Tag: Sarah J Maas

Sunday Summary – 6th September 2026

Posted on September 6, 2026September 6, 2026 by fantasyst95

Happy Sunday friends! I hope you’ve had a great week, however you’ve spent it? Today’s Sunday Summary comes at the end of a pretty productive week. I’ve shared quite a few posts this week. The beginning of the month is always busy for me in that I share my prior month’s monthly wrap-up, shortly followed by a brand new TBR. But, that wasn’t all this week.

The first post I shared this week was my review of The Other Life of Mary English. This blog tour review came out on the 2nd September. If you enjoy historical fiction that explores new places and points of history, this may be something that ticks that box for you. It certainly did for me! That wasn’t the only reason I enjoyed it though. This particular book focuses on two prominent women in history that existed in places and roles that women didn’t traditionally fill in society. So, I suppose you can say the book has a feminist slant.

A couple of days later, I posted my August wrap-up. Blog tours and reading obligations kept me turning pages this month. However, I didn’t get to much of my own backlist last month. I’m a bit busy in my personal life at the moment, but I still want to make more time for reading and change that. Speaking of which, I address this in my September TBR, which actually is full of 2026 releases to keep things fresh. I have more blog tours due, but also a number of 2026 releases I want to pick up for my own reasons. In September, I’m almost ignoring the backlist for a change of pace, and to see if this helps re-spark my reading bug.

Outside of blogging, I did something a little different today. A replica of Christopher Columbus’s flagship, the Nao Santa Maria, was visiting the island. So, I got tickets and we went aboard to see what life was like onboard. I wouldn’t have liked to be the poor sod sent up to the crow’s nest, put it that way!

Books Read

The Other Life of Mary English

As of last week’s Sunday Summary update, I’d made a solid start with The Other Life of Mary English, and had a pretty imminent deadline to finish the book. Thankfully, I was able to finish the book ahead of deadline and publish my review on time. I have left books too late in the last month or so, so I’ve had a word with myself. For my tour obligations in September, I’m reading much further ahead of when I need to. The day before a tour has been a late night recently, and I shouldn’t put that pressure on myself.

I’ve already alluded to the type of book The Other Life of Mary English is in my intro, so I won’t repeat myself. If you’re curious and want to find out more about it, here’s a link to my review so you can check it out.

Kingdom of Ash

This week, I’ve made solid progress with starting Kingdom of Ash.

At 984 pages, his is a reasonably long instalment to the Throne of Glass series. And really, so it should be… it’s the last book! Events are finally going to come together, and I can’t wait to see how it all ends.

This week, I’ve listened to the first 15% of the book, which equates to around 140 pages. That’s not bad, especially when I’ve done so reasonably passively, and during a weekend where I’ve not touched the audiobook for one of the days. My other half was off work today, and we had other plans.

I’m getting on with the book so far, and looking forward to listening to more over the course of the month. Given the length of the audiobook, I reckon this will take a good portion of the month. As of this Sunday Summary, I’ve still got 18hrs 30mins to listen. Not an insignificant amount anyway. I’ve got another audiobook to listen to, so I can’t procrastinate on this one too hard. Hopefully, getting to the end of the series is motivation to make that feat a little easier.

The Witch

In a bid to kickstart my September TBR, I’m starting with the shortest read on my September TBR tonight!

In that post, I talk about how I have reservations on this book given its rating on Goodreads. However, I’m determined to give it a go as it’s a Booker Prize longlist (I’m reading the lot of them – wish me luck). Given the ratings online, but its inclusion in the prize, I can only assume it’s a little polarising. I’m trying to go in with an open mind. I’m only picking this up after this post goes live tonight, but before I turn in. So, in this Sunday Summary I can’t give you any indication as to which side of the fence I’m on.

You’ll just have to check out next week’s Sunday Summary instalment to find out what the verdict is 🤗

Books Discovered

Can you believe, today, I went into a bookshop and came out empty-handed. I wasn’t dragged out, or under any duress. I know, unbelievable. Honestly, they just didn’t have what I wanted, and I refused to be tempted. Maybe keeping my unread books in boxes under my nose at home is helping remind me that I don’t need more right now 😅

Nevertheless, I have no complaints…

Coming Up…

What I’m Reading…

Here’s my reading plan over the next seven days:-

Read The Witch by Marie Ndiaye
Read The Wax Child by Olga Ravn
Start (and hopefully finish) Invisible by Heleyne Hammersley
Continue the audiobook of Kingdom of Ash

Blog

This week is a blank slate in terms of content. I have no review obligations this week, nor any other pre-arranged or regular content. So, what on earth do I write about? Well, here’s the plan I’ve come up with.

I’ve got a backlist of overdue reviews, so it makes sense to tackle the next one on the list. What is that for, you ask? It’s a book called The Flood by Rachel Bennett. My first memories of that book are about the gardening I was doing whilst listening to this particular book. Usually, I take time off later in the year to use up annual leave. At this particular time, I decided it was a great opportunity to catch up with final gardening jobs like cutting the hedges since the restrictions have lifted due to birds nesting and all that. Well, let’s just say the rain had a good go at living up to the title! It was miserable…

On a more pleasant note, I return later in the week with a First Lines Friday feature. And you know what, I’m going to try and make it fun! How? I have no idea! That’s one to be decided nearer the time. But, my intention is to do something a bit more lighthearted rather than serious. I’ll figure out how I manage that one in a few days.

Finally, you’ll hear from me again the same time next week with all my promised updates in my next Sunday Summary. Find out what my takes are on Booker Prize longlist books The Witch and The Wax Child. Hopefully, I’ll have more progress on Kingdom of Ash to share. That and more to talk about next week. Hopefully I’ll see you then ☺️

Summary

That’s everything from me in this Sunday Summary update. What have you started your September TBR with? Are you picking up any autumnal, seasonal reads yet, or are you hanging on to summer vibes as long as possible?

Monthly TBR – September 2026

Posted on September 5, 2026September 5, 2026 by fantasyst95

My monthly TBR for September features more 2026 releases than usual. I don’t know, I think I’m just in the mood for it right now! Between some upcoming blog tour obligations, as well as four other reads I’m picking up that were published in earlier this year as well, this is definitely a reading list to look out for if you enjoy reading newly published books. It’s interesting, because most of the time I read backlist books. However, a change is as good as a rest, they say.

I’m still up to my usual tricks of signing up for blog tours. That hasn’t changed. What is a little bit different? Is that I’m picking up 2026 releases I’ve highlighted as books I want to read this year over on YouTube, as well as starting to read the 2026 Booker Prize longlist.

Readalongs / Reading Obligations

Kingdom of Ash

Goodreads

We finally made it! When I started my Throne of Glass readalong earlier this year, I didn’t really think I was going to get to the end. To be honest, my expectations were to get so far, and for the series to fall short of expectations or not grip me in a way that keeps me reading. Whilst I understand this series is lighter on romance than other Sarah J. Maas books, this is still present in the narrative. There have been a couple of occasions where I have not gelled with that, but I’ve been able to read on and it hasn’t impacted my enjoyment of the storyline overall.

Finally, we are going to see how this series concludes! I’ve already listened to the first 15% of the audiobook this week. How events will come together at the end I do not know. There are lots of parts in play, and a lot of characters that could influence the storyline in a number of ways. I’m just going to have to discover the ending for myself. Hopefully, I can make good pace with this listen as I’ve got over 18hrs 30mins left to listen to.

Invisible

I’ve got one blog tour review due later this month, and thankfully I have the copy of this read so I can pick this up imminently. That is Invisible by Heleyne Hammerlsey.

I don’t typically pick up books that are some way into a series unless I’ve read from the beginning. Invisible is a bit of an exception in that it is the sixth book of a series, but can be read as a standalone. That is what I’m going to be doing. Invisible is a pretty traditional crime genre and plot involving the discovery of a swimmers body.

However, there was far more to that story. The backstory I don’t necessarily have that The DI in charge of the case is back from work after an incident that endangered her own life. Hopefully some detail is alluded to in this novel so I understand her backstory, because this is clearly going to play a part in the narrative. I’ll let you know how that pans out and whether you can pick this up as a standalone yourselves when I review the book on publication day, 23rd September!

Debt Reckoning

Goodreads

I’ve signed up to an audiobook blog tour for Debt Reckoning, and I should get my download code in the near future. So, whilst I can’t physically start this book as of drafting this monthly TBR, I do expect to pick this up after listening to Kingdom of Ash.

Dent Reckoning is a political thriller novel, so a little bit different from the type of books I pick up usually. However, I’m intrigued by the synopsis of this particular book. I’ll tell you a lot more about this one at the beginning of October. However, I can tease you with some thoughts here and there as I progress with this book in my regular Sunday Summary updates this month. My last few blog tours have been pulled together a bit last minute. I’m determined to change that…

One More Hour of Daylight

Goodreads

Another blog tour obligation due at the beginning of October, date to be confirmed, is One More Hour of Daylight. Yes, I’m leaning into my love of World War II historical fiction here and I’m excited to feature a new release in the genre.

The World War II history books I have read that sound similar to One More Hour of Daylight being based around English pilots landing in enemy territory. One More Hour of Daylight is the difference in that this includes a storyline that is the other way around. The synopsis hints that the book is somewhat about compassionate nature of humankind.

Anyway, one I can update you on as I start reading. Again, I don’t think I have a copy of this book yet but I expect to receive it shortly.

2026 Releases/TBR Returners

The Language of Liars

Goodreads

The Language of Liars remains on my list of books I want to pick up. It originally featured on my July TBR, then August, but I’m going to 100% finish it in September. Hold me accountable folks!

This is a language based spy novel so is a little bit unusual. I can’t wait to try it. The Language of Liars is another 2026 release, and one I talked about in my 2026 highly anticipated releases YouTube video earlier this year if you want to take a look.

When I originally put this book on the list, I didn’t appreciate how short it was. However, that’s going to work to my advantage. Not only am I a little behind with my 2026 Goodreads reading goal, I enjoyed picking up shorter reads like Dungeons and Dimwits last month, and I’ve gotten stuck in recent months with larger books like The Pillars of the Earth. So, we’re embracing short narratives in September. There’s more to follow…

Julia

Goodreads

Before we get to that though, we have to revisit Julia. Again.

In my 2026 resolutions post, I set out my intention to read the original 1984 by George Orwell, then immediately follow up with Julia by Sandra Newman. I got a little bit stuck with 1984 as it is a book I have already read previously. I lost a little motivation with that original title, but did get there in the end. Julia is a new take on that same world and storyline. Thankfully, it’s still fresh enough in my mind that I’ll be able to pick this book up and remember what happened in 1984.

However, I’m determined not to put it off any longer!

Yesteryear

Goodreads

Another 2026 release I discovered recently is Yesteryear. By all accounts, it’s a popular read at the moment. I took a look earlier at potentially borrowing this title digitally from my library, only to discover I would be ninth in the queue! Clearly, this title has a bit of buzz about it.

Admittedly, I hadn’t heard of the book, but rather saw something about a film or TV adaptation featuring Anne Hathaway. It was that news that sparked my interest in this title. It is the last book I’ve added to my overall TBR, so naturally I would normally treat it as the least priority to pick up. However, I’m in the mood for doing something different and I’m intrigued as to why this book is so popular. So, I’m ignoring my backlist and picking up Yesteryear. It can judge me in silence 😂

And some Booker Prize shortlisted novellas…

The Wax Child

Goodreads

Earlier this year, I set out my intention to read the 2026 Booker Prize longlist. That list was around 12 or 13 books long, and at the time, I don’t even think the shortlist had come out. I’m sticking with my intention to read the longlist, because if there was one thing I strive for in my reading, it’s to try different things.

The Wax Child and the next book I feature have some similar themes. They are also both pretty short, as books go. So, they will lean into my want to dip into different books and have fairly short reads to dip into.

What’s interesting is that whilst these books have been long listed for a prestigious award, neither book has an exceptional rating on Goodreads. Will my view mirror the judges thoughts, or the wider public?

The Witch

Goodreads

My second Booker longlist novel, and final book of this monthly TBR, is The Witch. Now I’m absolutely reading this book, there is no question about that. If nothing else, it is only around 150 pages and so achievable regardless of my feelings about it. What scares me is that this book only has a 2.89 star rating on Goodreads. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything that low!

So, 2026 is all about trying new things. Again, it will be interesting to see whether I agree with the general public view or if I like the book!

Summary

Yes, I do have a number of titles in this September monthly TBR. However, with three of the nine books on today’s list less than 200 pages, as well as two audiobooks, i’m not asking too much of myself in terms of page count.

I’m looking forward to a reading list of books that have been published this year. That’s not something I ever really set out to do, but this happens to be a happy coincidence. Will I enjoy these new and fairly topical books for a change, or will I wish I had gone back to my backlist.

There’s only one way to find out… See you on the other side!

Monthly Wrap-Up – August 2026

Posted on September 3, 2026September 3, 2026 by fantasyst95

Reading progress in August felt like a bit of a mixed bag. Whilst I had plenty of blog tour obligations to keep me turning the pages, outside of these, I don’t feel like I got to as much of my reading list as I wanted. Nevertheless, I have a decent number of books to talk to you about in today’s monthly wrap-up post for August.

Have you read any of the books I feature in today’s monthly wrap-up? Take a gander below to find out!

Books Read

Duel of Beasts

Goodreads Link

With my first blog tour obligation for Duel of Beasts coming out on the 2nd of August, you would think I would have finished this book in July ahead of that to post. Alas, that was not the case. Whilst I had started the book in July, it was barely the case. Rather, I ended up binge reading this book ahead of that review post. Thankfully, I got on pretty well with this book. I don’t know what I would have done if I found reading it difficult, or I didn’t gel with the narrative style.

Thankfully, that’s not the case and I talked about my experience with this book over on my blog to review. If you want to check out more, go and take a look at that review here.

Supremacy

Goodreads Link

I can’t remember when I started supremacy. It was definitely at some point last month, but it could have even been in early July. Reading progress with supremacy was slower than I would have liked. Even still, I did have a good time with this book. I took advantage of a week off in August to make a solid dent in progress. Even still, I only really finished this book towards the end of the month.

If you’re looking for a book that can tell you more about AI, its birth and the origins of the intentions behind the technology, supremacy is an interesting one. The focus of the book is how altruistically the technology started, but inevitably its growth was hindered by access to data which I could only get from major corporations and therefore lose the altruism and get used for commercial gain.

Dungeons & Dimwits

Goodreads Link

Dungeons and Dimwits is by far the shortest and quickest read to grace my monthly wrap-up for August. I read this relatively short graphic novel in the space of around half an hour one evening about 2/3 of the way through August. That’s very specific, but it went some way towards getting me back in the reading mood. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now, so I think having a short read to tick off the list and go towards achieving something (I read this for a blog tour obligation, and actually read it in decent time – not something I’ve done very much of lately!)

It also was a very fun and pretty lighthearted read. If you enjoy nerdy games like dungeons and dragons, or generally fantasy of this ilk, then pick up this graphic novel if you want a bit of change.

The Knife Maker of Venice

Goodreads Link

I went in hard on the blog tours this month. The Knife Maker of Venice is a historical fiction blog tour I took part in later in August. I also ended up reading this book pretty close to deadline.

However, what I really liked about this historical fiction novel is that it featured a time and setting combination that I have not explored before. We also enjoy a lot of travel, considerably more than the characters who have been enslaved and taken across the world against their will. Within, we get to read deeply personal stories and experience a family bond that chains cannot incumber.

If you’re interested in picking up this historical fiction book, take a look at my blog tour review here.

Tower of Dawn

Goodreads Link

Of all the books I talk about in this monthly wrap-up post for August, I would say Tower of Dawn surprised me the most.

I’m reading Sarah J Maas’s Throne of Glass series as a way of pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It is a romantic series, which is something I don’t traditionally read. I’m not a big romance fan, so naturally I don’t gravitate to these books in the first instance.

Tower of Dawn varies from the remainder of the series and doesn’t exactly follow on from Empire of Storms. I didn’t read much about the book before diving into it, so this took me by surprise. However, I enjoyed revising characters that branched off from the main series several books ago. It’s going to contribute to the final storyline, so I can’t wait to see how it all comes to an epic conclusion.

The Midnight Train

Goodreads Link

The Midnight Train was the second audiobook I completed in August. In all, audiobook progress went pretty well, and I can share in this monthly wrap-up I’m pretty happy with the progress I made. Although at times it felt slow, I should bear in mind I picked up a fairly sizeable audiobook in the form of Tower of Dawn before picking up The Midnight Train.

Comparatively, The Midnight Train was a very short listen. I also went into this book with some trepidation as to whether this book would live up to my expectations of The Midnight Library. The Midnight Train is the second book set in this universe, and whilst it tackles similar ideas, it does so from a slightly different perspective.

Personally, I still really enjoyed this audio. Even though I had high expectations, I liked the change in angle on this book and thankfully, the success of the first book didn’t overshadow the message of The Midnight Train.