Shantanu

Been wanting to finish Annihilation for a while, and it did not disappoint! Jeff VanderMeer completely skips trying to overexplain the mechanics & "science" of Area X, focusing entirely on building this thick, slow-creeping dread that really hooked me right from the beginning. The way it blends cosmic horror with nature quietly taking back the earth is just incredibly eerie.

It's a short read though but the surreal visuals and that heavy, mysterious atmosphere lingered with me for quite some time. Definitely planning to dive into the rest of the trilogy down the line to see where this madness goes!

A solid start to a new era of Percy Jackson's world. It initially felt like the story was trying too hard to expand the universe but once things settled in, I liked where it was going. Leo was easily my favorite, Piper was decent and Jason’s Roman background ended up being the most interesting part for me.

A really strong and satisfying conclusion to the series. Loved how every character gets their moment, and the ending still lands just as well.

Meet Me at Blue Hour had a really interesting premise with the whole memory erasure concept, and I did enjoy the emotional tone and some of the quieter moments between the characters. The “blue hour” theme and the ending were especially nice.

That said, the story relies a bit too much on the back-and-forth of memory removal and recovery. It started to feel forced after a while, like the plot needed it to keep moving. Still a decent read overall.

Just finished Absolute Batman, Vol. 1: The Zoo and yeah… this one’s just really good. Not mind-blowing, but such a solid read.

After reading Absolute Superman, Vol. 1, this felt way stronger overall. It’s a new take on Batman, but still manages to keep him as cool as ever, which honestly feels impossible to mess up.

I was a bit unsure how this new version of the character would work, but it actually lands really well. The action sequences are genuinely great, and the story ties everything together in a way that makes sense. Nothing feels forced.

Overall, a very fun and confident start for this version of Batman - definitely more exciting than I expected.

Wow, this hits very differently now. Didn’t enjoy this much back in school but now it’s one of the most engaging in the series, for me. More serious, more emotional and way more impactful than I remembered. Loved the shift in tone and how much the characters have grown.

“You should try not to talk so much, friend. You’ll sound far less stupid that way.” - Kelsier

Mistborn: The Final Empire was a really solid start to the trilogy for me. I loved how unique and well-explained the magic system felt; once Allomancy clicks, it’s genuinely so fun to read. The world is dark and interesting and the whole rebellion setup keeps things engaging. That said, while I enjoyed the journey and some big moments really hit (especially towards the end), I wasn’t completely hooked all the way through. Still, a strong foundation for what feels like a much bigger story ahead.

Score: 3.75/5

Just finished Absolute Superman, Vol. 1: Last Dust of Krypton and this one feels way more introspective and heavier than the usual Superman stories. The whole Krypton legacy angle carries a constant sense of loss throughout, which I really liked.

I was expecting a more drastic change to Kal-El’s origin in this new universe, but a lot of it still feels familiar.

What really stood out though were the fresh takes on other known characters, especially Lois Lane being an agent instead of a reporter. Overall, a solid start, even if it plays a bit safe in parts.

Things start getting more serious here, and I loved that shift. New characters, higher stakes and a much more emotional core. Blackjack you are the best!

A decent follow-up, but didn’t hit as hard as the first one for me. Still fun, just felt a bit less memorable overall.

Incredibly smart and tightly written. The Emperor’s Soul takes a fascinating magic concept and turns it into a thoughtful exploration of identity, art and power. Shai is such a compelling protagonist and the philosophical tension between characters makes the story feel bigger than its page count. Brilliant for a novella!

Series re-read begins! Thanks to the new Disney+ Series for this motivation 😂 This book is such a fun and easy introduction to this world. Loved the humour, the pacing and how effortlessly it pulls you into Greek mythology.

 Elantris was a great introduction to the Cosmere for me. The magic system felt original and thoughtfully explained, the themes reflected real-world ideas in an interesting way and the characters were solid throughout. It made me curious about the larger universe and excited to keep reading Sanderson's work. A strong book and a great starting point! 

 Rule of Wolves is a solid but heavy conclusion to the Grishaverse. I loved Zoya's arc and appreciated the political depth but the pacing and emotional weight made it harder for me to fully enjoy. Some choices worked really well, others didn't land as strongly for me. A thoughtful ending overall. 

I finally got around to reading Circe and as someone who loves Greek mythology, I really appreciated this retelling from Circe's perspective. The writing is calm and reflective and I liked how the story focused more on her growth, emotions, and choices rather than big mythological action. 

Yes, it does feel slow and emotionally heavy at times, but that didn't take me out of the book. I was okay with the ending; not fully satisfied but not disappointed either. Overall, it's a thoughtful read and an easy recommendation if you enjoy Greek myth retellings, like me! 

Days at the Torunka Café was like stepping into a quiet little corner of Tokyo where time moves slower and people cross paths in delicate, unexpected ways. It follows multiple storylines happening inside the same café, and I actually liked how the book lets different characters drift in and out. Each story has its own mood and message. But because the book keeps shifting tones between the different arcs, it didn’t always feel consistent to me. Some parts were emotional and gentle, others felt slightly detached, and that made the overall experience a bit uneven.

It’s definitely a cosy read, yes. The café setting is warm and comforting and there’s this underlying theme of people carrying quiet burdens, finding connection, and stumbling into small moments of healing. If you like reflective, subtle stories, this book fits the vibe perfectly.

But personally, I didn’t find it as interesting or engaging as I expected. Maybe it’s because I enjoyed Days at the Morisaki Bookshop so much, and I was hoping for that same emotional pull here or maybe, a linear story. Torunka Café has similar gentleness, but the plot isn’t as gripping and the characters didn’t connect with me the same way. Some moments hit nicely but others felt too slow or didn’t leave much impact.

Still, I think the book does what it sets out to do - it offers a few soft stories tied together by a comforting space, perfect for a quiet reading day. If you enjoy short, calming reads with emotional themes, this one is easy to recommend. It just wasn’t one of my favourites from Yagisawa.

Overall, the book is cosy and warm but not the most memorable for me.

I’ve been continuing my little journey through the Grishaverse and finally picked up the King of Scars duology and honestly, I was very excited for this one. I’ve always loved Nikolai in the Shadow & Bone trilogy, and knowing that this series would explore his darker side had me extra curious! It feels like stepping back into a familiar world but everything is heavier now. The tone shifts a lot from the earlier books (in a good way) as you can sense how much Ravka has been through.

The story follows three main perspectives: Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina. I actually ended up enjoying all of their arcs. Nikolai remains one of my favourite characters, even though this book shows a more haunted, restrained version of him. I did miss his usual sass and charm (those little moments were the best!) but I was also fascinated by how much the Darkling’s lingering influence still affects him: physically and emotionally. Zoya’s chapters were surprisingly compelling too; she’s colder at first but her growth in this book really stood out. And Nina… well, her storyline made me emotional more times than I expected, especially with where she is in life now after Crooked Kingdom.

What I liked most was how the story balances political tension, personal trauma and that classic Grishaverse magic. It’s definitely slower compared to the Six of Crows duology but it felt right for the kind of story it wanted to tell; something more introspective, more complex. The worldbuilding is richer, the stakes feel heavier and there’s this constant sense that something big is coming (and there were some great moments too).

And yes… the ending. OH. MY. GOD. I can’t believe Bardugo did that. I just sort of sat there after the last chapter, trying to process everything. It’s bold, chaotic and absolutely sets up something massive for the next book. I’m honestly holding myself back from immediately diving into Rule of Wolves because I need a minute to breathe but also, I need answers!

Overall, King of Scars was a super interesting shift in tone and a great continuation of the Grishaverse. It’s emotional, dark, magical, and full of twists that left me wide-eyed. I liked it.

This was my first Liz Moore book and while the premise drew me in, the pacing made it tough for me to stay engaged. The writing is solid and the mystery setup is quite intriguing, but it often felt slow and tiring to get through. The ending and reveals didn't completely satisfy me, though the atmosphere and emotions were well done. A decent read overall, just not the kind that had me racing to the last page. 

Crooked Kingdom was slower and longer than Six of Crows, but it was absolutely worth the ride. It’s emotional, clever, and full of moments that stuck with me. Bardugo wraps up the story beautifully, giving every character their due while keeping the stakes sky-high. I don’t usually love long books but this one was too captivating to put down! An amazing read. It was chaotic, heartfelt and one of the best duologies I’ve come across

 More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop felt slower and more emotional than the first book, and while I appreciated the themes of loss and healing, it didn't capture me the same way. The pacing dragged in parts and the emotional heaviness sometimes overshadowed the cosy charm I loved before. Still, it's a beautiful continuation for those who connected deeply with the first story. 

All Reviews on https://www.theshchronicles.com/Book-Club

I went into Six of Crows right after finishing Shadow & Bone trilogy and it was everything I wanted from the Grishaverse and more! The premise is clever, the writing is bold and the crew is impossible not to root for. I took my time with it but every page was worth it.

Ketterdam is gritty and full of life, the plot is tense and rewarding and the characters are written with so much detail that you can’t help but feel invested in every choice they make. Now I’m onto Crooked Kingdom because there’s no way I’m stopping here.