Unapologetic Reviews

The Answer is No is a short story by Fredrik Backman. It was translated by Elizabeth DeNoma from Swedish. So, this guy is a famous author, and I've never read any of his books because I normally don't read contemporary novels. But this just came out in December, and I saw it as a recommendation. I needed one last book to make my book count, which is only 20, mind you. It's 68 pages, and it was the end of December, so I was like, "Okay, let's give this a shot." The description said it's funny. I was actually pleasantly surprised by this short story. It talked about the absurdities of modern life in a very intelligent —and also funny way. I chuckled out loud several times while reading this. I also loved how it just started from one little event, and that led into this whole chain of events that culminated in the main character being in a different, but also very similar, space in the end. That was very interesting. The main character is called Lucas, and he...

I gave this book four stars. Although I’ve never read anything by Veronica Roth, I’ve always known her as the author of the Divergent series—which, frankly, isn’t my thing. I saw the movies and didn’t enjoy them much. But this novella? It’s a different story. One of its biggest strengths is the use of Eastern European mythology, especially Polish folklore. I loved how the mythical creatures seamlessly blended into the modern world. The fast-paced narrative also worked well for a novella, keeping it engaging and compact. That said, there were a few drawbacks. The present-tense narration felt jarring and unnatural, which made it hard to settle into the story. I kept hoping it would switch to past tense, and it sometimes did, but that didn't last. Another issue was the excessive descriptions. For a novella, there were just too many details—room layouts, herb lists, even comb counts. These slowed down the plot and felt like filler rather than substance. Despite these gripes, the core s...

An Air of Water is a prequel novella set in the Amefyre world, focusing on Viantha Waterborne. It’s an intriguing addition to the series, offering valuable backstory and hints that enhance the main storyline. While it stands alone as a self-contained tale, fans of the series will appreciate its connections to the larger narrative. The novella is set in winter, but don’t expect a cosy, festive vibe—this is no heartwarming Christmas story. It leans heavily into romance, which makes it more predictable than the main novels, but it’s still an enjoyable read. Viantha, a somewhat minor character in the main series, is fleshed out here, giving her depth, and explaining a lot of her actions. This development leads me to believe she’ll play a larger role in the next book. Her brother also makes an appearance... While the novella is well-crafted, I feel R.A. Sandpiper’s writing shines brighter in full-length novels, where the expansive world-building and intricate plots have more room to unfold...

A Promise of Blood is the second book in the Amefyre series and continues Suri's journey through an increasingly complex world. This instalment takes her to more places than the first, expanding the scope and depth of the story. The novel picks up where the previous book left off, and for a significant portion, we remain in that initial setting. Without revealing spoilers, I’ll say that during this time, Suri finally gets some much-needed rest and nourishment, which was a relief. We’re also introduced to key characters who play larger roles in this book, and we learn much more about Cole’s backstory. The opening section is slower-paced than the first book, and I found it a bit challenging to get through at times. However, the slower pace had a purpose, and I appreciated the character development it allowed. Interestingly, Suri herself starts to feel restless in this setting, leading her to make some questionable decisions. Second books in a series often feel like filler, serving a...

R.A. Sandpiper's A Pocket of Lies is a fantasy book. The story follows Suri, a young woman navigating a world filled with gods, politics, and danger as she uncovers secrets about herself and her place in this complex world. There's not much romance in it, which I was very glad about. There's some smut, but it never happens within a love relationship. The story takes place in a completely different world, one filled with old gods, new gods, poverty, wealthy rulers, kings, and regions with distinct politics. It's a very rich and immersive world. I really appreciated the depth and how distinct their culture felt. The characters wore different clothes, and even accents were mentioned at one point. Let’s talk about the writing. It was... nice. Not too flowery, which I liked, but not too plain either. There were a few parts where I found it hard to understand what was happening, but this wasn’t consistent. Some fight scenes were very well done—I could picture them easily—but ...

3.5 stars. A Whisper of Death is a book by Darcy Burke, and it's the first book in the Raven and Wren series. It's set in Victorian London, and for the most part, it's a historical mystery. However, there is a supernatural element. Let's start with the writing. The writing style is reminiscent of Victorian speech, fitting for an author who’s spent years writing historical romance. I enjoyed the language—it gave the story a sense of immersion that a more modern tone wouldn’t have. Next, let's have a look at the characters. We start with Hadrian Ravenhurst, a forward-thinking lord in Parliament, rich, powerful, and one of the most important people in society. To anyone who's read the synopsis, it will not come as a surprise that in the first chapter he's attacked by a man, and this results in him gaining an unusual ability. I can't tell you much about Lord Ravenhurst's personality. He's the male protagonist. He has a sense of righteousness, and he...

What a let-down! I love a good mystery and the set-up sounded great. Murders in a resort? I love it when people's holidays get ruined like that! Hotels, beaches, cruise ships, that's my favourite setting. That's pretty much the only thing I liked about it though. I ended up giving up at 43%, then looked for the solution and wanted to see if that would make me want to read the stuff in between, but it didn't. The solution just solidified my resolve to not finish this. I'll start with my biggest issue. Ellery, the main character. We're in her head. Third person limited. I don't mind that usually, but it wasn't a pleasant head to be inside. She's going through a divorce and the guy already has a girlfriend. I could understand anger, but she's wallowing in pain like the guy wasn't an AH. Page after page of "my marriage has ended and I'm lonely" in the most melodramatic way possible. We even get the lying in bed sobbing scene. I. Don...

My rating: 3 of 5 stars Columbus Day by Craig Alanson is a sci-fi novel that explores a sudden alien invasion and the subsequent alliance between humans and aliens. While the concept is intriguing, my feelings about the book are mixed. The story revolves around an unexpected alien invasion and humanity's efforts to ally with the aliens. This premise, as revealed in the book's synopsis, initially drew me in. However, certain parts, especially the detailed military descriptions, felt tedious and detracted from my overall enjoyment. These sections about procedures and preparations were uninteresting to me, perhaps because I don't have a particular interest in military topics. The characters are where I have the most mixed feelings. The protagonist, Joe, is an average American with a strong moral compass but otherwise quite ordinary. His nonchalant attitude towards many situations felt off and difficult to relate to. Additionally, there's a character named Skippy who, while...

In "Newcomer" by Keigo Higashino, I found myself immersed in a captivating blend of mystery and family dynamics. This isn't your typical detective story—it's a masterfully crafted collection of interconnected tales intricately woven into a larger narrative. The brilliance lies in how Higashino seamlessly integrates small mysteries within the broader context, creating a rich tapestry of characters and relationships. What sets "Newcomer" apart is the emphasis on family. The characters grapple with familial complexities, and Detective Kaga's keen observations shed light on the profound search for family connections. There are no great scandals in this story, just very real relationships between people and family members. The novel is not just a whodunit but a reflective exploration of human bonds. The main mystery gradually unfolds and gains focus in the narrative, with the final solution slowly coming into focus. The last chapter gives a satisfying conclus...

"Malice" by Keigo Higashino takes readers on a captivating journey through the intricate web of a murder mystery, offering a fresh perspective for those diving into Japanese mysteries for the first time. The author's simplistic writing style, devoid of unnecessary embellishments, becomes a strength, catering to readers with a preference for concise narratives, making it an ideal fit for my ADHD mind. The brisk pace of the narrative ensures that there is never a dull moment. From the outset, we are introduced to the mind of Nonoguchi, skillfully setting the stage for the unfolding drama. Detective Kaga's perspective adds to Nonoguchi's account and provides a different perspective on events. Eventually, Kaga's narrative dominates the story, however, to expand on that would contain spoilers. What sets "Malice" apart is its ability to defy expectations. Approximately a quarter into the story, I encountered a twist that blindsided me. As someone who typic...