SFF Hot from Printers: New Releases discussion

Starting this thread. Hope there isn't another. I'm about 30% in, I think, and I'm gaining interest in it as I go.

I'll start today

Finished. Review. Talk later
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Kateblue wrote: "Finished. Review. Talk later
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

You're quick!

Wow Kate! Starting today!

This really doesn't sound like my style at all, but it is getting such rave reviews. I'm looking forward to lurking and seeing what you all think.

Kristenelle wrote: "This really doesn't sound like my style at all, but it is getting such rave reviews. I'm looking forward to lurking and seeing what you all think."

Same here - not my usual read, but I'm intrigued now.

I see you compared it to T Kingfisher!!! Who is becoming a most read for me, now you’ve got me interested

I'm 3/4 done with it and while I fully agree that it is a nice easy escapist read, written quite well (no wish to rush it), and a novel way to look at a fantasy world, for me it lacks a bit of spice

I’m at 25% and waiting for things to happen, so its fine so far but I know I need to give it more time.

I stand corrected, there is a bit of spice closer to the end

yes, it seemed slow at the beginning to me, and it was a medieval-type setting, usually not for me--but I stuck to it and I am very glad I did

I just finished it and gave it 3.5 stars, was a nice easy read, with a bit of spice at the end (as you both mentioned). I have to say my favorite part of the book was the explanation of the baked goods more than the coffee, I loved Thimble and how he invented the sweets to go with the coffee. I also really liked hearing about the equipment used in the shop (like that fan thingy). The romance really didn’t do much for me and I I was glad that it was a minor piece of the plot. All in all, I’m happy I read the book and appreciative of the warm fuzzies it left me with.

I liked the idea of what the magic artifact appeared to be doing, this was sweet. I am with Rebecca, liking cooking and gnome machines more than coffee, but that's maybe because I've drunk coffee like 10 years ago (messes with my day-night cycle a lot)

My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review: 3 stars. This book is nice, light fare about building a business, and in the beginning and middle the business-building details were enjoyable. Though it’s on the short side, these sorts of details were overbearing toward the end, particularly after a certain event which gave the author an opportunity to describe even more. The book was also missing a larger conflict, so the plot was quite weak. The characters were decently drawn, though.

Not sure I would call the end spicy: it was obvious that Fennus was going to do something brazen to get the stone, and he did. I was rather disappointed with the ultimate end where Fennus just got attacked by the cat.

Thanks for the thoughts and reviews, everyone!

What does "spice" mean? I'm recently seeing that word used a lot when people talk about books. Does it mean something specific? Interesting? Epic? Sexy?

To me spicy can mean all of those things in different contexts 😂 but that’s not very helpful is it?

In this context it means there was some conflict and some romance. But VERY light. I think that is what this book aims to do: tell a fantasy story with very low stakes and minimal conflict. It’s nice and fluffy. I see it as a nice counter to the torturous classic fantasy of wars, backstabbing, cruelty, etc.

Kristenelle wrote: "What does "spice" mean? I'm recently seeing that word used a lot when people talk about books. Does it mean something specific? Interesting? Epic? Sexy?"

In the context of this book I used spicy partially as a pun, after all, there are different spices mentioned. And in this particular case, I just meant that after a slow cozy construction of small business, where one small success came after another there will be some action and serious drawbacks

Haha, thanks for the clarification! 😅