*this review contains afilliate links - see my profile for more info
This book is set to be released on the 13th of February 2025. I was delighted to be able to read a copy in advance of release, in exchange for an honest review. I really do appreciate NetGalley, Random House UK, and Transworld publishers for putting their trust in me to review this book. Believe me, I was beyond excited to be among some of the first people EVER to read it. What a thrill :)
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I picked up this book in April while I was in Bucharest on holiday. We had spent time learning about the history of the beautiful country of Romania, including the troubled times under dictatorship. I love picking up books by local authors when I visit different countries, it's a great way of expanding my reading. When visiting Carturesti Carusel in Bucharest, they had a lovely section of books by Romanian authors, translated into English, where I picked up The Fox Was Ever The Hunter.
The rest, as they say, is history. The blurb gives an enticing summary of the book's key concepts, and I knew when I picked it up that this would be a tough read (style and subject matter both playing a part) but I also knew that this was the book that was coming home with me!
BLURB
Romania, the last months of the dictator's regime. Adina is a young schoolteacher. Paul is a musician. Clara, Adina's friend, works in a wire factory. Pavel is Clara's lover. But one of them works for the secret police and is reporting on the group.
One day Adina returns home to discover that her fox fur rug has had its tail cut off. On another day, a hindleg. Then a foreleg. The mutilation is a sign that she is being tracked - the fox was ever the hunter.
Images of photographic precision combine to form a kaleidoscope of reflections, deflections and deceit. Adina and her friends struggle to keep living in a world permeated with fear, where even the eyes of a cat seem complicit with the watchful eye of the state, and where it's hard to tell the victim apart from the perpetrator.
MY REVIEW
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐
SPICE LEVEL: 🔥🔥(not romantic spice, but some crude-ish descriptions of body parts and acts)
Where to begin? This was a difficult read, in the sense that the writing style was incredibly poetic, the prose was descriptive almost to a fault. In addition, the subject matter, life in a strict, totalitarian communist regime was dark and had a constant sense of foreboding. It's an amazing education about a time in our history that I was deeply unfamiliar with.
It took me a while to get used to the cadence and flow of the story. One thing that I found unusual was the lack of speech marks to indicate the dialogue. More than once I had to re-read a passage, slowly, to separate the dialogue, the people involved, and the narration.
The symbolism and use of metaphors blew me away, and sometimes overwhelmed me (particularly in the beginning, as the pace was incredibly slow). Describing people just by the clothes they were wearing, what they were eating, or mannerisms that they had, was wonderful to read.
As the end of the book, and the end of the communist regime, approached, the pace picked up. I felt every heartbeat, every anxious movement, and every fearful conversation. The overwhelming sense of relief and freedom was palpable in the words, it was thrilling to read.
The book follows a small group of friends as they go about their daily lives. The monotony, the deceit, the unknown and terrifying consequences of speaking out. The friends however have a spy in their midst, an officer in the secret police. None of them are safe, with the story following the friends (particularly Adina) as they slowly unravel under the unyielding mental pressure. The storytelling is intense and extremely effective.
So many moments in this book had me pausing to take in the beauty of what had just been said. This was a double-edged sword, as the magnetic, captivating prose took my breath away. On the other hand, I was taking stock so regularly that I was never completely immersed in the story.
A particularly poignant quote and beautiful piece of symbolism was "The moon inside the kitchen window is so bloated that it can't stay there. By six a.m. it has been gnawed by the morning and its face is bleary-eyed" The entire book is filled with metaphors referencing tiredness, dullness, and fatigue - that the whole country felt as the regime continued to control them.
I'm sure I will add more to this review as the story continues to soak in. I may even come back to it in the future and reread it with a renewed understanding.
I found it difficult to give this book a rating that truly reflects my feelings. It's been a couple of days since I finished it, and more elements are still sinking in. It's not an easy book to get your teeth into and my rating partly reflects that. Is it a beach read for your summer holiday? No. It requires time and attention. When you're ready to give that time and attention though, this is the book I'd suggest you pick up. It is effectively poetry in the guise of a novel, so it takes effort. The payoff for me, was worth it in the end.
Have you read this book? Tell me what you thought, I would love to get another perspective on it!
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A common theme amongst my digital reads is the freebies I get from Kindle/Amazon First Reads. This one is no different. I loved the design of the cover and the bright colours. Basically, I am easily pleased! I didn't read the blog at all so went in blind, my only clue was that it was in the fantasy genre. It would seem that the floodgates to fantasy have now opened and I am being drawn to them, left, right, and
*this review contains affiliate links - see my profile for more info
What is Annotating?
Let me start by being clear, annotating books was completely alien to me until I went back to college last August, and was expected to reference my work. To help me find my way back to important chapters, quotes I wanted to use, key charts or tables, and generally keep myself on track, I started throwing coloured post-its into my reference texts. Green ones were quotes, purple were research
I like to start my book reviews with a little story about how and why I chose that particular book to read. This time, I'm finding it hard to give a reason, as I don't have a clear answer. I'll give it my best shot. From the simple standpoint, the title sounded interesting, I've been on a bit of a time-travel kick recently (as you can see from my recent reviews for The Time Traveler's Wife and In Any Lifetime, because parallel universes count as time travel, kind of!).
On a slightly deeper level the college course I completed in May covered sociology and British history
Lord of the Rings is an absolute classic of Fantasy and literature, so it was bound to be on my list at some point. After eventually completing The Hobbit in June (see my review here), I borrowed the first book of the LotR trilogy from the library. I appreciated The Hobbit for what it was but the writing style was out of my comfort zone. I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy the next book, as I anticipated the style to be similarly verbose and, dare I say it, dull in parts. But, I decided not to shy away. It is a classic
This was the second book I chose from my Kindle First Reads in July 2024 (read my review for my other choice, You Shouldn't Be Here, by following this link). I love having a selection of upcoming or new book releases to choose from for free, as a benefit of my Prime membership. Even if you're not a Prime member, you can choose from First Reads at a massive discount, it's a great way to read newly released books while keeping costs down. You can sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime here.
This book was one of the options on Amazon First Reads for July 2024 (click the link to be taken to the page on Amazon which shows you the picks of the month, along with the information about the First Reads program). Every month, Amazon First Reads offers early access to new releases (free for Amazon Prime members) in a wide range of genres. These books are then owned by you, in your Kindle Library. In addition to Lauren Thoman's You Shouldn't Be Here, which I'm reviewing in this post, I selected a book called In Any Lifetime by Marc Guggenheim, next on my list of digital reads.
What I love about the First Reads is the broad range of books that it gives access to. I am not a blurb
I downloaded this book to my Kindle with Kindle Unlimited on the 24th March, when I was preparing for a few weeks of holiday, flights, and places to chill and read. I didn't get through them all so this poor soul was left until recently, patiently sitting in my Kindle library. This is another book I didn't read the blurb for, the cover conjures vivid imagery, a person curled up in what appears to be a grave, covered in
I have a confession to make. I had no idea what this book was about when I randomly picked it up in the library (I was there to collect The Fellowship of the Ring and apparently am incapable of leaving with just one book!). I love a whodunnit murder mystery, this looked like it would fit the bill, so it came home with me!
I also decided to read this, before I delved into LotR, mainly because I'm wholly intimidated by Tolkien,
Welcome back to Fantasy Friday, and welcome to my book review of the romantasy read, One Dark Window, by Rachel Gillig.
Why this book? I loved the cover art firstly, gothic and creepy, giving me Little Red Riding Hood vibes. I also liked the premise of a hidden brain demon, which I suspected would add a dynamic that steers clear of the trope of a woman who needs to be rescued, who is weak without her man, you get the drift.
Well, this is the book that started it all. When I decided, in December 2022, that my New Year's Resolution was to read more, Goodnight Mister Tom immediately sprang to mind. As a youngster, I read this story many times, it tore me apart, built me back up, and showed me a world that only reading can deliver. I wanted to experiment, to see if this book was truly as magical as pre-teen KC thought.
So, shortly after January 1st 2023, I toddled off to the library, got my very own library card, signed it, and headed to the Children's Classics section. It only feels right to complete a book review for this absolute classic. I've also recently started a YouTube channel (KC's Book Corner) and my first ever video was a review of this book, read to the end and have a watch!
BLURB
Tom tucked a blanket round him, drew up a chair by the fire and watched Willie fall asleep. The tales he had heard about evacuees didn't seem to fit Willie. 'Ungrateful' and 'wild' were the adjectives he'd heard used, or just plain 'homesick'. He was quite unprepared for this timid, sickly little specimen.
Britain, 1940. With World War Two raging all around, young children are being sent from their homes in the city to the countryside for safety. When eight-year-old Willie Beech first arrives on Tom Oakley's doorstep, neither are quite sure what to make of each another.
Brought up in terrible poverty, Willie is terribly shy, and totally unprepared for village life - but the gruff-but-gentle 'Mister Tom' quickly takes him under his wing. Neither he nor Willie could ever have predicted the journey they will go on together - nor the unbreakable bond that will be formed.
Winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, and rightly hailed as a true classic of children's literature, Goodnight Mister Tom is a beautifully told, deeply moving story about the power of friendship, kindness, hope - and love.
'Everyone's idea of a smash-hit novel: full blown characters to love and hate, moments of grief and joy, and a marvellous story that knows just how to grab the emotions' - Guardian
MY REVIEW
Oh boy. As I said, Goodnight Mister Tom was the book that started it all for me, back when I was in school, and again in 2023 when I picked up a book...this book...for the first time in years. It gripped me the same way it did when I read it for the first time. Captivating, moving, and changing me as a reader (and in some ways as a person, cheesy but true).
In some ways, this book impacted me differently now that I am an adult and a parent. Now that I know more about the darkness within life, the hold that mental health can have on a person, and the impact that small acts of kindness can have on someone's day, life, and outlook. This book taught me empathy in a way I can't describe, and reading the familiar words again as an adult was indescribable (though I am trying my best to portray it!).
Since starting this journey, not only have I found an outlet for taking care of my wellbeing, I've started pushing myself to do better, to be better. I'm now at college, studying social science. I've started a blog, I'm starting a YouTube channel, and I've found a way of really challenging myself to be creative, to put myself out there. Amazing that one small decision can create a ripple effect that lasts forever!
This is a children's novel, that addresses mature themes of grief, war, mental health, poverty, abuse, and loss. The words come to life on the page, painting a vivid picture of trauma and sadness, while also expressing hope, joy, and the true love of a found family.
Willie is a frightfully shy, small boy, sent to the countryside as an evacuee with nothing but the clothes on his back and a bible. Tom is a robust, dour, grieving man who lives his life in a solitary way, minding his own business, just him and his dog. Together they learn to live a life of value, find happiness, and overcome their pasts, learning to look forward to the future.
The chapter where Willie learns to ride his bike is one of the most poignant, beautiful, and stunning pieces of writing I have ever read. I don't even know if it really is well written, it could be plagued with errors, but I wouldn't notice, I'm just there with him, willing him on, tears in my eyes. I actually feel emotional writing about it, even though it's been 18 months since I borrowed and read this book.
The characters are so pure, so real, and padded out that they could be real people. Their backstories, motives, and beliefs feel so natural that it's hard to comprehend that this is a piece of fiction.
Michelle Magorian takes you on a rollercoaster journey, through the highs and lows of Willie and Tom's journey. They make friends, true friends, with the others in their village, and watching them both blossom is captivating, to say the least. It's a hard read at times, in terms of the subject matter, but on the whole, it's a perfect example of what a book should be. Difficult subjects shouldn't be avoided, even in children's books. Done right, these subjects can be broached and discussed, and the stories can capture, heal, and inspire generations.
I am so grateful to this book for reminding me what a joy it is, to read, to be immersed, and to have a pathway of self-care that was long forgotten.
Goodnight Mister Tom is, and always will be, my favourite book of all time. If you've read it, what did you think?
Here's my YouTube debut, covering this review and a bit of my reading adventure so far, I'd love it if you had a little watch, gave me a like, comment or subscribe to the channel, it means alot!
If, by some stroke of luck, you made it to the end of this post and thought, "Wow, what a great review, I'd love to read more!" you can FOLLOW MY BLOG by clicking the link and subscribing :) I also post bookish content on Instagram
This book has been sitting on my physical TBR shelf for the best part of a year after reading the tagline and thinking "yup that looks like my cup of tea". After reading The Time Traveller's Wife (click here for my review) I wanted to head back to my comfort zone of the thriller and this one seemed to fit the bill.
The cover gives nothing away, which I always find intriguing, but I definitely wanted to read "the most shocking thriller you'll read this year"!
BLURB
THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER
GLAMOUR'S WRITER OF THE YEAR.
WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR?
Fatal Attraction meets The Talented Mr Ripley, and soon to be a major Hollywood film - prepare for this year's Girl on the Train.
By day, Judith Rashleigh is a put-upon assistant at a London auction house.
By night she's a hostess in one of the capital's unsavoury bars.
Desperate to make something of herself, Judith knows she has to play the game. She's learned to dress, speak and act in the interests of men. She's learned to be a good girl. But after uncovering a dark secret at the heart of the art world, Judith is fired and her dreams of a better life are torn apart.
So she turns to a long-neglected friend.
A friend that kept her chin up and back straight through every past slight.
A friend that a good girl like her shouldn't have. Rage.
The Talented Mr Ripley meets Gone Girl in this darkly decadent and compelling thriller that asks:
Where do you go when you've gone too far?
MY REVIEW
I'll admit, I stopped reading in my early teens, when my forays into so-called "spicy scenes" were from borrowed readings of my mum's Mills & Boon books. In the last year, through fate rather than any other reason, most of my books have either been non-romance or fairly closed-door in their depictions of romance and sex. A Touch of Darkness, which I listened to earlier this year, was the spiciest book I had read (except for Fifty Shades of Grey) and I now realise that this was reasonably, erm, vanilla for want of a better term.
I didn't pick up, from the tag-line or the blurb, that Maestra is what's classed as an Erotic Thriller. It wouldn't have put me off though, I am not averse to a bit of spice, and the whole point of me going on this reading journey is to explore different genres and sub-genres.
Yes, there are some pretty spicy scenes. Some surprised me in their bluntness (again, Mills & Boon brain!) of language and lack of feeling. What impressed me though was that these scenes were from a female point of view. Women can enjoy the spice for what it is too, without the fireworks and lovey-dovey palava. The surprise at the course language was based on my own naivety of this type of scene being played out in writing. Maybe I am also a little immature, for a 38-year-old woman! I did have to do some position maths while I worked out what bits of people were where. That was fun! Poor Mike, my other half, had to deal with my expressions of sheer surprise, followed by a bewildered explanation of what I had just read!
I'd suggest that if you're not a spice reader, this might not be for you. There's scenes with multiple people and, erm, activities of a spicy nature, so maybe have a look at content warnings if you're not sure. I won't say too much more here though as I feel like it's a bit of a spolier!
OK, moving away from the spice (which is an addition to, and not the entirety of, the plot). I read this book in under 24 hours, I found it really engaging and it all came together (no pun intended) nicely at the end with a twist that I wasn't expecting. It's the first book of a trilogy and I'm excited to read the others.
Part one was a little slow and I wasn't sure how it fit into the rest of the story until later on. The pace picked up nicely though and soon I was engrossed. Some of the art references went over my head, as did some of the millennial speak (had to Google some terms to avoid getting muddled). Overall though this was an enjoyable book and a great change of pace from some of my other recent reads. There was enough intrigue to prevent it from becoming predictable and the end served as a great lead into the next books.
Judith is the epitome of the morally grey main character. She's unlikeable in a likeable way, unforgiving, sly, but really quite vulnerable too. Add this to high-class art shenanigans, cat-and-mouse games, bad guys, badder guys, betrayal, conniving, and plotting, and you've got yourself a great thriller read. Follow her on her Eurpoean travels, discover the friendships (and enemies) she makes on the way, and you'll find yourself rooting for her, even when you don't want to. Maybe that says more about me than anything else!
Solid four stars, well-written, engaging, and compelling. Has anyone else read this or have plans to add it to their TBR?
If, by some stroke of luck, you made it to the end of this post and thought "Wow, what a great review, I'd love to read more!", you can FOLLOW MY BLOG by clicking the link and subscribing :) I also post bookish content on Instagram. Happy reading!
Well, yes, Slim Shady is also back with an album that's making all the Millennials (including me) jump for joy, but I was talking about me! I'm back after my laptop spent the last week in the repair shop, £90 lighter and with plenty of reviews to get cracking with. I will start with Stephen King's collection of short stories, released earlier this year, You Like It Darker. I finished this at the end of June so I've been waiting desperately to get my views on paper as it were!
It's Tuesday, Travel Tuesday, but instead of giving you an actual travel post, I've taken a slight liberty here and I bring you, for one week only... Time Travel Tuesday!!
I picked up this copy during my recent Charity Shop Challenge and although I have read it before, it has always stayed with me. I wanted to read it again now that I am older and (allegedly) wiser. I also really enjoyed the movie, it stayed true enough to the original work and did a reasonable job of presenting the romance, tragedy, and heartbreak that the book does so well. The challenge with re-reads is the worry that the same feelings won't be elicited the second time round. I needn't have worried!
BLURB
Clare and Henry met when Clare was just six and Henry thiry-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-two and Henry thirty.
Impossible but true.
The Time Traveler's Wife is the international bestselling novel of a time-altering love. Henry is a librarian who suffers from a rare condition where his genetic clock periodically resets, finding himself pulled suddenly into his past or future. Meanwhile, Clare is an artist waiting all her life for her great love Henry to appear. In the face of this force neither can prevent nor control, Henry and Clare's struggle to lead normal lives is both intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.
'Dark, unpredictable, incredibly clever and a modern romance' - Grazia
MY REVIEW
I'll start by saying that I didn't enjoy this book as much the second time around, which isn't a slight about the novel at all, but I remembered too much and found it hard to be fully immersed.
That being said, I was still completely enthralled by the writing and having read it before, I was able to really appreciate the foreshadowing in the moment, which was intense and gave me chills.
We follow Henry and Clare through their relationship, which takes place throughout time, with Henry being pulled into different places in time as a result of his genetic disorder. One moment he's 33, enjoying breakfast with his wife and the next he's at his wife's childhood home 20) years ago, having breakfast with his wife (who is now 5). The book explores the interesting, almost sci-fi, concept of time travel as a genetic disorder while also navigating the trials, tribulations and pitfalls of building, and maintaining, a 'traditional' relationship.
Let's deal with the elephant in the room. Some of the interactions between Henry, time travelling as an adult, and Clare a child, are a little creepy and uncomfortable on the surface. I don't want to say grooming, as it's one of those time travel, fate, has happened a million times, circle of life, can't be avoided, tropes that needs to be viewed in the way it was intended.
That being said, the story is intricately developed, with time travel being explored in a unique way. None of this "you can't interact with people in the past or you might not exist any more" drama. This made it easier to digest and get my head around the often complex. It's certainly not a standard romance, since it's already happened. There's no "will they, won't they" but there's plenty of miscommunication, arguments, unhappy moments, doubt and angst as you'd expect in a more traditional romance novel.
Without sharing spoilers, the book deals with some intense topics (loss, grief, substance use, and fertility issues being some of the key ones) so I'd advise checking content warnings if you're unsure. These topics were handled with sensitivity and were all integral to the plot to some degree (though not always apparent at the time!). It's also not a closed book romance, though none of the scenes were particularly graphic (in comparison to some of the more spiiiiiicy books I've read anyway!)
It's incredibly well written and I'm envious of the sheer talent and effort it will have taken to have all these threads woven without feeling that there are any loose ends. For a book dealing with time travel, that's an achievement and a half! Time travel is not an easy subject to take on, even as a reader sometimes!
Both characters were well developed and intentionally flawed (I love reading about a character's jealousy, insecurities and irrational thoughts). I was rooting for them, my heart broke for them, and I was fully invested in their stories both as a couple and as individuals.
My first readthrough of this book was an absolute 5-star, this time I was less immersed and couldn't quite shake that problematic feeling during those adult Henry/youth Clare interactions. This absolutely doesn't take anything away from the beauty of the writing, the breath-taking moments and the intricacy of the story-telling. Absolutely still 4-stars for me this time around, I honestly wish I could read it for the first time again!
Have you read this one? What were your thoughts on the unique approach to time travel?
If, by some stroke of luck, you made it to the end of this post and thought "Wow, what a great review, I'd love to read more!" you can FOLLOW MY BLOG by clicking the link and subscribing :) I also post bookish content on Instagram. Happy reading!
Monthly Reading Roundup - June 2024 - What books did I read in June?
June 2024 was a busy reading month, despite being away on a Hen weekend and at a music festival, I still managed to carve out plenty of reading time. I read/listened to 10 books (head over to my 2024 Reading List for links to the reviews, and all of my reviews for 2024 so far). I've not posted any blog updates or reviews for a few days, my laptop decided that it wanted to have a break (literally) so it's in the shop getting repaired. Blog posts on my phone are disastrously slow but I'm still here, slowly getting there! Happy reading!
My Sister's Grave - Robert Dugoni
Shuggie Bain - Douglas Stuart
Sex, Lies and Chocolate Cake - Steven Morris
The Alone Time - Elle Marr
The Martian - Andy Weir
The Hobbit - J.R.R Tolkien
Bluebeard - Peter McDonnell & Jim Clemente
The Other Mrs Walker - Mary Paulson-Ellis
The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
You Like It Darker - Stephen King
These books consisted of 2140 pages and 36.98 hours of listening time. I read more physical/digital books this month but reduced my audiobook listening time as I took annual leave from work so didn't have my weekly commuting hours. This averages out at about 70 pages a day, plus 70 minutes listening time, but similar to last month, I definitely didn't listen or read every day, and I promise I do other things other than reading (sometimes!!). I also listen at 1.7 speed, so my actual time spent listening is almost half of the number of book minutes. Being a Scot, I am used to fast talking so any slower than 1.7 and I get frustrated about how long it's taking :)
Top Rated Books
I rated three books as 5 stars this month, along with four 4 star reads. My 5 star reads were The Martian, Shuggie Bain and You Like It Darker. It really was a month filled with some great reads across multiple genres. I'm finding myself getting more drawn to historical fiction, which surprised me but has opened me up to even more possibilities when I'm browsing the shelves!
Funniest Book
Sex, Lies and Chocolate Cake was by far the funniest book I read this month (being a comedy, I'd hope so!), it was a short but engaging read and was full of conversational banter and self-depreciating hilarity! Big shout out though to The Martian which was dripping in dry humour and sarcasm despite the gravity (no pun intended) of the situation.
Most Heart-warming
The Other Mrs Walker was a heart-warming read which ended on a cosy note and left me feeling hopeful. Though some of the subject matter was tough and bittersweet in parts, the underlying sense of family, similarity, and new bonds, was really sweet.
Most Likely to Re-Read
The Time Traveller's Wife was already a re-read for me and will always be a story that I can pick up and enjoy at any time. Revisiting The Hobbit might be interesting too, especially once I have completed the LoTR trilogy. Reading it with a bigger understanding of the world is bound to be interesting and enjoyable. I also loved You Like it Darker, and would enjoy re-reading some of the individual stories, to soak their brilliance in even more!
Top Five
1) The Martian
2) Shuggie Bain
3) You Like It Darker
4) The Time Traveller's Wife
5) The Other Mrs Walker
This month was top notch from start to finish, thoroughly enjoyable reads. I can't wait to see what July holds, I have some great ones on my list of hopefuls, plus plenty of room to squeeze in the unexpected random!
What did you read this month? What would you recommend to me as my next read from your list?
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