I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I had never heard of The Van Apfel Girls are Gone before it was offered to me for review, and I was intrigued by the premise. As an avid listener of true crime podcasts, I fully expected to enjoy this thriller about a woman who’s life was changed when her friends, the three Van Apfel sisters, disappear one summer. However, this book was more literary fiction than thriller, and the mystery behind the disappearance left me completely unsatisfied.

I’ve been sitting on this review for a long time because, well, I just don't feel like I have a lot to say. I haven’t read the three comp titles included in the blurb, so I don’t think I knew what to expect. I was hoping for a twisting, intriguing mystery and a look at how the Van Apfel girls’s disappearances have impacted Tikka’s life 30 years later, but we just didn’t get that. In fact, this book isn’t really about the Van Apfel girls at all -- this book is a snapshot of Tikka’s adult life with flashbacks to her childhood. I just didn’t find any of this interesting, as Tikka is drifting through life and she felt like a pointless character. For me, the disappearance of her friends just didn't seem to have an impact on her life at all, which was so strange because that's what the book is meant to be about.

Being a few months removed from reading this book, I just don’t think any of the characters or the plot are memorable. The writing is lovely and it was pretty compulsively readable, but I just didn’t really see the point of this story. I’d say that this is perhaps this is because I’m not much of a literary fiction reader, but some of my favourite books are indeed literary fiction.

I think I’m mostly just puzzled. This book was clearly not for me.

Originally posted to I Should Read That

I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.

When I first picked up Blood of an Exile, I expected it to be nothing more than a fun fantasy romp. It was indeed a super fun fantasy adventure, but I was delighted to discover that lurking between the pages was a fantastically nuanced, layered story that explores a fantasy world in a fantastic, unique way.

The world building in this book is some of the absolute best I’ve seen in a long time. Naslund doesn’t just present you with the essentials of a fantasy world — the politics, culture, and history — he incorporates the laws of nature and the importance and impact of human actions into his plot and world flawlessly. I was reminded a little of the impact of the mercenary bands on the ecosystem in Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames, but Naslund’s exploration goes even further and I really loved it.

We get several point of view characters in Blood of an Exile — most of which are tied to the immediate plot but others seem a little more separate. My favourite character was, unsurprisingly, Ashlynn — was there any doubt that the butt-kicking, older princess would be my favourite? No, there was not. One of the things I loved most about Ashlynn is the fact that we are told how incredible competent she is and this is backed up by her actions and thought processes. She’s intelligent, shrewd, kind, and puts her role in the royal family above all else. However, she’s also flawed and oh so very human — she makes mistakes and is not perfect. She’s definitely a contender for top female character of the year for me.

Bershand is another great character that is written so incredibly well. Naslund took my expectations of Bershand’s character and flipped them — something I always appreciate, especially with archetypal warrior characters in fantasy. Underneath that grubby, scarred exterior is the heart of a man who still cared despite the horrific things he’s been through. Like Ashlynn, he is complex and flawed, but so very human.

Overall, I really enjoyed Blood of an Exile! It’s a book I expected to like, but I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it. Blood of an Exile is a fantastic fantasy debut that is both action-packed and thoughtful, grim but with a sense of hope — fans of both classic and modern adult fantasy will love this book. I can’t wait to see what Brian Naslund has in store for us next.



CW: violence and some gore, animal death, xenophobia

Originally posted to I Should Read That

This is a spoiler-free review.

4.5 out of 5 stars

City of Lies had been languishing on my TBR since its release last year. Despite hearing amazing things about this book, I just never seemed to have the time to read it. I finally decided to pick up the audiobook with a spare Audible credit and I’m kicking myself for not reading it sooner! Part political fantasy, part closed-room mystery, City of Lies is a gorgeous tale of family, betrayal, and war.

You all know I love world building, and the world of City of Lies is absolutely fascinating. It is lush and gorgeous in its detail, but you never feel overloaded with information -- Hawke manages to tell you everything you need to know in such a way that flows well with the plot and story. I adored the lush and gorgeous world that Hawke creates -- I would happily read anything set here. I'm always a bit sucker for interesting fantasy cultural practices and traditions, and City of Lies gave me that with the wonderfully intricate 'lost lore' trope and non-standard (by our society, anyway) family structure. Because of this, the nuanced family relationships at the heart of City of Lies is absolutely wonderful.

Frustrations and tensions keep the story alive, but it’s the characters that really made me love this book. This one is for the Hufflepuffs out there who, like me, don’t see themselves in sword-wielding, badass characters that are so common in fantasy. Both Jovan and Kalina are soft, caring characters thrown into a terrible situation. However, they do not cower from their responsibilities -- they rise to the occasion and become heroes in their own ways. Not only is their sibling relationship absolutely wonderful to read about, they both stand firm as amazing characters in their own right. Jovan’s character arc was absolutely wonderful and I really loved reading his chapters. Characters who suffer from mental illness are always a soft spot of mine, and I was really happy to see that OCD was being sensitively written about and presented in fantasy. 

As much as I like Jovan, Kalina was my absolute favourite character. I will always have a soft spot for female characters who are more than they appear, twist people’s expectations of them to their own benefit, and have an incredible inner strength. Kalina suffers from a chronic illness -- her condition means that her place as the next proofer was taken from her and given to Jovan -- however, she doesn’t give up. She uses people’s perceptions of her as a frail and meek woman in order to provide the help that she can -- she has many secrets of her own. She’s exactly the kind of female character I love reading about and in undoubtedly a new favourite of mine.

City of Lies is a fantastic debut that feels like it is written by a veteran of the genre. If you’re looking for something unique and refreshing in fantasy, you should absolutely pick up this book. I’d highly recommend the audiobook, as both narrators are just fantastic and capture Jovan and Kalina so perfectly. I can’t want to see what Sam Hawke writes next! 

Originally posted to I Should Read That

Annhilation had been languishing on my TBR for over a year before I picked it up. Having loved the film version starring Natalie Portman, I had high hopes for this weird little book, however I’m not entirely sure what to think.

Annhilation is a dense, dizzying book that honestly doesn’t always make sense. I’m not entirely sure I’m the right reader for it, but I can certainly see its genius. It’s an incredibly atmospheric read that pulls you right into the suffocating setting and tense environment and story -- he's incredibly effective at building the world of the Southern Reach in all its weird glory. The levels of tension that VanderMeer creates are pretty astonishing -- my shoulders were up around my ears throughout the entire book. That being said, the book is left open ended enough that I wasn’t sure this tension ever really diffused or resolved. 

I really enjoyed the character of the Biologist, who’s real name we never learn, and the journey that she undergoes in Area X. Her journey is a little bit jumbled as she ventures further into the bizarre environment, and it really reflects her mindset so well. Her flashbacks to her life before Area X, both as a child and as a married woman, add so much to her story and to the overall mood of the book. Although I really came out of Annhilation with no clear answers about her, her state of mind, or her fate, I thought her story carried the book well.

I’m being a little more open about the ending and the fact that we get no answers from VanderMeer because I really don’t think this book will suit everyone. If you like a thumping good read, a fast-paced tale of adventure, or even a book that simply answers the questions it poses, Annhilation will not be for you. However, I do think it’s worth a crack for the great writing, bizarre and wonderful world, and the deep dive into a character's mind.

Originally posted to I Should Read That

I absolutely love Lauren James’s The Loneliest Girl in the Universe, so I was naturally thrilled to pick up a copy of her latest book, The Starlight Watchmaker. A novella from Barrington Stoke, a publisher that focuses on readable books for dyslexic and reluctant young readers, I couldn’t wait to get my paws on this little book. I did enjoy it, but I found that I couldn’t quite turn off my detail-obsessed adult sci-fi brain!

There is a lot to love in The Starlight Watchmaker. The thing that stands out the most is the astonishing world building and detail. The various alien species that attend the academy and the planets they come from were absolutely wonderful to read about -- I would happily read more set in this wide universe. I particularly loved Dorian and Ada’s people, their respective planets, and the hints of their cultures. My only issue is that my sci-fi brain needed more information! How does the academy accommodate a student that is literally growing up to be a continent? How do they feed a species that consume mostly algae? What are the laws surrounding androids and who creates them? Not to mention the questions of how quantum energy is regulated and how time travel works. I wasn’t able to shut off this part of my brain while reading it and I just wanted more, more, more.

The characters in this book, particularly Hugo, were really lovely. Watching him go from a lonely but content watchmaker alone in his attic room to a confident character with friends was very rewarding. I love books that feature friendships, especially platonic friendships as well as friendships that have the potential to develop into something more, and this book gives you exactly that.

Overall, The Starlight Watchmaker was a really lovely surface-level story. Due to its length and age range, it doesn’t go particularly deep into the science fiction elements. I thought it was a nice read, but will probably not be the most memorable. However! I think that if you’re more into middle grade than I am, The Starlight Watchmaker will be a very rewarding read.

Originally posted to I Should Read That

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.

I rarely have difficulty reviewing book, regardless of how much I love or dislike it. However, The Ten Thousand Doors of January has me stumped and speechless! I’m not sure that I’ll be able to capture how fantastic this debut novel is, but I’ll do my best.

I think what makes this book stand out, and why it is ultimately so difficult for me to review, is the feeling it gave me. Do me a favour and take a minute to think of your favourite book as a child – the one you used to curl up with under the duvet with a flashlight in hand, the one that you read over and over until your mum had to tape it back together for you. That feeling that you get when you think about that favourite book and the memories associated with it is exactly what I felt the entire time I read The Ten Thousand Doors of January. Harrow manages to create a story that feels so unique and fresh while reminding the reader of exactly why books are an amazing escape. Simply put, it's a book that captures the wonder of stories and magic of words.

There are two sort of storylines that we follow in this book, and both centre on January. First is her own story –she’s reflecting back on her life from the day she discovered a doorway to a new world at the age of seven. This takes place in our own world, but not in our modern time – January lives in early 20th century America. Much of her experience is tied up in the society of the time. January is a mixed-race woman who is the ward of her father’s employer. Being the ward of Mr. Locke puts her in an unusual position – she has the privileges that wealth and social standing give, however she’s not only a girl but a girl with dark skin. The loneliness of her life drives many of her actions and reactions in the story. Our second storyline is in the book that we read alongside January, The Ten Thousand Doors. The author's voice is just fantastic and adds another level to the fantasy narrative, particularly as they are not from our own world but a world beyond one of the doorways January discovers. The way these two stories blend thorugh January's experience is just fantastic and so cleverly done.

January is such a wonderful character, not only because she’s so well-written and has a strong voice, but because I truly I think most readers will be able to relate to her in some way. She feels like a character ripped from my favourite childhood tales of adventurous girls, however she still feels like someone I’ve never read about before. I don’t want to say too much here because her character arc is one of the best things about this book, but I really appreciated her personality, her experiences, and the story that she has to tell.

I suspect that The Ten Thousand Doors of January will be on many people’s Best Books of 2019 lists, mine included. A spectacular novel that is a love letter to the written word,The Ten Thousand Doors of January will sweep you away on a fantastic adventure – it is sheer perfection and every book lover must give it a try.

CW: racism, animal harm (message me about this one for more)

Originally posted to I Should Read That

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler-free review.

4.5 out of 5 stars

I absolutely loved Purcell’s first Gothic novel, The Silent Companions, but was disappointed in the second, The Corset. Naturally, I was very curious about Bone China, her latest book, to see if it would recapture everything I loved about The Silent Companions. It absolutely did -- Bone China is a fantastic addition to her growing repertoire of Gothic fiction.

I think one of the reasons I ended up loving this book so much is that it is a return to Purcell’s amazing spooky and atmospheric style. She’s so good at blurring the lines between what is real and what is supernatural -- her characters do not know if they’re going mad or if what they’re experiencing is frighteningly real. I love how she weaves this theme in with her plots to create strange, twisty tales. While I felt like none of this was present in The Corset, sacrificed in favour of endless passages of abuse, Bone China gets back to what I love about her books. Morvoren House is the perfect, spooky setting, especially when coupled with the remote Cornish coast in winter. Bone China is the perfect atmospheric novel that is perfect for a chilly autumn night.

This book departs from her usual style in that we get multiple points of view. Hester Why’s first person perspective starts the book, then we shift to forty years prior and get Miss Pinecroft and her father’s points of view. It was a little jarring to suddenly switch to a new perspective and style about 25-20% into the book -- which felt a little far to be suddenly changing perspectives -- however it made sense with the revelations of the story and the transitions between the viewpoints became smoother. I ended up enjoying the shifting perspectives and they worked great with the story that unfolded.

Hester is definitely a ‘classic’ Purcell character, and she’s easily the most interesting in the book. She’s a woman running from a shady past, which is slowly revealed through flashbacks, and abuses alcohol and drugs as a result. Her drink and drug-induced haze gets thicker and thicker throughout the book, and it’s hard to tell what is real and what she is imagining. I also enjoyed Ms. Pinecroft’s character -- her backstory is tragic and unfolds in an incredibly interesting way, both in the past and present.

Bone China is a fine addition to Purcell’s catalogue of Gothic fiction. It is a creepy and unsettling tale is filled with twists and turns that will keep you on your toes until the very end. I highly recommend this book if you’re enjoy her other Gothic fiction or if you’re looking for the perfect fall read.

Originally posted to I Should Read That

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler-free review.

I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to hear that one of my favourite authors was coming out with a new book. Not just that, he was launching us back into the First Law world, one of my favorite fantasy settings ever. Living up to an amazing series like the First Law trilogy and the three standalone novels is a tall order, however Abercrombie has managed to keep up the quality of his books and start the Age of Madness trilogy with a bang.

I think many readers’ first question will be ‘can I read this without having read his other books?’ and I think it’s a tough one to answer. I have seen many readers pick up and enjoy A Little Hatred without having read the other First Law books. However, I think it would be hugely beneficial to at least read the original trilogy first. You’ll have a better feel for the characters, setting, and context of the various conflicts and schemes, but more importantly (to me, at least) you'll be able to pick up the throwbacks to the other books. A seemingly unimportant conversation between two characters will actually be a gut-punch to someone who has read the other books, for example. Just my two cents, on to the actual review!

About 20-30 years have come and gone since the events of the First Law trilogy, and the world is changing. I love Industrial Revolution-inspired fantasy settings and Abercrombie does a fantastic job of launching Adua in to a new age. As this book doesn't just focus on one class of people -- there are POV characters ranging in social status from the heir to the throne to the most impoverished working class people fighting for survival -- you get such a great sense of how industry is impacting the world. Although the North is always my favourite setting in his books, I absolutely loved the story lines that took place in Valbeck -- an industrial city with horrendous working conditions and immense poverty. Abercrombie has a real knack for blurring the lines of good and bad, and the most impactful chapters take place in Valbeck.

When I think of Abercrombie’s books, the fantastic characters always spring to mind first. He is the absolute master of writing grey area characters, and A Little Hatred is no exception. Something that I really appreciated about this book is the number of female characters in it. His books always feature at least a few women, but he’s stepped up the number of female characters with this new trilogy and I really think it is better for it. My favourite character was obviously Savine dan Glokta -- the ruthless businesswoman and daughter of everyone’s favourite torturer --and I also loved Rikke and Vic, who are formidable women in their own right.

I could honestly go on and on about this book, so I’ve only picked out some highlights. If you’re a fan of the First Law books, you’re going to love A Little Hatred. If you’re new to this world and decide to pick this up, I think you’re going to be absolutely sucked in and unable to resist picking up the others. Deliciously funny and horribly grim, A Little Hatred is a perfect addition to the grimdark subgenre. This is undoubtedly one of the best books of 2019!