Jen Williams: The Bitter Twins

Hi everyone 

The Bitter Twins is the second book in Jen Williams’ The Winnowing Flame Trilogy, and I picked up my copy from Bol.com. After loving The Ninth Rain, I was eager to dive back into this world.

"The Ninth Rain has fallen, the Jure'lia have returned, and with Ebora a shadow of its former self, the old enemy are closer to conquering Sarn than ever.
Tormalin the Oathless and the Fell-Witch Noon have their hands full dealing with the first war-beasts to be born in Ebora for nearly three hundred years. But these are not the great mythological warriors of old; hatched too early and with no link to their past lives, the war-beasts have no memory of the many battles they have fought and won, and no concept of how they can possibly do it again. The key to uniting them, according to the scholar Vintage, may lie in a part of Sarn no one really believes exists, but finding it will mean a dangerous journey at a time of war...
Meanwhile, Hestillion is trapped on board the corpse moon, forced into a strange and uneasy alliance with the Jure'lia queen. Something terrifying is growing up there, in the heart of the Behemoth, and the people of Sarn will have no defence against these new monsters." 

The Bitter Twins was good but not as good as The Ninth Rain, the first book in The Winnowing Flame Trilogy. 

The plot in The Bitter Twins felt less tight than in The Ninth Rain. There were a few moments where events felt too perfectly timed, too coincidental, or just too obvious, which pulled me out of the story. It lacked the seamless flow that made the first book so gripping.
Another issue was Tor’s characterization. In The Ninth Rain, he was caring, funny, and layered, but here, he felt reduced to a moping, one-dimensional figure. It was disappointing to see such a vibrant character become so flat.
And a minor but aggravating detail: the number of times Noon, Tor, or others held up Vintage as some kind of moral compass. She’s not a saint, and the repetitive praise felt unearned and irritating after a while.

Despite those issues, I flew through this book and I enjoyed it a lot. Jen Williams’ writing is effortless to read, and I love the world and magic she’s created. The warbeasts are fantastic, each with unique personalities that make them stand out. Noon grew on me in this book, and I appreciate her development as a character.
Hestillion’s character arc was a highlight. She owns her choices and understands her motivations, which makes her one of the most compelling characters in the series. I also loved the distinct voices of all the characters; each one feels unique and fully realized.
The history revelations were surprising and intriguing, and I’m curious to see how they’ll impact everyone in the next book. 
And the action scenes? Absolutely fantastic. Williams delivers when it comes to tense, exciting battles and high-stakes moments.

The Bitter Twins wasn’t as strong as The Ninth Rain, but it still kept me hooked. The world, magic, and action are as captivating as ever, and I’m excited to see how everything wraps up in the final book. If you loved the first book in the series, this one is still very much worth reading; just be prepared for a book that's definitely not as good as the previous one.

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

Happy reading!
Helena 

Ilona Andrews: Magic Bleeds

Hi everyone

Magic Bleeds is the fourth book in the Kate Daniels series by writing duo Ilona Andrews.
I read this on my e-reader.

"Kate Daniels works for the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle—especially if they involve Atlanta’s shapeshifting community.
When she’s called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar midway between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers there’s a new player in town. One who’s been around for thousands of years—and rode to war at the side of Kate’s father.
This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family...." 

This was a whole lot of fun!

Ilona Andrews excels at blending humor, romance, and action, and Magic Bleeds delivers on all fronts. The worldbuilding is rich, the characters are compelling, and the plot twists keep you glued to the page. From page one, I was on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out where the story would go next. The dynamic between Kate and Curran is perfect; full of tension, humor, and heart, but never too sappy. 

If you’re looking for a series that balances kickass action with deep lore and slow-burn romance, Magic Bleeds is a must-read. I couldn’t put it down, and now I’m eager to dive into the next book!

Have you read Magic Bleeds? Did you love it as much as I did, or are you new to the Kate Daniels series? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Robin Hobb: City of Dragons

Hi everyone

City of Dragons is the third book in Robin Hobb’s The Rain Wild Chronicles, and I picked up my copy from Bol.com. 

"The dragon keepers and fledgling dragons have discovered a route to the lost city of Kelsingra but there is one problem: they need to be able to fly to cross the treacherous waters and enter the fabled city. At first, only a few dragons are willing to try – the others are either too ashamed of their deformed wings and feeble muscles or too proud to risk failure and humiliation.
But the rewards waiting at Kelsingra for those brave enough to take to the air are worth more than they could possibly imagine. This was a city built for dragons and their keepers. Alise Finbok is overwhelmed by the treasures she finds there, and spends hours carefully uncovering wonder after wonder, recording her findings for posterity. She knows the knowledge will change everything the world thought about dragons and the Elderlings.
Yet rumours of the city’s discovery have floated down the Rain Wild River and reached envious ears in Bingtown and beyond. Adventurers, pirates and fortune hunters are coming in droves to pillage what they can from the city. Will the dragons, only just finding their strength, and their keepers, who are changing in their own mysterious ways, be able to fend them off?
And what has happened to Tintaglia, the dragon-mother who started it all? Has she really abandoned her offspring forever? Or will she too return to seek the riches of Kelsingra…" 

After the slow build of the first two books, I was eager to see where this story would take me, and I came away with very mixed feelings. 

Robin Hobb’s writing is as engaging as ever; her prose flows beautifully, and this series, in particular, feels lighter and easier to read than some of her earlier works. The pacing is much improved here, too. We get more points of view, not just from the keepers and dragons on their journey to Kelsingra, but also from Malta, Reyn, and Selden, whose return I loved. Even Hest’s and the Duke of Chalced's POV added depth and tension, making the story feel more nuanced and driving the plot forward. Thankfully, there’s less focus on the sex-crazed teenagers this time, which helped the plot immensely.
The worldbuilding is where this book truly shines. Finally getting to explore Kelsingra was a highlight, it’s rich with potential, and I can’t wait to see more of its magic, history, and secrets uncovered. Discovering the Elderlings’ legacy alongside the characters was fascinating, and Alise’s awe and curiosity made the city feel alive and mysterious.

While the writing and worldbuilding are strong, the overall story still feels weaker compared to Hobb’s earlier series. There’s less happening than I’d hoped, and the keepers’ arcs continues to read like YA. Their obsession with sex, while less prominent than in previous books, still felt aggravating and unnecessary. The stakes feel lower, and the conflicts lack the depth and emotional weight I’ve come to expect from Hobb. I wanted more political intrigue, more emotional weight, more high-stakes drama.

City of Dragons is a step up from the previous books in the series, thanks to its improved pacing, expanded POVs, and stunning worldbuilding. But it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Hobb’s best work plotwise. 

Have you read City of Dragons? Did you love the exploration of Kelsingra as much as I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Neil Gaiman: The Graveyard Book

Hi everyone

I’ve been steadily making my way through Neil Gaiman’s work; some are re-reads, and some are new to me. The Graveyard Book was my first time reading it, and I read it on my e-reader.

"Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place—he's the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians' time as well as their ghostly teachings—such as the ability to Fade so mere mortals cannot see him.
Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead? And then there are beings such as ghouls that aren't really one thing or the other." 

I enjoyed this book, but I didn’t love it. I know it’s aimed at younger readers (around 8–12 years old), so I tried to keep that in mind while reading. As an adult, I had a lot of practical questions: What if Bod fell ill? What if it were freezing cold? Where does he bathe? How would he manage in the real world without modern schooling? But I don’t think most children would dwell on those details, and that’s okay! 

This story is imaginative, bittersweet, suspenseful, creepy, and a perfect mix of dark and light. The villain, Jack, is pure evil, which makes the story very black-and-white and good versus bad. I guess that’s typical for children’s books, but as an adult, I prefer more nuance. Still, it keeps the tension high and the stakes clear.

What I loved most was Bod’s new family; how caring, kind, and protective they are. Their bond makes the ending truly bittersweet, but it also leaves the door open for imagination (or even a sequel!). 

Bod’s naivety is charming, though I was a little surprised by it. You’d think living in a graveyard among ghosts would make him more world-weary. The section where he attends school and deals with bullies, however, felt out of place, more unrealistic than the fantastical premise itself. I couldn’t understand why Silas would let him go to school when the graveyard is supposed to be his safe haven.

Have you read The Graveyard Book? Did you love it as a child, or did you discover it as an adult? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading
Helena

Anniversary book- and Lego haul

Hi everyone

Today, my husband Brecht and I are celebrating 18 years together! Eighteen years of laughter, love, and friendship, it’s hard to believe how fast time has flown.
This morning, before work and school, we exchanged gifts and a card. Brecht truly is my best friend, he knows me so well, and the gifts he chose made our day even more special. He remembered how much I loved Shauna Lawless' The Children of Gods and Fighting Men so he gave me the second and third books in the series! And I had mentioned this Lego set a couple times over the last few months so I'm very happy he got me that too. And since I’d mentioned the Lego Tulip Bouquet a few times over the past months, he got me that too.
In return, I gave him an assortment of his favorite sweets and a large Meccano set. Our kids found it hilarious that we gave each other "toys," but honestly, who says adults can’t play too?

I’m so, so happy with what he picked out:

- Shauna Lawless: The Words of Kings and Prophets

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

- Lego Botanicals 11501 Tulip Bouquet

Eighteen years with Brecht has been amazing, and these gifts are just another reminder of how thoughtful and supportive he is. We all love Lego in our house and I have quite a few other bouquets too so these will be stunning all together, mixed up, as a set in a vase, ...

Do you have any favorite books or Lego sets you’ve received as gifts? I’d love to hear about them!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Shauna Lawless: The Children of Gods and Fighting Men

Hi everyone

Shauna Lawless' debut novel, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is the first book in The Gael Song Trilogy.
I got my copy from Bol.

"981 AD. The Viking King of Dublin is dead. His young widow, Gormflaith, has ambitions for her son—and herself—but Ireland is a dangerous place and kings tend not to stay kings for long. Gormflaith also has a secret. She is one of the Fomorians, an immortal race who can do fire-magic. She has kept her powers hidden at all costs, for there are other immortals in this world—like the Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of warriors who are sworn to kill Fomorians. Fódla is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann with the gift of healing. Her kind dwell hidden in a fortress, forbidden to live amongst the mortals. Fódla agrees to help her kin by going to spy on Brian Boru, a powerful man who aims to be High King of Ireland. She finds a land on the brink of war—a war she is desperate to stop. However, preventing the loss of mortal lives is not easy with Ireland in turmoil and the Fomorians now on the rise..." 

This book is brilliant.

One of the things that I only realized after finishing the book was how little outright action there is; yet the tension is always simmering, ready to boil over and when violence does erupt, it’s expertly written. And here’s the thing: it’s never boring. The political intrigue and fraught relationships keep you engaged and wanting more.

The plot is thoroughly engaging, and Shauna Lawless builds a vivid, immersive world that feels alive with danger and intrigue. The prose is beautiful; it reads like historical fiction, but with a layer of magic and Irish mythology that makes it something truly special. It feels authentic, as if the myths and legends are not just background, but living, breathing forces shaping the story.

Gormflaith is fascinating. She’s ruthless, cunning, and morally ambiguous; a terrible person and mother, yet I couldn’t help but admire her. In a world dominated by men, she stands her ground, using every weapon at her disposal to secure power for herself and her son. She’s flawed, complex, and utterly compelling. She's the kind of character you love to hate but can’t look away from.
Then there’s Fódla, who stole my heart from the very beginning. Her past is marked by manipulation and deception, and watching her unravel the lies she’s been fed is incredibly satisfying. Her journey of self-discovery and healing from grief adds layers of emotional depth to the story.

Highly recommended powerful and griping story. 

Have you read The Gael Song Trilogy? Or are you planning to pick it up? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy reading
Helena 

Wrap Up: February 2026

Hi everyone

The end of February always takes me by surprise, even though it’s only two days shorter than other months, it still feels like it sneaks up on me! And honestly? I’m glad it’s over. The cold, dark days really bring me down, so I’m ready for March, with its promise of sun (even if it’s just peeking through all the Belgian rain) and longer, brighter days.

But even if the month felt short, I packed in some great reads! Here’s what I dove into: 

- Stephen Aryan: The Coward

- Sarah J. Maas: A Court of Thorns and Roses

- John Gwynne: The Hunger of the Gods

- Stephanie M. Kriesberg: Adult Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers

- Julie Leong: The Keeper of Magical Things

- Richard Matheson: Nightmare At 20,000 Feet 

How was your reading month? Did you discover a new favorite, or revisit an old beloved book? I’d love to hear your recommendations, what should I add to my list for March or beyond? Maybe something light and uplifting to chase away the last of the winter depression?

Happy reading! 
Helena 

Julie Leong: The Keeper of Magical Things

Hi everyone

The Keeper of Magical Things is Julie Leong’s second book. After reading and enjoying her first book, The Teller of Small Fortunes, I didn’t hesitate to pick this one up. 
I got my copy from Bol. 

"Certainty Bulrush wants to be useful—to the Guild of Mages that took her in as a novice, to the little brother who depends on her, and to anyone else she can help. Unfortunately, her tepid magic hasn’t proven much use to anyone. When Certainty has the chance to earn her magehood via a seemingly straightforward assignment, she takes it. Nevermind that she’ll have to work with Mage Aurelia, the brilliant, unfairly attractive overachiever who’s managed to alienate everyone around her.
The two must transport minorly magical artifacts somewhere safe: Shpelling, the dullest, least magical village around. There, they must fix up an old warehouse, separate the gossipy teapots from the kind-of-flaming swords, corral an unruly little catdragon who has tagged along, and above all: avoid complications. The Guild’s uneasy relationship with citizens is at a tipping point, and the last thing needed is a magical incident.
Still, as mage and novice come to know Shpelling’s residents—and each other—they realize the Guild’s hoarded magic might do more good being shared. Friendships blossom while Certainty and Aurelia work to make Shpelling the haven it could be. But magic is fickle—add attraction and it might spell trouble." 

This book was such a delight! 
I absolutely adored the characters, both the residents of Shpelling and our main duo, Certainty and Aurelia. Their dynamic is full of tension, humor, and slow-burning chemistry, and watching them grow from reluctant partners to something deeper was a joy. Certainty’s kindness and determination contrast perfectly with Aurelia’s brilliant but prickly personality, and their evolving relationship felt organic and satisfying. It sometimes flirted with being too romantic and too sweet but that's ok.

The setting of Shpelling is adorable; a village so dull and unmagical that it becomes the perfect backdrop for the chaos of minor magical artifacts. It’s the kind of setting that feels like a warm hug; comforting, heartwarming, and full of small, joyful moments.
What I loved most was the theme of community and sharing magic. As you all know, I’m a sucker for stories about people overcoming obstacles together, and this book definitely delivered. The interactions with the villagers and the sense of a small, tight-knit community growing around Certainty and Aurelia were so satisfying. This book left me smiling long after I finished.

If I had to nitpick, I’d say the plot itself was rather thin and predictable. With this genre, you kind of know where things are headed, and while I hoped for a few more surprises, the charm of the characters and setting made up for it. Sometimes, a cozy, feel-good story doesn’t need a twisty plot, it just needs heart, and this book has plenty of that.

Have you read The Keeper of Magical Things? Did you love it as much as I did? Or are you planning to pick it up? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

John Gwynne: The Hunger of the Gods

Hi everyone

The Hunger of the Gods is the second book in The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne. 
I got my copy from Bol.com.

"THE DEAD GODS ARE RISING.
Lik-Rifa, the dragon god of legend, has been freed from her eternal prison. Now she plots a new age of blood and conquest. As Orka continues the hunt for her missing son, the Bloodsworn sweep south in a desperate race to save one of their own–and Varg takes the first steps on the path of vengeance. Elvar has sworn to fulfil her blood oath and rescue a prisoner from the clutches of Lik-Rifa and her dragonborn followers, but first she must persuade the Battle-Grim to follow her. Yet even the might of the Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim cannot stand alone against a dragon god. Their only hope lies within the mad writings of a chained god. A book of forbidden magic with the power to raise the wolf god Ulfrir from the dead…and bring about a battle that will shake the foundations of the earth." 

This book was amazing.

One of the things I loved was that the book opens with a recap of The Shadow of the Gods, the first book in the series, along with a list of characters and a glossary of terms. I absolutely love when authors do this. I tend to wait until all the books in a series are published before reading them because I forget details about characters and events, so these lists and summaries were incredibly helpful.

The world of The Bloodsworn Saga is absolutely magnificent. It’s a brutal, fully realized world that feels expansive and alive, with different species, countries, and cultures. Gwynne has created something complex, vivid, and completely engrossing.

The story itself is simple; most of the novel follows the characters as they travel from location to location, interrupted by fights or skirmishes. It’s a classic second book in a trilogy, where much of the plot is setup for the final book. While this structure is very obvious, I didn’t mind because it was still so engrossing. There’s so much happening; political maneuvering, character development, and high-stakes tension, that it never felt dull.
As always, John Gwynne’s battle scenes are astounding. The story is brutal, muddy, and bloody, just as I’ve come to expect from his writing. The action is visceral and immersive, making every fight feel real and consequential.

Orka remains my favorite character. I love that she’s a mother and older than the typical protagonist; she has lived, experienced the world, and carries the weight of her past, yet she’s still loyal, strong, and fierce. She feels real in a way that’s rare in fantasy.
Gudvarr’s POV is new to this book, and while I absolutely hate him, reading from his perspective helped me understand him as a character, not just a black-and-white villain, but a nuanced, egotistical figure. It added depth and complexity to the story, making everything feel more gray than black and white.
I also loved the addition of the gods returning and their human and non-human descendants joining the cast. It’s an interesting and exciting dynamic that adds another layer of intrigue to the world.
John Gwynne has a true gift for bringing characters to life. He doesn’t just tell their stories, he lets us understand them, flaws and all. It’s one of the reasons I love his writing so much.

Have you read The Bloodsworn Saga? Did you love The Hunger of the Gods as much as I did?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Sarah J. Maas: A Court of Thorns and Roses

Hi everyone 

A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas.
This YA series was hugely popular about ten years ago, but I never got around to trying it; until now. 
I read it on my e-reader.

"When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.
At least, he’s not a beast all the time.
As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever."  

I found this book to be very, very mixed.

At its core, the story is basically Beauty and the Beast with a few twists. Unfortunately, the "beast" in this case is Tamlin, a gorgeous, boring, one-dimensional Fae king. Our "Beauty," Feyre, is the typical YA heroine; a young woman who doesn’t realize how beautiful and special she is. The comic relief comes from Tamlin’s best friend, but honestly, all the characters were so irritating.
Feyre’s lack of common sense was frustrating. Why does she never listen? Does she have to experience everything firsthand before believing what she’s told? And how is she illiterate when her family was once wealthy? It just doesn’t make sense. I did like her strength, skills, and self-awareness; she knows what she’s capable of, but she was also so stupid at times. Why would she want to go back to a life of slavery for her ungrateful family? And don’t even get me started on how dumb it was that it took her three months to solve the riddle.

The plot itself was confusing. Feyre was living in poverty, kills a Fae, and as "punishment," she gets to live in luxury and yet she still wants to escape? It wasn’t until halfway through the book, with a massive infodump, that the "punishment" even made sense. In the original Beauty and the Beast, at least the reader knows about the curse from the start.
And don’t get me started on the final part, when Feyre is trying to save Tamlin. The tests, the riddle, and Rhysand’s behavior (which bordered on unnecessary and problematic) were just utterly ridiculous. This very bad Fae gets completely undone by a stupid riddle? Feyre is falling for a man who sexualizes her?

That said, I did enjoy some parts. The world and the different types of Fae were interesting, and I would have loved to explore them more instead of getting infodumps. The development of Feyre and Tamlin’s relationship was enjoyable; not too romantic or dramatic, but obviously very predictable. There was enough action and political intrigue to balance out the romance, and the pacing was good.

It’s pretty easy to see where the relationships (between Feyre and Tamlin, and Feyre and Rhysand) are headed. I do like that it’s not going to be a typical, straightforward love story, but I really hope there’s no more attempted sexual assault in the next books. That was completely unnecessary and added nothing to the story.

I’m not convinced I’ll be reading the next books in the series. It was entertaining in a no-expectations, no-thinking kind of way, but also very exasperating at times.

Have you read A Court of Thorns and Roses? Did you feel the same way, or did you love it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Birthday Bookhaul

Hi everyone

January 24th was my birthday! I had a lovely day celebrating with my husband and our two daughters. The weekend after my birthday, we gathered with my parents, my brother, and his wife to continue the festivities. My husband’s birthday was on the 12th of January, and we celebrated with his family the day after his birthday.

The best part? Everyone (except my husband) gave me money for books! They all know how much I love to read, and honestly, it’s the perfect gift for me.

So, I bought myself some very anticipated new books! I ordered all of them from Bol and they arrived over the last couple of days. 
Here's what I got.

- James S. A. Corey: Memory's Legion

- Eowyn Ivey: Black Woods Blue Sky 

- Rachel Joyce: Miss Benson's Beetle

- Toshikazu Kawaguchi: Before the Coffee gets Cold

- Stephen King: Firestarter

- Stephen King: Needful Things

- H. P. Lovecraft: Cthulhu Mythos Tales

- Edgar Allan Poe: The Complete Poetry

- John Steinbeck: Travels with Charley

- Andrea Stewart: The Bone Shard Daughter

- Xiran Jay Zhao: Iron Widow

Have you read any of these? If so, which one should I read first? I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Stephen Aryan: The Coward

Hi everyone

Because I loved Stephen Aryan’s Age of Darkness and Age of Dread series, I went ahead and bought both books in his Quest for Heroes series at the same time.
I got both of them from Bol. 

"Kell Kressia is a legend, a celebrity, a hero. Aged just seventeen he set out on an epic quest with a band of grizzled fighters to slay the Ice Lich and save the world, but only he returned victorious. The Lich was dead, the ice receded and the Five Kingdoms were safe.
Ten years have passed Kell lives a quiet farmer's life, while stories about his heroism are told in every tavern across the length and breadth of the land. But now a new terror has arisen in the north. Beyond the frozen circle, north of the Frostrunner clans, something has taken up residence in the Lich's abandoned castle. And the ice is beginning to creep south once more.
For the second time, Kell is called upon to take up his famous sword, Slayer, and battle the forces of darkness. But he has a terrible secret that nobody knows. He's not a hero - he was just lucky. Everyone puts their faith in Kell the Legend, but he's a coward who has no intention of risking his life for anyone..."

This was a fun and very entertaining quest-like story. 

I loved the idea of these "heroes" discovering who they really are; whether they’re cowards or brave, male or female, human or not. Aryan does such a great job of exploring the difference between legend and reality, especially how society conveniently forgets the flaws of its heroes. It’s a theme that feels so real and relatable, and it added a lot of depth to the story.
One of my favorite tropes is strangers becoming a team, bonding and working together toward a common goal. This book was right up my alley! Watching these characters grow, clash, and eventually trust each other was so satisfying. Aryan’s writing is, as always, easy to read, not too flowery, and very accessible. He has a knack for balancing humor, action, and introspection in a way that keeps the story engaging and fun.
I particularly loved the coward/reluctant hero aspect of Kell’s character. His PTSD and survivor’s guilt were handled really well, it felt authentic and raw, not just tacked on for drama. The characters were all distinct, flawed, and compelling. I loved them all, and it hurt to lose some of them. That’s how you know a story has gotten under your skin, when you care this much about what happens to the characters.

There were only two things that didn’t quite work for me. The first was Britak’s chapters. They felt like a setup for the next book, but in this one, she was rather superfluous. Without her chapters, this could have been a perfect standalone. I’m not particularly compelled to read the next book because of her, especially since the main storyline wraps up so satisfyingly on its own.
The second thing was Willow. I was disappointed by how little we learned about her. It felt like a cheap and easy way to add diversity to the cast by including a non-human character, but without giving her a real backstory or depth it doesn't add but detract from the quality of the book. Willow could have been so much more than just a plot device.

All in all, The Coward was a fantastic read; fun, action-packed, and full of heart. 

Have you read the books in the Quest for Heroes series? Did you feel the same way? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: January 2026

Hi everyone,
The first month of the year (and, let’s be honest, my least favorite month) is finally over! But even though January can feel a bit dreary, it’s always a great time to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea or coffee. So, I wanted to share a Wrap Up of the books I read this month.

Here's what I read:

- Terry Pratchett: The Truth

- Christopher Buehlman: The Blacktongue Thief

- Naomi Alderman: The Future

- Stephen King: Under The Dome

- Karyl McBride: Will I Ever Be Good Enough?

- Ray Celestin: Palace of Shadows

Did you read anything amazing in January? Or maybe you’re starting the year with a new favorite? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!

Happy reading!
Helena