Wrap Up: August 2025

Hi everyone

August flew by in a blur of laughter, cake, and way too many books! We went on a family holiday, celebrated my daughters turning 8 and 4 (how are they growing so fast?!), and my husband and I toasted to 11 years of marriage. Summer was packed with joy, and now we’re easing back into the school routine—though the Belgian weather seems determined to remind us that autumn is just around the corner.

As always, I found rest, relaxation and adventure in the pages of some wonderful books. 

Here's what I read last month:

- T. J. Klune: Under the Whispering Door

- Tommy Orange: Wandering Stars

- Neil Gaiman: Coraline 

- Glen Cook: The Black Company 

- Vernor Vinge: A Fire Upon the Deep 

- Katherine Addison: The Tomb of Dragons

- Brandon Sanderson: Tress of the Emerald Sea

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Utopia 

What about you? Did August bring any gems your way? Or maybe a new favorite? Let me know! I’m always on the lookout for recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Brandon Sanderson: Tress of the Emerald Sea

Hi everyone

Tress of the Emerald Sea is a standalone novel by Brandon Sanderson. It is set in The Cosmere so it is part of his multi-series world but you can read it without having read any of his other books. It's also more of a YA book so it's different in style.
I bought this book from Bol.com.

"The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?"  

I have to be honest; I didn't really enjoy this. The story was ok but I found it boring overall. The plot felt a bit rambling, and the characters came across as dull and mediocre. What annoyed me the most, though, was the POV and the tone of the storyteller. Hoid (who is supposed to be witty and funny) just came off as stupid to me. Even when he was meant to be clever or humorous, he just felt dumb and idiotic. The book tried to be funny, but for me, it fell completely flat.
That said; the worldbuilding was, as is usual for Sanderson, amazing, interesting and unlike anything I’ve read before. The concept of the spore oceans and the deadly Midnight Sea is fascinating and imaginative. However, the main villain in this book was just absurd. Without giving too much away, her sudden departure at the end felt lazy and unsatisfying. She wasn’t in any real danger from Tress and the others, so why would she just leave? It felt like a cop-out, and it left me frustrated with the storytelling.

All in all, Tress of the Emerald Sea wasn’t for me. While the world was intriguing, the execution of the story, the characters, and the humor just didn’t work for me. But if you’re a fan of Sanderson’s imaginative worlds or enjoy lighthearted YA fantasy, you might find something to like here.

Have you read Tress of the Emerald Sea? Did you enjoy it more than I did? 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

Brandon Sanderson: The Hero of Ages

Hi

The Hero of Ages is the third and last part in the Mistborn series.
I got it in the Fnac and it has 748 pages.
You can find all my Brandon Sanderson reviews here.

*SPOILERS!*

Again, there’s not much to add to my review of the first novel; so here are some additional or changed opinions.

The Hero of Ages is the mind blowing ending to the stunning Mistborn Series. And I truly mean those words. It’s better than the second part and equally good as the first novel.

There are clues hidden throughout the book that I thought I had solved, but half the time I was wrong. The times I was right I felt like a hero myself, but there was still so much to understand and to learn and to uncover that I was never, ever bored. I mean some of the events and uncovered knowledge left me flabbergasted.
It is an amazing novel, intense, truly compelling and satisfying to the very so bittersweet ending.

I loved reading about the kandra because they are unlike any species I have ever read about. And the revelations about the koloss are just morbid. The world building is stunning, unlike anything I’ve read before.

I did find some faults too I’m afraid.
It is a bit hard to believe that Tindwyl left such an impression on Elend because he changed into a completely different person. He’s about the greatest leader there ever was when once he was just a scholar.
As an atheist myself; I had a rather hard time to get through Sazed’s doubts and search for answers about death and grief in religion. As if it is impossible to handle loss and grief without the belief in something higher.
Also, Spook really should be dead after everything he went through.
The politics are still a bit tiring.

Sanderson did a truly amazing job with this novel. Except for some minor points I loved it from beginning to end.
The Mistborn series is definitely, highly recommended.

Happy reading!
Helena

Tea Time!

Brandon Sanderson: The Well of Ascension

Hi

This review is about The Well of Ascension; the second book in the Mistborn Series.
You can find all my Brandon Sanderson reviews here.
I got this novel in the Fnac and it has 781 pages.

*SPOILER FREE!*

There’s not much to add to my review of the first novel; so here are some additional or changed opinions.

The Well of Ascension is a typical middle book because of these three points; it ends on a cliffhanger. It is setting things up for the last book. The story is completely different from the first book and I assume/hope the third book will be closer to the first one.

Sanderson is a very captivating writer. It’s a very different and unique world definitely worth reading about.

But there’s way too much drama going on between Vin and her lover. Does he love me? He deserves someone better. I’m not worthy of her. She should find someone better. That kind of stuff. Aggravating as hell.
Also, all the talking, deliberating and the politicking get really boring after yet another chapter full of these. There’s no actual progress in the plot. Such a slow story! Not a lot happens, and after these actual events; it’s back to politicking and talking.

Even though this book was rather boring and dragging, I did finish it quickly. And that’s all thanks to the writing and the fantastic world-building.

Have you read the series? If so, did you like it?

Have a nice day!
Helena

Writing a review about this one.

Brandon Sanderson: The Final Empire

Hi

This review is about The Final Empire; the first installment in Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Series. I got my book from www.bol.com some time ago. It counts 647 pages and it has a very beautiful cover.

"A thousand years ago, the Lord Ruler established himself as the emperor of The Final Empire. No-one can remember the battle where the hero failed and the Lord Ruler became victorious. No books or tales survived those years. Humans are divided into two classes: the Nobles and the Skaa. The Skaa are the poor workers who have to slave away to clean the ever-falling ashes and to provide for the nobility. Kelsier, a Mistborn and the only survivor of the Pits of Hathsin and his crew of Mistings start a rebellion against the Lord Ruler. These Mistings and Mistborns are able to burn different kinds of metal in order to get certain powers. They recruit Vin, a sixteen-year old Skaa Mistborn for the crew and the plans take form."

I really enjoyed this novel!
This novel left me wanting more. I just couldn’t stop reading; I wanted more free time so I could keep reading.
It is something completely new, interesting and unique. The epic battle happened in the past and the Hero failed. There is also an entirely new system of magic. Sanderson explains the magic from a science-like point of view; making it a very believable sort of magic.
It is a very easy but slow read. The action-scenes stopped my heart and his explanations of the world or the magic are simple and they cover everything I need to know.
As the story progresses, we get answers together with the characters. It felt like Sanderson knew when we were wondering about something and he was able to anticipate our questions.
The world of The Final Empire is very well crafted. It is an incredibly thorough built world; accessible and surprising. Sanderson put a lot of thought into this novel. It’s not about a simple rebellion; it’s not about good versus evil where everything is static and black and white. It’s about so much more!
Every character is very well thought out. They’re interesting, different, they have depth and the characters evolve. Most characters aren’t frozen or black-and-white. Emotions change, they have doubts, their motivations change, they question their emotions and they change opinions. And I hadn’t any trouble keeping all the characters apart. The novel is compelling and engaging. I was anticipating what would happen next throughout the entire novel and how their plans would work out.
You won’t see the ending coming, I can assure you.

But… Where are the other female characters? The only woman in this rebellion is Vin. Vin and every other woman in this novel are walking clichés. Big mistake Sanderson.

Happy reading.
Helena

Yummy peaches and a fantastic book!