James Islington: The Will of the Many

Hi everyone

After enjoying James Islington’s The Licanius Trilogy, I was happy to see on Goodreads he’s writing a new series, so I had to give The Will of the Many a try. It’s the first book in the Hierarchy series, and I got my copy from Bol.com.

"The Catenan Republic―the Hierarchy―may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.
I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilized society in allowing my strength, my drive, and my focus―what they call Will―to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.
I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.
But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.
And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.
To survive though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them, and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.
And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me." 

The Will of the Many was a very difficult book to review because there were so many amazing aspects, but also many things that didn’t work for me.

The overall tone and writing were very entertaining and engaging. The setting and world-building weren’t revolutionary or even different from other fantasy books, but the magic system was interesting.
I really enjoyed the different parts of the novel; from getting to know Vis and his background after leaving Suus to his time preparing for and studying at school. The school setting, which often feels like YA, didn’t fall into that trap here, and I loved that. There’s something so satisfying and wholesome about characters learning, making friends, and overcoming challenges.
This is also a darker and gorier novel than I expected. We get a front-row seat to some very brutal and detailed deaths, which was unexpected but awesome. James Islington writes vividly, engagingly, and amazingly entertaining scenes. Even though there’s a big focus on politics, his writing doesn’t make it boring.
And I loved the way the Anguis were written. They are as bad, as morally grey, and as violent; if not more so, than the Hierarchy. Usually, any form of resistance in books and films gets portrayed as angelic, perfectly in the right, but in reality, it’s always grey, and that’s exactly how James Islington wrote them.

I found the overall pace to be too slow, especially the first 200 pages, which were quite boring. However, the action scenes were action-packed and suspenseful, even the ones with lower stakes, like those at the academy.
I think the novel could have been at least 150 pages shorter and much better for it. There were so many repeats of events, conversations, and thoughts, and a lot of overthinking about what to do. But what aggravated me the most were all the coincidental things; people being in the right place at the perfect time, finding something just when it was needed, sensing something at the only possible moment. I find it hard to put that aside and just enjoy the story.

I was disappointed in the character development. Vis is the only character who felt like I knew and understood him. He wasn’t realistic (how is it possible he’s the best at everything?), but I felt like I knew him. Or rather, him being the best at everything and failing at lying got so predictable that I felt like I knew him. He annoyed me immeasurably with how good he is at everything, how moral and superior he is in his thinking and actions. The other characters read like page-fillers, only there to drive the plot and Vis forward, but not as people with their own history, thoughts, and motivations.

We know there’s a lot going on (why was Suus invaded? What are the Hierarchies plotting? What about the Anguis, where are they going?) but it’s all just an aside from Vis’ personal trials. There’s this continued mentioning of these (inter)national problems, but we get next to no details or progress on these. It felt like a missed opportunity to deepen the world and the stakes.

I have absolutely no idea where this trilogy is going because the ending to this first installment is very open and leaves us with many questions. I’m also not sure whether to continue the series. I liked the story, the action, and the ending is very intriguing, but Vis’ boring, predictable perfection, the slow pacing, and coincidental events made it hard to fully enjoy.
We'll see. Maybe you can sway me one way or the other?

Have you read The Will of the Many? Did you feel the same way, or did you enjoy it more than I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Bookhaul

Hi everyone

I have this habit; whenever I read an amazing book, I immediately order something else by the same author. And then, one thing leads to another: I dive into a rabbit hole of 'needing' other books on my wishlist, spot a few on sale, or decide to try something new by an author who’s caught my attention. Before I know it, my TBR pile has grown exponentially but hey, I’m not complaining!

So, here’s my latest book haul, a mix of impulse buys, wishlist picks, and new discoveries. 

- Ben Aaronovitch: Stone & Sky

- Miles Cameron: Against All Gods

- Jacqueline Harpman: I Who Have Never Known Men

- Claire Keegan: Foster

- Stephen King: Revival

- Stephen King: Bag of Bones

- Stephen King: Desperation

- Stephen King: The Outsider

- Shauna Lawless: Daughter of the Otherworld

- Anthony Ryan: The Wolf’s Call

- Brandon Sanderson: The Sunlit Man

- Anna Smith Spark: The Court of Broken Knives

Have you read any of these? Which one should I pick up first? Or do you have any recommendations based on my haul? 

Happy reading!
Helena 

Stephen King: Firestarter

Hi everyone

Firestarter is my latest read by Stephen King. I got my copy from Bol.com.

"You're a firestarter honey . . . just one big zippo lighter.
A year ago, he was an upstanding instructor of English at Harrison State College. Now Andy is on the run with his daughter. A pigtailed girl named Charlie. A girl with an unimaginably terrifying gift.
A gift which could be useful to corrupt authorities. Soon Charlie will be caught up in the menace of a fateful drug experiment and a sinister government ploy . . .
Let the reader Firestarter is Stephen King at his most mesmerising . . . and menacing."

I loved this book. Firestarter was such an engrossing, entertaining, and unputdownable read; truly classic Stephen King at his best.

Stephen King is a master at writing characters, and Firestarter is no exception. The love Andy has for Charlie shines through in every scene. He is truly prepared to do anything for her, and his devotion is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
The scene where he traumatizes her with the teddy bear brought tears to my eyes because I understood how hurting her was also protecting her and how guilty and awful he felt about it. It was truly heartbreaking. The same goes for the scenes where Andy has to push Charlie to use her powers to hurt people, knowing it will hurt her and change who she is as a person. King captures the love of a parent so vividly.
I loved that we got to read from so many different POVs. It’s amazing how King manages to make so many characters (good, bad, or anything in between) compelling. The only character who felt off sometimes was Charlie herself. My eldest daughter is now nine, and I can’t help comparing the way they talk and act and Charlie doesn’t always ring true as a real child.

Unlike most of Stephen King’s novels, the horror in Firestarter doesn’t lie in the main characters with their powers but rather in the government that’s pursuing them. And it starts from the very first page. You can feel their worry, desperation, and fear throughout the book. The tension is relentless, and the stakes feel terrifyingly high.

Firestarter is a true page-turner. I had to force myself every night to close the book and go to sleep because I just wanted to keep reading. It’s one of those books that pulls you in and refuses to let go.

Have you read Firestarter? 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 

A.J. Hackwith: The Library of the Unwritten

Hi everyone

The Library of the Unwritten is the first book in A. J. Hackwith’s Hell’s Library series. I read this on my e-reader.

"Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing-- a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto.
But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil's Bible. The text of the Devil's Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell…. and Earth."

The Library of the Unwritten sounded like a fantastic read; fun, entertaining, and full of potential. The idea of a library in Hell filled with unfinished stories is intriguing and imaginative, and the opening chapters lived up to that promise. I loved meeting the characters and exploring the library.
Unfortunately, the further I read, the more the book fell flat. What started as a charming, engaging adventure turned into something tedious, boring, and almost chore-like. The severe lack of world-building became more and more apparent and the magic and stakes of the world never felt real or compelling.

There wasn’t a single engaging or realistic character in the entire book. Every character felt one-dimensional and I struggled to care about their journeys or motivations.

I also didn’t think the more serious aspects of the story fit the overall humorous tone. The shift between lighthearted moments and heavier themes felt jarring and inconsistent. It was as if the book couldn’t decide what it wanted to be; a whimsical adventure or a darker, more complex tale.

There definitely were fun moments, but as a whole, the book was actually very dull. The lack of depth in the world and characters made it hard to stay invested, and by the end, I was left feeling underwhelmed.

Have you read The Library of the Unwritten? Did you feel the same way, or did you enjoy it more than I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: August 2026

Hi everyone

August was a wonderful month. Both our daughters celebrated their birthdays (they’re 4 years and a week apart), we traveled to The Netherlands, and we had a lovely time all together. I read a lot, especially while on holiday.
Here's what I read:

- Terry Pratchett: The Last Hero  

- Jim Butcher: Cursor's Fury 

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Gifts  

- Dean Koontz: Devoted 

- R. F. Kuang: The Poppy War  

- Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah: Friday Black 

- Samantha Sotto Yambao: Water Moon 

- The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe 

- John Steinbeck: Travels with Charley 

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

I also DNF'd two books:

- Aliette de Bodard: The House of Shattered Wings

- bell hooks: All About Love

How was your reading month? Did you discover any new favorites or struggle with anything? I’d love to hear what you enjoyed or if you have any recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Shauna Lawless: The Land of the Living and the Dead

Hi everyone

The Land of the Living and the Dead is the third book in Shauna Lawless’ The Gael Song Trilogy. This book was a birthday gift from my husband, and it turned out to be the perfect conclusion to an amazing trilogy.

"Ireland, 1011 AD. Brian Boru is now High King of Ireland. His queen, Gormflaith, instructs their young son in his heritage - but only on his mother's side. For Gormflaith, an immortal Fomorian skilled in fire-magic, intends to finally defeat the Fomorians' hated foes, the Descendants, and establish control over Ireland. And if King Brian stands in her way, so much the worse for him…
Fódla, the Descendants' spy in King Brian's camp, treads a wary path. She must protect her magically powerful young nephew from their leader, Tomas, who will do anything to achieve his aim of the Descendants returning to the mortal world and ruling Ireland. And Fódla is on dangerous ground, for she has broken one of the sacred rules of the she has fallen in love with a mortal.
As the schemes of Gormflaith and Tomas come to fruition, the only possible outcome is war. Ireland has bled red and often… but the coming clash will be a battle for the ages. Strange alliances will form, old defences will fail, and the land will never be the same again." 

What a conclusion! What an end to an amazing trilogy! We’re left with some open endings, hints of things to look out for in the second series, and I can’t wait to buy and read the first book and we're lucky because it’s already published!

Every single character reads like a real person; it’s amazing how Shauna Lawless manages to give everyone a distinct voice and personality. It’s impossible to mistake one for another because they are all so unique. Fódla and Murchad are my absolute favorite characters, but I also loved Broccan, Colmon, and even Gormflaith. The main antagonist of The Gael Song Trilogy is a fully rounded character, and we can understand her motivations, sometimes, we can even root for her, especially when she broaches the subject of equality between men and women. And yet, at other times, I could have roared in anger at her for what she does or thinks.

Shauna Lawless is a master at building suspense. There was never a dull moment, I was constantly anticipating what would happen next, trying to guess, but Lawless managed to surprise me time and time again. Not a dull moment in the entire series.
The Land of the Living and the Dead was heartbreaking, and I had to sit with my feelings a few times. I paused my reading to do something else (like puzzling) to digest what happened. I needed time to recover.

The writing is amazing; it’s engaging, engrossing, and so vivid. She wrote the characters and their relationships in a nuanced, open, thoughtful, and complex way, and I truly, truly applaud her for that. All the romances in the series are difficult, different, and even unstable, and Lawless wrote them perfectly.

The Gael Song Trilogy is a brilliant series, and I am reading everything Shauna Lawless publishes. Have you read The Gael Song Trilogy? Did you love it as much as I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

John Steinbeck: Travels with Charley

Hi everyone

As a longtime fan of John Steinbeck’s works, I had high expectations for Travels with Charley. I got my copy from Bol.com.

"To hear the speech of the real America, to smell the grass and the trees, to see the colors and the light—these were John Steinbeck's goals as he set out, at the age of fifty-eight, to rediscover the country he had been writing about for so many years.
With Charley, his French poodle, Steinbeck drives the interstates and the country roads, dines with truckers, encounters bears at Yellowstone and old friends in San Francisco. Along the way he reflects on the American character, racial hostility, the particular form of American loneliness he finds almost everywhere, and the unexpected kindness of strangers."

This was a wonderful book. Travels with Charley was written as non-fiction, but it has since been debunked as pure nonfiction; it’s more like "embellished non-fiction". And I really don’t care either way. I’ve never been to America, and I wasn’t alive in the 1960s. Plus, Steinbeck is a writer, so I guess it’s kind of expected of him to exaggerate, embellish, and change a few things?

I loved the look into the day-to-day American life in the 1960s. Steinbeck’s observations of the bears, the giant trees, and the people he meets are vivid and engaging. His reflections can be quite inspirational and philosophical, offering a thoughtful, introspective view of the country and its people. He has so much insight into the people, the country, cultural opinions, and nature.

I was also touched by Steinbeck’s love for his wife. It was really sweet how many times he mentions her and how often he says he misses her. It’s nice to get to know him a little better as a person, and Charley is just wonderful, truly a delightful companion throughout the journey.

But there were also very boring and pointless parts. Some sections felt slow or unnecessary, and I was eager to get back to the more engaging moments. The pacing throughout felt very uneven.

Have you read Travels with Charley? Did you enjoy it as much as I did, or did you find the slower parts as challenging? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Bookhaul: Boekhandel Donner Rotterdam

Hi everyone

We spent two wonderful weeks with our children in The Netherlands. While in Rotterdam, we came across this gorgeous bookstore called Boekhandel Donner. I could have stayed there all day if I’d been alone; it was pure bookish bliss!
I bought two books I’d never seen or heard about before, and they really intrigued me. Here’s what I got:

- Saara El-Arifi: The Final Strife

- Morgan Ryan: A Resistance of Witches

Have you read either of these? Did you like them? I’d love to hear your thoughts before I dive in!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Samantha Sotto Yambao: Water Moon

Hi everyone

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is the last novel I finished reading on holiday. 
I read this on my e-reader.

"On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it.
Most will see only a cosy ramen restaurant. And just the chosen ones – those who are lost – will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets.
Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike other customers. For he offers help, instead of seeking it.
Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice – through rain puddles, hitching rides on paper cranes, across the bridge between midnight and morning and through a night market in the clouds.
But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own – and risk making a choice she will never be able to take back."

I can see what Sotto Yambao was trying to do: creating a magical world where anything is possible. But in my opinion, she didn’t succeed. Why? Because every time something happened, out of nowhere there was a magical way to circumvent it. She uses the magical elements to make things easier, rather than to build tension or depth.
There were no clear boundaries or limitations to the magic, and because of that, there was no tension, no structure, and no purpose. 
I loved the idea of the pawnshop, and the parts of the book that took place in and around it were really amazing. The concept had a lot of potential, and those sections felt really intriguing. It’s everything after that that felt too convenient, too easy, and because of that, boring and predictable.

And I absolutely hate insta-love in every novel. The chemistry just wasn’t there; the characters were so flat, and their dialogue was stiff and old-fashioned, even though they sounded like teenagers (despite Kei having a PhD). It felt unnatural and unconvincing, and it pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in.

There’s just way too much going on, and nothing is explored the way it should be. Everything and everyone remains surface-level, and the pacing throughout the book is very uneven. It felt like the story was rushing from one idea to the next without taking the time to develop any of them properly. It’s a shame, because the pawnshop setting had so much potential.

Have you read Water Moon? Did you feel the same way, or did you enjoy it more than I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

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