"Dangerous Remedy" by Kat Dunn

☆☆☆☆.5 stars

introduction:

I received an Advanced Reading Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Well, April was not a good month for me in terms of reading. There wasn't much that was grabbing my interest, and I ended up finishing half as many books as March. I was starting to get into a slump, and then I began reading "Dangerous Remedy".

summary:

Camille, a revolutionary's daughter, leads a band of outcasts – a runaway girl, a deserter, an aristocrat in hiding. As the Battalion des Morts they cheat death, saving those about to meet a bloody end at the blade of Madame La Guillotine. But their latest rescue is not what she seems. The girl's no aristocrat, but her dark and disturbing powers means both the Royalists and the Revolutionaries want her. But who and what is she?

In a fast and furious story full of the glamour and excesses, intrigue and deception of these dangerous days, no one can be trusted, everyone is to be feared. As Camille learns the truth, she's forced to choose between loyalty to those she loves and the future.

review:

I don't know how this book isn't being talked about more! A strong, dynamic squad of characters, heists, LGBT and POC rep, and on top of that it is set during the French Revolution!

I really liked the characters, they were not overdone, and not caricatures which often happens when a book surrounds a large cast of characters. They were complex in their relationships with one another and quite realistic. I really liked Camille and Ada's difficult friendship and romance, from completely different backgrounds, they were so similar and so different from one another at the same time. I really look forward to how they grow in the next book. 

I really enjoyed the plot twists and the flaws to their plans, that were really well handled, better than "Six of Crows" which people often try to compare it to. In my opinion, I thought this book was stronger and it doesn't really seem fair that they are compared, because in many ways "Dangerous Remedy" is so completely different from "Six of Crows". I thought the characters were far more realistic. The only parallels you can draw between each of the books, are the "squad" and the heists, that's where the similarities end.

I loved learning more about the history of the French Revolution, which is probably one of my favourite historical events that has happened in Europe. So granted, I loved the setting and the historical context this book had. I also really liked the integration of perspectives of people who've come over from the French colonies, I felt like it certainly added to the scope of the narrative. 

The prose was crisp, but not overly simple. It was accessible, and easy to follow while also having a lovely balance of more flowery language mixed in. It never distracts or takes away from the pacing either, which I have to say was very strong. This story was really well-balanced in many ways, but I have to say I think was most-impressed by the pacing. It was constantly moving forward, even as we had time to sit around with the characters and get to know them better, there was always something happening big or small, there was never really a dull moment. From a debut author, this balance was extraordinarily impressive. 

The only thing that stops me from giving this a 5-star review, is just that I felt like I wish I had gotten to know some of the other members of the "battalion des morts", or the story's squad, just a bit better. I really wish there had been flashbacks of their childhood and the things that helped developed their characters into who they are when the story begins. I feel that would have made me a bit more connected to the characters. Which isn't to say that I wasn't connected to the characters, I think they all have very good bones. I would just like to see more growth in the next book. I really hope this book ends up getting three or four books, because I really like the direction this book took at the very end. 

While people compare it "Six of Crows", I would say this book is more "Frankenstein" meets "The Diviners".

Overall, a debut novel that exceeded all of my expectations. Kat Dunn is an author to watch.

I would like add that "Dangerous Remedy" was due to be out today in print, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately print publication had to be delayed until August, I believe. Today, 7 May 2020, still remains it's book-birthday, as it is being released as an e-book. Please, if you can afford to treat yourself today, please consider purchasing an e-book copy of "Dangerous Remedy". These are difficult times for everyone, and creators and artists are certainly struggling. During this time, debut authors especially are finding it difficult to find a voice. If you do give "Dangerous Remedy" a go, let me know what you thought. I really hope you enjoy it.

Note: The copy of "Dangerous Remedy" in my photo is the exclusive Illumicrate edition, found in their April "Squad Goals" box.

Preorder "Dangerous Remedy" on Waterstones

Buy "Dangerous Remedy" ebook on Amazon.co.uk

"A Darker Shade of Magic" by V. E. Schwab

☆☆☆☆☆ stars

"Kell wore a very peculiar coat. It had neither one side, which would be conventional, nor two, which would be unexpected, but several, which was, of course, impossible."

Twice, I have had the pleasure in reading this masterpiece of a work.

To say that V.E. Schwab is an extraordinary storyteller is a bit of an understatement. I, personally, find her work nothing short of exceptional.

"Lila Bard lived by a simple rule: if a thing was worth having, it was worth taking."

summary:

The story takes place between parallel magical Londons. There is Red London (the London, to which Kell, our MC, belongs to), Grey London (our London, however set hundreds of years in the past), White London (a London brimming with Magic) and Black London (or "dead" London).

The primary MC, Kell, is an adopted prince of the royals of Red London. He is one of a rare breed of magic users that possess the ability to travel between each of the Londons (red, white and gray) like traveling through doors. The door to Black London, however has been closed for years after they went crazy with magic. The story takes a turn though when Kell meets Lila Bard a resident of Grey London (and a Pirate), and the walls that separate the parallel Londons begin to become increasingly thinner.

“'I apologize for anything I might have done. I was not myself.'
'I apologize for shooting you in the leg.' said Lila. 'I was myself entirely.'”

review:

Granted, I really simplified the story. It is far more complex than I made it seem. I think it is the complexity that adds to the intrigue, you never really know where exactly the story is headed. Which makes it so much more compelling and magical. V.E. Schwab is such a masterful world-builder. She makes you believe fantasy to be reality. I find solid world-building to be lacking from the majority of recently published fantasy books.

In terms of writing, voice and character development Ms. Schwab definitely met all of my expectations and then some. "A Darker Shade of Magic" was my first toe-dip into the world of V.E. Schwab and quickly turned me into a massive fan. I am in love with her writing style, it is both direct and descriptive. It's flawless, I aspire to be able to write as well as she does.

Character development wise, I particularly enjoyed Lila and Rhy's characters. If I could fault anything in the book it would be that I didn't find Kell to be particularly strong as a character. BUT I have yet to read books 2 & 3 so I don't have much of a voice on the matter.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to just about everyone, especially those who grew up reading Harry Potter. Granted "A Darker Shade of Magic" is significantly darker in terms of content, it did provide me with a sort of nostalgia of the world of Harry Potter while being completely original. It shares almost nothing in common with the Harry Potter books, but it does make you think that England is a magical place. And for that I love it.

I would not recommend the audiobook to anyone interested, I listened to the audiobook on my first read-through of the book. The audiobook doesn't contribute to the magic of the story and thus, I would suggest reading a hard-copy or an ebook over the audiobook edition.

"The Midnight Lie" by Marie Rutkoski

"The Midnight Lie" by Marie Rutkoski

Published by Hodder & Stoughton

☆☆☆☆

"The Midnight Lie" is a difficult book to put a rating on, it had it's moments that I absolutely loved and it also had its moments where I felt like it was dragging and I just wanted finish it already. It sat somewhere between 3.5 stars and 4, but for the purpose of reviewing I feel like 4 stars expresses my feelings more.

I will add that I went into "The Midnight Lie" blind, and I am really thankful that I did as it was not what I was expecting at all. I would probably recommend that you do as well. Nonetheless, I will include the summary in case you are interested in seeing what the book is about.

Summary:

Where Nirrim lives, crime abounds, a harsh tribunal rules, and society’s pleasures are reserved for the High Kith. Life in the Ward is grim and punishing. People of her low status are forbidden from sampling sweets or wearing colors. You either follow the rules, or pay a tithe and suffer the consequences.

Nirrim keeps her head down and a dangerous secret close to her chest.

But then she encounters Sid, a rakish traveler from far away who whispers rumors that the High Caste possesses magic. Sid tempts Nirrim to seek that magic for herself. But to do that, Nirrim must surrender her old life. She must place her trust in this sly stranger who asks, above all, not to be trusted.

Review:

“It’s a midnight lie... a kind of lie told for someone else’s sake, a lie that sits between goodness and wrong, just as midnight is the moment between night and morning.”
—Marie Rutkoski, "The Midnight Lie"—

 I want to start by saying that the prose in this book was absolutely gorgeous. It was poetic and immersive and completely atmospheric. I have not yet read anything else by Rutkoski, but I definitely will in the future.

This story featured a really interesting world, that I don't think I've seen quite like this before. It reminded me a bit of "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" but only barely. It was quite unique, and had a bit of the same dreamlike-flare as "Alice in Wonderland" which I really enjoyed, this coupled with the dazzling prose, made it quite an enjoyable read. 

However I did feel like the world-building could have been pushed a bit further, it was a bit too safe and I wish the author took more risks expanding the world. We are never quite sure just how much world is out there, because it feels like we are sitting in a sandbox with the world-building.

“I was lonely for her even though she was right in front of me.”

—Marie Rutkoski, "The Midnight Lie"— 

The characters were fairly interesting, some more complex than others. I have to say that I really liked Sid, and that Nirrim's character arc was both massive and seamless. She was constantly pushing the boundaries of her society and the people she knew, while very slowly becoming a completely different character than she was in the beginning. I really enjoyed her character arc, as in the beginning she is all too accepting of the world around her, but she eventually sheds some of her naïveté and learns to test society rather than allow society to test her.

She can be manipulative, and she can lie to get what she wants. She can be at times a bit of a grey character, but in the end she does everything for the right reasons. I'm not a fan of first person narratives, but I find them very effective when we are given unreliable narrators. And this was a perfect example of this. Another book where I enjoyed first person would be "The Folk of the Air" series by Holly Black. I thought that perspective was the most clear in why it was used in that series, as well as it being very effective in portraying the protagonist as being unreliable and an anti-hero.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My only complaints are that in the middle of "The Midnight Lie" it begins to drag a lot, and just begins to repeat itself quite a bit. And I would have liked to see more world-building, I feel like the lack of world-building from where Sid came from left her character not being as "grounded" as she could have been. Luckily, the romance element of the book took the front seat during this time, and I have to admit while I am not a fan of romance in books. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two characters, and thought it was tastefully done. I loved them. So yeah, I really enjoyed this one. It actually surprised me how much I enjoyed it, as I went in to it not expecting to like it. I am really looking forward to the next one!

"The Death of Mrs. Westaway" by Ruth Ware

☆☆☆.5 Stars 

Summary:

On a day that begins like any other, Hal receives a mysterious letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She realizes very quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person—but also that the cold-reading skills she’s honed as a tarot card reader might help her claim the money.

Soon, Hal finds herself at the funeral of the deceased…where it dawns on her that there is something very, very wrong about this strange situation and the inheritance at the centre of it.

Review:

This was probably my favourite Ruth Ware so far. It was such a solid mystery. It had its twists and turns, and the characters were fairly interesting. Hal was especially, because in theory she is quite a morally grey character. She deceived so many people and by trade, her occupation is as a fortune-teller. When she, herself, doesn't actually believe in fortune telling. 

At the same time I found myself sympathising with her situation, and she is made to look more like a victim of her circumstances rather than a con artist. There are so many facets to her narrative that I found really intriguing, and I did like her as a character. I thought she was fairly realistic, save for the few impulsive moments she has that you see in most thrillers.

Something I found really interesting about the writing itself is that as the character's develop the narrative would change and new elements of the mystery would surface. It was quite different to most mysteries where the plot propels the characters' development. Instead, we see that as the characters grow, and they had a bit more control over the plot.

The prose was really different in this one, compared to other Ruth Ware I've read, "The Woman in Cabin 10" which was really simple and direct. "The Death of Mrs. Westaway" had a stronger focus on style and voice, as well as being extremely atmospheric. What was really cool too, is that while reading there are some diary entries that are mixed into the story, which offers a different perspective in a different timeline. 

The setting was really well done. If you've read "Rebecca" you will probably draw some parallels between Trepassen (the house in Mrs. Westaway) and Manderley (the house in "Rebecca). The parallels don't stop there though, the house keeper Mrs. Warren is a foil of Mrs. Danvers in "Rebecca". I was actually quite the fan of Mrs. Danvers in the end though, so I happily welcomed seeing her in this story as well. The coastal settings of Brighton and Cornwall, were so much fun to read about as we are nearing the spring (despite the book taking place in late autumn/winter.

The mystery itself was a bit predictable, I'm not going to lie. However, the means by which Hal gets to this conclusion are full of little twists and turns, and I did enjoy the little things that I wasn't able to predict. Some of the other characters were a bit too flat, as well which wasn't ideal. The ending was summed up a little too easily and quickly too, which was a problem I found with "The Woman in Cabin 10" as well. Those are really the only faults I found in it. It was a fairly solid book, and I would recommend it to people who like family legacy mysteries. As a murder is not at the centre of this mystery.

This books leisurely pace, mixed with the atmospheric writing made it a very cosy mystery read. I am excited to read "Turn of the Key" as my next Ruth Ware novel.

"The Red Scrolls of Magic" - Cassandra Clare with Wesley Chu

"The Red Scrolls of Magic" by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

SUMMARY:

All Magnus Bane wanted was a vacation—a lavish trip across Europe with Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter who against all odds is finally his boyfriend. But as soon as the pair settles in Paris, an old friend arrives with news about a demon-worshipping cult called the Crimson Hand that is bent on causing chaos around the world. A cult that was apparently founded by Magnus himself. Years ago. As a joke.

Now Magnus and Alec must race across Europe to track down the Crimson Hand and its elusive new leader before the cult can cause any more damage. As if it wasn’t bad enough that their romantic getaway has been sidetracked, demons are now dogging their every step, and it is becoming harder to tell friend from foe. As their quest for answers becomes increasingly dire, Magnus and Alec will have to trust each other more than ever—even if it means revealing the secrets they’ve both been keeping.

☆

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

368 pages

WHAT I LIKED:

The idea of a demon-hunting tour of Europe could have been really interesting. After all, it's an interesting spin on such an overdone concept. It would have been really interesting if the book didn't feel so touristy, it would have been more interesting if they went to countries or areas less popular. Paris, is a bit overdone. It would have been nice to see Portugal and Southern Spain instead of so many chapters on Paris and Rome/Venice. Or perhaps Northern and Eastern Europe for even a greater change. 

I did like that they went on the Orient Express, I thought that was really fun. And it is something that I would love to have the opportunity of doing. However the chapter on the Orient Express was rather silly.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

[...and there is a lot.]

I found this book to be riddled with gay stereotypes, and all originality and depth behind these characters that I used to love, were reduced to chararicature-like qualities. What really annoyed me, was that every single chapter focused on what they were wearing and what clothes they had to buy. Having Magnus critique everyone's clothes, and dressing up Alec. It was so stereotypical and kind of offensive really.

Part of my issue with this book was that it didn't read like Cassandra Clare's writing-style at all. Not even in the slightest. It was messy, and had a completely difference voice than all of her other books. Clearly Chu, wrote this story for Clare and she just capitalised on it, putting her name huge on the cover. But this was not a story for Chu to write and the fact that he did was inappropriate. He wrote LGBT characters like they were a different species almost. Clare was always really tasteful in how she portrayed queer characters in her books, this book was anything but tasteful. 

Honestly, why did Clare approve of this? How did she read this and think that it fit into her series. This was just really boring, poorly written fan-fiction. 

There was so much poor writing in the action sequences, which read so robotically. And in Chu's weak writing habits in general (lots of telling instead of showing).

This book was such a disappointment, and I nearly had to DNF it. If it wasn't for the audiobook, I would have. But the audiobook was terrible too, the accents made absolutely NO SENSE at all. 

I am rereading "The Infernal Devices" at the same time, and the differences between Magnus in each of these books is kind of ridiculous. They aren't even remotely similar in their characterisations. Magnus in "The Infernal Devices" was so interesting and original. What happened?

OVERALL:

Like I said, this book was a massive disappointment. The cover alone is bizarre when put next to the other books in the series. It's clear that while the characters belong to Clare, the story is not her own. And thankfully so, because this was a disaster!

I'm unsure as to whether I might continue this series or no. Reading the excerpt of "The Lost Book of White" at the back of the book intrigued me. There is a good chance that I might continue this series, but I'm not overly eager to read anything by Chu again. And will make note, not to try any of his books in the future. 

"Tunnel of Bones" - Victoria Schwab

"Tunnel of Bones" (Cassidy Blake, #2) by Victoria Schwab

No Rating Given 

Publisher: Scholastic

272 Pages

SUMMARY: 

Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake... even more than usual. She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted cities. Sure, it's fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.

When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter - and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger. And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever.

WHAT I LIKED:

This one picks up where its predecessor "City of Ghosts" leaves off, bringing with it a stronger storyline and a bit more direction.

"City of Bones" read to me as being extremely middle-grade, in its writing. A trait that wasn't a prevalent in "Tunnel of Bones". It seems that Schwab has found her "voice", finding a comfortable in-between middle-grade and YA voice, that wasn't as immature sounding. I greatly appreciated this, as it was my biggest concern with the first book.

I love that in "Tunnel of Bones" we get to travel to Paris and see a different side of it than what you would see in a travel guide. Instead we get to see what lies in the shadows of the city of light. Which was an interesting perspective.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

I wish that the series had more of an over-arching plot rather than the "independent" plots that we have gotten so far. I also wish that the story contained more of the parents TV show, and that it wasn't used solely as info-dumping sessions. Not only would it strengthen the overall writing, but it would tie together all the loose ends that each of these mini-plots leave behind. The story is lacking some depth at present, which can be largely due to the fact that its audience is a lot younger than I am. But I feel like this would be a really solid novel, should the writing be pushed further. 

OVERALL:

Overall, this one was quick to read and very enjoyable. I held off rating this one, as I am not the audience that it is targeting, and I may not be the best to judge it. But I did really love this one, and I am excited to see where the next one takes us in New Orleans. 

January 2020 Wrap-Up

Over the course of January I managed to read ten books, two of which were graphic novels and three were children's. It was a fairly productive month for me reading-wise, balancing a full-time job with an overflowing TBR. And I think I came out on top, all things considered.

So without further a-do, here are the books I finished in January.

"Good Omens" - Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

No Rating Given

SUMMARY: 

Armageddon only happens once, you know. They don't let you go around again until you get it right.
According to the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch - the world's only totally reliable guide to the future, written in 1655, before she exploded - the world will end on a Saturday.
Next Saturday, in fact. Just after tea...

People have been predicting the end of the world almost from its very beginning, so it's only natural to be sceptical when a new date is set for Judgement Day.

This time though, the armies of Good and Evil really do appear to be massing. The four Bikers of the Apocalypse are hitting the road. But both the angels and demons - well, one fast-living demon and a somewhat fussy angel - would quite like the Rapture not to happen.

Oh, and someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist...

THOUGHTS:

This one really didn't do it for me, I'm not sure if it was the books fault or if it just wasn't for me. 

Either way this book is a cult classic, and because of this I didn't really see a point in giving a star-rating because either way I think you should read it. But I'm just not a fan.

The TV programme was entertaining though, I would highly recommend it as I think it portrays the story's intention better than the book did!

Overall I felt like there wasn't much of a plot and the humour wasn't really my kind of humour. 

This book left me even more conflicted about whether or not I like Neil Gaiman.

For a full review, please click here to read the "Good Omens" review on my blog. 

"Matilda" - Roald Dahl

No Rating Given

"It’s a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful"

SUMMARY:

That might be true of most parents, but for Matilda Wormwood, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Matilda’s parents hardly notice her at all; they’re much more interested with fiddling customers at Mr Wormwood’s second-hand car business, playing bingo or eating their dinner in front of the TV. Even at school it’s not much better, the headmistress, Miss Trunchbull is a fearsome gorgon of a woman who likes nothing better than throwing small children out of the window at the smallest provocation.

Matilda is no ordinary child though; Matilda is something special and she’s had enough with the grown-up’s bullying ways. With the help of her wonderful teacher Miss Honey, Matilda might just be able to change things for the better.

Waterstones invites you to meet marvellous, magical Matilda and watch as she shows that, with a little ingenuity, even the smallest people can make a big difference.

It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.

THOUGHTS:

Has its sweet moments, but I feel like it was explicit enough that this is not how parents should behave. I think that it has the potential to be quite harmful for a child who is subjected to a parent's abuse. 

Other than that I still think the film was better, as a lot of my favourite scenes from the film were not actually in the book.

For a full review, please click here to read the "Matilda" review on my blog.

"Tunnel of Bones" (Cassidy Blake #2) - V. E. Schwab

No Rating Given

SUMMARY: 

Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake... even more than usual. She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted cities. Sure, it's fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.

When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter - and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger. And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever.

THOUGHTS: 

I felt that the plot in this one was stronger than the first in the series. 

Schwab seems to have found her voice a bit more in this one as well, this one didn't read as shockingly middle-grade as its former "City of Ghosts". 

I wish that the series had more of an over-arching plot rather than the "independent" plots that we have gotten so far. I also wish that the story contained more of the parents TV show, and that it wasn't used solely as info-dumping sessions. 

I am being nit-picky but I would like this story to go further, and it just needs that little bit more of a push to get there. 

Overall, this one was quick to read and very enjoyable. I held off rating this one, as I am not the audience that it is targeting, and I may not be the best to judge it. But I did really love this one, and I am excited to see where the next one takes us in New Orleans. 

Stay tuned for a full review of "Tunnel of Bones".

"Heartstopper" (Volumes 2 & 3) - Alice Oseman

☆☆☆☆☆/5

Vol. 2 SUMMARY:

Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. An LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the second volume of Heartstopper

Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie's gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn't.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family ... and himself.

Heartstopper is about friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie's lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.

Vol. 3 SUMMARY:

Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Nick's even found the courage to come out to his mum.

But coming out isn't just something that happens once - there's Nick's older brother, and a school trip to Paris, not to mention all the other friends and family - and life can be hard, even with someone who loves you by your side. As their feelings get more serious, Charlie and Nick will need each other more than ever before.

THOUGHTS:

These are such lovely little graphic novels. They are wholesome and charming and just... ugh... so fantastic. They are easily binge-able, and can be read in under an hour.

Somehow, despite their brevity they remain very satisfying reads.

Volume #3 is my favourite so far. Loved the Paris setting, further character development, and the way mental health was discussed in the third one.

I love the way this series tackles diversity, mental health, and LGBT issues in a way that never tokenises the characters. They are treated the same as a straight character would be treated, which is really refreshing on so many levels.

There will be a review of the first three volumes of the "Heartstopper" series, likely to be published by the end of this month. Stay tuned!

"Circe" - Madeline Miller

No Rating Given

"When I was born, the name for what I was did not exist."

SUMMARY:

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. Yet, in the golden halls of gods and nymphs, Circe stands apart, as something separate, something new. With neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and scorned and rejected by her kin Circe is increasingly isolated. Turning to mortals for companionship, she risks defying her father for love, a path that leads her not to the marriage bed but to a discovery of a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft.

Banished by Zeus to the remote island of Aiaia, Circe refines her craft, fate entwining her with legends: the messenger god, Hermes. The craftsman, Daedalus. A ship bearing a golden fleece. And wily Odysseus, on his epic voyage home. As her power increases and her knowledge grows, so Circe must make the ultimate choice: to decide whether she belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

A source of fascination for ancient writers from Homer to Ovid, Circe is a character whose story is steeped in magic and mystery. Caught up in the story of heroes, she is a figure apart, a player in the lives of heroes and gods but one who has never commanded her own story, until now.

THOUGHTS:

If you were to focus solely on the writing, this book was perfect. The style was beautiful, and there was so much depth to this fictional memoir.

However, I felt that the plot was lacking and the story dragged a lot.

Part of the problem behind this book is that it isn't a fantasy in the way that most people view fantasy. It is really only a memoir, and as such the voice of Circe was beautiful. 

It's the story of a minor god, her narrative forgotten or only told from male perspectives (eg. Odysseus in Homer's "The Odyssey"). This book gave her her voice.

Circe is a remarkable flawed character who never seeks retribution, but instead wants people to see her flaws and to see her how she is. Which is impressive especially compared to the gods that we encounter in this book that see themselves as perfect specimens. 

If you are interested in Greek mythology, give this one a "go" it is a really interesting perspective, and ties in to "The Odyssey" really well. I think that I preferred "A Song of Achilles" to this one, which is also a really good novel if you like the Greek myths. 

If you are looking for action, this is certainly not for you. 

There will not be a full-length review of "Circe" - Madeline Miller

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling

☆☆☆☆☆/5

"'Give me Harry Potter’ said Voldermort’s voice ‘and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded.'"

SUMMARY:

Harry Potter’s days at number four Privet Drive are coming to a close, as his seventeenth birthday approaches, Harry will no longer be protected from Lord Voldemort’s discovery by his mother’s charm. The time for hiding is past. Harry, Ron and Hermione face a near-impossible mission set by Albus Dumbledore, they must hunt down and destroy the remaining Horcruxes but they have little to go on and in the face of hardship and loss, even the strongest friendships will be tested to their limit. There are riddles to be solved: What is the truth behind the fabled Deathly Hallows? How can a Dilluminator, a book of fairy tales and an old snitch be any use? And what is the meaning behind the prophecy that binds Voldemort and Harry together? As they face the final fight, everyone risks losing all that they love and in the end, Harry and Voldemort must face each other alone in one final, deadly duel. To finish it, once and for all.

THOUGHTS:

A really strong conclusion to such a beloved series. And really satisfying too.

I have finally, after twenty-two years, finished the Harry Potter series, and it is such a bittersweet accomplishment.

There will not be a full-length review of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" - J.K. Rowling presently, however there may be one when I do a re-read of this series SUMMER-AUTUMN 2020/WINTER 2021.

"Pine" - Francine Toon

☆☆/5

SUMMARY:

They are driving home from the search party when they see her. The trees are coarse and tall in the winter light, standing like men. Lauren and her father Niall live alone in the Highlands, in a small village surrounded by pine forest. When a woman stumbles out onto the road one Halloween night, Niall drives her back to their house in his pickup. In the morning, she's gone.

In a community where daughters rebel, men quietly rage, and drinking is a means of forgetting, mysteries like these are not out of the ordinary. The trapper found hanging with the dead animals for two weeks. Locked doors and stone circles. The disappearance of Lauren's mother a decade ago. Lauren looks for answers in her tarot cards, hoping she might one day be able to read her father's turbulent mind. Neighbours know more than they let on, but when local teenager Ann-Marie goes missing it's no longer clear who she can trust.

THOUGHTS:

The more time I have had to "sit" with this book, the more I've grown to dislike it. 

This book was probably my biggest disappointment of the year so far...

"Pine" opens up really atmospheric and moody. There were a ton of technical flaws that the author makes, constantly telling instead of showing, misuses of literary devices, and really robotic, stilted writing. Even with these flaws the atmosphere was strong enough that I wanted to keep reading. And I regret continuing.

The storyline gets worse, and progressively more convoluted as the story continues.

The mystery element was really unoriginal, and unexciting. Not to mention the fact that it wasn't introduced until the last 30 pages or so, and then was really rushed. There was no reason for the mystery aspect of the story, it could have been left out entirely. 

I felt like there was no point in reading it. 

There will not be a full-length review for "Pine" - Francine Toon. 

"We Have Always Lived in the Castle" - Shirley Jackson

No Rating Given

SUMMARY:

Living in the Blackwood family home with only her sister Constance and her Uncle Julian for company, Merricat just wants to preserve their delicate way of life. But ever since Constance was acquitted of murdering the rest of the family, the world isn't leaving the Blackwoods alone. And when Cousin Charles arrives, armed with overtures of friendship and a desperate need to get into the safe, Merricat must do everything in her power to protect the remaining family.

THOUGHTS:

I love Shirley Jackson's writing style. It stood out so much in "The Haunting of Hill House" just as much as it does in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle". Paired with her haunting atmospheres, and excellent storytelling skills, you get the recipe for a good spooky story.

If you have not yet read "The Haunting of Hill House" I suggest you do, it is SO different from the TV Programme. I personally found "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" to be a lot more confusing than Hill House, but all the same it was a pleasure to read. 

Wrap-Up

I really enjoyed the majority of the books that I read in January. I had my first book club meeting with my work colleagues, which was a lot of fun. "Circe" was our bookclub choice for January, and funny enough we all had the exact same opinions of it. No one was particularly impressed, but hey, it was fun all the same. 

February I have one definite bookclub read ("Scythe" by Neal Schusterman, and a possible second one ("To The Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf).

I also have a couple buddy-reads going on in Feb; "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" by Anne Brontë and "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee.

Over the end of January into the beginning of February, I read "Daisy Jones and the Six" so expect a Review shortly. I am currently reading "The Wicked King" - Holly Black.

Happy Reading!

Théo