what to read next – About a Book

There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool

April 8, 2020by Ida2 Comments

BLOG The Age of Darkness approaches.
Five lives stand in its way.
Who will stop it… or unleash it?

The Seven Prophets that served to guide humanity disappeared one hundred years ago, leaving behind an uncertain world and one final prophecy. The prophecy, kept secret by a small group devoted to the Prophets, foretells the rise of an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet. With the world in chaos, five individuals with an interconnected destiny are on a path to collide.

The question is, which one can save the world and which one is set to destroy it?

A prince exiled from his kingdom.
A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand.
A once-faithful leader torn between his duty and his heart.
A reckless gambler with the power to find anything or anyone.
And a dying girl on the verge of giving up.

“Those who cannot own their choices will always be mastered by fate.”

There Will Come A Darkness is an intriguing multiple perspective Young Adult fantasy that follows five character perspectives, and does so brilliantly. I felt connected to each character’s story and was eager to see how they interconnected. The relationships and connections shifted throughout and kept me guessing where the overall story was going to go. There are parts in the middle section of the novel that lagged slightly but the action really picked up in the third and final section. The author does a wonderful job of creating a foreboding atmosphere. There is this constant feeling of unease, uncertainty and danger that looms, which sets the perfect stage for the five main characters. This is the first book in what is set to be a trilogy, with the second book, As The Shadow Rises scheduled for release September 1st, 2020.

A very impressive debut novel, perfect for readers who enjoy character driven stories.

Book Reviews, Fiction

Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane

March 27, 2020March 31, 2020by Ida3 Comments

BLOG “Here’s what life has taught me so far: don’t worry about that thing you’re worrying about. Chances are, it’ll be obliterated by something you didn’t anticipate that’s a million times worse.”

Georgina’s dismissal from her terrible job at “The Worst Restaurant in Sheffield” is followed up by her discovery of an unfaithful boyfriend. This leads to a new job and a reunion with Lucas, her high-school boyfriend, who turns out to be one of the owners of the newly opened restaurant. Shockingly enough, Lucas does not seem to remember her at all.

Don’t You Forget About Me was certainly an interesting read. There is a lot to like about this story and I appreciate the attention on the main character and her development as she gains self-awareness in her behaviour and relationships. I do feel that there is far too much time spent on side-stories and characters, which I guess do paint a more full picture but could have been edited down considerably. This book is over 400 pages, and that just feels far too long.

I also have to say that the way this book is represented is quite misleading, with the cutesy cover and what sounds like a cutesy romance. It is certainly not a fluffy read by any means and there is barely any romance. I don’t mind this at all, but if you are expecting a fun romance you may be disappointed. There are some serious topics as well, including sexual assault, which in my opinion, is something a reader should have an awareness of especially when a book is marketed in a way that does not suggest such serious undertones.

Overall, I liked Georgina and would have enjoyed more focus to be on her. However, there is far too much emphasis on various other characters that leaves the whole story feeling scattered.

Features

Comfort Reads and Reading Plans

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020by Ida4 Comments

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“I have a shelf of comfort books, which I read when the world closes in on me or something untoward happens.”

I love the idea of comfort books. The last few days, however, I really had to explore what that concept means to me and what brings me comfort. There are books that I consider favourites that have found a home on my bookshelf, and there is a sense of comfort and safety that can come from reading something I enjoyed in a different time and place. But I don’t have a desire to reread anything right now, and instead I find myself gravitating toward books I haven’t read. What most draws my attention are fantasy novels and some young adult reads, and what most calms my mind is making lists. So, I am making lists, getting organized, and making my way through unread books. When I feel like reading that is, and not watching random old TV shows. 🙂 Continue reading “Comfort Reads and Reading Plans” →

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Books On My “Someday” List

February 2, 2020by Ida9 Comments

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Ah, the “someday” list. You know which books I am referring to. The ones that have been sitting on your TBR (to be read) list for years and you absolutely want to read them, but the moment is never quite now. Maybe they are on the longer side and require a time commitment, or maybe they contain heavier subject matter that calls for the right time and mind set in order to be processed. For me, these two reasons definitely apply, particularly books that deal with topics that are not easy to read about. In these instances, as much as I may hear wonderful things about a novel, it will linger on my TBR for a long time. Another kind of book that tends to make a home on my “someday” list is one that has a whole lot of hype surrounding it. There are many books I have read as a result of hype and most of the time it has not worked out, but that is a topic for another time. Recently, I decided to start tackling my “somedays” and have chosen four books that I have been dancing around for many years. Continue reading “Books On My “Someday” List” →

Book Reviews, Fiction

Gods of Jade & Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

January 5, 2020by IdaLeave a Comment

Processed with VSCO with hb1 preset “Some people are born under a lucky star, while others have their misfortune telegraphed by the position of the planets. Casiopea Tun, named after a constellation, was born under the most rotten star imaginable in the firmament.”

Casiopea spends her days cleaning and doing chores for her demanding grandfather, and her nights dreaming of a life of her own. Far from the demands of a family that views her as nothing more than an outsider. But those dreams, over time, start to feel incredibly distant and improbable. One day, while cleaning her grandfather’s room, she comes across a locked and mysterious wooden box. In a moment of rebellion, she unlocks the box and with it releases the spirit of the Mayan god of death. Having been imprisoned by his brother, the god of death is on a quest for revenge, and to gain back his throne. In order to do this he will need Casiopea by his side who, having freed the spirit, is now linked to him. The failure to defeat his brother would mean a demise for both of them. So Casiopea, alongside the god of death, embarks on an adventure she never could have dreamed of. Continue reading “Gods of Jade & Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia” →

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