Sage T. Greene (Author of Touched)

Sage T. Greene wrote a new blog post THE GODS OF ATALANTIS by EMILY KLOTZ: A Review (No Spoilers) There has been a lot of hype around this book, and I'm here to tell you that the hype is real.
Apr 04, 2026 06:33AM · like
Sage Greene rated a book it was amazing The Gods of Atalantis by Emily Klotz	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Can books be on your TBR list before they're published? If so, The Gods of Atalantis had been on my TBR for at least a year. There has been a lot of hype around this book, and I'm here to tell you that the hype is real. The Gods of Atalantis is, unsur ...more
Apr 03, 2026 09:48AM · like · see review
Sage Greene rated a book it was amazing Songs of Broken Bells by Lilly Lockwood (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
SONGS OF BROKEN BELLS by LILLY LOCKWOOD: A Review (No Spoilers) Songs of Broken Bells was a book I'd been anticipating well before its release. Queer Fantasy and a unique world, all wrapped up in a beautiful cover? Yes, please! The book's primary focus ...more
Feb 17, 2026 03:39PM · like · see review
Sage Greene rated a book it was amazing The Wish and the Demon (Half Swallowed by Shadows #1) by Rebecca Crunden (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
THE WISH AND THE DEMON by REBECCA CRUNDEN: A Review (No Spoilers) The Wish and the Demon was my first read from Crunden, and it won't be my last. I went into the story looking forward to some mystery, and y'all, the plot thickens! I need Book 2 to com ...more
Oct 24, 2025 06:59AM · 1 like · like · see review
Sage Greene rated a book it was amazing The Hand That Feeds by Sass Everett	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Oct 08, 2025 10:19AM · like · see review
Sage Greene rated a book liked it How Can I Get Through to You?: Closing the Intimacy Gap Between Men and Women by Terrence Real	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Another good companion to bell hooks. With the lens of a therapist, Real offers specific strategies and tools to deepen our relationships. Beyond theory, how can we effect change?
Oct 02, 2025 05:25AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of How Can I Get Through to You? by Terrence Real. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — How Can I Get Through to You? by Terrence Real <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sage Greene entered a giveaway One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 22, 2025 07:51AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sage Greene rated a book it was amazing White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A good addition to the work of untangling our social conditioning and practicing antiracism. While at the end of the day DiAngelo is a white woman and therefore cannot be an authority on the effects of racism in America, she can certainly speak to the ...more
Jul 11, 2025 06:33PM · like · see review
Sage Greene is now following Geoffrey R. Jonas Author of Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and ...
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Sage Greene is now following Dylan Madeley Author of The Gift-Knight's Quest
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Sage T. Greene wrote a new blog post

THE GODS OF ATALANTIS by EMILY KLOTZ: A Review (No Spoilers)

There has been a lot of hype around this book, and I'm here to tell you that the hype is real.

Sage Greene rated a book it was amazing

The Gods of Atalantis
by Emily Klotz

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Can books be on your TBR list before they're published? If so, The Gods of Atalantis had been on my TBR for at least a year. There has been a lot of hype around this book, and I'm here to tell you that the hype is real.

The Gods of Atalantis is, unsur Can books be on your TBR list before they're published? If so, The Gods of Atalantis had been on my TBR for at least a year. There has been a lot of hype around this book, and I'm here to tell you that the hype is real.

The Gods of Atalantis is, unsurprisingly, a story about Atlantis. The island has many gods, but the central two are the Sea Mother and Sun Father, who exist as both the sea and sun, but also as humans who are reincarnated generation after generation. We primarily follow Mireia, a girl from a tiny fishing village, as she is scouted as the potential reincarnation of the Sea Mother. She undergoes a series of trials to determine if she is really a goddess, but the person least convinced is herself.

Atalantis (in my opinion) has a lot of Disney vibes, but that's an oversimplification; the themes are a bit heavier, the action a bit more violent (within reason!), and the characters are certainly deeper and more complex than what you'll find in a classic 60-minute Disney film. The vibes are cozy, approachable, and fun, with a literary follow-through that packs a punch. Some of the ~vibes~ I got included Aladdin, Moana, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Atlantis (obviously!), Mulan, and (a DreamWorks production) The Road to El Dorado.

Something the author does really well is balance the characters' strengths and weaknesses. Part of this is the baked-in yin and yang of the Sea Mother and the Sun Father; they are meant to complement each other. But even within themselves, they have flaws that are realistic and human. Mireia can be selfish and short-sighted. We can be disappointed in her decisions, but we understand her. It's almost frustrating, in a familiar, relevant way, to want to shake her shoulders like she's our friend and say, "Girl, get a grip!" There's a real groundedness to the characters and the choices they make.

Another personal favorite thing that Emily does is the absolute flavor of the characterization. The Sea Mother tends to swell with pride, or suffer a torrent of emotions, or have a sinking feeling, or bubble with excitement. The Sun Father might beam at her with a glimmer in his eye. He might light up when she makes him laugh, or he might give her a fiery look when she's on his nerves. I live for it!

My spicy take: give this to your kids instead of Harry Potter. It's for a slightly older audience (the protagonist's adventure starts at 13, rather than 11), but Atalantis has all the coming-of-age, epic adventure, brand-new-world flavor that scratches a very particular Millennial itch—for those of us who want to recreate that experience without the tarnish of the HP brand, this is a really excellent place to reroute that energy. You get a young, scrappy protagonist from humble origins being whisked away into a world which is much more grand and magical. A group of children arrives at the palace on boats, and the protagonist finds themselves facing tests which begin at "Sorcerer's Stone" difficulty (think find the flying key) and quickly escalate to "Goblet of Fire" difficulty (think underwater task and hedge maze). Atalantis, being for a slightly older audience, takes its reader more seriously. Beyond learning how to use magic, we learn the essence of magic—what magic is, and why we should care.

CONTENT NOTE: one of the very integral themes of the book has to do with slavery. Some people might choose not to engage with that subject matter. The slavery has nothing to do with skin color (everyone in the cast is a person of color, and the author makes a point to tell us that you wouldn't be able to tell these groups of people apart just by looking at them)—it is based on geography (the Hacenians didn't originate on Atalantis) and technology (the Hacenians don't have magic and therefore are not "advanced"). It reads as a commentary on the delusional foundations of slavery: those seeking power over others will find any justification for the subjugation of others. The protagonist is half-Hacenian and quickly decides to do her best to end the practice of slavery. So the message is good, but be prepared to have those conversations. This is also only Book 1, so we don't yet know how these issues will be handled. In the meantime, there is offensive language regarding the Hacenians (barbarians, dogs, and half-breeds, etc.) that some might be sensitive to.

I'm not entirely sure how to articulate this, but this feels like what YA ought to be. Atalantis is something I would have adored as a teen. It has the potential to be one of those epic series that you grow up alongside.

Safe to say this is as enthusiastic recommendation from me! 👍 ...more

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Songs of Broken Bells
by Lilly Lockwood (Goodreads Author)

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SONGS OF BROKEN BELLS by LILLY LOCKWOOD: A Review (No Spoilers)

Songs of Broken Bells was a book I'd been anticipating well before its release. Queer Fantasy and a unique world, all wrapped up in a beautiful cover?

Yes, please!

The book's primary focus SONGS OF BROKEN BELLS by LILLY LOCKWOOD: A Review (No Spoilers)

Songs of Broken Bells was a book I'd been anticipating well before its release. Queer Fantasy and a unique world, all wrapped up in a beautiful cover?

Yes, please!

The book's primary focus is Líadan, a girl with a dangerous power she must repress. We follow along as she and her friends seek a means to conquer the dark entity that controls her power and threatens to bring destruction to those around her.

The journey is sort of Frozen meets The Lord of the Rings. Líadan is fearful of the power within her and wants to be able to control it (and then ultimately be rid of it). It is a reverse Golden Fleece. She starts out with her friend Vasil to help her. They meet up with Vasil's old friend Minno, and from there they all meet Aila, a girl with powers not unlike Líadan. They follow a satisfying path as they gain new information, Líadan attempts to train her sense of control, and they meet new friends and helpers along the way.

Lockwood has done an impressive job of building an extensive world for their characters. The story is full of rich descriptions and is clearly crafted with love. Supplemental information is given to the reader through "inserted" documents and annotations, which is a fun way to get additional context.

I liked the grit of the characters' experience. The descriptions of Líadan fighting against her power, against the flames rising in her, felt sincere and urgent. I also appreciated the stakes of the story, with multiple injuries which were not graphic but did feel sobering and grounding.

One thing I'll note is that there are quite heavy themes of anxiety and depression—the author made sure to mention this up front, which is excellent and appreciated. Just something one should consider for themselves before diving in.

There were multiple themes to take away from SoBB, including navigating these mental health issues, dealing with religious faith and expectations, desiring freedom, and found family. Truly, this is a "friends we made along the way" kind of story, which I'm a fan of! ...more

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The Wish and the Demon by Rebecca Crunden

The Wish and the Demon (Half Swallowed by Shadows #1)
by Rebecca Crunden (Goodreads Author)

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THE WISH AND THE DEMON by REBECCA CRUNDEN: A Review (No Spoilers)

The Wish and the Demon was my first read from Crunden, and it won't be my last. I went into the story looking forward to some mystery, and y'all, the plot thickens! I need Book 2 to com THE WISH AND THE DEMON by REBECCA CRUNDEN: A Review (No Spoilers)

The Wish and the Demon was my first read from Crunden, and it won't be my last. I went into the story looking forward to some mystery, and y'all, the plot thickens! I need Book 2 to come out yesterday.

The book opens on a pivotal moment in Liam's life—the night his guardian is murdered and he is separated from his brother. Flash forward, and Liam is dealing with the pressures of high school bullies, neglectful parents, taking care of his siblings, and the reappearance of his first crush.

Crunden does a lovely job of setting the scene and placing us in Liam's life. You can really see the snow-covered town, the cozy diners, and the juxtaposition between the "nice" parts of town and the areas in poverty. I particularly liked some of the little details, like the flavor of the bagels, and an accent that you can't quite place...

I wouldn't say I have any particular criticisms for The Wish and the Demon—there are just some things that come down to personal preference. For example, I found that the main love interest was not the one I ended up rooting for. Don't get me wrong! He has his own backstory, he has layers, and I think he's a good character and a wonderful human being—I just found myself agreeing with Liam when he listed all the reasons they shouldn't end up together. I was rooting for the "other guy," although we are left with a whole lot of questions about him.

I also would recommend some content warnings for SA and homophobia. The homophobic slurs are part of the bullying Liam goes through at school, but they make sense in the context of the narrative. The references to SA are not part of Liam's story; they're more to give us context for the bad behaviors of other people and/or shock value.

I'm looking forward to reading more about these characters and unraveling their mystery. The sweet moments had a Heartstopper feel, while the darker moments were dark indeed.

I also wanted to mention that I appreciated the pacing of this book. While a long timespan is covered (in teenage time, anyway), Crunden mercifully keeps us where the action is, cutting past the classrooms and crummy pizza place job and getting to the heart of the narrative. It kept things flowing, and my eyes on the page!

Would I recommend this book? Yes.

I would not recommend The Wish and the Demon to those who:
- are sensitive to language around SA and homophobia
- don't like a cliffhanger (in this case, snatch the series up when it's complete!)

I would recommend The Wish and the Demon to those who:
- like a "first love" kind of romance
- enjoy relatively grounded fantasy that is easy to approach ...more

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The Hand That Feeds
by Sass Everett

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

There is much to enjoy in The Hand That Feeds. I was drawn to this book because of the succinct and intriguing premise, as well as the beautiful cover (simple and effective!).

First, let me say that there is an immediate reveal within the first few pa ...more

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How Can I Get Through to You? by Terrence Real

How Can I Get Through to You?: Closing the Intimacy Gap Between Men and Women
by Terrence Real

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Another good companion to bell hooks. With the lens of a therapist, Real offers specific strategies and tools to deepen our relationships. Beyond theory, how can we effect change?

Sage Greene entered a giveaway

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
by Omar El Akkad (Goodreads Author)

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White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
by Robin DiAngelo

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A good addition to the work of untangling our social conditioning and practicing antiracism.

While at the end of the day DiAngelo is a white woman and therefore cannot be an authority on the effects of racism in America, she can certainly speak to the ...more

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