Review: The Endo Journey

The Endo Journey by Kadija Kamara
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

# Full Disclosure Note - I know the Author in real life #

Actual Rating 3.5 Stars

This is a good book covering an important topic in a very personal and opened way. It takes a lot of courage to write about something like this! I am not the fan of the cover and I kind of lost some of my interest by the end of it, but this might be due to the specifics of the editing of the Kindle Edition.
In regard of the bigger picture, this book is the only one I know of that is tackling this issue with the sensitivity, care and attention it truly deserves. It is written in a very personal way and does grab your attention in parts. I do hope this Author will write more, because it IS interesting to read.



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Review: Tales of the Narts: Ancient Myths and Legends of the Ossetians

Tales of the Narts: Ancient Myths and Legends of the Ossetians by John Colarusso
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Actual Rating 10 Stars (If I could!)

This is a very fitting last book of the year for me. I can not express in mere words what this book means to me... As a North-Ossetian on my mothers side i have always identified strongly with my Ossetian heritage. And seeing the Nart Saga translated into English now mean that I can finally share these glorious stories with my friends!
But on the bigger scale, in the present day when so many Ossetians are scattered all around the world it is truly heart-worming to see that our stories, Gods and Goddesses are not forgotten. After all of the suppression, forced assimilation and suffering; we have survived and if not thrived, but were able to give all of the Love to the new generations.
The new generations that despite the fact that they might be far away from the land of our origin, will Goddess-willing carry it with them to pass it on, - and so till the end of time (if there even is an end that is).

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Review: Thunderhead

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Actual Rating 4.5 Stars

I loved the story in Book 1, so it as great to be able to come back to it in book 2! I can see Book 3 is planned already...

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Review: A Manifesto for a Female Led Society

A Manifesto for a Female Led Society by Te-Erika Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

For a 56 PAGE book, this is -super overpriced. I still decided to check it out hoping it will have some gems. It was interesting but nothing earth-shattering. Good points, but the presentation is lacking. Worth it if you have some spare cash to waste and are interested in alternative viewpoints.

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Review: Outliers

Outliers by Kate L. Mary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Actual Rating 3.5 Stars

Really interesting set-up. Will be checking the continuation books when they will be out for sure!

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Review: North: This thrilling sequel to South is perfect for fans of Hugh Howie’s Wool

North: This thrilling sequel to South is perfect for fans of Hugh Howie’s Wool by Frank Owen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great to see the story continued!

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Review: Scythe

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Surprisingly good story and a very immersive world!

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Review: 1/2986: Publisher's Pack

1/2986: Publisher's Pack by Annelie Wendeberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I completely can not believe how good this was! And out of nowhere too! In the beginning this was like a run of the mill YA (don't really like the genre) but then the real story started and I was hooked. Really excited for the next 2 books to be available on Audible, hopefully soon. If you like depressive-realism in Post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi this one might be just for you. Not to mention that this might be as well classified as Ecological Sci-Fi - my favourite genre of all time (started with Dune by Frank Herbert and not can not stop!), it has a very important message hidden within it's pages. It is timely and very much needed. Dunno if it will continue to be as grim in the books 3 & 4 but I will still continue reading. Also, the voice-work in the audio-book version is great, love this voice actress so much, her work is really nuanced and atmospheric.

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Review: Instauration

Instauration by Sarah Lyons Fleming
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am so happy to come back to this world. I just love how good this author is, for me everything that she has written so far is really good! Amazing to get to know what happened to everyone and to get more into the story itself again. The wait for the audio-book version was totally worth it!

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Review: Dry

Dry by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great story! Yes, the main character is super annoying at times but it serves a purpose for the plot and character development. I might even re-read it later!

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Review: The Long Song

The Long Song by Andrea Levy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Really enjoyed how immersive the story was!

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Review: The Toymakers

The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting story but just not to my taste.
Book will be donated to a Woman's Hostel/Shelter for the upcoming holidays!

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Review: The Consuming Fire

The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OK to be honest with you I have no idea how this book ended up un-reviewed on my shelf as I vividly remember posting my review of it here! Weird... Well in any case, I was so happy to find out that there is a new book in the series because Book 1 was the highlight of the previous year or me! It is masterfully written with great plot and amazing characters. It is funny and commentary rich. I am looking forward to Book 3 in the series for sure. The new years is already looking brighter!

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Review: Into the Fire

Into the Fire by Elizabeth Moon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just LOVE the series continuation! To be fair I have never read the previous series books before it was re-booted/extended but I do enjoy the new story-line a lot! Excited to know what will happen next!

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Review: The F Word

The F Word by Lily Pebbles
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wasn't able to connect to the book, will try again next year (fingers crossed).
This book will be donated to the Women's Hostel/Shelter to find it's next reader!

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Review: Engine Summer

Engine Summer by John Crowley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazing book...

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Review: Handywoman

Handywoman by Kate Davies
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an amazing book! I found it by chance in a shop while buying yarn/wool and I am so happy I did! Great story with some very interesting topics discussed.

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Review: Noumenon Infinity

Noumenon Infinity by Marina J. Lostetter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am amazed by this book. Yes it is a bit more hectic then the fist one but the story has grown so much! I do hope there will be a third book in the series!

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Review: Weiser Field Guide to Witches: From Hexes to Hermione Granger, From Salem to the Land of Oz

Weiser Field Guide to Witches: From Hexes to Hermione Granger, From Salem to the Land of Oz by Judika Illes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good guidebook with a bit of humour!

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Review: Noumenon

Noumenon by Marina J. Lostetter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a great book! That ending... I am just blown away. It is an amazing story with some impressive character development. Amazing to see Sci-Fi of this detail coming from a female writer. Makes me so happy! Am reading book 2 in the series already... started straight away as I just couldn't resist.

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Review: Spitshine

Spitshine by Michael Botur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

- Rating In Progress - 2nd try!

1st read through (kind of)

Was waiting for the book for 3,5 months, never received it.
Update: Am giving it a second try as I have just received an eBook copy.
Let's see how it will go!

2nd read through

Gave this book a second try and finally finished it today. "Zero The Hero" is by far my favourite story of them all in here!
The writing is solid and as realistic as in other books from this author (this is my second experience with this author's books). Some really fucked up things happen in this book, be sure of that! But it is entertaining and interesting in paces.
The book cover doesn't really scream FASCINATING to me but then again, I am very particular about my book-cover preferences. There is great diversity in this anthology and you will probably find at least one story that really speaks to you.
It is not PC in any way but it has its charm. I will probably check out other books by this Author, I think they will continue to surprise me if I will give them time.

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Review: Moneyland: Book One

Moneyland: Book One by Michael Botur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

OK, so first things first. It took me such a long time to finish this book! When I started it still had its old cover - the new one is an absolute bomb!
This book is very much outside of my usual reading. I like dystopian, yes, but I think it is more geared towards younger readers. So, for me, it was is a bit dull and slow in the beginning. Things start to get better about the half-way point.
There are a lot of great points in this book, like 1) Lots of swearing loved it; add's more realism to the story. 2) There is no cuddling in this story, the characters here are young, yes, but they are ruthless because their life is ruthless. 3) No unnecessary "sweetness", things are not dialled-down here, things get fucked up, as they do in life.
I initially started with a lower rating originally but persevered till the end (great last chapter) and my rating gradually got higher. This book has some very good ideas "hidden" in it and the writing is consistent, sometimes annoying (ALL THAT SHOUTING!) but works well for the story.
Have another book by the same author on my to-read list. Will go now and see what it is all about...

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Review: The Self-Love Experiment: Fifteen Principles for Becoming More Kind, Compassionate, and Accepting of Yourself

The Self-Love Experiment: Fifteen Principles for Becoming More Kind, Compassionate, and Accepting of Yourself by Shannon Kaiser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know what? This book is in no way perfect but it found me at the time when I needed something relaxing to read. It did the job and I enjoyed the journey I took while reading this book. It was interesting to read something outside of my usual preferences and it was fun!

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Review: The Powers of the Earth

The Powers of the Earth by Travis J.I. Corcoran
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Surprisingly good! Well written with great world-building and interesting characters. Already have book 2 loaded up.

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