The Dark Tower series part 1

 Hi Bookworms,

Today I'm writing about The Dark Tower series by Stephen King.

My reading of this series is rather hectic and totally not chronological... depending which book I could find in library. 

1. The Gunslinger

I read this one sometimes before 2019 and I liked it, gave it 5 stars and hoped to read the rest soon.

2. The Drawing of the Three

This one I had in my hands sometimes between 2019 and 2022 and rated it only 3 stars. From some reason I wasn't impressed in this one as in first one.

3. The Waste Lands

I finished this one today and gave it 3.5 stars. Generally good one, but gave me some mixed feelings. 

4. Wizard and Glass

This one I read sometime around 2022 and rated it 3 stars.

4.5 The Wind through the Keyhole

Another one I read before 2022 and rated 3 stars. 

5. Wolves of the Calla 

Didn't read this one yet.

6. Song of Susannah

Didn't read this one yet.

7. The Dark Tower

This one I read few years ago and rated 3 stars. Seems like story of Roland not exactly impressed me, I do want to read missing two and I will this year for sure. Overall I think it is not bad series just... not exactly my type of read.

Did you read it? What are your thoughts about this series?

Till next post!

Red Rising saga part 1

 Hiya Bookworms,

Today I'm starting writing about my thoughts about Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown.

So far saga contains 7 books:

1. Red Rising

2. Golden Son

3. Morning Star

4. Iron Gold

5. Dark Age

6. Light Bringer

7. Red God (not published yet - possibly Summer 2026)

We started reading it as Buddy Reads in January this year, I was bit behind with book 2 as had to wait for copy from library week longer then timing given.

Red Rising made me think back about Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Main characters in both books seemed sort of similar in so many ways. Maybe I wrote it before... I'm not massive fan of sci-fi, but I do like Orson Scott Card and Pierce Brown styles of writing and the way they build their stories.

I rated Red Rising with 4 stars as it is solid read. Golden Son is another intense read (4 stars here too) with many twists and great cliffhanger by the end of book.

I'm reading Morning Star at the moment and I like the way the story going, I'm trying my best to not read spoilers on the group chat as every one of us has his/her own opinions about situation in the certain moments of the book and basically I don't want to know what happen before I reach them moments LOL!

I'll back to you with more about these series soon :)

Did you read this series? What do you think about it?

Till next post!

The Seventh Tower

 Hi Bookworms,

Sorry for this break in writing, bit busy with work, house, appointments etc.

Today I'm back to Garth Nix. 

The seventh Tower is fantasy series for children, which not stopped me from reading it :)

1. The Fall

2. Castle

3. Aenir

4. Above the Veil

5. Into Battle

6. The Violet Keystone

The series is telling us story about Tal, Chosen who lived in castle with seven towers, a boy who thought he is safe in his small world, but... one day everything changed and he had to fight. His unlikely partner in this fight is Milla, an Icecarl from the Ice. They are from two totally different societies and now bond up to safe their world. What they'll do? Will they find helpers in their quest?

Whole series received solid 4* rating from me. I think it is brill read for young readers.

Till next post peeps!

TOG-mania part 1

 Hi Bookworms,

I think you know what about I will write today. 

Yep! Sarah J. Maas and her Throne of Glass series. I mean she wrote more then this one and possibly I should write about A Court of Thorns and Roses or Crescent City series first as I already read ACOTAR and also book 1 of Crescent City, but I decided TOG first cause I'm buddy reading this series currently. 

We started with Throne of Glass (book 1) in September last year, which I rated 4 stars

followed by The Assassin's Blade (book 0.1 - 0.5) in December, which I rated 4 stars

and then

Crown of Midnight in January this year, another 4 stars,

Heir of Fire last month, also 4 stars,

Queen of Shadows this month, with 4 stars from me,

Empire of Storms planned for April

Tower of Dawn for May

and Kingdom of Ash for June.

It is enjoyable series to read, more young adult romantasy kind a thing. Main character is a girl who is doing all what's possible to survive in her world which is not exactly a walk through the garden full of beautiful flowers. We are finding out more and more about her with every book, we see consequences of all her decisions - good or bad, all mistakes she deep down regrets.

Will the rest of series be as solid for me as books I read so far? We'll see.

If you read it, tell me what you think about series as whole.

Till next post!

Agatha Christie - Queen of Crime

 Hello Bookworms!

Who never read Agatha Christie crime novels hand up!

I read quite a lot and I do love David Suchet as Hercule Poirot in movies and Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple.

I still have a pile to read to complete all them stories with Poirot and Miss Marple and Ariadne Oliver and Tommy and Tuppence and all other characters Ms Christie created.

As far as I can say I didn't read anything by Agatha Christie in 2023. The most I read in 2022 - 11 books. Last year only 3 and this year already ticked 3. Had 4 ticked for 2020 and 5 for 2021. How many I read before 2020 I can't really tell. 

I never went for less then 4* rating for her books cause I do adore her writing. 

Do you like her books? Which one is your absolute fave?

Ever read her biography?

Till next post!

Garth Nix and his Abhorsen series part 1

 Hello Bookworms,

Today about another fantasy series - Abhorsen by Australian fantasy writer Garth Nix.

Series contains:

1. Sabriel

2. Lirael

3. Abhorsen

4. Clariel

5. Goldenhand

6. Terciel and Elinor

plus short stories which can be found in:

Across the Wall: A tale of the Abhorsen and other stories 

To hold the Bridge

First three books I read around 2019 and like them so much that I gave them 5 stars each. Goodreads group I'm  member scheduled them for Summer last year and the rest of series for this year with Clariel in January, short stories in February, Goldenhand in March and Terciel and Elinor in April.

I like Clariel - solid 4* was my rating for it, I'm curious if Clariel will show up in next book.

Across the Wall  - solid 4*, nice compilation of stories (only one of them connected to Abhorsen series).

Hold the bridge I read in February 2022 and gave it 5* as I loved every single story from this compilation.

Planning to read Goldenhand soon, possibly will start this weekend, next week the latest.

Did you read any of Garth Nix books/series?

I'll write about his other series soon :)

That's all for today ;)

Lockwood & co series part 1

 Hi Bookworms!

Right... Today Lockwood & Co by Jonathan Stroud, series which is classed as young adult supernatural thriller series.

Series consists 5 books:

1. The Screaming Staircase

2. The Whispering Skull

3. The Hollow Boy

4. The Creeping Shadow

5. The Empty Grave

Main characters in series are three teenage operatives of Lockwood & Co agency which dealing with psychic detection and ghost fighting in London, England. So.. we are meeting here: Anthony Lockwood, Lucy Carlyle and George Cubbins.

So far I read two books from this series and I have to say I do like it. Just started reading book 3. I'm reading them as part of buddy reads in group. I think my son would like them if he decided to pick them up :)

The Screaming Staircase and The Whispering Skull received 4* rating from me as solid, enjoyable read. I hope other three will not go below that :)

What you can expect in them books? Ghosts, nice amount of humour, rivals, bit of growing up things and some more on top of finding out who and from where main characters are. Each books gave us some more info about them, building up their picture.

I will not give any spoilers peeps, so if you like 'supernatural thrillers' give this series a go :)

Will Wight and Cradle series

 Hi Bookworms,

Today about series , which was a scheduled buddy read in Fantasy Buddy Reads Group between 2022 and 2023 with addition to our this year schedule - a collection of short stories Threshold.

Author: Will Wight

Series: Cradle - contains 12 books: Unsouled, Soulsmith, Blackflame, Skysworn, Ghostwater, Underlord, Uncrowned, Wintersteel, Bloodline, Reaper, Dreadgod, Waybound.

Collection of stories:

Main characters of the series: Wei Shi Lindon, Yerin Arelius, Eithan Arelius, Akura Mercy, Ziel of the Wastelands, also Dross, Little Blue and Orthos.

Series is in short words about magic users and growing up. When surfing net to find info about the series you can find note that: 'The magic system in the series is inspired by Chinese cultivation and martial arts novels, with a focus on anime-style super-powered battles' 

I can agree with that, I think. These series could be great as anime TV series for sure :) And I bet my partner and our son would love to watch it :) 

Most of books from the series I rated as solid 4 stars, few grabbed 5 stars. I can say/write whole series and short story collection, which contains few bonus 'reports' on many characters from series, belongs to my shelf of 'enjoyable reads' and definitely recommended to fantasy/anime fans.

That's all for today :)

Nicholas Eames and The Band series

 Hi Bookworms!

Did you heard/read books by Nicholas Eames? I did. Two books so far :)

The Band series contains:

1. Kings of the Wyld

2. Bloody Rose

3. Outlaw Empire

I am waiting for Outlaw Empire as it's publication is scheduled for Summer this year and after first two books I'm itching literally to read this one. Book cover wasn't revealed yet.

My thoughts about first two book...

Kings of the Wyld I read in September 2022 and gave it solid 4 stars on Goodreads and review as follow:

'Love it! The way this story was written! So refreshing! Great fantasy with all you want in it and more! Cannot wait to read book 2'.

Bloody Rose I finally had a chance to read in January this year and have to say I wasn't disappointed. Strong 4 stars and short review:

Solid read :) What will be in book 3??? Can't wait to find out.

Bit more?

I did enjoyed reading it, I like characters, how the interact, change, think. They are so alive. 

If you didn't read these books yet, do it. They are worth it. I'm not joking.

Till next post!

Six Wilds Crowns

 Hi Bookworms,

Today is about Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race. This book is my first by this author and I have to say straight away I like her writing style.

I was lucky to receive this advanced reader copy through Netgalley and have to say: Thank you a lot!

Book will be available to buy in June this year.

Story here is pure fantasy loosely based on Tudors history, so don't expect be exactly as we heard about Henry XIII and his wives. Author used their names (sort of), but not kept family stories as we know them. 

It is a story full of magic, love, hate, betrayal and more. Main characters are likeable (or not LOL). I enjoyed reading this book from page one so if you like history, but fantasy is your other fave genre just read it :)

My rating: 5 stars.

That's all for today.

Stormcrow

 Hi Bookworms,

Today I'll write a bit about Stormcrow by Ben Kane.

For readers who like historical fiction Ben Kane is straight away connected with Romans, Richard Lionheart or Spartacus.

Here we have his first book about Vikings vel Norse in 11th century Ireland. We are meeting Finn and his friend Vekel and with Ben Kane we are looking how life is treating these two boys, their choices, mistakes and... after finishing reading this book I'm curious what will happen next?

Did Finn choose right? 

I gave the book strong 4 stars, because it is page turner and is full of Norse fighting. Definitely theme was properly researched. Author did great job with this and story is nicely told here. Great mix of history and author's imagination.

That's all from me today.

Trudi Canavan and her books

 Hi Bookworms!

Hands up who never heard about Trudi Canavan! I bet fantasy readers did and read her books :)

So, what she wrote? Very nice fantasy series :)

We have Kyralia series, which contains:

The Magician's Apprentice - prequel to Black Magician trilogy 

Black Magician trilogy:

1. Magicians' Guild

2. The Novice

3. The High Lord

The Traitor Spy trilogy - sequel to Black Magician trilogy

1. The Ambassador's Mission

2. The Rogue

3. The Traitor Queen

Then is Ithania series with The Age of the Five trilogy:

1. Priestess of the White

2. Last of the Wilds

3. Voice of the Gods

And then we have Millenium's Rule series:

1. Thief's Magic

2. Angel of Storms

3. Successor's Promise

4. Maker's Curse

Nice amount of books to read don't you agree?

So far I read all Kyralia and Ithania series. 

As I'm paperbook reader I'm looking for two books from Millenium's Rule to complete series before I start to read them :)

My star rating for books I read:

Black Magician trilogy and prequel - all 5 stars, I enjoyed them all.

The Traitor Spy trylogy - all 4 stars, solid read.

Ithania series - all 4 stars, solid, enjoyable read.

I hope I'll find them two missing books so I can read the last series before the end of this year :)

Till next post Bookworms!

Michael White and DCI Pendragon series

 Hi Bookworms,

Today bit about crime/detective series I read lately, but first about author.

Michael White is British writer living in Australia who wrote quite a few books including non-fiction and worked as a chemistry lecturer at one of Oxford colleges. 

My reading of his books started in 2022 with The Medici Secret, I rated it as 3 stars, wrote no review on Goodreads... why? As far as I remember book was rather interesting, but was missing something for me and I had mixed feeling about it. Maybe I'll back to it one day. 

This year I put my hand on two books from DCI Pendragon series and made time to read them. Both solid 4 stars, I enjoyed them.

   

Both books are written with kinda two stories in them. 

In The Borgia Ring we are meeting first time DCI Jack Pendragon, man who back to London from Oxford after his personal life crashed. He and his team is working on series of murders connected with a case of skeleton unearthed on building side. In between we finding out a story of priest/potential assassin from Tudors' times. 

In The Art of Murder Jack is dealing with absolutely gruesome murders of people connected with London art world. Murders feels like inspired by something earlier for Jack. In between we have a story of Jack the Reaper.

Both books are good crime novels and I really hope Mr White soon write next story with Jack Pendragon.

That's all from me for today peeps.

Have a great day!

Green Creek series and other books by TJ Klune part 1

 Hi Bookworms!

Did any of you read TJ Klune books?

So far I did read 4. My first was Under the whispering door which I read in November 2023.

Beautiful read, sort of cosy, emotional, sentimental, I gave it 5 stars.

Next was The house in the Cerulean Sea which I read in December 2023.

Another which received 5 stars review from me, beautiful read. I hope to read book 2 in some point maybe this year...

Other two I did read are Wolfsong and Ravensong from Green Creek series

Wolfsong I read in January this year - one of buddy reads scheduled for end of month. Interesting story, not everything for my taste, but overall nice read. Received 4 stars from me.

I just (yesterday) finished Ravensong  - buddy read scheduled for end of February. My thoughts about this one - bit more about what was happening in book 1, from other character point of view plus further story. Very good cliffhanger on the end which give the itch for wanting to start reading next book :) Gave 4 stars to this one and... waiting with starting Heartsong till end of this month as by our buddy read schedule :)

What are your thoughts about TJ Klune books?

Goodreads groups and buddy reads

 Hi Bookworms!

(Cragside, Northumberland - pic from our family trips)

Today little bit about Goodreads web, groups and reading.

I discovered Goodreads shortly after my man gave me kindle for my birthday/xmas gift :)

Here I could give review to any book I read and find ideas for new books to read - my TBR list is long LOL! 

I saw all them groups there and thought: Hmmm maybe I'll find one or two which can suit my reading tastes.

After a bit I joined Fantasy Buddy Reads Group Fantasy Buddy Reads Group (9278 Members) | Goodreads and this was very good idea cause them peeps are vivid readers of any and every fantasy/scifi related books and many more. Buddy reads yearly schedule is totally mental but each and every group member can find one he/she wants to join and comment on. Thanks to group I found authors and series I never heard about. Lots of members are audiobooks fans cause that suits their work/family time, some are like me - physical book readers. Anyone in group can propose author/title for buddy read.

Sometimes buddy reads changed for book clubs - when in read is long book series or members decide to read everything or anything by specific writer (Iron Man - In Death series by J.D.Robb, IAAA- Ilona Andrews Addicts Anonymous etc).

I can say my reading is less chaotic, I'm planning (sort of) what and when I want to read. Plus thanks to Goodreads I know what I missed from series/authors I did read before.

On Goodreads you have chance to join reading challenge - idea of it is you decide how many books you wish/want to read during the year and every book you tick there as read by you certain time during the year is counted. 

My target since 2 or 3 years I think is to reach 200 books a year. Anything including short stories, graphic novels, non-fiction, hobby books etc counts there. For this year so far I did read 44 books including 5 graphic novels, 7 cooking books, 1 non-fiction, 7 Advance Reader Copies (Netgalley).

I'm really bad one, cause I'm never reading one book in a time, oh no...

What's on my plate now? 2 ARC - one very late (from last year) plus 2 buddy reads with peeps from my Goodreads group LOL!

So soon I'll be writing about Stormcrow by Ben Kane (late ARC), Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race (ARC), and little bit about Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Mass (book 4 in this month buddy reads schedule) and The Dark Tower series by Stephen King (book 3 in this month buddy reads schedule).

I think that's all from me for today peeps!

Have a great day!

In Death series

 Hello Bookworms!

Ever heard or read any book from In Death series written by J.D. Robb (penname of Nora Roberts for this series).

The first one Naked in Death I read in December 2022 and... 

since then I'm looking for, buying and reading another and another from the series which with short stories contains easily around 70+ positions to date. 

I read 11 shorts and if to believe all available data I read all shorts written till date. Few days ago I finished reading number 55 Desperation in Death. 

Numbers 56, 57 and 58 are ready on my book pile to read. 

Number 59 was published in September last year if my memory serves right, number 60 can be bought since start of this month and number 61 will be on bookstores shelves in September this year.

Why I'm reading this series?

Because it is absolutely brill read! I love main character Eve Dallas, she rocks! Her man and her friends and co-workers... And all them batcrazy villains! With my reviews for them books I never went lower then solid 4 stars from 5, lots of them have solid 5. When I have time I'm able to read one a day (and standard novel has around 400 pages). 

I know I should write more about plots, characters etc, but I just don't want add spoilers and it is really hard to not give too much info... Every book give you more about Eve, her childhood, her current life, people near her, every case is mind blowing, some harder then others, but I can write one thing - Nora Roberts is amazing story-teller.

That's all from me today :)