Audiobook Review: Platform Decay by Martha Wells

Author: Martha Wells

Narrator: Kevin R. Free

Title: Platform Decay

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #8

Genre: SciFi, Humor, Novella

Format: Audiobook 

Published: May 5, 2026

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

After volunteering to run a rescue mission, Murderbot realizes that it will have to spend significant time with a bunch of humans it doesn't know.

Including human children. Ugh.

This may well call for... eye contact!

Review:

Murderbot is King of the bots!!!!!

Here we go again! Murderbot has volunteered to run a rescue mission. However, there will be a lot of humans that Murderbot will need to spend time with including...human children. 

Awwwwww I forgot how much I loved Murderbot. He is so funny and grumpy. So adorable. 

I think I really needed this!!! Honestly, I've been in a bit of a slump in July. A couple of pretty good 4 stars reads, but mainly 3 and 2s. Not sure why, but I needed this one! Thank you, Murderbot, for being the hero I needed. 

So funny. So intense. So good. 

I did miss ART, but it was nice seeing poor Murderbot with all these humans. Murderbot is a grumpy angel. 

The narrator is perfection. Great voices for all, especially for our main! He is great. I def recommend the audio versions. Sure, the printed word is good, but there is something about this narrator that really just fits and helps the story. 

I may have to go back and read some of the shorts to keep me entertained until the next book releases. I hope we don't have to wait too long for it!!

5 stars from me. 

Def read the other books before this one. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #31

- Library Love #18

 

Blodeuedd's Monday: Bunny by Mona Awad

Series: Bunny (#1)

Format: 375 pages, Paperback

Published: February 6, 2020 by Head of Zeus

Lit fic/borrowed

This was surreal on crack, and I do like weird lit.

Samantha has writer´s block. She is a student and her group is scary. They all just all call each other bunny and hug. Then they invite her, she does hesitate but she goes and shit happens, like what is going on? I can´t tell you either because that means spoilers, but someone mentioned Alice in Wonderland and it fits. It gets surreal, there is weirdness and when you think you know, you do not.

Weird lit is fun. You never know where it is headed. I guess this is under horror, but it is never like SCARY, just wtf am I on?

I liked it a lot.

Samantha Heather Mackey is an outsider in her small, highly selective MFA program at Warren University. In fact, she is utterly repelled by the rest of her fiction writing cohort – a clique of unbearably twee rich girls who call each other 'Bunny'.

But then the Bunnies issue her with an invitation and Samantha finds herself inexplicably drawn to their front door, across the threshold, and down their rabbit hole.

Blending sharp satire with fairytale horror, Bunny is a spellbinding trip of a novel from one of fiction's most original new voices.

Movie Review: Young Washington (2026)

Title: Young Washington

Length: 2h 1m

Released: 2026

Genre: Historical, Biography, War
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Theater

SUMMARY:

A young George Washington faces war, betrayal and impossible choices that will forge a leader.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Oh, Georgie Wash. I was so excited to see this!!!! I had to go see it in theaters. My fellow history nerd friend and I went to see it. And yes, I dragged poor Hubby along. 

We all know the history of George Washington. But how many know his early days? It was not an easy road for him. 

The cast was lovely. I LOVED who they had to play young George. I hope, in a few years, he can play an older George. He really filled those shoes well.

One thing of note I kept whispering to myself was the camera angles, especially in the battle scenes. They felt different but good. There is so much going on, and you feel in the middle of it. I think the camera team did great. 

Some of the dialogue felt a little cliché, but it didn't ruin the story or characters. I loved the foreshadow drops. Made me chuckle.

There was a "special message" at the end...skip it. It didn't add anything extra to the story or whatever. 

I would for sure watch this again. The battle, the story. It was entertaining and a reminder that everyone starts somewhere. A leader is not born. A leader is made. 

4 stars from me. 

 

Book Review: Magic Touch by AS Fenichel

Author: A.S. Fenichel

Title: Magic Touch

Series: Witches of Windsor #1

Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 301

Published: July 1, 2024

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

ESME

I never dreamed my small curatives shop in Windsor, England would attract the attention of war hero Sir William Meriwether. My feminine heart is aflutter when he enters. But I'm a witch and a healer, and he's a man in pain, so I heal him. Desperate to do him a good service, I stretch my powers to the limit—or perhaps beyond. Somehow, in curing his ailing leg, I unleash powers inside William. At a loss to stop what's begun, I'm forced to seek assistance from the coven I've sworn never to join. I dread the encounter, but for William's sake, I put my family's hatred aside. Getting to spend more time with William is an added enticement.

WILLIAM

I'm mesmerized by Esme O'Dwyer from the moment I lay eyes on her. Despite our different stations in society, I want something more personal than any restorative tea she might offer. As a gentleman, I contain those baser needs, and accept her assistance to ease the pain in my leg. When the alluring witch's touch bestows me with magic of my own, I want no part of it. But the coven's leaders insist magic never make mistakes, and for this to have happened, I must be needed. I've never been one to shy away from duty, and being secluded for training with Esme is magical in more ways than one.

ESME

Trouble is coming to Windsor. The signs are all there. The race is on to train William as a witch before his power is needed, but our growing attraction is as undeniable as the battle that lies ahead.

Review:

Randomly came upon this little guy, so I decided to give it a chance! It sounded pretty good, and I do love witches. ;) Plus, look at that kitty!!!!!!!!!!

Here we have Esme and William. Esme is the local healer and witch. William comes in, and he needs to be healed. However, there is something between them that resonates. When she heals him, she helps unlock powers he never knew he had. There is an attraction, but there is an evil coming to Windsor, and she has to help train him for the upcoming battle. 

This was a nice read. I enjoyed our journey and our little lovebirds. They were very sweet, and the drama was to a minimum. Some internal stuff and the looming battle, of course. 

I liked both our characters, and there was a nice collection of side characters. I am curious about Minerva. I think her book is next. 

Some elements of the plot seemed....weak. Not sure if that is the right word. I don't feel like I understand the world or these powers. Maybe things will be better explained in the next book? Everything felt flowy and loosey goosey...a bit too flowy and loosey goosey for my liking.

Even with that, I still enjoyed the journey and our romance. With the ending....I am curious to see what is next, but I'm not rushing to read it. Maybe if it is free or on Kindle Unlimited. Maybe there is an audio I would enjoy a touch more. 

I'll give this 3 stars.  

Reading Challenges:

- Reading Romance Challenge #18 (Cat on the cover)