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