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bookstorian's reviews
616 reviews
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
3.75
๐ REVIEW ๐
After avoiding spoilers for 3 weeks I finally dived back into the dystopian world of The Hunger Games.
What I liked/enjoyed
โ๏ธ The protagonist. The back story of a 16 year old Haymitch. Adds so much context to his life before we meet him.
โ๏ธ The littering of familiar characters from the trilogy throughout the novel.
โ๏ธ Political messages including the dangers of authoritarian figures, censorship, misinformation and propaganda especially in light of the current White House administration.
What I didn't like
โ๏ธ Felt incredibly slow and drawn out, I definitely skimmed some sections.
โ๏ธ Wasn't huge on the covey story line again, felt like this was a little tired from the first prequel. I guess this aspect existed to show how Lucy Gray's victory was scrubbed away.
โ๏ธ I feel like there is a lot left unsaid from the novel and while I acknowledge there is a likely purpose behind this it is a little frustrating as a reader.
Overall I feel like I wanted to enjoy this read more than I did, it was slow and incredibly grim. Given the circumstances we find Haymitch in 25 years from now it really shouldn't have been such a surprise to me.
โ๏ธ โThe snow may fall, but the sun also rises.โ
After avoiding spoilers for 3 weeks I finally dived back into the dystopian world of The Hunger Games.
What I liked/enjoyed
โ๏ธ The protagonist. The back story of a 16 year old Haymitch. Adds so much context to his life before we meet him.
โ๏ธ The littering of familiar characters from the trilogy throughout the novel.
โ๏ธ Political messages including the dangers of authoritarian figures, censorship, misinformation and propaganda especially in light of the current White House administration.
What I didn't like
โ๏ธ Felt incredibly slow and drawn out, I definitely skimmed some sections.
โ๏ธ Wasn't huge on the covey story line again, felt like this was a little tired from the first prequel. I guess this aspect existed to show how Lucy Gray's victory was scrubbed away.
โ๏ธ I feel like there is a lot left unsaid from the novel and while I acknowledge there is a likely purpose behind this it is a little frustrating as a reader.
Overall I feel like I wanted to enjoy this read more than I did, it was slow and incredibly grim. Given the circumstances we find Haymitch in 25 years from now it really shouldn't have been such a surprise to me.
โ๏ธ โThe snow may fall, but the sun also rises.โ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Things Will Calm Down Soon by Zoe Foster Blake
4.5
Actually shocked myself that I was able to read this within the space of a week.
What I liked/enjoyed:
โ๏ธ The business insight. I read for new perspectives and I got this from the book.
โ๏ธ Clear connections to the author's life, really positions you to think about a founder and how their life can change so significantly.
โ๏ธ Likeability of Kit and her team as well as Maggie.
โ๏ธ Whilst I don't own a business and have a plentiful support network I resonated with the sheer chaos of Kit's life. How it will forever be one thing after another and life rarely does calm down.
โ๏ธThe book does loose a .5 from the whiplash of a time shift between parts 1 and 2. Beware.
What I liked/enjoyed:
โ๏ธ The business insight. I read for new perspectives and I got this from the book.
โ๏ธ Clear connections to the author's life, really positions you to think about a founder and how their life can change so significantly.
โ๏ธ Likeability of Kit and her team as well as Maggie.
โ๏ธ Whilst I don't own a business and have a plentiful support network I resonated with the sheer chaos of Kit's life. How it will forever be one thing after another and life rarely does calm down.
โ๏ธThe book does loose a .5 from the whiplash of a time shift between parts 1 and 2. Beware.
The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang
2.75
While I was initially very captivated by the cover of this book and the first third had me interested the later half of the book lost me. Maybe it was because the magical realism/super natural elements ramped up or I simply lost interest in the story, I'm not sure. What kept me reading was wanting to know how it ended and what became of Serin.
I think this would be a good middle grade fiction read and does carry the message of maybe what you're looking for is already there.
Will give points for the character list with images at the start.
I think this would be a good middle grade fiction read and does carry the message of maybe what you're looking for is already there.
Will give points for the character list with images at the start.
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
2.75
Hands down this read was one of my most anticipated for 2025. I really enjoyed reading Weyward last year so was looking forward to Emilia Hart's new release. However, it just didn't live up to the expectations that I set in my head...
Let's start with what I enjoyed:
- Shifts in multiple perspectives and time. Always a big tick for me, especially with historical fiction.
-Australian setting, the stretch of coast where the story is set is one of my favourite places in Australia.
-Exploration of female experience, especially the healing process from trauma. I think the author does this really well across both novels.
Here's what I didn't enjoy...
- For the most part the book I felt like it was just rambling with not much happening. Such a slow burn, so much so it gave me plenty of time to work out where the plot was going. The only one major twist right at the end really shocked me :(
-Read in another review that more about The Sirens and how they lured bad men into the sea would have been cool and I agree with this!
-Not everything in the modern timeline felt wrapped up, especially for Lucy. IYKYK.
Overall, I'm sad that this book wasn't executed as well as it could have been, hopeful that this won't be my experience with my other anticipated reads for 2025.
Let's start with what I enjoyed:
- Shifts in multiple perspectives and time. Always a big tick for me, especially with historical fiction.
-Australian setting, the stretch of coast where the story is set is one of my favourite places in Australia.
-Exploration of female experience, especially the healing process from trauma. I think the author does this really well across both novels.
Here's what I didn't enjoy...
- For the most part the book I felt like it was just rambling with not much happening. Such a slow burn, so much so it gave me plenty of time to work out where the plot was going. The only one major twist right at the end really shocked me :(
-Read in another review that more about The Sirens and how they lured bad men into the sea would have been cool and I agree with this!
-Not everything in the modern timeline felt wrapped up, especially for Lucy. IYKYK.
Overall, I'm sad that this book wasn't executed as well as it could have been, hopeful that this won't be my experience with my other anticipated reads for 2025.
Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran
5.0
"Stories like this have the power to create and hold space where shame and hope can coexist.: The Guardian.
Both 'Safe Haven' and 'Chai Time at the Cinnamon Gardens' have been on my TBR for the longest time and so when a cyclone loomed I thought it was a good time to start something new and compelling. 'Safe Haven' ticked those boxes.
What I liked about the novel:
-Genre bending. It was a little bit crime fiction/thriller and a little bit family drama. The mysteries of the characters and the plot unfurled at a good pace for me.
-The detention centre setting. I have never read a book from this perspective or place.
-Connections to Sri Lanka and two different stories of Lucky (who's family immigrated) and Sister Fina (who fled). Again, very unique.
-I think, most importantly, this book made me reflect on Australia's treatment of asylum seekers, how incredibly lucky we are to live a privileged position and how we are in a position to help others. I think this message will really stay with me.
Although I found the start of the novel shocking and then a little clunky (emails exchanges), I overall feel that this ground work had to be laid for the rest of the story to work.
Highly recommend this read to anyone and will be reading 'Chai Time at the Cinnamon Gardens' soon.
Both 'Safe Haven' and 'Chai Time at the Cinnamon Gardens' have been on my TBR for the longest time and so when a cyclone loomed I thought it was a good time to start something new and compelling. 'Safe Haven' ticked those boxes.
What I liked about the novel:
-Genre bending. It was a little bit crime fiction/thriller and a little bit family drama. The mysteries of the characters and the plot unfurled at a good pace for me.
-The detention centre setting. I have never read a book from this perspective or place.
-Connections to Sri Lanka and two different stories of Lucky (who's family immigrated) and Sister Fina (who fled). Again, very unique.
-I think, most importantly, this book made me reflect on Australia's treatment of asylum seekers, how incredibly lucky we are to live a privileged position and how we are in a position to help others. I think this message will really stay with me.
Although I found the start of the novel shocking and then a little clunky (emails exchanges), I overall feel that this ground work had to be laid for the rest of the story to work.
Highly recommend this read to anyone and will be reading 'Chai Time at the Cinnamon Gardens' soon.
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
3.75
I feel like I have mixed feelings about 'The Life Impossible'.
On one hand I thought the novel captured what it would be like to be an older woman embarking on a massive change in her life, yet still holding on to the pain of the past. It had the philosophical, reflective and lyrical writing that made me pause and reach for my highlighter. There is just so much packed into one book from grief, to humanity, the universe and beyond. Also snaps to the TWO Taylor Swift references...
On the other hand I did find elements of the novel incredibly slow and, dare I say it, boring? I'm usually ok with a little bit of magical realism but maybe my mind is just too closed to supernatural activity? I had similar views about The Humans yet totally fine with the after life/immortal being plot of The Midnight Library and How to stop time.
Keen to chat about this read at Book at Moi Book Club next weekend.
On one hand I thought the novel captured what it would be like to be an older woman embarking on a massive change in her life, yet still holding on to the pain of the past. It had the philosophical, reflective and lyrical writing that made me pause and reach for my highlighter. There is just so much packed into one book from grief, to humanity, the universe and beyond. Also snaps to the TWO Taylor Swift references...
On the other hand I did find elements of the novel incredibly slow and, dare I say it, boring? I'm usually ok with a little bit of magical realism but maybe my mind is just too closed to supernatural activity? I had similar views about The Humans yet totally fine with the after life/immortal being plot of The Midnight Library and How to stop time.
Keen to chat about this read at Book at Moi Book Club next weekend.
Tipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie
4.25
Another thrilling read about Kate Miles.
I was a little overwhelmed at the start of the book as there was a lot of characters and history to keep track of. This soon passed though and the fast paced, determined nature of Kate along with the family drama kept me enthralled. I loved how beautifully, and unpredictably each of the strings are tied at the end
Another highlight for me is the location, being set in the Northern Rivers, not too far from home, I found the places so vivid in my mind.
I have to say, there is not enough hype around about these books. If you're into Australian crime fiction please pick up the series!
Excited to see what Dinuka writes next.
I was a little overwhelmed at the start of the book as there was a lot of characters and history to keep track of. This soon passed though and the fast paced, determined nature of Kate along with the family drama kept me enthralled. I loved how beautifully, and unpredictably each of the strings are tied at the end
Another highlight for me is the location, being set in the Northern Rivers, not too far from home, I found the places so vivid in my mind.
I have to say, there is not enough hype around about these books. If you're into Australian crime fiction please pick up the series!
Excited to see what Dinuka writes next.
The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth
4.0
I can always count on a pace-y Sally Hepworth read and 'The Secrets of Midwives' was no different.
What I really appreciate about Sally's novels is how she positions serious issues within family dramas and in this case it was pregnancy, labour, delivery and post natal care.
Whilst I did think some of the characters and relationships were underdeveloped the plot, multiple perspectives and themes explored in text were compelling to read.
Glad to have ticked another Sally Hepworth off my TBR.
What I really appreciate about Sally's novels is how she positions serious issues within family dramas and in this case it was pregnancy, labour, delivery and post natal care.
Whilst I did think some of the characters and relationships were underdeveloped the plot, multiple perspectives and themes explored in text were compelling to read.
Glad to have ticked another Sally Hepworth off my TBR.
Look at Moi Ploise: Celebrating Aussie Legends and Life Through the Decades by Beck Feiner
3.75
Stumbled upon this read by pure accident. Struck at first by the Kath and Kim reference in the title and then by the social history, I placed a copy on hold from my local library, mostly for a sticky beak.
Whilst a lot of the content in the book wasn't new to me, it was packaged in a fun way with cheeky writing and colourful illustrations. I actually consumed it thinking how readable it was for non-fiction and how I could use it in my classroom when teaching Australian history to teenagers.
I was compelled to turn the pages, googled a few things and took home a few tid bits along the way. Fair to say I spent longer than a beak inside.
I borrowed my copy from my local library.
Whilst a lot of the content in the book wasn't new to me, it was packaged in a fun way with cheeky writing and colourful illustrations. I actually consumed it thinking how readable it was for non-fiction and how I could use it in my classroom when teaching Australian history to teenagers.
I was compelled to turn the pages, googled a few things and took home a few tid bits along the way. Fair to say I spent longer than a beak inside.
I borrowed my copy from my local library.
Dusk by Robbie Arnott
3.5
My first and certainly not my last Robbie Arnott novel.
What struck me about the novel is how quickly you are thrust in to the action, so much so that I was scrambling to trying to piece together time period and place. As a lover of historical fiction and a history teacher I had enough to place the book but this could be very jarring for someone who doesn't.
The narrative was incredibly atmospheric, the Tasmanian highlands were so alive and vivid throughout the story, you could feel the isolation. Whilst I enjoyed the cast of characters and how twisty the plot was, the ending left a lot to be desired.
I find stories where the environment takes the lead fascinating and important to share so humans can reflect on their impact. I'm keen to hear more about what influenced the author
I purchased my copy from Dymocks in Rundle Mall, Adelaide.
What struck me about the novel is how quickly you are thrust in to the action, so much so that I was scrambling to trying to piece together time period and place. As a lover of historical fiction and a history teacher I had enough to place the book but this could be very jarring for someone who doesn't.
The narrative was incredibly atmospheric, the Tasmanian highlands were so alive and vivid throughout the story, you could feel the isolation. Whilst I enjoyed the cast of characters and how twisty the plot was, the ending left a lot to be desired.
I find stories where the environment takes the lead fascinating and important to share so humans can reflect on their impact. I'm keen to hear more about what influenced the author
I purchased my copy from Dymocks in Rundle Mall, Adelaide.