Wrap Up: October 2025

Hi everyone

October has been the perfect month for cozy evenings in; rainy, dark, and chilly. There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book, a warm cup of tea (or a diet soda, if I’m feeling rebellious), and maybe a little snack. Wrapped in a blanket, lost in another world, what could be more perfect? 
And I read some great books!

Here's what I read. 

- Mark Manson: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

- Cameron Johnston: The Maleficent Seven

- Ben Aaronovitch: The Masquerades of Spring

- Roald Dahl: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

- Jonathan French: The Free Bastards 

- Terry Pratchett: The Fifth Elephant

- Grant Snider: The Art of Living 

- Delia Owens: Where the Crawdads Sing

- Dennis E. Taylor: Not Till We Are Lost 

And there was one book I could not finish

- Michaeleen Doucleff: Hunt, Gather, Parent 

How was your reading month? Did you discover any new favorites or revisit old ones? I like rereading and discovering new books. What about you? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Cameron Johnston: The Maleficent Seven

Hi everyone

The Maleficent Seven is a standalone action-packed Fantasy from Cameron Johnston. After reading his Age of Tyranny duology I definitely wanted to try something else by his hand.
I got my copy from Bol.com.

"When you are all out of heroes, all that's left are the villains.
Black Herran was a dread demonologist, and the most ruthless general in all Essoran. She assembled the six most fearsome warriors to captain her armies: a necromancer, a vampire lord, a demigod, an orcish warleader, a pirate queen, and a twisted alchemist. Together they brought the whole continent to its knees... Until the day she abandoned her army, on the eve of total victory.
40 years later, she must bring her former captains back together for one final stand, in the small town of Tarnbrooke - the last bastion against a fanatical new enemy tearing through the land, intent on finishing the job Black Herran started years before.
Seven bloodthirsty monsters. One town. Their last hope."

This book was so much fun! 
The seven main characters all absolutely hate and despise each other, but they have no choice but to work together, which leads to some hilariously razorsharp dialogue and chaotic, dubble edged interactions. Each character has a fully fleshed-out backstory, so even though they’re villains, you understand their motives and why they do what they do. I found myself rooting for them, despite all of them being some kind of monster. I loved reading from their perspectives; all of them.
The book is dark, gruesome, and brutal, but it’s also hilarious, fast-paced, and packed with action. 
I love how Johnston puts forth the idea that religion and religious fanatics are worse than these seven monstrous captains. 
The worldbuilding is rich, with diverse races, multiple magic systems and powers.

My only regret? That this is a standalone novel. I would love to read more about these characters.

Have you read it? Or do you have another favorite "villain-centric" story? Let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena