Jewish folklore – Cannonball Read 17

Sapphic golem fantasy debut

The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez

September 9, 2025 by LB Leave a Comment

The Maiden and Her Monster fulfills the “diaspora” square for CBR17 Bingo. As soon as I learned of The Maiden and Her Monster, I knew I needed to read it. I love explorations of Jewish experiences and especially love different ways the golem story can be reimagined. Set in a Medieval Prague inspired setting, The Maiden and Her Monster follows Malka as she ventures into a cursed forest that has been killing the girls of her village so she can free her imma from the Church’s idea […]

“Now you understand not every story shares the whole truth.”

The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez

August 6, 2025 by faintingviolet Leave a Comment

By about 10% into the book, I was reminded viscerally of The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. When reviewing that book I focused on the idea of there being a special power in taking a known story and envisioning it in a new way. I’m firmly of the opinion that approaching storytelling that way – taking what has existed previously and viewing it another way – can lead to some inventive storytelling. There are any number of ways to approach it, and The Maiden […]

An absolutely excellent horror novel that deals with disability, postpartum depression, marriage, income inequality, and never feeling like you quite belong.

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy

November 18, 2023 by narfna Leave a Comment

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC. It hasn’t affected the contents of my review. My initial thoughts as posted to GR upon reading the summary: “biTe mArKs oN tHe bAbY”. You can tell by the funky usage of capitals that I was very intrigued and disturbed by this book’s possible contents. And it turns out my excitement/interest radar wasn’t wrong. This was fantastic, in a horrible, creepy, bugnuts and all kinds of fuckery sort of way. The general premise here is inspired […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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