Margaret Atwood: Surfacing

Hi everyone

It's been I while I read something by Margaret Atwood so I wanted to try something I hadn't read before. Her books have been very hit and miss for me. For example; I loved The Handmaid's Tale but I'm not sure I will read The Testaments, I had to DNF Oryx and Crake and I found Lady Oracle to be just ok. So, I went into Surfacing with cautious curiosity.
I read this book on my e-reader.

"A young woman returns to northern Quebec, to the remote island of her childhood, with her lover and her two friends to investigate the mysterious disappearance of her father. Flooded with memories, she begins to realise that going home means entering not only another place but another time. As the wild island exerts its elemental hold and she is submerged in the language of the wilderness, she sees that what she is really looking for is her own past."

The only reason I finished this book is because it was only 200 pages long. And even then, it was a struggle.
Atwood clearly wanted to write Great Literature; something philosophical, deep, thoughtful and inspirational. But for me, it fell flat. Instead of a profound exploration of memory, identity, and wilderness, I got a boring story that didn’t go anywhere. The characters felt distant and so uninteresting, and I just couldn’t bring myself to care about any of them. Not one bit.
The prose was overly flowery and introspective without any substance to back it up, and the plot (if you can even call it that) felt meandering and pointless. It’s one of those books where you keep waiting for something to happen, but it never really does.

Surfacing was a disappointment. If you’re a die-hard Atwood fan, you might appreciate its themes or style, but for me, it was a miss.
Have you read Surfacing or any other Atwood books? Did you connect with it more than I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy reading!
Helena 

Marie Brennan: The Waking of Angantyr

Hi everyone

The Waking of Angantyr is a standalone novel written by Marie Brennan.
I read this on my e-reader. 

" The bondmaid Hervor is used to dead men whispering in her sleep. They’ve been doing it for as long as she can remember; it’s the living she has to watch out for. And when a new arrival at her holding triggers her into a berserker fury, she’s forced to flee the contract that enslaves her and into the arms of an uncertain future.
Unchained from the living, Hervor goes in search of a way to silence the dead, but it will take much more than grit and determination to make that happen. She’ll need the help of a ruthless Viking, an ailing jarl, a mad witch, and more―for the treachery that killed her ghosts isn’t nearly as dead as they are, and the path to peace must first traverse a river of blood."

This book had its moments, but mostly left me disappointed.

The pacing was definitely off. The story started slow and, while it picked up eventually, the plot felt scattered and all over the place. Brennan skipped months at a time, and every jump felt jarring. I often found myself lost, struggling to reconnect with the story after these abrupt transitions. It felt like she was trying to do too much, and the narrative suffered for it.

The characters were mediocre, too. Hervor was strong and determined, but there wasn’t much else to her. The other characters were one-dimensional, and by the time I was two-thirds through the book, I didn’t care about any of them. They all died, so why should I be invested?

The book never really gripped me. I never felt the urge to pick it up or keep reading. Once I started, it wasn’t terrible, but I got distracted easily; and that’s not a good sign. For a book filled with fighting and gore, it was surprisingly boring.

While The Waking of Angantyr had a lot of potential with its Viking lore and fierce protagonist, it ultimately fell short in pacing and character depth. It’s a shame, because the premise was so intriguing.
Have you read The Waking of Angantyr or any other books by Marie Brennan? What did you think of the story? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

David Dalglish: A Dance of Mirrors

Hi everyone

A Dance of Mirrors is the third and final book in the Shadowdance series by David Dalglish. 
I read this on my e-reader. 

"Haern is the King's Watcher, protector against thieves and nobles who would fill the night with blood. Yet hundreds of miles away, an assassin known as the Wraith has begun slaughtering those in power, leaving the symbol of the Watcher in mockery. 
When Haern travels south to confront this copycat, he finds a city ruled by the corrupt, the greedy and the dangerous. Rioters fill the streets and the threat of war hangs over everything. To forge peace, Haern must confront the deadly Wraith, a killer who would shape the kingdom's future with the blade of his sword. 
Man or God; what happens when the lines are blurred?" 

I did not enjoy this book at all.

Haern’s decisions and actions were so frustratingly stupid that I found myself rolling my eyes constantly. How could he not see the consequences of his actions? It was beyond irritating. The characters lacked depth, and unfortunately, this didn’t improve as the series progressed. 
While the book is easy to read and packed with events, it all felt pointless. The story didn’t seem to go anywhere

I’m not sure if I’ll try anything else by David Dalglish, but if I do, I’m not sure what to pick. Do you have any suggestions?
While A Dance of Mirrors wrapped up the Shadowdance series, it left me frustrated. The story had potential, but it never quite delivered.
Have you read A Dance of Mirrors or any other books by David Dalglish? If you have recommendations for his work (or something completely different) I’d love to hear them!

Happy reading!
Helena

Terry Pratchett: Carpe Jugulum

Hi everyone

Carpe Jugulum is the 23rd book in Terry Pratchett's wonderful, amazing Discworld series.
I've had my copy for years; it's an older edition but I so love their classic covers.
This was my third time reading Carpe Jugulum.

"Mightily Oats has not picked a good time to be priest. He thought he'd come to Lancre for a simple ceremony. Now he's caught up in a war between vampires and witches.
There's Young Agnes, who is really in two minds about everything. Magrat, who is trying to combine witchcraft and nappies, Nanny Ogg ... and Granny Weatherwax, who is big trouble.
And the vampires are intelligent. They've got style and fancy waistcoats. They're out of the casket and want a bite of the future. Mightily Oats knows he has a prayer, but he wishes he had an axe." 

I adore the Nac Mac Feegle. They are a wondrous, hilarious and genius addition to The Discworld. And their interactions with the witches never fail to make me laugh out loud. The way they barge into scenes, cause chaos, and steal every moment is pure Pratchett brilliance.

Carpe Jugulum's plot is not my favourite; I find the story to be a bit too slow at times. But I did enjoy rereading it, mostly for the characters and the humor.

The witches are fantastic as always; Granny Weatherwax being her terrifyingly brilliant self, Magrat as a mother (which is such an emotional and relatable arc), Nanny Ogg, who always makes me smile and Perdita is amazing. The scenes where Nanny Ogg becomes "the other one" are out of this world fantastic.

The humor is Pratchett at his best; sharp, clever, and so funny it hurts. And his take on religion through Mightily Oats is thought-provoking, respectful, funny, and introspective all at once. Pratchett has this uncanny ability to make you laugh while also making you think deeply about life, faith, and humanity.
It’s not my absolute favorite Discworld novel (with 41 books in the series (not counting the extras!), it’s impossible to pick just one favorite). For me, there are at least 10 that tie for first place, and Carpe Jugulum isn’t one of them because of the pacing, but it’s still amazing nonetheless.

So, if you haven’t yet, go read some Discworld novels! 

Happy reading.
Helena 

Christian White: The Nowhere Child

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Bookhaul

Hi everyone

I got some new books, and I'm so excited!
After reading Brian McClellan's Promise of Blood I immediately ordered the second and the third book in The Powder Mage series because I'm sure I'll love those too.
Same goes for Jonathan French's The Lot Lands series. 

I feel like a kid in a candy store and I can’t wait to dive into these!

Here's what I got:

- Moniquill Blackgoose: To Shape a Dragon's Breath 

- Jonathan French: The Free Bastards

- Claire Keegan: Small Things Like These

- Brian McClellan: The Crimson Campaign 

- Brian McClellan: The Autumn Republic

- Dennis E. Taylor: Not Till We Are Lost 

Happy reading!
Helena 

Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Protects

Hi everyone

The Wild Robot Protects is the third and last part in Peter Brown's The Wild Robot series.
I got my copy from Bol.

"Life for Roz and the animals on their island is perfect: wild, natural, harmonious. Her son Brightbill has even found a mate! But then, one day an injured seal washes ashore and warns of dangerous, cloudy waters that are flowing toward the island—and soon the animals are forced inland to fight over dwindling resources.
Roz calms and organizes the animals, but the poison tide takes a terrible toll on the island. And when the robot discovers that her new body is waterproof, she marches into the waves and sets out across the ocean, determined to stop the poison tide."

The Wild Robot is a series for children, something my almost 8 year old daughter would read if I had bought it in Dutch (our mother tongue). It's certainly entertaining, the illustrations are wonderful and the story is easy to read and fun. But this particular book was boring. 
The plot is really slow. My mind wandered multiple times while reading it. It takes ages for the islanders to do something, and it takes even longer for Roz to reach her destination. There’s just not much else going on. The tone was also very preachy: Humans = bad. Animals = good. There’s no nuance, and it feels too moralistic for my taste.

So yeah, the first and second book in the series were very enjoyable but this one didn’t live up to them. It’s a shame, because I love the concept and the illustrations, but the execution in this final book just didn’t work for me.

Have you read The Wild Robot Protects? Did you feel the same way, or did you or your kids enjoy it more? I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy reading!
Helena 

Ilona Andrews: Magic Burns

Hi everyone

Magic Burns is the second book in Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series. 
I read this on my e-reader. 

"Kickass mercenary Kate Daniels is back in another breakneck urban fantasy adventure. She's ready to take care of anyone who gets in her way . . .Down in Atlanta, tempers - and temperatures - are about to flare . . .As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate's going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger a divine one.When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realises much more is at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest - and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can't stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive..."

This book was so entertaining; I enjoyed every minute of it! I loved all the characters, and the story was really engrossing. It’s packed full of action, humor, a bit of love, great magic, and fighting, truly everything you need for a fun read.
Kate Daniels is such a strong, sarcastic, and fiercely loyal protagonist, and her dynamic with the rest of the cast (especially the Pack) is just so much fun. 
The action scenes are fast-paced and thrilling, and the humor is sharp and witty; just what I love in an urban fantasy. Plus, the slow-burn romance and Kate’s interactions with Curran are perfect; they're fun and not too sweet. 

Have you read Magic Burns? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Yuval Noah Harari: Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

Hi everyone

I read Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, by Yuval Noah Harari spread over the last few weeks.
This is my husband's copy.

"Sapiens showed us where we came from. Homo Deus shows us where we're going. War is obsolete. You are more likely to commit suicide than be killed in conflict. Famine is disappearing. You are at more risk of obesity than starvation. Death is just a technical problem. Equality is out - but immortality is in.
What does our future hold? Yuval Noah Harari, author of the bestselling phenomenon Sapiens envisions a not-too-distant world in which we face a new set of challenges.
Homo Deus explores the projects, dreams and nightmares that will shape the twenty-first century - from overcoming death to creating artificial life. It asks the fundamental questions: Where do we go from here? And how will we protect this fragile world from our own destructive powers?" 

This was a bit disappointing. I read Sapiens about a year ago and found it fascinating and thought-provoking and I really enjoyed it. But Homo Deus just didn’t live up to that experience. It wasn’t as engrossing or interesting as I’d hoped.
The problem wasn’t the writing; Harari’s style is still clear and engaging. But the content itself felt lacking. There wasn’t much that felt new or groundbreaking. I never paused to think, "Wow, that’s amazing!" or "I never considered that before!" It felt more like a repackaging of ideas I’d already encountered, without adding much depth or a fresh perspective.
I appreciate Harari’s ability to connect big ideas and make complex topics accessible, but Homo Deus left me wanting more. It’s not a bad book, it’s just not as compelling or eye-opening as Sapiens was.

Have you read Homo Deus? Did you feel the same way, or did it resonate with you more than it did with me? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

 

 

Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

Hi everyone

Promis of Blood is the first book in The Powder Mage series by Brian McClellan. This series is set before the Gods of Blood and Powder series, which I read (and loved) first. So if you have yet to start Brian McClellan's writing, I suggest you start here. And I suggest starting now because these books are amazing.
I bought this book from Bol.com.

"The Age of Kings is dead . . . and I have killed it.
It's a bloody business overthrowing a king...
Field Marshal Tamas' coup against his king sent corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brought bread to the starving. But it also provoked war with the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics, and the greedy to scramble for money and power by Tamas's supposed allies: the Church, workers unions, and mercenary forces.
Stretched to his limit, Tamas is relying heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be his estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty is being tested by blackmail.
But when gods are involved...
Now, as attacks batter them from within and without, the credulous are whispering about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods waking to walk the earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing. But they should...
In a rich, distinctive world that mixes magic with technology, who could stand against mages that control gunpowder and bullets?"

Promise of Blood reads like a lightning-fast adventure. I was never bored, constantly on the edge of my seat and always wanting more. There are no infodumps, but you still learn plenty about the world, the magic systems, and the characters in a way that feels natural and immersive.
I loved every moment. It was so fun to get to know the characters anew, especially since I’d already met some of them in the Gods of Blood and Powder series. We learn more about Ka-Poel, see the world through Tamas’ eyes, and get to know him better. Honestly, I enjoyed every character and every story arc. There aren’t too many POVs, so it’s easy to keep track of everyone, and because each perspective is so well-developed, you care about them all.
The story is fantastic; there’s so much going on but it never feels overwhelming. Instead, it stays interesting and gripping from start to finish. The blend of magic and technology is so unique, and the political intrigue, action, and character dynamics make it impossible to put down.

I loved it so much that I’ve already ordered the second and third books in the series. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy with deep worldbuilding, complex characters, and non-stop action, this is a must-read.

Have you read Promise of Blood? Did you love it as much as I did? Or are you planning to start the series? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: June 2025

Hi everyone

June has flown by. Summer vacation has started for the children, my husband and I are still working but in a couple of weeks we'll be going on holiday and we're all looking forward to that.

Here's the list with links to the books I read in June.

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

- Yoko Ogawa: Revenge 

- Stephen Aryan: Of Gods and Men

- Jonathan French: The True Bastards

- Trudi Canavan: Thief's Magic

- Martha Wells: Witch King 

Did you read anything amazing in June? I’d love to hear your recommendations, especially if you’ve got a hidden gem I should add to my list!

Happy reading!
Helena