heddas_bookgems's Reviews (490)

The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine Damodred’s search for a prophesized hero to save the world from The Dark One. When half-human, half-beast creatures attack the Two Rivers, Moiraine convinces Rand al’Thor and his companions to leave their home and embark on a dangerous journey into an unknown world, filled with light and shadow.

A huge epic fantasy series with 14 novels and roughly 10,000 pages. Making it a must-read for any fantasy buff. So I was eager to dive into this magical universe and see if it would make my fantasy heart tick faster. And it did to some degree.

One of the things I loved is the world-building that Jordan established. Handing us little puzzle pieces to unravel the mystery. However, since the world is extensive, there is a significant amount of descriptive writing. Which for me means I don’t easily connect with the characters on a deeper level. Nonetheless, I appreciated the synergy between the characters, the developing ties and the formation of the quest.

Which brings me to critics pointing out the similarities between this series and The Lord of the Rings. While I acknowledge these similarities, I also wonder if some of the foundations of fantasy (good versus evil and a hero’s quest to save the world) are not the essence of fantasy. Additionally, it’s worth noting that both Jordan and Tolkien were devout believers and maybe inspired by Christian themes of sacrifice, redemption and the idea of destiny. So what do you think? Is it fair to make a comparison between the two?

However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite its slower sections. Absolutely worth your while if you’re a fantasy buff.

War affects us all, and its images can often be overwhelming. For many in the midst of it, survival is a daily fight. In The Book Thief, Death himself narrates a story about a young girl’s experiences during wartime in Germany. Like anyone else, she tries to maintain her usual daily life and find ways to cope with the harsh realities of that life. For her, books and friendship serve as a source of comfort and solace.

The story highlights the impact of war on daily life, and how the smallest of things can provide hope in the darkest of times. The young girl, Liesel, navigates the complexities of living in Nazi Germany, where the fear of persecution and death is ever-present. Through her relationships with her foster parents, friends, and the books she steals, Liesel finds a sense of purpose and a reason to keep going. The novel is a moving reminder of the power of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a must-read for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the human experience during wartime. But be sure to bring tissues.

Sleeping Giants starts when Rose falls through a hole and lands in a giant metal hand. Seventeen years later, Rose, now a physicist, leads the team to decode the hand’s message. Soon they uncover history’s biggest discovery. But will bring it peace or destruction to humanity?

A sci-fi novel that explores different literary forms, including journal entries, mission logs, reports, news articles, and interview transcripts. The interviews are enjoyable to read, with humorous dialogues and an enigmatic interviewer. Next to that the book raises ethical concerns about humanity’s quest for power and the possibility of alien life. This first book in a series is a pageturner of a mystery, that leaves you wanting more.

In this book, we follow Joe, a British slave in the French Empire’s England, as he journeys from London to a Scottish island and even through time to uncover his identity and a different future. The Kingdoms is a fascinating mix of alternate history, time travel, and adventure. The story explores the impact of war on a country and its people, while protagonist Joe unravels the mystery surrounding his past and his destiny. Although the plot can be a bit unclear at times, the book manages to keep readers engaged until the end. However, there are a few unlikable characters and an abrupt shift towards war that may disrupt the flow of the narrative. Nonetheless, if you’re searching for a mind-bending experience with a strong emphasis on atmosphere, this book is a must-read. Its unique experience is best felt rather than explained.

Olivie Blake has been on a roll since her breakthrough with The Atlas Six and Masters of Death is her fourth renewed release since then. The book is about a group of creatures who unwittingly become involved in a quest to save the world. The characters, predominantly Vi and Fox, are diverse and intriguing, with a healthy dose of sarcasm that adds to the book's charm. However, the storyline feels a bit scattered, the world-building is confusing or rather nonexistent and the writing style good, but quite flowery. Although the book features multiple gods and creatures, it lacks a certain depth. While the plot's build-up is intense, the execution falls a bit short. Despite these flaws, the dialogues are enjoyable, and the book has its moments. Overall, Masters of Death may not be for everyone, but it still holds potential for a fun read.

In 90s Mexico City, Montserrat, an overlooked sound editor in a male-dominated film industry, and her best friend Tristán, a soap opera star, help cult horror director Abel Urueta, finish his cursed magic film. However, they encounter strange occurrences and dark presences that may reveal that magic is not just fictional.

The moment I discovered that Silvia Moreno-Garcia wrote a horror book incorporating old nitrate movies and occultism in Mexico during the early 90s, I knew it was a must-read.

Silver Nitrate is best described as a psychological, supernatural horror that’s mainly character focused. The characters carry most of the story as they are interesting, flawed and quirky ones at best with as bonus that one of them is queer. The interactions between them are funny, sometimes hilarious, but most of the time complex.

The storyline though is somewhat slow, or in times, rather absent. It switches between long dialogues of info dumping to some scary moments. For me it meant I missed the flow in the plot, plus the anxious feeling I want in reading a supernatural horror.

However this book is still quite interesting because of the historical facts, movie info and its magic system based on runes. But I was not tense or spooked, which was a shame.

Our Share of Night, a chronicle of a family, has an unsettling quality. Within its text lies a complex interweaving of horror and macabre elements focusing around a demonic cult. The characters are crafted with care and their flaws give them a sense of authenticity. However the length of this book is challengingl as its plot doesn’t unravel that quickly and is a bit translucent.

Initially, the writing style of this young adult novel seemed old fashioned, but it eventually added to its unusual and one-of-a-kind atmosphere. The story was presented through two points of view: Blue and Gansy. While Gansy's storyline felt somewhat distant, I found myself more connected to Blue's. However, as the two stories merged, I became increasingly invested in both. Although the pacing was somewhat slow, the gradual unraveling of the mystery kept me interested. Overall, this first book in the series left me curious to read more.

Effy is obsessed with the story of Angharad, a story of love and destruction between a mortal girl and the Fairy King. She sees a chance at destiny when the heirs of the author launch a contest to design his house, Hireath Manor. But Effy is not alone. Preston Héloury, a stodgy literature student, is also on the premises, hunting for the author's papers. His only goal: the prove the author is a fraud. Effy can’t let that happen and teams up to discover the truth. As they dig deeper, they discover supernatural forces at the estate risking both their lives.

Usually dark academia books turn out to be the books I don’t like. Mostly because of the nihilistic element. Except for a few. And this standalone is one of them.

A Study in Drowning was such an atmospheric read. This book was a perfect read for this time. The days turned darker and the wind lashed against the panes with the rain on the roof. Combined with this book it felt wet, cold, salty and I could almost feel the sea spray on my skin. And all the while I rooted for Effy to get more respect by her male dominated environment.

Maybe this dark fairytale had a bit of a translucent plot, but this academic mystery with a coming of age component was both enchanting and cute. Highly recommend it for some rainy days.

The Mercies: A story about the violent storm that hits the Norwegian island of Vardø in 1617, claiming the lives of its male population. The remaining women are left to rebuild their community. But their peace is short-lived as Absalom Cornet arrives on the island with his wife Ursa. While Ursa finds solace among the strong and independent women, Absalom sees only evil and sets out to eradicate it. The story delves into the themes of love, suspicion, and the destructive power of prejudice.


I finally got around to reading this book! It finally happened: I've read the book I've been putting off for ages. And like so many others before me, I can't believe I waited so long. This previously neglected novel has now become one of my favorite reads.

I devoured it quickly, so much so that as I neared the end, a feeling of sadness washed over me. This particular book struck a chord, as the story is slow but intense. Its historical significance is also noteworthy, as it sheds light on the witch trials of 1620 in Vardø. Overall, a weighty and thought-provoking read.