Thank you very much to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for sending me a free copy of Solo in return for an honest review.
Solo: A Down to Earth GuiThank you very much to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for sending me a free copy of Solo in return for an honest review.
Solo: A Down to Earth Guide for Travelling the World Alone by Aaron Hodges is the perfect guide for anyone considering solo travel.
In 2014 after the end of a three year relationship, Aaron Hodges decided to quit his job and travel the world. While travelling, he published his first novel, Stormwielder, and has continued to write and travel ever since. In this short non-fiction book (it’s about 130 pages), Aaron shares the lessons he’s learned and his ‘must see� places to visit in Southeast Asia, Mexico and Central America, and South America.
At the start of the book, Aaron says that most people who are considering travelling around the world solo are single and have recently gone through a break up. I have to admit, this fits me perfectly! In August, my partner and I of six years broke up and I had to move out of our home. This has changed my life in many ways, and has made me think about my life and my future � in particular, I have been thinking about travelling!
My passport expired nine years ago and I haven’t renewed it since. I had originally planned to renew it this year and travel, but obviously, 2020 hasn’t made that possible. So I was very excited to read Aaron’s book for his tips and travel advice. I have had several holidays solo (including three weeks in California just before my passport expired), but actually travelling abroad alone with a backpack is a totally different experience.
I have read one of Aaron’s fantasy fiction books before, so it was great to learn more about him as a person. His writing style is very casual and relaxed, and made me feel like I was reading a letter from a friend.
Solo covers Aaron’s top tips for packing your bag and the essentials you should bring, as well as tips for while you are there, getting around and finding suitable hostels. While I want to travel, these are the sort of practical things that I worry about and Solo this has really helped to put my mind at ease.
Aaron also shares some of his favourite memories and lessons learned from his travels over the past five years. There are also accompanying photos of the places he talks about which really brings these memories to life and shows off the beauty of these places. His tips and advice on places to visit while in specific areas was really helpful! I think the only thing that seemed to be missing was a guide of ‘must sees� in Europe and Australia � Aaron’s guides cover Southeast Asia, Mexico and Central America, and South America.
Overall, Solo is a fantastic ‘quick start� guide for anyone who is currently considering travelling the world on their own. The combination of Aaron’s writing style and his personal experience makes this an incredibly enjoyable as well as an informative read. I will certainly be dipping back in and out of this when planning my trips, making sure I incorporate some of his helpful travel guides in my own journeys (hopefully in 2021!).
Merged review:
Thank you very much to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for sending me a free copy of Solo in return for an honest review.
Solo: A Down to Earth Guide for Travelling the World Alone by Aaron Hodges is the perfect guide for anyone considering solo travel.
In 2014 after the end of a three year relationship, Aaron Hodges decided to quit his job and travel the world. While travelling, he published his first novel, Stormwielder, and has continued to write and travel ever since. In this short non-fiction book (it’s about 130 pages), Aaron shares the lessons he’s learned and his ‘must see� places to visit in Southeast Asia, Mexico and Central America, and South America.
At the start of the book, Aaron says that most people who are considering travelling around the world solo are single and have recently gone through a break up. I have to admit, this fits me perfectly! In August, my partner and I of six years broke up and I had to move out of our home. This has changed my life in many ways, and has made me think about my life and my future � in particular, I have been thinking about travelling!
My passport expired nine years ago and I haven’t renewed it since. I had originally planned to renew it this year and travel, but obviously, 2020 hasn’t made that possible. So I was very excited to read Aaron’s book for his tips and travel advice. I have had several holidays solo (including three weeks in California just before my passport expired), but actually travelling abroad alone with a backpack is a totally different experience.
I have read one of Aaron’s fantasy fiction books before, so it was great to learn more about him as a person. His writing style is very casual and relaxed, and made me feel like I was reading a letter from a friend.
Solo covers Aaron’s top tips for packing your bag and the essentials you should bring, as well as tips for while you are there, getting around and finding suitable hostels. While I want to travel, these are the sort of practical things that I worry about and Solo this has really helped to put my mind at ease.
Aaron also shares some of his favourite memories and lessons learned from his travels over the past five years. There are also accompanying photos of the places he talks about which really brings these memories to life and shows off the beauty of these places. His tips and advice on places to visit while in specific areas was really helpful! I think the only thing that seemed to be missing was a guide of ‘must sees� in Europe and Australia � Aaron’s guides cover Southeast Asia, Mexico and Central America, and South America.
Overall, Solo is a fantastic ‘quick start� guide for anyone who is currently considering travelling the world on their own. The combination of Aaron’s writing style and his personal experience makes this an incredibly enjoyable as well as an informative read. I will certainly be dipping back in and out of this when planning my trips, making sure I incorporate some of his helpful travel guides in my own journeys (hopefully in 2021!)....more
The Weights We Carry by C.D. Seventeen is a collection of 22 poems and photographs from her solo bike-packing journey around the Scottish Highlands anThe Weights We Carry by C.D. Seventeen is a collection of 22 poems and photographs from her solo bike-packing journey around the Scottish Highlands and the Orkney Islands.
Thank you to Literally PR and SilverWood Books for sending me a free copy of The Weights We Carry in return for an honest review.
The Weights We Carry is not being produced as an eBook. It isn’t going to be sold on Amazon. C.D. Seventeen will remain true to her original purpose and wants to encourage everyone to get off social media, off their chair, and out into the outdoors. To challenge themselves, make mistakes, embrace flaws and explore new possibilities. The book is available via selected retailers online (such as Central Books and Blackwells) and of course in Scotland, as well as locations globally. Published by SilverWood Books.
As soon as I heard the premise about The Weights We Carry, I requested a copy to review, and I’m so glad I did. Originally I thought that C.D. Seventeen had ridden a motorbike across Scotland, but she actually was on a bicycle � which makes her journey even more remarkable.
This book is filled with beautiful photographs that accompany each of the poems. The photographs were taken on a film camera with a film that had a purple-tint to it, and this is reproduced in the book. This tint to the photos gives them all a nostalgic filter, like Polaroid pictures, which I really liked and they add a lot to the feel of the poems.
The poems are split into various sections that have different themes, following her journey around Scotland. They are all really evocative and personal, like reading a diary, with interesting themes and thought-provoking questions, such as ‘how much do I deserve to relax?�. Themes cover romance, pollution, religion, and more.
My favourite was Farewell, about leaving a loved one behind, I guess at the start of her travels:
Sorry, I had to leave you to create my own history, where you could sing my lines and laugh at my mysteries.
I wish you and I had a living thing, so what bonded us what not just love but responsibilities. Since I’m used to feeling that weight with all my senses.
I really enjoyed this collection � it is a really personal and unique collection of photos and poetry, heavy with memories and emotions. Reading it on a rainy April day gave it the perfect atmosphere....more
Bobby and Bubba’s Small Adventures is a collection of short stories featuring British Bulldogs, Bobby and Bubba. They are brothers and have lived togeBobby and Bubba’s Small Adventures is a collection of short stories featuring British Bulldogs, Bobby and Bubba. They are brothers and have lived together their whole lives, and despite their small size, they get up to lots of mischief! The stories involve the dogs as well as their family, including the author, Anthony Coombs.
Bobby and Bubba might be brothers but they have their own distinct personalities which shine through in these stories. My favourites were ‘Bobby Coombs: Dunce or Genius?� about Bobby learning to switch off electronics, and ‘Bubba is Forgiven� where the two are separated after an unfortunate accident. Both stories were really heart-warming, and the lovely illustrations really added to the story.
The illustrations are by Adam Frost, who has done a fantastic job. I really love the art style in the book and they really bring these stories to life.
A lot of the stories have a moral message at the end and I thought these were sometimes a little heavy-handed or unnecessary. Would a dog really be moralising about whether something is an accident, or about ‘all creatures great and small�? However, these books are designed for families to read together, so this may just be because I am not the target audience!
Bobby and Bubba’s Small Adventures is a cute collection of short stories, which I think any dog owner or dog lover would relate to and enjoy....more
This is a dystopian novel set in the Market World � a world where all items must be sold to a willing buyer, with a bill of sale obtained as proof. GiThis is a dystopian novel set in the Market World � a world where all items must be sold to a willing buyer, with a bill of sale obtained as proof. Giving items away and charity is illegal, resulting in huge fines and penalties. David is a newly appointed Enforcer, tasked with enforcing the One Law. He and his colleagues catch Sarah with a cartful of apples from her family's recent harvest, which she intends to give away in a neighbouring village. She is arrested, and David quickly falls in love with her � and is determined to show her Market City and teach her its ways.
A Kinder City is set in a really interesting dystopian world. Franklin, the richest man in Market World, has created a monopoly � he owns huge factories and mills, has his own guards that patrol the streets, and creates huge road beasts that ruin the land around Market City. Because he's so important, he is almost untouchable, even when he breaks the law.
There are lots of lessons here about charity, capitalism and the environment. I thought that this was done really well. Franklin's factories pollute the world, and yet David and Sarah find there is nothing that they are able to do � none of these things have broken the law, even though it is obviously morally wrong. Their frustration echoes similar frustrations around the world as despite protests, it feels like nothing can be done to save the environment.
The book does take a little while to get going � the first 50 pages or so the characters felt a little stilted. Sarah is almost a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and David gets swept away by her fun energy and is determined to help her see the error of her ways. I felt that Sarah came across as being a little too naïve and childish � surely, despite living in the villages, she would know about the One Law? But as the story develops and we learn more about Sarah, she grows into her character and became much more believable and well-rounded.
Overall, A Kinder City is an interesting read. It has a lot of lessons (and warnings) about our world and the dangers to the environment, if we allow tyrants to pollute the world. But it doesn't come across as lecturing or 'preachy'. It has some strong character development, a strong female lead, and a fast-paced story. The dystopian world it's set in feels unique and relevant to the modern day. I'd recommend this to readers interested in reading more 'eco sci-fi', or books that touch on environmental matters, or readers looking for dystopian fiction with a strong female lead....more
I read the first book in the series last year and really enjoyed it, and so was delighted when Christer asked if I would review Dark Sovereign � and iI read the first book in the series last year and really enjoyed it, and so was delighted when Christer asked if I would review Dark Sovereign � and it absolutely lived up to the hype!
There is fantastic character development. We learn more about Topper and his abilities, as well as more about Khendric and his past. Ara too grows into herself, and continues to grow in self-confidence and adapt to her new powers. There are also some new characters, including Darlaene, Khendric’s on and off again lover and fellow Beast Hunter. I really liked them and they added a lot to the story. As in the last book, there are lots of laughs and jokes between Khendric, Topper and Ara, which are lots of fun to read too.
The story is really dark, and so these light-hearted moments really gave the story some colour. I was really impressed with the range of monsters that we get to see (and was glad to see that the Bestiary at the back of the book continues here!). I enjoyed learning about them alongside Ara’s studies � the information is given really naturally with no ‘info dumps�.
Dark Sovereign is a fast-paced and exciting story. I enjoyed this a lot, possibly even more than the first � there’s definitely no ‘middle book slump� here. While this isn’t a long book (just over 250 pages), Christer packs in a lot! It’s creative, with a wide variety of beasts and monsters, as well as interesting, well-written characters. I’d recommend this if you are interested in reading a young adult fantasy series that’s filled with mythical beasts, or with a strong female main character. I am delighted to see that the final book in the series is out on 14th February, so I don’t have long to wait to find out what happens next!...more
A Night of Wings and Starlight is set in a world of permanent night. Queen Eivor and her kingdom lives inside a mountain, safe from the world outside.A Night of Wings and Starlight is set in a world of permanent night. Queen Eivor and her kingdom lives inside a mountain, safe from the world outside. Our main character, Arya, is training to be a Runner � one of the Queen’s few Chosen messengers who run across the wasteland carrying messages to the various cities throughout the realm of Valdihr. These missions are incredibly dangerous, with the world full of monsters and vampyres who will kill the messengers if they are caught. But women are never chosen. Finally, Arya is chosen for a mission (a few weeks after her best friend, Loren, is chosen and dies on his first mission), and will be able to run outside for the first time.
I really love the world that Alexis has created. It feels very original and fresh � it isn’t something I’ve come across in fantasy before! I thought that Alexis explained the world very well too, without any ‘info dumping� and long explanations. I still had a few questions (such as how food production is affected) but overall I think it was really interesting and worked well.
I really liked Arya � I love strong female characters and she is really well-written. I especially loved the sections where she talks about running and why she loves it. I’m sure that Alexis must also be a fan herself! Arya is quite sarcastic, slow to trust and athletic. She is a little clueless though (it was immediately obvious to me that Loren views her as more than just a sister!).
I would have liked this book to be a little longer � at around 250 pages, there was definitely space for this to have more depth on the characters, and give them more time to breathe. The romance felt quite rushed, and some of Arya’s decisions were not really explained so didn’t always make sense. I understand impulsive characters (I am one myself!) but I wanted some detail about why she made the decisions she did.
The story was really fast-paced, and was a real page turner. It kept me on my toes throughout with enough twists to keep me interested, and I really enjoyed it. The ending is very open and left me wanting more. I’d definitely like to read more books in this world and find out more about the gods, and what happens next. I enjoyed the writing style and overall this was a fun read.
Alexis has just released a second book in the Eternal Night series, A Deal with Darkness, which is set 200 years in the future and I am excited to read that one next....more
I absolutely loved this. It is about a dog in a dystopian setting so I had good hopes for it and it totally exceeded them. I loved the switching perceI absolutely loved this. It is about a dog in a dystopian setting so I had good hopes for it and it totally exceeded them. I loved the switching perception between Lineker the dog and Reginald. Both were brilliantly written and I loved their growth through the book, and learning about their pasts. Lots of tears were shed too.
A couple of moments felt a little convenient or cliche but I can forgive it for that, as the rest of the book was so enjoyable.
It is very sweary, and dogs can't talk to people (which I appreciated), and it's definitely not a book for someone looking for a light or easy read....more
A Lesson in Love and Death is a gothic horror / dark academia novel. Anna James is offered a scholarship to study literature at Endymion College, her A Lesson in Love and Death is a gothic horror / dark academia novel. Anna James is offered a scholarship to study literature at Endymion College, her dream college. But from the first day she is thrust into chaos, living in a haunted dormitory with her new roommate, Candi Lenoir � and is given a mysterious set of keys to a strange door that leads to nowhere.
I first picked this up as I am in love with Dark Academia at the moment � plus, that gorgeous cover grabbed my attention straight away!
This book is so creepy and atmospheric. The descriptions of Endymion College and the surrounding areas are really vivid. Anna’s dormitory is haunted, and the scenes with the ghost boy in her room are just terrifying! (Real nightmare fuel.) I loved these sections the most as they were really well-written and gave me shivers! There’s also discussion of classic books, such as Frankenstein, that I really enjoyed too and felt like I learned from.
I loved the friendship that blossoms between Anna and Candi. It’s slow to start, they aren’t instant friends, so it’s great to see a friendship develop naturally. Their friendship is at the centre of the story � even if they do argue and get jealous of each other at times.
While there were a few areas that were a little unrealistic (Anna and Candi go to the Church for an exorcism of their flat, which they obtain easily for a small fee), I could overlook this as overall this book is a fun read. It was easy to pick up and understand, the characters were interesting and the gothic horror elements were really well written. I would have liked a little less romance and the drama that came with it, but it didn’t put me off the book.
Overall, this gothic dark academia novel is the perfect October read. There were lots of unanswered questions, but the next book in the series A Study in Survival will be released soon on 27th October, with book 3 following shortly after, so I hope to find out more about Anna’s story soon!...more
The (Un)lawful Killing of Daniel Brown follows 15-year-old Marcus and his fight for justice, after he witnesses his father’s killing by Police SergeanThe (Un)lawful Killing of Daniel Brown follows 15-year-old Marcus and his fight for justice, after he witnesses his father’s killing by Police Sergeant Talbot Blair.
It’s very easy (as a British White person) to see a lot of debates online about race relations and the police, and think that this doesn’t apply to the UK. However, The (Un)lawful Killing of Daniel Brown has changed my views on that. It is set in Hackney, East London, and it was incredibly eye-opening about the British justice system. It takes a lot of inspiration from the tragic murders of Sean Rigg and Stephen Lawrence, among others.
I felt like I learned a lot about how British law works through this book. For example, I had assumed that the Independent Office for Police Conduct would be totally independent � but over 80% of IOPC investigators are former police officers. As Marcus considers, would he be able to remain impartial while investigating his classmates?
I thought Marcus was a great character. I especially enjoyed his discussions with Ama about his identity � and the point about even though Ama has Irish grandparents, she feels more Ghanaian than Irish as she doesn’t ‘look� Irish. It was really insightful and not something I’ve ever had to consider myself, as someone who is from a White British background. Marcus is incredibly well-written, and the dialogue with his friends felt realistic. (But it did make me feel old � I didn’t know that ‘calm� is the new ‘cool�!) I really felt his frustration about how his mother was apathetic, and willing to believe his father was actually a criminal! I couldn’t really understand how she could remain so impassive, and not feel as angry about it as Marcus did!
In places The (Un)lawful Killing of Daniel Brown feels perhaps a bit too educational. I think that’s because of the important subject matter, and because it’s not an area I know much about. But I did enjoy reading it and I think it focuses on something that’s really important, and that I’ve not read about in fiction before. To me, this is an absolute must-read for anyone wanting to learn more about Black rights in the UK, and what happens when the police kill people � and how hard it is to get justice when police kill unlawfully....more
This Rotten World is set in Portland, Oregan, when a zombie apocalypse breaks out. It switches between multiple characters points of view, showing howThis Rotten World is set in Portland, Oregan, when a zombie apocalypse breaks out. It switches between multiple characters points of view, showing how their adventure starts and how they eventually team up. Some will survive, and sadly some won’t. It’s the first in a five book series.
This Rotten World is an exciting, and at times gory, zombie apocalypse book. I’ve been playing Project Zomboid lately, so was excited to start this! I listened to the audiobook of This Rotten World, which is narrated by T.L. Howell. He does a fantastic job and made the book even more absorbing and engaging.
As it’s the first in the series, there is no explanation of how the zombie outbreak begins or where they have come from � but I hope that will be detailed in later books. Instead, it focuses on ordinary people and their stories of survival. There are a lot of different character point of views throughout This Rotten World. (Most of which really are rotten!) It starts with mostly male characters and feels very male-dominated, but later on this balances out, which I appreciated.
I had a few favourite characters that I rooted for, such as Joan, a doctor, and Clara, one of her patients. Both are really strong female characters, and I liked their unlikely friendship, too. There’s also some very memorable characters, who I hated but were well-written, such as Ace Fever, who enjoys the chaos of the apocalypse, and Han, an angry bar owner.
It jumps straight into the action, showing us the zombie outbreak right at the beginning. It’s full of tense moments from the very start, and I spent a lot of time shouting ‘no no no! What are you doing!� as characters make unwise decisions and succumb to their deaths. No one is safe, with a few characters I liked and thought would survive ending up dead.
If you are looking for a great zombie read, then give this a try! It’s very gory in places, with vivid and detailed descriptions of injuries and deaths. There’s such a big cast of characters that you are sure to find some to root for, too. It ends on a very dramatic (and sombre) note, with a bit of a cliffhanger, and I am looking forward to reading book 2....more
Thank you to Shannon of R&R Book Tours and Midnight Tide Publishing for sending me a free advanced copy of Her Dark Reflection in return for an honestThank you to Shannon of R&R Book Tours and Midnight Tide Publishing for sending me a free advanced copy of Her Dark Reflection in return for an honest review.
Her Dark Reflection is a dark fantasy retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. In this book, Rhiandra is working in a bar as a maisera, or a whore, when she is assaulted and badly burned by some angry patrons. She meets Draven, a magic-wielding stranger, who offers a glamour to disguise her badly burned face � for a price. Can Rhiandra persuade the King to fall in love with her and make her his Queen?
I love retellings of fairy tales so I jumped at the chance to read Her Dark Reflection. This is a dark fantasy retelling and has a lot of adult themes � it’s definitely not a Young Adult novel! There are trigger warnings for sexual assault, abortions and more here.
Her Dark Reflection is unlike any other fairytale retellings I’ve read so far � and I loved it! There’s a lot of changes to the Snow White story we all are familiar with, which meant that there were lots of surprises throughout the book.
For a start, it’s told from the villain’s perspective, which was really refreshing. Taking the story from Rhiandra’s point of view makes her seem very reasonable. She is strong, outspoken (whatever the consequences!) and is very determined. It’s very easy to forget that she is supposed to be the villain of the tale! Draven is very much the mysterious stranger, and I loved the chemistry between him and Rhiandra. My favourite parts of the book were when Draven appears. He’s mysterious and powerful, and I was left wanting to know more about him. The other characters were mostly forgettable, such as the King � Rhiandra isn’t very interested in learning more about others she meets, making friends and finding out their stories, and so this is reflected in the story.
The story itself was so gripping! Straight away, we are launched into the action with Rhiandra’s horrific assault and then her slow recovery from her injuries. The differences between the original Snow White story meant that it was almost impossible to predict what would happen next, so it wasn’t predictable. But there’s also a lot of worldbuilding here, all done well � there are no huge info dumps.
Overall Her Dark Reflection is a great new dark fantasy retelling, with a great twist. It was very easy when reading to forget that this was meant to be a retelling of Snow White’s story � Hailey Jade has really made Snow White’s story her own. If you enjoy dark romances and don’t mind a few graphic scenes, you’ll love this!...more
We’re back in the beautiful Sussex Downs in The Colour of Summer by Victoria Connelly.
Thank you to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for sending me We’re back in the beautiful Sussex Downs in The Colour of Summer by Victoria Connelly.
Thank you to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for sending me an ARC of The Colour of Summer in return for an honest review.
Abi, Edward, Aura and Harry are still living in Winfield Hall in the Sussex Downs. They have been welcomed by two new tenants, Samantha and Tim � while Tim is settling in well, Samantha is causing difficulties with her noisy lifestyle. And Edward and Abi still have yet to confess their feelings for each other!
It was wonderful to get back to Winfield Hall � as before, Victoria really captures the essence of the house as being bright and airy, and the books feel warm and comforting (even in the scary, dramatic moments, of which there are a few!). I really enjoyed this final installment.
This book switches between perspectives from all four main characters: Edward, Harry, Abi and Aura. All four are very likeable and relatable. We learn more about each character’s past, too � Aura visits her mother for the first time in the books. Edward’s wayward brother, Oscar, is also back in this book (and no, he hasn’t changed after the events of High Blue Sky!).
I loved seeing Aura and Harry’s romance develop, and how Aura’s relationship with his family has deepened. It was really touching how they have embraced Aura as part of their family, and I loved that his mother apologies for her previous behaviour.
But the main thing I wanted to know was, will Abi and Edward finally confess their feelings for each other? For the last two books they have been skirting around the question, with both too scared to open up about how they feel. And when Abi started dating Oscar in High Blue Sky it looked like their romance might never happen. But at the start of The Colour of Summer, Edward is determined to change that. I absolutely loved Edward and Abi’s sections because I just wanted to know what might happen. I have loved following their journey.
This is such a fantastic, romantic and touching series. The characters are so well-written, relatable and likeable. The whole setting just felt soothing, relaxing and cozy � I love seeing Sussex through Victoria’s eyes! If you are looking for a perfect summer read, I can’t recommend this series more. And it’s the perfect time to read the books too as now the series is completed, so no waiting to find out what happens next!...more
The Insurgent follows Asher, Noah and Brynn once more as they try to fight against The Colonists (the rich and privileged) from kidnapping children anThe Insurgent follows Asher, Noah and Brynn once more as they try to fight against The Colonists (the rich and privileged) from kidnapping children and adults from the outside world. Anyone with desirable characteristics has their genes harvested to suit the latest trends, or to enhance abilities, such as making someone more intelligent or less clumsy. Asher, Noah and Brynn are part of the Insurgents, who raid these labs to rescue these people.
It picks up exactly where Subject A36 left off, so you'd need to have read the first book to enjoy this one and follow along. Like Subject A36, The Insurgent is really fast-paced and packs a lot of story and character development into its 200 or so pages. It's just as good as its predecessor!
The main point of view in this story is Declan's, with a few chapters from Brynn's perspective too. This makes a fun change from Subject A36 which is almost entirely told from Asher's point of view. It gives great insights into Declan and Brynn, and I enjoyed that it was mixed up so much. The main thing missing here was a perspective from Silas's point of view - giving us some insight into his motives. Subject A36 had some chapters from Dr Everly's perspective, which really added to the story.
I loved the new characters that were added in this book, but I did hope to learn a bit more about them - while some are really important to the story, we don't learn much about them. But we did learn more about Paige, who in Subject A36 was a little mysterious - it was great to find out about her past! As with Subject A36, all the characters feel so realistic. Brynn is a great main character - a really strong young woman, and her romance with Asher is really touching.
The story moves along really well, with a few twists along the way - some I saw coming, and a few I didn't. It kept me on my toes throughout. I like that the story ends on an optimistic and hopeful note - I love dystopian fiction but a positive spin is rare!
From the ending, it feels like this is a duology rather than a longer series, but I certainly would enjoy reading more in this world. It's brilliantly written, with fantastic, realistic characters and the story is imaginative. While it's fast-paced, it never feels rushed. This is a great series about love, friendship and 'found family' that I'd recommend to anyone looking for a new YA dystopian series to read!...more
Up in the far north, away from everything you know and dream about, lies a small village called Shady Hollow. There are many settlements in the woods,
Up in the far north, away from everything you know and dream about, lies a small village called Shady Hollow. There are many settlements in the woods, far from the cities and the bustling world. Shady Hollow is only one such community, where woodland creatures of all types and temperaments, from the tiny mouse to the mighty moose, live together in a successful and mostly peaceful society.
Shady Hollow is a cozy murder mystery with a fun twist � the whole village and cast are animals. The village of Shady Hollow is rocked by a murder, and reporter Vera Vixen is determined to find out the truth.
First of all, I loved the cover of this book, and I'm excited to see that the covers of the next two instalments, Cold Clay and Mirror Lake, line up with this one to create a cute scene from Shady Hollow.
I loved the small, local village feel to the book and the characters, who keep some of their animal traits and stereotypes. For example, Vera mentions Heidegger, an owl, to a rabbit who still shivers with fear involuntarily. Heidegger is still a "night owl" with great night vision and is considered very wise by the local community, well educated with a wealth of knowledge that Vera uses on a couple of occasions.
All of the characters are utterly charming and really won me over. They are all so unique. My favourite character was probably Lenore Lee, a raven who runs the local bookshop, Nevermore Books � which is cleverly designed so that Lenore can fly between the different floors. I loved her enthusiasm and research on famous detectives to help Vera solve the case!
This was such a delight to read, I loved it. The narrative voice is light and humorous with fun references throughout the book, such as references to Sherlock Holmes: "Reichenbach Falls = bad spot for getaway vacation." As well as this, Shady Hollow is about 200 pages long so it's a really short and fast read. It's the perfect escapist read � I read this when I was ill with COVID and it brought a huge smile to my face while reading. It's utterly charming.
The next books in the series will be out soon (Cold Clay on 5th March and Mirror Lake on 28th April), so you don't have to wait long to find out what happens next!...more
Thank you to HarperCollins UK and HarperFiction for giving me a free Advanced Review Copy of Plain Bad Heroines in return for an honest review.
First oThank you to HarperCollins UK and HarperFiction for giving me a free Advanced Review Copy of Plain Bad Heroines in return for an honest review.
First of all: it has taken me SO LONG to get to this book, for which I can only apologise. I was given a copy of this book in August 2020, and has now just been published in paperback, so I am definitely way behind on this one!
Plain Bad Heroines first caught my eye with that stunning and very eye-catching cover � and the premise of a gothic horror really intrigued me too!
The story changes between 1902 and 2014. In 1902, two young students, Flo and Clara, are students at The Brookhants School for Girls. They become obsessed with Mary MacLane, a young author of a memoir � even starting their own fan club, The Plain Bad Heroine Society. Unfortunately, both girls are killed by an angry swarm of yellow jackets (or wasps), and more victims die soon after in strange circumstances. Fast-forward to 2014, and a book exploring the school's history is now going to be made into a horror film. The book's author, Merritt Emmons, is thrown together on set with the two stars: celebrity actor and 'it girl' Harper Harper as Flo and former child star Audrey Wells as Clara.
I read this as both an eBook (given to me by the publisher) and as an audiobook (purchased myself). I really loved the audiobook narrator, Xe Sands � she did a fantastic job and really gave life to the characters! The narrator throughout the book has a very tongue-in-cheek style of humour, which I thought Xe captured well, and when reading the eBook I definitely heard the story in her voice.
I loved all of the main characters in this book, from both historical settings and modern day. I think I most felt sorry for Alex, the partner of Brookhants School's headmistress in 1902. She seems to be most affected by the curse, and I think she deserved better! The relationship between Merritt, Harper and Flo were intriguing, being intertwined and a little messy. It felt like all three were a little out of their depth. Harper particularly gives an interesting commentary on the cult of celebrity and social media, with her every move tweeted and Instagrammed for everyone to see and comment on.
However, the book is really long at 623 pages, and I felt that it could have been cut shorter. The ending especially was a bit of a disappointment for me � it felt like it was building to a big crescendo which never happened. I was also a little confused by what happened and what was going on at the end, which was a shame as the rest of the book is incredibly well-written, with vivid scenes and incredibly atmospheric. While this is supposed to be a horror, I was left feeling dissatisfied and unsure how much of the goings on were real and how many were imagined.
Overall, I did enjoy Plain Bad Heroines and it's one that I think I would go back to in a few years time. I'm not sure I'd refer to it as a horror, but it's certainly an atmospheric story that pulled me in with all the mystery and goings on. The narrator of the story is also interesting with lots of pop culture references and humour that kept me interested throughout.
(Also, I only found out afterwards when I finished the book that Mary MacLane's I Await the Devil's Coming is a real book, not fictional, and that 'yellowjackets' are actually wasps, or perhaps hornets. Maybe this will spare somebody some confusion!)...more
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