Tag: James Islington

Monthly TBR – October 2025

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I’m hoping to piggy-back off the success I had in September and planning another ambitious TBR for October. This year, I’m not leaning too hard into seasonal spooky reads in October. That may change in November. However, for now, I have a number of fantasy reads to pick up in this monthly TBR. 

Have you read any of the books on this list? Take a look below to find out! 

 

Fixed Reads 

Among the Burning Flowers

My first read on this monthly TBR is one of my current read carryovers from September. I made good progress with this audiobook last month and I’m looking forward to getting to the end of this audiobook later this week. I’m optimistic to make quick progress with this to keep up momentum. There are just a few hours of this audio left as well, so it should be a nice, quick finish! 

 

HR Disrupted 

The next ongoing read that starts this monthly TBR is HR Disrupted. 

I’ve borrowed this book from our HR lady at work, and so far, it’s proving interesting. I’m 40% into the book as of publishing this post (6th Oct) and already I think there are interesting ideas I’d love to see in practice. 

My plan is to finish this book in the next couple of days. That way, I can return it to Donna when she’s back from leave. 

 

Woden’s Storm

I’ve got one final blog tour planned at the moment, and that’s for Woden’s Storm by Donovan Cook. I’ve read and reviewed an earlier book in the series, Woden’s Spear, so it makes sense to carry it on to keep up with the series (you may recall, that’s a reading goal for this year) and review it for publication and help out the author as well. 

It’s another historical fiction book. Honestly, I hadn’t read the genre for ages and recently I’ve read several books in short succession. After this one, I think I’ll give it a short break. At least this time, this will be a change from a fantasy-heavy TBR. 

 

The God of the Woods

Another break from fantasy on this monthly TBR is The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. 

I’m reading this book along with my work book club. For the first time ever, I’ll also be reading this book on Fable, so anybody reading this can join along with me. If you’re interested in a spooky read this October, it’s the one and only I’ve got on the list. Fable is free to join if you aren’t already, and I hope to see you there with your thoughts on The God of the Woods! 

 

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping

Another book club read, although not one I host this time, is A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping. Instead, I’m coordinating and moderating the chat for this cosy fantasy pick with the Cottagecore Fantasy Book Club. If this is more your cup of tea, check out host Sabie’s Bindery page to find out more and join the club! 

Again, if you are able, I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts on this book either on Fable, Storygraph or in the Cottagecore Fantasy Book Club Discord chat. 

 

Mood Reads 

A little while ago, I decided I was going to try AI book recommendations. With some past reads I enjoyed in mind, I asked ChatGPT to make me some recommendations. The three books I’m reading towards this challenge, and I’ll be creating a separate feature on these, are The Shadow of What Was Lost, Beyond Redemption and A Crucible of Souls. 

This challenge entails nearly 1,600 pages of reading. Is it likely I’ll finish this in October? Perhaps not. I’m going to have a good stab at it though, and of course, I’ll keep you up to date with my usual Sunday Summary update posts. 

 

Summary 

Again, today’s monthly TBR is far from shy on page count. Will I get to it all? I can only hope my success in September helps motivate me to read on! I’m also really looking forward to each of the reads on this monthly TBR, which really makes a difference. I have a very fantasy-heavy list, but it IS my favourite genre… 

Have you read any of the books featured in today’s monthly TBR? 

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First Lines Friday – 22/08/2025

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In today’s First Lines Friday, I’m pleased to feature a book I’ll be reading as part of an upcoming reading challenge. This is a bit of a teaser post, and I hope it’ll drum up some excitement. 

For that challenge, I’m reading and reviewing three books – today, I feature the most ‘mainstream’ book and author of the three chosen. The others are lesser-known but no less anticipated by me. 

Let’s get into the opening lines of today’s First Lines Friday feature and then I’ll share more about the book and my upcoming reading challenge! 

 

The blade traced a slow line of fire down his face. 

He desperately tried to cry out, to jerk away, but the hand over his mouth prevented both. Steel filled his vision, gray and dirty. Warm blood trickled down the left side of his face, onto his neck, under his shirt. 

There were only fragments after that. 

Laughter. The hot stink of wine on his attacker’s breath. 

A lessening of the pain, and screams—not his own. Voices, high-pitched with fear, begging.

Then silence. Darkness.

 

 

The Shadow of What Was Lost – James Islington 

Genre: Fantasy 

Pages: 604

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Orbit

Publication Date: 04 Aug 2014

Goodreads – The Shadow of What Was Lost

 

AS DESTINY CALLS, A JOURNEY BEGINS

It has been twenty years since the god-like Augurs were overthrown and killed. Now, those who once served them— the Gifted— are spared only because they have accepted the rebellion’s Four Tenets, vastly limiting their own powers.

As a young Gifted, Davian suffers the consequences of a war lost before he was even born. He and others like him are despised. But when Davian discovers he wields the forbidden powers of the Augurs, he sets in motion a chain of events that will change everything.

To the west, a young man whose fate is intertwined with Davian’s wakes up in the forest, covered in blood and with no memory of who he is…

And in the far north, an ancient enemy long thought defeated, begins to stir.

 

My Thoughts…

James Islington is an author I’m excited to try. I’ve seen this book talked about before on the likes of BookTube and in the wider book community. However, prior to planning my ChatGPT book recommendations content, I haven’t seriously considered picking up one of his books for myself.

That, of course, is changing. When I asked ChatGPT for book recommendations based on other books I’ve enjoyed (A Game of Thrones and Mistborn), The Shadow of What Was Lost was the first recommendation given to me. And it’s a great recommendation! In theory, there is plenty I should enjoy about this book, and I’m excited to give it a go very soon.

I like the sound of the book based on the synopsis. The opening lines, though, have definitely piqued my interest. 

What do you make of today’s First Lines Friday feature? Do you like the sound of the book, either by the synopsis or the opening lines? Have you read The Shadow of What Was Lost? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! 

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