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Book Review: Wizard and Glass – Stephen King

Posted on May 23, 2026 by fantasyst95

***Today’s review of Wizard and Glass contains an affiliate link to Amazon if you wish to purchase the book. If you follow this link, I will earn a small commission from that purchase at no cost to you.

If you wish to obtain a copy of the book based on this review, I would really appreciate you following this link and showing my content some support by making your purchase.***

Wizard and Glass wasn’t quite the book I expected it to be. So far in Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series, the narrative has been light on the context of the wider series. Hoping this would unravel later in all due time, I was okay with this. Well, unravel it did. If you’re interested in my thoughts on the earlier books of the series, you can find these here: –

The Gunslinger

The Drawing of the Three

The Waste Lands

I confess, Wizard and Glass wasn’t quite the books I anticipated, and I almost marked it down for it. Ultimately, it was an interesting book. However, if I’m honest I was a little disappointed Wizard and Glass came across as a bit of an info-dump book.

However, the book and narrative isn’t without its merits, and overall I rated the book four stars. Before we get into my thoughts in full detail, let’s cover the stats and synopsis…

Wizard and Glass – Stephen King

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 845

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 04 Nov 1997

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Purchase Link – Amazon UK

Goodreads – Wizard and Glass

Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Jake’s pet bumbler survive Blaine the Mono’s final crash, only to find themselves stranded in an alternate version of Topeka, Kansas, one that has been ravaged by the superflu virus. While following the deserted I-70 toward a distant glass palace, they hear the atonal squalling of a thinny, a place where the fabric of existence has almost entirely worn away. While camping near the edge of the thinny, Roland tells his ka-tet a story about another thinny, one that he encountered when he was little more than a boy. Over the course of one long magical night, Roland transports us to the Mid-World of long-ago and a seaside town called Hambry, where Roland fell in love with a girl named Susan Delgado, and where he and his old tet-mates Alain and Cuthbert battled the forces of John Farson, the harrier who—with a little help from a seeing sphere called Maerlyn’s Grapefruit—ignited Mid-World’s final war.

My Thoughts

Plot

Whilst the overall setting and backstory of this book came across as a bit of an info-dump, I can’t actually fault the narrative in itself. This book wasn’t what I expected or hoped for. Instead of a continuation of the present day narrative we’ve enjoyed in books 1-3, very little actually happens in the present timeline in Wizard and Glass.

Instead, we are taken back to Roland’s youth for the entirety of this book. If not for the level of cohesive detail, and my inability to come up with a way this story could have been told in the detail it is any other way, I would have marked it down. There is so much to this book that I think it was necessary to do in this format. In the grand scheme of the series, the context this backstory provides is relevant to the wider plot and needed to be told. My dislike of the change of pace and plot-line is ultimately preferential and so I couldn’t in good faith by unfair on this point my marking down my review.

Wizard and Glass is an epic storyline. Hardly surprising for a Stephen King book, but especially in this wider world. Rather than following the established journey towards the Tower, we instead explore the backstory that set Roland on its path. That said, the plot is no less full of action and conflict that we’ve seen in earlier books. Rather, the setting of the book takes us back to what I would describe as a more authentic Western setting. Conflicts, when not handled with words, start with fists and end with bullets or flame. It’s dramatic, tense, and everything I’ve enjoyed in the series so far.

Characters

As well as the usual cast and crew we’ve come to know and love throughout The Dark Tower so far, we come to know many more in Wizard and Glass.

Despite almost starting again, and having a whole new cast to introduce and explore, this wasn’t overwhelming to read. Key character are brought into the narrative in good time, not all at once. Even though I went into this book with investment into a set of characters that barely feature in the story (Roland aside, of course), I was still able to relate and motivate myself to explore the new characters and their conclusions.

The small town community setting of this book is one I know all too well. I live on an island myself, and news, and people, get around. In this even smaller, somewhat isolated group, it’s not difficult to appreciate how difficult it is to keep secrets in a place like this. The conflict and tension of such a setting is engaging. Groups like this often develop their own senses of right and wrong, morality, things like that. For outsiders, it’s entirely skewed. That’s very much the case here, and I liked that. To what extermes will these people go to? Where are the boundaries, if they exist?

Setting

The benefit of a book which essentially addresses flashbacks is that we get to see a whole new setting within the wider world already established. It’s an opportunity to address history and take a look at the places, events and ultimately the backstory that shaped the more modern timeline.

In Wizard and Glass, we get to experience what I would describe as a book with closer fidelity to a Western style narrative. In earlier books, we’ve had elements of modern societies bleed into the narrative. Blane the mono, abandoned cities and the like morph the setting slightly to something more hybrid. However, in Wizard and Glass, the small town setting and close community brings us back to the book’s Western roots. The self-sustaining community, suspicious of outsiders, set in their ways and opinions and witchcraft especially feels authentic.

Whilst I’ve enjoyed the other books and their crossovers in setting (it’s a fantasy after all, not a pure Western), I got on well with Wizard and Glass leaning into this more authentic setting.

Narrative Style

For the most part, we spend the majority of our time in Wizard and Glass flashing back to the past. Whilst we get brief glimpses of present day and the group listening to Roland’s recount of his youth, not much happens here. Even still, these brief interludes help break up that dense, contextually relevant narrative and give Susannah and Eddie the opportunity to ‘ask questions’ to help reaffirm relevance to readers.

Despite being a chunky read, I read Wizard and Glass pretty quickly. In all, I think I was actively progressing with this book over a span of a couple of weeks. I did have to put it down temporarily to pick up some reading obligations. However, once those were out of the way I dived into the final 30% of the book with gusto.

For an epic fantasy, I’d say Kings books, Wizard and Glass included, aren’t difficult to read. There’s complexity in the depth of what is going on, sure, but not really in the language, tone or writing style of the book. Even references to phases and elements of ‘own language’ in the book are pretty self-explanatory.

Summary

Thanks for reading today’s Wizard and Glass review!

Have you read Wizard of Glass, or any other books in Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series? If not yet, pick up a copy of Wizard and Glass here, or start the adventure with The Dark Tower and let me know what you think of this Western-style fantasy.

First Lines Friday – 22/05/2026

Posted on May 22, 2026 by fantasyst95

***Today’s First Lines Friday contains an affiliate link to Amazon if you wish to purchase today’s featured book. If you follow this link, I will earn a small commission from that purchase at no cost to you.

If you wish to obtain a copy of the book based on this post, I would really appreciate you following this link and showing my content some support by making your purchase.***

I’m back with a First Lines Friday, and I’m looking forward to sharing details of a book I have on my radar as it contributes towards the Goodreads 2026 Spring Reading Challenge. I had plenty of books to choose from. I have three other books on my TBR, as well as today’s feature, that will contribute towards the has me debating whether to pick up today’s feature for the Editor’s Picks award. Initially, my gut instinct was to pick up one of two other books. Now though, I may change my mind…

Let’s take a look at the opening lines, and then dive into details of the book!

I am dangling, and it is only my father’s blood-slicked grip around my wrist that prevents me from falling.

He is on his stomach, stretched out over the rocky ledge. His muscles are corded. Sticky red covers his face, his arms, his clothes, everything I can see. Yet I know he can pull me up. I do everything I can not to struggle. I trust him to save me.

He looks over my shoulder. Into the inky black. Into the darkness that is to come.

“Courage,” he whispers. He pours heartbreak and hope into the word.

He lets go.

The Will of the Many – James Islington

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 640

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Saga Press

Publication Date: 23 May 2023

Goodreads – The Will of the Many

Amazon Purchase Link

At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this “brilliant and gut-churning masterpiece” (Library Journal, starred review) by the internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.

The Catenan Republic—the Hierarchy—may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.

I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilized society in allowing my strength, my drive, and my focus—what they call Will—to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.

I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.

But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.

And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.

To survive though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them, and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.

And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.

My Thoughts…

The introduction in today’s First Lines Friday has me wondering if I should forego picking up Challenger or The Song of the Cell, which were my first choices, for The Will of the Many.

Dark academia is a genre I enjoy reading every time I go back to it. That’s why The Will of the Many is on my TBR anyway. That, and I’ve heard amazing things about the book. With that introduction, I’m already asking questions about the dynamic between the characters. It’s shocking and there is barely any detail or context for us to understand what is going on – and hook our attention!

I don’t know a lot about The Will of the Many beyond the synopsis and that fellow reviewers I trust enjoyed the book. And you know what, I’m kind of happy with that. I’m willing to go with the vibes and be surprised either way. Sometimes, it’s refreshing to go into a book not knowing – when you’re active in the community and read reviews by others, it’s rare to go into a book without some kind of preconception.

Have you read The Will of the Many? Do you like dark academia and want to read along with me? If you liked today’s post, please consider grabbing your copy of the book using this link, from which I will earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Thanks for reading today’s First Lines Friday, and hope you’re looking forward to the long weekend ahead!

Sunday Summary – 17th May 2026

Posted on May 17, 2026 by fantasyst95

Happy Sunday friends and welcome to another weekly Sunday Summary catch-up! I have some great reading progress to update you with this week. With a looming blog tour post, it was all steam ahead with reading the book for which I needed to review. After that, I’ve enjoyed another couple of finishes… so all in all, it’s been a productive one!

Before we get into the reading updates section of this Sunday Summary, let’s recap the content I’ve shared this week. Here on the blog, I’ve posted a list of books on my TBR I can read towards completing the Goodreads 2026 Spring Reading Challenge. Then, on Thursday morning, my expected blog tour review for The Eagle Will Rise went live!

Over on YouTube, I caught up with posting my April wrap-up and May TBR. Unfortunately, I didn’t get those out last week. However, I finally worked through a learning curve that comes with changing video editor and got them out before they were so late they were obsolete.

Books Read

The Eagle Will Rise

Reading priority this week went to completing The Eagle Will Rise ahead of my blog tour obligation on Thursday. When I prepared my May TBR, I shared that I hoped finishing this book wouldn’t go down to the wire and I’d be a bit more prepared. Well… I’m sure you can imagine how it actually played out.

Yes, I read this book in the final two days before the review was due. However, knowing M.J. Porter’s writing style and format of books, I was confident this was achievable. And sure, it was! I even had my review scheduled before the small hours of the night, so that’s a bonus!

As much as I left things to the last minute, that’s no reflection on the book, but on me. The Eagle Will Rise was an action-packed, brand-new series opener. It was a great read, and another series from M.J. Porter I’m keeping up with. If you love historical fiction and want to find out more, take a look at my full review here.

Crown of Midnight

I’m pleased to share I finally completed Crown of Midnight today. This book has been long outstanding, given I wanted to finish this in April.

As with the first book, the ending was really compelling and I’m curious to find out where this series is going. Events are constantly getting broader and the world-building is far more than I could have hoped for. I confess, I went into Throne of Glass not appreciating the scope of the series. Sarah J. Maas is now for romance more than anything, so that’s what I expected. Sure, that’s absolutely in here. However, the vast magical background to the narrative, hinted at character arcs and complex relationships have surprised me.

I’m looking forward to jumping straight into Heir of Fire and continuing the series!

Witch Hunt

Over the last seven days, I’ve completed the final 75% of Witch Hunt by B.D. Spargo. Yes, as of this Sunday Summary, I’ve got a third finish to share!

It’s been a great week, and it’s helped having some very different books and all well-received. Witch Hunt caught my attention for its ties to the Pendle Hill witchcraft history the location has. This book builds upon that history, but it doesn’t overly dominate the narrative if it’s not your cup of tea.

I really enjoyed how this mystery unfolded. The pacing at the end especially made this compulsively readable, or in my case, I didn’t want to stop listening! And, completing this book this week means I’m AHEAD of providing my review in early June. First time for everything… right?!

Somewhere Beyond the Sea

Finally, the last book to update you on in this Sunday Summary is one I’ve picked up towards completing the Goodreads 2026 Spring Reading Challenge.

Unfortunately, the final books on my May TBR are ones I own already and can’t get audiobook versions of from my library. I don’t want to pay twice. Not only that, but the only book I don’t own hasn’t been made into an audiobook. So, I was stymied until I started producing my list for the Spring Challenge.

Given I couldn’t pick up anything towards my May TBR, I might as well try to read towards completing the challenge. I’m optimistic Somewhere Beyond the Sea will contribute towards the Pride month challenge. If not, well, it’s a sequel that was on my TBR. So, it’s no loss reading this one anyway 😅

Books Discovered

I added a few new books to my TBR as part of my Goodreads 2026 Spring Reading Challenge post – A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

I’d also historically neglected to add Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe to my TBR, despite getting a physical copy of the book as part of a book subscription I enjoyed a couple of years ago.

Coming Up…

What I’m Reading…

So, Heir of Fire is my next and only immediate priority. This book is coming up at 600 pages long. It’s getting more sizeable compared to the previous instalments of the series. I’m glad I’m getting on top of this now and not jeopardising running late for the rest of my readalong.

Naturally, I’ll also continue on with Somewhere Beyond the Sea. It’s a library loan, so I have a couple of weeks to finish this without extending the loan. Given there’s a deadline, it doesn’t make sense to pick up anything else in tandem.

Blog

Early next week, I share my thoughts on a sequel to a series I’m reading that didn’t quite land as well as its predecessors. Wizard and Glass is the fourth book of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts on this one to decompress and hopefully get myself in the headspace to continue and read Wolves of the Calla in the near future.

On Friday, I’ll return with a First Lines Friday feature. I’m in the mood for a challenge, and I want to keep up momentum and focus on books to pick up towards completing the Goodreads Spring challenge. So, I’ll feature one of the books I featured in that post in more detail. If you weren’t inspired to pick it up after that post, perhaps the First Lines Friday feature can sway your opinion!

As always, I’ll close off the week with another Sunday Summary update. Will I have as successful a week in terms of reading progress? I can only hope so! Bearing in mind the remaining books on my TBR, mostly get longer, that may be a little optimistic. However, I didn’t set an ambitious TBR with the intention of letting it pass me by without trying to push for it.

YouTube

Over on YouTube, I’ve recorded two videos to share during the week. The first video is a recorded version of my Completing the Goodreads 2026 Spring Reading Challenge post.

The second video is an early preview of my thoughts on Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama. I’ve been reviewing books I’ve read so far this year on YouTube ahead of those reviews going live here on the blog. So, if you want to catch those reviews before everyone else here, go and follow me there.

Summary

This Sunday Summary is plenty long enough, so I’ll leave you to the rest of your day. As for me, I’m off for a relaxing shower before bed. And hey, guess what? The weekend is over and the daily grind has rolled around far too quickly 😭 Bring on the late May bank holiday…

Until then, what are you reading?

Blog Tour Review: The Eagle Will Rise – M.J. Porter

Posted on May 14, 2026May 13, 2026 by fantasyst95

As I’ve already established here on Reviewsfeed, I’m a huge fan of historical fiction written by M.J. Porter. So far, I’ve kept up to date with her Eagle of Mercia Chronicles. However, I’m NOT here today with another instalment of that series. No! Instead, I have the pleasure to feature a brand new series, The Eagle Will Rise. With characters from Eagle of Mercia I have come to know and love, it was a shoe-in in terms of me enjoying this! Taking place later than that series, an ageing Icel hasn’t given up his seax just yet.

Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on this brand new series – The Eagle Will Rise, book one of The Sundered Kingdom series. I can only do my best to encourage you to pick up this fabulous historical fiction novel. As expected, given my experience with the Eagle of Mercia series, the book isn’t shy on antics and daring rescues. Fans of Bernard Cornwell’s The Last Kingdom series will find characters overlap significantly; if you love this book, please pick up this one to continue the adventure from a Mercian perspective!

As always, thanks to Rachel and the author, M.J. Porter for the opportunity to read and review The Eagle Will Rise. Whilst I was provided a copy of the book for the purpose of giving my review, the thoughts expressed within this post are entirely my own.

Here are the stats/details for this action-packed historical fiction, then I’ll dive into my thoughts…

The Eagle Will Rise – M.J. Porter

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 322

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Original Publication Date: 07 May 2026

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Goodreads – The Eagle Will Rise

The king is dead; for Mercia to survive, another must take his place.

Coelwulf, Mercia’s last king, is dead. His legacy and right to rule Western Mercia have been claimed by Alfred of Wessex, but all know Alfred was never to have Mercia. Neither were the Viking raiders, who now command the eastern-most parts of Mercia and the former kingdom of the East Angles.

Icel, the bastion of Mercia’s wars against Wessex and the Viking raiders, lies dying, but he refuses to abandon his beloved kingdom to her long-standing enemies.

Rudolf, the once-young ally of King Coelwulf the second, is summoned by Icel to attend upon him. Grudgingly, he arrives at Budworth, the task laid before him, audacious to say the least; rescue Coelwulf’s acknowledged heir, Æthelred, from Wessex, where he’s held prisoner by King Alfred. To do so, Rudolf must prevail upon the dispersed oath-sworn warrior band of King Coelwulf, and all of them, aside from him, have ignored Icel’s increasingly furious demands to attend upon him. If they won’t obey Icel, then why should they listen to Rudolf?

The fate of Mercia’s survival rests in the hands of a man who should long have been in his grave, and Rudolf, a boy who’s become a man in the most trying of circumstances. They must forge Æthelred into the emblem of Mercian survival. Or die trying. But first they must rescue Æthelred from someone who has always pretended to be Mercia’s ally, and who is anything but.

Purchase Links – Amazon UK | Amazon.com

My Thoughts…

Plot

Whilst it’s helpful to have read the Eagle of Mercia chronicles when picking up this book, it’s not essential. A degree of the history that plays out in Eagle of Mercia is relevant to the plot in The Eagle Will Rise. However, there is a degree of refresher or high level explanation, depending on where you start this book at, to fill you in.

Being the first book of a series, there’s maybe a fraction less action than I am used to. Only a little, though, so don’t worry! In this new series, there’s a good balance between setting the scene of this new adventure and keeping current events moving. Action looks a little different, with some smaller level conflicts taking place throughout the book. It gives us the chance to explore faction dynamics and enjoy a build-up of tension that will inevitably come to a head later.

Rest assured, Icel, Rudolf and the motley gang aren’t off for a jolly stroll, and plans set out early in this book run far from smooth. We’re kept on our toes as foiled plans, plots and betrayal shape this exciting opening narrative.

Personally, I can’t wait for events to develop later in the series. This first book is only just out, and I have to wait!

Characters

I’m glad to have my favourite character, Icel, play such a prominent part of this story. One of the main reasons I was excited to pick up this new series was to see where his story took him after Eagle of Mercia.

And it seems, he hasn’t lost too much of the mischief and meddling that shapes his youth. Though much older, and physically frailer at the start of this book, he’s as keen to fulfil his duty to protect others as we have come to love. I’m kind of glad a potential character arc mentioned in the author’s note didn’t happen in this book, at least. I suspected it was, but we can only hope that’s reserved for another day.

Icel isn’t the only familiar character, however. Cynewise makes a reappearance, but there are also names from the broader histories that didn’t get chance to appear in Eagle of Mercia. I know them from the likes of Bernard Cornwell’s The Last Kingdom. Guthrum, King Alfred and Lady Ealhswith are names I first came to know from other books first. Getting a different, refreshing perspective on these characters and their roles in history was a fun addition to this narrative. One I hope to explore in future books, as a Mercian perspective isn’t overly prominent in other books of the same period. At least, not the ones I’ve read yet…

Familiarity aside, there are a number of new characters introduced in this book. I’m sure many of these new names will carve their places in the series and in history as this later series develops. I found this slight change up refreshing, as to date I’ve only read a portion of M.J. Porter’s published works. Until The Eagle Will Rise, they were all from the same series.

Setting

Events of The Eagle Will Rise take us across the British landscape we know today, albeit with different borders and at times, some slightly different town names. If you’re a big reader of historical fiction, like I am, then it’s easy to follow. Even if you’re not, names are the same or at least recognisable to their historical names. Have no fear!

Travel throughout the book keeps the narrative moving along nicely. Compared to some other books I’ve read by the author, the plot is lighter on battles and has a greater, almost slow-burn build, to the main action at the end of the book. This gives the perfect opportunity to discover the dynamics, relationships and rivalries that govern this revised world. Fewer battles certainly does not mean less action, because that certainly isn’t the case! Icel, Rudolf and the gang find themselves in all manner of conflicts and pickles, just less epic in nature. For now – I have no doubt we’ll see more shield wall action like we do in the conclusion of The Eagle Will Rise soon!

Narrative Style

I have the benefit of going into The Eagle Will Rise familiar with the authors’ writing style. If this isn’t going to be your first book by M.J. Porter, then you can ret assured the style of The Eagle Will Rise is consistent.

However, if you have yet to read anything else by the author, then perhaps I should elaborate. M.J. Porter’s writing is one of the easiest I find to read. The action combines with the adaptability of shorter paragraphing sentencing and chapters when warranted helped the pages fly by. I consistently read the author’s books in a matter of days. Two, sometimes three, depending on what life’s throwing at me at the time. For The Eagle Will Rise, two days was all I needed! I devoured the book effortlessly; I’m sure you won’t find hard to imagine.

Although the book heavily features a character I love from Eagle of Mercia, I enjoyed this narrative being told from a fresh voice. Otherwise, it would feel more like a continuation of that series. The new protagonist gives The Eagle Will Rise a distinct new voice, and somewhat separation from that series to add a new voice to the time period.

Summary

The Eagle Will Rise is a fun, compulsively readable fresh start to a new historical fiction series by M.J. Porter. With characters I know and love, but set in a new time period with a fresh perspective, I already can’t wait for the sequel. What do you mean I have to wait?!

If you haven’t checked it out yet, why not take a look at where Icel’s journey begins with Son of Mercia?

Author Bio

I’m an author of historical fiction (Early English/Saxon, Vikings and the British Isles as a whole before the Norman Conquest, as well as five 20th-century historical mysteries) and fantasy (now published under a different name).

I was born in the old Mercian kingdom at some point since 1066. Raised in the shadow of a strange little building, told from a very young age that it housed the bones of long-dead kings of Mercia and that our garden was littered with old pieces of pottery from a long-ago battle, it’s little wonder that my curiosity in Early England ran riot. I can only blame my parents!

I like to write. You’ve been warned!

Social Media Links –

linktr.ee/MJPorterauthor

Completing the Goodreads 2026 Spring Challenge!

Posted on May 13, 2026 by fantasyst95

It feels a little early, but the countdown is on for completion of the Goodreads 2026 Spring Challenge. With around 50 days left, it feels like I have plenty of time to read towards this challenge. At the same time, I’ve already got a number of reading obligations on my plate. By the time I’ve got those nailed, I won’t have all the time in the world to finish the challenge.

Before this year, I haven’t actively tried to complete these seasonal challenges. However, after narrowly missing out on completing the Winter challenge earlier this year, I’ve got a vendetta now. Getting ahead, my plan is to look ahead at what books I already want to read can go towards this challenge, and what gaps I need to fill. In my Sunday Summary last week, I mentioned that I have a gap between my May TBR and the books I have/that I can get audiobook copies of. So, this is where this list could come in handy!

Before I jump into the outstanding books/achievements section of this Completing the Goodreads 2026 Spring Challenge post, here are the prompts I’ve completed already: –

Achievements Attained so Far

Page-turner – Read 2 Books During Challenge
Speed reader – Read 3 Books During Challenge
Book boss – Read 5 Books During Challenge
Trending Books – The Astral Library

Now, let’s take a look at what prompts for the challenge remain outstanding as of drafting this post. I’ll share what reads on my TBR fit the prompt, or what book I’ve found to fill the gap if I don’t have a natural fit…

Achievements to Get

Community Picks

I have a few books that meet the Community Picks prompt. All of these are on my TBR already, and I love the sound of all of these books. Rather than pick any one of these now, I’m going to keep my options open so I have some mod-reading flexibility!

I don’t have any burning desire to read any of these over the other. The other consideration is other reading lists, obligations or goals. However, none of these books correlate with other reading targets, so anything goes here.

Marathon Reader

Turns out I have quite a few books on my TBR for this prompt! I’ve been looking for an excuse for a LOTR readalong, so that is a strong contender. However, one other book on this list may trump LOTR…

Pillars of the Earth is on my list of reads I want to complete in 2026. I set out this list in my 2026 resolutions post. I’ve been recommended The Pillars of the Earth at least twice, by two work colleagues at the time. So, it makes the most sense to pick this up and kill two birds with one stone. Maybe I can save a LOTR re-read for later in the year…

Editors’ Picks

Four entries from my TBR will qualify for this Goodreads 2026 Spring Challenge prompt. The two that most appeal to me are Challenger and The Song of the Cell.

When I picked up my first read of 2026, Orbital, it touched on the events of space shuttle Challenger. I already had a copy of Challenger by Adam Higginbotham – I picked it up last year. However, this casual reference in Orbital has encouraged me to bump this up the list.

My other option is The Song of the Cell. The reason this is higher on the list is because I enjoyed a similar themed book recently. Why We Get Sick is a book specifically about insulin resistance and covers how this occurs on a cellular level. I enjoyed the strong biology-based narrative. After finishing that book, I’ve had The Song of the Cell on my mind as a perhaps less specific, but interesting follow-up.

Books on Books

I only have a couple of books on my TBR that fits this prompt, so I guess this is an easy choice. I think I only own one of these already, so it makes Ink Blood Sister Scribe the more likely of the two I’ll read. However, I’ve enjoyed Janice Hallett in the past. I have incentive to read more from Janice Hallett this year because I want to pick up an upcoming sequel to her The Appeal series later this year.

However, my understanding is The Twyford Code falls outside of this series. So, I’ll suggest this is a strong backup in case I don’t get on with Ink Blood Sister Scribe.

AAPI Heritage

For this final disclosed prompt, Katabasis is the only book on my TBR that meets the prompt.

Like I need an excuse to pick up R.F. Kuang! I was stoked to get a copy of this book pretty much when it came out last year. I picked it up in the airport on my way to Iceland. Oh how terrible that I have an excuse to pick this up and read it in the near future…

I’m gutted, can’t you tell?!

Summer Reading

I have a number of books that overlap with this challenge. The only pity is that I’ve read or DNF’d them. That surprise me, if I’m honest. I wouldn’t describe myself as a seasonal reader. However, the range of books on this list is quite broad, which helps.

So, whilst I can’t actively knock a book off my TBR for this challenge, I’ve picked out a couple I like the sound of. I’ve seen plenty of readers pick up Project Hail Mary and enjoy it, so that’s a solid contender to pick up towards this Goodreads 2026 Spring Challenge. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R. R. Martin is also VERY tempting. I love GRRM and his Game of Thrones series especially. I could totally read a spin-off this summer…

Escapist Reads

I love an escapist read! However, for this prompt I also don’t have a TBR prompt that qualifies towards the Goodreads 2026 Spring Challenge. I have books I’ve already read…

Interestingly, a pick for the Summer Reading prompt will also work for this one. Reading Project Hail Mary will work for both prompts, although I confess my original plan was to lean into A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for the Summer Reading prompt. Perhaps I can see how time goes – if I’m pinched I can pick up PHM for both. On the contrary, if I have the luxury of reading both, I’ll do that!

Mystery – Pride Month

The last prompt is technically a mystery, but we can be sure we need to read an LGBTQ+ book for it.

Having looked at my TBR, I have a few books that could qualify for this prompt. My preference for this prompt is to read a book that is LGBTQ+ that is on my 2026 Fixed TBR. That is The Colour Purple by Alice Walker. The Colour Purple is a classic, which is why I added the book to my 2026 fixed reading list. I tried to read the book as a teenager, but it was a bit advanced for me at the time. What makes this perfect to read towards the Goodreads 2026 Spring Challenge is that the book explores a lesbian relationship.

Given the prominence of the title, I’d like to think it will qualify for the mystery prompt. However, it may not. In that case, I may nee to swap it out. I have a couple of other books on my list that I’ll prioritise if they come up. Otherwise, I’ll find anything I can that qualifies! Naturally, I’ll update you if I need to switch.

Summary

I’m excited to read towards, and hopefully complete, the Goodreads 2026 Spring Challenge! There’s a spectrum of books that can contribute, and also opportunities to get to books I’ve been excited to pull off my TBR and read anyway.

Are you looking to complete the Goodreads 2026 Spring Challenge? Have you read any of the books featured today?

Sunday Summary – 10th May 2026

Posted on May 10, 2026 by fantasyst95

I’ve enjoyed a long weekend this weekend, and yet still I’m surprised we’re here with another Sunday Summary update. Whilst last weekend was long due to a national holiday, this weekend is also a long weekend for me as I booked both Friday and tomorrow off. The occasion – my sister got married yesterday!

Needless to say, a good portion of this weekend was spent for the special day and so I’ve only really done a little bit of reading today. However, with no plans or commitments tomorrow, you bet I’ve got a nice calm day to chill out and catch up on some reading planned!

So what have I done this week? On the blog here, I posted my May TBR on Monday and a Shelf Control on Friday. I’ve got another long list of books planned – my TBR jar wasn’t the kindest to me this month.