Tag: fiction

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls #1) by Deborah Harkness [BOOK REVIEW] A Discovery of Witches (All Souls #1) by Deborah Harkness [BOOK REVIEW]
Book Review · Books

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls #1) by Deborah Harkness [BOOK REVIEW]

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A Discovery of Witches (All Souls #1) by Deborah Harkness [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls #1) by Deborah Harkness [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 688

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Paranormal

Publisher: Headline

Format I read it in: Paperback

Rating: ★★★

A world of witches, daemons and vampires. A manuscript which holds the secrets of their past and the key to their future. Diana and Matthew – the forbidden love at the heart of it.

When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, it’s an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordered life. Though Diana is a witch of impeccable lineage, the violent death of her parents while she was still a child convinced her that human fear is more potent than any witchcraft. Now Diana has unwittingly exposed herself to a world she’s kept at bay for years; one of powerful witches, creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires. Sensing the significance of Diana’s discovery, the creatures gather in Oxford, among them the enigmatic Matthew Clairmont, a vampire genticist. Diana is inexplicably drawn to Matthew and, in a shadowy world of half-truths and old enmities, ties herself to him without fully understanding the ancient line they are crossing. As they begin to unlock the secrets of the manuscript and their feelings for each other deepen, so the fragile balance of peace unravels…

Thoughts:

It’s a shame, but “A Discovery of Witches” was a bit too slow for my taste. It started very promising and instantly captured my interest. We have Diana, who knows she’s a witch, but has chosen to not use any of her powers. Until she does it without realising. And this occurrence captures the interest of other witches, but also vampires and demons. This is how Diana ends up meeting Matthew, who is a vampire. And as soon as the two meet, they instantly bond.

I will be brutally honest and admit that I stopped reading the book a few chapters later. And it took me a good few weeks to get myself to continue reading it again. The book was boring and monotone and nothing really noteworthy happened, apart from Diana getting to know Matthew and discovering his red flags, one red flag at a time.

“A Discovery of Witches” starts to get interesting again once Diana starts to learn more about her powers. A lot of secrets then come flooding to the surface and the stakes get higher. The ending was quite enjoyable. It kept me intrigued and it kept me guessing. The book ending made me curious about what’s next, and that is the only reason I’ll be continuing with the series. Okay, maybe the other reason is that I already own the next two books in the series, so it would be a shame to leave them untouched. I loved all the stories about  alchemy, magic and evolution and I wish we had more of that. When it comes to the romance part, unfortunately, I wasn’t a fan. Maybe book two will introduce us to a demon, and give me “Jacob from Twilight” vibes? You never know, a girl can only hope…

Matthew left out his breath and sat back in his chair, staring at the chessboard. His queen stood encircled by his own pieces – pawns, a knight, and a rook. Across the board his king was checked by a lowly black pawn. The game was over, and he had lost.
“There’s more to the game than protecting your queen.” Hamish said. “Why do you find it so difficult to remember that it’s the king who’s not expendable?”
“The king just sits there, moving one square at a time. The queen can move so freely. I suppose I’d rather lose the game than forfeit her freedom.”

About the Author:

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls #1) by Deborah Harkness [BOOK REVIEW]

Deborah Harkness is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who draws on her expertise as an historian of science, medicine, and the history of the book to create rich narratives steeped in magical realism, historical curiosity, and deeply human questions about what it is that makes us who we are.

The first book in Harkness’s beloved All Souls series, A Discovery of Witches, was an instant New York Times bestseller and the series has since expanded with the addition of subsequent NYT bestsellers, Shadow of Night (2012), The Book of Life (2014), and Time’s Convert (2018), as well as the companion reader, The World of All Souls. The All Souls series has been translated in thirty-eight languages.

Website

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The Book Of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey [BOOK REVIEW] The Book Of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey [BOOK REVIEW]
Book Review · Books

The Book Of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey [BOOK REVIEW]

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The Book Of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

The Book Of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 397

Genre: Fiction, Dystopia, Speculative Fiction

Publisher: John Murray

Format I read it in: Uncorrected Proof / Netgalley

Rating: ★★★★


“The Book of Guilt” was the first book I read from Catherine Chidgey. I know for certain it will not be my last by any means. The story is about the triplets William, Vincent and Lawrence, always dressed in yellow, red and green. They live in the Captain Scott Home for Boys and Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night look after them.

There used to be more children in the home, but now they are the only ones left.

They are often poorly and the mothers give them medications and injections. The doctor also comes often to check on their health. Every morning, when they wake up, their dreams are recorded in the Book of Dreams. They take lessons from the mothers from the Book of Knowledge. And if they are naughty, it’s all reported in the Book of Guilt. 

One day, they overhear the locals talk about them in the village, and learn something that turns their lives upside down. All of a sudden, they start questioning everything they’ve known. 

The more I was reading, the deeper the rabbit hole was starting to get. We find things out through the boys, and the book highlights on some intriguing psychological and sociological topics – on the border of what is deemed morally and ethically wrong if done for the right reasons.

“But sometimes we love those who are not kind to us.”

 It’s certainly a book that opens the floor up for discussions.

Somehow, I know it will be a hit with book clubs. I also personally enjoyed the relationship between the triplets and how their personalities came together and at times clashed. I quite enjoyed this book and will be looking for the next one that Catherine writes!

About the Author:

The Book Of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey [BOOK REVIEW]

Catherine Chidgey is a novelist and short story writer whose work has been published to international acclaim. In a Fishbone Church won Best First Book at the New Zealand Book Awards and at the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize in her region. In the UK it won the Betty Trask Award and was longlisted for the Orange Prize. Golden Deeds was Time Out’s book of the year, a Notable Book of the Year in The New York Times and a Best Book in the LA Times.

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The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent [BOOK REVIEW] The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent [BOOK REVIEW]
Book Review · Books

The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent [BOOK REVIEW]

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The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 352

Genre: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher: Viking

Format I read it in: Uncorrected Proof

Rating: ★★★★


Have you ever imagined running away from your life?

Well Birdy Finch didn’t just imagine it. She did it. Which might’ve been an error. And the life she’s run into? Her best friend, Heather’s.

The only problem is, she hasn’t told Heather. Actually there are a few other problems…

Can Birdy carry off a summer at a luxury Scottish hotel pretending to be her best friend (who incidentally is a world-class wine expert)?

And can she stop herself from falling for the first man she’s ever actually liked (but who thinks she’s someone else)?

My Thoughts:

“The Summer Job” was such a wonderful read. It pleasantly surprised me. I am really hoping that someday it gets made into a movie!

Birdy decides to do something utterly reckless. She accepts a summer job at the highland Scottish hotel as a wine expert. The catch is – she is pretending to be her best friend, Heather. And although Heather made it perfectly clear she will not be accepting this job, so she can spend more time enjoying Europe with the man she just met, she has no clue Birdy is doing this.

Birdy is useless when it comes to wine knowledge, but she’s going with the “fake it ‘till you make it” attitude. What doesn’t help is that this hotel is actually at a loss and desperate for a good Sommelier to save their summer and their business. Basically, “Heather, the Sommelier” is their best hope, and instead, they get noobie Birdy. 

At first, I was astonished by the audacity of Birdy’s decision, even though I can understand why she did it. She needed a place to live and Heather was not going to accept it anyway, so what’s there to lose (apart from obviously, Heather’s reputation and her reputation and dignity). I was not okay with her pretending to be someone else, but she would never have been accepted otherwise. Once I judged Birdy for this for a small amount of time, I decided to move on and enjoy the story, as it promises to be quite interesting. 

As the time went by, I started to root for Birdy, and I felt her pain of carrying that secret with her.

Especially when she started catching feelings for the handsome chef, James. Without revealing anything else, I will just say this book is such a pleasurable read. It has a weird sense of nostalgia in it, to the summer days when we would do summer jobs and all the adventures and memories those summer sunsets would bring. If you’ve ever watched “High School Musical 2”, you might know what feelings I am talking about. The hotel staff felt like a large family and the way they cared about each other was heartwarming. A funny and feel-good romance story – one of those gems that are good for the soul. I warmly recommend it. 

About the Author:

The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent [BOOK REVIEW]

Lizzy Dent (miss)spent her early twenties working in Scotland in hospitality, in a hotel not unlike the one in this novel. She somehow ended up in a glamourous job travelling the world creating content for various TV companies, including MTV, Channel 4, Cartoon Network, the BBC and ITV. After publishing three young adult novels, she decided to write a novel that reflected the real women she knew, who don’t always know where they’re going in life, but who always have fun doing it. The Summer Job is that novel.

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The Private Jet by Sarah Goodwin [BOOK REVIEW] The Private Jet by Sarah Goodwin [BOOK REVIEW]
Book Review · Books

The Private Jet by Sarah Goodwin [BOOK REVIEW]

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About The Book:

Pages: 347

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Publisher: Avon Books

Format I read it in: Uncorrected Proof

Rating: ★★★★


Glitz, glamour, and a deadly game at 30,000 feet…THE HIGHER YOU FLY…

In the dazzling lights of Thailand, socialite Lila Wilde is ready for the best night of her life. When her fame-hungry DJ boyfriend proposes in an exclusive nightclub, Lila impulsively invites a mix of celebrities and strangers to continue the celebrations back at her luxurious villa — only a short flight away over the lush Thai jungle.

THE HARDER YOU FALL.

The mood on Lila’s private jet is electric, pulsing with music, champagne, and the promise of an unforgettable afterparty. But as the plane cuts through the night sky, excitement turns to tension. And when the lights suddenly go out, a sinister new game begins. Trapped at 30,000 feet, secrets unravel, trust shatters, and the party turns truly deadly.

Fasten your seatbelt — this is a ride you won’t forget.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed “The Private Jet” way more than I anticipated. What I thought was going to be a plane crash mystery, turned out to be a full season of “Survivor” with a dark twist. Incredibly thrilling and excitingly fast-paced.

The story starts when rich Lila Wilde and her boyfriend Bryce go on a holiday. On this holiday, during a wild party, Lila invites everyone to her private jet to continue the party. What no one expects to happen is for the plane to crash in the middle of the jungle.

The character building and development is incredible. Especially with Lila, whilst she discovers people’s true nature and herself having to do some gruesome things to survive. It was amazing to see how the team dynamic changes and what people are willing to do to survive. It reminded me of the Hunger Games a little bit. Everyone that survives a plane crash very soon shifts into a survival mode, and very soon they realise that the jungle is a dangerous place to be stuck in, but not the only enemy. Suddenly, it no longer matters who has the most wealth, but who is the strongest in the group. 

I couldn’t help but wonder what I might do if I were in Lila’s situation. It’s quite scary to think it’s a possibility, especially in this day and age where we are used to the comfort of the modern world. After the first half of the book, I couldn’t put it down. It gripped me and kept pleasantly surprising me. The ending was satisfying, and I love the idea of the book asking the reader a question. This book would make a perfect choice for a book club, I am already anxious to speak to someone about it. The most satisfying part is that one character that receives their karma back. Chef’s kiss. Would I recommend it? Absolutely! It’s too good a thriller not to. Definitely worth your time.

About the Author:

Sarah Goodwin is a novelist who grew up in rural Hertfordshire and now lives in Cornwall, where she continues to be inspired by the perils of both nature and mankind alike.

Sarah graduated in 2014 with an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. After writing several historical novels, she decided to return to her roots and write instead about the wild, the darkness and survival, inspiring the ‘Stranded’ which would become her first professionally published novel.

Since 2021 she has gone on to write many more thrillers for Avon, most recently her fifth novel ‘The Yacht’ with a sixth coming in Summer 2024.

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The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri [BOOK REVIEW] The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri [BOOK REVIEW]
Book Review · Books

The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri [BOOK REVIEW]

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The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 400

Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher: Manilla Press

Format I read it in: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★


Among the ashes, they found hop…

In a tiny, beautiful Greek village, deep in an ancient forest, live a family – Irini, Tasso and their daughter, sweet Chara. One day their world is rocked when a forest fire consumes the village, leaving houses burned and lives irreparably damaged.

But while Tasso and Chara struggle to find the courage to bear what has happened, Irini is tormented by guilt for her part in the fate of the man who started the fire…

My Thoughts:

When you put tradition, tragedy, pain, healing and hope, you get “The Book of Fire”. This book will touch you, humble you and make you grateful for the things you have. 

“Was it Aristotle who said that man is a political animal? Not that we are all born to take an active interest in party politics, but it is in our nature to live in a polis, a community.”

“The Book of Fire” is one of those books where you will always remember what you did and where you were when you read it. I was on a plane to Macedonia, about to spend time with family. And I am certain that this book changed my experience for the better, and I will never forget that.

“The sensitive ones always have secrets in their hearts, and if they are talented, they will find the means to reveal those secrets. Because they are secrets that must be told.”

Irini and Tasso live in a town in Greece, with their daughter Chara. And their lives unfortunately are separated with the “before” and “after” the wildfires.

Fires that destroy villages, houses and families.

The book is divided into the past and present. The past is told through a book that Irini is writing, explaining what happened. The present is the family going through the aftermath of the tragedy and trying to move on and heal.

“To live our lives with a sense of justice in our hearts would inevitably mean seeking fairness in the way people are treated by others – or indeed by us.”

Without revealing too much, the story is quite emotional and deals with loss and personal injuries. But also on the positive side, it shows solidarity of the people in that town. And the hope that they all so desperately cling onto. It sends a positive message to be grateful for the moments you have with the people you love, because tomorrow is never promised. It also shows the character’s resilience to keep moving forward.

“He understood that trees exist in a different timeframe to us, that we are mere visitors in their world.”

I am certain that many years later I will return and pick this book up again, and all the memories associated with it will come back flooding. And that feeling that I had whilst reading the book, as emotional as it was, it was also full of hope and promise of a better tomorrow. That feeling is the sole reason I am recommending this book to you.

“In mythology, Zeus gave Hermes two gifts for humankind: shame and justice. When Hermes asked if he should distribute these gifts to some and not others, Zeus said no. Every single person should possess these gifts, so that they could all learn to live together.”

About the Author:

The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri [BOOK REVIEW]

Christy Lefteri was born in London in 1980 to Greek Cypriot parents who moved to London in 1974. She completed a degree in English and a Masters in creative writing at Brunel University. Christy taught English to foreign students and then became a secondary school teacher before leaving to pursue a PhD and to write. She is also studying to become a psychotherapist.

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