Robert Jackson Bennett: Foundryside

Hi everyone

I just finished my first Robert Jackson Bennett novel: Foundryside. This is the first book in The Founders Trilogy, and I read this on my e-reader. I’ve seen him mentioned a lot on Goodreads and I wasn’t sure where to start, but I finally settled on Foundryside.

"Sancia Grado is a thief, and a damn good one. And her latest target, a heavily guarded warehouse on Tevanne’s docks, is nothing her unique abilities can’t handle. 
But unbeknownst to her, Sancia’s been sent to steal an artifact of unimaginable power, an object that could revolutionize the magical technology known as scriving. The Merchant Houses who control this magic--the art of using coded commands to imbue everyday objects with sentience--have already used it to transform Tevanne into a vast, remorseless capitalist machine. But if they can unlock the artifact’s secrets, they will rewrite the world itself to suit their aims.
Now someone in those Houses wants Sancia dead, and the artifact for themselves. And in the city of Tevanne, there’s nobody with the power to stop them.
To have a chance at surviving—and at stopping the deadly transformation that’s under way—Sancia will have to marshal unlikely allies, learn to harness the artifact’s power for herself, and undergo her own transformation, one that will turn her into something she could never have imagined." 

Foundryside was definitely enjoyable, but I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.

Bennett’s writing is easy to read; almost YA-like in its dialogue and humor. There are modern swearwords right next to words specific to this world, which always throw me out of a book.
The magic system is interesting and different, but the infodumps (especially at the beginning of the novel) were very boring, and I’m still left with a lot of questions about how all of this could ever actually work. Some of these infodumps were in the middle of action scenes too (why would he do that?) and they completely broke the flow.

The world-building felt very minimal. We get to see a bit of the city, but that’s about it. Other people, the way others live, the land outside of this city, other countries, ... it’s all not really explored. I’m also left with the feeling that this society could never work with the few things we do know about it.

The plot is entertaining and fun to read, but never really surprising. There’s quite a bit of blood and gore and the stakes are very high, but there’s never any doubt about who will survive, which drained the tension for me. Bennett included a lot of action scenes, which were a lot of fun and definitely entertaining though sometimes events were too convenient to be believable.

Ultimately, I just didn’t feel compelled to read, invested, really interested or curious about the novel. It was too easy to put it aside, and I found my mind wandering quite often.

So yeah: Foundryside is fun and entertaining, but too shallow for my tastes. 

Have you read Foundryside? Did you love it, or did you struggle with the same things I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Virginia Evans: The Correspondent

Hi everyone

The Correspondent is Virginia Evans’ debut novel. As far as I know, she hasn’t published anything else, but I do hope she will, because this was a joy to read. 
I got my book from Bol.

"Every morning, Sybil Van Antwerp sits down to write letters – to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to attend a class she desperately wants to take, to her favourite authors to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.
Because at seventy-three, Sybil has used her correspondence – witty and wise – to make sense of the world. But beyond the page, she has spent the last thirty years keeping the people who love her at arms’ length... Until letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life.
Now, Sybil must send the letter she has been writing for all these years - and find forgiveness within herself in order to move on."

This was a wonderful read. I enjoyed the experience the whole way through.

Even though Sybil is cold, judgmental, unkind, insensitive and in general not really likeable, I was able to understand her and sympathise with her; and that’s actually what I want more of in a book. Characters don’t have to be likeable to make a good book, but they have to be realistic, they have to act and feel like actual people, and I feel that’s exactly how Virginia Evans wrote her characters. Not just Sybil, but the side characters too. A lot of them are minor characters of whom we see only bits and pieces, but it makes Sybil’s life and character more rounded and realistic as a whole.

I LOVED the references to books the characters were reading and the letters Sybil writes to real authors. Those moments felt so precious and heartwarming. The novel as a whole feels warm and nostalgic, precisely because it’s letters she writes, something quite intimate.

The whole book could have been overly dramatic or filled with misplaced mystery or suspense, but it never goes there. Instead, it’s charming, meandering, heartwarming, at times emotional, thought-provoking, and sorrowful.
There’s one big but: I didn’t like how perfect the ending was. It wrapped things up a little too neatly for my taste.
And there were some reactions I felt were wrong, out of character or just strange (like Sybil's reaction to the cat).

Have you read The Correspondent? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Andrea Stewart: The Bone Shard Daughter

Hi everyone

The Bone Shard Daughter is the debut novel by Andrea Stewart and the first book in The Drowning Empire series. 
I got my copy from Bol.com.

"The Emperor's reign has lasted for decades, his mastery of bone shard magic powering the animal-like constructs that maintain law and order. But now his rule is failing, and revolution is sweeping across the Empire's many islands.
Lin is the Emperor's daughter and she spends her days trapped in a palace of locked doors and dark secrets. When her father refuses to recognise her as heir to the throne, she vows to prove her worth by mastering the forbidden art of bone shard magic.
Yet such power carries a great cost, and when the revolution reaches the gates of the palace, Lin must decide how far she is willing to go to claim her birthright - and save her people."

This was mediocre at best. And that’s a shame, because the ingredients for a great story were there.

The idea was very interesting: an empire using its populace’s bones to defend everyone against an enemy. I hadn’t read anything like this before; it’s dark, original, and full of potential. I also really liked the setting of these different floating islands, which gave the world a distinctive, atmospheric feel.
There’s a dark atmosphere and quite some gory moments, which were written very well. The constructs too were interesting in concept, but boringly written. What could have been creepy and fascinating never quite came alive on the page.
The writing in general was entertaining, but the further I got into the book, the more bored I became.

The execution, fell rather flat for me. All the characters blended into one another, and I didn’t feel connected to anyone. None of them left a lasting impression, which made it hard to care about their fates or stay invested in the story.
The world and its history are not really expanded upon either; there’s very little we get to see or experience of this world.
There are also a few things that made me wonder how thoroughly the world-building was thought out. For example: the Emperor is the only one able to do bone shard magic, but that’s impossible given that there are constructs on all the islands (there will always be a few malfunctioning, or a bone shard will stop working when the donor dies). It’s just not possible one person manages this, and there’s no mention of any form of maintenance on the constructs. It pulled me right out of the story.

So yeah, The Bone Shard Daughter is very promising but shallow. If you’re drawn to unique magic systems and dark settings, you might find something to enjoy here but for me, it never delivered on its potential.

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

Happy reading!
Helena

Katherine Addison: The Angel of the Crows

Hi everyone

I love Katherine Addison’s The Chronicles of Osreth series, and even though I didn’t have high expectations for The Angel of the Crows, I did want to give it a try. I read this on my e-reader.

"In an alternate 1880s London, angels inhabit every public building, and vampires and werewolves walk the streets with human beings under a well-regulated truce. A fantastic utopia, except for a few things: Angels can Fall, and that Fall is like a nuclear bomb in both the physical and metaphysical worlds. And human beings remain human, with all their kindness and greed and passions and murderous intent.
Jack the Ripper stalks the streets of this London too. But this London has an Angel. The Angel of the Crows." 

As I said, I didn’t have high expectations, because this is a retelling of the classic Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Usually, I’m not a fan of retellings because I think it’s an easy, lazy way to “write” a book. But this was sooo much fun!

I enjoyed the new fantastical elements Katherine Addison added to the story. The different creatures and species, the way society works, the racism; it was all wonderfully thought out and very immersive. Addison clearly put real creativity into this alternate London.

But I was so disappointed in everything she kept. This could have been 5 stars had Addison written new characters and new mysteries. Instead, she used Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters and stories in the exact same way, and I found that very unsatisfying. There were no really new twists, so I knew what would happen and how the mysteries would be resolved, which robbed the story of all suspense.
The Baskerville arc was also too drawn out and boring. And lastly, I would have loved more deducing, reading more about Crow’s reasonings behind his theories would have made the mysteries far more engaging.

The characters, though, Doyle and Crow especially, were marvelous. They were so wholesome that it brought a smile to my face throughout the book. Their friendship was such a joy to read and gave the book its warm, charming heart. Their interactions made me want to keep on reading.

So yes, The Angel of the Crows is truly an enjoyable, heartwarming novel, but it’s a shame Katherine Addison didn’t write new mysteries and make it completely her own. And only after reading the whole book do you learn this was fanfic but why publish this is a new, original book?

Have you read The Angel of the Crows? Did the retelling aspect bother you, or did you love it as it was? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: September 2026

Hi everyone

Hard to believe it’s officially October now. Although "hard to believe" isn’t the correct phrase because life has been a whirlwind with homework, school, the girls’ hobbies, family, and my new job. School started a month ago, and I can already see how much my girls have grown. But autumn still makes me want to curl up under a blanket with a cup of tea, maybe a piece of chocolate, and a good book so while we still have some sun in Belgium; I'm enjoying the autumn vibes.

My eldest daughter started in het vierde leerjaar (fourth grade), and her new teacher is a big fan of Roald Dahl. Naturally, my daughter got excited and wanted to read more of his books, and then, of course, I wanted to (re)read them too! We’ve been enjoying searching for specific books in the library together. It’s been such a lovely way to bond over stories and books. 

Here's what I read in September. 

- A.J. Hackwith: The Library of the Unwritten

- Stephen King: Firestarter  

- Roald Dahl: De GVR

- Roald Dahl: De tovervinger

- Roald Dahl: De reuzenperzik

- Amy Bloom: In Love 

- James Islington: The Will of the Many 

As for books I didn’t like, I DNF’d three (!) books this time.

- Marisa Crane: I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself 

- Mel Robbins: The Let Them Theory

- Christopher Ruocchio: Empire of Silence 

What are you reading this autumn? Have you picked up any cozy or thrilling books to match the season? I’d love to hear your recommendations! 

Happy reading! 
Helena 

James Islington: The Will of the Many

Hi everyone

After enjoying James Islington’s The Licanius Trilogy, I was happy to see on Goodreads he’s writing a new series, so I had to give The Will of the Many a try. It’s the first book in the Hierarchy series, and I got my copy from Bol.com.

"The Catenan Republic―the Hierarchy―may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.
I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilized society in allowing my strength, my drive, and my focus―what they call Will―to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.
I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.
But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.
And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.
To survive though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them, and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.
And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me." 

The Will of the Many was a very difficult book to review because there were so many amazing aspects, but also many things that didn’t work for me.

The overall tone and writing were very entertaining and engaging. The setting and world-building weren’t revolutionary or even different from other fantasy books, but the magic system was interesting.
I really enjoyed the different parts of the novel; from getting to know Vis and his background after leaving Suus to his time preparing for and studying at school. The school setting, which often feels like YA, didn’t fall into that trap here, and I loved that. There’s something so satisfying and wholesome about characters learning, making friends, and overcoming challenges.
This is also a darker and gorier novel than I expected. We get a front-row seat to some very brutal and detailed deaths, which was unexpected but awesome. James Islington writes vividly, engagingly, and amazingly entertaining scenes. Even though there’s a big focus on politics, his writing doesn’t make it boring.
And I loved the way the Anguis were written. They are as bad, as morally grey, and as violent; if not more so, than the Hierarchy. Usually, any form of resistance in books and films gets portrayed as angelic, perfectly in the right, but in reality, it’s always grey, and that’s exactly how James Islington wrote them.

I found the overall pace to be too slow, especially the first 200 pages, which were quite boring. However, the action scenes were action-packed and suspenseful, even the ones with lower stakes, like those at the academy.
I think the novel could have been at least 150 pages shorter and much better for it. There were so many repeats of events, conversations, and thoughts, and a lot of overthinking about what to do. But what aggravated me the most were all the coincidental things; people being in the right place at the perfect time, finding something just when it was needed, sensing something at the only possible moment. I find it hard to put that aside and just enjoy the story.

I was disappointed in the character development. Vis is the only character who felt like I knew and understood him. He wasn’t realistic (how is it possible he’s the best at everything?), but I felt like I knew him. Or rather, him being the best at everything and failing at lying got so predictable that I felt like I knew him. He annoyed me immeasurably with how good he is at everything, how moral and superior he is in his thinking and actions. The other characters read like page-fillers, only there to drive the plot and Vis forward, but not as people with their own history, thoughts, and motivations.

We know there’s a lot going on (why was Suus invaded? What are the Hierarchies plotting? What about the Anguis, where are they going?) but it’s all just an aside from Vis’ personal trials. There’s this continued mentioning of these (inter)national problems, but we get next to no details or progress on these. It felt like a missed opportunity to deepen the world and the stakes.

I have absolutely no idea where this trilogy is going because the ending to this first installment is very open and leaves us with many questions. I’m also not sure whether to continue the series. I liked the story, the action, and the ending is very intriguing, but Vis’ boring, predictable perfection, the slow pacing, and coincidental events made it hard to fully enjoy.
We'll see. Maybe you can sway me one way or the other?

Have you read The Will of the Many? Did you feel the same way, or did you enjoy it more than I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Bookhaul

Hi everyone

I have this habit; whenever I read an amazing book, I immediately order something else by the same author. And then, one thing leads to another: I dive into a rabbit hole of 'needing' other books on my wishlist, spot a few on sale, or decide to try something new by an author who’s caught my attention. Before I know it, my TBR pile has grown exponentially but hey, I’m not complaining!

So, here’s my latest book haul, a mix of impulse buys, wishlist picks, and new discoveries. 

- Ben Aaronovitch: Stone & Sky

- Miles Cameron: Against All Gods

- Jacqueline Harpman: I Who Have Never Known Men

- Claire Keegan: Foster

- Stephen King: Revival

- Stephen King: Bag of Bones

- Stephen King: Desperation

- Stephen King: The Outsider

- Shauna Lawless: Daughter of the Otherworld

- Anthony Ryan: The Wolf’s Call

- Brandon Sanderson: The Sunlit Man

- Anna Smith Spark: The Court of Broken Knives

Have you read any of these? Which one should I pick up first? Or do you have any recommendations based on my haul? 

Happy reading!
Helena 

Stephen King: Firestarter

Hi everyone

Firestarter is my latest read by Stephen King. I got my copy from Bol.com.

"You're a firestarter honey . . . just one big zippo lighter.
A year ago, he was an upstanding instructor of English at Harrison State College. Now Andy is on the run with his daughter. A pigtailed girl named Charlie. A girl with an unimaginably terrifying gift.
A gift which could be useful to corrupt authorities. Soon Charlie will be caught up in the menace of a fateful drug experiment and a sinister government ploy . . .
Let the reader Firestarter is Stephen King at his most mesmerising . . . and menacing."

I loved this book. Firestarter was such an engrossing, entertaining, and unputdownable read; truly classic Stephen King at his best.

Stephen King is a master at writing characters, and Firestarter is no exception. The love Andy has for Charlie shines through in every scene. He is truly prepared to do anything for her, and his devotion is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
The scene where he traumatizes her with the teddy bear brought tears to my eyes because I understood how hurting her was also protecting her and how guilty and awful he felt about it. It was truly heartbreaking. The same goes for the scenes where Andy has to push Charlie to use her powers to hurt people, knowing it will hurt her and change who she is as a person. King captures the love of a parent so vividly.
I loved that we got to read from so many different POVs. It’s amazing how King manages to make so many characters (good, bad, or anything in between) compelling. The only character who felt off sometimes was Charlie herself. My eldest daughter is now nine, and I can’t help comparing the way they talk and act and Charlie doesn’t always ring true as a real child.

Unlike most of Stephen King’s novels, the horror in Firestarter doesn’t lie in the main characters with their powers but rather in the government that’s pursuing them. And it starts from the very first page. You can feel their worry, desperation, and fear throughout the book. The tension is relentless, and the stakes feel terrifyingly high.

Firestarter is a true page-turner. I had to force myself every night to close the book and go to sleep because I just wanted to keep reading. It’s one of those books that pulls you in and refuses to let go.

Have you read Firestarter? Did you love it as much as I did, or did you have a different experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

A.J. Hackwith: The Library of the Unwritten

Hi everyone

The Library of the Unwritten is the first book in A. J. Hackwith’s Hell’s Library series. I read this on my e-reader.

"Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing-- a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto.
But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil's Bible. The text of the Devil's Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell…. and Earth."

The Library of the Unwritten sounded like a fantastic read; fun, entertaining, and full of potential. The idea of a library in Hell filled with unfinished stories is intriguing and imaginative, and the opening chapters lived up to that promise. I loved meeting the characters and exploring the library.
Unfortunately, the further I read, the more the book fell flat. What started as a charming, engaging adventure turned into something tedious, boring, and almost chore-like. The severe lack of world-building became more and more apparent and the magic and stakes of the world never felt real or compelling.

There wasn’t a single engaging or realistic character in the entire book. Every character felt one-dimensional and I struggled to care about their journeys or motivations.

I also didn’t think the more serious aspects of the story fit the overall humorous tone. The shift between lighthearted moments and heavier themes felt jarring and inconsistent. It was as if the book couldn’t decide what it wanted to be; a whimsical adventure or a darker, more complex tale.

There definitely were fun moments, but as a whole, the book was actually very dull. The lack of depth in the world and characters made it hard to stay invested, and by the end, I was left feeling underwhelmed.

Have you read The Library of the Unwritten? Did you feel the same way, or did you enjoy it more than I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: August 2026

Hi everyone

August was a wonderful month. Both our daughters celebrated their birthdays (they’re 4 years and a week apart), we traveled to The Netherlands, and we had a lovely time all together. I read a lot, especially while on holiday.
Here's what I read:

- Terry Pratchett: The Last Hero  

- Jim Butcher: Cursor's Fury 

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Gifts  

- Dean Koontz: Devoted 

- R. F. Kuang: The Poppy War  

- Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah: Friday Black 

- Samantha Sotto Yambao: Water Moon 

- The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe 

- John Steinbeck: Travels with Charley 

- Shauna Lawless: The Land of the Living and the Dead  

I also DNF'd two books:

- Aliette de Bodard: The House of Shattered Wings

- bell hooks: All About Love

How was your reading month? Did you discover any new favorites or struggle with anything? I’d love to hear what you enjoyed or if you have any recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Shauna Lawless: The Land of the Living and the Dead

Hi everyone

The Land of the Living and the Dead is the third book in Shauna Lawless’ The Gael Song Trilogy. This book was a birthday gift from my husband, and it turned out to be the perfect conclusion to an amazing trilogy.

"Ireland, 1011 AD. Brian Boru is now High King of Ireland. His queen, Gormflaith, instructs their young son in his heritage - but only on his mother's side. For Gormflaith, an immortal Fomorian skilled in fire-magic, intends to finally defeat the Fomorians' hated foes, the Descendants, and establish control over Ireland. And if King Brian stands in her way, so much the worse for him…
Fódla, the Descendants' spy in King Brian's camp, treads a wary path. She must protect her magically powerful young nephew from their leader, Tomas, who will do anything to achieve his aim of the Descendants returning to the mortal world and ruling Ireland. And Fódla is on dangerous ground, for she has broken one of the sacred rules of the she has fallen in love with a mortal.
As the schemes of Gormflaith and Tomas come to fruition, the only possible outcome is war. Ireland has bled red and often… but the coming clash will be a battle for the ages. Strange alliances will form, old defences will fail, and the land will never be the same again." 

What a conclusion! What an end to an amazing trilogy! We’re left with some open endings, hints of things to look out for in the second series, and I can’t wait to buy and read the first book and we're lucky because it’s already published!

Every single character reads like a real person; it’s amazing how Shauna Lawless manages to give everyone a distinct voice and personality. It’s impossible to mistake one for another because they are all so unique. Fódla and Murchad are my absolute favorite characters, but I also loved Broccan, Colmon, and even Gormflaith. The main antagonist of The Gael Song Trilogy is a fully rounded character, and we can understand her motivations, sometimes, we can even root for her, especially when she broaches the subject of equality between men and women. And yet, at other times, I could have roared in anger at her for what she does or thinks.

Shauna Lawless is a master at building suspense. There was never a dull moment, I was constantly anticipating what would happen next, trying to guess, but Lawless managed to surprise me time and time again. Not a dull moment in the entire series.
The Land of the Living and the Dead was heartbreaking, and I had to sit with my feelings a few times. I paused my reading to do something else (like puzzling) to digest what happened. I needed time to recover.

The writing is amazing; it’s engaging, engrossing, and so vivid. She wrote the characters and their relationships in a nuanced, open, thoughtful, and complex way, and I truly, truly applaud her for that. All the romances in the series are difficult, different, and even unstable, and Lawless wrote them perfectly.

The Gael Song Trilogy is a brilliant series, and I am reading everything Shauna Lawless publishes. Have you read The Gael Song Trilogy? Did you love it as much as I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

John Steinbeck: Travels with Charley

Hi everyone

As a longtime fan of John Steinbeck’s works, I had high expectations for Travels with Charley. I got my copy from Bol.com.

"To hear the speech of the real America, to smell the grass and the trees, to see the colors and the light—these were John Steinbeck's goals as he set out, at the age of fifty-eight, to rediscover the country he had been writing about for so many years.
With Charley, his French poodle, Steinbeck drives the interstates and the country roads, dines with truckers, encounters bears at Yellowstone and old friends in San Francisco. Along the way he reflects on the American character, racial hostility, the particular form of American loneliness he finds almost everywhere, and the unexpected kindness of strangers."

This was a wonderful book. Travels with Charley was written as non-fiction, but it has since been debunked as pure nonfiction; it’s more like "embellished non-fiction". And I really don’t care either way. I’ve never been to America, and I wasn’t alive in the 1960s. Plus, Steinbeck is a writer, so I guess it’s kind of expected of him to exaggerate, embellish, and change a few things?

I loved the look into the day-to-day American life in the 1960s. Steinbeck’s observations of the bears, the giant trees, and the people he meets are vivid and engaging. His reflections can be quite inspirational and philosophical, offering a thoughtful, introspective view of the country and its people. He has so much insight into the people, the country, cultural opinions, and nature.

I was also touched by Steinbeck’s love for his wife. It was really sweet how many times he mentions her and how often he says he misses her. It’s nice to get to know him a little better as a person, and Charley is just wonderful, truly a delightful companion throughout the journey.

But there were also very boring and pointless parts. Some sections felt slow or unnecessary, and I was eager to get back to the more engaging moments. The pacing throughout felt very uneven.

Have you read Travels with Charley? Did you enjoy it as much as I did, or did you find the slower parts as challenging? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Bookhaul: Boekhandel Donner Rotterdam

Hi everyone

We spent two wonderful weeks with our children in The Netherlands. While in Rotterdam, we came across this gorgeous bookstore called Boekhandel Donner. I could have stayed there all day if I’d been alone; it was pure bookish bliss!
I bought two books I’d never seen or heard about before, and they really intrigued me. Here’s what I got:

- Saara El-Arifi: The Final Strife

- Morgan Ryan: A Resistance of Witches

Have you read either of these? Did you like them? I’d love to hear your thoughts before I dive in!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Samantha Sotto Yambao: Water Moon

Hi everyone

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is the last novel I finished reading on holiday. 
I read this on my e-reader.

"On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it.
Most will see only a cosy ramen restaurant. And just the chosen ones – those who are lost – will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets.
Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike other customers. For he offers help, instead of seeking it.
Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice – through rain puddles, hitching rides on paper cranes, across the bridge between midnight and morning and through a night market in the clouds.
But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own – and risk making a choice she will never be able to take back."

I can see what Sotto Yambao was trying to do: creating a magical world where anything is possible. But in my opinion, she didn’t succeed. Why? Because every time something happened, out of nowhere there was a magical way to circumvent it. She uses the magical elements to make things easier, rather than to build tension or depth.
There were no clear boundaries or limitations to the magic, and because of that, there was no tension, no structure, and no purpose. 
I loved the idea of the pawnshop, and the parts of the book that took place in and around it were really amazing. The concept had a lot of potential, and those sections felt really intriguing. It’s everything after that that felt too convenient, too easy, and because of that, boring and predictable.

And I absolutely hate insta-love in every novel. The chemistry just wasn’t there; the characters were so flat, and their dialogue was stiff and old-fashioned, even though they sounded like teenagers (despite Kei having a PhD). It felt unnatural and unconvincing, and it pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in.

There’s just way too much going on, and nothing is explored the way it should be. Everything and everyone remains surface-level, and the pacing throughout the book is very uneven. It felt like the story was rushing from one idea to the next without taking the time to develop any of them properly. It’s a shame, because the pawnshop setting had so much potential.

Have you read Water Moon? Did you feel the same way, or did you enjoy it more than I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah: Friday Black

Hi everyone

I’m not a big reader of short stories, but I had seen Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, and I was very intrigued. 
I read this on my e-reader.

"From the start of this extraordinary debut, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s writing will grab you, haunt you, enrage and invigorate you. By placing ordinary characters in extraordinary situations, Adjei-Brenyah reveals the violence, injustice, and painful absurdities that black men and women contend with every day in this country.
These stories tackle urgent instances of racism and cultural unrest, and explore the many ways we fight for humanity in an unforgiving world. In “The Finkelstein Five,” Adjei-Brenyah gives us an unforgettable reckoning of the brutal prejudice of our justice system. In “Zimmer Land,” we see a far-too-easy-to-believe imagining of racism as sport. And “Friday Black” and “How to Sell a Jacket as Told by Ice King” show the horrors of consumerism and the toll it takes on us all." 

I don’t normally review short stories because it can be very difficult to review the collection as a whole when every story is a completely different experience. But Friday Black demands attention.

Some of these stories (like The Finkelstein Five and the Black Friday stories) were mind-blowing, disquieting, dark, sharp, powerful, and truly unforgettable. Adjei-Brenyah’s writing is perfect for these tales: not flowery, but to the point, elegant, and easy to read. These stories tackle important issues in a way I hadn’t thought about before, offering new, intriguing perspectives that I hope get people (like me) to think deeply.

That said, a few stories completely missed the mark for me. I didn’t really feel anything while reading them. So, this is a mixed collection with absolutely stunning stories alongside utterly lackluster ones.

Have you read Friday Black? Did you have a favorite story, or did you feel the same mix of awe and indifference? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

R. F. Kuang: The Poppy War

Hi everyone

The Poppy War is the first book in The Poppy War series by R. F. Kuang. Despite not finishing Kuang’s Babel, the strong reviews on Goodreads convinced me to give this one a chance. 
I read it on my e-reader.

"When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.
But surprises aren’t always good.
Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.
For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .
Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late."

This was an okay read for me, but it never fully gripped me.

The first half, where Rin is at the academy, felt like I was reading a run-of-the-mill, generic YA book. Rin gets into the prestigious academy and (of course) gets bullied once there; this part was incredibly boring and very predictable. It didn’t hold my attention, and I struggled to stay engaged (or even awake to be honest). I’m not sure whether the shift in tone for the second half was Kuang’s intention, but the second part worked much better for me.

The second half gets much more brutal and dark, and I enjoyed this more (which is weird to say about violence, but you know what I mean). These scenes were very well done. This half of the book gave me chills while reading. The haunting scenes were truly unforgettable.

Despite the darker tone and compelling moments, the book never really gripped me. I could easily put it aside every time I read a part. I didn’t feel engaged or curious about what would happen next. I was actually a bit bored, and that’s strange in a book that’s so gory at times.
In general, I felt the world-building was too minimal and too heavily copied from history. And some things from history should not be used as entertainment. While you can frame this as shining a light on the consequences of war and its victims, this felt more like amusement.
As the book went on, Rin’s decisions became absolutely incomprehensible. It was hard to connect with her when her actions felt so inconsistent or illogical.

Have you read The Poppy War? Did you enjoy it more than I did, or did you feel the same way? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Dean Koontz: Devoted

Hi everyone

As a fan of Stephen King’s work, it’s strange that this is only my second book by Dean Koontz. I have no idea why I haven’t read more of his works, but I think it’s time to rectify that. 
I read this on my e-reader.

"Woody Bookman hasn’t spoken a word in his eleven years of life. Not when his father died in a freak accident. Not when his mother, Megan, tells him she loves him. For Megan, keeping her boy safe and happy is what matters. But Woody believes a monstrous evil was behind his father’s death and now threatens him and his mother. And he’s not alone in his thoughts. An ally unknown to him is listening.
A uniquely gifted dog with a heart as golden as his breed, Kipp is devoted beyond reason to people. When he hears the boy who communicates like he does, without speaking, Kipp knows he needs to find him before it’s too late.
Woody’s fearful suspicions are taking shape. A man driven by a malicious evil has set a depraved plan into motion. And he’s coming after Woody and his mother. The reasons are primal. His powers are growing. And he’s not alone. Only a force greater than evil can stop what’s coming next."

I enjoyed this so much! The story is very entertaining, gripping, and engaging. It’s fast-paced and thrilling, keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

The characters are a bit superficial and very clearly all good or all bad, but that’s expected from these kinds of novels, so I’m not complaining. Lee Shacket creeped me out and I was actually dreading reading from his POV because he was such a freaky, scary, disturbing, and unnerving creature.

The end is a bit too sweet, too neat, and perfect for my liking. While I appreciated the resolution, it lacked the complexity that might have made it feel more authentic or satisfying.

Despite the simplistic characters and too perfect ending, this book was a wild, enjoyable ride. It’s made me eager to explore more of Koontz’s work; maybe I’ve been missing out!

Have you read this book? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Is there another of Dean Koontz's books you would recommend?

Happy reading!
Helena 

Ilona Andrews: Magic Gifts

Hi everyone

Magic Gifts is a novella in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. This story is set between Magic Slays and Magic Rises. I read this on my e-reader. 

"Dinner date after a hard workday should be heavenly. Of course, dates between the Beast Lord and Kate Daniels don’t always go as planned. Undead run amok, heads are chopped off, lawyers are deployed with extreme prejudice, and drunk vikings call people out."

As a novella, Magic Gifts didn’t quite work for me. I truly feel this should have been a full-length novel. The story started out great; we love these characters, the world, the magic, and the creatures. The plot was fun and entertaining, but when I reached the two-thirds mark, everything went too fast.
It felt as though the authors suddenly realized they were writing a novella but had too much going on, so they had to cram everything into the last 40 pages. The pacing suffered, and the story ended up feeling rushed and incomplete.

Despite its flaws, Magic Gifts added a lot to the overall universe Ilona Andrews created. The world-building, character dynamics, and magical lore are all as compelling as ever. I enjoyed it a lot; it was just too rushed to fully appreciate.

Have you read Magic Gifts? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena
 

Jim Butcher: Cursor's Fury

Hi everyone

Cursor's Fury is the third book in the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher. I read this on my e-reader.

"When the ambitious and ruthless High Lord of Kalare enters into a dangerous alliance with the Canim, bestial enemies of Alera, and treachery destroys the Aleran army's command structure, an inexperienced, young Tavi of Calderon finds himself leading a poorly equipped legion that is the only force standing between the Canim horde and Alera's future."

While the Codex Alera series is nothing groundbreaking, it is an entertaining read. However, Cursor’s Fury suffers from being way too long. The events in these pages could have been condensed by at least 200 pages. Even the battles felt drawn out, and the whole book dragged its feet. So, while Jim Butcher’s writing is engaging and entertaining, the story itself felt slow and tedious.

Tavi has finally grown up in this installment. He’s done with the constant whining, and I’m so glad for that change. His growth is expected and well-executed, but it still feels unbelievable how he’s always the one coming up with clever plans to save the day, and how they always work out perfectly. It stretches credibility a bit too far for my taste.

Getting the backstory of Isana and Fade was wonderful, and I really loved the way their story is unfolding; except for Isana healing Fade for over a month while she could have saved thousands of soldiers just outside her door. Very questionable decision. I am done with reading about the amount of sex Bernard and Amara are having and their infertility issues. Both topics are mentioned far too many times, and they add little to the story.
Kitai was more palatable in this book. She’s less of a presence in the story, so her sense of superiority was less aggravating. However, her "bonding" with Tavi still makes no sense to me. It feels forced and unearned.

I’m questioning whether to continue this series. While there are moments I enjoy, the pacing issues and repetitive elements are starting to weigh on me.
Have you read the Codex Alera series? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Terry Pratchett: The Last Hero

Hi everyone

The Last Hero is the 27th book in The Discworld series by the inimitable Terry Pratchett. I think was my third time reading this one.

"It stars the legendary Cohen the Barbarian, a legend in his own lifetime. Cohen can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation, and when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons. But he can't always remember, these days, where he put his teeth...
So now, with his ancient sword and his new walking stick and his old friends - and they're very old friends - Cohen the Barbarian is going on one final quest. He's going to climb the highest mountain in the Discworld and meet his gods. The last hero in the world is going to return what the first hero stole. With a vengeance.
That'll mean the end of the world, if no one stops him in time." 

This book is pure comedy gold. The story is more of a novella than a full-length novel, but it gets fleshed out by the stunning, artful, amazing illustrations by Paul Kidby. They elevate this to an incredible reading experience.

Every Discworld book adds depth to the world, and The Last Hero is no exception. Both the art and the written words contribute to the richness of this universe; the world gets expanded, and the characters gain even more depth with every book in this series.

Cohen the Barbarian and his Silver Horde are truly amazing characters, and they create hilarious, laugh-out-loud situations. I love their interactions, their old-age "wisdoms", their stubbornness, and their heroism. And, as always, every time Leonard da Quirm is part of the cast, you know you’re in for a treat. Rincewind isn't my favorite character but because he wasn't the main focus of this book; I really did enjoy his scenes. 

It was marvelous to explore more of Discworld and see other countries and people. Pratchett’s world-building is unmatched, and The Last Hero only adds extra layers of depth and humor to the series.

Have you read The Last Hero? Did you love it as much as I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: July 2026

Hi everyone

July has flown by, and I can’t believe we’re already halfway through our children’s summer vacation. The last week of July we spent at home, with some small trips, some tinkering around the house and garden, lots of playing, puzzeling and reading. And now we’re on holiday! With both our daughters celebrating their birthdays in August, we have a lot of fun lined up so plenty of reasons to enjoy our time together.

I read a lot in July, so here’s the list of books I finished:

- Stephen Baxter & Alastair Reynolds: The Medusa Chronicles  

- Robin Hobb: Blood of Dragons 

- Richard Osman: The Thursday Murder Club 

- Toshikazu Kawaguchi: Before the Coffee gets Cold  

- Sue Johnson: Hold Me Tight

- James S. A. Corey: Memory's Legion 

- Neil Gaiman: Norse Mythology  

- Jen Williams: The Poison Song

- Rivers Solomon: The Deep

And I had to DNF one book: 

- Richard Matheson: Hell House

I’d love to hear from you: How was your July in books? Did you discover a new favorite, or did you struggle to finish anything? Let me know; I’m always excited to hear your recommendations and thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Rivers Solomon: The Deep

Hi everyone

The Deep was my first book by Rivers Solomon and I read this on my e-reader.

"Her people, the wajinru – water-dwelling descendants of pregnant African slave women thrown overboard by slavers – live idyllic lives in the deep. Their past, too traumatic to be remembered regularly, is forgotten by everyone, save one. Save the historian.
Yetu remembers for all the wajinru, and the memories – painful and wonderful, traumatic and terrible and miraculous, are destroying her. And so she flees to the surface, escaping the memories and the expectations and the responsibilities – and discovers a world the wajinru left behind long ago.
Yetu will learn more than she ever expected to about her own past – and about the future of her people. If they are all to survive, they’ll need to reclaim the memories, reclaim their identities – and own who they really are." 

This was a strange read, and I’m not sure how I feel about this book.

The premise was very intriguing and totally made me want to read this. The idea of the wajinru and their collective memory is fascinating and haunting. Both this and the gorgeous cover sucked me in. 

The Deep is not a plot-driven novel. Instead, it focuses on character growth, memory, and the weight of history and I really appreciated this storytelling. The back-and-forth structure felt right for the story. 
However, the dense, flowery prose often felt overwhelming rather than engrossing. I struggled to get through the book, even though it’s only 170 pages. I found myself putting it down frequently, not because I wasn’t interested, but because the writing style made it hard to stay immersed. It felt as though Solomon was trying too hard to write Great Literature. The pretentious and contrived tone of the writing pulled me out of the story more often than it drew me in. 

The big questions; whether the good of one person is more important than the whole and who we really are apart from our ancestors, are still lingering in my mind.

So, in conclusion, The Deep left me with conflicted feelings. I found the premise intriguing, the story both painful and beautiful, and the message deeply thought-provoking but I disliked the forced, flowery writing.
Have you read The Deep? Did you love the writing, or did you struggle with it like I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Jen Williams: The Poison Song

Hi everyone

The Poison Song is the third and final book in Jen Williams’ The Winnowing Flame Trilogy. I got my copy from Bol.com.

"All is confusion. The Jure'lia are weak, but the war is far from over.Ebora was once a glorious city, defended by legendary warriors and celebrated in song. Now refugees from every corner of Sarn seek shelter within its crumbling walls, and the enemy that has poisoned their land won't lie dormant for long.The deep-rooted connection that Tormalin, Noon and the scholar Vintage share with their Eboran war-beasts has kept them alive so far. But with Tor distracted, and his sister Hestillion hell-bent on bringing ruthless order to the next Jure'lia attack, the people of Sarn need all the help they can get.Noon is no stranger to playing with fire and knows just where to recruit a new - and powerful - army. But even she underestimates the epic quest that is to come. It is a journey wrought with pain and sacrifice - a reckoning that will change the face of Sarn forever."

What a conclusion this was.
Just like with my review of the second book, The Bitter Twins, this book was good, but not as good as the first book in the series, The Ninth Rain.

To me, the story has pacing and tension issues. The book starts out very, very slow. I loved the action scenes and the story, but the further I got into the series, the more I disliked Tor and his moping, complaining personality. Since the second book, almost all his scenes involve him drinking, sulking, moping around, and complaining about his life and the state of the world. And suddenly, he’s apparently the first one ever to come up with the idea to follow the Jure’lia when they go away? Like, really? There’s just too much drama. I enjoy Jen Williams’ writing, it’s easy to read and it flows very nicely but I really disliked the drama, especially from Tor and Noon.

I was glad we finally learned about Noon’s past, even though we kind of already knew. And I loved the warbeasts; they were all very different, with distinct personalities, and they evolved just as much as the human characters.
Hestillion’s arc was predictable, so even though I really liked her character, I was a bit disappointed by that. Chenlo was a great addition to the main cast; I loved her journey and how she changed. I also applaud Williams for the natural way Aldasair became much more self-assured. It could have easily become unbelievable and unrealistic, but instead, it felt natural.

I really loved the action scenes. They were chilling, full of tension, and not too dramatic.
And the ending was great. Not everyone survived, and I really think that’s the way it should be. It’s aggravating when a whole cast of characters comes out of a grand battle only mildly harmed.

All in all, The Poison Song has great ideas and is nicely written, but there’s too much drama for my taste.
Have you read The Poison Song? Did you enjoy it more than I did, or did you feel the same way? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Neil Gaiman: Norse Mythology

Hi everyone

Norse Mythology is a novel by Neil Gaiman, where he retells the stories of the Norse gods in his own unique way. I read this on my e-reader.

"Neil Gaiman, long inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction, presents a bravura rendition of the Norse gods and their world from their origin though their upheaval in Ragnarok. 
In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki—son of a giant—blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator.
Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs, and giants. Through Gaiman’s deft and witty prose, these gods emerge with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again."

I’ve always loved Greek mythology. As a teenager, I read countless books about Zeus, Hera, Hades, and the rest of the pantheon. I also enjoyed Roman mythology, but my knowledge of Norse mythology is sparse. Of course, I know the obvious gods and stories, but not much beyond that.
So, finding this book about Norse mythology by Neil Gaiman was a happy discovery. And happy it was indeed, because I really enjoyed it.

The book was easy to read and very accessible. The characters felt real, the writing was engaging, the pace was good, and it was a really well-balanced mix of action and descriptions. The way the stories were structured chronologically made it very easy to follow along with all the characters.

Obviously, the stories aren’t Gaiman’s original work; these are existing myths he wrote down in his own words, so there’s nothing new here. If you’ve read other works about Norse mythology, you won’t find anything new in this book. But for someone like me, who only knew the gods’ names and characteristics, this was a great introduction.

Have you read Norse Mythology? Can you recommend me other books on Norse mythology? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

James S. A. Corey: Memory's Legion

Hi everyone

Memory’s Legion is a collection of novellas set in The Expanse universe by James S. A. Corey.

"On Mars, a scientist experiments with a new engine that will one day become the drive that fuels humanity's journey into the stars.
On an asteroid station, a group of prisoners are oblivious to the catastrophe that awaits them.
On a future Earth beset by overpopulation, pollution, and poverty, a crime boss desperately seeks to find a way off planet.
On an alien world, a human family struggles to establish a colony and make a new home.
All these stories and more are featured in this unmissable collection of short fiction set in the hardscrabble world of The Expanse."

This was actually quite a boring collection.
It was wonderful to be back in the world of The Expanse, as I really enjoyed the vast majority of the books in the series, and these stories were a nice addition; but definitely not necessary or required reading. They gave some background to certain events or characters in the series, and I did like what happened in them.

However, the stories were really lacking any sort of tension. The writing felt rather flat and passive to me, and that’s why I had a hard time starting and continuing to read the book in the evening. It lacked the urgency and depth that make The Expanse so gripping. 

Memory’s Legion is a fun extra for fans of the series, but it doesn’t add much to the overall experience. 

Have you read Memory’s Legion? Did you enjoy it more than I did, or did you feel the same way? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 Happy reading!
Helena 

Bookhaul

Hi everyone

I bought a few new books over the last couple of days, and now that they’ve all arrived, I can finally show you what I got!

My new additions:

- Virginia Evans: The Correspondent

- Jackson Ford:  The Bone Raiders

- Kristin Hannah: The Nightingale

- James Islington: The Will of the Many

- Peter McLean: Priest of Bones 

Have you read any of these? Which one should I pick up first? Or do you have other recommendations based on these choices? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena