THE VIOLET WEST
Fantasy Novels & Graphic Novels

The Art of the Open Mind: Navigating "Problematic" Books with Honesty and Grace by Ana Vanessa Bettencourt De Almeida I am deeply honored to share my personal approach to the complex world of "problematic" literature. My perspective is shaped by a life lived on both sides of the page. Known as Ana in the reviewing community and Vanessa in my creative life, I hold a Master’s in English and Portuguese Literature and a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts. My career has been a journey of sto

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Bought a copy. Loved this standalone and the characters. Action and mystery with ghosts, Japanese lore, and witches. A tale of greed and deception. Buy book here Also got an audio in pre order on sale as well.

Simon & Schuster 5 stars I can't resist these, because I've always read them from classics to today, I grab them immediately. And having this author write something like this is an extra gift. It's a book filled with layers, trying to please many readers, so some parts were too long or not my fav theme, but overall, this playing God is always an amazing read. Also recommend the audiobook, great narrator for this one. Without comparing, just taking it for face value: great con

Orbit US Ann Leckie 5+ Stunning scifi standalone in the universe of the Imperial Radch. The location of this story is a faraway ice planet far away from the core of the trilogy. Oppression and occupation of a people, imposing language. Both cultures are so different and hard to mix, they are stubborn and intransigent, one culture doesn't even have core words that can be translated, for example, the Radchaai don't have the word father. This and food are forms of stealing, deny

Here is a contest I would like to participate in one day as an artist-illustrator, but it also has an author. Mainly Sci & Fantasy with also Horror and hints of mystery and thriller. 5 stars 🌟 I love jumping into this anthology to get a glimpse of future masters of sci-fi literature. Names like Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss among others won and participated in this contest making it a huge first step in their careers. I love Dan Dos Santos' art and he is one of the ill

Murder, scandal, betrayal, and deceit—Delaware has never been as quiet as its size suggests. Delaware Behaving Badly opens the case files of the First State to reveal true stories of crime, corruption, and human folly drawn from newspapers, court records, and eyewitness accounts. These episodes show how ordinary people slid into extraordinary—and often disastrous—moments that shaped communities and lingered in memory. Listeners encounter jealous lovers whose passions turned v

I totally recommend the audios as well, the narrator makes the best voices, made me laugh a lot too, and pay attention to the extra info. I just binged the 5 volumes and will keep the reviews individual, but this is one of the best mystery authors I've encountered in recent years. I flew through the 5 books as if I were watching Netflix and waiting for more episodes. The author combines humor with tension at the right time, which made me gasp and laugh out loud several times.

Devious Web - A Novel by Shelley Grandy ​ Giveaway Link:​ Author-signed copy of DEVIOUS WEB, plus matching mug, courtesy of author Shelley Grandy (one winner) (USA and Canada) (ends May 29) https://gleam.io/tOiOZ/devious-web Buy the Book Links: AMAZON: https://amzn.to/40wpVUA AMAZON.CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Audible-Devious-Web-A-Novel/dp/B0FL993FPG/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0 AUDIBLE: https://www.audible.com/pd/Devious-Web-Audiobook/B0FL93ZF5P B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/

My review: 5 stars What a great discovery. This memoir is a duology but reads as a single volume. It's easier to write this review by saying what connected me to it. I used to answer people with book titles or the chorus of songs ( it was a thing). The author connects specifically to one band: R.E.M., but he gives a song title to each chapter and they are on point with what he describes in the chapters. The history of his life is quite sad in many moments, and relatable in mo

Amazing . Told with such reflective educational tone. 5+ What a stunning memoir, to view war through the eyes of a young child, forced to grow up so quickly with the such traumatizing experiences. The book is succinct and focuses on the survival of a family through the Yugoslav 1990s wars until they find refugee intervention in the USA. I recommend it to all ages. So much trauma can build character and humble a person, or destroy them, but she is such a strong person because

In random order Reread 5 stars This is so sweet. I loved their relationship, learning that she is a descendant, and that is why she can do more than the others. A very easy and enjoyable read, fun too, and brings me some nostalgia to P. Wrede, and like that this one will enchant readers and reluctant readers as well. I fell in love with the cover and illustrations. It's a great start for a new series. 4.5 Love this series. The relationship between the girl and the dragon is s

🎨🐝Pixel Art Inspired by Covers. I love working with beads it's calming and relaxing. The animals on these covers are drawn in pixels so it's easy to follow the pattern. 👾5 pixel stars 🌟 If you don't know this series, check it out. I like the previous volumes a lot, they play a fiction version of Minecraft called Sandbox. It's in verse and from the perspective of kids who are neurodivergent or artists, or have other unique traits that make them struggle dealing with the ed

Ahah! Today for a booksta friend. I had so much fun reading this arc, pre-ordered a copy from B&N, and will continue to support the author/Illustrator. This time I made Arty and friends see the bottle with the message arrive Fun? 😁 Support indie authors. Have to think of my next mini vial diorama for next Friday. Author: @_pennysdoodles Book releasing soon #graphicnovel #artytoo

Witchycakes volume 3 5 stars chapter book The perfect potion for the perfect story. Wishing all goes perfectly but with a sweet twist at the end. Loved this rainy spring festival story. The illustrations are amazing and I can't wait to try the cupcake recipe at the end. Magic Tree House The Graphic Novel: midnight on the moon 3.5 stars graphic novel Love this manga edition. Such a cool closure for this 8 book series to have ended on the moon. Annie is still quite naughty and

There’s a point where control starts to feel just as fragile as vulnerability, where holding everything together no longer guarantees safety. The Code One Club series by Alison Naomi Holt explores sapphic relationships that emerge in that space, where connection begins to shift what once felt fixed. Synopsis: Set within the world of the Code One Club, where identities are reclaimed and connections run deeper than appearances suggest, these stories unfold through contrast at e

4 Stars The messages are very simple but powerful. The small one, the mouse, is very confident. They are so different, and their friendship is wonderful because they bring two different perspectives and worlds together, learn from each other, but respect each other too. 5 Stars This book is so beautiful. Not just the art but the message too: noting the small things in life. In our rushed modern lives, we don't pay enough attention to detail and miss a lot, everywhere, includi

My review: 5+ So happy with Arty Too. New friends (ASL representation), new adventures. The author always gives us such wholesome and warm hugs with this project full of emotions, expressions, friendship, and bravery. It's fun and interactive, for the author leaves space for tiny authors and artists to express themselves and predict the story, being part of the story with writing or an illustration. At the end, there is information about a hermit crab (the new friend who has

I've won a giveaway hosted by the publisher. From the author of The Bright Years, the story of April and Leo, a couple on the brink of collapse. When their house goes up in flames, family secrets and thorny histories emerge as they are forced to decide what is worth salvaging. When April and Leo’s house burns in the middle of the night, they escape with their two young children and the quiet knowledge that the fire is not the only thing threatening their family. They retreat