Terry Pratchett: Jingo

Hi everyone

Jingo is the 21st book in the best series of all time; DISCWORLD. Written by the inimitable Sir Terry Pratchett. I think this is my third read.

"DISCWORLD GOES TO WAR, WITH ARMIES OF SARDINES, WARRIORS, FISHERMEN, SQUID AND AT LEAST ONE VERY CAMP FOLLOWER.
As two armies march, Commander Vimes of Ankh-Morpork City Watch faces unpleasant foes who are out to get him... and that's just the people on his side. The enemy might be even worse."

As usual, this was fantastic. Vimes, Nobby, Carrot, Angua, Detritus, Sybille, Vetinari, Colon, ... I adore them all. The story is hilarious, on pointe, full of references and just perfect in every way.

Highly recommended!

Happy reading!
Helena

Becky Chambers: A Psalm for the Wild-Built

 Hi everyone

A Psalm for the Wild-Built is the first book in Becky Chamber's new bookseries; Monk and Robot. I could not find it in paperback so I read it on my e-reader.

"Centuries before, robots of Panga gained self-awareness, laid down their tools, wandered, en masse into the wilderness, never to be seen again. They faded into myth and urban legend.
Now the life of the tea monk who tells this story is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how. They will need to ask it a lot. Chambers' series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?"

I enjoyed this a lot. In the style I am used to from Chambers, it is a true feelgood novel.

It makes you smile, sigh, feel all warm inside and it's just a lovely read.

Happy reading!
Helena 

Marie Brennan: Driftwood

 Hi everyone

Driftwood is a standalone novel by Marie Brennan, who wrote the Lady Trent series, which I really enjoyed. I read this book on my e-reader.

"Who is Last?
Fame is rare in Driftwood- it’s hard to get famous if you don’t stick around long enough for people to know you. But many know the guide, Last, a one-blooded survivor who has seen his world end many lifetimes ago. For Driftwood is a strange place of slow apocalypses, where continents eventually crumble into mere neighborhoods, pulled inexorably towards the center in the Crush. Cultures clash, countries fall, and everything eventually disintegrates.
Within the Shreds, a rumor goes around that Last has died. Drifters come together to commemorate him. But who really was Last? "

I'm conflicted. The story was confusing and all over the place. Because it's so short and Brennan wanted to write multiple characters it felt disjointed. The whole novel consists of several shortstories centered around this 'person' Last. I liked the world, the different people and cultures. But I never felt connected to the characters or the story.

Happy reading!
Helena

Mike Bockhoven: Fantasticland

 Hi everyone

This is my review for Mike Bockhoven's Fantasticland. I read the book on my e-reader.

"Since the 1970s, FantasticLand has been the theme park where “Fun is Guaranteed!” But when a hurricane ravages the Florida coast and isolates the park, the employees find it anything but fun. Five weeks later, the authorities who rescue the survivors encounter a scene of horror. Photos soon emerge online of heads on spikes outside of rides and viscera and human bones littering the gift shops, breaking records for hits, views, likes, clicks, and shares. How could a group of survivors, mostly teenagers, commit such terrible acts?"

This was an absolute rollercoaster read. Sometimes I was bored and sometimes I was really terrified of reading further. 
I did finish it and I'm glad I did. 

I think it's the fact that it's written as an interview or talk with the survivors that made it boring for me. Some chapters took a long time to get interesting. On the other hand, these different perspectives on what truly happend are one of the things that kept me thinking about the book. How it's possible the same thing can be seen and interpreted in different ways.
I also still feel the situation went south waaaay too soon in the parc. I can understand people getting violent in these circumstances, but not this fast.

Other than that this was absolutely terrifying! It really made me scared in the dark for a few nights.

Happy reading!
Helena

Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan: The Gutter Prayer

Hi everyone

The Gutter Prayer is the first book in The Black Iron Legacy series by Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan.
I got my copy from Bol.com.

"A group of three young thieves are pulled into a centuries old magical war between ancient beings, mages, and humanity in this wildly original debut epic fantasy.
The city has always been. The city must finally end.
When three thieves—an orphan, a ghoul, and a cursed man—are betrayed by the master of the thieves guild, their quest for revenge uncovers dark truths about their city and exposes a dangerous conspiracy, the seeds of which were sown long before they were born.
Cari is a drifter whose past and future are darker than she can know.
Rat is a Ghoul, whose people haunt the city's underworld.
Spar is a Stone Man, subject to a terrible disease that is slowly petrifying his flesh.
Chance has brought them together, but their friendship could be all that stands in the way of total armageddon."

I'm not convinced I really liked this.

There was just too much going on, too many (great) ideas Hanrahan wanted to incorporate in one world. All these creatures are very original and I liked that a lot but it is too much. The writing wasn't for me, it was very dense and a struggle to get through. Add to that a lot of flat characters and rather shallow worldbuilding and you get something that's not awful but not really enjoyable either. In my opinion obviously.

Happy reading!
Helena

Lucy Jones: Matrescence

 Hi everyone

I slowly read and thought about Lucy Jones' book Matrescence on my e-reader and I have some things to share.

"A radical new examination of the transition into motherhood and how it affects the mind, brain and body.
During pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood, women undergo a far-reaching physiological, psychological and social metamorphosis. Other than during adolescence, there is no other time in a human's life with such dramatic change, yet science, medicine, and philosophy have neglected this life-altering transition. Its seismic effects go largely unrepresented across literature and the arts. Speaking about motherhood as anything other than a pastel-hued dream remains, for the most part, taboo.
In this ground-breaking, deeply personal investigation, acclaimed journalist and author Lucy Jones brings to light the emerging concept of 'matrescence'. Drawing on new research across various fields—neuroscience and evolutionary biology; psychoanalysis and existential therapy; sociology, economics and ecology—Jones shows how the changes in the maternal mind, brain, and body are far more profound, wild, and enduring than we have been led to believe. She reveals the dangerous consequences of our neglect of the maternal experience, and interrogates the patriarchal and capitalist systems that have created the untenable situation mothers face today.
Here is an urgent examination of the modern institution of motherhood that seeks to unshackle all parents from oppressive social norms. As it deepens our understanding of matrescence, it raises vital questions about motherhood and femininity; interdependence and individual identity; and our relationships with each other and the world."

First of all, I want to tell you that I have a 7-year old daughter and a 3-year old daughter. I have a bachelor's degree in Midwifery and a master's degree in Health Sciences but I retrained in accountancy (in which I now hold a job). It's not that I want to get personal, but you need to know where I come from when I review this. I have been through childbirth twice, I've seen it up close a hundred times, I've met countless pregnant women.

So I learned nothing new in this book. No new facts, scientific research or hypotheses. And I had hoped to get new insights or knowledge. That was a bit disappointing.
However, it is a good personal story of growth, searching for answers, trying things out and listening to others. Jones is too negative in my opinion, I feel like there's more to matrescence than the things she writes. You can find other people you can get help from like neighbours and friends, there are groups you can join, there are possibilities she doesn't mention or see. It's very, very important to mention and adress the pressure, the expectations in matrescence but she doesn't talk about the joys and I think both are part of matrescence.

Happy reading!
Helena

Peter Brown: The Wild Robot

 Hi everyone

The Wild Robot is Peter Brown's first book in The Wild Robot series. It's a delightful children's book. I got my copy from Bol.com.

"When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is—but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.
As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home—until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her."

This was a really heartwarming children's book. 
It has a simple story, lovely characters, a bit of suspense,some hardship and a few moral lessons. The writing is easy to read and I had a few laughs.

Happy reading!
Helena 

Emma Newman: After Atlas

 Hi everyone

After Atlas is the second book in Emma Newman's Planetfall series. This is also my second time reading the series. Last time, After Atlas was my least favorite in the series and I think that didn't change.
I bought the whole Planetfall series from Bol.com.

"Govcorp detective Carlos Moreno was only a baby when Atlas left Earth to seek truth among the stars. But in that moment, the course of Carlos’s entire life changed. Atlas is what took his mother away; what made his father lose hope; what led Alejandro Casales, leader of the religious cult known as the Circle, to his door. And now, on the eve of the fortieth anniversary of Atlas’s departure, it’s got something to do why Casales was found dead in his hotel room—and why Carlos is the man in charge of the investigation.
To figure out who killed one of the most powerful men on Earth, Carlos is supposed to put aside his personal history. But the deeper he delves into the case, the more he realizes that escaping the past is not so easy. There’s more to Casales’s death than meets the eye, and something much more sinister to the legacy of Atlas than anyone realizes..."

There is a lot to love, though After Atlas is my least favorite in the Planetfall series. The writing is great, it flows nicely and it reads without hitches. There's humor in the book, the murder mysterie really is a mysterie, the characters have real depth and I enjoyed every single person.

But it is,in essence, only a murder mysterie with a lot of questions attached to this murder and the victim. And I'm really not into police novels. But that wasn't bad, just not really my cup of tea. I loved the more science-fictiony elements.
What did annoy me was Carlos' inner drama. The constant whining about being owned and the implications on his life. It's not necessary to keep reminding us every chance you get mrs. Newman, we can remember that fact.

But, aside from that; wonderful worldbuilding, amazing characters and great plot.
And a perfect cliffhanger!

Happy reading!
Helena

Muriel Barbery: A Single Rose

 Hi everyone

I finished my second Muriel Barbery book. This time it was A Single Rose. My edition was translated to Dutch and I got it from Bol.com.

"Rose has just turned forty when she gets a call from a lawyer asking her to come to Kyoto for the reading of her estranged father's will. And so for the first time in her life she finds herself in Japan, where Paul, her father's assistant, is waiting to greet her.
As Paul guides Rose along a mysterious itinerary designed by her deceased father, her bitterness and anger are soothed by the stones and the trees in the Zen gardens they move through. During their walks, Rose encounters acquaintances of her father--including a potter and poet, an old lady friend, his housekeeper and chauffeur--whose interactions help her to slowly begin to accept a part of herself that she has never before acknowledged.
As the reading of the will gets closer, Rose's father finally, posthumously, opens his heart to his daughter, offering her a poignant understanding of his love and a way to accept all she has lost."

Barbery really, really wanted to write a Great Literary Novel. And it was sooo boring and forced.

Better luck next time.

Happy reading!
Helena

Brian McClellan: Blood of Empire

 Hi everyone

Blood of Empire is the third book in Brian McClellan's Gods of Blood and Powder series. I got my book from Bol.com.

"As the final battle approaches a sellsword, a spy, and a general must find unlikely and dangerous allies in order to turn the tides of war in this epic fantasy tale of magic and gunpowder by acclaimed author Brian McClellan.
The Dynize have unlocked the Landfall Godstone, and Michel Bravis is tasked with returning to Greenfire Depths to do whatever he can to prevent them from using its power; from sewing dissension among the enemy ranks to rallying the Palo population.
Ben Styke's invasion of Dynize is curtailed when a storm scatters his fleet. Coming ashore with just twenty lancers, he is forced to rely on brains rather than brawn - gaining new allies in a strange land on the cusp of its own internal violence.
Bereft of her sorcery and physically and emotionally broken, Lady Vlora Flint now marches on Landfall at the head of an Adran army seeking vengeance against those who have conspired against her. While allied politicians seek to undo her from within, she faces insurmountable odds and Dynize's greatest general."

                    *   *   *     SPOILERS    *   *   * 

I have loved this series. It's impossible to name my favorite characters because there are so many. Ben, Celine, Ichtracia, Michel, Vlora, Bo, Etzi, ... Even most minor characters feel realistic.
The actionscenes are absolutely amazing; they're not too long to get boring and most importantly for me, the buildup to a battle isn't endless.

There's humour, action, intrigue, politics, war, blood, love and everything else you could want.

I will definitely read more of Brian McClellan's books.

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: November 2024

 Hi everyone

Another month has gone by. November is one of my least favorite months because it gets cold, wet and dark here in Belgium.
The upside is, perfect weather for cozy reading!

Here's the list of books I read with a link to their review:

- Shelley Parker-Chan: She Who Became the Sun

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long War

- Ira Levin: Son of Rosemary

- Daniel Kahneman: Thinking Fast and Slow

What books did you read last month?

Happy reading!
Helena