18Aug 2021 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Book Review: Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

Book Review: Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

Book reviews, Historical Fiction
I think Shuggie Bain is likely on everybody's "to-be-read" list after winning the 2020 Booker Prize award. It's a tale that spans over a decade and tells the story of deep sorrow and struggle between a boy and his mother. [caption id="attachment_996" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to your Pinterest![/caption] Please note this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase Shuggie Bain via the links provided, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to support the blog. These links do not affect my opinion of the book. Shuggie Bain is the name of the son of Agnes Bain whose life has thrown constant pain and abandonment at her. She's an alcoholic and the story tells the tale of Shuggie's and her own experiences…
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16Aug 2021 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Book Review: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

Book Review: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

Book reviews, Mystery, Thriller
When I wrote my Goodreads review for The Woman in the Window, I pretty much only read Sci-Fi and Fantasy books. Therefore, I was coming at it from the angle of someone who was used to much larger, grander and imaginative storylines. But I still adored this book for a lot of different reasons. [caption id="attachment_991" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to your Pinterest![/caption] Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase The Woman in the Window via any of the links in this post, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to support the blog. These links do not affect my opinion of the product. The Woman in the Window is a book that not only explores…
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14Aug 2021 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Book Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Book Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Book reviews, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
I picked up The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides simply because I’d heard very good things about it. I read it during its big hype and I'm very glad that I did. There wasn’t a moment during reading it where I wasn’t utterly fascinated with what was going to happen next. [caption id="attachment_980" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] The Silent Patient is one of those novels where you’re kind of just reading along and then all of a sudden it clicks as to what the purpose of the novel is and you’re utterly drawn in. It does also help that I read this during lockdown last year during a wonderful summer. Plot – 4/5 The Silent Patient follows the story of Alicia Berenson and Theo Faber. Alicia was a…
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09Aug 2021 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Book Review: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Book Review: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Book reviews, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
I Am Number Four is a book I’ve had on my Kindle for quite some time and I was in the mood for a short read. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore is the book I chose to pick up. The idea had me quite intrigued too.  A cracking premise doesn’t always result in the most entertaining book though. [caption id="attachment_953" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] I Am Number Four focuses on one 14-year-old boy who comes from another planet and his guardian. There are nine who came to earth and they’re being hunted in order. Number 1-3 have been hunted and killed and Number Four is next. All fairly obvious. Plot – 3/5 As mentioned above, the premise for this book sounds quite neat. There’s the potential…
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05Aug 2021 by Luke Harkness
Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Book reviews, Fantasy
I’ve seen the first Divergent film and unfortunately, I’ve caught glimpses of the sequels too. This left me with a fairly poor taste in my mouth about the whole series with the feeling that it felt very “samey” to any other generic YA dystopian novel. However, after reading (listening mostly) to the book, my opinion has massively changed. [caption id="attachment_941" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] Divergent is set in an alternative future where the world has been broken down into five factions, none of whom seem to get on overly well. At sixteen years old, you must choose which faction you wish to join based on their virtues and way of life. A fairly simple premise but one that Veronica Roth explores every avenue of. Plot – 4/5 Beatrice…
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04Aug 2021 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Book Review: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Book reviews, Fantasy
The first novel in the Dresden Files series, Storm Front introduces us to the character of Harry Dresden, wizard and paranormal investigator for the people of Chicago. It’s a great premise but a rocky start to the series. [caption id="attachment_934" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] Please note that this review contains affiliate links. This means if you choose the purchase Storm Front via any of the links in the article, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to support the blog. These affiliate links do not affect my opinion of the final product. Plot – 3.5/5 Storm Front is the first in an ever-expanding series by Jim Butcher. In the first novel, Harry Dresden, our protagonist, finds himself embroiled in a magical battle with…
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