Just like some of the reviews from the previous post, these are shorter since I had quite a backload to catch up on. Hopefully next week’s recent reads (scheduled for this Friday) will contain reviews of my normal length.
I reached the end of the trilogy and still remain ambivalent. I kept reading because the world and the characters intrigued me but felt kept at arm’s length by the incredibly confusing plot and structure of the library itself. Do I recommend this series? Not really. On the other hand, I think that some may really enjoy the complexity of Lawrence’s skilled writing.
In this poignant memoir, Kingston reflects on the death of her mother from cancer while she (the author) was still a child as well as the years her mother battled cancer. It’s a heartfelt look at how these things truly change a person at a fundamental level, sometimes without the person realizing until many years later.
I absolutely love where Shannon has taken this series, how she has transformed and expanded the world and magic system while staying true to the heart of the series from book one. I cannot wait to see where this series goes in the final three books. (I also highly recommend listening to these books while in Ireland. 🙂 )
While not my favorite H. G. Parry work, this book helped solidify her as an all time favorite. In this novel, Parry seamlessly transforms the classic A Tale of Two Cities into a faerie story. She makes it almost impossible to tell that this book was published in 2025 not 1860 and I loved it.
This short memoir continues the story from Nguyen’s first memoir, the first book I have read from him. (I own his most famous work, The Sympathizer, and plan to read it soon.) In this one, Nguyen focuses on writing and how it ties to identity and how he struggled to balance the two competing parts of himself. I definitely recommend this book, although with one caveat. Read his first memoir first.
I continue to enjoy these short but impactful little mysteries. The science fiction part, the gas giant setting, serves as a unique backdrop and driver of the plots. I also adore how Older
continues to develop Mossa and Pleiti’s relationship.
I loved this return to classic fantasy. Technically, this book does not return to this style, written in 1968. The book read like a fairy tale taken from even older literature. This worked so well for me although I can see how it might not work for others. I look forward to reading Beagle’s newest work, I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons.
I absolutely loved the snark woven through just about every page of this work. Mystal brings an incredible amount of expertise in law and constitutionality as well as a determination to tolerate no fools. I loved this. Some will not for obvious reasons. Even so, I definitely recommend this book.