The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I received an audio copy of this book from the publisher, Macmillan Audio, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Wife Upstairs is an updated, reimagined Jane Eyre. It’s an interesting twist on a classic story, and I’m loving how many such novels have come out recently and how many more are scheduled for publication soon. …
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Mysteries are one of those hit-or-miss genres for me. Sometimes I’m able to guess the big twist or outcome or both within the first 100 pages, and then lose my patience with the rest of the narrative and the cast for not getting there faster. Sometimes the author includes wild twists for the sake of sensationalism that come out of left and field couldn’t have been predicted. Both types of mystery novels drive me a little crazy. The Guest List was neither of those. Told in a way that leaves you guessing without the sensationalism and populated with an interesting group of characters, I was invested through the final pages.
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To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Series: Standalone
Genre: Sci-fi, Space Opera
Pages: 176 pages (US Kindle edition)
Published: 8th August 2019 by Hodder & Stoughton (UK) & 3rd September 2019 Harper Voyager (US)
This may surprise you, but unlike The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, I actually enjoyed reading To Be Taught, If Fortunate. …
Tower of Mud and Straw by Yaroslav Barsukov
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I received a galley of this book from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There’s something about the novella as an art form that is so different from its bookend siblings, the novel and the short story. Not as sharp and snappy as a short story, but without as much room for deep dives into development as novels, it can be a difficult and strangely unwieldy medium, for both author and audience. That being said, novellas can also pack an incredible amount of power into a scant few pages when done correctly. It’s a medium full of both promise and pitfalls. In the case of Tower of Mud and Straw, I think that the promise is that Barsukov himself shows a lot of promise as an author, and the main pitfall is the lack of development that would have deepened the story he penned. …
Insomnia by Stephen King
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
This isn’t my favorite King novel I’ve ever read, but it was a fun, very interesting ride. If you’re planning on a journey to King’s Dark Tower, this one is absolutely essential. Not only are the concepts of ka and ka-tet integral to the plot of the novel, the Tower itself makes brief appearances. And while I didn’t look it up for fear of having important future plot points spoiled for myself, I’m almost positive that two important new characters in the main series were introduced in this book.
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Cover Illustration by: Daniel Dociu
Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Expanse (Book #7 of 9)
Genre: Sci-fi, Space Opera
Pages: 576 pages (UK paperback)
Published: 7th December 2017 by Orbit (UK) & 5th December 2017 by Orbit (US)
This was another good volume in The Expanse, but I must say that the series is starting to overstay its welcome to me.
“I actually read history. It’s like reading prophecy, you know.”
Cover Illustration by: Daniel Dociu
Babylon’s Ashes by James S.A. Corey
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Expanse (Book #6 of 9)
Genre: Sci-fi, Space Opera
Pages: 543 pages (UK paperback)
Published: 6th December 2016 by Orbit
A good sequel that feels like a long wrap-up to Nemesis Games. …
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath
Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth by Christopher Russell
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Series: Divinity’s Twilight (Book #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Sci-fi, Steampunk
Pages: 498 pages (US Paperback edition)
Published: 2nd June 2020 by Morgan James Fiction (Indie)
This was good, an ambitious SFF debut to what I foresee will be a large series.
Due to my TBR pile that continues to exponentially grow uncontrollably, I have to say that I rarely accept an ARC/review copy from an unknown author these days. My gut, however, told me to accept the request to review Christopher Russell’s debut, Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth, and I’m glad I gave this one a go. I mean, how could I say no when Russell himself said that he’s a huge fan of The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson; the inspirations from that epic series was evident in his debut. …
ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.
Cover designed by: Lisa Marie Pompilio
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Series: Standalone
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Pages: 528 pages
Published: October 15th, 2020 by Orbit (UK) and October 13th, 2020 by Redhook (US)
Similar to The Ten Thousand Doors of January, The Once and Future Witches will be a big hit among many readers. …
Ascension by Brian K. Fuller
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Trysmoon Saga (Book #1 of 4)
Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
Pages: 377 pages (US Kindle edition)
Published: 11th November 2014 by Brian K. Fuller (Indie)
Good, familiar, and also surprising classic fantasy take. …