Review: The Habitation of the Blessed

posted in: Reviews | 0

The Habitation of the Blessed (A Dirge for Prester John, #1)The Habitation of the Blessed by Catherynne M. Valente

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yet another wonderful read from Catherynne Valente, this time the first volume of a trilogy dedicated to the mythical Prester John, fabled king of the three Indies. Once more Valente recounts the story through the words of many characters: John, the befuddled but not so innocent priest; Hagia, the blemmye and his future wife; Imtithal, the panoti, who told tales to three children in a … (Read more)

Review: In the Cities of Coin and Spice

posted in: Reviews | 0

In the Cities of Coin and Spice (The Orphan's Tales, #2)In the Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne M. Valente

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It always takes me forever to read through Cat Valente’s books. Maybe because I don’t really ever want them to end.

The second and last volume of the Orphan’s tales is identical in structure to its predecessor but different in its tales: the stories seem to lose their ‘high adventure’ quality to become more personal, intimate, dirtier, and the sense of loss permeates … (Read more)

Review: In the Night Garden

posted in: Reviews | 0

In the Night Garden (The Orphan's Tales, #1)In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stories within stories like matryoshka dolls, intertwined within a complex tapestry. The tales of the titular orphan will bring you into a world of fantasy and wonders, perils and mysteries, witches and wizards, monsters and princes, heroes and sailors, saints and stars. Cat Valente at her best.

View all my reviews… (Read more)