The Wheel of Time Reread: Book 10 - Crossroads of Twilight
As I said in my review of Winter's Heart, I was ready for Crossroads of Twilight to be one of the worst entries in the series. But I have to admit that it's not nearly as bad as I remembered.
“The Science of Storytelling” by Will Storr
I was recommended Will Storr's The Science of Storytelling as a book on writing. And while it did indeed leave me with a better understanding of storytelling, I wasn't expecting it to be accompanied by an existential crisis.
“The Shadow in the Glass” by J.J.A. Harwood
This was a book with a lot going for it. But where we were promised a dark, inverted twist on Cinderella, we're left with a story that ends on a flat, disappointing note.
The Wheel of Time Reread: Book 9 - Winter’s Heart
In my last post, I talked about the series entering The Slump, the section of The Wheel of Time where everything drags for a few books. But then, of course, Winter's Heart comes along and perks things right back up again.
“Deserter” by Junji Ito
You can always trust that any collection of stories by Junji Ito will be a wonderfully creepy and creative experience. And with this collection of some of his earlier works, The Deserter does not disappoint.
The Wheel of Time Reread: Book 8 - The Path of Daggers
The Path of Daggers isn't the worst entry in The Wheel of Time series, but it lacks the drive and excitement of the ones we've had up to now. Instead, it feels like Jordan is getting the characters in place for what is coming next.
“My Best Friend’s Exorcism” by Grady Hendrix
I absolutely loved My Best Friend's Exorcism. But I went into it thinking I wouldn't. As much as the author clearly loves the '80s horror aesthetic, the B-movie vibe of this book's packaging really undersells it.
“The Bees” by Laline Paull
The Bees is a well written and fascinating read, with compelling characters and clearly painstaking research. But while it pulled me in from the first page, I finished the book a little disappointed that it wasn't a little more powerful.
“Bone China” by Laura Purcell
Once more, Laura Purcell demonstrates she a master of the Victoria Gothic. With Bone China, she delivers yet another chilling story that creeps up on you, then leaves you wondering what is true and what is madness.
“Safe and Sound” by Philippa East
I enjoyed Philippa East’s first novel, but I didn’t love it. But with Safe and Sound she’s taken what she had and built on it, hitting all the points that make it incredibly readable and almost impossible to put down.
“What His Wife Knew” by Jo Jakeman
Jo Jakeman proves she is an author who just gets better and better. And with her third novel, she shows us she's a master of Domestic Noir.
“The Good Ally” by Nova Reid
“Forget what you think you know” is a well-known adage, but sometimes, if you truly want to improve yourself, it's actually bad advice. Because as Nova Reid's The Good Ally made me understand, sometimes we can't afford to forget what we know. Instead, we need to hold it and focus on how much of it is wrong
“A House of Ghosts” by W. C. Ryan
I knew nothing about A House of Ghosts or W.C. Ryan when I bought it. It was 100% a spur of the moment whim based on the cover. But boy, am I glad I did. Because while it’s not a book that’s going to change your life, it will nevertheless be an incredibly enjoyable read.
“Mating in Captivity: Reconciling the Erotic and Domestic” by Esther Perel
This is the first of Esther Perel's books I've actually read and boy can I see why she's such a big name. It took me three months to finish this book because every time I read any of it, I kept having to stop to make notes along the way.
The Wheel of Time Reread: Book 7 - A Crown of Thorns
A Crown of Thorns has a lot to live up to, coming as it does after the literally explosive finale to Lord of Chaos. We have a lot of momentum going, and this next instalment does not disappoint.
“Neonomicon” by Alan More and Jacen Burrows
I always love Alan Moore’s work, and with Neonomicon he demonstrates he truly understands what Cosmic Horror is supposed to be. In a word, horrifying.
“Spinning Silver” by Naomi Novik
This was another book that I couldn't really fault. It has an interesting story, and was rooted in a folklore I'm not familiar with. It had a strong sense of heritage and culture outside of my own. Yet, I simply couldn't get lost in it as much as I would have thought I would.