Jonathan French: The Grey Bastards

Hi everyone

The Grey Bastards is Jonathan French's first book in The Lot Lands series.
I got my copy from Bol.

"Jackal is proud to be a Grey Bastard, member of a sworn brotherhood of half-orcs. Unloved and unwanted in civilized society, the Bastards eke out a hard life in the desolate no-man's-land called the Lots, protecting frail and noble human civilization from invading bands of vicious full-blooded orcs. But as Jackal is soon to learn, his pride may be misplaced. Because a dark secret lies at the heart of the Bastards' existence - one that reveals a horrifying truth behind humanity's tenuous peace with the orcs, and exposes a grave danger on the horizon. On the heels of the ultimate betrayal, Jackal must scramble to stop a devastating invasion - even as he wonders where his true loyalties lie."

This book was so enjoyable; dark, violent, and grim, but also full of heart, humor, and friendship. The relationship between the half-orcs and their hogs was an absolute highlight. The camaraderie among the half-orcs is also brilliantly done, making their brotherhood feel real and compelling.
The worldbuilding and premise (half-orcs as outcast protectors) are incredibly promising. It’s a fresh, gritty and exciting take on fantasy, and the moral gray areas make the story even more engaging.

That said, there were a few plotholes; things that didn’t quite make sense or felt underdeveloped. The worldbuilding could have been grander, and the plot could have used a bit more polish to feel fully believable. But honestly? I didn’t care too much. The characters and their dynamics were so compelling that I was happy to overlook the flaws.

Have you read The Grey Bastards? Did you love the half-orcs and their hogs as much as I did? Or do you have another gritty fantasy series to recommend? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Birthday Bookhaul

 Hi everyone

Last week, I turned 36! It was such a lovely day; I celebrated at work with my colleagues, and then spent the evening with my wonderful husband and two amazing daughters. Of course, we also had to celebrate with family at the weekend.
And the best part? I received four new books as gifts! I’m so excited to dive into each of them. 
Here’s what I got:

- Werner Herzog: Of Walking in Ice

- Simon Jimenez: A Spear Cuts Through Water 

- Christopher Ruocchio: Empire of Silence

- Jen Williams: The Ninth Rain

I’m so torn! Which one should I start with? If you’ve read any of these, let me know your thoughts! Or if you have other recommendations, I’d love to hear them.

Happy reading!
Helena

Rebecca Thorne: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea

 Hi everyone

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea is the first book in Rebecca Thorne's series Tomes & Teas. I read this on my e-reader.

"All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters… all complemented by love and good company. Thing is, Reyna works as one of the Queen’s private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives isn’t so easy.
But after an assassin takes Reyna hostage, she decides she’s thoroughly done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Meanwhile, Kianthe has been waiting for a chance to flee responsibility–all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town that boasts more dragons than people, and open the shop of their dreams.
What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum. In a story brimming with hurt/comfort and quiet fireside conversations, these two women will discover just what they mean to each other… and the world."

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea was okay. The story, writing, and characters were very forgettable, which is a shame because the concept is so lovely. It’s an easy, low-stakes read, perfect for when you want something light and comforting, but it lacked depth.
The biggest issue for me was the drama. There’s so much emotional turmoil over things that don’t feel all that consequential, and the conflicts often felt manufactured rather than organic. I wanted more substance, whether in the characters’ relationships, the worldbuilding, or the plot,but it all felt a bit shallow.

If you’re looking for a cozy, feel-good fantasy with minimal stakes, this might be just the thing for a lazy afternoon. But if you’re hoping for something more memorable, you might come away disappointed.

Have you read Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea? Did you enjoy the cozy vibes, or did you find it forgettable too? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Grant Snider: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf

Hi everyone

I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider is a charming comic book about being a reader, loving books, and the quirks of bookish culture This was a sweet gift from my husband and as a self-proclaimed bookworm, I was excited to dive in. 

"A look at the culture and fanaticism of book lovers, from the beloved New York Times illustrator and creator of Incidental Comics.
It’s no secret, but we are judged by our bookshelves. We learn to read at an early age, and as we grow older we shed our beloved books for new ones. But some of us surround ourselves with books. We collect them, decorate with them, are inspired by them, and treat our books as sacred objects. In this lighthearted collection of one- and two-page comics, writer-artist Grant Snider explores bookishness in all its forms, and the love of writing and reading, building on the beloved literary comics featured on his website, Incidental Comics. I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf is the perfect gift for bookworms of all ages."

This was ok. It was never laugh-out-loud, but it did make me smirk and smile. Some things were recognizable, others were farfetched. Nothing really stood out to me.

This was okay. It never made me laugh out loud, but it did make me smirk and smile a few times. Some of the comics were very recognizable while others felt a bit farfetched.
The art style is charming, and Snider clearly loves books, but nothing really stood out to me. It’s a light, pleasant read, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re a book lover, you’ll likely enjoy the relatability, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking.

Have you read this one? Did it make you smile, or did you find it forgettable too? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading.
Helena

Fredrik Backman: A Man Called Ove

Hi everyone

With all the buzz around Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove (both the book and the movie) I’ve been seeing it everywhere. I finally decided to give it a try on my e-reader.

"At first sight, Ove is almost certainly the grumpiest man you will ever meet. He thinks himself surrounded by idiots - neighbours who can't reverse a trailer properly, joggers, shop assistants who talk in code, and the perpetrators of the vicious coup d'etat that ousted him as Chairman of the Residents' Association. He will persist in making his daily inspection rounds of the local streets.
But isn't it rare, these days, to find such old-fashioned clarity of belief and deed? Such unswerving conviction about what the world should be, and a lifelong dedication to making it just so?
In the end, you will see, there is something about Ove that is quite irresistible . . ."

I get what Backman was going for; the "grumpy old man with a hidden heart" trope is a classic, and I can see why so many people love it. But for me, A Man Called Ove fell flat.
I didn’t enjoy Ove as a character. His grumpiness felt more exhausting than endearing, and the side characters didn’t win me over either. There was no nuance or deep character arcs. The story tries to be funny, but the humor didn’t land for me. Instead of laughing, I found myself struggling to get through it. I even fast-read parts, hoping it would get better,but it never really did.

I don’t think this is a bad book; it’s clearly resonated with millions of readers. But for me, the tone and characters just didn’t connect. 

Have you read A Man Called Ove? Did you love Ove’s journey, or did you struggle with it too? I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy reading!
Helena

Eowyn Ivey: To the Bright Edge of the World

Hi everyone

I recently reread one of my all-time favorite books, Eowyn Ivey’s To the Bright Edge of the World. This was my second time diving into this story, and I loved it just as much (if not more) than the first time. If you haven’t read this masterpiece yet, you’re in for a treat

"Set again in the Alaskan landscape that she bought to stunningly vivid life in The Snow Child, Eowyn Ivey's second novel is a breathtaking story of discovery and adventure, set at the end of the nineteenth century, and of a marriage tested by a closely held secret.
Colonel Allen Forrester receives the commission of a lifetime when he is charged to navigate Alaska's hitherto impassable Wolverine River, with only a small group of men. The Wolverine is the key to opening up Alaska and its huge reserves of gold to the outside world, but previous attempts have ended in tragedy.
For Forrester, the decision to accept this mission is even more difficult, as he is only recently married to Sophie, the wife he had perhaps never expected to find. Sophie is pregnant with their first child, and does not relish the prospect of a year in a military barracks while her husband embarks upon the journey of a lifetime. She has genuine cause to worry about her pregnancy, and it is with deep uncertainty about what their future holds that she and her husband part."

This book is so, so beautifully told. It’s captivating, atmospheric, and impossible to put down. Ivey’s writing is lyrical and immersive, pulling you into the wild, untamed beauty of Alaska.
The dual perspectives (Sophie’s and Forrester’s diary entries) are so well-written and engrossing. You feel their love, their fears, and their hopes as if they were your own. Sophie’s strength and passion for her work, and Forrester’s support and admiration for her, melted my heart. Their relationship is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever read; full of respect, love, and partnership.

The setting is wonderful; Ivey brings 19th-century Alaska to life with such vivid detail that you can almost feel the cold wind and see the vast, untouched landscapes. The history is fascinating, and the side characters feel real and fully fleshed out, adding depth and richness to the story.
From the first page to the last, I was completely enchanted. This is a book that stays with you long after you’ve finished it, and one that I know I’ll return to again and again.

If you love historical fiction with heart, adventure, and unforgettable characters, To the Bright Edge of the World is a must-read. It’s one of those rare books that feels like a hug for your soul, it's warm, immersive, and deeply, deeply moving.

Have you read To the Bright Edge of the World? Did you love it as much as I did? Or do you have another book with a similar vibe to recommend? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Christmas and New Year's Bookhaul

 Hi everyone

The holidays are finally over, and life is slowly getting back to normal; thank goodness! This year, I was spoiled with gifts for Christmas and New Year’s. I received mostly money (which, of course, I’ll be using to buy more books) and three wonderful books.

My parents gifted me with:

- Kristin Hannah: The Great Alone

- Richard Swan: The Justice of Kings

From my husband I received:

- Grant Snider: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf

And with part of the money I received I bought myself books too:

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Escapes

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Protects

- Rachel Joyce: Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North

- Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

- Brandon Sanderson: Tress of the Emerald Sea

I’d love to hear if you’ve read any of these books! Did you love them? Should I prioritize one over the others? Or is there another book you think I should read ASAP? Let me know; I’m all ears!

Happy reading!
Helena

Benedict Jacka: An Inheritance of Magic

 Hi everyone

An Inheritance of Magic is the first book in Benedict Jacka's new series called Inheritance of Magic.
I really enjoyed Jacka's first series; Alex Verus so I had to get this one. I got it from Bol.

"The wealthy seem to exist in a different, glittering world from the rest of us. Almost as if by... magic.
Stephen Oakwood is a young man on the edge of this hidden world. He has talent and potential, but turning that potential into magical power takes money, opportunity, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum wage job and a cat.
But when a chance encounter with a member of House Ashford gets him noticed by the wrong people, Stephen is thrown in the deep end. For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and influential by hoarding their knowledge. To survive, Stephen will have to take his talent and build it up into something greater—for only then can he beat them at their own game."

An Inheritance of Magic was good, but not great. The story is quite slow, and there are a lot of boring info-dumps that made the pacing feel uneven. Even with all the explanations, I still didn’t fully grasp the magic system, though that could just be me!
That said, I did like the characters, especially Stephen and his relatable struggle to navigate a world stacked against him. The setting in London added a familiar yet magical backdrop, and Jacka’s easy-to-read writing style kept me reading, even when the plot dragged.

While this first book was a mixed experience, I’m definitely going to read the second book in the series. My love for Jacka’s Alex Verus series gives me faith that this world and its characters will deepen and improve as the story progresses.

Have you read An Inheritance of Magic? Did you connect with Stephen’s journey, or did you struggle with the pacing too? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading.
Helena

My Favorite Books of 2024

Hi everyone

In 2024, I read a total of 92 books! But not every book was a 5-star read, so I wanted to share a curated list of the ones that truly stood out to me. If I’ve reviewed any of these in the last few months, you can click on the title to read my full thoughts!

Here’s the list in alphabetical order: 

- Stephen Aryan: Magebane

- Nathan Filer: The Shock of the Fall

- Yuval Noah Harari: Sapiens

- Eowyn Ivey: The Snow Child

- Stephen King: Pet Sematary

- Brian McClellan: Sins of Empire

- Brian McClellan: Wrath of Empire

- Brian McClellan: Blood of Empire

- Pascal Mercier: Night Train to Lisbon

- Sequoia Nagamatsu: How High We Go in the Dark

- Emma Newman: Before, After, Alone

- Emma Newman: Planetfall 

- Terry Pratchett: Feet of Clay

- Terry Pratchett: Jingo

- Dennis E. Taylor: A Change of Plans

I’d love to see your list of 5-star reads from 2024! What books stayed with you? Which ones blew you away? Let me know in the comments; I’m always looking for new recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: 2024

Hi everyone

Happy new year!

Just like I did before my blogging break, I wanted to share a complete list of all the books I read in 2024. Last year, I finished 92 books (not counting the ones I didn’t finish). It was a mixed bag of new discoveries, old favorites, and a few series I decided to quit. Below, you’ll find a full breakdown of my reading year, including series I started, continued, finished, or quit, plus a list of all the books I read with links to reviews for those I’ve written since restarting the blog!

Series I started reading:

- Joe Abercrombie: The Age of Madness

- Travis Baldree: Legends & Lattes

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot

- Miles Cameron: Arcana Imperii

- Becky Chambers: Monk and Robot

- David Dalglish: Shadowdance

- Emma Newman: Planetfall

- Shelley Parker-Chan: The Radiant Emperor

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Earth

- Dennis E. Taylor: Quantum Earth

 

Series I continued reading:

- Ben Aaronovitch: Rivers of London

- Terry Pratchett: Discworld

 

Series I finished reading:

- Stephen Aryan: Age of Dread

- Neil Gaiman: American Gods

- Cameron Johnston: Age of Tyranny 

- Ira Levin: Rosemary's Baby

- Ed Mcdonald: Raven's Mark

Series I started and finished reading:

- Jim Butcher: The Cinder Spires 

- Joe Haldeman: The Forever War

- Brian McClellan: Gods of Blood and Power

Series I quit reading:

- Katherine Arden: The Winternight Trilogy

- R. J. Barker: The Tide Child

- Marie Brennan: Doppelganger

- Aliette de Bodard: Obsidian and Blood 

- Madeleine L'Engle: Time Quintet 

- David Gemmell: Drenai Saga  

- N. K. Jemisin: Dreamblood

- Lois Lowry: The Giver

- Devin Madson: The Reborn Empire

- Richard K. Morgan: Takeshi Kovacs

- Thomas Olde Heuvelt: Robert Grim 

- Rebecca Roanhorse: Between Earth and Sky 

- Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan: The Black Iron Legacy

- Brian Staveley: Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne

- Martha Wells: The Books of the Raksura

Here are all the books I read with links to reviews where available:

- Andy Weir: Project Hail Mary

- Brian McClellan: Sins of Empire

- Dan Harris: 10% Happier

- Neil Gaiman: Anansi Boys

- Terry Pratchett: Feet of Clay

- Ira Levin: The Stepford Wives

- Stephen King: On Writing

- Brian Staveley:The Emperor's Blades

- Richard Matheson: The Shrinking Man

- Pascal Mercier: Night Train to Lisbon

- Jim Butcher: Warriorborn 

- Jim Butcher: The Olympian Affair

- Dennis E. Taylor: A Change of Plans

- Brian McClellan: The Mad Lancers

- Emma Newman: Before, After, Alone

- Aliette de Bodard: Servant of the Underworld

- Thomas Olde Heuvelt: Hex

- Marie Brennan: Dancing the Warrior

- Marie Brennan: Warrior

- Hugh Howey: Beacon 23

- Rachel Joyce: The Music Shop

- Stephen Aryan: Magebane

- Eowyn Ivey: The Snow Child

- Philippa Perry: The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read

- Julian Barnes: The Lemon Table

- Cameron Johnston: God of Broken Things

- Joe Hill: 20th Century Ghosts

- James Clear: Atomic Habits

- Martha Wells: The Cloud Roads

- Matt Haig: The Comfort Book

- R. J. Barker: The Bone Ships

- Lois Lowry: The Giver

- Iain Reid: I'm Thinking of Ending Things

- Madeleine L'Engle: A Wrinkle in Time

- Miles Cameron: Artifact Space

- Chris Voss: Never Split the Difference

- Michel Faber: The Fahrenheit Twins and Other Stories

- Brian McClellan: Wrath of Empire

- William Goldman: The Princess Bride

- Rebecca Roanhorse: Black Sun

- Andy Griffiths: Waanzinnige Boomhutverhalen

- Ira Levin: Sliver

- Ed McDonald: Crowfall

- Terry Pratchett: Hogfather

- Stephen Hawking: A Brief History of Time

- Joe Haldeman: Peace and War

- Nathan Filer: The Shockof the Fall

- Joe Abercrombie: A Little Hatred

- Edgar Allan Poe: The Murders in the Rue Morgue and Other Tales

- Katherine Arden: The Bear and the Nightingale

- Tommy Orange: There There

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Earth

- Pete Walker: Complete PTSD

- Travis Baldree: Legends & Lattes

- Matthew Harffy: Wolf of Wessex

- David Gemmell: Knight of Dark Renown

- Emma Newman: Planetfall

- Jonas Heyerick & Sep Vanmarcke: SEP!

- Ben Aaronovitch: Winter's Gifts

- David Dalglish: A Dance of Cloaks

- Dennis E. Taylor: Outland

- Samit Basu: The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport 

- Stephen King: Pet Sematary

- Yuval Noah Harari: Sapiens

- Lucy Holland: Sistersong 

- N. K. Jemisin: The Killing Moon 

- Richard K. Morgan: Altered Carbon 

- Sequoia Nagamatsu's How High We Go in the Dark

- Shelby Van Pelt: Remarkably Bright Creatures

- Gretchen Rubin: Better Than Before

- Alice Hoffman: The Museum of Extraordinary Things

- Travis Baldree: Bookshops & Bonedust

- Devin Madson: We Ride the Storm

- Christian White: The Wife and the Widow

- 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

- Brian McClellan: Blood of Empire

- Muriel Barbery: A Single Rose

- Emma Newman: After Atlas

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot

- Lucy Jones: Matrescence 

- Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan: The Gutter Prayer

- Mike Bockhoven: Fantasticland 

- Marie Brennan: Driftwood 

- Becky Chambers: A Psalm for the Wild-Built

- Terry Pratchett: Jingo 

Some books aren’t pictured because I no longer own them or read them on my e-reader but I just love taking these photo's every month and year. 

What did your 2024 in books look like? Did you discover any new favorites? Or quit any series? I’d love to hear your recommendations; what should I add to my TBR for 2025?

Wishing you all a happy, relaxing, and book-filled year ahead!

Happy reading
Helena 

Wrap Up: December 2024

Hi everyone

December, the last month of the year, the final chance to dive into the books you’ve been meaning to read all year, or to finish those series you’ve been putting off. For me, it was a mix of wrapping up old favorites and exploring new stories. 

Here’s what I read last month:

- Brian McClellan: Blood of Empire

- Muriel Barbery: A Single Rose

- Emma Newman: After Atlas

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot

- Lucy Jones: Matrescence 

- Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan: The Gutter Prayer

- Mike Bockhoven: Fantasticland 

- Marie Brennan: Driftwood 

- Becky Chambers: A Psalm for the Wild-Built

- Terry Pratchett: Jingo 

Did you finish any series or discover a new favorite last month? I’d love to hear what you read, let’s swap recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena