3.5/5

This spin-off from the Lady Trent Memoirs was an enjoyable read. It had intruige, let us delve into the world several decades on and explore it's change. Following Lady Trent's granddaughter Audrey, a story of ancient language, subterfuge and struggling to make the right choices ensues. 

The good:
- The characters were diverse and faceted. It was great to see BIPOC and neurodiverse people amongst the main cast of characters.
- The world is as interesting as it was previously and has evolved in a logical way. The problems of this evolution were well described and shown.
- The ancient take within the story was fascinating and intricate.
- The narrative is told through the medium of diary entries, letters, newspaper articles and other similar snippets. I think this worked well for the book and helped to see things from several characters' viewpoints.

What could have been better:
- The story's tone just didn't grab me like the Lady Trent Memoirs did. The action is mostly political and intellectual and I preferred the tone of the original series.
- The pace felt slow for a long time and the point of the plot didn't really kick in until the last third of the book. 

I would highly recommend this to fans of the original Lady Trent Memoirs. However, I suggest that Turning Darkness into Light may not be as enjoyable for those who have not read the entire series as it does contain many spoilers. It is good solid sequel and fun to read.

Audiobook narrated by Jack Garrett.TThishis
This was my second dip into Sanderson's cosmere and it was one hell of a journey. Slow-paced, slowly building and then hits you with a flurry of impeccably timed action. I enjoyed the three main characters' interactions with this new setting, its people and magic and I would love to see a sequel some day.

The good:
- A twisting plot that was fun to follow. Full of politics, discovery, introspection and hope.
- The magic system was intriguing and different from any I've seen before.
- The cast of characters was diverse and each one distinct enough that it was easy to keep them separate 

What could have been better:
- Whilst the journey was incredibly enjoyable, it was occasionally predictable though never enough to cause dissatisfaction.
- A couple of the characters were a little too perfect. Whilst all the characters faced adversity and worked through it, it occasionally seemed that they were good at everything that mattered already or in relatively little time. 

Overall an amazing read and I'm already researching which cosmere book to read next.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review from Net Galley.

5/5

This graphic novel is hilarious, emotional and inspiring. The main character Louie sets out to save her town, famous for a sasquatch, from the greedy grasp of an upstart tech firm. 

Good bits:
- Louie feisty, fierce and passionate. Her personality is infectious and you come to really feel.for her. The other characters are well thought out and have depth to them.
- The artwork is perfect and compliments the story. It's bright and flamboyant and the expressions of the characters are captured very well.
- The plot is hilarious and heartening. It makes you think about what means a lot and how to find contentment. This is a book that affirms your dreams and encourages reaching for the stars.
- The little references to pop culture in the book made me smile.

What could have been better?:
- I need more! I read this in one sitting and then read it over again. I need more Louie and Southborough in my life!

A fun, eco-focused fairy story. The main character Bosco has to choose his life's calling by the age of ten or be summoned to the court of fairy land. Along the way to finding his calling he begins to learn about bees, despite his fellow faries' objections.

Good:
- The main character is male. Every single fairy book I've read had had a female main character and if makes are present they're fairly minor. I love that Bosco and the Bees breaks that stereotype and has good gender balance in the supporting characters too.
- The ecological theme to the story is well told and simple enough that children reading this book would understand and be able to go forward and do their own research. I especially liked the parts where different pollinator friendly plants were named.
- The friendship elements were appropriate for children and also covered areas such as grief and peril. 
- The bees and the factual information in this book were great. The author has clearly done their research and made sure all aspects of the bees are portrayed accurately.

Could have been better:
- The pacing felt off at several points. Sometimes the book was meandering then at other points the action felt rushed and over too quickly.
- Occasionally problems were resolved too easily. Even for a children's book, sometimes the resolutions seemed too convenient and the characters not challenged to resolve problems.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any young readers with an interest in fantasy, bees and their role in the natural world or fairy stories with a twist.

What an ending! I've been reading this series since for over two years and have finally come to the conclusion. Completely different to what I was expecting going into this book and still utterly amazing. I'm truly sad there are no more accounts of Lady Trent's life (though I will be starting Turning Darkness into Light about her granddaughter) and will be thinking about her journey from young and slightly naïve woman on her first adventure to the capable and inspiring woman she grew into. 

If you like fantasy and Victorian-esque settings, you will love this series. These books now have a permanent place on my book shelf and are one of my favourite series for a long time.

3.5/5

Audiobook narrated by Bella Mackie

A good solid book about the benefits of running for mental health. It is one of the best books I've read on improving your mind and mental health and I enjoyed the laid back but we'll referenced approach taken. Bella Mackie got me to go for a run three times this week so the topics covered are persuasive. However, the repetitive nature of the advice and stories and the occasionally monotone narration did lead to me unintentionally zoning out of certain sections. Otherwise an enjoyable read and specifically one I would recommend if you experience mental health issues.

Le Guin weaves magic and journeys like no one I've read before. As with A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan start slowly and small but get bigger and more exquisitely detailed as the story goes on. I loved how the world of the temple village was built up and how in so few words she created such an ambiance and reality to the places she described. Arha and Sparrowhawk's interaction were also so well written and there are several quotations that I will remember for a long time, my favourite being:

"What she had begun to learn was the weight of liberty. Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward towards the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it."

If that doesn't describe this book, and life in general, to a tee, I don't know what would.

Audiobook narrated by Ian McKellen

A twist in Torak's story and some wonderful character development from several of our main characters. Back stories are fleshed out more too and we get some wholesome lupine moments too. Excited to move on to the next book.