EVERLESS by SARA HOLLAND (2018)

Title: Everless
Author: Sara Holland
Series: Everless #1
Pages: 362
Published: Jan 2nd 2018
Publisher: Harper Teen

This book was a classic YA fantasy with an original idea set in a different fantasy universe. It is exactly what my brain craves sometimes. Personally for me, it wasn't the most exciting YA fantasy I've read. It is a bit slow, if not unexciting at parts but it's an easy read and plenty happens.

The book is written in first person but I love the amount of characters. There are enough side characters of each social status to give an understanding of how Everless is ruled. Jules lives with the servants, where she has friends, she has her family and a friend from home, she has the Gerlings, that she knew as a girl and the Queen and her daughter whom she serves. It gives a very well understanding of Everless as a whole, and it's wonderful. What else is great is that Jules moves around these ranks quite frequently and therefore we understand the places and what's generally going on the story. It's great.

What's more, is that, since the book is written from Jules's point of view we always know what she's thinking and are therefore often reminded of her childhood, her memories, her dreams. The world of Sempera and Everless is built up to the reader through Jules's thoughts. And theses are not repetitive or annoying since she starts questioning a lot of things that are going on with time.

The time aspect of this book is very interesting. How blood and time are linked and how they are used and contained. It is a very interesting concept and I give Sara Holland all the credit for thinking through her story.

Unfortunately I just wished there was more. The cogs only really started moving towards the end. Jules's journey felt like it stood still for quite a while, and when things finally started clicking into place we were almost at the end of the book and it felt almost rushed and I didn't get enough time to process everything that had been revealed. 

A very nice YA fantasy, but not quite the epic. Although the story had loads of potential and the character is likeable I had small issues with pacing.

Plot Summary:

In the land of Sempera, the rich control everything - even time. Ever since the time of alchemy and sorcery, hours, days and years have been extracted from blood and bound to iron coins. The rich live for centuries, the poor bleed themselves dry. 

Jules and her father are behind on their rent and low on hours. To stop him from draining himself to clear their debts, Jules takes a job at Everless, the grand estate of the cruel Gerling family. 

There, Jules encounters danger and temptation in the guise of the Gerling heir, Roan, who is soon to be married. But the web of secrets at Everless stretches beyond her desire, and the truths she must uncover will change her life forever... and possibly the future of time itself. 

My Rating:

7/10

Enjoyable, but not quite as exciting as I expected.

Other Books in this Series:

Everless (Everless #1)

Evermore (Everless #2)

VIKINGAFURSTINNAN by CHATARINA INGELMAN-SUNDBERG (2001)

Title: Vikingafurstinnan: en historisk roman om Ingegerd - vikingatidens mäktigaste kvinna  (alt. Mäktig Mans Kvinna)

Author: Chatarina Ingelman-Sandberg

Pages: 376

Published: 2018 (alt. 2001)

Publisher: Månpocket
Language: Swedish

In all honesty, I was disappointed. I found this book in the Science-Fiction bookshop in Old Town in Stockholm, Sweden and I was really in the mood for a Viking story. Having read and loved Johanne Hildebrandt's books Sigrid, and Estrid, I thought I was in for a similar experience when picking up Vikingafurstinnan. But instead of flying through the book, I had to push myself to finish it.

This book had such potential. It introduced the relationship between the Vikings and Russia and Prussia. It highlighted the change in religion that the Vikings went through. There was an impossible love story and an arranged marriage, but no spice! Nothing of this hooked on and provided an exciting story. I was solely disappointed but somehow finished the book nevertheless.

Having been told that I'd purchased this book my Grandma bought the Ingelman-Sundberg's other three Viking based novels and she seemed relatively pleased when I asked her about them. I wonder if I will make the effort of reading them in the hope that they will be much better or if I will find myself leaving them on the shelf.

It is a shame when a book has this effec

t on me because I really did have high hopes and I kept reading in the hopes that it would pick up but the book did not lead up to any big excitement. Three quarters through an event worth mentioning took place and this was perhaps the only interesting part. The main character, Ingegerd, having existed in real life was clearly an interesting historical figure but she rubbed me up the wrong way and unfortunately the book didn't agree with me.

Plot Summary:

There are worrying times in the Nordics, and the Viking bride Ingegerd and Olav the Holy are going to marry. But Ingegerd father, Olof Skötkung, opposes the wedding - Ingegerd is forced to travel to Rus to marry Jaroslav the Wise, an older man she has never met before. The nobles threaten with insurgency and Norway with war. Ingegerd finds herself in the middle of the eye of the storm.
My Rating:

3/10

I really did push myself through this book unfortunately. 
Other Books by Chatarina Ingelman-Sandberg:

Kaffe med Rån (Pensionärsligan #1) - [The Little Old Lady Who Broke All The Rules (League of Pensioners #1)]

Låna är Silver, Råna är Guld (Pensionärsligan #2) - [The Little Old Lady Who Struck Lucky Again (League of Pensioners #2)]

Rån och Inga Visor (Pensionärsligan #3) - [The Little Old Lady Behaving Badly (League of Pensioners #3)]

Tantlexikon [The Old Lady's Dictionary]

Krutgummor på Krigstiden (Mormödrar för Fred)

Brännmärkt [Branded]

Förföljd [Stalked]

Befriad [Freed]

Vikingablot [Viking Blot]

Vikingasilver [Viking Silver]

Vikingaguld [Viking Gold]

Boken om Vikingarna [The Book About the Vikings]

Forntida Kvinnor - Jägare, Vikingahustru, Furstinna [Ancient Women - Hunter, Viking Wife, Countess]

Kampen mot Bränningarna [The Fight Against the Fires]

Tempelbranden (Släkten #3) - [The Temple Fire (The Kindred #3)]

MORTAL ENGINES by PHILIP REEVE (2004)

Title: Mortal Engines

Author: Philip Reeve

Series: The Hungry City Chronicles #1

Pages: 373

Published: Sep 1st 2004

Publisher: Harper Collins US UK

I read this book because I found myself in the unusual situation where my boyfriend recommended me a book and not the other way around. It also just so happens that Peter Jackson is coming out with the film adaptation next month so it felt like the perfect opportunity to read the book now so I can go see the film.

This book follows two 15-year-old people in a futuristic dystopia where cities and towns are constantly on the move, devouring each other and then reusing all their materials. It is a little bit weird, and new, something I have not read before. But it is an action filled book, which is beautifully written with very subtle but cleverly interwoven descriptions of this new world. Descriptions that makes the world what it is are mentioned in by-passing, so casually and low-key that one almost misses them. Reeve does not make a big deal about building up a world for the reader but rather places the reader in this world and lets them explore it for themselves. It's very relaxing and easy to read and get immersed this way.

Despite being written for the Young Adult audience, the reader is introduced to the grown up characters as well and their mind-set. This was very refreshing and one followed the stories from different points of views, but to a limited amount. There were not too many to follow and remember and enough to keep up with but still enough to understand the whole of the story - good and evil. We follow Tom (and through him the story of Hester and Anna Fang and Shrike), Katherine (including Bevis Pod and the historians) and Magnus Chrome (the rest of London and the politics). This creates dramatic irony in the sense that the reader always knows more than any of the characters but it creates suspense and anticipation. 

The book is not the most exciting in sense that it is not an action filled page turner. At least, not for me. But it is captivating and you somehow keep reading. Reeve's writing doesn't let you finish the book unfinished.

Seeing the film bringing this story to life will be incredibly exciting and to finally be able to see things that I may have struggled to picture while reading will be incredibly satisfying.

Plot Summary:

London is hunting!

The great Traction City lumbers after a small town eager to strip its prey of all assets and move on. In the not-so-distant future, mobile cities consume one another to survive, a practise known as Municipal Darwinism.

Tom, an apprentice in the Guild of Historians, saves his hero from a murder attempt by the mysterious Hester Shaw - only to find himself thrown from the city stranded with Hester in the Out Country. As they struggle to follow the city, the sinister plans of London's leader begins to unfold...

My Rating:

7/10
An enjoyable book definitely.

Other Books in this Series:

Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles #1)

Predators Gold (The Hungry City Chronicles #2)

Infernal Devices (The Hungry City Chronicles #3)

A Darkling Plane (The Hungry City Chronicles #4)

The Traction Codex (The Hungry City Chronicles)

Traction City (The Hungry City Chronicles novella)

Night Flights (The Hungry City Chronicles prequel)

The Illustrated World of Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles)

Other Books by Philip Reeve:

Fever Crumb (Fever Crumb #1)

A Web of Air (Fever Crumb #2)

Scriveners Moon (Fever Crumb #3)

Larklight (Larklight #1)

Starcrossed (Larklight #2)

Mothstorm (Larklight #3)

Railhead (Railhead #1)

Black Light Express (Railhead #2)

Station Zero (Railhead #3)

Oliver and the Seawigs (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #1)

Cakes in Space (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #2)

Pugs of the Frozen North (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #3)

Carnival in a Fix (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #4)

Jinks & O'Hare Funfair Repair (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #5) 

Pug-a-Doodle-Do! (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #6)

Roly-Poly Flying Pony: The Legend of Kevin (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #7)

Goblins (Goblins #

Goblins vs Dwarves (Goblins #2)

Goblin Quest (Goblins #3)

Night of the Living Veg (Buster Bayliss #1)

The Big Freeze (Buster Bayliss #2)

Day of the Hamster (Buster Bayliss #3)

Custardfinger! (Buster Bayliss #4)

Here Lies Arthur

Isaac Newton and His Apple

Horatio Nelson and His Victory

No Such Thing as Dragons

Doctor Who: The Roots of Evil

TOWER OF DAWN by SARAH J. MAAS (2017)

Title: Tower of Dawn
Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass #6
Pages: 660
Published: Sep 5th 2017
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children

I do not know why it took me a year from its publication for me to read this book. It was two years ago I read a Throne of Glass book. Which I almost feel ashamed to admit. On the other hand my mind will be fresh when I finally get my hands on final instalment Kingdom of Ash which came out yesterday.

I think the real reason I put this book off was because I knew that it wasn't going to follow the main characters but focus on Chaol and Nesryn. Chaol, I was looking forward to since I truly missed him in the last book, but Nesryn I wasn't so keen on and I suppose it put me off. Big mistake, I don't know why I ever doubted that Sarah J. Maas would allow a book to be less amazing because of the lack of favourite characters. This book smashed it!

Not only was it exciting to follow Chaol's story again but there was a new country and new politics to follow. And introductions to a whole new family, court and culture. This book did certainly not go to waste. If anything it really gave the characters the time the deserved. It also introduced a new character which adds a new spin to the plot: Yrene. Yrene is mentioned in the prequel book The Assassin's Blade and is now given her time to shine and she is such a good addition. She is fun, relatable and a very strong character who brings a lot to the table, but emotional

ly and as a plot devise. Her instalment in the story will hopefully make for a very interesting finale and I am pumped to see the role she will play in the next book.

With other words, don't let the lack of Aelin in this book or the change in book cover put you off. The danger, excitement and steamy love scenes are still there and Sarah J. Maas, as usual, does not disappoint.

Plot Summary:

A glorious empire.
A desperate quest.
An ancient secret.
Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, who's vast armies are Erilea's last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the legendary Torre Cesme for the wounds that Chaol received in Rifthold.
After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child, Yrene Towers has no desire to help a young Lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need - and will honour it. But Lord Westfall carries darkness from his own past, and Yrene soon comes to realise that it could engulf them both.
And deep in the shadows of distant mountains, where warriors soar on mighty ruks, long-awaited answers slumber. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival - or doom them all.

My Rating:

8/10
Only because of the lack of certain characters.

Other Books in the Series:

The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass Prequel)
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1)
Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)
Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)
Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4)
Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)
Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6)
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7)

Other Books by Sarah J. Maas:

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)
A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)
A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3)
A Court of Frost and Starlight (Court of Thorns and Roses novella)

MINA DRÖMMARS STAD by PER ANDERS FOGELSTRÖM (1960)

Title: Mina Drömmars Stad (City of My Dreams)

Author: Per Anders Fogelström

Series: Stadsserien (Stockholm Series)

Pages:  301

Published: 1960

Publisher: Albert Bonniers Bolag
Language: Swedish


I have a friend back in Sweden who picks her books very carefully. Her argument is that if she'd going to spend loads of time, sitting a reading a book, it might as well be good. So she often picks critically acclaimed books, classics or highly recommended books.

Last summer she was reading the Stockholm Series by Per Anders Fogelström. A modern classic from the 60's which follows the generations of a family that lives in Stockholm between the 1860s to the 1960s.

This year I set myself the goal to read one classic per summer and really felt like reading these, so much that I even visited the local library out in the countryside to get hold of a copy so I could read it, even though I'd brought twenty other books with me from England.

This book is heaven. It is a very light read, so it is not a daunting classic. It is not too long either and the chapters vary in length, but are never too long. It is very enjoyable and entertaining, while at the same time being a bit of a history lesson. It's amazing how little I found that I new of my own city and country at the time the book takes place. The book is very relaxed however in how it tells the story. It mentions things that one would regard as quite major incidents in history, simply in the passing. Fogelström does not set out to educate and inform the reader of the time period. But simply to transport them. If they pay enough attention they will notice the details. Things that were trivial at the time are given such attention in the book, even if I as the reader regard it as major. It is a very interesting take read in this sense, seeing as Fogelström published this book a hundred years after the story takes place. Had it been written in the 1860s I would not have been surprised at this writing technique.

It is a very refreshing read from all the fantasy and sci-fi I usually immerse myself. To read something about my own history as well as something that uses, not old, but traditional language is very stimulating. I highly recommend this book. It is a Swedish classic which deserves the attention it is given. It is also translated into English so if you would like to try something new and foreign I highly recommend this book.

Plot Summary:

A summer evening in 1860 a man named Henning walks into the city that he has dreamt of. Times are changing, industries are forming and possibilities are opening up.
The narrative follows a group of working-class people on Södermalm in Stockholm between 1860-1880.

My Rating:

7/10

Other Books in the Series:

Mina Drömmars Stad (Stockholm Series #1) - [City of My Dreams]
Barn av Sin Stad (Stockholm Series #2) - [Children of Their City]
Minns Du Den Stad (Stockholm Series #3) - [Remember the City]
I En Förvandlad Stad (Stockholm Series #4) - [In a City Transformed]
Stad I Världen (Stockholm Series #5) - [City in the World]

THE HANDMAID'S TALE by MARGARET ATWOOD (1985)

Title: The Handmaids Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood

Pages: 311
Published: 1985
Publisher: Anchor Books

I did not read this book in school as I know some people did but I did know of it and I heard even more of it when the TV series came out. Eventually I got it on audible and listened to it. I highly recommend the audiobook. The narrator is so pleasant to listen to and really expresses Offred's feelings well.

When first listening to the book I must admit I was confused. I had not read a synopsis, I had not heard what it was about. I had no idea. The word 'handmaid' I felt implied that it took time in the past and knowing it was a classic it must have taken place in the past, right? This was highly confusing. as I was wrong. The book takes place in the future. In fact, it's a dystopian future, which I did not expect at all. It is in fact a very interesting future Atwood paints for the reader. A future which isn't actually that far fetched. That although it seems absurd it could somehow be possible. And that is scary.

Especially in such a pro-feminist culture as we are currently living in. Where feminism is a movement that takes part of a lot of people's everyday life. It is a constant battle. In The Handmaid's Tale, women are diminished to an unspeakable level. They are not allowed to read, they cannot dress as they wish (in fact they've gone back to dresses), they are locked inside their city and they are only allowed outside the house at certain times. The later especially applies to the Handmaids. It is such a bizarre world, that we would never consider to be possible today. Yet, in Atwood's book it is exactly what has happened. Although the Handmaids have no power, and many have been close to brainwashed they still think for themselves, they still attempt to talk of the 'time before' and a rebellion is coming.

Although this book shows a world where women have been brought down it is such a pro-feminism book. It is incredibly interesting to read about and to speculate over. It provides for seriously interesting conversations and debates.

If you have not read the book I highly recommend it, and even if you don't read it, consider the TV series which is available on Sky. The second season is currently out which is will be fascinating as there is only the one book. However, the book does finish on quite an unfinished note that begs for more, so I'm very intrigued to see what else they've got in their bag as they did develop a lot of the characters from the book that the first person narration didn't allow for.

Favourtite Quote:

“Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.”

My Rating:

7/10

Although slow at times it is very thought-provoking.

Plot Summary:

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now...

Other Books by Margaret Atwood:

The Blind Assassin
Alias Grace
Cat's Eye
The Robber's Bride
The Heart Goes Last
The Penelopiad
The Edible Woman
Hag-Seed
Stone Matress: Nine Tales
Surfacing
Lady Oracle
Moral Disorder and Other Stories
Wilderness Tips
Bluebeard's Egg
Bodily Harm
The Tent
Lie Before Man
Dancing Girls and Other Stories
Negotiating with the Dead
Good Bones
Good Bones and Simple Murders
The Circle Game
The Door
Up in the Tree
I Dream of Zenia with the Bright Red Teeth
You are Happy
Happy Endings
Morning in the Burned House 
Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth 


and more.

If you liked THE INVASION OF THE TEARLING...

Yep, I'm not mentioning The Queen of the Tearling but the second instalment in the Tearling because this is where a theme is introduced which is very to similar to... The Handmaid's Tale.

Spoilers ahead. If you've read The Invasion of the Tearling you know of the references to Lily and the time before the Crossing. These flashbacks fit into quite a dystopian theme. Personally I found it hard to get accustomed to this at first but very much enjoyed it further into the book. If you were a fan of this dystopian element to the book then I suggest you take a look at The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood that includes flashbacks to a time before the dystopian current setting of the book and the crossover to between the past and the present. 

I personally listened to audiobooks of both of these books and highly recommend the audiobook versions from Audible. If you are interested in my full review of The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen you can read it here. A review of The Handmaids Tale is coming soon.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017)

Title: The Hate U Give

Author: Angie Thomas

Pages: 448

Published: Jun 4th 2017
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd


I can often feel that when a book comes out and gets all the praise and all the attention I’m forced to read it. Not that I’m not already interested - because I was very tempted to read this book - but as if it’s forced on me and then I become reluctant to. So although I kept dumbing into this book I repeatedly decided not to buy it. Until I came to the point where I had one book in the ‘buy one, get one half price’ deal, with a gift card I wanted to spend and no other book in the deal that I was yearning to read this one second. So I turned to the whole shelf dedicated to The Hate U Give and thought “fine, you’ve got me”.

This book is FANTASTIC! It’s absolutely raw and open and deep, every feeling is laid out to the reader and it’s honest and out there. The book is written so beautifully. It’s funny, sad and heartbreaking. It’s a well written YA book, with a good story and strong characters. It was highly enjoyable but also gave some food for thought. Such a reading experience.

The authenticity in the language of this book is so well executed. I am a Swedish white woman living in England. I have not grown up in 'the ghetto'. And although I went to an international school for three years, I lived in an area where the majority of the population consisted of white Brits. So, because of where I’ve lived all my life, up until University life, I have not had the chance to be really exposed to the language that is used in The Hate U Give and even though I was very unused to reading a book with such new use of vocabulary or slang words it was very interesting and quite honestly, quite cool to read. It really gave a new reading experience and felt truly authentic. 

Her voice is heard, by me and all the other readers out this. This book has to be read, by everyone. It covers such an important subject that everyone, American or not, white or black, boy or girl, man or woman should read. Although improved over the years, racism is such an important issue in all countries all over the world and not only between black and whites. It’s about time a book was written about this issue and for our young adults as well. Our generation must bring over a change, and for the better.

I am lost for words. Everyone should read this book. What is important to understand is that although this is a story with fictional characters set in a fictional surrounding it does not mean that what happens is not true. This book has been written because similar events have taken place in the past. It’s important to understand that this is a real issue and not mistake it for a fictional plot device by the author. It is only the medium the author has used to reach the audience, a YA book.

Plot Summary:

Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs.
The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community.
It could also get her killed.

Favourite Quote:

"Daddy once told me there's a rage passed down to every black man from his ancestors, born the moment they couldn't stop the slave masters from hurting their families. Daddy also said there's nothing more dangerous than when that rage is activated."


My Rating:

9/10


Other Books by Angie Thomas:

On the Come Up