Stephen Aryan: The Warrior

Hi everyone

The Warrior is the second and the last book in the Quest for Heroes duology by Stephen Aryan. 
I got my book from Bol.

"Bound, by duty and responsibility, Kell is King only in name. Trapped in a loveless marriage, he leaves affairs of state to his wife, Sigrid. When his old friend, Willow, turns up asking him to go on a journey to her homeland he can't wait to leave.
The Malice, a malevolent poison that alters everything it infects, runs rampant across Willow's homeland. Desperate to find a cure her cousin, Ravvi, is willing to try a dark ritual which could damn her people forever. Journeying to a distant land, Kell and his companions must stop Ravvi before it's too late. While Kell is away Reverend Mother Britak's plans come to a head. Queen Sigrid must find a way to protect her family and her nation, but against such a ruthless opponent, something has to give..." 

While I really enjoyed The Coward (the first book in the series) The Warrior was nowhere near as good.

First, the premise was good, but it wasn’t clearly worked out. There were so many questionable things happening, so many strange decisions made just to move the plot forward, and so many things left unexplained. It was also a surprisingly sad book, which I didn’t see coming.

Second, Willow’s character, her background, her culture, her people, and her world were barely expanded upon, even though she’s one of the maincharacters in this book. We learn a bit more about her people, but not much, and this was one of the main reasons I wanted to read this book. I was really looking forward to diving deeper into their way of life, but it never happened. That was a real letdown.

Kell and Willow’s journey was actually quite boring. There’s endless talk about The Malice, incessant instances of characters losing themselves to it, and a few action scenes in between. I loved the action scenes, but they were too few and far between.
Odd was such an interesting character, but just like Willow, we don’t really get to know him. What is The Hunger exactly (an infection, an alien, something else?)? Where does it come from? Can it be cured? We don’t know. Odd felt like a strange addition to this cast, as if he didn’t belong in this story but would work much better in a totally different series.

Lastly, the pacing was off. Kell’s story was much too slow, Sigrid’s story was too fast, and the ending came kind of out of nowhere. Within 15 pages, everything is over, and everyone is miraculously at the right place at the right time. It felt rushed and unsatisfying.

The main reason I kept reading was Stephen Aryan’s writing. His prose is very easy to read; engaging, accessible, and enjoyable. There’s not too much drama, which I always appreciate. No endless whining or romantic mooning, just straightforward, compelling storytelling.
I also really liked Sigrid’s journey and growth. Her struggles with the people of The Faith and the arising questions about where this religion is going were really well done. Her story felt a bit rushed to be fully believable, but it was still one of the highlights of the book.

All in all, The Warrior is not a bad book, but it felt like a missed opportunity.

Have you read The Warrior? 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 

Wrap Up: May 2026

Hi everyone

May is my favorite month of the year. There’s lots of sunshine, warmer weather (but not too hot for a walk), and flowers and greenery everywhere, so what’s not to love? 

Here’s what I finished this month:

- Lara Taveirne: De kinderen van Calais

- Rebecca Yarros: Fourth Wing

- Shauna Lawless: The Words of Kings and Prophets 

- John Scalzi: Redshirts

- Harriet Muncaster: Isabella Maan gaat logeren

- Kristin Hannah: The Great Alone

- Gareth Brown: The Book of Doors

- Ben Aaronovitch: Tales from the Folly 

Sadly, I did not finish two books:

- Ferdia Lennon: Glorious Exploits

- Ken Liu: The Grace of Kings 

Did you read any of these? Loved them, hated them, or somewhere in between? Let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy reading!
Helena  

Ben Aaronovitch: Tales from the Folly

Hi everyone

Tales from the Folly is a collection of short stories set in the world of Rivers of London. I received my copy as a gift from my parents, and it even has Ben Aaronovitch’s signature!

"Return to the world of Rivers of London in this first short story collection from #1 Sunday Times bestselling author, Ben Aaronovitch. Tales from the Folly is a carefully curated collection that gathers together previously published stories and brand new tales in the same place for the first time.
Each tale features a new introduction from the author, filled with insight and anecdote offering the reader a deeper exploration into this absorbing fictional world. This is a must read for any Rivers of London fan.
Join Peter, Nightingale, Abigail, Agent Reynolds and Tobias Winter for a series of perfectly portioned tales. Discover what’s haunting a lonely motorway service station, who still wanders the shelves of a popular London bookshop, and what exactly happened to the River Lugg…"

This collection of short stories was okay, but nothing special, to be honest.

In my opinion, short stories aren’t Aaronovitch’s strongest suit, and you can definitely tell these are his first attempts at the format. They lack the humor, flair, and atmosphere we’ve come to love and expect from his full-length Peter Grant novels. The setting is as wonderful as ever, the characters are lovely and the magic is great. But they don't shine in this collection.
The stories just cut off. They stop abruptly, and every time, I was left feeling like I was missing something. There’s no satisfying resolution or proper closure, just a sudden end that leaves you wanting more.

In short, Tales from the Folly is an enjoyable collection that adds extra background to some of the Rivers of London characters. But if you’re looking for the same depth, wit, and charm as the main series, you might find this a bit lacking. 

Have you read Tales from the Folly? 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 

Gareth Brown: The Book of Doors

Hi everyone

The Book of Doors is Gareth Browns debut novel. I read this on my e-reader. 
The premise is intriguing, but unfortunately, the execution fell flat for me.

"In New York City, bookseller Cassie Andrews is living an unassuming life when she is given a gift by a favourite customer. It's a book—an unusual book, full of strange writing and mysterious drawings. And at the very front there is a handwritten message to Cassie, telling her that this is the Book of Doors, and that any door is every door. 
What Cassie is about to discover is that the Book of Doors is a special book that bestows an extraordinary powers on whoever possesses it, and soon she and her best friend Izzy are exploring all that the Book of Doors can do, swept away from their quiet lives by the possibilities of traveling to anywhere they want. 
But the Book of Doors is not the only magical book in the world. There are other books that can do wondrous and dreadful things when wielded by dangerous and ruthless individuals—individuals who crave what Cassie now possesses. 
Suddenly Cassie and Izzy are confronted by violence and danger, and the only person who can help them is, it seems, Drummond Fox. He is a man fleeing his own demons—a man with his own secret library of magical books that he has hidden away in the shadows for safekeeping. Because there is a nameless evil out there that is hunting them all... 
Because some doors should never be opened." 

First, the writing style; or more specifically, how Gareth Brown writes women. He falls into the classic trap of having his "heroine" stare into a mirror and describe herself, including unnecessary details like her breast size and everything she supposedly hates about her appearance. I hate when authors do this. What do her breasts have to do with the story? Why does the other woman feel disgusting for eating carbs? There are so many strange, unnecessary comments that pulled me out of the story.
And then there’s Cassies trip to the past. She ages 10 years, and suddenly she’s in her thirties, complaining about being old, grey, and sagging. Please. As someone who actually is in her thirties, I can tell you; this is not how it works and it's insulting. And how is it possible to live somewhere for 10 years without a job, an identity, or any kind of life? What did she do all day? Why didn’t she take up boxing or learn a skill that might help her survive? It made no sense.

I didn’t care for any of the characters. They were all one-dimensional, lacking proper motivations, and without much background or growth. I couldn’t care less whether someone lived or died.

Some (okay, a lot) of the choices the characters made were just plain stupid. Sending a cold-hearted killer back in time instead of just killing him? Absolutely asinine, especially in a book where time travel exists. And did they really think the villain wouldn’t notice her books were gone? It felt like the characters were making decisions just to move the plot forward or in a certain way, not because it made any logical sense.
I would have loved to find out more about the other magical books. What were they capable of? How did they come to belong to someone? The concept was so cool, but it was barely explored. It felt like a wasted opportunity.

And finally, finding out why the villain became the bad one was a really strange decision. I like that we got some background, but not this background. It made the "heroes" seem just as bad, and I really don’t understand Brown’s reasoning here. It undermined the moral clarity of the story.

The Book of Doors had so much potential with such an intriguing premise, but it fell short in almost every way. The writing, characters, and plot choices were frustrating, and the worldbuilding was underdeveloped. It’s a shame, because the premise is so interesting.

Have you read The Book of Doors? Did you enjoy it more than I did, or did you struggle with the same issues? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Kristin Hannah: The Great Alone

Hi everyone

I just finished The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. It was a New Year’s gift from my parents, who traditionally give us one or two books to celebrate the start of a new year. A tradition I wholeheartedly stand behind!

"Alaska, 1974
Ernt Allbright came home from the Vietnam War a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes the impulsive decision to move his wife and daughter north where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.
Cora will do anything for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown. Thirteen-year-old Leni, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, has little choice but to go along, daring to hope this new land promises her family a better future.
In a wild, remote corner of Alaska, the Allbrights find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the newcomers’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.
But as winter approaches and darkness descends, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own."

This book was a mix of highs and lows for me.

I fell in love with the setting. Alaska, the small towns, the homesteads, the magnificent nature; it was all absolutely gorgeous. Kristin Hannah has a real talent for creating a story with characters you want to know better and a way of life that feels both foreign and fascinating. I loved how she brought it all to life, and the atmosphere was captivating.
I really enjoyed reading about their lives; the homesteading, the school life, the isolation, and the struggle to survive the winters. It was immersive and compelling.
The love story was fine. It wasn’t overly dramatic or over the top, and I loved that they were friends first. Their love felt natural and earned.

The first half of the book was amazing. But after that, it really went downhill.

The mother-daughter relationship amid the domestic abuse felt wrong. Hannah portrays Leni and Cora as having this perfect, almost telepathic connection, where they intuitively understand each other’s thoughts and feelings. But that doesn’t ring true for me. This is clearly a co-dependent relationship, especially from Cora’s perspective. Cora always puts her husband and her own desires before Leni, and as Leni grows up, she never expresses anger or resentment toward her mother for not leaving her father, even when others are clearly willing to help them. Instead, Cora makes Leni responsible for the abuse, telling her to be careful and not selfish or he will become agressive.
I found Ernt believable; his PTSD, the abuse stemming from it, and Cora’s decision to stay with him felt realistic for the time period. We know so much more about PTSD and therapy now, but back then, options were limited. That said, I wish we’d gotten more insight into his mind; his struggles, his thoughts, his demons.

The part after the accident felt off. I couldn’t understand why Leni would cut off all contact with Matthew’s family after writing him letters every week for years. She could have stayed in touch with his father or sister. No contact at all just doesn’t fit with her character before the accident. I get that they feared being tracked, but I’m sure Hannah could have found a way for Leni to stay connected without risking her safety.
And the part after Cora’s death was way too dramatic and overstuffed with events. The lovely, slow pace of the first half gave way to a few chapters that were too fast, too chaotic, and too much.

The medical stuff was laughable. As someone with a background in midwifery, I couldn’t overlook the glaring mistakes: pulling out your own IV with no bleeding, no nurses in sight in the ICU, no badge required to enter the ICU? My inner midwife was screaming.

I have an 8-year-old daughter at home, and she doesn’t act or talk like MJ. MJ sounds and acts like a much younger child (reading by sounding out words, not reacting when his mom talks about killing her dad, his way of playing). It didn’t feel authentic at all.

Lastly, every bad thing that could happen, did happen in this book. Kristin Hannah piles on the tragedy, and it gets old quickly. There was no need for so much misery and catastrophe. In fact, I think the story of the abuse and the setting would have been more impactful if it had been a bit more realistic in its scope. The story went downhill after the accident, and by that point, I was done with all the bad decisions, accidents, and disasters.

The Great Alone had so much potential, and the first half was incredible. But the second half really let me down. It’s still a beautifully written, atmospheric novel, but it could have been so much more.

Have you read The Great Alone? Did you love it, or did you struggle with the same issues I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Should I read anything else by Kristin Hannah?

Happy reading!
Helena 

John Scalzi: Redshirts

Hi everyone

After Old Man’s War didn’t quite click with me, I decided to give John Scalzi another chance. I picked up Redshirts; his most popular novel on Goodreads (after Old Man’s War) and read it on my e-reader. 
John Scalzi is hilarious over on Bluesky so go check him out!

"Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It’s a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship’s Xenobiology laboratory.
Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to pick up on the fact that:
(1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces
(2) the ship’s captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations
(3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.
Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expended on avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues’ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is…and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives. "

This book was a lot of fun. It’s not deep, and it doesn’t try to be (at first) it’s a lighthearted, entertaining space adventure packed with hilarious interactions, absurd situations, and just a dash of philosophy. It honestly made me laugh out loud, and there aren’t many writers who can pull that off (Terry Pratchett, of course, is one of them).
The writing is smooth and engaging, making it hard to put down. The story flows effortlessly, and the humor and wit keep you hooked. It’s the kind of book you pick up for a quick chapter and end up reading for hours because it’s just so entertaining.

My only real complaint is the codas at the end. They added nothing to my enjoyment, in fact, they detracted from it. I understand Scalzi was trying to make the book more thought-provoking, but the shift in style was so jarring that it didn’t work for me. The main story was so strong and hilarious that the codas felt unnecessary and out of place.

Have you read Redshirts? Did you enjoy the codas, or did you feel the same way I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Shauna Lawless: The Words of Kings and Prophets

Hi everyone

The Words of Kings and Prophets is the second book in the Gael Song Trilogy by Shauna Lawless. My husband gifted it to me for my birthday because he saw how much I loved the first book, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men. And let me tell you; this one was just as incredible. 

"Ireland, 1000 AD. Gormflaith is unhappily married to Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, and although a queen she struggles with her limited position. As an immortal Fomorian with the secret gift of magic, Gormflaith has a burning to find and destroy the hidden fortress of her sworn enemies, the Descendants, who seek to kill her kind at all costs. She begins to use her magical powers, and discovers she is more skilled than she ever realised... but can she control what she will become?
Meanwhile Fódla, the Descendants' healer, mourns her banished sister but clings to life as the guardian of her young nephew. She seeks a place of safety for them both, but he has secrets of his own that could threaten everything – and Fódla must do all in her power to keep him hidden away from those who would use him for evil.
When a mysterious man comes to King Brian's court, his presence could spell disaster or deliverance for both Gormflaith and Fódla – and for Ireland herself. For he is Tomas, an ambitious immortal with few scruples – and he will do anything to see his plans become reality. Soon, mortals and immortals alike are drawn towards a bitter conflict that could decide the future of Ireland and all her people."

I loved this book.

Just like the first book, this story isn’t non-stop action with a super-fast plot or a hundred things happening at once. Instead, we get a thoroughly thought-out, highly character-driven narrative with wonderful worldbuilding and a rich history. The characters are especially outstanding; every single one of them feels like a unique person, with their own thoughts, feelings, and motivations. They’re never just there to serve the plot or as a means to an end.
I especially loved how Lawless wrote Fódla’s growth and agency. The way she realizes and acts on her own thoughts, feelings, and suspicions; instead of being held back by others’ plans for her; was so satisfying. She’s come a long way since the first book.
Gormflaith, on the other hand, is devilish, ruthless, and cunning, yet Lawless writes her in a way that lets you understand her actions and feelings. That’s the mark of a truly skilled writer. Every time one of her chapters started, I dreaded reading from her POV because I hate her so much, but within a few sentences, I was fully engaged again. She’s a complex, morally gray character and truly deserving of her role as a main character.

I felt the tension in my body every time characters crossed paths in this book. The anticipation of what could be revealed, the possible reactions; Shauna Lawless builds suspense like a master. There are twists and turns throughout, and I never felt bored or able to predict what would happen next.
This book was so hard to put down, and I’m so excited to read the third book in the Gael Song Trilogy very soon!

Shauna Lawless writes love stories the way I love to read them: slow, profound, and real. Not obsessed with physical attraction, not overly flowery or nauseatingly dramatic. After reading Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, The Words of Kings and Prophets felt like a breath of fresh air.

Have you read The Words of Kings and Prophets? 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 

Rebecca Yarros: Fourth Wing

Hi everyone

Fourth Wing; the first book in The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros, has been everywhere lately. Even though I’m always skeptical of hyped books, I like to try them for myself and see if the buzz is justified. So, I decided to read it on my e-reader.

"Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. 
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans; they incinerate them. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet with every day that passes, the war outside grows deadlier; the kingdom's protective wards are failing; and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret." 

This book is marketed as New Adult (ages 18–29), but I’d argue it feels more like Young Adult (ages 12–18) in terms of story, language, and characters (except for the sex scenes, which push it into the NA category).
But here’s the thing: this book is just… not good.

First, the plot feels like a copy-paste of Divergent, Harry Potter, and The Hunger Games. I didn’t find anything original here. There are so many questionable plotlines that pulled me out of the story: Why train the children of traitors to be competent soldiers? What kind of stupid decision is that?
How convenient that Violet has a super rare signet and bonds with two super special dragons; something never heard of before. And of course, one of those dragons is bonded to Xaden, because of course it is. I hate when characters are just “the chosen one” or “the special one”, it feels lazy and unearned.
Violet is supposed to have a weak, brittle body due to chronic pain, but she somehow accomplishes all these physical challenges without much issue. I appreciate that Rebecca Yarros included a character with chronic pain, but it’s only mentioned in passing; never explored in a way that shows how it actually complicates her life and movements. This isn’t how you raise awareness for disability; it’s how you use it as a superficial trait.

Second, the writing is inconsistent both in style and timeline and there’s absolutely no worldbuilding.
The characters are one-dimensional and read like teenagers. They’re also complete copies of characters from other books (Divergent, A Court of Thorns and Roses). And from the moment Violet meets Xaden, you already know exactly how this will play out. There’s never a surprise in this book.
I did like the dragons and their dialogue, though that was one bright spot in an otherwise frustrating read.

And lastly, the book hyperfocuses on Violet’s physical and sexual attraction to Xaden. Every page, she’s thinking about him, yearning for his touch, his body, his breath. It’s honestly nauseating. And from the start, there’s this weird sexual tension triangle with Dain added to the mix. If this is typical for Romantasy novels, then the genre is not for me, because I hated this.

Have you read Fourth Wing? Did you love it, or did you feel the same way I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

About me

Hi everyone

I just edited the 'About me' section and I wanted to post the new text here too because you might not scroll so far to read it.

            * * * * * 

Hi everyone

Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved reading. There’s something magical about every part of it; owning books, organizing them, diving into their pages, admiring their covers, rereading old favorites, talking about them endlessly, researching new ones, and seeing them lined up on my shelves. Books have always been a source of joy, comfort, and adventure for me.

I’m not a professional; I didn’t study literature or languages, and I don’t claim to have all the answers about the books I read. But what I do have is a deep love for stories and the people who write them. My hope is to share that love with others, to pay it forward, and to connect with fellow book lovers who feel the same way.

Since I’m from Belgium, my native language is Dutch, not English, so please keep that in mind while reading my blog. I’ll do my best to share my thoughts clearly, but I know my writing might not always be perfect.

And I’d love to hear from you; which books should I read next? What are your favorites? Let’s swap recommendations and discover new stories together!

If you’d like, you can connect with me on:
- Goodreads
- Bluesky

I hope you enjoy this blog, and happy reading!
Helena  

Lara Taveirne: De kinderen van Calais

Hi everyone

I just finished De kinderen van Calais by a Belgian author; Lara Taveirne. This book, as far as I know, has never been translated into English. I borrowed my copy from our local library, and it left me with very mixed feelings.

"Wissant, Noord-Frankrijk, de jaren zestig. Urenlang gingen ze gebukt op zoek naar de mooiste schelpen. Ze konden gelijktijdig en achterwaarts over de golven duiken. Ze hadden allebei een kamer waar je de zee kon horen ruisen, als de wind goed zat. Lilith en Violaine waren wat men noemt hartsvriendinnen. Onafscheidelijk. Samen kochten ze hun eerste bikini. En het was hand in hand dat ze naar de rand liepen.
Cap Blanc Nez, 1976. Beneden aan de kliffen wordt Violaine gevonden. 135 meter hoger staan twee boekentassen.
De kinderen van Calais is een debuut van zelden geziene ambitie. De auteur ontleedt en amputeert liefde in al haar facetten: moederliefde, zussenliefde, naastenliefde. Allesverterende liefde. De suizende tragiek van dit verhaal, als in een val van 135 meter hoog, doet voortdurend naar adem happen en heeft maar één vraag: hoe dicht kun je bij iemand komen zonder jezelf te verliezen?" 

I feel as if De kinderen van Calais was written by two different writers at the same time.
There’s one writer who makes me care deeply for the characters, who crafts beautiful, poetic sentences, and who creates well-rounded, realistic characters that make you reflect on life, love, and loss. This writer draws you in with their emotional depth and lyrical prose, making you feel the tragedy of Lilith and Violaine’s story and life.
But then there’s another writer too, one who feels crude, crass and vulgar, who writes a boring, surface-level story that lacks depth. This writer mess up the plot, overloads the text with too many adjectives, and creates one-dimensional characters that fail to resonate.

It’s frustrating to see such potential in this book, only to have it undermined by its own inconsistencies. The beautiful moments are truly stunning, but they’re buried under layers of clutter that detract from the experience; the tragedy of the story and these people's lives.

Have you read De kinderen van Calais? Or have you come across a book that made you feel similar? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: April 2026

Hi everyone

April was a month of contrasts. There was stress, sleepless nights, anxiety, and bleak moods; but there were also wonderful moments with my husband and children, more sun than I expected, the spring flowers (always make me happy), and the promise of a new start. Through it all, I read a lot (the upside of having trouble sleeping, I suppose)! 😊 Honestly, this was a great reading month. I stumbled upon some really, really good books that made everything feel a little lighter. And that was much needed. 

Here's what I read in April:

- Brian McClellan: The Autumn Republic 

- Jonice Webb: Running on Empty 

- Eowyn Ivey: Black Woods, Blue Sky 

- Dennis E. Taylor: Roadkill  

- Jim Butcher: Twelve Months  

- Ernest Hemingway: The Torrents of Spring 

- Jonice Webb: Running on Empty No More 

- John Gwynne: The Fury of the Gods

- Naomi Alderman: The Power 

What did you read in April?  I’d love to hear about your books. Let’s swap recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Naomi Alderman: The Power

Hi everyone

I just finished The Power by Naomi Alderman; her most popular novel, and after enjoying The Future, I knew I had to read this one too.
I read this on my e-reader.

"In The Power the world is a recognizable place: There's a rich Nigerian boy who lounges around the family pool; a foster kid whose religious parents hide their true nature; an ambitious American politician; and a tough London girl from a tricky family. But then a vital new force takes root and flourishes, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power: They can cause agonizing pain and even death. With this small twist of nature, the world drastically resets."

I thoroughly enjoyed The Power, but it was also a deeply unsettling journey. Alderman flips gender roles and gender dynamics in a way that’s both fascinating and horrifying. The premise is simple but the ripple effects across the whole world are chilling and terrifying. Every act of brutality or dehumanization towards women in the history of humanity is returned and revenged.
The characters are vivid and complex, each offering a unique perspective on how this new power changes society. Alderman doesn’t hold back in showing how power corrupts, not a specific gender, and how quickly the world can change when the balance shifts.

I enjoyed the first half more, where we discover this new power and watch as women begin to stand up. The second half, where society collapses entirely, felt less compelling to me. The misuse of power, mindless violence, and aggression didn’t land as strongly, and some of the character perspectives that were fascinating at first became less engaging as the story progressed. Others, which started less interesting, gained depth later. Many of the characters verged on clichés or stereotypes, and there wasn’t much depth to them beyond their role in advancing the plot. Additionally, the global rebellion felt too fast to be realistic; the world changed too quickly for me to fully buy into it.

Despite its flaws, The Power lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished it. I loved how thought-provoking it was, and it deeply unsettled me. It’s the kind of book that makes you see the world differently, and that’s exactly why it’s so good. But it’s also oversimplified, both in story and characters.

Have you read The Power? Did it leave you as unsettled as it did me, or did you see it differently? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

John Gwynne: The Fury of the Gods

Hi everyone

I finished John Gwynne's The Fury of the Gods yesterday and I have to talk/gush about it. This is the third and final book in The Bloodsworn Saga and I got my copy from Bol. 

"THE FINAL BATTLE FOR THE FATE OF VIGRIÐ APPROACHES
Varg has overcome the trials of his past and become an accepted member of the Bloodsworn, but now he and his newfound comrades face their biggest challenge yet: slaying a dragon.
Elvar is struggling to consolidate her power in Snakavik, where she faces threats from within and without. As she fights to assert her authority in readiness for the coming conflict, she faces a surely insurmountable task: reining in the ferocity of a wolf god.
As Biorr and his warband make their way north, eager for blood, Gudvarr pursues a mission of his own, hoping to win Lik-Rifa's favour and further his own ambitions.
All paths lead to Snakavik, where the lines are being drawn for the final battle - a titanic clash that will shake the foundations of the world, and bear witness to the true fury of the gods."

This was such a satisfying conclusion. I loved it from start to finish. 

The Fury of the Gods delivers everything you’d expect from a Gwynne finale: brutal battles, heart-wrenching deaths, and a fantastic climax. 
The action is relentless, and Gwynne’s talent for writing action-scenes and battles in particular shines through every time. He doesn’t shy away from the cost of war, and its emotional toll on the characters. 
Each character’s arc feels satisfying, their motivations (whether noble or selfish) drive the story forward. The final confrontations are everything I hoped for, with shocking deaths I didn’t see coming. I mean, quite a few people die who I didn’t want to die! The worldbuilding remains rich, alive, and immersive, and there was one scene where Elvar makes a crucial decision that brought tears to my eyes. 
This series is perfection in every way.

If you loved The Shadow of the Gods and The Hunger of the Gods, The Fury of the Gods won’t disappoint. It maintains The Bloodsworn Saga’s signature blend of Norse-inspired mythology, brutal action, and deep character work. 
Whatever John Gwynne writes, I'll buy it and I'll read it. I'm a huge fan of his works.

Have you read Fury of the Gods? Did you love the finale, or did you wish for something more? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena