Jess > Recent Status Updates

Sarah, in her desperation to free herself from the big woman (Marianne)’s mind control, killed herself; but came back to life & craves blood more, à la vampires. Initially, I assumed she was fully possessed by the big woman upon her resurrection. However, after witnessing her conversation with Lucy, she still seems to have remnants of her memories/personality as Sarah. Maybe she’s just been properly turned?

Jinu y Rumi conocieron más. Los fans le gustan sus relación. Mira tiene dudas sobre los secretos de Rumi. Jinu y Rumi crearon un plan para pelear Gui-Ma. Jinu tiene más secretos sobre su madre y hermanita. Hay mucho tensión antes de los premios.

Durante combate, Jinu le descubrió que Rumi tenía marcas en sus brazos. Más tarde, le dije que él entiende sus problemas y quien ella es. Pero, Rumi no está de acuerdo con el opinión de Jinu. Ahora, la Huntrix escribiendo un canción nuevo. Los Saja Boys y la banda de chicas están en un competencia por los premios. Con un premio, las chicas cantarán en un gran concierto para cerrar el honmoon.

Like Van Veen’s previous novel that I read, the language is easily digestible while still being interesting & atmospheric. It seems like Sarah is being possessed by the big woman’s spirit, who may have been killed bc she had cannibalistic urges? Lucy has some sort of begrudging attraction to Michael, her sister’s husband.

oops

Una banda de demonios son un peligro para Huntrix. Ellas necesitan matarlos, pero los fans le gustan su música. También, Zoey intentó ayudar Rumi con un médico, pero él fue un mentiroso.

Las cazadoras tienen un canción nuevo. Pero, la voz de Rumi tiene problemas porque ella es un medio demonio. Ella tiene marcas en sus brazos. Su mentora no quiere para ella hablar sobre su historia verdad con sus amigas de Huntrix. Es un gran problema porque el concierto más importante de Huntrix está cerca. Ellas necesitan completar el honmoon y proteger el mundo. Rumi no descansó porque ella siente culpable.

-messed up female characters. They’re both a bit strange & violent; but it seems they have the potential to balance each other out. I liked the descriptions & lushness of Candle & Jude’s forest. This felt like two stories in one, between Candle & the Westmoor house. I also appreciated reading a book with an MC who isn’t young!

I loved this! This novel is an incredibly written story about identity, life values, & complex relationships between women. I liked how, in the end, Jude acknowledges Ernestine as her sister, more so than her mother. I think that’s healing for her, but also a thoughtful acknowledgment since Ernestine was forced to be a mother. I enjoyed reading about the fluctuations in Jude & Nemoira’s relationship; I love-

I had a feeling that Nemoira was secretly the bear beast. Jude’s feelings of craving Nemoira’s companionship but also desperately needing her own space were relatable. Balance is key! I liked all the weird, gorey meals they have. There’s also gore in the form of self harm. I’m not entirely surprised that Nemoira was gifting Jude with meat from human hunts. I mean, this started from her wanting to eat Jude

Esto audio libro es tres horas y diecisiete minutos. El narración es un poco rápido para mí, pero no quiero reducir el narración. Todavía lo entiendo. Demonios estaban en el avión y la Huntrix lucharon. Sus aficionados son impresionados con su canción. Hay cazadores en generaciones antes de la Huntrix. Su música tiene valor y esperanza, y ellas usan los canciones crear el honmoon y luchar demonios/Gui-Ma

-in a way that doesn’t feel tedious. Additionally, based on clues from the narration & interactions between Vivian & Phyllis, I theorize that Jude was born from abusive incest. I think her grandfather is actually her father as well. I can sympathize with Jude’s mother, but it ofc doesn’t excuse all the abuse. But it’d also explain why Nessie’s sisters assume Jude has an inherent “bad nature”

-supernatural woods & haints. Southern/Black American folklore is underrepresented in fiction; as a mythology & folklore liver, I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience more of it! I somewhat recently played South of Midnight, which also featured haints & complex family dynamics. I appreciate how the author delved into the action immediately. The exposition/context for the setting/characters has been done-

I’m hooked on this; the writing is lush & evocative. The story is tragic, heart wrenching, & repulsive; but it’s done with care & in a way that feels true to human nature. This is a coming of age tale where Jude will (hopefully) process her trauma & embrace her strangeness. This seems to be, thus far, a great exploration of generational & systemic trauma. I also like what we’ve seen so far of the-

5h. I liked the progression of the story! It explored multicultural identities, loyalty that’s taught vs chosen loyalty, & vulnerability. I wish Yeva acknowledged more fully that it was wrong to kill all those dragons, especially since Sookhee is a dragon shapeshifter. But otherwise, I thought this was a good romantasy with detailed enough world building to be engaging, but not overly complicated for a novella

Ok so they finally got together! I like them together but I’m not overly convinced of their chemistry tbh. The dynamic itself has appeal, but idk how invested I am in the specific characters themselves. Also, I believe Sookhee is still hiding more secrets about the dragon remaining in Quanbao. I still think it’s secretly her when she falls ill monthly. Although she has at least admitted it’s existence for now

-parts of other people; their influences, good & bad. We can either fashion that into our own unique identity, or feel pressured to conform into what others want to make us.

What a messed up little book. I enjoyed it overall, it was disturbing & character driven. There wasn’t much justice in the end, although there was some. I’m glad Margot got her lick back, even though she seems to be trapped there forever as a ghost. Poor Steve the bus driver! I can’t imagine how much Margot’s death will weigh on him going forward. I think this novel explored how we are all comprised of-

Margot’s home life is getting increasingly more perilous. Ruth’s words are ominous & foreboding… I think if Margot doesn’t support her Mama & be an enthusiastic accomplice for her catching strays, Ruth will decide to just eat her instead. I can definitely see the Hansel & Gretel influence

I think this novel is titled The Lamb bc Margot is an innocent, sacrificial being. I believe Ruth & Eden may want to consume her one day with how Eden was talking about the rabbit kits. I hope nothing unseemly happens to the bus driver or Abbie. Will Margot escape this horrifying scenario? She doesn’t fully realize that her cannibalistic lifestyle is immoral. I think she’s 11 though, & this is all she knows.

Ruth & Eden are two women who have rejected other people’s assumptions & expectations regarding them, which would be admirable… however, they of course pivoted to violent, predatory cannibalism. Although, I do appreciate the allegory of cannibalism (ofc). Their rage at other people/systems has led them to a hunger; a hunger for spite, to overtake, to claim. They want to consume others to feel more themselves.

Ok, so my theory was definitely wrong. Eden (ironically named) has brought a new dynamic to Margot’s house. Eden has been mostly kind to Margot, but I have a feeling that her keeping Margot at arm’s length will turn into her simply not wanting Margot around. Margot is already in an abusive situation; but things seem like they’ll become even more precarious.

This is thoroughly creepy yet interesting so far. My theory is that Eden is secretly an investigator looking into the disappearances. Or she’s also a creep who’s into strange single moms in secluded, run down homes. Who’s to say?

I have a theory that Sookhee is secretly a dragon… she’s sick monthly, almost cold-blooded, maybe the castle caves are for when she’s in her dragon form. They’re having cute bonding moments

The people of Quanbao largely disapprove of Yeva, bc they view her as a Mithrandon foreigner. She met an old friend of her mom’s that she revealed her face to, & learned some more about her family history. Now she’s meeting the girl king, Sookhee

-through the winter storm + having flashbacks, I was a little anxious to get to the action. I’m ok with the ending; we don’t get to see too much of the plot points wrapped up though. Helen is ok & somehow is salvaging her career? What will happen to the rez? Chenoa is ok & Starr is on leave but not necessarily in permanent trouble. Bernard & Holder both dead. Is the supernatural real?

I liked the author’s note at the end, it was cool to see how the author incorporated her own identity into the story. It definitely shows with how Starr feels disconnected from the rez/a part of both worlds, how women are preyed upon but learn to fight back, how daughters are hurt but fiercely searched for by mothers. I felt that some of the climatic action could’ve been less drawn out; when Starr was searching-

-as being obsessed/infatuated with Indigenous women, is a recluse, is academically intelligent. These are factors for a serial killer. Things are piecing together, & it seems that regardless of the next steps, the oil deal will likely not go through. Esp with Mayor Taylor’s reputation destroyed

It makes sense that Bernard is the serial killer, & Holder is also some sort of violent man/potential killer. Holder would do anything for his wealth & to “soothe” his trauma from poverty. Including killing Chenoa to keep the news of the endangered species quiet & let the oil deal proceed. But now he may have killed the mayor, or at least she’ll wake up knowing he tried to. Bernard has been foreshadowed-

I believe Starr will catch up to Chenoa; idk if it’ll be too late to save her though. I think Minkey is innocent. It’s probably Holder.