Tag: Fiction

Blog Tour Review: Dark Chronicles – Karmen Spiljak

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Want to try some shorter or speculative fiction in 2026? If so, then Dark Chronicles is a fantastic collection to start with!

As always, before I share my thoughts, thank you to Karmen Spiljak and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Dark Chronicles. I was provided with a copy of the book for the purposes of providing my review, but the thoughts expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

Now, let’s dive in, shall we? 

 

Dark Chronicles – Karmen Spiljak

Genre: Short Story Collection

Pages: 179

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Self published

Original Publication Date: 23 Jan 2026

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟.5

 

Goodreads – Dark Chronicles

Storygraph – Dark Chronicles 

Careful what you wish for. In Dark Chronicles, wishes have teeth.

Ten speculative tales brimming with twisted humour and delicious menace: a pepper that lets you in on other people’s thoughts, a radio show that predicts your fate, and a blood-thirsty ghost who refuses to let go.

Award-winning author Karmen Spiljak delivers a chilling and razor-sharp mix of twists and dark suspense, perfect for readers who like their stories to unsettle and linger.

Ten dark tales. Ten twisted fates. One thrilling collection.

 

Purchase Link – https://books2read.com/Dark-Chronicles

 

My Thoughts… 

It’s not very often I read and review a short story collection. Not unheard of either, but it’s not my main reading preference. However, there is something refreshing abut picking up a short story collection now and then.

 

Plot

In a month where I have picked up some lengthier and denser books, Dark Chronicles has been a refreshing change to lighten the pace. Even though shorter stories aren’t my typical medium, speculative fiction is not a stretch. In fact, I enjoy stories of this nature quite a lot. So, it was actually an enjoyable change to pick up such a book without the heaviness of a lot of world-building and the luxury of being able to set out a complex foundation. I truly believe being able to convey a message in such a small page count, and do it well, is a challenge demonstrating a lot of skill. Karmen does this incredible well.  

 

Setting

If you like your stories with a touch of mystery and/or darker themes, then Dark Chronicles is as good a fit for you as it was for me. As genres go, it appealed to me well and the stories themselves didn’t disappoint. I loved the variety each of the ten series presented. From dystopian worlds with more advanced technology to an unusual take on something reminiscent of the effects of narcotics, Dark Chronicles includes a spectrum of stories for all. The common theme across these stories implores readers to be careful what you wish for. It may just come back to bite you… 

 

Narrative Style

The tales and their sinister nature are both approachable to read, without compromising on the atmosphere they create. I read this book in a single day. Each story drew me in. I wanted to find out more about the characters, what they wanted, and how inevitable things wouldn’t quite turn out the way they hoped. The pacing of each of the stories is quite quick, so each can be finished in less than 10 minutes. If you can only commit to reading in short bursts, this format is perfect for you.

Equally, if you are like me, the fast-paced and ever changing narrative makes it easy to devour the book very quickly.  As I said, I read this book in a day, and most of it in just a single sitting. It was very easy to do! 

 

Summary 

Short, speculative fiction is a format and genre I need to have more of on my reading list. Dark Chronicles proved an excellent palate-cleanser on my January TBR. A break from heavy fantasy books was definitely needed, and Dark Chronicles holds its own as a memorable read. If you enjoy trying new books, or are looking for a good way to try something new, make Dark Chronicles a means of exploring shorter fiction, or speculative fiction, in 2026!

It won’t come back to bite you, I promise! 

 

Author Bio


Karmen Spiljak is Slovenian-Belgian author of suspense, horror and speculative fiction, a developmental editor and a book coach.

Her short fiction has been awarded and anthologised. Her short story collection, Add Cyanide to Taste, won the 2022 IndieReader Discovery award for best short stories/Fiction and Pass the Cyanide won the 2023 Wishing Shelf Book Awards Bronze.

She lives in Belgrade with her husband, two mischievous cats and an undefined number of literary characters. Find out more about her writing on www.karmenspiljak.com .

Social Media Links – 

https://www.instagram.com/karmenseeta/

https://www.facebook.com/karmenspiljak 

https://www.tiktok.com/@karmenseeta 

https://www.threads.com/@karmenseeta 

Shelf Control #99 – 23/01/2026

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***Today’s Shelf Control post 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***

 

Today’s Shelf Control post features another thriller novel with a kind of murder mystery aspect. This section of my TBR suggests I was really into thrillers. My prior feature was about a serial kidnapper and torturer. This book is about a murder investigation involving the accessing digitised memories of the deceased to discover the identity of the killer. I hinted at this in my Sunday Summary last week, so you’ve had five days to make your guesses as to what the title of today’s feature is.

Psychological thriller fans, this post is for YOU! And me! 

Before I share the details of the book, here’s a recap of what Shelf Control is all about. Shelf Control is a meme run by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a celebration of the unread books on our shelves! The idea is to pick a book you own but haven’t read and write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up.

If you want to read more about the Shelf Control feature, check out Lisa’s introductory post.

 

Access Point – Tom Gabbay

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Pages: 217

Audience: Adult

Publisher: JMS Books

Publication Date: 05 Apr 2020

 

Amazon Purchase Link

Goodreads – Access Point 

“A psychological thriller with compelling explorations of memory, obsession, and identity. Readers will find it an intriguing and entertaining read.” – BlueInk Review

When American art student Mia Fraser is brutally murdered steps away from her London house she shares with computer genius Ula Mishkin, it leaves the socially inept scientist heartbroken. When it becomes clear that Detective Sarah Boyd is making no progress in solving the crime using traditional methods, Ula creates a software program that allows her to reach into her dead housemates memory in order to reveal the identity of the killer. Entering the dead girls life through the echo of her memory, Ula learns that sometimes the past is best left undisturbed.

 

My Thoughts

Psychological thrillers are my favourite type of thrillers. Plus, this narrative has some novelty in the plot line I’m excited to read more on. The concept of accessing digitised memories to discover the identity of a killer has me intrigued. Are we talking about accessing digital diary entries. A digital persona/caricature of the real person uploaded into some futuristic (although not a leap away) technology? The synopsis is pretty vague on this point, but I’m curious to see where this angle takes us. 

Of course, Ula may find out far more than she wants to. The premise hints at that, but honestly it could go in any direction… from those she knows to maybe even herself. That would be an interesting twist, wouldn’t it?! 

Access Point hasn’t got a load of reviews on Goodreads yet, but the rating indicates the book has been well-received by the that have picked it up. Honestly, I’m looking forward to getting around to this one and being able to share my two-pence worth. Hopefully, also inspire some other readers to give it a go! 

I hope today’s post has inspired you to give Access Point a try along with me. It’s a short and purportedly fast-paced read. At a fraction over 200 pages, this is an approachable read. Whether you are looking for an approachable book or just want a change of genre and pace between longer books, Access Point is the perfect choice. Also, for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, you can access it with your membership. Otherwise, you can get a copy here. 

If you’re still with me, thanks for checking out today’s Shelf Control feature. Have you read Access Point? Do you fancy giving it a go along with me?

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Audiobook Review: As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow – Zoulfa Katouh

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***This post 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 As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow based on this review, I would really appreciate you following this link and showing my content some support by making your purchase***

 

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow was one of my most memorable reads of 2023. It’s also featured on subsequent lists on the blog such as my TTT – Debut Novels I Enjoyed post, my TTT – Books That Surprised Me list and TTT – Atmospheric Reads. 

I am still astounded that As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a debut. It does NOT read like one. Full of passion, terror and unexpected twists, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow has me watching this author for new releases. It’s just a pity I didn’t check her page before sharing my 2026 Anticipated Releases video on YouTube the other day, as we have an expected June release of another Syria-based story. I can’t WAIT! 

Before I get ahead of myself though, I’m here to tell you about the book that started my whole love affair with this author’s writing. Let’s check out As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow… 

 

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow – Zoulfa Katouh

Genre: Historical Fiction / Contemporary

Pages: 417

Audience: Young Adult

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: 13 Sept 2022

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/45mdr4T

Goodreads – As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow

Salama Kassab was a pharmacy student when the cries for freedom broke out in Syria. She still had her parents and her big brother; she still had her home. She had a normal teenager’s life. 

Now Salama volunteers at a hospital in Homs, helping the wounded who flood through the doors daily. Secretly, though, she is desperate to find a way out of her beloved country before her sister-in-law, Layla, gives birth. So desperate, that she has manifested a physical embodiment of her fear in the form of her imagined companion, Khawf, who haunts her every move in an effort to keep her safe. 

But even with Khawf pressing her to leave, Salama is torn between her loyalty to her country and her conviction to survive. Salama must contend with bullets and bombs, military assaults, and her shifting sense of morality before she might finally breathe free. And when she crosses paths with the boy she was supposed to meet one fateful day, she starts to doubt her resolve in leaving home at all. 

Soon, Salama must learn to see the events around her for what they truly are—not a war, but a revolution—and decide how she, too, will cry for Syria’s freedom.

 

My Thoughts

Plot 

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is set in war-torn Syria. Naturally, there is a lot going on, all the time! 

Salama works in the local hospital, endeavouring to treat the victims of war with ever-dwindling supplies. Starting as a pharmacy student, desperate need necessitates Salama being ‘promoted’ through the ranks to perform emergency surgeries and life-saving treatment. Medical facilities are targeted, so an already high-pressure role combined with stress and anxiety of the personal danger – plus her conscience when she can’t save someone – takes its toll on the 18-year-old protagonist. 

Obviously no spoilers here, because where’s the fun in that?! I’m here to get you to read the book, not to give you a summary so you don’t have to 😅 What I CAN tell you is that it’s gripping. Compelling. Has you wanting to read/listen more. One more chapter. Drama. Okay, maybe another…. Just one more, I promise! 

Personally, I wouldn’t market or suggest this book is just for young readers. It’s mature enough content. However, in a world like ours, maybe the eyes of our youth need opening sooner. They’ll be the ones taking the reins for change. Equally, it reads just as well for adults – I picked this up in my late twenties and didn’t feel like I wasn’t the target audience in the slightest! 

 

Characters 

Salama is a relatable narrator, if not always reliable. I love an unreliable narrator! Who has an imaginary friend at her age, telling her what to do? Even still, I went on trusting her perspective throughout the narrative, and came to some interesting plot twists and revelations as a result. 

I love Salama’s passion for her home country and the people she cares for. She is reluctant to leave both her war-stricken country and the people determined to defend it. Even when those she loves beg her to leave, she’s devastated to face such a decision. It’s rare to see such conviction in a narrator, so much so that it’s a conflict point of the narrative that I loved to explore. However, it doesn’t come off as ignorance or a lack of understanding of the situation. Salama knows she is in danger every moment she stays. But, she is staying to defend and care for those who can no longer do so for themselves. It’s really quite admirable. 

For romance lovers, there’s a spark between Kenan and Salama that many readers root for. I’m not a huge romance fan, but their bond and fondness for each other doesn’t dominate the narrative or take away from so many other amazing aspects of the book. So, I actually got on with it. Shocking, I know! You can’t help but want the best for the characters, even if the environment they are in makes believing it unlikely. I was behind these characters until the very end. At the end, I just HAD to listen to find out what happened! 

 

Setting 

One of the most beautiful aspects of this book is the descriptions and passion we see throughout Salama for her home country of Syria. I’m not versed in the details of the country or real events that inspire this narrative by any means. However, this book made me want to learn more. 

The situation Salama lives in is quite harrowing. War has driven her and her country to scarcity. Inadequate access to food and medicine puts Salama in a precarious position. She struggles to provide for herself, and the means with which to care for those who need it are fast running out. Even seeing humanity and her homeland in the most unimaginable state, she romanticises the country of her birth. Her home. Her family. Her heritage. It makes me really appreciate the circumstances I live in by comparison. And how lucky I am never to have lived through anything like it. 

 

Narrative Style 

I listened to the audiobook of As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow. In future, I plan to pick this up again either in paperback or digital format to read conventionally. The audiobook is fantastic by the way! Narrator Sarah Agha does an amazing job of taking the inspiring, passionate language of the author and translating it to the spoken word. She has done the book the utmost justice in her style and portrayal of the characters and events of the book. 

The fast-paced plot of As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow had me coming back consistently over the month or so it took me to listen to the story. For a book that approaches the difficult subjects of war, trauma and the tug of war between wanting to stay but feeling increasingly you need to leave, it’s an ‘easy’ listen. In terms of style, that is. The content pulls no punches… 

 

Summary 

Zoulfa Katouh wrote As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow to show readers what is happening in her home country of Syria every day. Rarely is such a raw picture of the depravity and devastation painted so plainly. Even more so, in a way that has me wanting to understand more by reading more around it! Zoulfa, you gave myself and so many other readers the strong feelings you hoped for. As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a fantastic read, deserving its 4.45 star average rating on Goodreads as of publishing today’s review. It’s a read I plan to read and break my heart over again in future. 

If you haven’t read it yet, take this as one of my strongest recommendations I can give. Pick up this book. Do it today. You won’t regret it! 

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My Hefty January TBR!

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Today, I share a hefty January TBR!

I’m hitting the New Year with full force. In this January TBR, I have nine books in total I’m hoping to get through. It’ll require a reading pace of 75 pages a day and 36 hours of listening time to complete! 

 

***This post contains affiliate links to Amazon if you wish to purchase any of the books featured. If you follow any of these links and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. 

I would really appreciate you considering following this link to make any purchase as a show of support***

 

My January TBR 

First, A Fresh Start… 

Orbital 

Purchase Link – Amazon

To start the new year with a fresh start, I’m picking up the relatively short, though not especially light, Orbital. 

I can see why the book won the Booker Prize. In such a short read, the book discusses complex concepts and feelings on an intimate level. It’s an inspiring and interesting read— one I’ve finished since recording! I’m glad I made Orbital my first read of the year. 

 

Then, my December Carryovers… 

Beyond Redemption 

Purchase Link – Amazon

My current read as of this January TBR going live is Beyond Redemption. This is a read I started mid-December when I was at the hairdressers. 

By the end of December, I’d read 15% of the book. In the last few days since picking it up again, I’ve doubled that to 30%. I’ve got this book on Kindle Unlimited, but I’m ceasing my subscription in a couple of days, so time to shake a leg, right?! 

 

Empire of the Dawn 

Purchase Link – Amazon

A book I struggled with in December, and put down briefly, is Empire of the Dawn. 

The nature of this book, the size, my hardback copy, the joy and dread of a final book in the trilogy, are all reasons I think I had trouble with it. However, with a short interval, I’m now ready to venture back into this last book of an amazing series!

 

The Doors of Midnight 

Purchase Link – Amazon

My audiobook carryover on this January TBR is The Doors of Midnight. I started this audio in mid-to-late December, but its length meant there was no way I was able to finish it before the end of December. 

I’ll no doubt spend most of January reading this book, but it’s a good one so far. This Asian Silk Road fantasy is a refreshing change on my January TBR, and protagonist Ari is an excellent storyteller. 

 

A Review Obligation 

Dark Chronicles 

Purchase Link – Amazon

I’m reviewing the short story collection Dark Chronicles on the 27th January. It’s full of dark and twisted stories which would maybe be suited to autumn for mood readers. I, however, don’t care!

Given it’s a short book, I’m going to be flexible and throw it in as and when I want a break from heavier reads… and before 27th January, of course! 

 

Book Club Reads… 

I Know I’m in There Somewhere 

Purchase Link – Amazon

I’m trying a new tack with my work book club, and I’m setting a theme as opposed to a set book. 

For my own book towards this month’s “New Year/New You” theme, I’m reading I Know I’m in There Somewhere. It’s a book about how women can find their own authentic voice through acceptance of themselves. 

 

After the Forest

Purchase Link – Amazon

Very different to the other books on my January TBR is my read of After the Forest with the Cottagecore Fantasy Book Club. This club is also open in terms of book selection, and there is a challenge on StoryGraph with all manner of books on it. 

I want to read After the Forest as it’s based on a well-known fairytale, Hansel and Gretel. Other than that, I’m going in blind! 

 

2026 Fixed List Reads 

Yellowface 

Purchase Link – Amazon

Picking up Yellowface works towards two of my 2026 resolutions – reading from my physical TBR and also one of my 16 books on my fixed read list. 

I’ve enjoyed both Babel and The Poppy War from author R.F. Kuang so far. I’m looking forward to trying this contemporary book to see how it compares! 

 

The Great Passage

Purchase Link – Amazon

Finally, The Great Passage is the audiobook I’m jumping to after The Doors of Midnight. It’s the second book I’m planning to read from my fixed list. It’ll also be a refreshing change in the length comparison with The Doors of Midnight – it’s about a quarter of the length! 

That’s not to diminish it though. It’s a book of language and worlds and passion and all set in a less familiar cultural context. I’m excited to read it!

 

Summary 

I have plenty of books to be getting on with in this January TBR. It’s a new year and I’m keen for a fresh start. 

What are you reading this January? 

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Monthly Wrap-Up – December 2025

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Happy New Year friends and welcome to my last monthly wrap-up of 2025! In today’s post I take a look at reading progress in December 2025. In summary, I didn’t touch much of my December TBR. Once my reading obligations were over and I’d completed my Goodreads Reading Challenge, my brain kinda switched off. 

Nevertheless, I have some progress to share and after a slow, steady festive period and end of the month I’m ready to get back into it! 

 

Books Read 

 

Death of a Billionaire 

Early in December I had a blog tour obligation to review Death of a Billionaire by Tucker May. With a number of ongoing books from the end of November, I had to pick up and finish this one pretty quickly. 

One light night and a review later, I safely ticked Death of a Billionaire off the list. It’s a fun, humorous murder mystery and I enjoyed the lighter tone. If you want to take a look at this for yourself, here’s a link to my review. 

 

Empire of the Dawn

A book I made slow progress with in December was Empire of the Dawn. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t working for me as I had hoped. It’s a chunky book, and I think having the limitation of a heavy, hardback copy is the primary reason I struggled to pick this up. 

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get an alternative copy of this book to carry on in another format without additional cost. After trying p persevere with it a little longer, I ultimately soft DNF’d it partway through the month. I love the series and where the story is going so far, so I WILL absolutely revisit this one in the near future! 

 

A Crucible of Souls

I wrapped up listening to A Crucible of Souls mid-month after starting the book in November. Overall, I enjoyed this fantasy book and it was a decent recommendation I picked up as part of a ChatGPT recommendations challenge I started a few months ago. 

However, I did finish this book a little disappointed. The book has a lot of detail and an engaging storyline. That said, the book is very light on explanation or backstory on Caldan so we finish the book with as many, if not more questions, than when we started. 

No doubt the rest of the series would catch up with this intel later. I, however, have decided not to continue with it.

 

Beyond Redemption 

The final book I have picked up towards my ChatGPT recommendations challenge is Beyond Redemption. Admittedly, progress on this book was also light in December. 

In total, I made it 15% into the book. I initially started reading it on my phone at the hairdressers during my appointment mid-month. However, I prefer to read digital books on my kindle and don’t get it charged up till much later in the month. Also, I’d hit my lull by this point despite enjoying what I’ve read to date. With my Goodreads Challenge for 2025 exceeded, my brain switched off from reading and turned to craft projects and downtime instead. 

So, Beyond Redemption will be carried forward into January. To get my reading mojo back I’ve started a short read today. Once that’s done though, I’m going to launch into Beyond Redemption full force. I’m excited to see where this grimdark fantasy takes us.

 

The Housemaid is Watching

Where progress with physical and digital books has been on the slow side this December, today’s monthly wrap-up features far better news on audiobook progress! 

After listening to The Housemaid’s Secret last month, I added The Housemaid is Watching to my December TBR as a contribution to completing my 2025 resolution of finishing 10 series. 

Thankfully, listening to The Housemaid is Watching proved as compulsive as its predecessor. I listened to the entirety of this audiobook in just a few days – a complete change from the lethargy that I have to hold my hands up to otherwise in this monthly wrap-up! 

 

The Doors of Midnight 

Another audiobook I made great progress with in December, but inevitably I’m carrying over into January, is The Doors of Midnight by R.R. Virdi. 

I listened to around 10 hours worth of audio in December (at x1.15 speed for this one, so about 8 1/2 hours of actual listening time). However, as of today, 1st January, I still have 35hrs and 8mins (30hrs 30mins at x1.15 speed) to go! This book is over 800 pages long, so I didn’t really expect completion by the end of December. Still, it was an attempt towards my series completion 2025 resolution. I can’t knock myself given I gave it a good go! 

Now that I’m immersed back into Ari’s life and escapades, I’m excited for this carryover to hopefully be one of my first highly-rated completions of 2026. 

 

Summary 

Audiobooks saved the day again! Whilst I expected this monthly wrap-up to be short (given a lack of reading progress in the second half of December), I haven’t got much to complain about. I picked up a good few, even if they didn’t result in a green, shiny tick before 31st December. 

What was your final read of December? Did you meet your 2025 reading resolutions? I’ll be deep-diving into my progress on last year’s reading resolutions in the next day or two. I hope you can stick around for that! ☺️

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Shelf Control #98 – 12/12/2025

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Today’s Shelf Control post features a thriller I love the sound of. It’s scary if you imagine yourself in the shoes of the victims. I hinted at this feature in last week’s Sunday Summary and I’ve looked forward to writing about it all week. To say I forewent going to the work Christmas party to write it is a lie. However, everyone going is probably running out of steam right now, whereas I’m at home, in my PJs’ living my best life. No regrets!

As always, before I share the details of the book, here’s a recap of what Shelf Control is all about. 

Shelf Control is a meme run by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a celebration of the unread books on our shelves! The idea is to pick a book you own but haven’t read and write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up.

If you want to read more about the Shelf Control feature, check out Lisa’s introductory post.

 

Senseless – Ed James

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 400

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Headline

Publication Date: 19 Mar 2020

 

 

Goodreads – Senseless

THREE MISSING PEOPLE… ONE TWISTED PREDATOR.

DAY ONE

Six weeks after vanishing, Sarah Langton is suddenly found – delirious and starved close to death.

The police struggle to find any answers.

DAY TWO

When another missing person reappears, half-crazed and hysterical, a terrifying pattern emerges: a twisted predator is pushing his victims to insanity.

DS Corcoran, haunted by a previous case, and Dr Marie Palmer, a leading criminal psychiatrist, must try to establish a link between the survivors.

DAY THREE

As it becomes clear others are in grave danger, every second will be critical. But can Corcoran and Palmer unravel the deadliest of puzzles in time?

 

My Thoughts

The thought of being deprived of all senses is terrifying. That’s what the victims of Senseless endure, and the effects are frightening. When they’re released, what can thy reveal about the predator that trapped them if they’ve seen or heard nothing?

I love a good time-pressured thriller. And what detective doesn’t have a backstory in these types of books? In some ways, Senseless seems a little cliched but I’m intrigued enough by the plot to give it a go. If nothing else, I like trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together. If it’s written well, I can’t see the ending coming. Can I predict the ending of this one? That remains to be seen!

Senseless is a well-rated book on Goodreads, so I’m hopeful I enjoy this thriller. If you’re a fan of them too, then maybe this Shelf Control feature has made it onto your TBR.

Have you read Senseless? Is this type of thriller on your radar? 

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Book Review: Starsight – Brandon Sanderson

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Young adult science fiction isn’t really a go-to genre and audience I reach for. However, Brandon Sanderson can basically do no wrong in my eyes. After reading several of his books, I branched out and picked up his Skyward series despite not being the intended audience. You know what? It didn’t matter an inch! I loved the first and titular books of the series (which you can read more about here…). 

Naturally, continuing with the series was an obvious choice. That brings us to the second instalment in the series, Starsight. It’s quite a different setting compared to the first book, but that worked pretty well for me. I enjoyed seeing the storyline advance from the introductory plot line of Skyward. Want to find out more? Then read on below!

 

Starsight – Brandon Sanderson  

Genre: YA science fiction

Pages: 461

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co. 

Publication Date: 26 Nov 2019

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Goodreads – Starsight

All her life, Spensa has dreamed of becoming a pilot. Of proving she’s a hero like her father. She made it to the sky, but the truths she learned about her father were crushing.

Spensa is sure there’s more to the story. And she’s sure that whatever happened to her father in his starship could happen to her. When she made it outside the protective shell of her planet, she heard the stars—and it was terrifying. Everything Spensa has been taught about her world is a lie.

But Spensa also discovered a few other things about herself—and she’ll travel to the end of the galaxy to save humankind if she needs to.

 

My Thoughts

Plot 

Starsight is a very fast-paced book, especially for adult readers. 

The wider world in which Spensa’s home planet of Detritus is expanded on immensely in this second book of the series. At the time, not everyone loved the change of focus. However, in my immediate thoughts after finishing this book, I shared my love for how Brandon Sanderson isn’t afraid to break his own moulds and improve his storylines. Talking about this book after finishing the rest of the series allows for hindsight, and the shift now makes a lot of sense. The rest of the series follows suit, and gets bigger and better the further we explore this world! 

If there is any testament to how fast-paced this book is, it’s the speed I read it. I finished the whole book in less than a week; the second half of this book (which is about 200 pages!) got demolished in one sitting. And if I may say, the broader context of reading this book was that I’d picked up some trickier reads just before it. I wasn’t reading quickly until Starsight turned my slump around. 

 

Characters 

Spensa is a sassy, angsty, and headstrong teenage girl. Well, find me one that isn’t, but that wouldn’t make for an interesting story. 

Enter Spensa—a girl who grew up believing her father a hero, only to have her recollection of who he was dashed. A girl who dreamed of following in his footsteps, but finding out he wasn’t the man she idolised. Just about the worst nightmare combination you can cook up for an already turbulent individual, no? 

I listened to the audiobook of Skyward, but read Starsight traditionally. I enjoyed the book in paperback format, and characters still popped for me even without the characterisations of the narrator. Still, I did miss M-Bot’s Scottish accent just a little! It’s not what you expect for that kind of character, but it is a hilarious aspect of the narrative. 

Starsight is an interesting book in that it introduces a broad spectrum of characters. The set list does a lot for broadening your perspective on the world established in Skyward. It’s done gradually throughout the book so as not to be overwhelming. 

 

Setting 

Where Skyward was limited to the setting of Detritus, Starsight takes us… well, skyward. No longer bound, Spensa undertakes a daring mission to find out more about herself— who she is, and about her home. It’s ironic the circumstances she does this in, but no spoilers here! 

The setting of this book does wonders for the rest of the series. Skyward has quite a sheltered setting by comparison, but it’s fundamental to understand before getting to the events of this second book. 

Brandon Sanderson is a great writer, and his worlds are detailed and interesting to learn about. If the plot wasn’t interesting enough, trust me, the world the book is set in is. 

 

Narrative Style 

With such a fast-paced narrative, you need an easy-to-read style to allow the action to flow. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, given the intended audience of the book and the popularity/success of Sanderson, that he hit the nail on the head. 

I devoured this book, and that’s a compliment considering the page count. It’s just shy of 500 pages, so not exactly short. However, I binge-read the second half of the book to figure out what was going to happen! The flow and style of the writing made that even easier to achieve. 

 

Summary 

Starsight is a fun sequel to Sanderson’s young adult science fiction series. Spensa is a relatable, young, angsty teen who is determined to live up to the reputation of her father. Starsight takes us beyond the horizons and skylines of Slyward, and it’s an exciting, fun-fuelled adventure! 

Have you read Starsight or any other books by Brandon Sanderson? 

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Monthly TBR – December 2025

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We’re in the final month of 2025, and I have a great list of books to round up the year. As of this monthly TBR, I’ve completed my Goodreads reading challenge. At the beginning the year, I set out to read 45 books this year, and increase of three on the previous year. The great news is I’ve met that target, so there is no numerical target to hit any longer. Instead, this monthly TBR is made up of books to meet my other goals. If you recall, those were: –

  • Get up-to-date or finish 10 series
  • Complete Goodreads Reading Challenges
  • Get out of my comfort zone

From final books of trilogies to books written in unusual dialects, I have a weird and wonderful list of books that make up my last monthly TBR of the year. Shall we take a look at what those are? 

 

Fixed Reads 

 

Empire of the Dawn

Starting off this monthly TBR is my current physical read, Empire pf the Dawn by Jay Kristoff. So far, progress with the book has been a little slow. I’ve not picked it up loads. Partly, I think this is out of fear of finishing the series. However, I’ve also had other bits on, and I know it sounds silly, but keeping up with I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Has impacted my reading time. I’m not a religious watcher of TV, and especially not live programs. However, this is the one exception I will bend over backwards for. 

Now though, I’ve got a deadline. Of all the goals left to achieve this month, finishing 10 series is highest on my list. That puts Empire of the Dawn and two other books on this list as priority reads this month. Oh, what a shame, never mind… 

Seriously though, I can’t wait to see what happens in this book. The hinted at trials and betrayals will be juicy and emotional, I’m sure… 

 

A Crucible of Souls

Next on this monthly TBR is my current audiobook listen. It makes absolutely no sense to drop this book given it’s one I’ve already started. Whilst reading towards my ChatGPT reading challenge isn’t a goal I set myself this year in my 2025 resolutions post, its a fun piece of content I want to make. Also, I want to know if ChatGPT or other AI can make good recommendations for books if I’m in a slump or stumped on what I want. That, or if I’m looking for an off-the-wall recommendation. 

I’m also playing with recording my thoughts on these books in video format, so watch this space. I’ll likely release these together as one comprehensive post. It’s a trial to see if I can get used to filming and recording myself with a view to publishing for video content in future. So, A crucible of Souls, as well as the final book on this challenge, are on my December TBR so I can release that video in the new year. Maybe. We’ll see how reading progress goes.

As of this monthly TBR, I’m a third of the way into A Crucible of Souls. I’m enjoying the audio so far, so fingers crossed more good progress follows! 

 

After the Forest

If you are a regular reader, you’ll know I help moderate a book club online. The Cottagecore Fantasy Book Club recently changed their format from a traditional to a non-traditional book club. Instead of picking one designated book to read, the club has put together a list of suggestions that meet Cottagecore themes. Even still, books aren’t limited to those that the club has highlighted. If readers have a book on their TBR that meets the criteria, they can pick those up instead and share their thoughts (and hopefully recommendations) in Discord and on the monthly call. 

For my pick, I’m committing to reading After the Forest. It’s a Cottagecore, witchy spin-off of the fairytale Hansel and Gretel, as far as I can tell. It’s a bit different and I’m interested to see how well I like the book in due course. 

 

The Doors of Midnight

The second book on this monthly TBR that will help me complete my goal of finishing series is picking up R.R. Virdi’s The Doors of Midnight. I read and reviewed the first book, The First Binding, a while ago now as part of the publication blog tour with Gollancz. 

Whilst I’m later to the party with this book, I’m looking forward to returning to this complex silk-road inspired fantasy. It’s a chunk at over 800 pages, but not unexpected. The first book could knock someone out if you hit them over the head with it as well! 

On a serious note, I loved the narration style and story of the first book in the series. Reading The Doors of Midnight will bring me up to date, so will be a worthwhile accomlishment if I can finish it before the end of December. 

 

The Housemaid is Watching

The final sequel I’m finishing in December, after listening to A Crucible of Souls, is The Housemaid is Watching. This is the final sequel on this monthly TBR and finishing this book (as well as Empire of the Dawn and The Doors of Midnight) will mean I’ve hit my target finishing or getting up-to-date with 10 series throughout 2025. 

I enjoyed listening to The Housemaid earlier this year and The Housemaid’s Secret last month. It was an impromptu listen in November (see more in my monthly wrap-up for November), but it proved an easy and entertaining listen. Of the sequels on my list, I think it’s the easiest to finish due to its size. The series so far has also been really engaging, and listening to the books is pretty easy as well. It’s engaging, with multiple perspectives unveiling the twists in the story. I can’t wait to finish this one! 

 

Mood Reads 

 

Beyond Redemption 

I didn’t get to Beyond Redemption last month. As I said above, completing my ChatGPT book recommendations challenge isn’t top of my list and therefore this book makes it to the Mood Read list. 

I’ve still got a copy of Beyond Redemption via Kindle Unlimited, ready and waiting for me. It’s the grimdark recommendation I asked ChatGPT for. It’s been a while since I leaned into this sub-genre, and I’m looking forward to getting into it. Last time I read in this genre, I discovered a favourite trilogy. I’m optimistic I’m onto another winner here! 

As I mentioned above, this doesn’t contribute to my 2025 resolutions goals. However, I want to keep up progress with the book for the ChatGPT challenge I started much later. 

 

Yellowface

The last book I read by R.F. Kuang was Babel, and that book was one of my favourite reads that year. As a result, I can’t wait to see if Yellowface is as well received! 

From what I recall of the hype when Yellowface released, I’m confident I’ll enjoy this one. It deals with a morally grey character who steals the literary work of another after a lack of success of her own merit. My understanding is that it also deals with cultural appropriation. It should make sure an entertaining and thought-provoking read! 

Yellowface will help me towards one of the Goodreads Fall Challenges – Fiction Faves. 

 

The Burning Girls

Another Goodreads Fall Challenge is picking up a Spine Tingler. For that challenge, I want to pick up The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor. 

I’ve enjoyed numerous books by this author to date, including The Chalk Man, The Other People and The Taking of Annie Thorne. It’s a pretty safe bet as thrillers go. With darker nights right now, it’s fun to cozy in at home and read something spooky! 

 

Deep Wheel Orcadia

The final book on this monthly TBR, and on the list as a book ‘out of my comfort zone’, is Deep Wheel Orcadia. This book caught my attention and landed on my TBR as I was intrigued by the idea of a sci-fi book written in Orkney slang. It’s also written in English, so I will actually be able to read it. However, it’s a unique book and idea, and I knew I had to give it a look! 

Deep Wheel Orcadia is a reasonably short read. In a way, it’s the last priority book on this monthly TBR. However, I may choose to call on it if I need a break between genres, or just a short read if I fancy something different. 

 

Summary 

With my Goodreads reading challenge done, the final books that make up my December monthly TBR are to wrap-up my last resolutions for the year. 

Did you set yourself any goals for 2025? Do you have any goals you’re making a final push to complete? 

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Blog Tour Review: Death of a Billionaire – Tucker May

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When the nights are drawing in, a funny murder mystery definitely lifts the spirits. If you’re in the market for a quick and engaging whodunnit, Death of a Billionaire will be perfect for you! 

Before I get stuck into this review in earnest, thank you to Tucker May and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Death of a Billionaire. Whilst I was provided with a copy of the book for the purposes of providing my review, my thoughts are my own. 

Now, let’s dive in, shall we? 

 

Death of a Billionaire – Tucker May

Genre: Murder Mystery

Pages: 268

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Tucker May Books

Original Publication Date: 14 Nov 2025

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Goodreads – Death of a Billionaire

Ever dream of killing your boss? Alan Benning knows how you feel.

The problem: his billionaire boss actually winds up murdered. And the whole world thinks he did it.

When globetrotting tech billionaire Barron Fisk is found dead on the floor of his swanky Silicon Valley office, all evidence points to Alan.

Alan must venture into the glitzy, treacherous world of tech billionaires to clear his name by sortingthrough a long list of suspects with motive aplenty. If he can’t find the real culprit, Alan’s going down.

The clock is ticking.

Who killed Barron Fisk? The truth will shock— and change— the entire world.

Fans of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club series, Carl Hiaasen’s tales of high-stakes hijinks,or Ruth Ware’s page-turning mysteries will love Death of a Billionaire.

Purchase Link

 

My Thoughts… 

Plot 

Do we all dream of murdering our bosses? I can’t say I do, but then again, I am pretty boring by a lot of people’s standards. Alan Benning, however, despite the same reputation, finds himself accused of his CEO’s murder. So begins Death of a Billionaire. From here, the book almost comically lays out all the potential suspects and why they have a motive to see the late Barron Fisk off. 

The book also has a good twist at the end. I had my suspicions from quite early on as to the identity of a mysterious anonymous narrator. And I was close, so close. Tucker May is clever in unveiling the big reveal at just the right time! 

Generally, the book is well paced, and revelations, stake outs, and parodied corporate boardroom drama drive the plot forward. Death of a Billionaire isn’t shy on the action, which is what I really enjoyed about this narrative. 

 

Setting

Aside from being a little futuristic in technology, the world of Death of a Billionaire is much like our own. It’s fun and approachable, regardless of whether you are technically minded or have a lot of interest in technology. Let’s be honest, in our world 30% of smartphone users are loyal to one of the tech brands in the world. Hint, their logo and name are fruity… It’s therefore not a stretch for one brand to dominate the market in this fictional world. 

The spectrum of characters in the book allows us to see people and settings from all demographics. Rich, poor, people of colour – it’s a diverse place! I also like to see this wider representation, so kudos that Death of a Billionaire does this well. 

 

Characters

The suspects in Death of a Billionaire are all comically shady in some way. It was a fun jaunt to pick apart their stories and get under the hood with their relationships to Barron Fisk. He, and some of the other characters in this book, are far from noble or even nice. It’s hard to feel sorry about what happened to him. The police investigation tears apart the lives of those closest to Fisk, some deserving, others less so. 

Barron Fisk is not a likeable character, so Tucker May has done a fantastic job of maintaining that personality and facade of Fisk whilst keeping us readers invested in his murder investigation. 

 

Narrative Style 

The book is short and snappy. With concise chapters and lots of action to match, you’ll be whiling away the page count before you know it! The plot does a lot of the work to get you compulsively turning the pages, but this does help you along 😉

Combine that with the humour and unique disdain shown to us readers by the narrator, and you get a fun, quirky read. Death of a Billionaire was fantastic as a light palate cleanser around some longer, heavier books. Its tone and joviality are refreshing. Truthfully, it was the type of book I needed right now.  

 

Summary 

Are you after a lighter, humorous murder mystery where everyone is a suspect and probably should be for a good reason? If so, pick up Death of a Billionaire and you won’t regret it! I shared that I’d just started this book in my Sunday Summary a few days ago, and I finished it quickly.

 

Author Bio

Tucker May was raised in southern Missouri. He attended Northwestern University, where he was trained in acting and playwriting. He now lives in Pasadena, California, with his wife, Barbara, and their cat, Principal Spittle. He is an avid reader and longtime fan of the Los Angeles Rams and Geelong Cats. Death of a Billionaire is his debut novel.

Social Media Links – 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuckermaymysteries/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tuckermaymysteries.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556491591135

Monthly Wrap-Up – November 2025

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I’m looking forward to sharing the books I read in the last 30 days in today’s monthly wrap-up for November! I put in some solid reading, and I have a lot of good books to recap and share with you. How many books did you read in November? I’m not even sure how many I read; let’s take a look, shall we? 

 

Books Read 

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping 

As of my last monthly wrap-up post, I had just 100 pages left of A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping. I got on so well with this book, I didn’t even feature it on November’s monthly TBR – I finished it on the first day of the month. 

I enjoyed this cozy, whimsical read. The message is great, and I was compelled to find out whether Sara’s life and circumstances changed after the book or not. The characters were great, and A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping was a well-received read, even if it’s not one I’d have picked myself. That’s what makes books clubs fun – and helps me meet me reading goal of reading outside of my comfort zone. 

 

Wizard of Ends: United Army

The beginning of the month was punctuated with reading deadlines. In a way, I actually think that helped me get some solid reading done. Sometimes, you need something like that to give you a kick up the bum, right? 

The added bonus is that Wizard of Ends: United Army was a shorter read. I read the book over the course of a day, and I published my review of the book on the 3rd November. No rest for the wicked, is there? In the interests of getting you to appreciate my efforts in writing down my thoughts, I’m going to point you to that review. I had fun with this short fantasy book. I also have a unique perspective in that unusually, I read this third instalment before picking up the earlier books. It’s not a habit of mine, but necessity struck. 

 

The Angel Prophecy

Just three days after my review of Wizard of Ends went live, I had another deadline to meet. When it rains, it pours, eh? It’s my own fault! I have a tendency to book myself on to a load of blog tours in one go, then not do any for a bit. Rinse and repeat. 

I wanted to pick up The Angel Prophecy after reading and reviewing The Atlantis Covenant as part of a blog tour back at the beginning of September. Honestly, it was as fun as I anticipated after reading that first instalment. Not only that, but I enjoyed getting to read some chapter perspectives from characters I liked from that first book, but maybe didn’t have a dominant enough role or personality to shine in The Atlantis Covenant. 

As with Wizard of Ends, if you want to read more on this book, you can check out my review. 

 

The God of the Woods

My final deadline was to read The God of the Woods ahead of our book club meet at work. I did have to put this meeting back a couple of weeks, as originally it was coinciding with my deadlines earlier in the month. 

Thankfully, events of this book were compulsively readable and I enjoyed this one thoroughly. So did Meg, who listened to the audiobook of this in just a matter of days after I announced the read to the club. If anything, I had to remind her of events as it had been a good while between her reading and our meet! 

We had a good discussion about the book too. The characters are interesting and I was doubting pretty much everyone at some point in the narrative. What’s real, and who could be trusted? It’s an interesting narrative. I’m glad I chose this book! 

 

The Shadow of What Was Lost 

Another book carried forward from October’s monthly wrap-up is my audiobook listen of The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington.  

Progress remained slow and steady throughout the month, until my time off work in the second half of the month. I was 30% into the audio as of the beginning of November, but rapidly made much more progress in the first week I had off and finished the audiobook on the 22nd. 

It’s a long audiobook, and I felt it in a way. However, it was a solid story and the ending really made the book for me. My decision to continue the series was made by the epilogue and by the epilogue alone! I had some suspicions that there was more to Kaden’s character. It wasn’t what I expected, but somehow, it was better… 

 

The Housemaid’s Secret

After listening to The Shadow of What Was Lost, I flew through The Housemaid’s Secret. The audiobook is about a third of the length of that first audiobook. That, and I was midway through kitchen renovations and both a crochet and cross-stitch project at the time. All are perfect opportunities to listen to audiobooks at the same time. 

I listened to the first book of the series, The Housemaid, earlier this year. To be consistent, I opted to continue the series in the same format. It was every bit as good as the first instalment. Given that I’d just listened to such a long audio, this one felt like it flew by! 

 

Empire of the Dawn

The last physical book I progressed with in November was Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff. Admittedly, I slowed down on physical reads towards the end of the month. On the one hand, I’d argue that it’s because I was doing more physical things and therefore listening to audio instead. However, that wouldn’t be a real answer. If I’m honest, I think I started holding out on reading the book because I’m scared and sad to get to the end. 

I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far, and I am having a good time with the book. As a result of not finishing it in November, this is one of my first reads of December – and I need completion to achieve my series goal. Is that motivation enough to get over my trepidation about finishing the book? 

 

A Crucible of Souls

Finally, the last book on this monthly wrap-up is A Crucible of Souls. I started listening to this audiobook right at the end of the month, but still succeeded in getting to 33% before the end of the month. Audiobooks have really been working for me, what can I say? 

So far, this audio is pretty interesting and I’m optimistic it’s only going to get better. Caldan is an intriguing character and I can’t wait to find out more. What really happened to his parents, and who is he? Is he going to be taken advantage of in the big wide world he’s not used to? I suspect so, but that remains to be seen. 

You’ll find out more in the near future as I report progress in my Sunday Summary updates. 

 

Death of a Billionaire

Finally, I picked up my e-reader for the first time in a while to start an ARC of a book you’ll be hearing more about soon. Sneaking on to today’s monthly wrap-up post is Death of a Billionaire by Tucker May. I started this book yesterday, the last day of the month, as I am due to review this in just a couple of days time as part of an ongoing blog tour.

I read the first 20% yesterday, with the rest to follow very shortly!

 

Summary 

I’ve made good reading progress this month, especially audiobooks! Circumstances have meant these have suited what I’ve been doing this month. It’s odd, because there are months I don’t read a lot on that format at all. Then, I get months like this where I listen to several. 

I’ve enjoyed this month, and I also have the great news to share that I met my Goodreads Challenge of 45 books this month. I’m a happy bunny, so any reading above and beyond this is a bonus. Naturally, in December’s monthly TBR I’m going to focus on reading towards my other reading goals. 

Thanks for checking out today’s monthly wrap-up! How many books have you read so far this year? 

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