Gemma

A more literary science fiction novel about what happens when 90% of the population is suddenly unable to sleep.

I found this book much harder to follow than the first one. It could be because I half watched the movie before I read the first book. In this one, we get a character study of Control as he starts his job as Acting-Director of Southern Reach. The writing style is full of unintelligible half questions, and dramatic poetic short paragraphs. When I managed to follow along it was an enjoyable concise storytelling method but most of the time I would drift in and out of the narrative.

I found this book much harder to follow than the first one. It could be because I half watched the movie before I read the first book. In this one, we get a character study of Control as he starts his job as Acting-Director of Southern Reach. The writing style is full of unintelligible half questions, and dramatic poetic short paragraphs. When I managed to follow along it was an enjoyable concise storytelling method but most of the time I would drift in and out of the narrative.

Beautifully written, it reads like a myth. I adored the two main characters.

I think I've figured out a plot twist that comes later in the series. That is quite disappointing, so I hope it twists again.

The story felt very bare and minimalist. I am baring in mind this is a debut so the next books will only get better. I don't feel any attachment to Jorg but in all fairness the audio for this book really emphasised how young and angst he sounds to that may be part of the problem.

I know the other books in the trilogy get longer, so I hope that they are packed with more world building and character work so I can enjoy the series more.

I really enjoyed my experience with this book. One of my goals for 2020 was to read more non-fiction, particularly history, and this was one of my top contenders for the year.

Firstly, I have studied very little history and while I learnt about WWI in school we did not cover WWII. So it was really interesting and enlightening to read about the transition period. The accounts go chronologically and come from a variety of walks of life. As another reviewer said, the fresh feeling of the letters and diary entries kept me very engaged and focused.

I would say that as someone who knows absolutely nothing about the time period, I could have done with reading a few other texts to get a better grasp of the major players of the time. A lot of information is packed into this book, and I am looking forward to re-reading it when I have a better base knowledge.

A genuine surprise, but I stan Mr Knightly now.

I need to go ahead and read the rest of Jane Austen's novels, because so far I've enjoyed them all!!

A genuine surprise, but I stan Mr Knightly now.

I need to go ahead and read the rest of Jane Austen's novels, because so far I've enjoyed them all!!

I'm going to be honest, I really did not enjoy the first book in this series. This was mostly due to the romance aspect as I did not enjoy the dynamic between the couple. I also felt like the romance had been set up with more care and attention than the world or magic system, which I would prioritise over romance. However, this second book upped the stakes with the romance and therefore the wider world stakes.

I won'ts spoil the story, but there was an aspect of the romance plot line in this book that was so bizarre and unexpected that it kept me reading as fast as I could. Aside from that, the Pentadrians are developed further and given their own point of view in this story, which I enjoyed.

I feel quite betrayed by this final volume, and almost wish I hadn???t read it. It goes spot show how deeply I came to care for characters that their fate has properly upset me.

I might have reduced the star rating in revenge, but it was as enjoyable as all the previous books aside from where I disagree with the plot.

This young adult mystery novel about teens living in a boarding school had not been on my radar at all. It was recommended to me, and without that recommendation I might not have ever picked up this surprising book.

Stevie wants to solve mysteries like Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes, so she applies to attend Ellingham Academy. At this school she can finally flourish and focus on becoming the detective she has always wanted to be. So when things start getting dangerous at her new school, and clues tie into the original murder mystery from the opening of the school, who better to figure it all out?

A mostly enjoyable book with a surprise at the end. I didn't predict anything, but the writing and characters didn't grip me at all.

Little Women ????????????Good Wives ????????????

This is the second part of the story from Little Women, published sometimes in two volumes and sometimes published together in one. As I read the series originally thinking they were separate books I will continue on this way, and I do find each part is a full bodied story with its own arc.

In Good Wives, Meg has married and established a home of her own. She struggles with her love of material things and becoming a new mother. Beth has been ill for a long time, and feels as though her condition will keep her weak forever. Amy discovers life abroad, and Jo discovers her independence.

A couple of my favourite characters are introduced in this volume, and we are well set up for the next few books. It is those books that I remember being particularly special.

Little Women ????????????Good Wives ????????????

This is the second part of the story from Little Women, published sometimes in two volumes and sometimes published together in one. As I read the series originally thinking they were separate books I will continue on this way, and I do find each part is a full bodied story with its own arc.

In Good Wives, Meg has married and established a home of her own. She struggles with her love of material things and becoming a new mother. Beth has been ill for a long time, and feels as though her condition will keep her weak forever. Amy discovers life abroad, and Jo discovers her independence.

A couple of my favourite characters are introduced in this volume, and we are well set up for the next few books. It is those books that I remember being particularly special.

Castle Coeurlieu by Naomi Novik
The Red-Rimmed Eyes of T??u M?? by Aidan Moher
The Hedgewitch by Sarah Beth Durst

The only story I truly loved was the one by Novik, but I enjoyed the other two to a degree. I branched out of my usual wheelhouse to read a short story collection and I don't really feel like I liked the experience. I own a couple other Unfettered and Unbound books, which I will try.

This one was recommended by my book club, and I knew absolutely nothing about it. It turned out to be a phenomenal surprise.

The book is set in Scotland, and it really felt like it was written by someone who had either spent a lot of time here or was Scottish. This is the first time I've read accurate Scottish speech on the page and I felt so seen. The audio book is also top notch in terms of accents.

At the beginning of the story, Eleanor is absolutely, determinedly F-I-N-E with her life, her complete lack of friends and the limited contact she has with others. Eleanor's story pulls no punches, and we get an intimate look into her life as she begins to branch out and connect with the people she works with.

Another re-read from my younger years, which I enjoyed. The audiobook elevated the experience as it was a full cast production. I really enjoyed the performances and the story while being short has proven to be memorable as I could still remember the plot fairly well after 10 years.

Another re-read from my younger years, which I enjoyed. The audiobook elevated the experience as it was a full cast production. I really enjoyed the performances and the story while being short has proven to be memorable as I could still remember the plot fairly well after 10 years.

I am re-reading the series of four Little Women books before the new movie comes out in December (even if the trailer actively annoyed me). I had my Mum's editions of the books and I am pretty sure I've read theses stories multiple times over the years. They hold a special place in my heart.

Little Women follows Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy as they begin the arduous process of growing up quickly as their father is away fighting in the American Civil War. I feel as close to these girls as I did when I was reading the books growing up, almost like no time has passed. I still relate to Jo and her tom-boyish ways.

I found the story to be charming and endearing, but a slight too heavy handed with moral lessons for my liking. I think for the most part the story still feels relevant and relatable, and the characters create a strong impression on your mind. I really love this series, and I can't wait to complete my re-read.

The Cruel Prince ???????????????The Wicked King ???????????????

I read the sequel to The Cruel Prince immediately after finishing the first book in the series. I think that speaks volumes for how much I enjoyed this series as I finished both books within a few days of starting the series.

The Wicked King maintained the quality I found in the first book. The fae were still as tricky and cruel throughout the story, the plot kept on being complex and surprising, and I really enjoyed a lot of consequences from the first book coming to land in this one. Jude had gained power for herself over the course of the first book, and some of the trades she made to get herself this power helped her in the second one - but quite a few came back to bite her in the ass.

Another YA series I would highly reccomend, and the ending of the second book was fantastic!