bookswithlydscl's Reviews (639)

4.25* - lovely and can see why they made the film. highly recommend the film, I feel they adapted it incredibly well and made an ever stronger story than is on offer here

Following on from 'The Cat Who Saved Books', this story features some old favourite characters and newcomer Nanami, a lonely schoolgirl who loves books and notices that they are mysteriously disappearing from her library.
Much like the first book, 'The Cat Who Saved The Library' is broken up into 4 main chapters each with a form of quest, set by Tiger the talking cat, that Nanami has to win in order to bring balance back to her world. 
This is a story for book lovers, for those who love whimsical fantasy and those who love sassy talking cats. It's thought provoking, moving and a comforting read with just enough peril to keep you invested but ultimately retaining its cosy vibes. 

Thank you to Pan Macmillan | Picador and Netgalley for inviting me to read an eArc of "The Cat Who Saved the Library" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

2025 re-read
I'm much more used to the writing style now and with how mental the world has gone the lack of subtlety I noted initially now didn't feel so preachy or being hit over the head. It's an indictment for me for how bad things have got that what felt too much barely 2 years ago now feels subtle. and Helena's 180 switch - well, put it this way, for me no longer felt unnatural.

initial read - 2023
And so, on my third attempt, I finished HMRC. I struggled with the writing mostly in this book. There's nothing subtle about many elements of it, which I understand the need but as a reader it meant it felt like I was being preached at and hit over the head with the intent of the writer rather than letting it swirl round and develop more naturally or subconsciously for the reader and so many clichés!
It really is making an important cultural and political point and clearly is written to refute against the current messaging coming from certain very well known people including an author we don't name, and I'm glad for it but I wish there had been more finesse and refinement to that in the prose.
I also had trouble connecting with the characters. There was a few pages at the beginning to quickly introduce why they are all bonded but other than that we don't see too much more and I'm sad that the alternative coven wasn't explored more as Leonie and that set of characters were so interesting. Helena's very swift 180 to villainy also felt unnatural and is exactly where I felt the narrative veered into hammering us with the message territory - nothing subtle whatsoever there.
I really did enjoy the final third as the action ramped up, and I actually thought that I would definitely give book two a shot, but that ending just annoyed me. We'll see how I feel when my library hold comes in because I am intrigued about Leviathan and seeing how the big battle is played out, considering how well it read in this book.
Overall, when I first tried this book I wanted to love it and now I've finished it I still want to have loved it but unfortunately it didn't click for me as it has for so many others. I still feel thought that the political commentary is vital, and the representation here is so important considering the cultural climate over the last couple of years.

classic lucinda riley style but knocked off stars for the godawful way, stereotypical and vaguely racist way they made Lydia talk...honestly!

 I loved this thoughtful, moving and powerful love story set at the end of the world. Questioning what it is to be human, what it is to love and what it is to be loved. Robots and humans questioning their sense of self, their ability to be free and how to live when the world is ending.
Beautiful, languid, and thought provoking this book comes highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group | Gollancz for a digital review copy of "Some Body Like Me" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. 

Chapter twenty - no more weakness

I just realised I wasn't interested. Nothing like the first, far more political, not enough big battle robots. Just dull.

A very fitting end to the trilogy!

2.5*

Better written than the original but why was it so long? Honestly, unnecessary. Did enjoy getting the Vampire POV but Edward needs to get a grip!