4/5

A beautiful little guide to British trees associated with the Wheel of the Year and their associations, properties and uses. I picked it up from a witchy shop whilst on holiday and it's provided me with lots of food for thought surrounding my practice and my veneration of nature and the wheel of the year.

-This book is beautiful. Visually, it is handwritten and copied with drawings and decorations around them. I loved this style but at times this made it hard to read, especially as the text is written in block capitals. An aesthetically pleasing book is nice but it doesn't make it very accessible to read.

- The book is well ordered and the actual contents clear and concise. The order of the trees featured follows the Wheel of the Year and makes for a well thought out guide.

This book would make a good gift for any witches, pagans or druids in your life. Short but pretty and contains information pertinent to the Craft. The only way it could be better if using a more accessible format or font.

4/5

Audiobook narrated by Michael Kramer.

My latest delve into a Sanderson world and despite a slow start, I find this one to be enjoyable, immersive and innovative. Set in a world where a select few can wield a type of magic called rithmatics, chalk drawings in the hands of those selected can attack, defend and move. At a prestigious university, we follow Joel, a non-rithmatist who's plunged into a mystery involving disappearances and strange occurrences.

- This book started slow. I've found this before with Sanderson due to the way he builds his worlds and it can be frustrating at times not really knowing the point of the narrative. For me, I began to get engaged in the plot about a third of the way in and after that really enjoyed how the world building panned out.

- For me, this book has a slightly magical dark academia mixed with noir detective vibe. The mystery is interesting and the reveals worked in the context of a book meant for younger readers.

- I really enjoyed the magic system in this book and it's unlike anything I've read before. The only downside is by listening to the audiobook, I believe I missed out on some of the diagrams that may have helped visualising the rithmatic patterns but they were well described enough that it wasn't a huge issue.

I would say this is a good taster book for those interested in Sanderson, especially those wary of dipping into the Cosmere or for younger readers and readers who prefer shorter books with vivid environments. I'm looking forward to when the next in the series comes out.

A good graphic novel is definitely a great way to help in a reading slump. Recently, my mental health has been less than brilliant but Mooncakes was like a comforting balm on my overwhelmed brain. Witch & werewolf, Nova & Tam, take the reader on a homely and warming journey with magic, demons and family.

- The characters were amazing and the diversity in this book never felt forced or in your face. The characters were just themselves, beautifully presented and not just reduced to their particular characteristics.

- Witchy, small town vibes brought to life by a well chosen and executed art style and pallette. This sorry works beautifully as a graphic novel. 

A great comforting book that is perfect for an easy and happy read. If you like cottage magic, well integrated diversity and gorgeous artwork, definitely add Mooncakes to your TBR.

4/5

Audiobook narrated by the author.

Following on from the events of Differently Morphous, DEDA faces new challenges of magic in the modern world including fakes, faith healers and possible vampirism.

- The characters already established in Differently Morphous underwent various character development, some good, some bad. Thankfully Doctor Diablerie was ever present and ever hilarious.

- The narration by the author was excellent and definitely added to the sarcastic tone of the book. 

- I felt the plot was less engaging than the first book, though still enjoyable. Existentially Challenged suffers a little from sequel syndrome where it is having to follow on from a great first novel and also set up for the next book and so the content does suffer a little.

A worthy and fun sequel and fans of the first book will enjoy seeing the politically correct and ironic exploits of the DEDA team as they continue to navigate modern magic and politics.

Audiobook narrated by Frazer Douglas.

I am broken. This book took my heart, fed it up on love and hope and then dashed it against the rocks and stabbed it until it lay in pieces. Following the story of Achilles and Patroclus, that I'm told is from the Iliad, The Song of Achilles will take you on a journey of pure emotional turmoil.

- The prose was beautiful and lyrical: weaving, knitting and piercing down the story.

- The characters were vivid and memorable. Each embodied their own place in the narrative and they played off each other believably.

- The descriptions of love were amazing. There's only one other book I can think of that described love more poetically and aptly.

If you wish to be emotionally destroyed, read this book.

Audiobook narrated by Bolu Babaloloa, Nneka Okoye, Ajjaz Award & Olukemi Babalola.

Picked up as a deal on a whim, I was expecting some fluffy retellings of romantic myths and fairytales. What I got was a collection of innovative, well written, empowering and emotional versions of both stories I had heard before and others that were completely new to me.

- Whilst some of the myths were known to me, the majority came from outside my culture and sphere of knowledge. I love how this book not only gave me fantastic stories to listen to buy also the curiosity to look up the original sources and expand my world and mythological knowledge.

- The prose is poetic and the narrators do an amazing job bringing these stories to life. Babalola has real talent for phrasing things just right to get you to laugh, hurt or long for more.

- Babalola also restructures these tales to centre the women and provide a kickass feminist view rather than the often misogynistic one supplied from ancient myths. 

A hidden gem that's well worth indulging in. recommended for mythology fans, romance connoisseurs and those who enjoy retellings with focus on ethic minorities and women.

The conclusion to the Protector of the Small quartet and we get to see Kel in action as a fully fledged knight. Put in charge of a refugee camp, Kel faces new and difficult challenges.

- Kel's growth from child to adult has been wonderful to witness and her latest challenge helps her grow further, with help from some familiar friends.

- I liked how this book addresses sexism and classism in calm, controlled ways, showing that violence and overpowering someone is not always the best route to gain what you want.

- The story was great and well thought-out though occasionally solutions seemed a little to convenient. However, the end is satisfying and left me a little sad to leave Kel. 

I hope Kel appears again in future books from Pierce. The series would be wonderful for young adults who like fantasy but also have a passion for overcoming injustice and correcting the wrongs in the world.

A recommendation from a friend. Two morally grey friends gain powers after near death experiences. Their friendship turns sour with each following a different but intertwined path.

- The characters were well written and I enjoyed the snippets each got throughout the book as more of their motivations, background and personality were revealed.

- The format switches between points in time and this works well to build up the story but keep the mystery. 

- Vicious is a technically very fine book. The premise is interesting, the characters engaging and the execution well done. However, for me it lacked the engagement factor and I found myself drawn to other reads.

A different, urban fantasy. Readers who enjoy morally grey concepts, superheroes & villains and multiple points of view will like this book.

My absolute favourite entry in the Protector of the Small quartet and one of my all time favourite books when I was younger. In this installment, we see Kel become a squire and how she explores the world outside of the confines of page training.

- Kel's growth in this installment is great. She explores her abilities, morals, romance and sexuality in this book as well as the wider realm of Tortall 

- New characters come into play in this book including some of my favourites and I like how they add to the colourful background of the story.

- As an adult, I particularly love the was Pierce handles sex in this book. Nothing explicit or mature happens but the subject is still explored well and key messages such as consent, protection and love vs lust are covered perfectly. When I was younger, this book taught me more about those topics than my school education.

A wonderful and well written book, perfect for the audience intended. This installment of the series would be perfect for preteens, teens and young adults who are just beginning to explore the realms of near adulthood but also enjoy stories in a fantasy setting.

I have recently become more interested in the mythology and legends of ancient Greece and so picked up this book to help acquaint myself better.

- The book contains many, but not all, of the famous tales of ancient Greece and it's heroes. Whilst it is explained in the author's note why some tales were omitted or skimmed over, it was disappointing not to have them included. 

- The legends included are well covered and effort made to present it as almost a continuous narrative where possible.

- There is a glossary included detailing who the various gods were, maps and uncommon word meanings. This was a great addition, especially for younger readers.

A decent if not exemplary collection of Greek legends. Would be a good introduction to the subject or an informative read for children reading chapter books.