Delia Owens: Where the Crawdads Sing

Hi everyone

Okay, I’ll admit it; I’m very late to the party with this one! Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens was a major hype a few years ago. And, if I’m honest, I don’t have the best track record with hyped books. So, I decided to skip it back then. But then, one of my nieces read it a few months ago (shoutout to Kaat!), and suddenly, it was back on my radar. This time, I was curious enough to give it a chance. 
I read this on my e-reader. 

"For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life--until the unthinkable happens."

I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. 

Now, don’t get me wrong; the writing can be a bit too sentimental for my taste at times. Some of the characters behave and talk in ways that can feel quite unrealistic, and I found the courtroom scenes a bit dragged out. But despite those, I still found myself completely drawn in.

What I loved most were the characters. They’re so well thought out,  complex, layered people with emotions and thoughts that go beyond just moving the plot forward. Kya in particular, is a character who stays with you. She’s resilient, intelligent, and deeply connected to the natural world around her. The setting is absolutely breathtaking. Owens does an incredible job of bringing the marsh to life. I loved reading about Kya’s environment, her way of living, and her learning. 
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the whole book. 

All in all, Where the Crawdads Sing was a quick and enjoyable read for me. It’s not perfect, but it’s beautifully atmospheric, and it left me with a sense of quiet reflection.
Have you read it? What did you think? Did you love the marsh setting as much as I did, or did the hype fall flat for you? Let me know; I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Grant Snider: The Art of Living

Hi everyone

I recently finished The Art of Living, the second collection I’ve read by Grant Snider. 
I got my copy from Bol.com.

"In The Art of Living , beloved cartoonist Grant Snider—author of The Shape of Ideas and I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf —has created a humorous, uplifting look at mindfulness in this collection of one- and two-page comics that map his inner thoughts, poetic observations, and frequent failures at living mindfully."

Just like I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf, this collection was pleasant, cozy and warming, but not much more than that. It never made me laugh out loud or feel particularly emotional. It was all a bit meh.

While it’s a charming little book, I wouldn’t say it’s a must-read.

Happy reading!
Helena 

Terry Pratchett: The Fifth Elephant

Hi everyone

I just finished The Fifth Elephant, the 24th book in the Discworld series, written by one of the best authors ever; sir Terry Pratchett. I’ve had my copy for ages, and I think this was my third time reading it, yet it's still as engrossing and hilarious as ever.

"They say that diplomacy is a gentle art. That mastering it is a lifetime's work. But you do need a certain inclination in that direction. It's not something you can just pick up on the job.
A few days ago Sam Vimes was a copper – an important copper, true – chief of police – but still, at his core, a policeman. But today he is an ambassador - to the mysterious, fat-rich country of Uberwald. Today, Sam Vimes is also a man on the run.
At some point during his ambassadorship, things went very wrong. It's snowing. It's freezing. And if Vimes can't make it through the forest, with only his wits and the gloomy trousers of Uncle Vanya (don't ask), there's going to be a terrible war.
There are monsters on his trail. They're bright. They're fast. They're werewolves - and they're catching up." 

I LOVED this book. 

The story had everything (with the exception of the witches) I adore in the Discworld books. Carrot and Angua and their relationship, the always hilarious Gaspode, multiple Igors, a pregnancy, Detritus and his piecemaker, Vimes and Lady Sybil, Colon and Nobbs, the lovely Cheery ...

My husband can attest to how laugh-out-loud The Fifth Elephant is. There's Colon's stupidity, Igor-speak, the lisping of the vampires, Vimes as an unwilling Duke, Gaspode's talking, ... This is a very, very funny book.  

I loved learning more about Angua’s past, and Lady Sybil remains one of my favorite characters. She feels like an inspirational person, someone I’d love to have as a friend.

Beyond the humor and brilliant storytelling, we can’t forget Pratchett’s signature blend of hidden morals and social commentary. He touches on coming out, acceptance, sexism (both overt and subtle), mixed-race relationships, racism, and the clash between traditionalism and modern thinking.

Highly, higly recommended. If you love a story full of love wit, heart, and a story that makes you think while you laugh, The Fifth Elephant is a must-read.

Happy reading!
Helena 

Jonathan French: The Free Bastards

Hi everyone

The Free Bastards is the third and final book in Jonathan French,'s The Lot Lands series.
I got my copy from Bol.com.

" The Hisparthan armies on the horizon are mighty, bolstered by divine champions, dread sorcerers, and gunpowder. It’s almost more than the half-orc rebellion can hope to repel.
But Oats has won impossible fights before. He’s a thriceblood, after all, more orc than man. And he hasn’t forgotten how to kill. He’ll stack the bodies high for his chief and his brethren, if that’s the price of freeing the Lots from human tyranny.
Besides, the invading forces are getting a damned sight more than they bargained for. They’re not facing a handful of half-orc hoofs, but a true army—one forged from all the peoples of the Lots. At its head are Fetching, in full command of the ruinous power that runs through her veins, and Jackal, armed with the blessings of a dead god.
Yet Oats can’t help but find his faith wavering. Once the strongest Bastard, he soon realizes that in this battle, even the strength of a thriceblood is easily conquered. And after a grievous loss strikes, he begins to fear that this war will lead the Lots not to freedom but to ruin.
So when another path to peace beckons, he has no choice but to walk it. Even if it means betting the Lots’ fate, and his own, on the promises of the Bastards’ wiliest adversary—and making a perilous journey into the heart of Hispartha itself."

What an epic, roller-coaster, action-packed conclusion to the series. 

Oats has been one of my favorite characters in The Lot Lands series from the start so I was really looking forward to reading from his perspective. And Jonathan French definitely delivered! This book was everything I could have hoped for. We can truly see the vulnerable, lovable, caring side of Oats right alongside his angry and violent side. This deeper insight into his character, his struggles, and his loyalty to others made me love him even more.

The story isn't very tight. There are quite a few moments where things happen at just the right time, with help arriving exactly when it’s needed. It felt a bit too deus ex machina for my taste, and I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at some of the convenient timing. 
But honestly, that’s my only gripe. I loved hating the the enemies, I could cry over some of the deaths and I laughed so hard at the characters’ way of speaking and their humor. 
The book is fast-paced, with so much happening that there’s rarely a moment to catch your breath.

All in all, this is a highly recommended series! If you love action, complex characters, and a world full of grit and heart, The Lot Lands series is a must-read.

Happy reading!
Helena 

Bookhaul

Hi everyone

I just received the last of my pre-orders and regular orders from Bol.com, and I’m so excited to share these new gems with you!
So, here's what I got.

 - M. R. Carey: Echo of Worlds

 - John Gwynne: The Fury of the Gods

- Robin Hobb: City of Dragons

- Robin Hobb: Blood of Dragons

- Julie Leong: The Keeper of Magical Things 

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

I can’t wait to dive into these books! 
Have you read them? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy reading!
Helena  

Ben Aaronovitch: The Masquerades of Spring

Hi everyone

The Masquerades of Spring is a prequel novella in the Peter Grant series by Ben Aaronovitch. It is set before Peter joins the Folly but the story does include Thomas Nightingale; a character we all know and love. However, I wouldn’t recommend starting the series with this book. The writing style is quite different from the rest of the series, and it might not give you the best first impression. 
I got my book from Bol.com.

"Meet Augustus Berrycloth-Young - flaneur extraordinaire and Englishman abroad - as he chronicles the Jazz Age from his perch atop the city that never sleeps.
'Gussie' is not one to shun shut-eye himself, however. But his peaceful luxuriation is about to be rudely awakened by the arrival of an unexpected guest.
Enter his old friend Thomas Nightingale, who has braved the Atlantic passage pursuing the matter of a rather intriguing saxophone said to possess a strange power over those who play it.
This deeply inconvenient affair will rouse Gussie from his warm bed for the cold shores of Long Island - and down to the jazz clubs of Harlem where music, magic, and madness haunt the shadows..."

This novella felt quite different from Aaronovitch’s usual writing style. It reminded me of P.G. Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster series, both in tone and in the character dynamics between Gussie and his valet. I enjoyed Gussie's clumsiness, his outlook on life, and his relationship with Nightingale and Lucien. And Nightingale is simply fantastic, whatever he does or says.

If you’re a fan of the Peter Grant series, this novella offers an interesting glimpse into the past, but it’s definitely a departure from the usual style (which I enjoy more). Still, it’s a fun, light read if you’re curious about Nightingale’s earlier adventures.

Happy reading!
Helena 

Cameron Johnston: The Maleficent Seven

Hi everyone

The Maleficent Seven is a standalone action-packed Fantasy from Cameron Johnston. After reading his Age of Tyranny duology I definitely wanted to try something else by his hand.
I got my copy from Bol.com.

"When you are all out of heroes, all that's left are the villains.
Black Herran was a dread demonologist, and the most ruthless general in all Essoran. She assembled the six most fearsome warriors to captain her armies: a necromancer, a vampire lord, a demigod, an orcish warleader, a pirate queen, and a twisted alchemist. Together they brought the whole continent to its knees... Until the day she abandoned her army, on the eve of total victory.
40 years later, she must bring her former captains back together for one final stand, in the small town of Tarnbrooke - the last bastion against a fanatical new enemy tearing through the land, intent on finishing the job Black Herran started years before.
Seven bloodthirsty monsters. One town. Their last hope."

This book was so much fun! 
The seven main characters all absolutely hate and despise each other, but they have no choice but to work together, which leads to some hilariously razorsharp dialogue and chaotic, dubble edged interactions. Each character has a fully fleshed-out backstory, so even though they’re villains, you understand their motives and why they do what they do. I found myself rooting for them, despite all of them being some kind of monster. I loved reading from their perspectives; all of them.
The book is dark, gruesome, and brutal, but it’s also hilarious, fast-paced, and packed with action. 
I love how Johnston puts forth the idea that religion and religious fanatics are worse than these seven monstrous captains. 
The worldbuilding is rich, with diverse races, multiple magic systems and powers.

My only regret? That this is a standalone novel. I would love to read more about these characters.

Have you read it? Or do you have another favorite "villain-centric" story? Let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena