Shelley Parker-Chan: He Who Drowned the World

Hi everyone

He Who Drowned the World is the second and final 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 book was so, so, so boring and repetitive. I can’t tell you how many times we were told the same things (whether it was about events or character traits) over and over again. The constant reiterations and the fact that we were told instead of shown these details frustrated me. I wanted to finish it to see how it ended, but I had to pace myself because otherwise, I’d either nod off, lose all interest in reading anything, or just get angry.
On top of that, it felt too sexually explicit. I understand that sexuality can be part of the story, and sometimes it’s necessary, but here it felt overdone, like it was included just for shock value rather than serving the plot or characters.
Finally, the tone was just too dark. There wasn’t a single moment with even a glimmer of hope. I enjoy grimdark fantasy, but even in the darkest stories, I need something to believe in, to hope for, or to root for. This book gave me none of that. It was just relentless bleakness without any balance.

So yeah, not a great read for me. It’s a shame, because I loved the premise of the series, but this book just didn’t work for me.

Have you read He Who Drowned the World? Did you feel the same way, or did it resonate with you more? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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) loves the Alfie the Werewolf series by Paul van Loon. I asked her if I could read them too just because I want to understand what she likes and she happily lent 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 books were a fast, fun read; perfect for Clara’s age! They’re packed with adventure, great friendships, and a loving family at the heart of the story. The action is thrilling, and the humor and heart make it such an enjoyable series. I’m quite sure I would have loved this series too if I’d read it as a kid!
It’s wonderful to see Clara so excited about reading, and I’m glad I got to experience the stories she loves.

If you have young readers at home, or if you’re just looking for a light, charming read, this series is a great choice! 

Happy reading!
Helena

Bookhaul

Hi everyone

I got some new books and I’m so excited to dive into them! 
Here’s what I added to my collection:

- 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 like them? I’d love to hear your thoughts; especially if you have a favorite or a recommendation on where to start!

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 -developed. Tavi, in particular, is a compelling protagonist because of his lack of furycrafting, which forces him to rely on wit and courage instead of magic.
The magic is interesting (but I would like to know more about it) and the worldbuilding is solid and immersive.

The plot felt rather thin and predictable. Some things were repeated too often, which started to grate on my nerves. That said, the pace is fast, and there’s plenty of action to keep things engaging, even if the story doesn’t surprise you much.

I will read the second book because the series has promise and I'm curious to see where it goes, but we'll see about reading the complete series after the second (or third) book.
Plus, since I really, really enjoy The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, I’m willing to give The Codex Alera series more of a chance. 

Have you read Furies of Calderon? Did you feel the same way, or did it grab you more than it did me? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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 . . . "

This was a mixed reading experience. 

The first half of the book flew by, I was completely hooked by the adventure and the worldbuilding. But by the time I reached the second half, it started to drag. The problem? Both Maggie and Sally spend most of the book just exploring, stepping from world to world with too little happening to keep the momentum going. There are a few interesting moments, but they’re too few and far between to maintain the excitement.

That said, I did enjoy the writing and the story. The ideas are fascinating, and the characters are as compelling as ever. It’s just that the book feels too long for what actually happens.

Overall, it was still an enjoyable read, but I wish the pacing had been tighter and the adventures more dynamic. If you love exploration-heavy sci-fi with big ideas, you might still appreciate it, but don’t expect non-stop action.

Have you read The Long Mars? Did you feel the same way, or did it keep you engaged the whole way through? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: April 2025

Hi everyone

April was wonderful; we had plenty of sunshine breaking through the typical Belgian grey skies, and I read a ton too! I’m excited to share what I dove into. 

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

What about you? How was your reading month? Did you find any new favorites or re-read an old beloved book? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!

Happy reading!
Helena