Book Review: Babel by R. F. Kuang

Babel by R. F. Kuang

3.5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for the Audiobook version of Babel by R. F. Kuang to read in exchange for an honest review.

Babel is set in 1828 and follows Robin Swift an orphan from Canton brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. Here he is trained in Latin, Ancient Greek and Chinese to prepare him for the day he will attend Oxford University and the institute of translation known as Babel.

The tower is the world's center for translation and magic, specifically silver working which is the art of finding lost translation using enchanted silver bars.

For Robin Oxford is a utopia but as his time there continues he realises that as a Chinese boy in Britain he is betraying his motherland. As his time progresses he is recruited by the elusive Hermes society an organisation dedicated to stopping imperial expansion and the unjust war against China.

My thoughts on this book were mixed areas of the title I vastly enjoyed and I was wrapped up in the story other areas I felt could be cut down or not included at all.

This was an incredibly long audio book at 14 hours and it took me a while to finish it. The audio narration was very good I will say that but due to the length and wordiness of the book this title at points dragged, mostly due to a vast amount of reputation from the author or I suppose wordiness of sentences.

I wanted to love it as I had heard such great things but I had to deduct stars for that alone.

Overall I really enjoyed the characters and the group dynamic between Robin, Rami, Letty, and Victoire. This portion of the story I found incredibly interesting. However I am not sure I would ever reread this title again.

 

Thanks for Reading! 

Book Review: A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for a copy of A River Enchanted to read in exchange for an honest review.

The story follows Jack Tamerlaine who has been studying music for 10 years on the mainland away from the isle of Cadence. However when you young girls start disappearing from the isle Jack is summoned back by the heiress and his former nemesis Adaira.

She wants him to play for the spirits that rule the isle, wind, fire, earth and water as they only answer to a bard's music. She hopes the spirits can help them find the missing girls.

However upon working together it turns out the trouble with the spirits is far more sinister than they expected with the secrets of Cadence threatening to reveal themselves.

I really enjoyed this fantasy novel, I had been in a bit of a reading slump and this book brought me straight out with it's charm and whimsy.

I loved the magical world Ross created and the characters within it and the inspiration from Scottish folk tales. I felt the main characters were well developed and I enjoyed the switch of perspectives throughout and found that I couldn't put the book down waiting for the mysteries to unravel themselves.

A title I would definitely recommend and luckily for me the sequel is already out so I shall be getting that to read next. 

Thanks for Reading! 

Book Review: The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the advance copy of this book to read for an honest review.

The story follows Lore who at 13 escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath Dellaire. 10 years later Lore is a poison runner hiding her power of Mortem which is magic from death, however one accident and a job gone wrong leads to her powers being revealed. She is taken by the Presque Mort a religious faction sanctioned to use mortem working for the King. She is given a choice either use her magic to find out why entire villages have been dying overnight or be sent to the Burnt Isles.

Lore is sent undercover in the King's court under the guard of Gabriel a duke turned monk to keep an eye on the Prince Bastian. Romance, a love triangle and plenty of debauchery ensue. However Lore's past life in the catacombs is catching up to her even closer than she thinks.

This is the first book I have read from Hannah Whitten and I thoroughly enjoyed it I love a well crafted fantasy with a dash of romance and the hint of a love triangle.

I really enjoyed the interactions between the three main characters Lore, Gabe and Bastian. The dialogue was witty and I felt the relationship between the three was well crafted.

The world building was also well done and I was hooked on the premise and the storyline of life and death magic.

The story was well paced and I didn't want to put the book down. 

I am looking forward to reading the sequel! 

Thanks for Reading! 

Book Review: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraboty

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the advance reader copy of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi for an honest review.

The story follows Amina al-Sirafi one of the Indian Ocean's most notorious pirates. After a long scandalous career, several husbands and a demon she has retired to a life of motherhood.

That is until she is tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of one of her former crewman. She offers her a large sum of money to rescue her old crewmans kidnapped daughter. The money will secure her family's future forever.

Unfortunately there is more to this job and the girl's disappearance than meets the eye.

I was unsure at first if this story was going to be my thing but I was pleasantly surprised.

This story was unlike any other fiction I have previously read and felt an incredibly original premise. A female pirate in her forties, monsters, magical artifacts, demons, an evil sorceror, sea creatures from the depths. You name it this story probably ticked it off.

I loved Amina as a character strong resourceful and brash but with a deeper caring side for her crew and it was fascinating seeing her connect more and more to her Muslim faith.

I felt the characters in her crew were all well established with distinct personalities and it would be good to have them devolped further in future books. 

I also felt the book handled an issue of gender identity well. 

While the start may have dragged slightly once I got into the plot it was a fantastic tale with many twists and turns. 

I am looking forward to the next book in the series and will definitely be reading it. 

Thanks for Reading! 

Book Review: The Trees Grew Because I Bled There by Eric LaRocca

 The Trees Grew Because I Bled There by Eric LaRocca

Thank you to Netgalley and Titan books for the opportunity to read The Trees Grew Because I Bled There for an honest review.

This book comprises of 8 dark literary stories that are meant to explore the dark side of love, tales of grief, obsession and control. 

The stories range from online posts that chronicle a cancer diagnosis to a toxic relationship with a terrifying consequence.

What can I say about this book other than it did what it was meant to do. I felt all of the emotions while reading this collection of stories from grief to disgust or horror.

Eric LaRocca exceeds at writing painful, uncomfortable and unsettling stories of horror and darkness.

A great collection of short stories for an horror or indie horror fan. The stories certainly left me with a lot to think about and a lot of different emotions which I believe was the intention so bravo to Eric LaRocca these short stories had the right impact. 

Thanks for Reading! 

Book Review: Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim

 Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advance copy of this book for an honest review.

Spice Road follows Imani who is a shield in the hidden desert city of Qalia. She has an affinity magic for iron which is awakened by secret spice magic in misra tea. She helps to battle the monsters that lurk beyond the city limits.

Unfortunately her brother has tarnished their family name after stealing the spice and disappearing soon after believed to be dead.

When Imani uncovers evidence that her brother is alive and sharing the magic spice with outsiders she strikes a deal for his return back to Qalia with the council. One issue she has a djinni bound to her sword name Qayn and she is to be accompanied by Taha a power shield who is quite arrogant.

Can Imani complete this mission without being uncovered and bring her brother back safely from beyond the forbidden wastes?

I wasn't sure this book was for me at first but as I got more involved in the plot and learnt more about the characters I became hooked.

While not a massive fan of the romance the book is pushing and the dynamic between Imani and Qayn, I did however love the premise of the magic and the world building.

Maiya Ibrahim did a good job of keeping up the interest in the story with the twists and turns and cliff hangers.

One issue I did have was when characters left the plot and in this book at least we don't find out their fate. Maybe this will be covered in the sequel? Also the introduction of a few characters to aid the plot but then removing them moments later.

However this is only a small gripe that might be further fleshed out in the sequel. Overall I found this a compelling and enjoyable read, great for fantasy lovers. My Fairyloot edition has just arrived and it is stunning!

Looking forward to the sequel! 

Thanks For Reading!