Claire Keegan: Small Things Like These

Hi everyone

Small Things Like These is a little book by Claire Keegan. The beautiful cover totally sucked me in. 
I got my book from Bol.com.

"It is 1985, in an Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, faces into his busiest season. As he does the rounds, he feels the past rising up to meet him - and encounters the complicit silences of a people controlled by the Church."

This was lovely and a perfect winter or Christmas read.

I loved the atmosphere and the setting. You can feel the cold air and see your breath misting the windows. Keegan writes so evocatively!
It was refreshing and compelling to experience the story through the eyes of a man who doesn’t fully understand what’s happening; while the women around him do. That ignorance and slow realization added a layer of tension and tragedy.
I loved the story at its heart, about small acts of kindness in a cruel world, about silence that speaks louder than words, and about what we choose to see, what we look away from and why. It’s a gentle but profound exploration of morality, guilt, and the weight of doing (or not doing) the right thing. 

But I expected more. There's not much to the story, not much happens. The story unfolds over just a few days, and while that adds to the intensity, it also felt too limited and too much is left unsaid. I'm also left with too many unanswered questions; what happens after they get home? How do his wife, his children and the community react to his decision? It feels like the book stops just as the real story is about to begin (or at the very least the second part of the book).

The story is a bit too sweet and cozy for the topic of the Magdalene Sisters. a dark, gruesome, painful chapter in Irish history where women and girls were imprisoned, abused, and exploited by the Church. But the treatment of this topic felt too sweet, too cozy for such a brutal reality. I wanted more impact, more confrontational truth. 
We learned about this in high school so I immediately recognized what was happening but I can't imagine everyone reading this book knows what happened. So I really feel it should have been more at the front of the story, more elaborated on this.

Have you read Small Things Like These? What did you think of the balance between sweetness and the harsh topic? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

M. R. Carey: Echo of Worlds

Hi everyone 

Echo of Worlds is the second book in the Pandominion duology by M. R. Carey (or Mike Carey). 
I got my book from Bol.com.

"Two mighty empires are at war - and both will lose, with thousands of planets falling to the extinction event called the Scour. At least that's what the artificial intelligence known as Rupshe believes.
But somewhere in the multiverse there exists a force - the Mother Mass - that could end the war in an instant, and Rupshe has assembled a team to find it. Essien Nkanika, a soldier trying desperately to atone for past sins; the cat-woman Moon, a conscienceless killer; the digitally recorded mind of physicist Hadiz Tambuwal; Paz, an idealistic child and the renegade robot spy Dulcimer Coronal.
Their mission will take them from the hellish prison world of Tsakom to the poisoned remains of a post-apocalyptic Earth, and finally bring them face to face with the Mother Mass itself. But can they persuade it to end eons of neutrality and help them? And is it too late to make a difference?
Because the Pandominion's doomsday machines are about to be unleashed - and not even their builders know how to control them." 

First, let’s talk about everything I loved. The characters are fantastic; every single one is distinct, fully fleshed out, and compelling. I cared about the ones I was supposed to care for, and I disliked the ones I was supposed to dislike (even though I understood their motivations). Carey has a real talent for creating characters who feel like real people, people who are layerd and can be morally gray. 
The worldbuilding and concepts are also fascinating. The idea of a multiverse at war, with an extinction-level threat looming, is gripping. The setting is vivid and it makes you think about our world. I love the idea of these stepwise worlds and the endless possibilities it could give us if this were true. 

Unfortunately, my biggest issue with Echo of Worlds is the same one I had with Infinity Gate: the writing is dense, and the pacing is all over the place. The first 200 pages were a real struggle. The writing style is so dense and technical that I found myself easily distracted by the smallest things. It didn’t feel like a relaxing read at all. The technical exposés that sometimes take up multiple pages didn’t help; they pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in. Reading this book felt more like work than enjoyment for most of the time.  

I was really excited about the concept of the Mother Mass, but it felt underrealized. It had so much potential but it felt like a missed opportunity.
The ending didn’t feel satisfying at all. Without giving away spoilers, the resolution relied heavily on a deus ex machina; something I always absolutely hate. We’re just supposed to trust it to know what’s best for everyone? That’s not how I like my stories to wrap up.

Echo of Worlds has amazing ideas and characters, but the execution left me frustrated. The dense writing, uneven pacing, and unsatisfying ending made it a tough read for me. In the end, it just didn’t deliver the experience I was hoping for.

Have you read The Pandominion Duology? What did you think? Did you struggle with the pacing like I did or maybe it wasn't a problem for you? Let me know in the comments; I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Brian McClellan: The Crimson Campaign

Hi everyone

I just finished The Crimson Campaign, the second book in the Powder Mage series by Brian McClellan.
I got my book from Bol.com.

"When invasion looms... Tamas's invasion of Kez ends in disaster when a Kez counter-offensive leaves him cut off behind enemy lines with only a fraction of his army, no supplies, and no hope of reinforcements. Drastically outnumbered and pursued by the enemy's best, he must lead his men on a reckless march through northern Kez to safety, and back over the mountains so that he can defend his country from an angry god, Kresimir.
But the threats are closer to home...
In Adro, Inspector Adamat only wants to rescue his wife. To do so he must track down and confront the evil Lord Vetas. He has questions for Vetas concerning his enigmatic master, but the answers will lead Adamat on a darker journey.
Who will lead the charge?
Tamas's generals bicker among themselves, the brigades lose ground every day beneath the Kez onslaught, and Kresimir wants the head of the man who shot him in the eye. With Tamas and his powder cabal presumed dead, Taniel Two-shot finds himself as the last line of defense against Kresimir's advancing army."

This book was non-stop action: gritty, gruesome, and thrilling from start to finish.

One of the things I loved most was the character development, especially for Nila and Bo. But the real star of this series is Tamas. I’m so glad we get to know him as a character and not just as someone who is talked about by others. He feels incredibly real, with his inner doubts, concerns, and faults. We can see his military genius at work. In fact, none of the characters are pure heroes; everyone has their flaws and merits (except for Vetas, who felt a bit like a caricature).

The writing is easy to read but hard to put down. Brian McClellan’s style is straightforward and to the point, without unnecessary frills, which I really appreciate, especially in epic and grimdark fantasy. I also love reading from multiple POV's; it makes the story and the world feel so much richer and more rounded.

Now, I already knew a lot of what was going to happen because I read the second trilogy, Gods of Blood and Powder, first, without realizing this series came before it. But even though I had all this foreknowledge, it didn’t detract from the suspense or the awesomeness of this book.

If I have one critique, it’s that Brian McClellan sometimes relies a bit too much on deus ex machina solutions. An ex-lover showing up in just the right city, Nila turning out to be something more than expected, and a few other minor events felt a bit too convenient. But honestly, that didn’t ruin the experience for me.

Have you read The Crimson Campaign or any of the other books in the Powder Mage series? What did you think of the characters and the world McClellan has created? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: November 2025

Hi everyone

November has arrived, and with it, the start of the cold, dark, and wet months here in Belgium. October usually treats us to a few sunny days, but by November, those are few and far between. To chase away the gloom, we’ve put up fairy lights around the house, I’m drinking more tea than ever, and my blankets are always close by; ready to snuggle under with a good book.

Here's what I read last month: 

- Jen Williams: The Ninth Rain

- Emma Newman: Atlas Alone

- Patrick Rothfuss: The Narrow Road Between Desires

- Werner Herzog: Of Walking in Ice

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Cosmos

- Nikki Erlick: The Measure

- Benedict Jacka: An Instruction in Shadow 

How was your reading month? Did you discover any new favorites, or revisit an old one? I’d love to hear your recommendations; what should I add to my list for December or next year?

Happy reading!
Helena 

Benedict Jacka: An Instruction in Shadow

Hi everyone

An Instruction in Shadow is the second book in the Inheritance of Magic series, Benedict Jacka’s follow-up to his completed Alex Verus series. 
I bought this book from Bol.com

"Stephen Oakwood has emerged victorious against the schemes of his aristocratic family. Now he finally has the opportunity to do what he’s been wanting to do for a long time: track down his father.
But doing so won’t be easy. Stephen’s not so isolated any more, but the contacts he’s making in the magical world—everyone from the corporation he works for to the mother he’s just beginning to reconnect with—all have agendas of their own. And now a new group is emerging from the shadows, calling themselves the Winged.
Their leader, the mysterious Byron, promises that he can show Stephen how to find his father...but he wants something in return.
Following that trail will throw Stephen into greater danger than he’s ever faced before. To survive, he’ll need to use all of his tricks and sigls, and pick up some new ones. Only then will he be able to prevail against his enemies...and find out who’s really pulling the strings."

So far, I don’t love this series.
There are a few things that really got on my nerves. First, the constant foreshadowing; phrases like "but that was about to change" pop up every few pages. It feels like a cheap and lazy way to create tension. Second, we already know Stephen is low on money; it doesn’t need repeating in every conversation or introspective moment. Being reminded of it every few pages got old quickly. I’d rather the book focus more on his learning and growth instead of his financial struggles and his work. And third, there were too many infodumps disguised as conversations with his friend, grandfather, or the priest. It felt unnatural and slowed the story way down.

That said, I did enjoy reading about the magic and Stephen’s progress. The world is interesting, and I love that it’s set in London. Colin is a fun addition to the cast, and I like Stephen as a main character; his interactions, his drive to learn, his humor, and the fact that he isn’t just the best fighter or drucrafter. He has to work for his skills, and that makes him relatable. And, of course, Hobbs is obviously the best character in the whole series.
The pacing is good, there's lots of action and time for conversations, planning and learning. But the infodumps really dragged the story down. I do like learning about Stephen’s family history and the magic, just not in such a clunky way.

The series has potential, but it needs some refining to make it amazing. I’ll read the third book and decide after that whether to continue.

Have you read An Instruction in Shadow or any of Benedict Jacka’s other books? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Nikki Erlick: The Measure

Hi everyone

I finished The Measure by Nikki Erlick and this book made me cry.
So let's talk about it!
I got my book from Bol.com.

"It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.
But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.
From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?
As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they'll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?
The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn't have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything." 

I really enjoyed this book.
The premise is unlike anything I’ve read before, and it really intrigued me; which is why I bought it, obviously. The gorgeous cover didn’t hurt either. 

I loved reading about the inner struggles people went through, whether they received a long string or a short one. It’s so easy to imagine how your own life would change depending on the choice you make (whether to look or not) and the outcome. Nikki Erlick explores every possible scenario through her characters, showing how their lives, thoughts, and circumstances shift based on what they discover in that box. The characters all have their own distinct voices, and even though the story is somewhat predictable, it didn’t really bother me because I enjoyed the characters and their growth so much. 

There were two things I was less happy with. First, the last part is a bit too sentimental, but it does fit the story, so it didn’t bother me too much. 
Secondly, the story is very, very American. From everything I’ve seen and read online about the political situation in the USA, the story feels credible. The discrimination, the violence, and the political changes all fit with what I know of a country I’ve never visited. Here in Belgium, for instance, I imagine the reaction would be more subdued, at least initially. I doubt it would lead to the same level of public chaos or drastic new political laws. So, I didn’t really like the heavy focus on the politics; it felt a bit overdone for my taste.

Have you read The Measure? What did you think of the premise and the characters’ choices? Do you think the reaction would be different in your country or culture? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Cosmos

Hi everyone

Yesterday I finished the fifth and final book in The Long Earth series by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter. This was my second time reading it, and while it wraps up the series neatly, I walked away with mixed feelings.

"2070-71. Nearly six decades after Step Day, a new society continues to evolve in the Long Earth. Now, a message has been received: “Join us.”
The Next - the hyper-intelligent post-humans - realize that the missive contains instructions for kick-starting the development of an immense artificial intelligence known as The Machine. But to build this computer the size of an Earth continent, they must obtain help from the more populous and still industrious worlds of mankind.
Meanwhile, on a trek in the High Meggers, Joshua Valienté, now nearing seventy, is saved from death when a troll band discovers him. Living among the trolls as he recovers, Joshua develops a deeper understanding of this collective-intelligence species and its society. He discovers that some older trolls, with capacious memories, act as communal libraries, and live on a very strange Long Earth world, in caverns under the root systems of trees as tall as mountains.
Valienté also learns something much more profound . . . about life and its purpose in the Long Earth: We cultivate the cosmos to maximize the opportunities for life and joy in this universe, and to prepare for new universes to come."

The Long Cosmos is satisfying in that it concludes everything nicely. However, it also feels disappointing because it lacks the drive and depth I’d hoped for in a series finale.
The book obviously aims for an epic conclusion and it just doesn't deliver. The last 100 pages, in particular, feel underwhelming, and the entire book is surprisingly uneventful. There are countless repetitions (and jokes) of how old the characters are, and while two characters go missing (how convenient!), we never truly uncover the purpose of the mysterious message or the supercomputer. It feels like a missed opportunity to explore something truly profound. 

Don’t get me wrong; The Long Cosmos is a quick and easy read. It’s never boring, but it also didn’t hold my attention for long stretches. In fact, it says a lot that this was my second time reading the series, and I barely remember more than the basic premise. The story just doesn’t leave a lasting impression, which is a shame for what could have been an epic finale to a series with a thought-provoking and interesting premise. 
As it turns out, the premise is the most exciting part of the whole series.

Have you read The Long Cosmos or any of the other books in The Long Earth series? Did you feel the same way, or did the finale resonate more with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena