My Netgalley reads in first quarter of 2026

 Hiya Bookworms,

During three first months of 2026 I read and reviewed only 4 books.

The Codex Arcarnum by Tasmin Turner.

I gave this book 3 stars. It was a fast read with one or two 'missteps' but interesting enough to keep my eyes open for book 2.

Mrs Hudson and the Spirit's Curse by Martin Davies.

I have to say I was surprised to find out that actually this book is not exactly new as was published in the UK over 20 years ago and whole series contains 8 books (last one published this year in the UK).

I like the storyline and characters in the book. Holmes and Watson seen from different and interesting (I have to say) point of view. I like author's writing style and planning to find the rest of the series and read it. I gave it 4 stars.

Pretenders to the Throne of God by Adrian Tchaikovsky

was third Netgalley title I read this year and have to say/write I enjoyed every chapter. 

Reading took me some time due to reading other books in the same time but also lots of POVs and rather not easy theme of this book. Finding good wording to explain what I felt when reading it was and still is hard. We see city under siege and people in and outside of it. Because of politics, ideologies, religions characters in this book have hard time with trying figured out what they really want and what realistically they can have/achieve in their current circumstances. 

Ending of this instalment of The Tyrant Philosophers series wasn't obvious one which was extra plus point for me here. I gave it solid 4 stars, but I think it was more 4.5 stars really.

The Library of Traumatic Memory by Neil Jordan.

This book received 3 stars from me. 

Why? 

I think my review on Goodreads giving more of my thoughts than my straight after read one I left on Netgalley: 'I'm not sure how to write about this book... For some time we have two story lines nicely connected by men from the same family but living in different times, one in 19th century and the other in second half of 21st century. Book is packed with emotions, but reading it wasn't easy one, I felt like characters living in some sort of matrix, all around them feeling unreal, world, their lives, their memories... Kinda strange even for them. I can't say book is bad, because it isn't. It is sort of scary, unsettling.'

That's all for tonight...

Netgalley reads November and December 2025

 Hi Bookworms,

I'm bad writer... Didn't write my 'reviews' for months now... I apologize.

Here my round up of 2025 Netgalley reads. Not many unfortunatelly.

A Throne Betrayed by Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas

I gave this book strong 4 stars and described it as enjoyable read for fantasy/kinda historical fiction fans. Easy to follow storytelling, interesting characters plus murder. kidnapping, fight for power, love, betrayal, vengeance, death, hard choices and demons attacking declining Empire -all you need for good read.

Made Things by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Strong 4 stars here. Short, nicely written fantasy/steampunk novella. Totally enjoyable, easy to follow story with cute characters.

Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi

Solid 4 stars, I would say even 4.5. Why? I liked the idea of Cleopatra's story told from her point of view which helped to see her more human, more woman and not two dimensional picture we are often given. We can see her and people around through her eyes. Who she really was? Definitely a woman who lived in very interesting times.

I'll try to update my this year Netgalley reads as soon as I can.