Naomi Alderman: The Future

Hi everyone

I just finished my first Naomi Alderman book; The Future and I read this on my e-reader. 

"The Future—as the richest people on the planet have discovered—is where the money is.
The Future is a few billionaires leading the world to destruction while safeguarding their own survival with secret lavish bunkers.
The Future is private weather, technological prophecy and highly deniable weapons.
The Future is a handful of friends—the daughter of a cult leader, a non-binary hacker, an ousted Silicon Valley visionary, the concerned wife of a dangerous CEO, and an internet-famous survivalist—hatching a daring plan. It could be the greatest heist ever. Or the cataclysmic end of civilization.
The Future is what you see if you don’t look behind you.
The Future is the only reason to do anything, the only object of desire.
The Future is here." 

This book was very different from what I expected based on the blurb, but definitely not in a bad way, because I really enjoyed the story.

The book started out slow. There are quite a few (rather similar) characters to keep track of, and at the same time you’re trying to understand this world; how it’s different and yet eerily similar to our own. But once you get past the initial setup/work, you’ll have a hard time putting it down. It’s fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of twists that keep you hooked.
The book is set a few decades in the future, and it imagines a world where climate change, income disparity, and the power of a few billionaires have only gotten worse. It’s a chilling but thought-provoking vision of where we might be headed. The idea of these billionaires having secret bunkers (safe from the chaos they helped create) is terrifyingly plausible. It’s the kind of premise that makes you pause and think, "Wait, could this actually happen?"
I liked the perspective on AI and how it’s woven into the story, especially with how omnipresent it is now.

My only gripe is that I didn’t really care for the characters. They felt too shallow or one-dimensional to read like real people. I wanted more depth, more nuance to them; something to make me connect with them emotionally. But even with that, the ideas and themes carried the story for me.

There are so many great ideas in this book. Alderman is clearly a brilliant thinker, and The Future will make you think about things you’ve never considered before. That’s definitely what I loved most about it.

 Have you read The Future? What did you think? Did it make you see the book differently, or did you find it as thought-provoking and suspenseful as I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Christopher Buehlman: The Blacktongue Thief

Hi everyone

I finally finished Christopher Buehlman's The Blacktongue Thief, the first book in the Blacktongue series.
My copy is from Bol.com.

"Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes (but is not limited to) lock-picking, knife-fighting, wall-scaling, fall-breaking, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics. His debt has driven him to lie in wait by the old forest road, planning to rob the next traveler that crosses his path.
But today, Kinch Na Shannack has picked the wrong mark.
Galva is a knight, a survivor of the brutal goblin wars, and handmaiden of the goddess of death. She is searching for her queen, missing since a distant northern city fell to giants.
Unsuccessful in his robbery and lucky to escape with his life, Kinch now finds his fate entangled with Galva's. Common enemies and uncommon dangers force thief and knight on an epic journey where goblins hunger for human flesh, krakens hunt in dark waters, and honor is a luxury few can afford." 

This book was not my cup of tea. I can see why others might enjoy or even love it, but I really didn’t.
The biggest issue for me was Kinch. He’s written as too childlike, both in his actions and in the way he talks. His constant cringy tone and stupid, predictable, and repetitive jokes aggravated me. I found it hard to connect with him or take him seriously, which made it difficult to stay engaged with the story.

The structure of the book also frustrated me. You get a chapter that follows the main storyline, and then the next chapter is either a giant infodump or a way-too-long flashback. This kept throwing me out of the story, breaking the pacing, and making it hard to want to keep reading. The main storyline itself felt like a bunch of loosely connected short stories; there was too much happening too fast, and it all felt too superficial. The whole book felt fragmented, which made it very hard for me to enjoy it.

That said, there were some bright spots. I did like Galva and her magic; I just wish she had been more central to the story. Norrigal was okay; she was interesting but also very predictable. And I enjoyed the goblins as a race and their history. Christopher Buehlman clearly put a lot of thought into their culture and lore, which was one of the more engaging parts of the book.

All in all, The Blacktongue Thief was a very forgettable story for me. It had some interesting elements, but they weren’t enough to make up for the frustrating pacing, the childish protagonist, and the disjointed storytelling.

Have you read The Blacktongue Thief? Did you feel the same way, or did it work for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena  

Terry Pratchett: The Truth

Hi everyone 

This was my third time reading The Truth by the inimitable Terry Pratchett. It’s the 25th Discworld novel, but it’s one you can start with even if you haven’t read the previous books. Some familiar characters make an appearance, but it’s mostly a fresh cast of wonderful and lovable people. If you’re curious, you can read my previous review from my second read-through here (It was my second review on this blog!)

"William de Worde is the accidental editor of the Discworld's first newspaper. Now he must cope with the traditional perils of a journalist's life - people who want him dead, a recovering vampire with a suicidal fascination for flash photography, some more people who want him dead in a different way and, worst of all, the man who keeps begging him to publish pictures of his humorously shaped potatoes.
William just wants to get at THE TRUTH. Unfortunately, everyone else wants to get at William. And it's only the third edition..."

This book was such a joy to read; I loved every moment of it and found myself reading long after I should have gone to sleep. While the Industrial Revolution subseries of Discworld isn’t my absolute favorite, The Truth stands out as something special to me. 

What makes The Truth so brilliant is how it pokes fun at journalism, media, and the pursuit of truth; all topics that feel just as relevant today as they did when the book was first published. William de Worde is such a relatable and endearing protagonist. He’s just a guy with baggage, trying to do the right thing in a world that’s utterly chaotic, unpredictable, and ever-changing. 
But my absolute favorite character in this book is Otto Chriek, the recovering vampire with a passion for photography. His way of talking, his clever wit, and his obsession with capturing the perfect shot (even at the cost of his own well-being) make him unforgettable. There’s something so charming about his enthusiasm and his struggle with the black ribbon.

One of the things I love most about Pratchett’s writing is how he weaves in social commentary without ever feeling preachy. The Truth is no exception. The story is hilarious, vivid, clever, witty, and it makes you laugh, think and agree with everything going on. 

It’s a book that makes you laugh out loud one minute and nod in agreement the next, as it explores themes like the power of the press, the nature of truth, and the absurdity of human (and non-human) behavior. The way Pratchett balances satire, humor, and heart is pure genius. The story is vivid, clever, and witty, and it leaves you feeling like you’ve just spent time with old friends.

Have you read The Truth? What’s your favorite Discworld novel? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

New Year's Bookhaul

Hi everyone,

As is tradition in my family, we all receive a book from my parents every year. This has been going on since I was a really small child, and now my parents give books to my brother and me, our partners, and my daughters. I love this tradition so much; it’s always such a joy to see what everyone likes reading and to watch my girls get excited about their new books too!

This year, the book I received was:

- Jen Williams:Talonsister

I’m so excited to dive into this one! Jen Williams’ worldbuilding and storytelling were amazing in The Ninth Rain so after finishing The Winnowing Flame series I will definitely continue with this duology.

Do you have any holiday book-related traditions in your family? Or maybe a favorite book you’ve received as a gift? I’d love to hear about it!
If you’ve read Talonsister already, let me know what you thought; I’m always curious to hear others’ opinions before I start! 

Happy reading!
Helena 

My Favorite Books of 2025

Hi everyone

Looking back at my reading year, I realize I must have been very critical in 2025. Out of the 95 books I read, only 13 earned the full five stars from me. But those five-star books; they were so worth it!

Here are the stories that stole my heart, made me think, or just swept me away completely:

- Katherine Addison: The Tomb of Dragons  

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Strikes 

- Becky Chambers: A Prayer for the Crown-Shy 

- Roald Dahl: Matilda 

- Jonathan French: The True Bastards 

- Eowyn Ivey: To the Bright Edge of the World  

- Cameron Johnston: The Maleficent Seven 

- Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

- Harriet Muncaster: Isabella Maan gaat naar de kermis 

- Emma Newman: Before Mars

- Terry Pratchett: The Fifth Elephant 

- Dennis E. Taylor: Not Till We Are Lost  

- Jen Williams: The Ninth Rain 

Each of these books stood out for a reason; whether it was the characters, the world, or the way they made me feel. They’re the ones I’ll remember, recommend, and reread for years to come.

What were your favorite reads of 2025? Did any of these make your list too? I’d love to hear what five-star books you (re)discovered! 

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: 2025

Hi everyone

Happy new year!

2025 had its ups and downs, like every year, but I’m grateful to say there were no major problems in our family. Instead, it was a year filled with lots of fun together; family time, cozy evenings with just my husband and me, catching up with extended family, and, of course, plenty of me-time with a book nestled in bed or on the couch.
For me, reading is my perfect way to recharge; curling up with a blanket and a cup of tea, especially when the world outside is cold and rainy. And in 2025, I did a lot of that.

I read a total of 95 books in 2025, not counting the books I didn’t finish.  

Series I started reading:

- Ilona Andrews: Kate Daniels 

- Jim Butcher: Codex Alera 

- Robin Hobb: The Rain Wild Chronicles 

- Benedict Jacka: Inheritance of Magic 

- Brian McClellan: Powder Mage

- Jen Williams: The Winnowing Flame 

 

Series I continued reading:

- Ben Aaronovitch: Rivers of London 

- Terry Pratchett: Discworld 

- Patrick Rothfuss: The Kingkiller Chronicle 

- Dennis E. Taylor: Bobiverse 

 

Series I finished reading:

- Katherine Addison: The Cemeteries of Amalo 

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot  

- Becky Chambers: Monk and Robot

- Emma Newman: Planetfall

- Shelley Parker-Chan: The Radiant Emperor 

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Earth

- Dennis E. Taylor: Quantum Earth  

Series I started and finished reading:

- M. R. Carey: Pandominion 

- Jonathan French: The Lot Lands

Series I quit reading:

- Joe Abercrombie: The Age of Madness

- Trudi Canavan: Millennium's Rule 

- Glen Cook: Chronicles of the Black Company 

- David Dalglish: Shadowdance 

- Fonda Lee: The Green Bone Saga  

- Tasha Suri: The Books of Ambha 

- Rebecca Thorne: Tomes & Teas 

- Martha Wells: The Rising World 

Here are all the books I read this year with a link to the review.

- Benedict Jacka: An Inheritance of Magic 

- Eowyn Ivey: To the Bright Edge of the World 

- Fredrik Backman: A Man Called Ove 

- Grant Snider: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf 

- Rebecca Thorne: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea 

- Jonathan French: The Grey Bastards 

- N. K. Jemisin: Emergency Skin 

- Greg Pizzoli: Worstje en zijn vrienden

- Robin Hobb: Dragon Keeper

- Sam Harris: The End of Faith

- Sarah Andersen: Adulthood Is a Myth

- Fonda Lee: Jade City 

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Bites

- Tasha Suri: Empire of Sand

- Philippa Perry: The Book You Want Everyone You Love To Read

- David Dalglish: A Dance of Blades

- Darren Hardy: The Compound Effect

- Julie Leong: The Teller of Small Fortunes

- Joe Abercrombie: The Trouble With Peace

- Dennis E. Taylor: Earthside

- Terry Pratchett: The Last Continent 

- Becky Chambers: A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

- Stephen King: The Dark Half 

- Neil Gaiman: The Ocean at the End of the Lane 

- Bessel van der Kolk: The Body Keeps the Score

- Richard Matheson: A Stir of Echoes

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Escapes

- Terry Practhett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Mars

- Jim Butcher: Furies of Calderon 

- The Poetry of Emily Dickinson

- Harriet Muncaster: Isabella Maan gaat naar de kermis

- Harriet Muncaster: Mirabelle heeft een slechte dag

- Paul van Loon: Birthday Surprise

- Paul van Loon: Full Moon

- Shelley Parker-Chan: He Who Drowned the World

- Emma Newman: Before Mars

- Rachel Joyce: Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North

- Yoko Ogawa: Revenge 

- Stephen Aryan: Of Gods and Men

- Jonathan French: The True Bastards

- Trudi Canavan: Thief's Magic

- Martha Wells: Witch King 

- Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

- Yuval Noah Harari: Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Burns

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Protects

- Christian White: The Nowhere Child

- Terry Pratchett: Carpe Jugulum 

- David Dalglish: A Dance of Mirrors 

- Marie Brennan: The Waking of Angantyr 

- Margaret Atwood: Surfacing 

- T. J. Klune: Under the Whispering Door

- Tommy Orange: Wandering Stars

- Neil Gaiman: Coraline 

- Glen Cook: The Black Company 

- Vernor Vinge: A Fire Upon the Deep 

- Katherine Addison: The Tomb of Dragons

- Brandon Sanderson: Tress of the Emerald Sea

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Utopia 

- Lori Gottlieb: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

- Brian Jacques: Redwall

- Robin Hobb: Dragon Haven

- M. R. Carey: Infinity Gate

- Jim Butcher: Academ's Fury

- Mark Manson: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

- Cameron Johnston: The Maleficent Seven

- Ben Aaronovitch: The Masquerades of Spring

- Roald Dahl: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

- Jonathan French: The Free Bastards 

- Terry Pratchett: The Fifth Elephant

- Grant Snider: The Art of Living 

- Delia Owens: Where the Crawdads Sing

- Dennis E. Taylor: Not Till We Are Lost 

- Jen Williams: The Ninth Rain

- Emma Newman: Atlas Alone

- Patrick Rothfuss: The Narrow Road Between Desires

- Werner Herzog: Of Walking in Ice

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Cosmos

- Nikki Erlick: The Measure

- Benedict Jacka: An Instruction in Shadow 

- Debbie Mirza: The Covert Passive Agressive

- Brian McClellan: The Crimson Campaign  

- M. R. Carey: Echo of Worlds 

- Claire Keegan: Small Things Like These 

- Roald Dahl: Matilda

- Sequoia Nagamatsu:Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone 

- Lindsay C. Gibson: Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

- Leslye Penelope: Daughter of the Merciful Deep 

- Ilona Andrews: A Questionable Client 

- Samantha Harvey: Orbital

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Strikes

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Mourns

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Dreams 

 

I already have a list (of course I do!) with about 25 books I definitely want to read in 2026. But aside from those, I plan on reading whatever I want. Because reading should be fun, not a chore.
In 2025, I reread some children’s books with my eldest daughter and even read a few of her favorites just because I wanted to. It reminded me that there’s no “should” in reading. Never let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn’t read! I try to live by the saying: “You do you.” 

Do you have any book recommendations for me? Or did you read something amazing in 2025 that I could add to my list for next year? Let me know in the comments; I’d love to hear from you!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2026 filled with incredible books and cozy reading moments. Here’s to another year of adventures between the pages!

Happy reading
Helena 

Wrap Up: December 2025

Hi everyone

December is always one of the busiest months in our house (and I suspect it’s the same for most of you!). Between Sinterklaas, Christmas decorating, ordering and wrapping gifts, writing holiday cards, entertaining family, and visiting loved ones, it’s a whirlwind. 
But we managed to end the year on a high note with a short getaway to Center Parcs with our children, and we had a really, really lovely time. 
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season too! 

Even with all the holiday hustle, I still found time to squeeze in some reading. Here’s what I dove into last month:

- Debbie Mirza: The Covert Passive Agressive

- Brian McClellan: The Crimson Campaign  

- M. R. Carey: Echo of Worlds 

- Claire Keegan: Small Things Like These 

- Roald Dahl: Matilda

- Sequoia Nagamatsu:Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone 

- Lindsay C. Gibson: Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

- Leslye Penelope: Daughter of the Merciful Deep 

- Ilona Andrews: A Questionable Client 

- Samantha Harvey: Orbital

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Strikes

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Mourns

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Dreams 

Did you find time to read in December, or were you too busy with holiday prep? Did you discover any new favorites or reread old ones? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Ilona Andrews: Magic Strikes

Hi everyone

Magic Strikes is the third full-length novel in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. Depending on the time I have left this year, I might squeeze in one or two of the Kate Daniels short stories. 😉
I read this one on my e-reader.

"When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it’s a job for Kate Daniels…
Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.
But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games—an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament—she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community…"

This book was so much fun! Seriously, I couldn’t put it down. I even stayed up way too late reading it after finishing my December and 2025 wrap-ups and my Favorites blog post (those are coming soon, by the way!). The story is just that addicting.

The Kate Daniels series just keeps getting better. 
The action is relentless, the worldbuilding is rich, and the characters are just so darn likable. Kate is still my favorite; brave, tough, sarcastic, and fiercely loyal.
Her dynamic with Curran is a highlight, and I love that their slow-burn romance isn’t full off flowery prose, over-the-top declarations, swooning, daydreaming, drooling, ... Instead, it’s grounded in real emotions; fears, hurt, anger, and heartbreak; which makes their relationship feel authentic. 
In the earlier books, some characters felt a bit shallow, but here, they really start to shine and feel like real people.
The Midnight Games were such a cool addition to the story. The action scenes are fast-paced and brutal, but they never feel gratuitous. The action never lest up, it's one thing after another with barely a moment to catch your breath. 
What I love most about this series is how well-balanced it is; there’s humor, love, action and high stakes, all wrapped up in a world where magic and technology clash. Plus, the family/friendship vibes with Kate’s few friends (and her growing bond with the Pack) just make it all the more satisfying.
I also really liked the introduction of monsters from different religions and cultures. It was a breath of fresh air.

Have you read Magic Strikes or any of the Kate Daniels books? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Samantha Harvey: Orbital

Hi everyone

I just finished Samantha Harvey's Orbital, the book that won her (among others) the 2024 Booker Prize.
I read this on my e-reader.

"Orbital deftly snapshots one day in the lives of six women and men traveling through space. Selected for one of the last space station missions of its kind before the program is dismantled, these astronauts and cosmonauts—from America, Russia, Italy, Britain, and Japan—have left their lives behind to travel at a speed of over seventeen thousand miles an hour as the earth reels below. We glimpse moments of their earthly lives through brief communications with family, their photos and talismans; we watch them whip up dehydrated meals, float in gravity-free sleep, and exercise in regimented routines to prevent atrophying muscles; we witness them form bonds that will stand between them and utter solitude. Most of all, we are with them as they behold and record their silent blue planet. Their experiences of sixteen sunrises and sunsets and the bright, blinking constellations of the galaxy are at once breathtakingly awesome and surprisingly intimate."

This book was not my cup of tea at all. If it had been longer, I’m sure I would’ve given up on it. I struggled to read more than 10 minutes at a time.

The problem wasn’t that nothing much happens; I can enjoy character-driven novels where the focus is on atmosphere, thoughts, and observations. But Orbital isn’t that. Instead, it feels like an endless list of geographical features (lakes, cities, mountains, rivers) seen from space. When it’s not cataloging Earth’s landscape, it’s filled with repetitive musings about life, God, and home. This is not a novel, this is an essay or a school lesson and not a particularly good one either. 
The potential here is huge: six people from different cultures, confined in a space station, with all the tension, bonding, and psychological depth that could come from that. But nothing happens. There’s no conflict, no real character development, no exploration of their relationships or the toll of isolation. 
The characters all blend together; there’s no distinction between them, no unique voices or perspectives. They might as well be the same person repeated six times.
The writing style didn’t help either. The prose is too flowery, too grandiose, like it’s trying so hard to be Grand Literature, sound intellectual or to impress a prize committee. Instead of feeling profound, it comes across as pretentious and empty.  

All in all, Orbital had so much promise, but it failed to deliver for me. 

Have you read Orbital? Did it work for you, or did you feel the same way? I’d love to hear your thoughts; especially if you disagreed with me! 

Happy reading!
Helena

Christmas Bookhaul

Hi everyone

We celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our extended families, and I was so lucky to receive some wonderful gifts! My in-laws and grandparents gave me money (which, obviously, will go straight to buying more books 😉), my husband and daughters surprised me with a Hedwig Squishmallow (so cute!) and gorgeous earrings, and my parents gifted me a Jan Van Haasteren puzzle (I love their puzzles; they’re so much fun to put together!) and three new books.
It’s clear that everyone knows me well; and I couldn’t be happier! 💛

Here are the books I was gifted:

- James S. A. Corey: The Mercy of Gods

- Robin Hobb: Fool's Assassin

- Ed McDonald: Daughter of Redwinter 

Did you receive any new books over the holidays? Or maybe something else you’d love to share? 

Wishing you all wonderful holidays and plenty of cozy reading time.

Happy reading!
Helena 

 

 

Leslye Penelope: Daughter of the Merciful Deep

Hi everyone

I just finished Daughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye Penelope. I’m not in love with the cover, but it’s not awful either; it was really the premise that drew me in.
I got my book from Bol.com.

"Jane Edwards hasn’t spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she’s found a haven in the all-Black town of Awenasa. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.
Jane will do anything to save the community that sheltered her. So, when a man with uncanny abilities arrives in town asking strange questions, she wonders if he's might be the key. But as the stranger hints at gods and ancestral magic, Jane is captivated by a bigger mystery. She knows this man. Only the last time she saw him, he was dead. His body laid to rest in a rushing river.
Who is the stranger and what is he really doing in Awenasa? To find those answers, Jane will journey into a sunken world, a land of capricious gods and unsung myths, of salvation and dreams made real. But the flood waters are rising. To gain the miracle she desires, Jane will have to find her voice again and finally face the trauma of the past." 

This book had so much potential, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver for me.

I really liked the Historical Aspect. The flooding of Black towns and the rampant racism were the most compelling parts of the story. Penelope did a great job of highlighting the injustice and resilience of Black communities. But the story starts as historical fiction and takes a loooong time before any magical elements appear. There’s so much filler; endless inner monologues, pointless conversations, and scenes where Jane just follows people around. It made the book feel slow and boring at times. And when the story finally shifts to the underwater world, it feels like a completely different book. The historical aspect disappears, and suddenly we’re in full magical realism mode. The transition wasn’t smooth either; it felt like two separate stories rather than a blended narrative.
The mix of Christianity and African gods was a strange choice. It felt like the book couldn’t decide which path to take, so it tried to do both and ended up not fully committing to either.

Jane is supposed to be in her twenties, but she often reads much younger, which was frustrating. Her voice didn’t feel authentic for her age, and her actions sometimes seemed too passive for someone who’s supposed to be fighting for her community.

I really didn’t understand why Grace treated Jane so poorly when everyone else in the town accepts her being mute. Grace is nasty, and their father just lets her get away with it. It didn’t feel believable or well-explained, and it made their family dynamic feel unrealistic.

Daughter of the Merciful Deep had a promising premise, but the execution left me disappointed. 
Have you read this book or anything else by Leslye Penelope? Did you feel the same way about the shift in genres, or did it work for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Claire Keegan: Small Things Like These

Hi everyone

Small Things Like These is a little book by Claire Keegan. The beautiful cover totally sucked me in. 
I got my book from Bol.com.

"It is 1985, in an Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, faces into his busiest season. As he does the rounds, he feels the past rising up to meet him - and encounters the complicit silences of a people controlled by the Church."

This was lovely and a perfect winter or Christmas read.

I loved the atmosphere and the setting. You can feel the cold air and see your breath misting the windows. Keegan writes so evocatively!
It was refreshing and compelling to experience the story through the eyes of a man who doesn’t fully understand what’s happening; while the women around him do. That ignorance and slow realization added a layer of tension and tragedy.
I loved the story at its heart, about small acts of kindness in a cruel world, about silence that speaks louder than words, and about what we choose to see, what we look away from and why. It’s a gentle but profound exploration of morality, guilt, and the weight of doing (or not doing) the right thing. 

But I expected more. There's not much to the story, not much happens. The story unfolds over just a few days, and while that adds to the intensity, it also felt too limited and too much is left unsaid. I'm also left with too many unanswered questions; what happens after they get home? How do his wife, his children and the community react to his decision? It feels like the book stops just as the real story is about to begin (or at the very least the second part of the book).

The story is a bit too sweet and cozy for the topic of the Magdalene Sisters. a dark, gruesome, painful chapter in Irish history where women and girls were imprisoned, abused, and exploited by the Church. But the treatment of this topic felt too sweet, too cozy for such a brutal reality. I wanted more impact, more confrontational truth. 
We learned about this in high school so I immediately recognized what was happening but I can't imagine everyone reading this book knows what happened. So I really feel it should have been more at the front of the story, more elaborated on this.

Have you read Small Things Like These? What did you think of the balance between sweetness and the harsh topic? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

M. R. Carey: Echo of Worlds

Hi everyone 

Echo of Worlds is the second book in the Pandominion duology by M. R. Carey (or Mike Carey). 
I got my book from Bol.com.

"Two mighty empires are at war - and both will lose, with thousands of planets falling to the extinction event called the Scour. At least that's what the artificial intelligence known as Rupshe believes.
But somewhere in the multiverse there exists a force - the Mother Mass - that could end the war in an instant, and Rupshe has assembled a team to find it. Essien Nkanika, a soldier trying desperately to atone for past sins; the cat-woman Moon, a conscienceless killer; the digitally recorded mind of physicist Hadiz Tambuwal; Paz, an idealistic child and the renegade robot spy Dulcimer Coronal.
Their mission will take them from the hellish prison world of Tsakom to the poisoned remains of a post-apocalyptic Earth, and finally bring them face to face with the Mother Mass itself. But can they persuade it to end eons of neutrality and help them? And is it too late to make a difference?
Because the Pandominion's doomsday machines are about to be unleashed - and not even their builders know how to control them." 

First, let’s talk about everything I loved. The characters are fantastic; every single one is distinct, fully fleshed out, and compelling. I cared about the ones I was supposed to care for, and I disliked the ones I was supposed to dislike (even though I understood their motivations). Carey has a real talent for creating characters who feel like real people, people who are layerd and can be morally gray. 
The worldbuilding and concepts are also fascinating. The idea of a multiverse at war, with an extinction-level threat looming, is gripping. The setting is vivid and it makes you think about our world. I love the idea of these stepwise worlds and the endless possibilities it could give us if this were true. 

Unfortunately, my biggest issue with Echo of Worlds is the same one I had with Infinity Gate: the writing is dense, and the pacing is all over the place. The first 200 pages were a real struggle. The writing style is so dense and technical that I found myself easily distracted by the smallest things. It didn’t feel like a relaxing read at all. The technical exposés that sometimes take up multiple pages didn’t help; they pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in. Reading this book felt more like work than enjoyment for most of the time.  

I was really excited about the concept of the Mother Mass, but it felt underrealized. It had so much potential but it felt like a missed opportunity.
The ending didn’t feel satisfying at all. Without giving away spoilers, the resolution relied heavily on a deus ex machina; something I always absolutely hate. We’re just supposed to trust it to know what’s best for everyone? That’s not how I like my stories to wrap up.

Echo of Worlds has amazing ideas and characters, but the execution left me frustrated. The dense writing, uneven pacing, and unsatisfying ending made it a tough read for me. In the end, it just didn’t deliver the experience I was hoping for.

Have you read The Pandominion Duology? What did you think? Did you struggle with the pacing like I did or maybe it wasn't a problem for you? Let me know in the comments; I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena