Tag: Book blog

“The trees grew dense and close together in the quarantined zone, magic humming through their branches and stretching in their roots beneath soil and snow.”

First line in The Electric Heir by Victoria Lee

Hi, guys. March didn’t exactly turn out to be a typical month. The world has been crazy and strange but it seems like we’re nearing something that looks like an end to it all here in Denmark. Our government has talked about an opening of society in 2 weeks if all goes well until then. It should still be a slow and gradual opening but it’s something. I’m sitting here hoping that the libraries will be the first open. Pleeeeease!

In other news, March was also the month were I started a Twitter account for this blog @FirstLineReader. I’ve never used Twitter before but I’ve been considering starting one for a while. Now with the O.W.L.s happening in April, it seemed necessary to have an account to actually be a part of that. Unfortunately, my anxiety is just spiking over it because there are so many unknown factors involved. So yeah, I have a Twitter account but I’m going to take my time figuring out what I want to do with it.

Reading-wise, my month was actually pretty good. Just take a look at my stats:

The average rating was highly affected by the 2 (!!) 5-star reads I had this month. Some duds found their way in as well but it was an overall good month for me. So here you have 6 mini-reviews of the books I read in March.

The Library of the Unwritten (Hell’s Library #1)

Synopsis: Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing– a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto.

But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil’s Bible. The text of the Devil’s Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell….and Earth.

Goodreads

My thoughts

I loved it! It’s a character focused story with a cool concept about a magical library so how could I not love it. I have a full review right here if you’re interested in more of my gushings about this book. 

Infinity Son (Infinity Cycle #1)

Synopsis: Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures.

Brighton wishes he had a power so he could join the fray. Emil just wants the fighting to stop. The cycle of violence has taken a toll, making it harder for anyone with a power to live peacefully and openly. In this climate of fear, a gang of specters has been growing bolder by the day.

Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own—one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be.

Brotherhood, love, and loyalty will be put to the test, and no one will escape the fight unscathed.

Goodreads

My thoughts

I’m disappointed. This book didn’t manage to live up the quality we’re used to seeing from Adam Silvera in his contemporary stories. His first attempt at fantasy sadly shows that this is not his usual genre. The world building is done very offhandedly which left me confused. I felt like I had to stop reading several times because I was wondering how the world worked and fit together. I wanted that information from the book itself instead. 

I had similar issues whenever there was a fight scene. I didn’t feel like I got enough information. People were moving around and doing stuff without my knowledge and then suddenly they were somewhere else (often a very convenient place). It’s very difficult to write good fight scenes because you can also give too much information and slow down an action-packed scene but in Infinity Son I needed more. 

I did quite like the messages and the themes that this book wanted to highlight. Especially those surrounding family and how to be brave. Those felt very much like Silvera. I also think the ending was quite good although not perfect. It’s making me think that I’ll probably read the next book in the series, even though this first one wasn’t much to my liking.

A Touch of Death (The Outlands Pentalogy #1)

Synopsis: A thousand years in the future, the last of humanity live inside the walls of the totalitarian Kingdom of Cutta. The rich live in Anais, the capital city of Cutta, sheltered from the famine and disease which ravage the rest of the Kingdom. Yet riches and power only go so far, and even Anaitians can be executed. It is only by the will of the King that Nate Anteros, son of the King’s favourite, is spared from the gallows after openly dissenting. But when he’s released from prison, Nate disappears.

A stark contrast, Catherine Taenia has spent her entire life comfortable and content. The daughter of the King’s Hangman and in love with Thom, Nate’s younger brother, her life has always been easy, ordered and comfortable. That is, where it doesn’t concern Nate. His actions sullied not only his future, but theirs. And unlike Thom, Catherine has never forgiven him.

Two years pass without a word, and then one night Nate returns. But things with Nate are never simple, and when one wrong move turns their lives upside down, the only thing left to do is run where the King’s guards cannot find them – the Outlands. Those wild, untamed lands which stretch around the great walls of the Kingdom, filled with mutants and rabids.

Goodreads

My thoughts

This was an exciting take on a dystopian story with a very dark world. It had adventure and romance, while also dealing with themes of grief and finding yourself after losing someone close to you. If you’re interested in more of my thoughts, you’re welcome to check out my full review of it.

The Crimson Crown (Seven Realms #4)

Go to Goodreads to read the synopsis of the first book in the series, The Demon King.

My thoughts

I was blown away by this ending to the Seven Realms series! Mind you, I went into it with very low expectations because I deeply hated the previous book in the series. The Crimson Crown, however, gave me everything I wanted.

The pacing was great. I wasn’t bored because things kept happening. It was easy to see how all the events were related, and how they were all just small stepping stones to the great finale. Everything had a purpose.

I also loved how the stakes were raised so that I was actually afraid for these characters. There are some dark and brutal scenes that I applaud Chima for putting in a book/series that is quite romance heavy.

Finally, I want to say that I did find the book a bit predictable. Its foreshadowing is pretty obvious but I won’t hold that against a YA book. However, I did not see the final plot twist coming, and that was basically what made me realize that I had to give this book 5 stars.

The Electric Heir (Feverwake #2)

Go to Goodreads to read the synopsis of the first book in the duology, The Fever King.

My thoughts

After finishing the duology, I can say that these books will stay with me. They tell a very impactful story that really culminates here in The Electric Heir. It’s centered very heavily around the topic of abuse and how victims deal with it later on. I really like it when these kinds of topics are discussed in a fantasy setting, and this is no exception. Lee has managed to create a world that isn’t just a backdrop but actually amplify the story she wants to tell. A story that is based on a very real-life issue.

Along with the well-crafted world, Lee has also created two main characters that you can’t help but root for. They are the heart of the story and each represents a different aspect of the abuse situation that the author wants to highlight. And she doesn’t hold back.

My only criticism is that the story was a little slow sometimes and I couldn’t help but get the feeling that we were just waiting for all hell to break loose. And it could have done so earlier. I wished that some of the sub-plots were developed a bit more so that there were something to fill out the gaps. Still a duology that I will highly recommend!

Master of Sorrows (The Silent Gods #1)

Synopsis: You have heard the story before – of a young boy, orphaned through tragic circumstances, raised by a wise old man, who comes to a fuller knowledge of his magic and uses it to fight the great evil that threatens his world.

But what if the boy hero and the malevolent, threatening taint were one and the same?

What if the boy slowly came to realize he was the reincarnation of an evil god? Would he save the world . . . or destroy it?

Among the Academy’s warrior-thieves, Annev de Breth is an outlier. Unlike his classmates who were stolen as infants from the capital city, Annev was born in the small village of Chaenbalu, was believed to be executed, and then unknowingly raised by his parents’ killers.

Seventeen years later, Annev struggles with the burdens of a forbidden magic, a forgotten heritage, and a secret deformity. When he is subsequently caught between the warring ideologies of his priestly mentor and the Academy’s masters, he must choose between forfeiting his promising future at the Academy or betraying his closest friends. Each decision leads to a deeper dilemma, until Annev finds himself pressed into a quest he does not wish to fulfil.

Will he finally embrace the doctrine of his tutors, murder a stranger, and abandon his mentor? Or will he accept the more difficult truth of who he is . . . and the darker truth of what he may become . . .

Goodreads

My thoughts

Well, the fact that this book took me 2 whole months to finish should tell you how much I didn’t like it. It has an incredibly slow pace because we practically follow the main character for every single minute of his life for 3 days. That means we also get the boring, everyday kind of stuff described in detail and I’m just sitting here wondering… why?

After the slow start and middle, it does pick up the pace a little towards the end but I still found most scenes too long. Like they were being dragged out unnecessarily and that left me kind of frustrated.

On top of that, I don’t like stupid main characters and Annev here is on another level entirely. He’s even supposed to be smart (and also think he is) which makes it even worse. His cringey “romance” with practically the only female character of the book didn’t improve my opinion of him either.

I will say that the one thing that impressed me about the book was the world building. It’s very detailed in terms of mythology especially, and it’s clear that the author put a lot of effort into crafting it. It’s something I expect will come more into play in the next books in the series.

That was all the books I read in the month of March. Have you read any of them or plan to? How was March for you? Chat with me in the comments.

“There is a pirate in the basement.”

First line in The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Hi, guys. January is over so here you get the wrap up of the reading I did this past month. January always feels like the longest month of year to me. I’ve been telling myself that we’re close to February since the 7th. However, I did read some amazing books this month so that sort of made up for it. In fact, I’m 99% sure I’ve already read my favorite book of the year. I hope something even better comes along of course but a high bar has been set already in January. The other 4 books I read this month were also good as my lowest rating was 3 stars. 
Before we get into the mini-review part, I just want to mention that I spent a large part of the month reading Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson. However, as that book is so long a.k.a I didn’t finish it this month, it won’t appear in this wrap up. It will for sure be in my February wrap up though. 

The Starless Sea

Synopsis: Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues — a bee, a key, and a sword — that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library, hidden far below the surface of the earth.

What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians — it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also those who are intent on its destruction.

Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly-soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose–in both the mysterious book and in his own life.

Goodreads

My thoughts

Holy shit…this book is magical in a way I never thought a book could be. It quite literally takes you down the rabbit hole to a world of beautifully woven stories and doors that lead to new adventures. The sheer imagination and creative storytelling in this book leaves me wanting to give a standing round of applause to Erin Morgenstern.

I really like the main character, Zachary. It’s very much emphasized that he is a reader but also a gamer. I feel that’s pretty rare in books to have a main character who is interested in both but with Zachary it seemed so natural. However, the reading aspect is definitely the main focus. There were so many sentences that I felt were written directly to those of us who are addicted to books. And they hit home. I think I was smiling half the time while reading this book because it was all so relatable. Also, quite unique ones that weren’t your typical “Oh, you can never have too many books”-kind of comments.

I truly loved reading this book and I was so sad when it was over. It’s a book for you if you love books about books and don’t mind that it gets a little abstract sometimes. Not everything makes sense and not everything will be explained to you, but if you don’t mind that I think this is a must read. I will definitely be rereading it soon.

Pumpkinheads

Synopsis: Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?

Goodreads

My thoughts

This was so sweet and fun. I loved the friendship banter between Josiah and Deja. It really made their connection feel real right from the start. Almost from their first interaction, I had no doubt about them being best friends. It was such a joy to read about.

I gave this 4 stars but don’t take that too much to heart. I considered not rating it because this is my first ever graphic novel and I’m not sure how to rate those. I don’t really have anything to compare it to but I know that I loved reading it. I now understand why people read these during readthons. I got through that so damn fast. Probably not my last graphic novel.

Norse Mythology

Synopsis: Introducing an instant classic—master storyteller Neil Gaiman presents a dazzling version of the great Norse myths.Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of giants, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. From Gaiman’s deft and witty prose emerges the gods with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to dupe others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.

Goodreads

My thoughts

This book was fun and weird at the same time which, I guess, is sort of a trademark for Neil Gaiman. The weird part for me was reading these stories in a book by a very popular author. I’ve learned about these myths in school to an excessive extent so it’s quite surreal that someone like Gaiman loves them so much.

However, I’ve decided not to give this book a rating because I’m not sure what to judge. I mean, Gaiman didn’t come up with the stories. He’s just collected them. He also didn’t change anything major about them. That’s not criticism of any kind but it doesn’t feel fair to give a rating. These are simply stories from Norse mythology which I would recommend if you’re interested in those.

The Demon King (Book 1 in Seven Realms)

Synopsis: Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for his family. The only thing of value he has is something he can’t sell—the thick silver cuffs he’s worn since birth. They’re clearly magicked—as he grows, they grow, and he’s never been able to get them off.

One day, Han and his clan friend, Dancer, confront three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to keep him from using it against them. Soon Han learns that the amulet has an evil history—it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Raisa ana’Marianna, princess heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight. She’s just returned to court after three years of freedom in the mountains—riding, hunting, and working the famous clan markets. Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea—the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But her mother has other plans for her…

The Seven Realms tremble when the lives of Hans and Raisa collide, fanning the flames of the smoldering war between clans and wizards.

Goodreads

My thoughts

I don’t want to say much about this as I have a review and spoiler talk up for it. It’s a book I really enjoyed although my rating is only 3 stars. My enjoyment was more of the “I see a lot of potential here” kind. So that means I have great hopes for the rest of the series although this one had some flaws. 

Peter Pan

Synopsis: One starry night, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell lead the three Darling children over the rooftops of London and away to Neverland – the island where lost boys play, mermaids splash and fairies make mischief. But a villainous-looking gang of pirates lurk in the docks, led by the terrifying Captain James Hook. Magic and excitement are in the air, but if Captain Hook has his way, before long, someone will be walking the plank and swimming with the crocodiles…

Goodreads

My thoughts

I don’t have much to say about this. It wasn’t a spectacular thing for me but I’m still glad I read it. At least because it’ll be more fun for me to read all the retellings now. Please recommend me some if you know any because I’m REALLY interested in those.

The book itself is something I’ll only recommend if you’re really into Peter Pan. Then you’ll probably love it. If you’re only semi-interested, it recommend just watching the movie (from 2003) because it’s better than the book, and it added some more interesting aspects to the story.

That was it for my reading in January. If it wasn’t clear… that favorite book I was talkning about in the beginning was The Starless Sea and I’m not going to stop talking about it for the rest of the year.

I hope your month was great too. Let me know your favorite of the month in the comments.