Petrik's Reviews Archives - Page 20 of 57

Book Review: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

January 5, 2022 Petrik Leo Comments 4 comments

Cover art illustrated by: Nico Delort

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Genre: Fantasy, Retelling

Pages: 480 pages (US Hardcover Edition)

Published: 10th July 2018 by Del Rey (US) & Pan Macmillan (UK)

If Uprooted is my Hell, then Spinning Silver is my Heaven.

Five years. It’s been exactly five years since I’ve read Uprooted by Naomi Novik. Honestly speaking, I never intended to read Spinning Silver. I consider Uprooted one of the worst fantasy novels I’ve read, and I had no motivation in trying out more of Novik’s works for five years. However, after hearing from many readers—one of them being my friend, Elliot Brooks—who disliked Uprooted that Spinning Silver worked wonderfully for them, my curiosity was piqued. And then, another good friend of mine—Mary—who also disliked Uprooted decided to sent me a copy of Spinning Silver. She said that Spinning Silver is one of the best standalone novels she has ever read. So here I am, nodding my head and adding my opinion to their praises; they were all 100% right. Spinning Silver is one of the best standalone novels I’ve read. This high rating you’re seeing is not a fairytale. It’s well-deserved, and Spinning Silver rightfully deserves the gorgeous cover art (US edition) illustrated by Nico Delort. …

Read More Read More

Book Review: Leviathan Falls (The Expanse, #9) by James S.A. Corey

December 29, 2021 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Cover Illustration by: Daniel Dociu

Leviathan Falls by James S.A. Corey

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Expanse (Book #9 of 9)

Genre: Sci-fi, Space Opera

Pages: 543 pages (Kindle Edition)

Published: 26th March 2019 by Orbit

My last review of 2021 is for the conclusion to the first big space opera series of novels I’ve ever finished to its completion, and I’m glad it’s The Expanse. …

Read More Read More

Book Review: War Lord (The Last Kingdom, #13) by Bernard Cornwell

December 26, 2021 Petrik Leo Comments 1 comment

War Lord by Bernard Cornwell

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Last Kingdom (Book #13 of 13)

Genre: Historical fiction

Pages: 333 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 15th October 2020 by HarperCollins

It’s over. I finally finished The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell, and it was an impressive conclusion. …

Read More Read More

Book Review: The Fall of Babel (The Books of Babel, #4) by Josiah Bancroft

December 22, 2021 Petrik Leo Comments 2 comments

ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.

Cover art by : Ian Leino

The Fall of Babel by Josiah Bancroft

My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Books of Babel (Book #4 of 4)

Genre: Fantasy, High fantasy, Steampunk

Pages: 672 pages (US paperback edition)

Published: 9th December 2021 by Orbit

The Fall of Babel is not just a title; it is a state. A state where the quality of the series ends up.

Josiah Bancroft, please do not read this review. I love your previous books, and I would prefer your memory of my thoughts on your books remains that way; leave it in the state of innocence and happiness just like Senlin before he entered the Tower of Babel. Now, let’s get on with the review.

“You could resent yourself for your imperfect enjoyment of your life, but that seems to me like a never-ending chore. A thankless one, too. I think that if we really knew how good our lives were while they were good, we’d be too scared to do anything, change anything. We’d never take a risk, or explore, or grow. You can hate yourself for not fully appreciating your happy days while you had them, or you could look back and be warmed by the memory, couldn’t you?”

…

Read More Read More

Book Review: The Bone Ship’s Wake (The Tide Child, #3) by R.J. Barker

December 10, 2021 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.

The Bone Ship’s Wake by R.J. Barker

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Tide Child (Book #3 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High fantasy

Pages: 543 pages (UK paperback edition)

Published: 30th September 2021 by Orbit

I’ve completed two series by R.J. Barker now, and Barker stuck the landing in both Kings of Assassins and The Bone Ship’s Wake.

“Of all the people on the ship, the courser knew most what it was to be alone. And Joron, as Meas had once said, had found command was the loneliest place of all.”

…

Read More Read More

Book Review: Sword of Kings (The Last Kingdom, #12) by Bernard Cornwell

December 2, 2021 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Sword of Kings by Bernard Cornwell

My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Last Kingdom (Book #12 of 13)

Genre: Historical fiction

Pages: 346 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: 3rd October 2019 by HarperCollins

Sword of Kings is the penultimate installment of The Last Kingdom series, if it wasn’t, I would’ve given up reading the rest of the series. …

Read More Read More

Book Review: Reaper (Cradle, #10) by Will Wight

November 29, 2021 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Cover art illustration by: Patrick Foster

Reaper by Will Wight

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Cradle (Book #10 of 12)

Genre: Fantasy, Progression Fantasy, Xianxia

Pages: 465 pages

Published: 2nd November 2021 by Hidden Gnome Publishing (Indie)

Will Wight, I’m so tired of saying this statement on so many books in Cradle, but once again, Reaper is the new best book of the series so far.