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May you have the courage someday to walk away. And the wisdom to recognize that day when it arrives: Reviewing Wind and Truth (Book 5 of The Stormlight Archive) by Brandon Sanderson

Hi everyone! I apologize for my prolonged absence. This book was mostly that reason because I decided to buckle down and finish the darned thing. Before you read this review, feel free to check out my other reviews of Brandon Sanderson’s novels. I have started the second arc of the Mistborn Saga, and I am excited to review that one much sooner than later, along with a bunch of other books that I am already excited to talk about. Enough with my yammering. Let’s (finally) talk about Wind and Truth.

Content Warning: Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Intense Battle Scenes

In ten days, Dalinar Kholin must face the evil god Odium. While Dalinar does his best to prepare, Oduim’s forces continue to wreak havoc across the lands. Adolin Kholin fights in Azir, Sigzil holds the Shattered Plains, and Jasnah continues her negotiations in Thaylenah City. In Shinovar, Szeth seeks to break the hold of the Unmade of his homeland. Kaladin, accompanying Szeth, must continue to fight his inner darkness while facing off against an insane Herald named Ishar. In another world, Shallan is forced to face her past while Renarin and Rlain try to unlock the secrets of the Unmade. Navani hopes to find an advantage against Odium and stop him. In ten days, the fate of the cosmere will be decided once and for all.

Wow. This entry into The Stormlight Archive was the most intense and existential thus far. So much happened, and I feel like I haven’t processed the other four books in this series. With all of that being said, I am still deeply impressed with Brandon Sanderson’s intricate storytelling and his deep care for this particular story. Despite the sadder parts of the book, there was still an underlying message about the power of optimism and resiliency in the face of internal and external obstacles. The tragedy in this novel didn’t exist for the sake of tragedy, nor did the triumph exist because that is what a story should call for. It is rare to find such purposeful writing in a book series that is comprised mostly of intense battle scenes and an interesting magic system. In case you can’t tell, I am still very much enjoying this series. I was shocked, needless to say, when I learned that Mr. Sanderson has FIVE more books planned for The Stormlight Archive. I’m hooked on this series, and I think you should get yourself hooked too.

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Don’t do what you can’t undo, until you’ve considered what you can’t do once you’ve done it: Reviewing Assassin’s Apprentice (Book 1 of the Farseer Trilogy) by Robin Hobb

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying your summer and surviving the heatwave. I still have an obscene amount of books to read and am reading more than my brain can handle at times. Still, I am having fun and enjoying everything so far. Summer just feels like the best time to read, but that is my humble opinion. I shall not ramble on when I haven’t posted here in quite some time. Let’s talk about Assassin’s Apprentice.

Content Warning: Violence, Some Descriptions of Graphic Injuries, Animal Death

Fitz is a young boy with no memory of his past. The only thing he knows is that he is the bastard son of Prince Chivalry. One day, he is presented to his grandfather King Shrewd, who decides he has use for the boy. He sends Fitz to be raised by Chivarly’s stable keeper until the boy comes of age. King Shrewd reveals to Fitz that he bears the Skill, a magical talent that only runs in royal blood. Fitz is sent to an eccentric tutor to hone his Skill and eventually become the king’s assassin. While Fitz is training, raiders start to lay siege upon the kingdom. Fitz is sent on a mission that will save the kingdom, but may be his last order from the king.

Assassin’s Apprentice was equal parts adventure, fantasy, and tragedy. Robin Hobb creates a steady narrative filled with political intrigue and fascinating world-building. The tension and tragedy of the novel make it all the more shocking and thrilling with each page. There were, admittedly, parts that dragged on a bit for me, but it wasn’t so slow-paced that I became annoyed or bored. If anything, it made me appreciate Hobb’s attention to detail as she balances her world-building and character development. All in all, Assassin’s Apprentice is an exciting high-fantasy novel that feels entirely unlike anything else.

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In the end, they will kill us. But first, they will fear us: Reviewing The Hero of Ages (Book 3 in the Mistborn Saga) by Brandon Sanderson

Hi all! As always, I hope you are doing well. Before you read this book, check out my reviews of the first two books in this series. I have the next book in the saga, or rather the first book in the next arc. You can think of it either way. I’m feeling invigorated with all of these good books I have been reading lately. If you want to know what I’m reading, feel free to follow me on StoryGraph (@n0vel_ideas). You can also follow me on BlueSky (@perseph0ne28.bsky.social). With all of that being said, let’s talk about The Hero of Ages.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Intense Battle Scenes

For a moment, Vin thought she had succeeded. She had reached the Well of Ascension and seemingly fulfilled the prophecy. It was, however, all a trick set by a dark god called Ruin. Now, Ruin seeks to destroy the world through flame. The only glimmer of hope is Elend Venture, who has a become a Mistborn himself. Now an emperor of a dying land, Elend must figure out what the Lord Ruler’s secret motives were and do so while staving off a war. Vin, on the other hand, refuses to believe that the world will fall to Ruin. She must figure out if she can truly be the Hero of Ages before the world ends.

Say what you will about Brandon Sanderson, but this man knows how to pack a punch at the very end of a book. This was an intense read with plenty of twists and turns in the middle of great action scenes. The battles and magical fights, though, don’t take away from the message of hope that is featured so prominently throughout this book, even the trilogy itself. So far my favorite thing about Brandon Sanderson as an author is that he is not afraid to break the reader’s heart in the process of restoring some faith in the world of the novel. (Slight spoiler here) I don’t know very many authors who aren’t afraid to kill off main characters in order to make a point, but here we are at the conclusion of this trilogy with as much satisfaction as heartbreak. Needless to say, I am so excited to start the next arc of this series and I highly recommend you join me in reading The Mistborn Saga.

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Let us show the world what love and poetry truly mean: Reviewing Orphia and Eurydicius by Elyse John

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying your summer so far. I also hope that you have found plenty of time to read. I feel as though I am not reading fast enough. Unfortunately, I live close to a couple of used bookstores and libraries that have summer book sales. With that being said, I can’t control myself when I see books for sale. I’m sure you all understand the “struggle.” Let me not ramble on any longer. It is of the utmost importance that I give you my review of Orphia and Eurydicius.

Content Warning: Grief and Mourning, Discussions of Sexual Assault, Brief Descriptions of Violence, Discussions of Misogyny, Self-Harm

Orphia knows in her heart that she is destined to be a poet. Her father, the sun god Apollo, has other plans for her and forbids her from studying art. Instead, Orphia spends her days training with the finest warriors on the Whispering Isle. The only person to recognize her true passion is a young shield-maker named Eurydicius. As their love blooms, Orphia finds the courage to stand up to all of the men who have forced her to be someone she isn’t. With Eurydicius by her side, Orphia sets out to claim glory for herself by sailing with the Argonauts and facing many deadly foes along the way. This, however, is not her destiny and Orphia will have to decide how far she is willing to go for love.

If you know me then you know I love a good Greek mythology retelling and one of my favorite myths is about Orpheus and Eurydice. Elyse John handles her re-telling of the myth with such care and passion. The prose is as gorgeous as it is blunt at times, balancing the idealistic romance of two poets and the reality of power imbalance between men and women. Too often, women-centered stories force the main female character to choose between love and herself. It is nice to see Elyse John strive for a story where Orphia and Eurydicius love and support each other in equal measure. With that being said, the novel still holds true to the original tragedy of the myth. It is a story of love, perseverance, identity, and empowerment. I loved everything about this novel and I sincerely think that you will love Orphia and Eurydicius too.

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The others call me mad. As I have said, that may be true: Reviewing The Well of Ascension (Book 2 of the Mistborn Saga) by Brandon Sanderson

Hey everyone! How are you all doing? I hope you are doing well, despite it all. Before I get into this review, feel free to check out all of my previous reviews of Brandon Sanderson’s other books. I am still working my way through Wind and Truth. Bear with me because I am only about at the halfway point. I, however, have the first book in the Wax and Wayne series/the second half of the Mistborn Saga ready to go. Sanderson sure knows how to crank these books out. With that being said, let’s talk about The Well of Ascension.

Content Warning: Violence, Intense Battle Scenes, Discussions of Sexual Assault, Some Graphic Depictions of Injuries

The Lord Ruler is dead. The battle for Luthadel rages on. Elend Venture holds a tentative grip on the city as the newly crowned king. Vin struggles with her new title as the people’s savior. Multiple threats from inside and outside the city grow stronger and stronger with each passing day. The only chance for hope is a prophecy about the Well of Ascension, a source of incredible power. With everything crumbling down, hope is the only thing that stands between the people of Luthadel and the end of the world.

The Well of Ascension is as equally action-packed as it is bleak and bloody. Even the “quieter” parts of this book are relentless in their drama and intrigue. I appreciate how Sanderson doesn’t try to “soften” the harsh reality of the worlds he creates. There is much detail and depth that makes you as the reader want to uncover how everything in this world works. I also appreciate how the characters are far from perfect, but still endearing in their own ways. This book also spares no main characters which makes it all the more interesting. With that being said, dive into The Mistborn Saga as soon as you can this summer.

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Death is kind. It’s only life that holds suffering: Reviewing The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Geisbrecht

Hi everyone! I promised I would be back soon and I kept my promise. Happy Memorial Day to my fellow Americans. As for everyone else, I hope you are having a good day. After this review, don’t be shocked if you don’t hear from me for a while because the other books I’m currently reading are pretty long. As much as I love long books, I am also an impatient person. That is why I needed a novella or two to throw into the mix. Regardless of that, I have something for you. So, let’s talk about The Monster of Elendhaven.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language

Elendhaven is a town shrouded in darkness, nestled between a black sea and a silver mountain. In the town lurks a monster named Johann who cannot die. He amuses himself by killing at a whim. One day, Johann meets a wealthy and reclusive man named Florian. Florian has a secret and a plan that he needs help with. Johann is more than happy to join him in his quest for vengeance. In doing so, he might finally find out the nature of his peculiar condition. With a sinister pact made, the two monsters plot to bring Elendhaven the bloody justice it deserves.

The Monster of Elendhaven is darkly funny and morbidly gripping with every page. The book felt much longer than its 159 pages and I mean that in a good way. Jennifer Geisbrecht manages to pack in so many interesting ideas and concepts into this fast-paced novella. At the heart of this book, though, is a twisted love story between two characters who only want to find their purpose in the world. I just loved the Gothic atmosphere and detailed (albeit gorey) descriptions that pain a vivid picture. Needless to say, this was such a fun and gross read that I am going to strongly recommend, especially if you need to get out of a reading slump.

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Inevitably, with memory comes pain: Reviewing I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, Translated by Ros Schwartz

Hey everyone! I hope you are all doing well. The weather is beautiful where I live and I have some extended time off so I am going to finish off some novellas that have been sitting in my TBR pile for some time. I continue to pile on to my book pile because I am unable to excersize any self-control in a book store. I am also fully expecting to get a few more books for my birthday next month, but that is exactly what I want. Anway, this particuar novella has been making the rounds in recommended reading so it’s time for me to talk about I Who Have Never Known Men.

Content Warning: Some Disturbing Imagery, Grief and Mourning

For seemingly no reason, thirty-nine women have been locked in an underground prison. None of them can entirely remember how they got there or what their lives were before they were imprisoned. The fortieth prisoner, a young girl, is shunned by her fellow prisoners. One day, for seemingly no reason, the guards flee from the prison and the women are able to escape. They realize that the young girl is their key to survival and their only hope in the strange world that awaits them.

I can see this book becoming a staple in literature classes in the near future. I Who Have Never Known Men is a tense, existential novella that asks broad questions about humanity, civilization, and gender. It is also a story of survival, friendship, and perserverance. Harpman keeps the reasons behind the circumstances for this novel frustratingly ambiguous, but that is one of the more compelling elements of this novella. There is plenty to speculate about and theorize, but we are ultimately left with a fascinating mystery. I don’t want to say too much because this is a book worth experiencing for oneself. You should definitely consider picking up I Who Have Never Known Men for your summer reading pile.

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I bite at myself, tear my skin off, but I never quite die: Reviewing The Deep by Nick Cutter

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I’m getting ready to wrap up some books so I can get to my summer reading. I’ve had good luck at some local second-hand bookstores. I’m sure you can all relate to lacking impulse control when it comes to books. At least, I hope it is not just a “me problem.” I think that is enough rambling for now. Let’s talk about The Deep.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Animal Death and Mistreatment, Domestic Abuse, Child Abuse, Body Horror, Claustrophobia, Thalassaphobia

The apocalypse started quietly. People began forgetting small things, then big things, they simply forgot how to function. Scientists discovered a strange disease, dubbed the ‘Gets, was causing the slow demise of humankind. The only hope for a cure is a strange substance called “ambrosia” that can only be found eight miles below the Pacific Ocean. The underwater lab goes quiet after sending out a strange message meant for one man and one man only. Luke Nelson’s brother, Clayton, is one of the scientists tasked with unlocking the secrets of this mysterious substance. Desperate to find out what happened to his brother, Lucas ventures deep below and encounters a darkness that no human mind can fathom.

I have to give Nick Cutter kudos for writing one of the most uncomfortable horror novels I have read in a long time. The layers of different fears make for a rather suffocating and tense reading experience. There’s body horror, aquatic horror, cosmic horror, and psychological horror all rolled into one relentless book. I am not terribly squeamish but I regretted eating dinner before finishing this book. The last 20% of The Deep had me squirming at the exquisite detail that Cutter includes throughout the climax of this book. It was a tough read but in a good way. This book will be especially difficult to read if you have a soft spot for animals. I appreciated that Cutter took the time to explore the characters’ emotions and go out of the way to endear me as a reader to them, and not just create characters who are meant to die. My only gripe about this book is that there were some discussions about sex that I felt were entirely unnecessary. With all of that being said, The Deep is definitely a book for the horror aficionado.

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This world, my love, I give it all to you: Reviewing The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland

Hi again everyone! I’m sure you all missed me after being away for one whole day. I’m not going to ramble too much because I got that all out of my system already. I’m just going to launch into the review. Let’s talk about The God of Endings.

Content Warning: Disturbing Imagery, Violence and Gore, Attempted Assault, Self-Harm, Child Death, Animal Death

Two hundred years ago, a girl named Anna fell ill when a plague swept through her small town. After her father and brother passed away, her eccentric grandfather took her under his care. Instead of nursing Anna back, though, he granted her the gift of immortality and bloodlust. After decades of struggling with her “condition,” Anna finally found a home for herself. She took the name Collette LaSange and established a fine arts school for young children. Everything was going fine until Collette met a talented young boy with a mother who seemed to be hiding something. Finding herself inexplicably drawn to this child, Collette finds herself struggling with an overwhelming lust for blood. Now, she must come to terms with the past or present lest she let it consume her whole.

As you all know, I am a sucker (pun intended) for a good vampire book. I rarely find a book that breaks away from the classic Gothic tropes that come with vampires. Jacqueline Holland’s novel is a standout in the genre. Her prose is poetic, vivid, poignant, and dark. Seeing the world through Anna/Collette’s eyes invites many existential questions about purpose and love. It is a bit of a slow burn, but that benefits the rich narrative and dark themes that Holland explores throughout the book. Unlike other vampire books, this one doesn’t dwell as much on the supernatural elements which is rather refreshing in this instance. It is just abstract enough to leave to your interpretation, while just solid enough to understand Holland’s purpose in her writing. Maybe I am just biased and/or projecting, but I saw elements of Frankenstein and Interview with the Vampire here and there. I don’t toss around the word “extraordinary” very often, but this instance felt appropriate. Needless to say, you should go read The God of Endings.

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We were monsters once…: Reviewing And Then I Woke Up by Malcolm Devlin

Hi everyone! I got lucky and had an unexpected day off today. Obviously, that means I’m going to do some serious catching up on my TBR pile. It hasn’t been this out of control in a while. I’m not going to be out of material for a while. Now that I have finished a book, let’s talk about And Then I Woke Up.

Content Warning: Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language

The world ended when diseased monsters ran rampant and killed innocent people. At least, that’s what they were told. A disease spread across the world, but what it did was affect how people perceive reality. Spence is one of the “cured,” living in Ironside, a massive rehab facility that is essentially a prison. He decides that he belongs here, away from the guilt and shame. A mysterious new inmate named Leila asks him to help her escape so she can find her crew of survivors. Spence agrees, drawn by her enigmatic past. Now, outside of his carefully designed world, Spence must reconcile with the past and confront the reality of the horrors he faced and caused.

Someone can rarely take a genre as straightforward as zombie survival and make it new. Malcolm Devlin, though, does just that. And Then I Woke Up serves as more of an allegory about propaganda and perspective, rather than a gory zombie tale. This book is about one unreliable narrator talking to another unreliable narrator, who is also relying on other unreliable narrators for their survival. It’s a quick, punchy read with plenty of dizzying moments of uncertainty and emotional whiplash. That is what made this book so effective in its message. There are still gory details here and there, along with dramatic scenes of fighting hoards of infected monsters, Those scenes, though, are not what makes this book so interesting. It really is a character study that examines the horrors of not being able to rely on one’s own mind. With this being a shorter one, it would definitely be a great book if you need to get out of a reading slump. It’s safe for me to recommend And Then I Woke Up if you want a unique horror read.