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Manipulator’s War (Ruarnon Trilogy Book 1) by Elise Carlson – Review by Brandy Vaughn

Manipulator's War (Ruarnon Trilogy, #1)Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book has a map of the lands and is useful to reference in the novel. I appreciated all the thought that went into creating the fantasy story and the characters were realistic. In the beginning, it was confusing about the non-binary character referring themselves as a they/them. This was the first story I’ve read with a non-binary character. It was interesting how the author explored the idea of gender within a society where gender was neutral. Once I figure that out, I could move past the confusion and enjoy the rest of the story. You begin in one world and end up in another. This was definitely a one of a kind book!

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Weep, Woman, Weep: A Gothic Fairytale about Ancestral Hauntings by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Brandy Vaughn

Weep, Woman, WeepWeep, Woman, Weep by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the first sentence I was pulled into this fabulous story. This is a story of survival, healing, and rebirth. Mercy, the main character, is our narrator and tells us the story in a down-to-earth way with spunk. Finding happiness in a world designed to do otherwise gives the story some light in the heaviness of the plot. The focus on brujeria via plant medicine was an interesting slant for me; it’s not something I normally read. The story has vivid imagery about New Mexico and life the women have to survive though in Sueno. I enjoyed this story so much, that I wish it was longer!

Review by @bilberrysweet
Brandy Vaughn,NNovember 2022

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