Chris Horne

Whither or not you enjoy this book will come down to if you like the main characters voice and it’s humour. It is so distinct that if you it will make or break the book for you. I loved it, the jokes were right up my street and spending time with the point of view character was a joy.

Other strengths include a great and original romantic relationship and a satisfying ending where promises are paid off and no punches are pulled. The kind of ending that makes you close the book a sit in silence for a moment.

The reason why I gave this book 4 stars rather than 5 is the plot and world building. Which I found less original than the characters and not as interesting. However do not let this put you off! You don’t read this book for a twisty plot mind blowing magic, you read it to spend time with the character and his brilliant commentary of his life.

Over the course of the Dresden Files series Jim Butchers writing ability has improved from book to book, especially when it comes to action. One of the best things about each book is the fun ways in which Harry and his friends go about beating the variety of bad guys that Butcher comes up with…..however this book is one long action scene from start to finish and no matter how good the writer is this becomes one note very quickly. Large parts of the book were a slog for me.

Positively there are a few very powerful moments in the book, a couple of which could be the best in the series, you just need to get through characters hacking through endless, faceless, henchmen to get there.

Classic Pratchett, featuring characters who go on to become fan favourites. This book is a great way to start the series for new readers. The trade mark wit is there and the plotting and characterisation is improved from early books. Granny Weatherwax deserves to be included in any list of beloved literary characters.

A great addition to the series which avoids all the usual second book issues by taking the reader to new and exciting locations where the plot really moves forward. New characters are bought in which are as interesting as the original cast and the voice of one neurodivergent character in particular is very strong. At no point does this book feel like filler in the middle of the trilogy.

The best thing about the novel is the brave character development from the author. The events of the books have a dramatic Impact on all the main characters who go through changes that are understandable but also surprising. The changes in one character in particular is a big swing from the author that she pulls off brilliantly.

One criticism I would make is that is that parts of the plot seem somewhat contrived which did take me out of the story at one point. However this is a minor quibble on a really great book.

Fun and fast paced. This book was all the things I like about the Dresden Files without some of its more cringy aspects. I love the wider world that Butcher creates and seeing all the different factions come together in this book makes for excellent tension.

I continue to find Harry the least interesting part of the books which is a problem when it is written in first person. The side characters seem more alive than Harry himself and every time Harry goes off on one about how the odds are against him and this is his biggest challenge ever I find myself wondering about what one of the other characters thinks about what is happening.

This book is a solid entry in a solid fantasy series.

First shout out to the Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast for the recommendation.

A novel with a great voice and an interesting mystery plot. The main characters are excellently realised and I enjoyed spending time with them. I was not expecting the romtancy elements, which are not normally my thing, but they were well done and I enjoyed them.

I didn’t give this book 5 starts for two reasons, the first being that at times it felt like several different books happening at the same time. All of which are great but don’t always fit together in a cohesive manner. The second being will try main characters were excellent I found many of the side characters similar and found it difficult to tell them apart. This meant that some of the stand up and cheer moments did not hit as hard as they should.

A solid Dresden book, if you like the others you will like this one. A fun heist plot with a good cast of maybe friend, maybe foe characters. Harry’s arc treads similar ground of previous books and the over all story is not developed much. Over all an enjoyable book in the moment but probably one I won’t remember.

A book full of excellent world building and interesting ideas, I definitely feel like I learnt something. I really enjoyed the two main characters and their developing relationship. The main character swears brilliantly and the dialogue is really fun.

I found the plot of the first half of the book a little prosaic, however the second half of the book really kicks in and I am looking forward to the sequel.

Edit- Just found out that all the violence in this book really took place in history. Which has blown my mind.

These books changed our lives.

A brilliant comic in the Style of classic British comics. When the chaotic Monkey arrives in the woods the locals lives are turned upside down. A perfect book for any parent and child who want to laugh together at bedtime. Come for the fart jokes, stay for cute characters going through emotional crisis. These books changed our lives, reading went from a chore with school books to the best part of our day.

This generation’s great children’s fantasy book.

It’s perfect, this is a perfect book. Buy it for your children, buy it for yourself, buy it for your grandmother. I hope that it is well read and that millions of children get from it what I got from Northern Lights.

It is a brilliantly fantastic book, it feels both modern and effortlessly readable in style but also like the telling of a myth. There are moral questions that present themselves without smashing you in the face and a group of characters that you route for all that way.

While this is a children’s book it pulls no punches with its emotional content, and neither should it. Bad things happen in real life and bad things happen in to the characters in this book. There are consequences to their actions, nothing good comes easily for them but they do it anyway.

I could go on about this book all day but I want. Just stop reading this review and go and read the book immediately.

Mystery and magic in a ancient Roman Setting.

This books takes troupes that fantasy book fans love and executes them brilliantly, it even manages to breath life into a magic school. The book then adds a unique setting and magic system to the mix. However the thing that makes this book brilliant is the complex political situation our main character finds himself in. One wrong move could mean his own or others death, who can he trust? How can he keep his promises and protect himself and his friends? Can he get out of this and keep his morality? These questions make every page tense even when slice of life action is happening. I hope Will is busy writing the sequel because I will eat that thing up!

The anti Abercrombie.

I am not the target audience for this book. I love Grimdark, I love grey characters and i love cynical humour.

Bookshops and Bone Dust is none of the above, the characters are good, they do good things and are rewarded for their efforts. Boring right? Wrong! The author executes the story so well that the characters, rather than being sickly sweet, feel like real people who make real decisions. They just choose to be kind to each other.

There are two plots in this book, a low stakes and a higher stakes one. I found myself caring about the low stakes plot and found the higher stakes an unnecessary distraction. I can go to thousands of other fantasy books for life and death situations. I come to this world to spend time with a wonderful bunch of characters being nice to each other in nice places and that is when this book is at its best. Oh and when it describes the cake. Do not read when hungry.