Rachel Joyce: Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North

Hi everyone

Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North is the third book in the Harold Fry series by Rachel Joyce. It's not a series where you need to read the books in order though I would recommend doing so just to know the backstory.
I got my book from Bol.

"Ten years ago, Harold Fry set off on his epic journey on foot to save a friend. But the story doesn't end there.
Now his wife, Maureen, has her own pilgrimage to make.
Maureen Fry has settled into the quiet life she now shares with her husband Harold after his iconic walk across England. Now, ten years later, an unexpected message from the North disturbs her equilibrium again, and this time it is Maureen's turn to make her own journey.
But Maureen is not like Harold. She struggles to bond with strangers, and the landscape she crosses has changed radically. She has little sense of what she'll find at the end of the road. All she knows is that she must get there." 

I really enjoyed this.  
Maureen is not my favourite character in the series, she's angry, she's spitfull, impolite and disrespectful. 
But because you know what she went through, you excuse this behaviour a bit more, you sympathize with her. I am glad she changes though. She lightens up, she can see other's perspectives better, she's open to people and experiences.
The writing is easy to read, the story flows nicely and is never overly dramatic. 

Happy reading!
Helena  

Wrap Up: May 2025

Hi everyone

May was a great reading month. Because I didn't really enjoy Parker-Chan's He Who Drowned the World; I read four children's book at the same time and I really enjoyed this combination.

Here's what I read: 

- 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

How was you month?

Happy reading!
Helena

 

Emma Newman: Before Mars

Hi everyone

This is the review for my second time reading the third book in the Planetfall series; Before Mars; written by Emma Newman. I read my own copy.
The first time I read this, I didn't review it so you won't be able to find that review here on my blog.

"After months of travel, Anna Kubrin finally arrives on Mars for her new job as a geologist and de facto artist-in-residence. Already she feels like she is losing the connection with her husband and baby at home on Earth--and she'll be on Mars for over a year. Throwing herself into her work, she tries her best to fit in with the team.
But in her new room on the base, Anna finds a mysterious note written in her own handwriting, warning her not to trust the colony psychologist. A note she can't remember writing. She unpacks her wedding ring, only to find it has been replaced by a fake.
Finding a footprint in a place the colony AI claims has never been visited by humans, Anna begins to suspect that her assignment isn't as simple as she was led to believe. Is she caught up in an elaborate corporate conspiracy, or is she actually losing her mind? Regardless of what horrors she might discover, or what they might do to her sanity, Anna has find the truth before her own mind destroys her."

I loved this just as much as the first time. I had forgotten what was going on so I felt the suspense as much as the first time. 
Emma Newman's writing style is easy to read, I love her worlds, her characters are full persons and distinct from one another, the plot is really interesting; I really wanted to keep on reading. And I really enjoy her writing about mental illness and trauma in her characters.

Highly recommended!

Happy reading.
Helena

Shelley Parker-Chan: He Who Drowned the World

Hi everyone

He Who Drowned the World is the second and last book in Parker-Chan's series The Radiant Emperor.
I read this on my e-reader.

You can read my review for the first book here.

"How much would you give to win the world?
Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, is riding high after her victory that tore southern China from its Mongol masters. Now she burns with a new desire: to seize the throne and crown herself emperor.
But Zhu isn’t the only one with imperial ambitions. Her neighbor in the south, the courtesan Madam Zhang, wants the throne for her husband—and she’s strong enough to wipe Zhu off the map. To stay in the game, Zhu will have to gamble everything on a risky alliance with an old enemy: the talented but unstable eunuch general Ouyang, who has already sacrificed everything for a chance at revenge on his father’s killer, the Great Khan.
Unbeknownst to the southerners, a new contender is even closer to the throne. The scorned scholar Wang Baoxiang has maneuvered his way into the capital, and his lethal court games threaten to bring the empire to its knees. For Baoxiang also desires revenge: to become the most degenerate Great Khan in history—and in so doing, make a mockery of every value his Mongol warrior family loved more than him.
All the contenders are determined to do whatever it takes." 

This was so, so, soooo boring and repetitive. I can't tell you how many times we were told the same things over and over about events or charactertraits. Both the reiterations and being told about them instead of shown angered me. I wanted to finish it to find out how it ends but I had to pace myself because I would either nod off, loose all interest in reading anything or get angry.
Next, it's too sexually explicit. I agree it is part of the story and sometimes necessary but not as much as it is put in the book.
Lastly (I think), it's too dark in tone. There's not one moment with a glimmer of hope. I enjoy grimdark fantasy but I still need something to believe in, to hope for and to root for but there's nothing here.

So yeah, not a great read.

Happy reading!
Helena

Paul van Loon: Birthday Surprise and Full Moon

Hi everyone

My daughter Clara, who's seven years old, (she will be eight this summer) enjoys the Alfie the Werewolf series by Paul van Loon a lot. I asked her if I could read them too just because I want to kow what she likes and she gave me the first and the second book in the series.

"Alfie can't wait to turn seven like his friend Tim, but something strange is happening. When on his birthday, under the light of the full moon, he sprouts fur, grows fangs and develops a wolfish appetite, it's clear he's doing more than turning seven - he's turning into a WEREWOLF! But it's not all bad - now Alfie's great at gym, has the guts to stand up to the school bully and is invited to parties. Maybe being a werewolf isn't so bad after all?"

These were a fast read, very fun, filled with great friendships and loving family, thrilling action and perfect for her age. I'm quite sure I would have loved this series too.

Happy reading!
Helena

Bookhaul

 Hi everyone

I got some new books!

Here they are:

- Katherine Addison: The Tomb of Dragons 

- Stephen King: Under the Dome

- A. K. Larkwood: The Unspoken Name

- Shauna Lawless: The Children of Gods and Fighting Men

- Ferdia Lennon: Glorious Exploits

Have you read any of these? If so, how did you find it?

Happy reading!
Helena

Jim Butcher: Furies of Calderon

Hi everyone

Furies of Calderon is het first book in The Codex Alera series, written by Jim Butcher. I read this on my e-reader.

"For a thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies - elementals of earth, air, fire, water, and metal. But now, Gaius Sextus, First Lord of Alera, grows old and lacks an heir. Ambitious High Lords plot and maneuver to place their Houses in positions of power, and a war of succession looms on the horizon. Far from city politics in the Calderon Valley, the boy Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. At fifteen, he has no wind fury to help him fly, no fire fury to light his lamps. Yet as the Alerans' most savage enemy - the Marat - return to the Valley, he will discover that his destiny is much greater than he could ever imagine. Caught in a storm of deadly wind furies, Tavi saves the life of a runaway slave named Amara. But she is actually a spy for Gaius Sextus, sent to the Valley to gather intelligence on traitors to the Crown, who may be in league with the barbaric Marat horde. And when the Valley erupts in chaos - when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies - Amara will find Tavi's courage and resourcefulness to be a power greater than any fury - one that could turn the tides of war."

I liked this but I didn't love it. 
The characters were great, they were nuanced, relatable and well thought out. The magic is interesting (but I would like to know more about it) and the worldbuilding is nicely done.
The plot however was rather thin and predictable. Some things get repeated too many times and that got on my nerves too. It never gets boring and there's lots of action going on to keep the tempo high and the story interesting.

I will read the second book because it's a promising series and I'm curious to see how it will go on, but we'll see about reading the complete series after the second (or third) book.
Also, I really, really enjoy The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, so that's another reason to continue.

Happy reading!
Helena

Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Mars

Hi everyone

This was my second time reading Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxters The Long Mars; the third book in The Long Earth series. You can find my other reviews here. 

"2040-2045: In the years after the cataclysmic Yellowstone eruption there is massive economic dislocation as populations flee Datum Earth to myriad Long Earth worlds. Sally, Joshua, and Lobsang are all involved in this perilous work when, out of the blue, Sally is contacted by her long-vanished father and inventor of the original Stepper device, Willis Linsay. He tells her he is planning a fantastic voyage across the Long Mars and wants her to accompany him. But Sally soon learns that Willis has ulterior motives ...
Meanwhile U. S. Navy Commander Maggie Kauffman has embarked on an incredible journey of her own, leading an expedition to the outer limits of the far Long Earth.
For Joshua, the crisis he faces is much closer to home. He becomes embroiled in the plight of the Next: the super-bright post-humans who are beginning to emerge from their 'long childhood' in the community called Happy Landings, located deep in the Long Earth. Ignorance and fear are causing 'normal' human society to turn against the Next - and a dramatic showdown seems inevitable . . . "

The first half of the book flew by. But by the time I got over halfway through it became quite boring. It's the same. Both Maggie and Sally go exploring for most of the book and they just step. There are a few things happening but too little to keep it engaging.

I did like the writing and the story. The book is just too long for what's actually happening.

Happy reading!
Helena

 

Wrap Up: April 2025

Hi everyone

April was great, we had a lot of sun in between the typical, Belgian grey days. And I read a lot too!

Here's what I read:

-  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

Happy reading!
Helena

Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Escapes

Hi everyone

The Wild Robot Escapes is the second book in The Wild Robot series by Peter Brown.
I got my book from Bol.com.

"Shipwrecked on a remote, wild island, Robot Roz learned from the unwelcoming animal inhabitants and adapted to her surroundings--but can she survive the challenges of the civilized world and find her way home to Brightbill and the island?"

This was a lovely book for children. The drawings are fun and the story is heartwarming. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Happy reading!
Helena 

Richard Matheson: A Stir of Echoes

Hi everyone

I finished A Stir of Echoes by Richard Matheson and I read this on my e-reader.

"Tom Wallace lived an ordinary life, until a chance event awakened psychic abilities he never knew he possessed. Now he's hearing the private thoughts of the people around him-and learning shocking secrets he never wanted to know. But as Tom's existence becomes a waking nightmare, even greater jolts are in store as he becomes the unwilling recipient of a compelling message from beyond the grave!"

This was utterly boring. The writing, the story, the characters. It was a struggle and I was relieved it was so short (228 pages). I don't think I would have been able to finish this one if it were longer.

Happy reading!
Helena

Bessel van der Kolk: The Body Keeps the Score

Hi everyone

The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk is the latest book I read about the topic of trauma and healing. It has been one of the things I've become quite interested in and this book was mentioned by other books on the topic so I wanted to read it too.
I read this on my e-reader.

"Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world's foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers' capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain's natural neuroplasticity. Based on Dr. van der Kolk's own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives."

I was really, really interested and impressed by 70% of the book. The first 70% mostly. It reads as if there's real science behind his words. I am a midwife by training and we obviously learned a lot about the human body. So the anatomy and neurology discussed were not new. I could follow his writing and his interpretations of the consequences. I found hisfirst therapies insightful and interesting.

But the last few chapters? That's where van der Kolk lost me. Those last forms of therapy really felt like they would be as effective and science-backed as chanting in the forest. Only for the real believers.

Happy reading!
Helena

Neil Gaiman: The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Hi everyone

This is the review for my second time reading Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane. 
I have this gorgeous pocket that I reread.

"It began for our narrator forty years ago when the family lodger stole their car and committed suicide in it, stirring up ancient powers best left undisturbed. Dark creatures from beyond this world are on the loose, and it will take everything our narrator has just to stay alive: there is primal horror here, and menace unleashed - within his family and from the forces that have gathered to destroy it.
His only defence is three women, on a farm at the end of the lane. The youngest of them claims that her duckpond is an ocean. The oldest can remember the Big Bang."

I really don't understand why this has earned an average of 4 stars of Goodreads.
The story starts out well enough. The writing is easy to follow, the story unfolds nicely, the setting is interesting, I liked the initial characters and the book has a good pace.
But. But. The characters are completely good or bad. The book is too scary for YA and too young for an adult story. The story itself is just stupid. What the hell is going on? As usual, Neil Gaiman has amazing ideas but he can't execute them, he can't work them into an interesting, coherent story.
That's my opinion naturally. 

What's your experience with Neil Gaiman's books and his writing?

Happy reading!
Helena

Stephen King: The Dark Half

Hi everyone

I felt like it was time to read another Stephen King book and he has a lot of books to choose from.
This time I read The Dark Half. 

"The sparrows are flying again. The idea haunts the edge of Thad Beaumont's mind. He should be happy; for years it is his secret persona 'George Stark', author of super-violent pulp thrillers, who has paid the family bills. But now he is writing seriously again under his own name, and his pseudonym is buried forever."

The Dark Half wasn't as good as I had hoped and expected.
It's way too long drawn out and thus it gets really boring. There are some great action scenes, chilling and frightening sequences but the parts in between drag the plot down, both in pace and in tension.
The ending is very underwhelming, I really expected more out of this book.
I did enjoy the writing, the horror aspects of the story, the cruel and vile George Stark parts were absolutely shocking and great and I liked the plot itself.
It was just way too slow.

That's the way it is for me with King's books. Some I love, some I find mediocre and some I can even DNF.

Happy reading.
Helena

Becky Chambers: A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

Hi everyone

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy is the second book in the Monk and Robot series by Becky Chambers.
I read this on my e-reader because I couldn't find the physical books in the series anywhere. I would love to own them as a paperback though. 

"After touring the rural areas of Panga, Sibling Dex (a Tea Monk of some renown) and Mosscap (a robot sent on a quest to determine what humanity really needs) turn their attention to the villages and cities of the little moon they call home.
They hope to find the answers they seek, while making new friends, learning new concepts, and experiencing the entropic nature of the universe.
Becky Chambers's new series continues to ask: in a world where people have what they want, does having more even matter?
They're going to need to ask it a lot."

This was really, really lovely. It's sweet, cozy, easy, optimistic and warm. Perfect for when you need something light that will make you feel all warm inside.
The only thing I didn't like is the length of the book. We skipped too much story, too many travels and interactions I would have loved to read about. But that's the only thing I can think off.

Happy reading!
Helena

Terry Pratchett: The Last Continent

 Hi everyone

Terry Pratchett's novel The Last Continent is his 22nd book in the Discworld series.
This is my third time reading it and I can't really remember where I got it, but you can surely buy the series here.

"IT'S THE DISCWORLD LAST CONTINENT AND IT'S GOING TO DIE IN A FEW DAYS, EXCEPT...

Who is this hero striding across the red desert? Sheep shearer, beer drinker, bush ranger, and someone who'll even eat a Meat Pie Floater when he's sober.

A man in a hat whose luggage follows him on little legs. Yes, it's Rincewind, the inept wizard who can't even spell wizard. He's the only hero left."

The Last Continent is not my favourite Discworld novel, but it is great nonetheless.
It's fun, full of references, it's a crazy story, fastpaced, lots happening and very enjoyable.

Not an ideal book to get to know the Discworld series though.
I'd recommend The Colour of Magic, Equal Rites or Mort.

Happy reading!
Helena

Dennis E. Taylor: Earthside

 Hi everyone

Earthside is the second book in Dennis E. Taylor's series Quantum Earth.
I read it on my e-reader.

"The Yellowstone super-eruption has put an end to modern civilization. As cities and countries continue to fall, the colony of Rivendell in the alternate Earth known as Outland looks more and more like the only real hope for humanity. But life in Rivendell isn’t getting any simpler, either. Bill and Kevin continue to discover new worlds; the population continues to rise; winter is approaching; and everyone has their own opinion about how things should be run.
Then, a garbled plea for help from Omaha sends most of the security forces back Earthside to investigate, leaving Outland’s police force understaffed just as a large group of refugees arrives with its own ideas and power structure. With threats from both inside and outside, will the colony even survive until spring?" 

This was a light read, very entertaining and enjoyable, lots of fun characters, predictable plot, people to get angry with and I love the setting.
Nothing really special and rather shallow plot and characters, but it truly is enjoyable.

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: March 2025

 Hi everyone

I read more than expected last month!
Here's the list of the books I read in March 2025.

- 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

How was your month? Did you read anything good?

Happy reading!
Helena

Joe Abercrombie: The Trouble With Peace

 Hi everyone

The Trouble With Peace is Joe Abercrombie's second book in The Age of Madness series.
I got my copy from Bol.com.

"Conspiracy. Betrayal. Rebellion.
Peace is just another kind of battlefield...
Savine dan Glokta, once Adua’s most powerful investor, finds her judgement, fortune and reputation in tatters. But she still has all her ambitions, and no scruple will be permitted to stand in her way.
For heroes like Leo dan Brock and Stour Nightfall, only happy with swords drawn, peace is an ordeal to end as soon as possible. But grievances must be nursed, power seized and allies gathered first, while Rikke must master the power of the Long Eye . . . before it kills her.
The Breakers still lurk in the shadows, plotting to free the common man from his shackles, while noblemen bicker for their own advantage. Orso struggles to find a safe path through the maze of knives that is politics, only for his enemies, and his debts, to multiply.
The old ways are swept aside, and the old leaders with them, but those who would seize the reins of power will find no alliance, no friendship, and no peace, lasts forever."

No. 
This was utterly boring.
Orso, Savine, Leo, even Rikke; they are all in a constant state of 'woe is me'. It's as if they are totally different characters from the previous book.They were strong and confident and they are now reduced to people who are downtrodden and completely passive with no goals or even will to live, let alone prosper. I was hoping they'd die so we could focus on more interesting people, didn't happen though.
I like reading Abercrombie for his action, the humour, the battlescenes, the politics, the daily life, not for the whining of the characters.
The overall tone stays the same throughout the novel, there's never anything good happening, not much good in the characters either. His grimdark style would hit harder if his writing made us feel something for the characters. Now there's no glimmer of light or hope anywhere and that doesn't help to make us feel and care for the characters.
Nothing actually happens. The plot is very vague with seemingly a lot happening while there's actually nothing progressing. It's so slow it was a struggle to finish.

Happy reading!
Helena

Bookhaul

Hi everyone

I got three new books! So happy with these and I'm looking forward to reading them.

- Jonathan French: The True Bastards

- Robin Hobb: Dragon Haven

- Patrick Rothfuss: The Narrow Road Between Desires

Have you read any of these? If so, did you like them?

Happy reading!
Helena

Julie Leong: The Teller of Small Fortunes

Hi everyone

The Teller of Small Fortunes is the debut novel of Julie Leong.
I read this gem on my e-reader.

"Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells "small" fortunes: whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences…
Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and—of course—a slightly magical cat.
Tao sets down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past are closing in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have." 

I really enjoyed this. It's easy to read, it has lovely, likeable characters you care for, it's an adventure, they see a lot of their world and it has an interesting magic.

The part where they go on a sidequest in search of a treasure was just out of the blue. No point to it, didn't add anything to the story, just a strange sidetrack to follow.

Aside from that, very enjoyable, sweet, light and cozy.

Whatever Julie Leong does next, I read it!

Happy reading!
Helena

Darren Hardy: The Compound Effect

 Hi everyone

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy was mentioned in another book I recently read so I went searching for it on my e-reader. 

"No gimmicks. No Hyperbole. No Magic Bullet. The Compound Effect is based on the principle that decisions shape your destiny. Little, everyday decisions will either take you to the life you desire or to disaster by default. Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine, presents The Compound Effect, a distillation of the fundamental principles that have guided the most phenomenal achievements in business, relationships, and beyond. This easy-to-use, step-by-step operating system allows you to multiply your success, chart your progress, and achieve any desire. If you’re serious about living an extraordinary life, use the power of The Compound Effect to create the success you want."

I really disliked this. The man is absolutely full of himself. I loathed the writing and the constant hyperbole-style talk. It's as if he's invented fire or something equally important instead of this simple theory. Most people he mentions I've never even heard of.
The theory behind The Compound Effect is only worth a chapter, not a whole book.

Happy reading!
Helena

David Dalglish: A Dance of Blades

 Hi everyone

A Dance of Blades is the second book in the Shadowdance series, written by David Dalglish.
I read this on my e-reader.

"It's been five years since Haern faked his death to escape the tyranny of his father. He has become the Watcher, a vicious killer who knows no limits, and whose hatred of the thief guilds is unrivaled. But when the son of Alyssa Gemcroft, one of the three leaders of the powerful Trifect, is believed murdered, the slaughter begins anew. Mercenaries flood the streets, with one goal in find and kill the Watcher."

I really enjoyed this book. The writing is easy to read, I like the characters, it's full of action and fighting, the story never slows down and I like the worldbuilding.

One thing I didn't love; the character of Alyssa. She just felt off. Boring, uninterested in anything happening in her world, naive and definitely not a strong, powerful character like the others. I really disliked reading her chapters.

Happy reading!
Helena

 

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

 Hi everyone

After reading Philippa Perry's The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read, I really wanted to read her most famous work.
I read this on my e-reader.

"Life is all about relationships and the quality of those connections, whether that's with family, partners, friends, colleagues or most importantly yourself. If you can get those relationships on a functional and even keel, then the other tricky stuff that life throws your way becomes easier to manage.
In this warm, practical and witty book, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling psychotherapist Philippa Perry shows you how to approach life's big problems.
How do you find and keep love? What can you do to manage conflict better? How can you get unstuck and cope with change and loss? What does it mean to you to be content? Are other people just annoying or are you the problem?
With a healthy dose of sanity, Philippa Perry's compassionate advice could help you become a happier, wiser person."

I didn't gain much fromt his book. There's not really anything new here. It's certainly not written in a scientific style but rather in 'talk with your aunt' way with too many stories about others.
Not for me.

Happy reading!
Helena

Tasha Suri: Empire of Sand

 Hi everyone

This is my short review for Tasha Suri's Empire of Sand. I got my copy from Bol.com.
Empire of Sand is the first book in Suri's duology The Books of Ambha.

"Mehr is a girl trapped between two cultures. Her father comes from the ruling classes of the empire, but her mother’s people were outcasts, Amrithi nomads who worshipped the spirits of the sands.
Caught one night performing these forbidden rites, Mehr is brought to the attention of the Emperor’s most feared mystics, who try to force her into their service by way of an arranged marriage. If she fails in their bidding, the gods themselves may awaken and seek vengeance…"

This was really mediocre and I won't be continuing this series. I might read something else from her. 

I couldn't feel anything for the story or the characters. I didn't care what happened to them, what they did or felt. The magic/religion felt rather ridiculous and I frequently rolled my eyes reading about something new concerning Mehr's heritage etc. 

The writing was good and there was a great atmosphere throughout the book but the plot was too slow and I didn't connect with the characters.

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: February 2025

 Hi everyone

February is finally over. Just like January, I feel like these months are double the actual days. March holds the promise of at least some sun and the beginning of springflowers. Autumn and Winter in Belgium are cold, grey and very rainy.
It 'made' me spent most evenings (after my daughters were asleep) on the couch with tea and a book.

Here's what I read in February:

- 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 

What did you read?

Happy reading!
Helena

Ilona Andrews: Magic Bites

 Hi everyone

I wasn't sure I would like this series because I thought it would be too romantic but I kept seeing great reviews so I finally decided to read the first book in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.
I read this on my e-reader.

"Kate Daniels is about to enter a world of gritty magic and dangerous mystery! Vampires, necromancers and mages abound on the city streets, with one kickass heroine in the middleFuture Atlanta is an interesting place to one moment magic dominates, and cars stall and guns fail. The next, technology takes over and the defensive spells no longer protect your house from monsters.Here skyscrapers topple under the onslaught of magic; the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, prowl through the ruined streets; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst for knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds. Kate Daniels likes her sword a little too much, and she has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she's spent most of her life hiding in plain sight. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, she must choose to do nothing, and remain safe, or to risk her life by pursuing his preternatural killer. Hiding is easy, but the right choice is rarely easy .." 

I actually liked this a lot. It's action-packed, fast, it has cutting humour and fun characters.
It is however a bit boring plotwise and writingstyle-wise. The 'cutting remarks' get predictable, you will be able to foresee who will do and say what after reading only a few chapters.

I enjoyed it, I will read the second book and we'll see about the whole series.

Happy reading!
Helena

Fonda Lee: Jade City

 Hi everyone

Jade City is the first book in The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee. 
The original book has a gorgeous, simple cover but I read it on my e-reader.

"The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It's the only place in the world that produces rare magical jade, which grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities.
The Green Bone clans of honorable jade-wearing warriors once protected the island from foreign invasion--but nowadays, in a bustling post-war metropolis full of fast cars and foreign money, Green Bone families like the Kauls are primarily involved in commerce, construction, and the everyday upkeep of the districts under their protection.
When the simmering tension between the Kauls and their greatest rivals erupts into open violence in the streets, the outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones and the future of Kekon itself."

I had high hopes for this one. The book gets 4,08 stars on Goodreads so that's a really good score. But it just wasn't for me. I found it to be quite boring, an uninspired plot and flat characterization. What aggravated me most however is the sense that Lee couldn't decide whether she wanted the novel to be set in the modern world or in an older world. There are modern elements (television, guns, etc) but they fight with knives, the 'jade' has an old magic feel. It was jarring to read.

Happy reading.
Helena

Sarah Andersen: Adulthood Is a Myth

 Hi everyone

I saw this delightful book in the local library and I had to take it home with me.
It has a fantastic name 'Adulthood is a Myth' and it's written by Sarah Andersen.

" These casually drawn, perfectly on-point comics by the hugely popular young Brooklyn-based artist Sarah Andersen are for the rest of us. They document the wasting of entire beautiful weekends on the internet, the unbearable agony of holding hands on the street with a gorgeous guy, and dreaming all day of getting home and back into pajamas. In other words, the horrors and awkwardnesses of young modern life. Oh and they are totally not autobiographical. At all."

This wasn't as special or funny as I had hoped. Most comics are very recognizable and a lot of them made me smile. But it never made me laugh-out-loud.

Happy reading!
Helena

Sam Harris: The End of Faith

Hi everyone

I've been meaning to try something by Sam Harris and I finally got around to reading one of his books.

"In The End of Faith, Sam Harris delivers a startling analysis of the clash between reason and religion in the modern world. He offers a vivid, historical tour of our willingness to suspend reason in favor of religious beliefs—even when these beliefs inspire the worst human atrocities. While warning against the encroachment of organized religion into world politics, Harris draws on insights from neuroscience, philosophy, and Eastern mysticism to deliver a call for a truly modern foundation for ethics and spirituality that is both secular and humanistic."

This was not what I had hoped for. 

You will know by now that I'm an atheist and like Harris, I truly believe religion can and has done great harm to people, families and countries.
But Harris picks and chooses whatever suits him best, whatever works best to illustrate his arguments. The book is very focused on American politics and he really has it in for Islam in particular.
The oversimplification of his points made me mad.

Not recommended.

Happy reading!
Helena

Robin Hobb: Dragon Keeper

 Hi everyone

I felt it time to start another Robin Hobb series. The Rain Wild Chronicles is the series I'm starting now because I'm reading them chronological. So,this review is for Dragon Keeper, the first book in The Rain Wild Chronicles.
I got my copy from Bol (with a gorgeous cover as always).
You can read my other Robin Hobb reviews here.

"Guided by the great blue dragon Tintaglia, they came from the sea: a Tangle of serpents fighting their way up the Rain Wilds River, the first to make the perilous journey to the cocooning grounds in generations. Many have died along the way. With its acid waters and impenetrable forest, it is a hard place for any to survive.
People are changed by the Rain Wilds, subtly or otherwise. One such is Thymara. Born with black claws and other aberrations, she should have been exposed at birth. But her father saved her and her mother has never forgiven him. Like everyone else, Thymara is fascinated by the return of dragons: it is as if they symbolise the return of hope to their war-torn world. Leftrin, captain of the liveship Tarman, also has an interest in the hatching; as does Bingtown newlywed, Alise Finbok, who has made it her life's work to study all there is to know of dragons.
But the creatures which emerge from the cocoons are a travesty of the powerful, shining dragons of old. Stunted and deformed, they cannot fly; some seem witless and bestial. Soon, they become a danger and a burden to the Rain Wilders: something must be done. The dragons claim an ancestral memory of a fabled Elderling city far upriver: perhaps there the dragons will find their true home. But Kelsingra appears on no maps and they cannot get there on their own: a band of dragon keepers, hunters and chroniclers must attend them.
To be a dragon keeper is a dangerous job: their charges are vicious and unpredictable, and there are many unknown perils on the journey to a city which may not even exist…"

As you may know, I hated Robin Hobb's series The Soldier Son. That was a huge miss and complete dissapointment. Every other series was a hit. This one was mixed so we'll see where this will go.
This book had all of Hobb's elements I associate with her writing. In-depth and flawed characters, amazing worldbuilding, too slow plot and amazing writing. This book ends very slow and anti-climactic which makes me think the series had better be three books because it was a real bummer. The story for the whole book can be said in three sentences; that's how snail-paced the book was.
I hated, loathed some characters and loved some others. As is usual for me with Hobb's books. I particularly disliked the dragon's POV.
But there's always something compelling me to continue reading.

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: January 2025

 Hi everyone

January was a loooong month. Cold, dark and depressing. Perfect time for evenings filled with books and cups of tea.

Here's what I read last month:

- 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 

Is there anything you'd like to recommend me? What did you read in January?

Happy reading!
Helena

Jonathan French: The Grey Bastards

 Hi everyone

The Grey Bastards is Jonathan French's first book in The Lot Lands series.
I got my copy from Bol.

"Jackal is proud to be a Grey Bastard, member of a sworn brotherhood of half-orcs. Unloved and unwanted in civilized society, the Bastards eke out a hard life in the desolate no-man's-land called the Lots, protecting frail and noble human civilization from invading bands of vicious full-blooded orcs. But as Jackal is soon to learn, his pride may be misplaced. Because a dark secret lies at the heart of the Bastards' existence - one that reveals a horrifying truth behind humanity's tenuous peace with the orcs, and exposes a grave danger on the horizon. On the heels of the ultimate betrayal, Jackal must scramble to stop a devastating invasion - even as he wonders where his true loyalties lie."

This was very enjoyable. Dark,violent and grim but also full of friendship and humor. The hogs were my favorites and I loved the friendship between the half-orcs and their hogs. The camraderie between half-orcs themselves was great too. The worldbuilding and premise of the half-orcs as protectors were very promising.

I definitely feel like there were a few plotholes, things that didn't seem to really make sense, the worldbuilding could be grander and the plot a bit more believable but I didn't care too much.

Happy reading!
Helena

 

Bookhaul

 Hi everyone

Last week, I turned 36! 
I had a lovely day at work and after with my wonderful husband and my two amazing daughters. And of course we had to celebrate with family too.

I received four new books!
Here they are;

- Werner Herzog: Of Walking in Ice

- Simon Jimenez: A Spear Cuts Through Water 

- Christopher Ruocchio: Empire of Silence

- Jen Williams: The Ninth Rain

Happy reading!
Helena

Rebecca Thorne: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea

 Hi everyone

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is the first book in Rebecca Thorne's series Tomes & Teas. I read this on my e-reader.

"All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters… all complemented by love and good company. Thing is, Reyna works as one of the Queen’s private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives isn’t so easy.
But after an assassin takes Reyna hostage, she decides she’s thoroughly done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Meanwhile, Kianthe has been waiting for a chance to flee responsibility–all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town that boasts more dragons than people, and open the shop of their dreams.
What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum. In a story brimming with hurt/comfort and quiet fireside conversations, these two women will discover just what they mean to each other… and the world."

This was ok. 
The story, the writing and the characters were very forgettable. It was an easy, relaxing read but it was too high on the drama over nothing/feelings.

Happy reading!
Helena

 

Grant Snider: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf

 Hi everyone

I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider is a comicbook about being a reader, reading, books and literature. This was a gift from my husband.

"A look at the culture and fanaticism of book lovers, from the beloved New York Times illustrator and creator of Incidental Comics.
It’s no secret, but we are judged by our bookshelves. We learn to read at an early age, and as we grow older we shed our beloved books for new ones. But some of us surround ourselves with books. We collect them, decorate with them, are inspired by them, and treat our books as sacred objects. In this lighthearted collection of one- and two-page comics, writer-artist Grant Snider explores bookishness in all its forms, and the love of writing and reading, building on the beloved literary comics featured on his website, Incidental Comics. I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf is the perfect gift for bookworms of all ages."

This was ok. It was never laugh-out-loud, but it did make me smirk and smile. Some things were recognizable, others were farfetched. Nothing really stood out to me.

Happy reading.
Helena

Fredrik Backman: A Man Called Ove

Hi everyone

Because this has been turned into a movie, I've been seeing this book and the movie everywhere. 
I finally decided to read it, so here's my review.

"At first sight, Ove is almost certainly the grumpiest man you will ever meet. He thinks himself surrounded by idiots - neighbours who can't reverse a trailer properly, joggers, shop assistants who talk in code, and the perpetrators of the vicious coup d'etat that ousted him as Chairman of the Residents' Association. He will persist in making his daily inspection rounds of the local streets.
But isn't it rare, these days, to find such old-fashioned clarity of belief and deed? Such unswerving conviction about what the world should be, and a lifelong dedication to making it just so?
In the end, you will see, there is something about Ove that is quite irresistible . . ."

This wasn't for me. I get what Backman was trying to do. Grumpy old man turns out to have a heart-trope. I just didn't enjoy Ove or the side-characters. The story is trying to be funny but for me it wasn't. It was a struggle and I ended up fast-reading it in hopes of getting to better parts. In vain.

Happy reading!
Helena

Eowyn Ivey: To the Bright Edge of the World

 Hi everyone

I reread one of my favourite books ever, Eowyn Ivey's To the Bright Edge of the World. 
This was my second time reading it and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

"Set again in the Alaskan landscape that she bought to stunningly vivid life in The Snow Child, Eowyn Ivey's second novel is a breathtaking story of discovery and adventure, set at the end of the nineteenth century, and of a marriage tested by a closely held secret.
Colonel Allen Forrester receives the commission of a lifetime when he is charged to navigate Alaska's hitherto impassable Wolverine River, with only a small group of men. The Wolverine is the key to opening up Alaska and its huge reserves of gold to the outside world, but previous attempts have ended in tragedy.
For Forrester, the decision to accept this mission is even more difficult, as he is only recently married to Sophie, the wife he had perhaps never expected to find. Sophie is pregnant with their first child, and does not relish the prospect of a year in a military barracks while her husband embarks upon the journey of a lifetime. She has genuine cause to worry about her pregnancy, and it is with deep uncertainty about what their future holds that she and her husband part."

This is so, so beautifully told. It's captivating, atmospheric, and impossible to put down.
Both Sophie's and Forrester's diary entries are written well, interesting and engrossing. I adored their love and their interests. The way Sophie has his support in everything she does. It melts my heart. The setting is wonderfull, the history fascinating and the sidecharacters feel real too.

I loved it, from the first page to the last. I loved this book.
Highly, highly recommenden!

Happy reading!
Helena

Bookhaul

 Hi everyone

The Holidays are officially over (finally) and life is getting back to normal (idem).
For Christmas en New Year's I received a lot of gifts. Mostly money (to buy books with oc) and three books.

My parents gifted me with:

- Kristin Hannah: The Great Alone

- Richard Swan: The Justice of Kings

 

From my husband I received:

- Grant Snider: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf

 

And with part of the money I received I bought myself books too:

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Escapes

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Protects

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

- Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

- Brian McClellan: The Crimson Campaign

- Brandon Sanderson: Tress of the Emerald Sea

 

Have you read one or more of these? Or is there something you would like me to read asap? Please let me know!

Happy reading!
Helena