Audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan.

Slow to start but a captivating and twisting story of a girl who makes a deal with the dark for her soul. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a wonderful read, especially in the second half of the book when the pace and events pick up a lot more. I enjoyed the different perspectives and the way the characters wove together.

The good:
- Engaging story and fun characters. 
- Beautiful details really help the reader visual the scenes and characters.
- The experiences Addie and, to a lesser extent, the other main characters have are vibrant and real and you truly feel for them.

What could have been better:
- It is a slow build. I was probably 60% through the book before I felt we had got to the main point of the narrative. Whilst the build up was well done, the leisurely pace did lose my attention several times.
- Given the slow build up, I personally felt the pay off was just a shave short of what it could have been. 

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review*

Dark, twisting, political and tense. She Who Became the Sun follows two central characters:
a girl who receives a prophecy of nothingness and after a pivotal event, takes her brother's prophecies greatness and works to turn it to herself; a eunuch general, the last male of his blood line, caught in the violent trappings of his fate. 

The wild ride of following fates and characters with complex and often hidden or suppressed desires, I regularly failed to predict what would happen next. Also, interesting insight into Chinese/Mongol dynamics and history of the region.

The Good:
- Characters with depth, personality and their own interests, some of which make for brilliant inter person and internal conflict.
- Interesting political intrigue and moving allegiances.
- The fantasy elements were well scaled for the story and didn't feel out of place.
- Beautiful descriptions of the physical settings.
- A fun catalyst for independent research into Chinese & Mongol history.
- LGBTQIA+ representation done well.

What could have been improved:
- This is a violent story and that it fine, struggles for power usually are. Some moments of violence seemed disproportionately graphic and unpleasant which took me out of the story. This won't be a problem for some but it did affect my engagement with the story.
- The build up to the finale was amazing but the ending did feel just slight rushed. 

She Who Became the Sun is going to be released in July 2021 and I highly recommend picking this book up.

3/5

Audiobook narrated by Bruno Roubicek.

I'm sure that this tale was supposed to contain a profound meaning and possibly delivered some. The fable itself is bizarre to the point of almost losing that meaning though. Taken as just a speculative story about ants and dinosaurs it was enjoyable if slightly odd.

The good:
- Very detailed and clearly explained the rise of civilisation and the political relationships between different factions.
- The narration was great and the narrator did a fantastic job conveying the story.

What could have been improved?:
-The message could have been better conveyed. The ways it had to bend to fit the odd narrative diluted its message.
- Lots and lots of names that when listening via audiobook are difficult to distinguish.

Overall, an interesting read, probably more suited to those who enjoy speculative fiction, satirical but message-laden stories and political metaphors.

Audiobook narrated by Kevin Pariseau.

This short but profound story gives raw and visceral insight into the harms of colonialism and the effects on both native and coloniser. Le Guin crafts the narrative with amazing skill. I really felt for the Athsheans and their plight and I absolutely hated Davidson!

The good:
- Intense and reflective plot which encourages parallels with our own history and the atrocities committed. For much of this book you could switch out the Athsheans and Terrains with indigenous people and European invaders. 
- The Athsheans culture was unique and different to any I've read before. I would have loved to explore it further.
- Davidson was the most hateable character I've read in a long time. He is egotistical, racist, sexist, manipulative, narcissistic. There is not a redeeming feature for this character and his role in the narrative needed him to be just so.

What could have been better?:
- The characters felt a little shallow. Of the three characters whose points of view the reader is shown, Selver the Athshean was flat and not built up to the height told in the narrative, Lyubov was insightful but his sections were brief and Davidson was an epitome of a hateable nemesis. 
- The short length meant that some of the interesting aspects of Athshean culture were not explored more fully. I would happily read a book just detailing their species and culture.
- The audiobook version I listened to had annoying music at the beginning and end which added nothing to the performance.

There is a lot to think about and apply from this book. If anyone is looking for reading material about colonialism, despite being sci-fi, this would be a good recommendation. I plan to read this book again with my children once they are older as I think there are some poignant themes and lessons to learn here.

3/5

Audiobook narrated by Stephen Kynman.

Occasionally funny but also a lot of waffle and uninteresting parts.

The Good:
- The description of Chengdu was incredibly accurate and amusing.
- Sections of the culture of Tibet and it's transition over the 20th century were interesting and well described though not in a lot of depth.
- Faulty Towers-esque shenanigans that were amusing.

What could have been better?:
- There were several reasonably large sections of the book that did not hold my interest at all. These were mostly in the first half of the book which made for a slow start.
- Overly descriptive sometimes which added to the disconnect I felt in some sections of the book.
- Whilst I'm not sure this was intended, several sections of the book came across as quite condescending to Tibetan and Chinese culture. Nothing outright awful but it is a narrative clearly told from a Western perspective with incredibly Western expectations on lots of things.

5/5

Oh my goodness, this book was a delight! Klune had crafted a gorgeous experience of homeliness, finding yourself and love. I heard this book described as a "warm hug" and having finished it I can say that is entirely accurate.

The good:
- The characters are immensely loveable. I enjoyed learning about every one of the main characters and their personalities were so distinct and fun.
- Atmospheric writing at its best. I felt completely submerged in the world and experiencing every bit of it. The book hangover from this is huge and I've been listening to Bobby Darin to cope.
- Equal parts predictable familiarity and wondering where things will go. There is always hope and you ache for everything to turn out okay.
- There are so many amazing lines and sequences in the book that tear at your emotions and boost and encourage the characters and reader.
- Fights prejudice and encourages diversity both in the story and as one of the strong take home messages of the book.

There are no bits that need improving as far as I'm concerned. This book is beautiful.

4.5/5

A classic YA series from the literary behemoth that is Sanderson. Vin is a street urchin taken on by a group of crooks planning to overthrow an empire. She learns she has allomancy, powers linked to certain metals and learns to use them well.

- I like the premise which is a heist novel but nestled in the context of a wider world and plot. Sanderson is known for his excellent world building and The Final Empire is no exception to this. A world where ash falls from the sky, black mists fill the night and the world exists under the tyranny of the Lord Ruler.

- The characters are distinct and well rounded and I enjoyed learning about most of them, though there are a few side characters I wish had been explored more.

- I like that this book left me wanting more. Obviously it's part of a wider trilogy and series but the internal plot was well concluded whilst leading the reader to wonder about the wider world and ongoing story. I hope the next book fulfills some of that curiosity for me.

A brilliant start and leaves you wanting to reach for the next book. An excellent option for those wanting a YA fantasy (especially one with little to no romance), vivid world building and the promise of a strong ongoing storyline.