Mini Book Reviews October 2020 | The Crowns of Croswald, Mythos, Yes Please, Quantum Messenger

Happy Halloween/Samhain week, friends!

I was going to tell you that I haven’t finished a single book since my last mini reviews, but I can see now that that’s not true (although, I’ve only actually finished 2 of the 4, but the other 2 I’ll finish today, so that’s good enough, isn’t it?)

Please note: I’m using affiliate links throughout this post, so I may earn a small commission if you purchase anything through my links at no additional cost or hassle to you. It’s one of the things that help me keep this blog running, so thank you <3

THE CROWNS OF CROSWALD by D.E. Night

Review: This little book was my first Netgalley book and I wanted to do right by it, but it fell short for me. It had lots of potential, but it tried too hard to be Harry Potter without the likeable main character. It could be a great first read for a young audience as an introduction to epic fantasy, but I’m afraid I was much too picky for it.

Favourite Quote:

That evening Ivy was, as usual, lost in her sketching.

I was struggling to find a line I really liked, so I give you the opening line.

Rating:


MYTHOS by Stephen Fry

Review: I’ve always felt drawn to Greek mythology, so I was excited to listen to the audiobook narrated by Stephen Fry himself. He was the perfect choice for this–his humour made listening to this a great experience, and it made me smile several times on my walk to work. It’s a fantastic introduction to Greek mythology, and you might also like the general history chapter on all things myths.

Favourite Quote:

“Gaia visited her daughter Mnemosyne, who was busy being unpronounceable.”

(there were so many good moments, but I keep coming back to this one)

Rating:


YES PLEASE by Amy Poehler

Review: This is the book my soul needed <3 I listened to the audiobook narrated by Amy Poehler as well as several guests, and it was the best companion on my walks to and from work I could have asked for. I will come back to this book when I’m sad. I laughed so much. Thank you, Amy.

Favourite Quote: Everything she said, but I had to choose something–which was really hard because I honestly loved everything because she’s my spirit animal–so:

“It’s very hard to have ideas. It’s very hard to put yourself out there, it’s very hard to be vulnerable, but those people who do that are the dreamers, the thinkers and the creators. They are the magic people of the world.”

Rating:

Also, I loved every moment of this book. I hope you got that.


QUANTUM MESSENGER by Caitlin Lynagh

Review: What’s this? Another NetGalley book! :O I feel so accomplished 😀

While Quantum Messenger was a bit slow at times–especially in the beginning, when Apollo, a robot, describes the world in detail (as in, how many steps it took to cross how many metres)–I loved the premise and that it tackled so many questions I’ve asked myself many times. It deals with questions like ‘when is an AI no longer a program but a person?’ and ‘what is the soul?’, and I really enjoyed seeing the world through Apollo’s eyes.

Favourite Quote:

I passed a large building and stopped when I noticed a couple of the strange orbs drifting upwards into the sky. Wait, what? Where are they going? An ambulance turned on its sirens and screeched away from the building and I finally noticed the sign above the door. It was a hospital. I turned on the spot, scanning the sky, and I saw another orb a little further away, and then another, all drifting up like miniature hot air balloons. Were they all coming from hospitals? According to my maps they couldn’t be. Why are they leaving their humans? Will they come back? I gazed up and wondered if perhaps these orbs were venturing out to the stars in search of a new body to inhabit.

(imagine the bits in bold are regular italics – it didn’t show properly because of the quote! Also, it’s the last line that stood out to me here, but without the rest, I feel it wouldn’t have made much sense.)

Rating:


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Mini Book Reviews September 2020 | Norse Mythology, Descendant of the Crane, Lady of the Lake

It wasn’t my intention, but this was a mythology heavy four weeks :O This is maybe all the more surprising because my mythology reading before these was pretty much zero o.o When I commit, I commit XD I’m still reading Mythos, though, so I’ll review it next month – I’m only about halfway through!

Please note: I’m using affiliate links throughout this post, so I may earn a small commission if you purchase anything through my links at no additional cost or hassle to you. It’s one of the things that help me keep this blog running, so thank you <3

Mini Book Reviews September 2020 |  Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, hardback

NORSE MYTHOLOGY by Neil Gaiman

Review: This was a great introduction to mythology for me. If you love Neil Gaiman, you’ll love this, too, because his usual style ran throughout. It doesn’t have as many stories as I hoped, but I’m not sure if there simply aren’t many or if it’s because he chose only his favourites for this collection. Perfect for everyone loving the Norse myths or looking for an easy entry!

Favourite Quote:

“Of course it was Loki. It’s always Loki.”

Rating:


Mini Book Reviews September 2020 |  Lady of the Lake by Andrzej Sapkowski, ebook

LADY OF THE LAKE by Andrzej Sapkowski

Review: I always struggle so much with these books. What I love is the lore, the world building, and the characters. What makes me consider giving up every time is the amount of info-dumping and repetitions. There were whole chapters in this that added nothing (looking at you, Jarre). But I’m a sucker for lore, and that’s how I see these after having played the games. Yes, I know the games wouldn’t exist without these books, but also I’m glad I found the games first *shrug*

Favourite Quote:

‘She won’t return to the temple, Mother,’ she said softly. ‘She’s in the hospital of Mr Milo Vanderbeck, the surgeon, the halfling. She said she wants to tend the sick. That she’ll only devote herself to that. Forgive her, Mother Nenneke.’

‘Forgive her?’ the priestess snorted. ‘I’m proud of her.’

Rating:


Mini Book Reviews September 2020 |  Descendant of the Crane by Joan He, paperback

DESCENDANT OF THE CRANE by Joan He

Review: Overall, I really liked this, but I think it should have started a little earlier in the plot – it skipped past a few important plot points – and there were a few other moments that felt rushed to me. The plot was intriguing, though, and it went into directions I didn’t see coming a few times. I also loved the strong focus on sibling relationships and the unique magic system (unique to me, anyway).

Favourite Quote:

She’d forgotten because she could afford to forget, never having lived a life of terror and fear herself.

Rating:



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Mini Book Reviews August 2020 | Morning Star, When You Were Everything, Diabolica Britannica

Oh hey, it’s ANOTHER new monthly post! I must be getting my shit together :O

Every month, I post mini reviews of the books I’ve read that month. I’m not a fast reader, so these posts won’t be long *ahem*

(also, just writing this title made me realise how widely I read these days #highfive)

Please note: I’m using affiliate links throughout this post, so I may earn a small commission if you purchase anything through my links at no additional cost or hassle to you. It’s one of the things that help me keep this blog running, so thank you <3

mini review banner - August 2020. Books read: Morning Star, When You Were Everything, Diabolica Britannica
Mini book review image Morning Star by Pierce Brown

MORNING STAR by Pierce Brown

Review: I actually don’t know how to review this o.o As I’m writing this post, I’m just under 100 pages away from the end. There’s just been a wedding scene (damning enough on its own), and the only part of the vows Brown shows is the ’til death do us part’ bit, so I’m sweating and frankly, I’m terrified of the last 80 pages. I’m not ready for it, and I’m pretty sure I’ll still be in a lot of pain when I have finished it.

If you love sci-fi with excellent everything and more pain than you can handle, you need this series.

Favourite Quote:

Maybe that’s just the nature of us, ever wishing for things that were and could be rather than things that are and will be.

(I wrote down so many though)

Rating:


Mini book review image When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk

WHEN YOU WERE EVERYTHING by Ashley Woodfolk

Review: I went for this audiobook whenever my feelings weren’t ready for more Morning Star. It’s narrated extremely well, and it’s also weirdly nostalgic for me because my BFF and I fought when we were the MC’s age, so I feel a lot of this book.

Due to the topic, it’s also full of teenage growing-up drama, which isn’t really my thing – I knew that from the blurb going in though, so I didn’t take a heart away for that. It’s not like it mislead me. I did take one heart away because I don’t really care overall. I can easily put this book down and do something else.

BUT it’s well written, really well narrated, and I think it’s an important book for young readers to help them realise that not all friendships last forever, and that this is okay.

Favourite Quote:

Everything feels like a memory in a city when it snows.

(This is also the opening line <3)

Rating:


mini book review image Diabolica Britannica

DIABOLICA BRITANNICA by Keith Anthony Baird

Review: I always struggle with anthologies. A lot of these stories were great, and I’ve found some authors I want to read more by. It also had stories that didn’t work for me. As with all anthologies, the wide selection of different talents is its blessing and its curse *shrugs*

Since it shows off a wide range of British horror authors, you’re guaranteed to find stories you’ll love! It’s very worth a read if horror is your genre (or even if you’re a wimp, like me – none of them terrified me!), and with the profits going to the NHS, there’s no reason not to give this a try.

Favourite Quote:

In many ways, Ruth had never really left. But when she heard about the village being revealed again after six straight years of draught, she knew she had to go back. To see the only place where she had ever belonged. To relive that time when she had become her true self. To make sure.

from The Flow by Tim Lebbon

Rating:


What did you read this month? Did you love it?


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Sarina Langer