Review: Heartsick

Heartsick by Chelsea Cain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not quite the page turner that I was expecting from the hype that I had read about this book, but a quick and easy summer read. What kept me interested though was the story arc around our broken detective Archie and the psychopath Gretchen Lowell who had previously captured Archie and tortured him for 10 days before releasing him. This relationship has so much potential, which I hope will be developed in later books as there wasn't enough of it in this one!

(I did also appreciate the nod to "Silence of the Lambs" by Gretchen by at one point by calling our intrepid reporter Susan 'Clarice')

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Review: The Wise Man's Fear

The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved reading this book, so much so that I think that I had convinced myself that it was one of those stories that would just go on forever so was bitterly disappointed when it came to the inevitable end. There is something so satisfying about becoming completely lost in another world. Obviously I have developed my own theories about the Chandrian, Denna and our main man Kvothe himself but there is still so much I am curious about and so much to still be explained that I am busting at the seams for the sequel to come out. At worst, this was a good reminder as to why I should always wait to read a series until it is finished as I am sure that the wait is now going to be the death of me!

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Review: The Magpie Lord

The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A bit of a surprise this one, not at all what I was expecting the story to be but found myself being absorbed by an interesting lot and intriguing characters. My only criticism is that is was too short! I loved the dynamics between our main characters, the reluctant Lord Crane, his manservant Merrick and the justicar Stephen Day brought in to help protect Crane. The dialogue was witty and sharp, characters likeable and the story flew by so quickly I have had to invest in the rest of the series to keep up my new found addiction.

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Review: A Darker Shade of Magic

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I found this to be an engaging and fun read with some interesting ideas and fun characters. Basically there are 4 versions of London which exist in different dimensions (for the lack of a better word) on the same location - Red London where magic is strong, Grey London where magic has more or less died out and London is more industrialised, White London which is controlled by evil twins who have taken the throne by force and Black London which became too unstable and greedy with its magic and fell, which resulted in the other 3 Londons sealing themselves off from the Black to protect themselves. Within these very different cities however there are certain key structures that remain constant, which is an idea that I loved. Character-wise we have the spunky street urchin and wannabe pirate Lila who I adored, Rhy the prince to the Throne of Red London and Kell, who lives in Red London but is one of the rare few who can use blood magic to travel between the different Londons and so is used by the various royal families as a messenger. Kell was also an intriguing character and I am sure that there is more than meets the eye with him too.

Whilst this was a good stand alone story, the second in the series has just come out but I have heard rumours that this ends on a cliffhanger so I might just have to wait until the third comes out so I can binge read!

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Review: Post Office

Post Office by Charles Bukowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first time reading Bukowski and I'm glad that I finally gave it a go as I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I was going to! It read very much like someone was just sitting you down and telling you a selection of stories from their life and their experiences of falling in and out of work at the Post Office and the characters that they meet both in the offices and on their mail routes, plus his experiences at the race track. The main character Henry wasn't really a likeable chap, but you still find yourself routing for him as everyone around him seems to be unreasonable. Will read more.

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Review: Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord

Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, I'm giving this one 4 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed this fun, witty and charming story. Yes, I always do baulk at the idea of reading out and out romance stories, but then realise that there is also so much more to it than a bit of bodice-ripping and flexing of muscles! There is a completely valid and engaging storyline (our heroine runs a "safe house" for women who need help/somewhere safe to stay and is running out of money to keep it going), strong characters (again a heroine who isn't a vapid, sappy, weak-willed sop, she is strong minded and independent plus a swoon-worthy hero who isn't full of alpha male bullsh*t) as well as wit and humour - in fact Book Riot have published a great article here today about romance novels which explains things a lot better then I can.

This is the second Sarah MacLean novel that I have read, and fully intend to read more!

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Review: Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Allie Brosh's Hyperbole and a Half blog is one of my 'go-to' favourite reads if I am ever in need of a chuckle or pick me up, so I can't believe that I have left it so long before reading her book. Depending on my mood at the time, various stories literally have me laughing and crying to myself, making me look like a loon to those around me. From her retelling of her childhood love of cake, to her dog to her battle with depression, Allie is very insightful with a dark humour that is always right on par. Love this so much.

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