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 

Toshikazu Kawaguchi: Before the Coffee gets Cold

Hi everyone

Before the Coffee Gets Cold is the first book in the series of the same name by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. I got this book from Bol.com.

"In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time.
In Before the Coffee Gets Cold, we meet four visitors, each of whom is hoping to make use of the café’s time-travelling offer, in order to: confront the man who left them, receive a letter from their husband whose memory has been taken by early onset Alzheimer's, to see their sister one last time, and to meet the daughter they never got the chance to know.
But the journey into the past does not come without risks: customers must sit in a particular seat, they cannot leave the café, and finally, they must return to the present before the coffee gets cold . . .
Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s beautiful, moving story explores the age-old question: what would you change if you could travel back in time? More importantly, who would you want to meet, maybe for one last time?"  

To be honest, it was very forgettable.

I hoped the book would be profoundly moving, charming, thoughtful, and lovely to read. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to those expectations.
The stories all follow the same format, so after the second story, it felt very repetitive. Especially repeating the rules of time travel every single time was so unnecessary. It really felt like Toshikazu Kawaguchi thinks we’re all stupid.

The stories are all overly simple in both plot and writing style, and it’s obvious their sole purpose is to make us emotional. The characters are very stereotypical, one-dimensional, and old-fashioned.
From the very first story, I felt incredulous at these characters. The woman in the first story is a smart and highly respected manager who speaks multiple languages, but after her time-travel moment, she has the epiphany that she should wait for her boyfriend to come back and she’ll be happy. In another story, a woman gives up all her own hopes and dreams to make her parents happy. What? Mind you, this book was written in 2019 and is also set in that time. It was impossible to feel connected to the characters.

So yeah, interesting premise and lots of potential; but that’s it.

Have you read Before the Coffee Gets Cold? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena