It was last summer viewing John Howe's art that I really thought I should read some Robin Hobb. Most of the artwork on display depicted scenes from another well-loved fantasy realm: Tolkien's Middle-earth, but a number of drawings and paintings were scenes from Hobb's books. I knew Robin Hobb to be one of the classic... Continue Reading →
After the defeat of Galbatorix, Murtagh and his bonded dragon Thorn aren't welcome anywhere in Alagaësia. Rather, they are living a nomadic life in exile. Until whispers of a new curious evil start reaching their ears. With curiosity and a sense of responsibility as dragon and rider, the duo set to find out what the... Continue Reading →
Castle in the Air is an independent second part to the Howl's Moving Castle series. In it, we follow young carpet seller Abdullah, who has big dreams. He is sold a magical flying carpet, which one night takes him to a princess: Flower-in-the-Night. But the princess is abducted by a djinn, and Abdullah gets all... Continue Reading →
“What is a game?" Marx said. "It's tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow. It's the possibility of infinite rebirth, infinite redemption. The idea that if you keep playing, you could win. No loss is permanent, because nothing is permanent, ever.” Gabrielle Zevin: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow One day Sam runs into his childhood friend Sadie,... Continue Reading →
“Really, these wizards! You'd think no one had ever had a cold before! Well, what is it?" she asked, hobbling through the bedroom door onto the filthy carpet."I'm dying of boredom," Howl said pathetically. "Or maybe just dying.” Diana Wynne Jones: Howl's Moving Castle I think I fell in love with Howl long before I... Continue Reading →
A small cafe in Tokyo provides a cozy nook and high quality coffee. But as the legend goes, you can also travel in time at cafe Furniculì Furniculà - provided you remember to follow the rules. This book contains four stories, in each of which someone has the guts to sit on a special chair... Continue Reading →
“Violence, remember it's only the body that's fragile. You are unbreakable.” Rebecca Yarros: Iron Flame Iron Flame continues exactly where Fourth Wing left off. It's fairly easy to get right back into it, and into the world. I like how in this one we get to know more about the world of these books, we... Continue Reading →
Because I dreamed of Starling House long before I ever saw it. Because sometimes when the light slants soft through the west windows and turns the dust mots into tiny golden fireflies I like to pretend the house belongs to me, or that I belong to it. Alix E. Harrow: Starling House I picked this... Continue Reading →
Because I’m headed down the hill, and you’re headed up it. I’m just glad we chanced to meet on the way. Travis Baldree: Bookshops & Bonedust Years before setting up a coffee shop in Thune, Viv is a young orc. Getting wounded on a hunt for a necromancer, her company Rackam's Ravens leaves her at... Continue Reading →
In the city of Toronto Kate Kole is in the process of setting up a coffee shop with her best friend Lily. One morning when she's checking out the competition, Kate accidentally kills a fae (they aren't real, are they?) and she soon finds out she is hunted by fae prince Cressica and his three... Continue Reading →
...it was like drinking the feeling of something peaceful. Being peaceful in your mind. Well, not if you have too much, then it's something else. Travis Baldree: Legends & Lattes Legends & Lattes follows Viv, an orc barbarian, who is ready to hang her sword and ready to set up a coffee shop - even... Continue Reading →
Katria swore she'd never fall in love. So when she's married off to the mysterious Lord Fenwood for a handsome price, all Katria wants is a better life than the one she's leaving. Even if her new husband makes not falling in love difficult... When she witnesses a forbidden ritual and accidentally steals ancient fae... Continue Reading →
Reading year 2024 has started strong, with 7 completed books in January. I regularly read only about four books a month, so anything beyond that is a feat! I am positively surprised, and can only hope it means the rest of my reading year will be great. Most of my books were in Finnish. Some... Continue Reading →
Do you have any reading plans for 2024? A TBR you've made to get you started? Or are you more of a mood reader? Are there any new releases you're looking forward to? I am an absolute mood reader. The first week of the year has proved it. I'm in a bit of a slump... Continue Reading →
A quick look back at reading year 2023, yeah? Did you have a good reading year? Mine was awesome, complete with some great reads. Here are some of my 5-star reads from 2023. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson One of my absolute favorites, Sorcery of Thorns features a girl who grew up in a... Continue Reading →
A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead. Rebecca Yarros: Fourth Wing I usually stay clear of books that are a sensation of some kind. I don't know, I just don't like always going with the flow. But Fourth Wing was applauded by people who I didn't usually... Continue Reading →
Three-thousand years ago, humans were hunted by powerful races with wild magic until the treaty was formed. Now, for centuries, the elves have taken a young woman from Luella’s village to be their Human Queen. To be chosen is seen as a mark of death by the townsfolk. A mark nineteen-year-old Luella is grateful to... Continue Reading →
Simply put, there are as many ways to be a Tolkien fan as there are... well, Tolkien fans. That's right, you are unique. Whether you're only just now being introduced to the exciting world of Middle-earth, or you've been steeped in it for years, there is no one else in the world who is going... Continue Reading →
The Name of the Wind has been recommended to me more times than I can count. And it took me a good while to actually get it read. I think I DNF'd it at least once. You see, the beginning is fairly boring. It takes a while for the story to start flowing, but once it does, I was swept away by it.
Reading books and buying books are two separate hobbies. Before 2023 I counted over 50 unread books in my bookshelf. I made a promise to not buy more books before reading at least some of them, but that only lasted until July, when I was holidaying and ended up in bookstores. Playing bookshelf-tetris upon my... Continue Reading →
September is here, which means pumpkin spice season with warm weathers, candles and cozy reading is the mood. Now, I'm a total sucker for Christmas and the end-of-year holiday cheer. It's something about the music, the lights, the snow and the holiday magic. When the days gradually become darker towards the end of year, it's... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite bookish things last year was the buddy read I did with my friend of Christopher Paolini's The Inheritance Cycle. We were meant to finish in five months, reading at a pace of one book a month (including The Fork, The Witch and the Worm), however I don't think either of us... Continue Reading →
Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever. And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe. ... Continue Reading →
I have recently been need of something lighter, something that doesn't fell too heavy, but has a cohesive plot. Essentially a feelgood romance. I stumbled upon this audiobook on my reading app, and instantly fell in love with the narrator's voice. The synopsis didn't sound bad either. Harriet Hatley is the most in-demand wedding photographer... Continue Reading →
Once upon a time there was a mermaid princess who wondered what was above the sea. And a human prince who wished to scour the sea. Except this time the little mermaid is a siren princess who collects the hearts of princes, one for each year, for hearts are power. Until her mother, the ruthless... Continue Reading →
Tuulia's Book Hoard 