Dead to the World

 Charline Harris

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½

Genre: Fantasy

Dead to the World feels like a bit of a shift in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Yes, maybe not a dramatic one, but something in the tone changes. The plot itself is actually pretty straightforward: witches are targeting vampires, and in the middle of all that, Eric Northman loses his memory. From there, things don’t exactly explode into action. Instead, the story settles into something quieter, more character-focused, almost like the chaos is happening off to the side while the real story unfolds in smaller, more personal moments. 

With Eric suddenly stripped of everything that makes him… well, Eric, Sookie ends up taking care of him. It puts her in a position we haven’t really seen before. She’s not just reacting to him or pushing back against his authority—she’s guiding him, protecting him, even trying to understand him. And what she finds is a version of Eric that feels softer, more open, maybe even a little disarming. Whether that’s the “real” Eric or just a temporary version of him is something the book kind of plays with. 

The witch storyline is there throughout, and it does add tension, but I kept feeling like it never fully took center stage. It’s almost like it exists to keep the plot moving while the book quietly focuses on relationships instead. That might work really well for some readers, but I found myself occasionally wishing for a bit more urgency.

Another thing that stood out was who wasn’t there. Jason is basically missing (for plot reasons), and Bill is… barely present. It gives the book a very different feel compared to earlier installments. The world feels smaller, more contained, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does change the balance quite a bit.

I’ll be honest, this one took me longer to finish than I thought it would. I can’t even point to a single reason. It’s not slow, exactly, but the pacing has this uneven rhythm. Some parts pulled me in, others just sort of drifted by. I’d pick it up, read a bit, then put it down again—not out of boredom, just… a lack of urgency, maybe.

That said, Eric really is the highlight here. This is probably the most focus he’s had so far, or at least the most revealing version of him. Seeing him without his usual confidence makes him feel more human than ever. It works, even if the amnesia angle itself feels a bit too convenient at times.

The romance also takes a noticeable step forward in this book. There’s more of it, and it’s more direct than in previous installments. Sookie and Eric’s connection gets space to develop in a way that feels intentional, not just hinted at. I liked that… but I can also see how it might come at the expense of the main plot, which ends up feeling a little secondary.

On the flip side, the reduced role of Bill—and the near absence of Jason—does leave a gap. If you’re attached to those characters, you’ll feel it. And while the witch conflict is interesting on paper, it never quite lands with the impact it probably should have. It’s there, it works, but it doesn’t linger.

I think a rating of 3.5 stars is fair for this one. It’s enjoyable, especially if you’re invested in Eric, and it definitely leans more into character than plot. Whether that works for you probably depends on what you’re reading the series for. For me, it worked… just not all the way.

Key Themes

• Identity
• Power
• Vulnerability
• Love
• Control

A Feast for Crows

 George R.R. Martin

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Fantasy

I’m disappointed somehow to say that A Feast for Crows got the lowest rating from me in the series—3.0 out of 5.0. After the epic events in the previous book, this installment feels very different. It shifts its focus toward the aftermath of the war. It also focuses on the political and emotional consequences of that war across Westeros. While some things worked for me here, many of them felt undercooked.

To be brief, the story follows characters like Cersei, Jamie, Brienne, and Arya most of the time. Cersei tries to consolidate her power in a very unstable kingdom. Jamie felt like he didn’t have a clear mission. Brienne the wench is going places in search of Sansa. While Arya continues her training far from Westeros. 

One of the biggest drawbacks for me was the absence of major characters like Jon Snow, Tyrion, and Daenerys. A huge gap was felt due to their absence. I consider these characters the core emotional connection to the series, and without them, this book felt incomplete and less interesting. I feel the author has treated this book like a setup for future events rather than an actual installment in itself. 

The new characters that were introduced in this book didn’t feel that compelling. They didn’t compensate for the absence of those important ones. I think one of the reasons why I was not a big fan of them is that their motivation didn’t entirely make sense to me. 

If I had to choose the strongest POV, then it would be Cersei’s chapters. Her descent into paranoia and her mistakes and flawed decision-making were truly fascinating and entertaining at the same time. Jamie’s internal conflict, despite no clear goal, was surprisingly the second strongest POV. 

Pacing, however, is where the book struggles the most. It is undeniably slow, with very little actually happening for long stretches. I found myself particularly tired of Brienne and Arya’s chapters, where the repetition in their journeys started to wear thin. What might have been atmospheric instead became frustratingly stagnant.

I understand that the author chose to structure the book this way to avoid splitting character arcs into half-stories, as he has mentioned, but in my opinion, this approach did not work well—at least not for me. It did not benefit the series and made this installment feel like an incomplete piece rather than a cohesive whole.

Interestingly, it took me nine books in The Wheel of Time to give a 3.0 rating, but for this series, it only took four. With one book left for me, I don’t see this changing my overall perception. I still consider this an excellent fantasy series, but it doesn’t come close to The Wheel of Time in my view, and I do think it’s somewhat overrated. Perhaps many readers are influenced by the TV adaptation, which I haven’t watched yet. 

Once I finish the fifth book, I plan to watch the show and treat that as the conclusion, rather than waiting indefinitely for future books. I’m a fan, but not one who will wait endlessly. It’s also worth noting that in both series, I gave the most popular entries—Book 3 here and Book 4 in The Wheel of Time—a 4-star rating. Maybe it’s the weight of expectations, or simply the effect of hype.

Key Themes

• Aftermath of War
• Moral Decay
• Honor
• Survival
• Identity
• Transformation

Habits of the Sea

Shea Ernshaw

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Fantasy + Magical Realism

The story follows Ellie and how she, as a child, finds herself on an isolated island meeting a man called Clay. What she thought was only a night spent on that island turns out to be more than that. Years later, Ellie is in her thirties. She is again on that island, and she meets Clay again, but he is not changed; he has not aged a day. 

Ellie feels attracted to Clay and the life on the island, forgetting about her boyfriend James and her Nana. There is always a constant fight inside her to return to her previous life rather than staying with Clay, whom she gets attached to with every passing day. 

The main highlight for me about this book is its atmosphere. It’s a very hazy and dreamlike atmosphere. You will feel the sea, the sky, and the island all blur together into a very surreal and immersive environment. The setting feels very much alive throughout the book, giving you that impression as if it were part of the character arc. It’s one of those books where the mood is the story as much as the plot itself.

The writing style is another major strength. It is very lyrical without overdoing it. Words flow in a way that perfectly matches the slow and isolated nature of the island. The author did a terrific job in her descriptions of the environment, as well as Ellie’s internal state. 

There is a romance in the story, but it is not the stereotypical kind. It is part of the story but not the emotional core of it, because this tale touches on a lot more subjects like grief, detachment, and the isolation sometimes we seek. There’s a quiet honesty in how the book handles pain—not dramatic or exaggerated, but lingering and persistent, like a tide that never fully recedes.

This is the third book I’ve read by this author, after The Wicked Deep and A History of Wild Places, both of which I also loved. There’s a clear signature style across all three—an emphasis on atmosphere, a touch of the uncanny, and characters searching for meaning in unusual circumstances. This one leans even more into introspection, and while it feels different in scope, it still carries that same haunting quality I’ve come to expect.

In terms of pacing, this is definitely a slow burn. At times, it felt like the story drifted rather than moved with purpose. But interestingly, that slowness also works in its favor. Overall, this is a story that is written beautifully. It is atmospheric and prioritizes both mood and emotion over the plot itself. A very solid read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.

Key Themes

• Identity
• Self-discovery
• Isolation
• Grief
• Love
• Choice & Consequences

Club Dead

Charlaine Harris

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½ Genre: Fantasy 

Initial Impression I was excited to dive again into this series as a big fan of the TV show True Blood. I enjoyed reading both the first and the second books, and I hope all the subsequent books will be as good or better. 

Summary Sookie Stackhouse’s life is never calm for long, and Club Dead throws her straight into another round of supernatural chaos when Bill suddenly vanishes on “business.” The excuse feels flimsy from the start, but the situation escalates quickly when Sookie learns he may have been kidnapped—or possibly run off with his old vampire flame. Either way, her pride and her heart take a hit, and she’s pulled into a search she never really asked for.

Eric naturally steps in with the sort of helpfulness that usually comes with an agenda, sending Sookie and the ever-charming werewolf Alcide to Jackson, Mississippi. Their mission: track down Bill, navigate the vampire club known as Club Dead, and try not to get killed in the process. It sounds dramatic, and it is, but the book leans into the messiness rather than glamorizing it.

Things in Jackson become more complicated than expected. Sookie keeps stumbling into danger—sometimes because she’s brave, sometimes because she trusts the wrong people, and sometimes because trouble just seems magnetized to her! Her dynamic with Alcide may suggest a possible new romantic path (the TV show has turned that into the focus; I'm not sure if it will be the same in the subsequent books), though it’s tangled with grief, curiosity, and many unresolved feelings.

The rescue of Bill comes with emotional fallout rather than a neat closure. Instead of a triumphant reunion, Sookie ends up at a crossroads, and the series takes a more bittersweet turn that feels strangely honest for her character. I found the ending to be a bit funny with how Sookie treated both Eric and Bill.

Characters Sookie continues to be the heart of the story, and Harris keeps her grounded even when the plot tilts into wild supernatural territory. Her confusion, frustration, and occasional flashes of temper feel very real—almost messily real—which may appeal to readers who prefer flawed heroines over perfect ones. Bill, on the other hand, appears more distant here, and the emotional wall he puts up may leave some readers feeling disconnected from him.

The supporting cast adds a lot of color. Eric is still teasing and inscrutable, Alcide brings a gentler energy that complicates Sookie’s loyalties, and the werewolf and vampire communities feel more defined than in earlier books. Some characters only appear briefly, but they still manage to leave little impressions—either charming, unsettling, or just weird in that Sookie Stackhouse way. Her brother, Jason, is almost missing except for one scene.

Writing Style

Charlaine Harris writes in a breezy first-person style that’s easy to settle into, almost like listening to a friend with great timing tell you about her absurd week. The storytelling leans on sharp observations, quick emotional reactions, and a bit of self-deprecating humor. It’s fast-paced and accessible, though every now and then the simplicity may feel a touch too streamlined for readers who want deeper introspection.

Setting & Atmosphere

The story jumps from Sookie’s small-town Louisiana roots to the darker, more hostile supernatural underbelly of Jackson. Harris paints the locations with enough detail that you can imagine the sticky air, the dim bars, and the slightly run-down motels. The backroads, the clubs, and even Alcide’s family home create a sense of moving through a lived-in world rather than a generic paranormal backdrop.

There’s a constant sense of tension humming under the surface. Even during the quieter scenes, you will feel like the characters are sitting on the edge of something sharp. This makes you sit on the edge of your seat, too. The author successfully balances danger with moments of humor and awkward romance, which helps in creating an atmosphere that’s a little chaotic, sometimes moody, and occasionally warm. It is like spending a weekend with friends who always end up in trouble but somehow stay likable no matter what.

Final Thoughts I landed on 3.5 stars because, while the book has plenty going for it, it also wobbles in places. Some emotional beats rush past a little too fast, and Bill’s storyline might leave you wishing the characters sat with their feelings a bit longer. Still, the tension, as well as the humor and shifting relationships, kept me turning pages. It’s the kind of installment that may not hit every note perfectly but still feels worthwhile.

Even with its bumps, I genuinely enjoyed the ride and want to keep going—partly to see how Sookie handles the drama, and partly because I’m curious how the series will diverge from the TV show in later books. There’s a sense that the characters are heading somewhere new, and even if the journey is messy, I’m definitely sticking around for it.

Key Themes

• Loyalty and Betrayal
• Identity and Belonging
  
• Love, Desire, and Complicated Relationships
• Danger and Survival
• Power Dynamics and Control

Cruel Beauty

 Rosamund Hodge

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Fantasy + Retelling + Young Adult

Initial Impression
This is yet another book that showed up on the wheel of TBR. It has been sitting for a long time on my bookshelf. No idea why I have not picked it up despite loving the Beauty and the Beast story.

Summary
Cruel Beauty tries to reinvent Beauty and the Beast with a darker edge, mixing magic with political games in a world that feels a lot more dangerous than charming. The story centers on Nyx, a young woman who has been promised to Ignifex, the feared ruler of her realm.

Look, this isn't a love match—it’s pure strategy. Her family sees the marriage as a necessary evil, a sacrifice, and Nyx, having grown up carrying this weight of duty, is expected to kill her future husband. That whole plan, though, seems to get complicated pretty fast once real feelings start to get involved and muddy the water.

Nyx’s situation is just steeped in contradiction. She's been groomed as an assassin, yet at the same time, she’s just a girl trying to figure out where the line is between love, loyalty, and what everyone expects of her. The beginning leans heavily into explaining the politics of the realm. For some readers, that'll be totally immersive, but honestly, I found it a bit slow. It's not that the world-building is shallow—it just appears to occasionally drown out the emotional drama.

As her connection with Ignifex starts to deepen, the narrative naturally pivots inward. Nyx’s internal struggle becomes the absolute emotional core of the novel. There are other people who influence her journey, sure, but a few of them feel more like plot devices than actual, fully-realized people. I definitely found myself wishing for them to have a little more substance, especially considering how crucial they are to some of the major turns in the story.

The pace finally picks up near the end, shifting into high gear with some magical surprises and big confrontations. However, the ending itself may suggest the story ran out of space or steam right when things got interesting. I kept waiting for that special spark—the one that makes a classic retelling feel truly timeless—and while there were moments where it flickered, it never quite caught for me.

Characters
Nyx is complex, no doubt about it. She’s smart, she’s got courage, and she’s deeply conflicted. Hodge nails that complexity, though there were times when Nyx’s sheer indecision felt like she was stuck in a loop. It’s certainly realistic. Who wouldn’t be torn in her messed-up situation? But that repetition is likely to wear down the emotional impact a little bit.

Ignifex is a tougher nut to crack. He’s mysterious, he’s charismatic, and he's obviously more than just a typical fairytale villain. Still, some parts of his character remain frustratingly vague. I kept hoping for a better look inside his head, something that would make him feel less like a puzzle to be solved and more like an actual person I could understand.

The rest of the cast do what they’re supposed to, but they don't always manage to transcend that basic purpose. They add texture to the world, absolutely, but I wouldn't say they leave any sort of lasting impression. They come across as characters whose main job is to push the plot forward rather than genuinely challenge or enrich Nyx’s personal journey.

Writing Style
Hodge's writing is undeniably beautiful. There’s a wonderful lyrical quality to the prose that truly fits the whole dark fairy tale vibe. Because we get Nyx's thoughts straight from her first-person narration, there's a strong sense of intimacy, but that also means we spend a lot of time inside her head. Sometimes, maybe too much. There were moments that felt like they were just circling the same emotional point, which is what really dragged the pacing down for me.

Setting and Atmosphere
The world of Cruel Beauty is richly detailed—you’ve got your gothic palaces, shadowy forests, and weird magical rooms that all create a setting that’s both gorgeous and unsettling. It’s clear Hodge put a ton of effort into the details, and it pays off visually.

The tone leans heavily toward the dark side. There's a constant, low-level sense of unease, which makes sense given the themes of betrayal and moral compromise. Having said that, the tension doesn't always sustain itself. When the pacing starts to slip, the atmosphere loses some of its edge, and suddenly, the stakes don’t feel quite as urgent.

Final Thoughts
Cruel Beauty has a lot going for it: a great premise, a morally grey heroine, and a haunting world. Hodge’s prose is elegant, and the magical elements keep things interesting. However, the story doesn't quite manage to stick the landing. The occasional character flatness and those pacing issues prevent it from hitting the same emotional high notes as the classic tale it’s based on.

If you enjoy darker fantasy and you don’t mind a book that takes its time, this could absolutely be a winner for you. But if you’re looking for that huge, sweeping romance and emotional gut-punch of Beauty and the Beast, you might walk away feeling like it was missing something. For me, it was a perfectly decent read—it got me thinking in a few spots, but it wasn't the kind of book I'll remember forever.

Key Themes

• Love and Sacrifice
• Duty versus Desire
• Moral Ambiguity
• Power and Corruption
• Fate and Choice
• Isolation and Loneliness
• Redemption
• Family Obligation
• Inner Darkness
• Self-Acceptance

A Storm of Swords

 George R.R. Martin

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Fantasy

Initial Impression
I’d been looking forward to this one for a while. After giving five stars to the first two books and hearing people rave about this third installment, I was genuinely excited to dive back into Westeros. To savor the experience, I paced myself to one chapter a day. It made the journey feel more personal, like I was traveling alongside the characters rather than racing ahead.

Summary
A Storm of Swords, the third book in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, picks up where A Clash of Kings left off. It starts with Westeros in chaos and the Iron Throne still very much up for grabs. The Lannisters, Starks, Baratheons, and a few others are all vying for control, while the threat from beyond the Wall quietly builds in the background. It’s a lot to juggle, and Martin doesn’t shy away from complexity.

The narrative branches out in multiple directions: court intrigue in King’s Landing, Dany’s uncertain rise across the Narrow Sea, and the Night’s Watch bracing for impact at the Wall. Tyrion is still sharp-tongued and politically cornered, Jaime’s new POV and arc take a surprisingly introspective turn, and Sansa continues to grow—though not always in ways that feel empowering. Jon Snow’s storyline is steady, if not particularly standout, while Arya’s journey through the Riverlands veers into darker, slower territory that may test some readers’ patience.

Some chapters hit hard due to betrayals, brutal battles, and those infamous twists that Martin is known for. But not every thread feels equally strong. Samwell’s sections, while thematically important, occasionally drag. Dany’s presence is noticeably thinner, and her storyline feels undercooked in places. And then there’s Catelyn Stark. Her transformation is... well, let’s just say it’s likely to divide readers. I found myself puzzled, even frustrated, by how her arc was handled. She’d been such a compelling figure in the earlier books, and here, it’s as if the narrative lost sight of her complexity.

Characters
Character development is a mixed bag in this volume. Tyrion, Jaime, Sansa, and Davos stand out as each of them evolves under pressure in ways that feel earned. Tyrion’s blend of wit and vulnerability is especially well done, and Jaime’s shift from arrogant knight to something more morally ambiguous is one of the book’s most satisfying surprises. Davos remains a quiet anchor in the storm, and Sansa’s slow awakening to the realities around her is handled with care.

Others don’t fare quite as well. Arya’s chapters feel repetitive and are going nowhere, and while Jon’s storyline is solid, it doesn’t quite rise to the level of the others. Samwell’s perspective, though useful for world-building, lacks emotional pull. And Dany—who should be central—feels sidelined. Her reduced presence throws off the balance of the POVs. Catelyn’s arc, again, is the most jarring. It’s not just the twist itself—it’s the sense that her character was reshaped to fit a plot device rather than allowed to evolve naturally.

Writing Style
Martin’s writing style is still immersive and rich in detail and atmosphere. Like in the previous installments, his third-person limited narration allows for deep dives into each character’s psyche, which works very well—especially when the POVs are compelling. That said, the uneven distribution of engaging chapters makes the reading experience feel a bit mixed. Some sections fly by; others feel like a slog.

Setting and Atmosphere
The world-building is still top-tier. From the frozen desolation beyond the Wall to the political snake pit of King’s Landing and the sun-drenched tension of Slaver’s Bay, the settings are vivid and textured. The setting and the world don’t just feel like a backdrop, but like the characters, they are a living, breathing force that shapes the story. The atmosphere remains tense, often grim, and filled with moments of genuine horror, uncertainty, and heartbreak. You never feel safe, and that’s part of the appeal.

Final Thoughts
While many fans consider A Storm of Swords the high point of the series, I’d argue it’s a bit more uneven than its reputation suggests. The highs are very high—some chapters are unforgettable—but the lows are noticeable too. Arya’s and Samwell’s arcs didn’t quite land for me, and Dany’s diminished role was disappointing. Catelyn’s storyline, in particular, felt like a misstep.

Still, the book delivers where it counts: tension, twists, and character moments that linger. Tyrion, Jaime, Sansa, and Davos carry much of the emotional weight, and their arcs alone make the book worth reading. It’s a strong entry, just not flawless.

So, four stars. Not quite the masterpiece I’d hoped for, but still a gripping, essential part of the saga. If you’re already invested, you won’t want to skip it, even if a few chapters leave you scratching your head.

Key Themes

• Power and ambition
• Betrayal and loyalty
• Honor and morality
• Revenge and justice
• Family and duty
• Survival and resilience
• War and its consequences
• Identity and transformation
• Fate and choice
• Corruption and cruelty

Three Dark Crowns

Kendare Blake

Rating: ⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Fantasy + Young Adult

Initial Impression
This was a random pick to read from my wheel of TBR. The book has been on my TBR for a long time, and I really like the synopsis and had high hopes for it.

Summary
On the island of Fennbirn, tradition dictates that every generation begins with a set of triplet queens, all girls, all gifted with different kinds of magic. One can brew and endure poison without flinching. Another can bend plants and animals to her will. The third commands the elements—fire, storms, the raw stuff of nature itself. It sounds like the setup for a fairy tale, but the custom is brutal: on their sixteenth birthday, the sisters enter a year-long trial called the Ascension, and by the end of it only one will live to wear the crown.

Mirabella, the elemental, is generally regarded as the favorite. She is strong, beautiful, and frighteningly gifted. Arsinoe, the nature reader, struggles just to show a flicker of power. Katharine, the poisoner, is dismissed as frail, a poor heir to her bloody tradition. Raised apart in rival factions, the sisters are taught to see one another less as siblings and more as enemies waiting to strike. When the Ascension year begins, they’re paraded back into the capital, each with their own entourage of mentors, lovers, and schemers—and a lifetime of indoctrination ready to be tested.

The first book spends most of its energy setting up this conflict rather than diving straight into it. We follow the queens separately as they fail, maneuver, or betray, while side characters plot from the shadows. There are hints of rich history and plenty of political detail, but not much actual fighting. In fact, it feels more like a year-long prelude to the real bloodshed promised for later volumes.

Readers may come away with the impression that Kendare Blake is carefully placing chess pieces on the board, one by one. You get a sense of the factions and their customs, but the slow pace and constant anticipation can feel like trudging through the opening moves of a very long game. The book closes on a twist that matters, yes, but it’s more of a promise of what’s to come than a payoff in its own right.

Characters
The queens are easy to tell apart, which is a strength, but they don’t really change as the story unfolds. Mirabella is the compassionate powerhouse, Arsinoe the scrappy underdog, and Katharine the delicate poisoner who may or may not be as fragile as she appears. Their guardians and romantic entanglements add color, though most of them function more like props to highlight the queens’ traits than characters in their own right.

If you’re looking for deep psychological arcs, this book may disappoint. The secrets and politics take center stage, while the sisters themselves stay oddly fixed in place. It’s hard to become fully invested in their fates when their internal struggles don’t evolve much past where they start.

Writing Style
Blake’s prose is clean and accessible. It does what it needs to do without any frills. The third-person narration shifts between the queens’ perspectives, which helps balance the story but sometimes keeps it at arm’s length emotionally. You know what each girl is thinking, but you rarely feel as though you’re sitting right inside her skin.

Setting and Atmosphere
Fennbirn itself is arguably the real star of the novel. Each faction’s territory feels distinct—the poisoners’ mist-drenched coast, the green wilds of the naturalists, the raw landscapes where elemental storms rage. The traditions and rituals are brutal but vivid, and the island’s culture has a layered, lived-in quality.

What the book wants to feel like is a tense countdown to a sisterly bloodbath. What it actually feels like is a waiting game, the tension stretched so thin that it sometimes slips into monotony. For all the talk of darkness and danger, the suspense never quite lands with the weight the premise suggests.

Final Thoughts
The pitch is irresistible: three sisters, each with deadly magic, forced to kill one another for a crown. The execution, though, is sluggish. Instead of sharp claws and deadly showdowns, readers get political maneuvering, stalled magic, and characters who don’t grow enough to make you care deeply about them.

By the end, I felt like I’d read a very long prologue to a much better story still waiting in the wings. The world is fascinating, the idea brilliant, but the book itself—at least this first one—didn’t give me enough to keep going. I closed it feeling more exhausted than intrigued.

For me, that lands at about 2.5 stars. I wanted to be hooked; instead, I was left staring at the next volume on my shelf with no real desire to crack it open.

Key Themes

• Power and ambition
• Sisterhood and rivalry
• Tradition vs. individuality
• Survival and sacrifice
• Destiny and choice
• Betrayal and loyalty
• Corruption of innocence
• Political manipulation
• Fear and control
• Identity and self-worth

Circe

 Madeline Miller

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Fantasy

Circe is a story that reimagines the life of the Greek goddess Circe. The book is narrated in the first-person narration style and shows how Circe feels about being different from the gods around her. She is not as powerful, beautiful, or even as charismatic as the rest of them. She feels lonely and does not belong with them. This makes Circe lead an isolated lifestyle and indulge in witchcraft. Feeling so different from the other gods makes Circe have more sympathy for the mortals. 

Following the character, readers will find themselves going on lots of adventures and subplots that involve so many themes, like isolation, motherhood, loss, and gender injustice, to name a few. What Circe delivered for me is the author’s writing. Having read The Song of Achilles by the author, I was expecting a beautifully written novel. And here, Miller has undoubtedly delivered. 

Although I didn’t love it as much as I loved The Song of Achilles, I still think Circe is a fascinating read and, most importantly, a relevant one for our times. The author has successfully turned this goddess and given her a mortal voice, making her very close to the readers and with relatable problems that every human can connect with. 

The story is not long, but intentionally slow a bit. I think the author wanted readers to see the growth and the changes the main character goes through. This novel is more of a literary fantasy than those epic, action-packed fantasy stories. So have your expectations in check before grabbing the book, and you won’t be disappointed.

Half Bad

 Sally Green

Rating: ⭐⭐ Genre: Fantasy + Young Adult

This is the first book of the series in this dark young adult fantasy. The world in this fantasy is mainly about witches and how they are either good witches or bad witches. Nathan is a young half-blood witch who thinks he is cursed because he was born to a powerful witch father who is considered bad. His mother is a human, though. 

Nathan’s dilemma is that he is not accepted by anybody, as he does not fully belong to any group of witches. Each group will consider him from the other. What makes things worse for this young boy is that the reputation of his father as the evil witch is just too strong to be ignored. 

When Nathan is captured by the Council and held as a prisoner, his life takes a significant and uncontrollable turn. He tries to escape from his jail, and during his mission, he uncovers many secrets about the witch world. The novel focuses heavily on the main character's growth and his efforts to defend himself. His journey is marked by numerous losses, betrayals, and painful situations.

Although all that I have written might sound interesting, it did for me when reading about this book. I remember watching a YouTuber who has praised this series a lot. To be honest, it is interesting, especially if you like reading about witches and magic. However, the book suffers from many shortcomings. The pacing is too slow for my taste and for such a subgenre. I feel the author might’ve stretched one story over three books. I wouldn’t know that for sure, because I have no intention of continuing the series. I have all three books, but since I didn’t enjoy this one, there is no point in continuing. 

The main character is difficult to connect with. I don’t know why, but I just couldn’t warm up to him or feel compassion for him in the various situations he faced. I think this book might appeal more to younger audiences. It seems like it has sat too long on my shelf to be appreciated now. This is one of those cases where it’s me and not the book.

Note: I had no idea that this was turned into a TV show! I just found out while looking for the cover picture for my blog! It seems the show was cancelled after only one season, despite the positive reviews.

The Country Under Heaven

Frederic S. Durbin

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Western + Horror + Fantasy

This novel is set in the 1880s American West and follows Ovid Vesper, a former Union soldier. After a near-death experience leads Ovid to see visions of unnatural beings, he decides to go on a journey across the country to investigate all the different supernatural occurrences.

The story is told in chapters, each representing a new experience for the main character, functioning as a standalone tale or resembling an episode of a show. Between chapters, interludes offer a deeper glimpse into the main character's thoughts and experiences.

The book’s genre is entirely outside my comfort zone. It blends the key elements of classic westerns with fantasy and historical fiction. Add to the mix horror themes, which make things even more interesting. This unique blend of genres really worked for me and reminded me of the same atmosphere I enjoyed in Stephen King’s The Gunslinger.

The vivid setting, eerie horror elements, compelling protagonist, and the author’s intriguing writing style all together made the book a fun reading experience. I would say it is a mixture between the book “The Gunslinger” and the TV show “Supernatural.”

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.