The Outcasts of Time by Ian Mortimer

I'm giving this two stars for the cover.

Getting straight to the point, the writing is so simple that it should've been a quick read but it's just so didactic and filled with ... religious righteousness which ruined the plot for me. And the prose, oh my god the prose is sooooo boooorrrinnggg. 

Normally, I like historical fiction and it doesn't matter that I'm not from the continent where the history happened but this just doesn't make sense. Yes, I guess it's kind of cool to be given a chance to see how the world changes 700 years from now and that (apart from the cover) was what drew me in, but the idea of travelling through time here was just thrown in there like ... nothing. Like it isn't a big deal. Like hey-whatever-let's-do-this-because ... nothing.

This should've been written better. Is it interesting, yes? Is it worth your time? I'd say no. I seriously think I wasted mine.

Soul Music (Discworld #16) by Terry Pratchett

Magic is the genius way of explaining (or not) the effect of music on people. Also why people go gaga over musicians. You might like this book if you love music (thus the five stars). And while music is the antagonist in this book (it has a life of its own!), it also made people -- reflect, at the very least.

"every note was as sharp as a bell and as simple as sunlight so that in the prism of the brain it broke up and flashed into a million colors ... and then the music unfolded in his head ... the fall of the notes conjured up memories of the mine where he'd been born and dwarf bread just like mum used to hammer on her anvil, and the moment when he first realized he'd fallen in love ... and more than anything else he wanted to be home ..."

I love the puns and references to Elvis (or in this case elvish which means elf like), rock music (Music/Band with Rocks In - hah!) and people throwing their underthings on stage. I think this book is brilliant. Wait, I think most Discworld books are brilliant. 

I recently went back to listening to audiobooks to catch up on my reading list. I would put my earphones on during my commute to and from work. This, however, is not a book I would listen to in public. It makes me snigger in the most awkward moments and let's face it, anytime you snigger without people knowing the reason why is awkward.

Elijah's Mermaid by Essie Fox

Elijah's Mermaid is about the same as the Essie Fox's first book, The Somnambulist. I know that doesn't sound particularly enticing but I wasn't looking for anything new, really, so it worked for me. The story is still full of intrigue and of juicy, shocking tabloid material scandal. The gossip monger in me wasn't disappointed. 

It's not an I-cant-put-it-down sort of book, though. It was only a bit engaging towards the end when all the secrets were coming out. There was even a part where I cried (but I think it was also because I was hormonal, heh). Admittedly, though, there are some pages where I feel like just stopping altogether. And I did, actually. I had to try a few times before I can really get to it. 

And I don't get why the title has Elijah's name on it when he played such little role in the development of the story. He was the reason for the biggest conflict in the story but what did he really do other than that? Well, I suppose Elijah's Mermaid is a better title than Pearl.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

I thought it's safe to start reading Strange the Dreamer because I only have to wait until October for the Muse of Nightmares to come out. Should've waited longer before I did because this book ended with the mother of all cliffhangers. Am I'm exaggerating? Yes. Is the ending a cliffhanger. A big fat YES. I haven't really read like really, really, really read in a long time and I thought Laini Taylor will save me from this reading slump. She did. But at a price. The one star I knocked off is for the ending (d'oh). I loved the book, of course (because Laini Taylor). I mean, I can't not love a book that makes me want to ugly-cry in public (as in inside the tram while I was heading home from work) merely because of the words that it used.

I'll be honest. The concept can be compared to the Smoke and Bone trilogy if you think about it. 
One species falling in love with another ... remember the whole "Once upon a time, an angel fell in love with a devil" thing? In Smoke and Bone it's angels and monsters. In Strange the Dreamer, it's humans and gods. The beauty, however, lies in how she created a whole new world (not the song, heh) that somehow equals the Smoke and Bone trilogy. Something THAT amazing is hard to top but lo and behold, she creates another world that you cannot help but care about with a whole new set of characters that you cannot help but fall in love with. I don't mean to be poetic (wait, is that poetic enough?) so ... gaaaaaah for the lack of more coherent words.

The Fireman by Joe Hill

Oxytocin. Social interaction. Empathy. Attachment. Emotional memories. I loved the concept of how a certain hormone that is responsible for so many positive human emotions can be turned into a scary sci-fi/horror disease stimulant because it's not really far from the truth. I'm not talking about spontaneous combustion but the fact that oxytocin triggers protective instincts but can also trigger possessive and demanding attitude. It turns belief into obsession. It promotes social connection but can also be the reason for mob mentality. Moral of the story? Individualism, ladies and gentlemen. Okay I kid but you get the gist. It's something so positive but if you don't get a good grip at it it can turn sideways very easily.

The story sort of mimicked Harry Potter in a sense that it covered tyranny and I thought it was brilliant how two stories can tackle the same issue in two very different, very elaborate ways.

I mentioned HP because the author dedicated it to J.K. Rowling. Now, I can't tell if reading the inscription helped me understand the book or if the fact ruined it for me. Don't get me wrong, I love J.K. Rowling and the HP series but I found there's too much reference to it and most of them I found ... off. Also, I'm not sure why the title is Fireman. Shouldn't it be Harper?

I loved this book as well, hence the 4 stars, but I would've given it more if not for the constant mention of Dumbledore and other works of British authors. It's like the author wanted the story to revolve around books but not really so he only did it half-heartedly throwing in a title or a character whenever he seemed appropriate. Except it didn't seem appropriate for me. But that's just me.

Love is Red (Nightsong Trilogy #1) by Sophie Jaff

I always thought great story telling is better than a great plot. I haven't met a book that proved me wrong. Take this book for example. Some parts were told in first person and some in second. Yes, second person. I mean who does that?! In fiction no less! I understand how the book is told in different perspectives and for some books that can work. The story telling has to be full proof, though. And whose voice does the second person story telling belong to? If that's not enough there are a couple of chapters towards the end that were told in third person. I blame artistic freedom. If you can get over the constant switching of voices you might like this.

Or not. Because Love is Red had such great potential if it didn't try to put so many ideas in one book. The birth of Jesus Christ and the alien wise man (I SHIT YOU NOT), some Wiccan tale which didn't really relate to the ... colors (don't even get me started with this), and of course the main mystery. This is the first book of a trilogy, if I might add. I got more questions than answers when I'm done. I'm hoping these will be clarified in the next two instalments, not that I'm holding my breath for those. Okay sorry but the colors ... the colors should've at least been mentioned at the beginning not in the middle with no explanations whatsoever. I'm not saying the writing isn't good.

It is ... for the most part. I wouldn't finish it if not. And I also kind of understand why this is in first and second person because there are a couple of chapters written in 3rd person and this is how one sounded like: 

Chapter 28: The woman opens her eyes. Her eyes are open in the darkness. It is too dark in here.

I rest my case.

Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell

Reading this felt like I'm eavesdropping on the family's life. I felt dirty but satisfied at the same time. 

While some stories lack character development, this is like a whole book of character development. It is THAT slow. Imagine describing each member of the family in one book. This is what Instructions for a Heatwave did. So since the pace is very leisurely, the reader has to be very patient to be able to appreciate the story. It's a pretty standard family drama story and each character were pretty ... standard ... family members as well. I think what I'm trying to say is this book will not blow your mind. It's something that will take your mind off something else, though.

This is my second Maggie O'Farrell novel (the first one was The Vanishing of Esme Lennox) and although I felt the same way I did when I read the first one, I find I like this book better. It's much lighter and much more engaging (hashtag juicy gossip).

Also, from the look and feel of it, it seems her trademark is an engaging story with an open ending? A VERY open one.

Three stars.

The Light of the Fireflies by Paul Pen

This is one of my "oooh-nice-cover!" reads. It's also one of the "wtf-did-i-just-get-myself-into" reads. I understand the hype. It's just not something I can jump into. The plot was very promising but it didn't quite cut it because it was stretched too thin and the twist felt like it was thrown there for the lack of imagination. The same can be said with the lack of names. The first person narration (through the eyes of a boy) might be the reason for that but it didn't sit right when the past was told in a third person's voice. I have no problem with switching from first person to third person when reading as long as it's clear why the switch is made. It is clear in this book. However, I had a problem with this kind of story telling: "The sudden intrusion of his granddaughter's voice made Grandpa initiate a series of movements that he did not complete ... Grandma closed her eyes, hugging the boy preparing for the worst. The woman looked at the roll of posters that her daughter had been putting up ... She sighed, accepting what would happen if she discovered what her brother had done. The man rushed to the girl's body." I mean, my little brain can only take too much. Who is "she"? Is it the grandmother, the mother or the daughter? Okay I'm exaggerating, but still ... wtf?! It's also not clear where the behavior came from. Most especially the sister's angst. That is more than just teenage angst. I'm no expert in behavioral analysis but I'm pretty sure emotions don't come out without a trigger. Even the flashback chapter where everything that led them into their current situation was well, very thin. I wanted to give up halfway through the book but I also wanted to know what will happen which was very annoying. I meant my situation was annoying ... but, yes, the ending was annoying too. One star only.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Ironically, the reason why I bought this book is also the reason why I found it annoying.

If the main character grew up in a library/bookstore surrounded by expensive first editions and classics, has a father who taught her the importance of books/stories, and writes biographies of her favorite dead authors, why is there a need to dedicate half of the book trying to establish the fact that little-miss-biographer loves to read? You love to read, get over it. (I wonder if this is how people on my social media list feel like when they see another book post from me on their feed.)

There also seem to be a lot of ... misplaced words throughout. Like a kid trying to put a new word he just learned about into a sentence.

In all honesty this book sounds like an elaborate fanfic. If you can get past all that then maybe this is the book for you. It's a good mystery notwithstanding the delivery. 

Two stars.

The Second Time Around by Mary Higgins Clark

Here's my first Mary Higgins Clark book. The antagonist's, Ned Cooper, character was pretty weak. There wasn't much oomph in it. I would classify it as a mystery but it's nowhere near thriller or suspense. The last couple of pages was heartwarming, though. But it didn't make up for everything else.

Two stars.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

A mediocre plot can be amazing if delivered with great story-telling. Uprooted, however, is not mediocre. It was action-packed and there were so many things going on that readers would be constantly on the edge of their seats. I loved the story, I thought it was an amazing mix of fantasy and romance with a lot of beauty-tames-the-beast feels which every woman loves and don't you disagree. 

BUT! Issue #1: I think there are pages that the story can do without (maybe 50 of them? give or take?). I was about 10% into the book when I had to stop because the descriptions were repetitive. Specifically how the spells were cast. More specifically how they "let it flow out of" them. It was all over the book you can't miss it. That and there were just parts that I wanted to skip completely. I understand how there's a calm before the storm as in other-stuff-before-the-twist but I thought making a point about how politics worked and how the citizens in the capital were petty was too much. Especially since Sarkan already talked about it before Agnieszka went there.

AND! Issue #2: The voice used in story-telling is confusing. It's not because each scene calls for a different pace. It's experiencing a simple story telling using simple prose and vocabulary for one chapter and then suddenly going Alice in Wonderland feels. It didn't happen throughout the book. But it happened.
It was ...
Chapter 1: The ball is red. 
versus
Chapter 2: The spherical object is a of a color at the end of the spectrum next to orange and opposite violet. Like rubies and blood and it was scarlet.

I think I liked parts of this book but felt meh during the other parts.

Oh and apparently, 417 Goodreads users marked this as YA ... um ... no. Lol. Although I had the same first impression of the book due to the opening, there are other parts that are a bit too adult to be young adult. 

3.5 stars.

Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

I liked this book. It was fast to read because the prose was easy. It was told through different perspectives/mediums but it wasn't confusing. I gave a lot of smothered laughs and maybe got a little teary-eyed somewhere. But for a book that I really liked, this doesn't leave a lasting ... feeling. I don't even remember which part I got teary-eyed for, I just knew I did. I knew I hated the gnats when I was reading it and I loved Bernadette and totally feel for her but ... writing this review a few days after I read the book, I feel like I've already moved on. I guess this is one amazing in-betweener? 

3.5 bordering on 4?