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My September Book of the Month
TBookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
My September Book of the Month
This is what modern epic fantasy should be! One of the best books I have ever read. The Daughters' War perfectly balances an intimate heart with an epic backdrop. From the standout characters to the warfare to the world we are thrown into, it is truly unique. In every way, this is a masterpiece.
In The Daughter's War we follow Galva as she, and her three brothers, are part of a new army that has been formed from a variety of countries and regions. This force must under all circumstances halt the seemingly unstoppable advance of the goblin armies. This seems even more unlikely the more you learn, as we see that the majority of this army are the dregs of society. They have been forced to pull on the old and young, as most of those in their prime are now dead. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Galva falls into one of these gambles. She is part of a group of 'war corvids' which are basically a mix of ostriches and ravens that have been bred specifically for war. These huge, powerful, clever creatures may represent a new hope in the war, but that hope is small, and can only be achieved as their guardians, including Galva, keep them alive and under control.
This is going to be a review of superlatives. Galva is one of the best leading characters I've ever had the pleasure of following. The war corvids are some of the best animal companions I've come across. The goblins are beyond terrifying. The world feels gritty and real and immersive. The surrounding cast leap off of the page. And the prose is just lyrical. It sucks you in and makes you really feel what it going on, whether that be the purity of a character exchange, the chaos of battle, the terror of death, the pain of grief and beyond.
After hearing Papa John Gwynne and my brother, Ed, rave about The Daughter's War, I knew I had to pick it up ASAP! And boy am I so glad I did. They were both right. This is truly epic fantasy, with huge armies, creatures bred for war, goblins, magic and more. But, it is also gritty and dark and grounded to a whole new level from most books I have read. It really is the perfect blend of fantasy and realism.
I have to dedicate a few words to the goblins. Do not let your previous conceptions of goblins cloud your judgement. These are not your usual goblins. These are nasty, built for war, brutal, terrifying goblins that are intelligent and horrifying. You feel scared when they are on the page, and for good reason. I cannot think of another creature in a fantasy tale that makes as much of an impression.
At the risk of repeating myself, The Daughter's War is, in my mind, as close to perfect as you can get. We have characters we love, and we have villains we hate, but all the characters feel so natural and organic. The tension is palpable, the twists make you gasp, the losses bring a tear to your eye, the action makes your heart thump, and when you close that final page, you are embraced by the bitter-sweet book hangover. It is a rare experience, and one I have treasured.
Received an advance copy of The Land of the Living and the Dead from the publisher in return for an honest review
I am NOT OKAY after that ending...
WelReceived an advance copy of The Land of the Living and the Dead from the publisher in return for an honest review
I am NOT OKAY after that ending...
Well, the first two instalments are brilliant, but The Land of the Living and the Dead still stands head-and-shoulders over them. This is a masterful conclusion to a truly unique historical fantasy series that gives us an epic lens into Irish mythology and Irish history whilst expertly giving us an intimate story as well that we can invest and find ourselves to be truly moved in.
With The Land of the Living and the Dead we jump back into early 11th century Ireland, as its stability hangs on a thread. A level of peace has been achieved, but how long will this last? There are always those seeking power, especially when the Fomorians are closer than ever to finding the hidden strongholds of the Descendants�.
The Land of the Living and the Dead takes the stakes to a whole new level. You feel the dire consequences of actions and events as they unfold, and these pages carry such a punch with them. Lawless provides a story that is moving and heartwarming, but also shocking and heartbreaking. It is such a rollercoaster of emotions, from heartfelt reunions and moments of truth to betrayals and deceit, this is a book that will MOVE you.
Whilst still prioritising political machinations and character interactions, there is far more action in this third instalment, and wow is it done well. From ambushes to skirmishes to duels to large battles, all are executed so well, but also in a way where you really feel the weight of each conflict. Also, the off-screen battles carry more weight than I can think of in any other series. You really feel the fate of our characters could change at any second.
Something particularly unique to the Gael Song series is the equal light shone on the villains as well as the heroes. You understand the reasons and motivations for each perspective you follow, so there are not villains for villains sake. Each is a fully-fleshed out character with their own dreams and ambitions.
This is a truly masterful conclusion to the Gael Song trilogy, and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the next era of the conflict between the Fomorians and the Descendants. I am not okay after the end of this book, and need time to recover�.
5/5 STARS
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My 2nd favourite book of 2024!
MBookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
My 2nd favourite book of 2024!
My brother recently read and loved this after it won the Waterstones Debut Award, so I trusted his judgement and picked it up. I am so glad that I did.
Glorious Exploits is a truly unique read. It has characters that leap from the page, an engaging plot, a wonderful writing style and a story you can connect with. All the hallmarks of an excellent book. But this also has that 'X' factor that is so often indescribable. Ferdia Lennon brings all these elements together to weave a truly masterful read that makes you laugh, makes you sweat with fear, and makes you cry. Very few books can achieve all three, and it is done expertly in Glorious Exploits.
We are thrust into 412 BC Syracuse, after an Athenian force have failed to conquer them. The Athenian prisoners has been thrown into a quarry to slowly starve, and during this time two recently jobless potters decide to go to the quarry and feed the Athenian prisoners who can quote lines from the plays of Euripides, an Athenian playwright. This then evolves into them deciding to direct a play, with the prisoners as the cast....
“If I’m honest, some days I still come here to sniff and stroll and lose myself in other worlds, and like when I was a kid, I wonder if the real places are anything like I’m imagining, and just like then, I wince, for something tells me I’ll never know, but it’s still a buzz.�
Glorious Exploits took this very unique premise and runs away with it, with a humorous undertone to the style that was very amusing, but also provoked a visceral reaction at times when it contrasted with the content, which can be very brutal. This could have come across as jarring, but in my opinion a balance was struck that perfectly exploited (my pun of the day) its potential.
This is a read that I would recommend to everyone, no matter if they mainly read historical fiction, thriller, fantasy, horror or poetry. It is a book that hooks you and refuses to let you go, investing you in the characters and exploring the human condition along the way.
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The more King the better, so I BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
The more King the better, so I dived into his latest release, You Like It Darker! It delivers on its title....
This is a fantastic short story collection. Stephen King still has it, and he demonstrates that seemingly with ease. His skill at crafting character and tension is just wonderful, from terrifying people who could be real in Willie the Weirdo, to exploring the supernatural with Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream, there is such an array of intriguing and engaging stories.
There was only one that did not click with me, whilst all the rest were so enjoyable in different ways.
Short story collections are perfect for dipping into when you have time, or when you want a little break from longer stories, and in You Like it Darker, King gives quality aplenty that you can dive into.
Very lucky that the publishers have sent me an ARC of Arthur in return for an honest review!
“He watched them die, those horse lords. Those gods of warVery lucky that the publishers have sent me an ARC of Arthur in return for an honest review!
“He watched them die, those horse lords. Those gods of war. The clamour of it ebbed even as the light leached from the land, but he knew he would hear it always. He watched until it was done.�
We follow a grim, disillusioned mercenary named Beran. He kills for money, but then he is ordered to kill a boy. And no ordinary boy at that. It is a boy who could unite Britain, but only if he lives�.
I imagine everyone has seen or read or watched many different takes on the Arthurian legend, but please do not let that move you away from this. Arthur, as well as the two companion novels, Lancelot and Camelot, offer such a unique perspective. This is historically based, as we are thrust into a Britain now with little hope of fighting back the seemingly endless waves of Saxons.
Giles Kristian once again proves his writing prowess. His characterisation is simply sensational, with character growth occurring so naturally, in a way that does not feel forced by plot. It is really just amazing how immersive and engaging this story is, and a huge contributor to that is how natural and vivid the characters feel.
“‘The songs say I will come again.� He lifts his chin. ‘Here I am.’�
I will continue to profess my love for this book as I now turn my attention to the themes. We have the battle between tragedy and heroism, but we also have an exploration of themes that usually aren’t engaged with as much. Such as the double-edged sword of memory is exposed as Beran is forced to confront his past, and finds both solace and pain in it. This engagement with themes that contribute to the plot but also simultaneously enriches the characterisation has such a strong impact on the reading experience. I’ve said it already, but I’ll say it again. Giles Kristian uses his vast writing skills to weave a tapestry that immerses you and shocks you, but also moves you and has a lasting impact.
This is just extraordinary. Arthur like you have never seen it before, yet it resonates in your heart just the same. The character arcs are brilliant, the world vivid, the plot unpredictable, the prose lyrical. It is a joy to pick up.
If you like Arthurian literature, you should love this. If you enjoy historical fiction, you should this. But if you just love an immersive story with standout characters, you should also love this.
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In Cold Blood is a truly disturBookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
In Cold Blood is a truly disturbing read that unflinchingly examines the psyche of two murderers in this true-crime account. It really is genius how Truman Capote weaves a tapestry between a wide cast of real figures, looking at the family who were murdered, who killed them, and everyone whose lives were changed on that dreadful night.
Another text on my university reading list. I believe this is on there to show how the genre of non-fiction can be pushed beyond the parameters we expect, or at least of what was expected when this was written. Since then, it has become a canonical text, due to the way it presents a true crime story.
This is an utterly horrifying, engaging and shocking read that dissects the tragic murder of a family by two men. We are taken through the days prior to the murder, as well as the weeks and months and years after, looking at those it impacted, and how the murderers came to be caught.
It is not necessary at all to do any of your own research, but when I spent just ten minutes reading about the context of Truman Capote and how In Cold Blood was formed, it added yet another intriguing layer, especially with little facts like finding out that Harper Lee (author of To Kill a Mockingbird), was a childhood friend of Capote and played a key role in the early research for In Cold Blood. Again though, this is not a necessity at all.
This also looks at the past of the murderers. I'm not sure it is something you can ever understand, but In Cold Blood attempts to find out what made these people commit such an atrocious act, looking at their childhood, everything we know about their past, and the opinions of those who knew them.
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I loved Egil's Saga, and here iBookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
I loved Egil's Saga, and here is another that I have on my university reading list.....
Gisli Surrson's Saga is yet another saga that I thought was fantastic. One aspect I love is how concise the style is. Already, the setting has been set, with the ancestry of our titular character also being established, as well as duels, death, revenge and marriage. Only the sagas could do that in two pages....
We have brilliant character moments, and vivid, evolving character relationships that are just great to follow. Gisli is a character who is magnanimous, brave, loyal and skilled, but as the saga says many times, fortune does not favour him.......more
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Finally found a time where I caBookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
Finally found a time where I can give Return to Edan the attention it deserves! The first two books in this series are brilliant. Seriously impressive works that blend classic and modern fantasy with compelling characters, an epic plot and smooth, effective prose.
Well, Return to Edan lives up to its predecessors and finishes off The Edan Trilogy brilliantly. Twists and turns along the way. Satisfying moments. Great building of tension. Epic action sequences, as well as powerful moments between our characters during the slow moments.
In Return to Edan, Philip Chase shows his skill at crafting a wide range of characters, not only making them immediately distinctive, but also keeping them intriguing and engaging throughout the entire story.
Re-read this incredible (not biased) final instalment of The Bloodsworn Saga as part of a read-along. This is truly epic. Sea battles, monsters, siegeRe-read this incredible (not biased) final instalment of The Bloodsworn Saga as part of a read-along. This is truly epic. Sea battles, monsters, sieges, ambushes and duels. But, whilst I love the epic action, that is because of the emotional attachment to our characters crafted in the quieter moments. The characterisation is just masterful. So proud of Papa John Gwynne for another incredible series finale.
THE FURY OF THE GODS IS A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!!!! So proud of Papa Gwynne :)!...more
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Another saga on my module readiBookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
Another saga on my module reading list. Papa Gwynne said this is one of his favourites, so of course I could not wait to dive in.
Egil's Saga is just fantastic. It transports us into a Norse family saga, with the main character being the titular character of Egil, who is an incredibly complex anti-hero. I love the pragmatic style to the storytelling and also in the mindsets of our characters, as we see their versions of justice and vengeance, how they deal with love and loss, loyalty and betrayal, tragedy and heroism.
Possibly my favourite text I've read for university so far!
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I've finally read book 2, nearlBookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
I've finally read book 2, nearly two years after I read A Wolf Den. I was slightly worried how this would compare, as the ending of book 1 meant this sequel would have to take quite a different approach to the story, but now I realise that I should never have doubted Elodie Harper!
Just like The Wolf Den, The House with the Golden Door has fantastic characters that invest us in a tense, unpredictable plot that evolves through brilliant prose. Amara finds herself in a very different position in life, but one that is dangerous and fragile in completely different ways.
Elodie Harper has not only thought of a brilliant story with twists and turns and standout characters, she also has the skills as a writer to make every page engaging, with the subtlety to make characters jump off of the page.
I cannot say much more without spoilers, as is the problem when discussing any beyond the first book of a series, but I can say that The House with the Golden Door absolutely blew me away. One of the greatest sequels I have had the pleasure of reading, and one of my favourite reads for a long time.
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The first two instalments of thBookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
The first two instalments of this series are absolutely extraordinary. So, of course I went into the Temple of Fortuna with beyond high expectations. Elodie Harper delivered!
This is a tense, gripping conclusion that once again increases the stakes from the previous instalment, and expertly brings all the threads together. With the wonderfully varied cast of vivid characters formed from the first two books of the trilogy, Elodie Harper uses the figures we love and the figures we hate to craft an engaging story that somehow weaves the threads together into a climactic and satisfying finale.
Just as with the previous two instalments, I will continue to say that I recommend this series to all, even if this is not a genre you usually dive into. With intricate character work, a smooth writing style, and an intricate plot with twists and turns, there is something for everyone.
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My 12th Sebastien book, and oneBookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
My 12th Sebastien book, and one of my favourites. It has an excellent introduction that immediately sucks you in, and then it does not go. A swashbuckling tale, with twists and turns, standout characters, great world building and sharp, witty prose throughout.
We join Damelas Shademantaigne just as he is chaotically running away from a group of his enemies who evidently are not out to help him. Somehow, through this, he finds himself saved by pretending to be in a play in a theatre�. If that isn’t a unique fantasy setting, I don’t know what is!
Just as Damelas feels he may be able to fade into the shadows, he is cast into the spotlight and more trouble than ever, as the play becomes a focal point for many local powers, including the Duke. Through this, I loved how de Castell explores the power of literature and the power of performance, as the history of the ducky presented in Damelas’s play has resounding consequences on his own life and all those around him, especially as there are powerful people who do not like this new turn of events�
Just as always, Sebastien de Castell’s prose hooks you. With its sharp intelligence, we gradually piece together the mysteries of the world, whilst being accompanied by humour and wit that few authors can rival.
A truly fantastic start to a new series that is not too epic in scope, but feels grand enough. He brings characters to life by their distinct characteristics and dialogue, and in doing so crafts a story not only humorous and gripping, but also moving, with heart and drive as well.
I finally read The Sword of Kaigen, anMy 600th read of all time!
THIS BOOK HAS CHANGED ME
I finally read The Sword of Kaigen, and I am so glad I did. This is just spectacular. I understand what all the hype is about! Expert world building, complex characters and a writing style that brilliantly weaves our characters and plot lines together.
Misaki is one of the greatest characters I have come across. A warrior past, she is forced to push that away and become a housewife who merely carries out the will of her husband in a patriarchal society. M. L. Wang deals with this repression so incredibly. The tension, the journey, the investment we feel in Misaki and the surrounding cast is just unreal.
We have an incredible family drama that interweaves and is dragged into the tension and suspense of the wider political world, and the national conflicts that accompany that.
Whilst the action is incredible, from the battle sequences, to the duels, training and magic use is utterly fantastic, the main attraction is the character relationships.
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Papa John Gwynne recommended HoBookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - My personal BookTube channel -
Papa John Gwynne recommended Horns to me, saying it is very Stephen King-esque (which makes sense as it's written by Stephen King's son) but also feels unique. Then I heard the premise and I was hooked and just had to read it.
I am so, so glad I picked this up. Horns by Joe Hill is one of the best standalones I have ever read. Horror, dark comedy and murder mystery all in one. Standout characters, fluid prose, twists and turns and a plot that hooks you. Every now and then you come across a book that just has an indescribable quality that just elevates it to a whole new level. Joe Hill wrote Horns with a confidence that translates to every sentence.
We follow Ig, short for Ignatius (great name), a year after his girlfriend was murdered. He was the sole suspect, but was not found guilty. However, everyone believes he was the murderer, even members of his own family. A year on, Ig lives in despair. An outsider in a town he has always lived, and more alone than he thought he could ever be. On the anniversary of Merrin's death, he gets as drunk as he can. The next morning he looks in the mirror, and sees he has grown horns.... Now if that wouldn't freak you out, I don't know what would. He thinks he is hallucinating, but then people start to act very strangely around him, revealing their deepest, darkest secrets.... Ig starts to realise the Horns may have something to do with this, and thus starts a journey towards turning this new power to learning who really killed his girlfriend.
This was such an emotional rollercoaster. One minute I was laughing because of the dark humour, then I was gasping at a shock revelation, then I was welling up as Hill explores the depths of human emotion. It really is a masterful creation and definitely one of my favourite reads of the last few years. I read this in two sittings because I just could not take my eyes off of the page. Please read this!...more
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