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.

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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