictional world was incredible - I pretty much hated everything else. I think the author used the book to process his viewpoints on people and I was saddened by it all.

This could have been incredible instead it screamed small man syndrome.

This is a book that mixes wonderfully country music and the LGBTIQIA community in an excellent way with two male leads, Emmett who dreams of being a famous queer Country music star (something in the story is deemed near on impossible) and Luke who hates Country music with every fibre of his being. I enjoyed how you get their story from both perspectives and the reader is treated to little insights from the young men as their perspective is told.

Brian D. Kennedy brings the world of A Little Bit of Country and with him being a lover of Dolly Parton cokes through with the fictional Country music star who's the idol of Emmett; Wanda Jean Stubbs. I just love the slight comparisons in the character portrayal of Wanda with her larger-than-life personality and of course the theme park!

Emmett and Luke's love story unfolds from the initial (very large) spark of curiosity and desire at first meeting to their realisation that they've found their missing piece in one another and I loved every moment of it. They're both adorable and in their unique way, both need a big ol' hug and reassurance that it's more than okay to fight for what they want over what others demand of them.

Alongside their love story, is a mystery from the past involving Wanda Jean and Luke's late grandmother, Verna Rose and it weaves its way into the boys' lives as they try to understand why the two ladies fell out and that alone could have been a story in itself.

If you want a HEA with some angst along the way with a load of Country music thrown into the mix with that Southern hospitality that seems to be synonymous with Nashville and every TV show set there? This is for you.