One of the most important yet least-known events in modern British history. Akala’s words about the murder of Cherry Groce.
In 1985 Groce’s house in Brixton was raided by the Metropolitan police. Groce was shot by DS Lovelock, even though she survived the attack she was left paralysed for the rest of her life and the bullet later resulted in her death.
A family of six Lee, Cherry, his dad and sister Sharon all shared a room downstairs while the other two sisters Lisa and Juliet had their rooms upstairs. Juliet at the time was pregnant, and Cherry was looking after her friend’s two children who were sleeping in the living room. There was a pregnant woman and five children the night their house got raided.
After Groce was left paralysed there was an internal police investigation, however like many cases against the metropolitan police, the police officer who shot her had not been found guilty. It wasn’t until Groce passed and Doctor Chapman asked for an inquest that her case was looked into again. An inquest is the legal process performed when death is believed to be unnatural or caused by violence. If the death is caused by the actions of a police officer then a jury is required.
The book is structured in chapters which outline events that happen before and after the house gets raided. As the reader, this style of writing made a lot of sense to me as Lee was able to portray black British history, racist attacks on the black community and how what happened to Cherry was not a one-off “mistake” made by the police force.
One important historical event is the first Brixton uprising. In April 1981, thirteen people, mainly teenagers were killed while they were at a house party. Witnesses who say they saw a white man throw something through the window are quickly dismissed, and on top of this, the survivors of the attack are interrogated. As a result of the police’s refusal to investigate and willingness to demonise the black community thousands of people go to march and protest.
“Day the blacks ran riot in London” is the headline in The Sun newspaper. Most of us, especially those who care to read a blog or a book on racism will know how disgusting The Sun has always been. We know it, we see it, however, to be reminded of how relentlessly this paper (and many others) have attacked the black community on a national level is important. It’s important because once we start to forget they get stronger. It’s important because its part of the make-up and history of this country. It’s important because it allows us to hold them accountable.
In the chapters before Cherry was shot, Lee recounts his childhood memories as sweet melodies. His mother bought new records from Brixton market, all four children waiting excitedly to see which record it would be. Cheery mostly brought reggae music, she would come home and start playing her new records. One by one they would get up and start to dance.
From the day Cherry was shot to the day the inquest was finalised takes over twenty years. This is an over twenty-year fight against the police force with daily reminders and intimidations of how the case is so much bigger than them. That one black family can’t fight the Met, they can’t find justice in a disgustingly racist society that once was, and in a lot of ways still is. However, in the end, it is a fight fought with determination, strength, tears and the love felt for a mother that forces justice to come home.
There is a memorial in Windrush Square in Brixton for Cherry Groce today. Lee set up the Cherry Groce foundation, the foundation puts together educational material to tell their story and to encourage students to think about history and injustice. There is also an award in Cherry’s name, it’s within the Met police and is awarded to officers who do outstanding work in their community.
24 April 2011, Easter Sunday is the day Cherry passed. The family would celebrate nine nights for Easter. Family and friends would visit for nine nights, they would eat, drink, dance and sing to remember and celebrate the life of someone who passed. After reading about Cherry through Lee’s words, this sounds like the most appropriate way to celebrate a woman like her.
As soon as you turn the page you’re hit with the reality of life and the essence of the novel. Safak dedicates her book to one of her neighbours, a talented tailor who beat his wife. Even though every night the neighbours heard the screams of his wife, they would go on about their day as if nothing was heard or seen.
The book is dedicated to those who hear and who see.
There’s a quote by J. M. Coetzee, “As long as he can remember he has had a sense of himself as prince of the house, and of his mother as his dubious promoter and anxious protector”. Every Turkish or Kurdish woman will understand this quote and know the meaning of it as it’s our reality. It’s our life and our truth wrapped in one quote without needing to mention us.
The twins have two names
When the twins are born (two more girls after the 4 she already has) their mother Naze refuses to speak for 40 days and 40 nights. This is seen as an act of rebellion to God for not giving her a son like she had hoped. At the end of the 40 days Naze finally speaks, she speaks to name her twins. Bext and Bese.
Upon arriving home the father, Berzo, finds out the names and refuses them. He perceives them as resentful as the names mean Destiny and Enough. He decides to call the twins, Pembe and Jamila which mean Pink and Beautiful.
The twins grow up being known by both of their names.
Setting the scene
Safak is quick to set the scene and give meaning to the book’s name, Honour. It all starts when Pembe is back from the hospital. As a treat Berzo takes her out to the cinema where she watches people dancing. When Pembe comes home she shows Jamila and they dance together.
Naze scolds the girls for dancing and “accuses” them of becoming harlots. She lectures the twins on the importance of honour. How God has created man and woman differently. One is made from the colour black and the other white. White is the colour that shows every stain and dirt on it, that’s why women have to spend their whole life clean.
Now we know that Naze is a very traditional mother. My feeling right now is that it’ll be Naze who brings the demise of the family or is at least a catalyst (I write my blogs as I’m reading).
If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy descriptive scenes and wants to get into the flesh of the book straight away then this one’s for you.
Roxana
“He would think of the emergency handles on trains. He had never tried pulling one, but he knew if someone did, the train would come to a sudden halt. That night he had stopped as if there were such a handle attached to his back and someone had tugged and tugged on it”, what a way to describe love at first sight.
Boy killed his mother for “honour”, 2 December 1978
I don’t think it comes as a surprise to readers that Iskender, Pembe’s oldest son, murders her after suspecting she is having an affair with another man, this is even after his father abandons them with another woman, Roxana.
We find out that the murder happens when Iskender has an encounter with one of the new officers, McLaughlin. Iskender saw it as his duty, however it was never his “intention” to kill her but to only “teach her a lesson”.
To my surprise, as the book continues and Iskender’s character develops I didn’t hate him as an individual. I hated his environment, a myonsgist mother who continuously praised him and made him feel like king, an abandoned father who neglected him and a toxic, traditional uncle who planted the seed of cleaning their family name.
Lately, I’ve had more of a chance to think about the impact of my misogynist culture, how it affects women and men differently. Before I was solely focused on what it did to women, but now I think more of how much boys and men struggle.
They are treated as the special ones from a young age, while the daughters of the house are running around cleaning, learning to cook and studying, the boys are left off. This installs an immense responsibility in us which in the end can work in our favour. It’s not uncommon for Turkish and Kurdish girls to become more successful academically in comparison to the boys. The same sword that minimises us our whole lives can end up benefiting us, however this is a benefit that the mygonsist culture was never intending, we just managed to work things out 🙂
Up until a certain age, the boy is treated like king, he doesn’t need to get involved with housework (coming to the age of 20 and not knowing how to change your bed sheets), he has the freedom to go out and do whatever he pleases. The sudden responsibility that is placed on him when he reaches a certain age comes as a surprise, he is now criticised for being irresponsible and “beceriksiz”. The parents and family who over prepare their daughters fail to prepare their sons.
Esma
I would say out of all of the characters Esma’s was the most relatable, and the one I cheered on the most. Esma is the second eldest and only daughter of her family. She loves literature, learning and has a good understanding of patriarchy.
There is a passage where Esma is describing a certain girl group and how much she doesn’t fit into this. She calls them the “barbies”, the ones who talk about nothing but boys, the childish gossip about other people and constant foolish entertainment. It might be because I’ve had people like this in my life but this sort of chat bores me. Don’t get me wrong, a little idle chit chat never does any harm, however there is much more to life, especially in a life with so many books to be read!
With Esma there was clear gender play, she would spend her nights locked in the bathroom changing her face with makeup to look more manly. This didn’t develop into anything so I’m a little confused as to why she did it. Was it because she felt like a boy, or did she want to fit in and have the rights a male has in a Kurdish family?
Namus (honour)
Namus runs through this book like a river to a sea. I’m not just saying this due to its name but we first witness namus with Naze, then Pembe and then Hediye. Even though Pembe’s story is the main plot of the book, I found Hediye’s life to be just as painful.
I trust that if you’re reading this blog you would have already read the book. If not and you have made it this far then you may be a little angry with me, please stop reading now as the spoiler I’m about to give will make you hate me. Also, trigger warning: suicide.
Hediye is a eldest daughter, for most of her life she comes across as a strong character. This is until she runs away with someone and after a while returns back home. Her return shocks the family, mostly putting fear into Pembe’s heart and anger into Berzo’s eyes. The day after Hediye returns, the girls are sent away from home and on their arrival they find out that their oldest sister has committed suicide.
Hediye had to kill herself to clean her family name. As Berzo says, if he had a son, he would have killed her to clean their family name. The most stressful thing about this is that it’s not fiction, I don’t close the book and it ends there. This is a reality of too many women, the women of the present and past.
Elif Safak’s writing
Safak has a unique ability to intertwine culture in her literature. When I’m reading about one of her characters’ conversations with a Jin (the bastard of Istanbul), or Jamila’s power to be the sacred virgin ebe (midwife), I’m not repulsed by the traditionalism of it. Instead I feel it has a sophistication, a sort of purity to it. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m Kurdish and know the culture, but in her books they don’t get my back up. I respect them.
“He could have been of any age and no age at all”. There must be a terminology for this but I love it when authors do it.
I’m now someone who has read a few Safak novels. In every one of them there is so much pain, such dreadful events both expected and unexpected that happen. It got me thinking, where does she get the inspiration from? Using the term inspiration to describe such hurtful things leaves me in a weird position but I honestly can’t think of another word for it.
It has dawned on me that she’s inspired from the world around her. I don’t believe that anything mentioned in Safak’s novels hasn’t happened in real life. My guess is that she’s mostly inspired from Turkey, if you put your mind to it you could probably trace back to a newspaper article to compare to the events that happen in her books.
As the reader, do we feel despair because the pain is condense into a book we’re reading and we can’t run away from it? The tragic events that happen in everyday life, are we numb to it and privileged enough to be able to ignore some of it?
Whatever the answers are to those questions there’s no running from the novel in my hand.
I’m only a few pages into Karolina Dalca Dark Eyes by M. R Noble and I already know I’m not the target audience for this book. I am however someone who hates leaving books unread so I will continue reading and hope for the best! Who knows, I might re-live my Edward and Jacob fantasy…
The story follows a half-vampire called Karolina Dalca. From the start of the book, Karolina’s life is fast-paced with all sorts going on. The first incident is losing her mother in a house fire, closely followed by fighting two vampires, then sleeping with her long term friend who is a werewolf to being captured by another vampire.
I like reading fast-paced books. Books that are filled with events, but these events need to naturally flow into one another. Here, there is a sense of something tragic or unexpected happening but before the reader can digest this, something new happens. It feels like the reader is all over the place and the reading feels rushed.
The concept of the book is interesting. What drew me to the book was the vampire vs werewolf storyline. Even though this isn’t a new take in this genre I like how the author added a cultural touch. From the start, we know that Karolina has a Romanian heritage from her mothers’ side and Russian from her fathers. It’s clear that Noble wants the readers to feel the presence of the two heritages as they are referenced often.
Like many storylines this too has a werewolf and vampire lover dilemma. Our girl Karolina has a love affair with both Ramon and Andre. Just like my Twilight days though I have sided with the vampire. There is just something hot and cold about vampires that keeps me engaged, whereas werewolves are hot and always available. Can you tell I have attachment issues with unavailable guys?!
For all of her life Karolina’s mother kept her father’s side a secret. We learn that this was for good reason as when Karolina meets her uncle, Loukin, he sets her up with their life-long enemy Kazimir. Spoiler alert: in the end it is Karolina who defeats Kazimir.
As you can tell I didn’t really enjoy this book. This is the first time I’ve written a negative review and I won’t lie it feels kind of weird. I once saw that authors like constructive criticism but I’ve checked Noble out online and she does not need my criticism ahah! The book has 4.28 stars on Goodreads so it’s my word against 3120 ratings :)))))
Political fiction is one of my favourite genres, the books that make me feel most passionate about writing a review, but I never know if I’m doing the book, or author any justice. However, like many self-doubt obstacles, this doesn’t stop me from doing it. If anything it forces me to concentrate on every single word written so I understand it fully, or as much as I can.
Nahr is a Palestinian refugee whose family immigrated to Kuwait from Palestine. Nahr marries young however a few months later her husband abandons her. She is forced to return to her family home and bear the struggles of a young divorced woman.
Long after her divorce, Nahr attends a wedding celebration, this is where she meets Um Buraq. Um Buraq is a complex character, there are many times in the book where she empowers Nahr, despite being the very person who tricked her into prostitution. I can’t make my mind up on whether I hate her for taking Nahr down the dark path, or if I see her as a stronger, older female who takes care of Nahr.
Against a Loveless World is a novel full of traumas. Nahr’s trauma of her husband leaving her, making her believe she’s unloveable, her encounters of prostitution, being belittled by disgusting men who accuse women like her for tempting them and following the devil.
These are two very powerful examples of how women suffer in a patriarchal society. Paying the consequences of an unloved ex-husband and being humiliated, treated like dirt by men who pray to God, follow their religion yet dismiss women for “tempting them”.
Shortly into the novel, we witness Sadam’s invasion of Kuwait. Despite the general response of Kuwait’s reaction to the invasion, Nahr is in favour as she believes this will stop the West from invading.
As a Kurd, I am inclined to bear hatred towards Sadam Hussein and his murderous regime. The Halabja chemical attack took place in 1988, the massacre killed between 3000-5000 people living 10 000 people injured. This was an act of murder committed by Sadam towards the Kurdish people living in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The invasion of Sadam is unsuccessful in Kuwait as the US get involved and take control of the country. This forces Nahr and her family to flee to Jordan as the treatment of Palestinians in Kuwait worsens, despite the Palestinians embracing Kuwait as their own.
After a while in Jordan Nahr goes to Palestine to divorce her husband. While in Palestine she stays with her ex-husband’s mother and brother. The brother Bilal, is a revolutionary in Palestine. He is the one who involves Nahr in the revolutionary movement in Palestine against the Israeli army. This is the reason Nahr endes up in The Cube.
I want to end my summary of the book here to go on to talk about the truth that lies behind this book, as best as I can. This book is a glimpse of the terror the Israeli government causes in Palestine. From the month on end curfews to attacks on the people of Palestine, even it’s children- in attempts to assimilate the Palestinian culture and identity.
Living in the comfort of London, it’s authors like Abdulhawa who remind me of the reality people are living. The reality of foreigners coming into your country and your house, forcing you to relocate and live under constant surveillance and fear. For us, it’s simple to go out to the shops, we don’t think about rationing food or if a solider will stop and interrogate us.
Books like Against The Loveless World are a reminder to readers that we can raise awareness and support people who have suffered injustices. We can create a movement that starts with the author and continues with us. Readers spread the word to friends and family, talk about it online and more and more people hear about the matter. There is so much power in literature, Susan Abdulhawa is proof of this, readers like you and I are proof of this.
I think the most gripping thing about Ghosts is how relatable it is. I felt like I was listening to a podcast rather than a book. One episode was about dating apps, the other about mother and daughter relationships and the irritation that comes with it.
The book is real in the most non-dramatic way. Nina isn’t a well-known lawyer whose marriage is falling apart, or she’s not in a scandal which will ruin her life. She’s an ex English teacher and a writer who goes through her day to day life, experiencing day to day things.
Nina starts dating a guy called Max. The “relationship” doesn’t last very long as Max is a commitment-phobe and not very honest about the extent of it. After their break-up, Nina gets stuck on Max for a while, re-reading text messages or playing games of “if I do this he will text back”.
We’ve all been there. We spend countless hours/days re-living the little encounters and waiting for that person to text you. It’s the hopeful picking up of the phone after a few minutes of not being on it, or rushing out of the shower to check if you have a text message but your phone turns out to be completely empty.
What really got me out of all the waiting Nina did was the cheek of Max. I recently saw a comment on Instagram which said: “All men have is the audacity”, this is what I thought of when Max went back to Nina. His excuse for ghosting her being the lousy “it got all too intense” when all along it was him who pushed things forward!
It’s the individuals in our life who make things way more complicated than they need to be. It’s even worse when we are that individual, we overthink and get into muddled up situations.
Another part of the book I could relate to (how much I related to this actually shocked me) was when Nina and Lola went to Lucy’s hen do. Hen do’s are such a weird environment, everyone invited is good friends with the bride, however, the other guests don’t know much about each other.
Listening to Ghosts on Audible made me realise that finding a character annoying when you’re reading is very different to when you listen to a book.
Franny, you are an unbearable woman, the kind that takes “kill them with kindness” to a whole new level. Listening to Nina’s encounters with Franny forced me to think about how uncomfortable these people are, and I’m confident that we’ve all met at least one Franny in life.
Ghosts is a great listen/read if you’re looking for something light but incredibly relatable. Think of it as a podcast about an ordinary girl’s life.
Right from the beginning of the book we see that Avery has a “can do” attitude. She’s smart about the way she responds to problems because “she has to be” so when Mr Yates (her headteacher) accuses her of cheating she doesn’t get angry, instead, she agrees to sit the test again.
When she has to live out of her car because her sister Libby decides to forgive her boyfriend she doesn’t sit and cry, she tells Maxine “you know me Maxine, I always land on my feet”. This really sets the tone for her character and makes us trust her even before we get into the nitty-gritty.
Even though Avery’s life and the Hawthorne’s life is completely different there is a strange similarity between them. Both Tobias Hawthorne and Avery’s mum played games and riddles with them growing up.
In a different context, the two is unrelated as there may be many families who play riddles and games with each other. What makes the two interesting in the Inheritance Game is that the Hawthorne grandsons think this is the last riddle their grandad has played on them, and the only way to find out is to solve it.
Tobias is one of the bigger game players I’ve come across in the world of fiction. We find out that Tobias gave himself the middle name “Tattersall” tatters all 20 years ago in August. Why would someone randomly give themself a name that suggests he will diminish all? The confusion doesn’t stop there.
The name change happened after Tobias lost his son to a fire, however, even around this, there is controversy as some family members believe he disappeared and didn’t die in the fire. Like every other reader who walks this earth, I have a theory..
It’s important that I tell you I write my blogs as I’m reading the book. To be honest I don’t trust myself to remember the details so as I react to something I’ll note it down (so as I’m writing this I have no idea what will happen). My theory is that the homeless guy Avery speaks about in the beginning (Harry) is, or has something to do with Toby, the son who died. I mean how else can she and the Hawthorne family be connected? The narrative so far is that Tobias might have known Avery’s mother however I feel like the author has made that an obvious point, which makes me want to dig deeper!
The Inheritance Game is one of those books that pulls you in. The games that Tobias has set up for his grandchildren and Avery to solve brings the characters together. Even though this is a short book, the reader gets a good idea of the characteristics of each grandson and their connection with Avery.
Talking of the characteristics of the grandsons, I didn’t know which one I fancied more! I liked Nash’s “I’m not fussed about the money” attitude and Xander’s boyish but smart ways. I struggled the most between Grayson and Jameson though, Grayson has a very “Mr Grey, 50 shades type” while Jameson is mysterious but more grounded.
I’m not the only one who struggled with the two brothers as Avery also had a difficult time. Though she spends more time with Jameson and even shares a kiss there seems to be an unexplainable pull between Grayson and her.
The attraction felt by the two brothers for Avery is often compared to Emily. If I’m being honest, I didn’t enjoy the whole “Emily would have wanted it to be this way” narrative. I feel like there is more to come from it in the sequel but in this book it just caused uneasiness.
MAJOR SPOILER
At the very end of the book to Avery’s and my surprise Harry turns out to be Toby!!!!! I don’t know what I’m more surprised at, the fact that my prediction was right or that the dead brother who changed Tobias forever is still alive.
The book ends with so many unanswered questions! I’m curious as to who Avery will end up with? Why did Toby leave his family and his fortune to be a homeless guy? I feel like there may be an element of mental health in this. We also don’t know why Avery was the chosen one, why did her mum tell her that she has a secret about the day she was born?
All these unanswered questions and as always I’m looking forward to finding them out (can we have the second book now, please?)
What better timing than to read a book about a society going through an epidemic when we’re going through a pandemic? Saramago’s Blindness is about a society which is hit with “white blindness”. One by one the infection of turning blind travels through the city until the city loses all function.
The readers follow the story through the eyes of the doctor’s wife. Her husband “the doctor” is one of the first people to be infected by the disease as he is an Ophthalmologists who examines the first bind man.
It is at the very beginning of the book that the doctor’s wife makes her mark. When her husband is preparing to be taken away to the mental asylum hospital that the government decided the infected should quarantine in, she says that she has also turned blind and is taken to the hospital.
Among the first people who turn blind there is the girl with the dark glasses and the car thief. There is an altercation that goes on between the two which leads to the death of the car thief.
To get from one point to another the blind must get into a line and hold on to the person in front, a literal blind leading the blind. While the group is walking to the toilet the car thief is behind the girl with the dark glasses and he gropes her. As a reaction, she kicks him and he gets wounded.
We actually see society starting to collapse at this point when the car thief is unable to get help for his small wound. The officials refuse to give him medicine because they don’t want to get close to the infected, and they believe that it’s not a loss to society if the blind died.
I found it interesting that Saramago touched on the dynamic between men and women and how even in a state of illness men think and act as they want.
At this stage of the book, the reader is unaware (at least I was) of Saramago’s feminism because throughout the book, men who harm women get punished with death. In the car thief’s case, he gets shot by a soldier because he decides to go out and ask for medication (highlighting the tragedy of how bad things were even at the start).
The scene which really hits home and plays on the reader’s conscience is when a new group of people are transferred into the hospital and within them are a group of hoodlums.
The first thing the hoodlums change is the control of food. They request that the blind trade in their valuables for food rations. This is the first time since the car thief (who stole the first blind man’s car) we witness that even when valuables don’t mean anything, and even when people have reached new levels of helplessness, there are still disgusting people who take advantage.
Once they give the hoodlums all of their valuables the hoodlums ask for more. In a hospital where no one is working what could the next most valuable thing be? According to this book and most of society, the female body.
The hoodlums request that each day women living in the same ward will go to there’s and be forced to have sex. This made me really think about a women’s role, or the role we’re forced to serve in society. To be regarded in a way in which we are perceived as vulnerable as to be expected to agree to rape for the survival of society. For our bodies to be up for discussion amongst a group of men, who say and act as they wish with no regards to what we think.
After the hoodlums request the group which we follow through the doctor’s wife’s eyes come to a disagreement. Some of the men argue that they should go as their life depends on it. A woman in return ask if they would go if it was the other way round, he says “there are no pansies here” to which she replied, “no whores either”.
Situations like this happen in society so often. The female body, our right to our body and the decisions we make are constantly questioned. Have too much sex you’re a whore. You don’t have sex and you’re virgin Mary. Want to have an abortion? How dare you. Male politicians will base their whole campaign on how society should have control over the female body and mugs out there will vote for them.
The punishment of the hoodlums.
The second time the group with the doctor’s wife go to the hoodlum’s ward the doctor’s wife takes scissors with her. When the leader of the hoodlums is about to organism from the blowjob he is receiving she stabs and kills him. When the hoodlums become aware that they have been attacked the women run out of the ward, the doctor’s wife helps the women who was giving the blowjob out with her.
The second punishment.
After this incident, the hoodlums have a new leader however they are scared. They don’t leave their ward and for safety, they stack beds in the door so no one can get it. The women who was giving a blowjob to the hoodlums before he was murdered has a lighter. On her own she finds the ward the hoodlums are staying at and without bringing herself any attention she manages to light the beds until they catch fire.
The thought of this is terrifying without the disadvantage of being blind. Which is why I think Saramago is a true feminist because in the end, he gives more power to women against the men who have wronged them. He shows the readers that even in the worse scenarios there will be people who take advantage of us, the scariest part of it all is how believable it is.
Our protagonist Volke is excited about joining the rest of the Island to watch phoenixes bond which happens every ten years. Volke wants to be the chosen one because arcanists are the most influential people in society.
During the bonding Volke does one of the most daring things and unexpectedly joins in on the competition to be the Arcanist. His clear disadvantage in life leads to him being bullied off the stage.
After some trouble Volke and Illia (Volke’s best friend) finally become arcanists. To be an arcanist they must train in different cities and eventually travel the world. The idea of leaving the island, even though he has spent his life dreaming of it gives Volke anxiety.
As this book is about mythical creatures readers like me who don’t usually read this genre may feel a little out of touch, or maybe out of our depth would be a better way of describing it. However, as the character development starts and we witness how much Volke wants to become an arcanist we begin to form a connection with him.
I’m excited to find out how Volke overcomes these emotions and how being an arcanist assists him in doing so. I wonder how I will interpret this and apply it to my own life (this is a common trait for a reader right? aha).
Okay, so I’m halfway through the book and so far it’s been interesting. I know which characters I like and which I dislike (Zaxis). The book has been steady in terms of storyline but I just hit a major plot-twist. I’m in a state of shock and excitement. I would say this plot-twist has taken my interest levels from 6/10 to 10/10. This will definitely change the course of things for Volke and many others.
Spoiler alert
In this half of the blog I will be giving away more spoilers so enter at your own risk aha.
Once I find out that Ruma killed Luthair’s previous arcanist I was left a bit confused. The bad guy went from being Zaxis to Ruma who is Volke’s role model. Like Volke, I also had doubts on how true this could be and if it was true, how Volke would fight against the strongest arcanist in the world.
As the story continues we get to know Zelfree and have the chance to compare Ruma and Zelfree. Because Zelfree’s character is a drunk, someone who turns up late or doesn’t show up at all this started to plant the seed of doubt in my mind. All along while he was acting shady it was Ruma who was looking after his apprentices so this made me feel like maybe Luthair was wrong or mistaking the killer of his previous arcanist.
What really made me believe this was finding out about Zelfree’s ability to impersonate. As soon as I read that I thought that Zelfree had impersonated Ruma and killed Luthiar’s previous arcanist.
Spoiler over
I don’t want to rewrite the book or give too many spoilers away so I’ll end the spoilers there.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. As the reader, you can tell that this book is part of a sequel because there are questions that are left unanswered.
When I finished the book I was really surprised by how invested I was in the character development and the events that happen. I have no doubt that Volke will go on to fulfil his dreams. I think him and some of the other male characters may clash however they will be a powerful duo in the end. I have no idea who his heart will pick in the end or what will happen to the love affairs but I have a feeling that the author may give us a major plot twist there also because the one in this book was just out of this world.
I’m reviewing this book as part of the Catalyst Ultimate Blog Tour, I’d like to thank Dave for including me in this project!
Richardson sets the tone for Catalyst right from the beginning. She dedicates the book to everyone who knows the importance of taking care of the world saying, “There is no second planet”. She forms a bond with the readers even before the story has begun.
The book is based on an archaeological dig site called Angel Mound. The dig site was the settlement of Native Americans knows as Mississippians, who lived there from AD 1000 to AD 1450.” The reader follows a group of volunteers and witnesses them grow into something more than just people living their everyday life (I want to make this blog as spoiler-free as possible aha!).
There is something about this book that hooked me in immediately. The connection characters have with each other when they first meet is rare.It is their strong aura that brings them together forming an instant, unspoken connection.
One of the themes in this book is fracking and why it is bad for the environment and people. As with a lot of things in life, there are characters who are for and against fracking. The first split in the group we follow is when Leo argues fracking is economically good while Marcie is pointing out the negative environmental impacts.
I find that whenever it comes to world issues, whether this is environmental, political or social there is always two strong arguments. One is for the greater good of people and the other is for the economy. I’m someone who is always on the side of the people so the disagreement between the two characters made me instantly side with Marcie.
As a reader once I form a connection with a character I become that much more invested in the part they play in the story. Luckily for me, Marcie experiences some really amazing things. In one scene the group is meditating at Emerald Mound and Marcie feels and sees Native Americans dancing around the circle they have formed. The very thought of imagining this is very heartwarming.
The book has a lot of uplifting and heartwarming scenes as well as some scary ones. The two graduate students who show the group around Zeke and Lorraine talk to them about the disasters that will happen if humankind does not change its ways.
The things Zeke and Lorraine speak about are not far from what we have witnessed just this year alone. The wildfires in Australia and the Amazon forest being two good examples. The disasters awaiting us isn’t as far off as we might like to think it is which is why I felt the timing of this book was great.
Catalyst really got me thinking about all the beauties of the world. People who believe in heaven and hell always speak about wanting to go to heaven when in fact the very world we live in is as beautiful as what heaven could be. It’s us as humans who have turned this paradise into something nearly unlivable, not just destroying it for ourselves but also for other living beings.
We are currently experiencing a terrible virus spreading like wildfire, forcing us to stay at home but while humanity is suffering the world is healing. I don’t believe that it’s by chance that when we thought we could never change our ways of living we were forced to do so.
Climate activist has been telling us for years that change is possible and it has to happen. What we’re experiencing now is showing us that we can heal the world but everyone has to work together and care about the Earth we all live on. My only anxiety is that once we have the virus under control we will go back to our previous ways and wipe put the healing done.
Rant over. Back to the book. All in all, I would suggest this book if you’re interested in important issues going on in the world but don’t want to pick up a hardcore science book. Even though it is a light read it touches upon really important points and gets you thinking.
My life lately has revolved around four things: working, reading, eating and sleeping. Three of those things I’m a fan of and the other not so much.
The books I review in this blog are a little different from my previous posts. I have a book here which I started in 2016 and a book that I couldn’t finish. I’m not someone who gives up on a book easily so trust me when I say it was a struggle, a horrible one.
The Little Snake by A.L Kennedy
This is a cute short story. I’m not really a fan of short stories. It pains me that I can’t change this habit because it is exactly why I don’t enjoy Bukowski. Who even am I if I don’t enjoy Bukowski.
The story follows a snake’s friendship with a human. It is the snakes first friendship and he learns different emotions from this person. In parts of the book I felt like the author was inspired by the story of Adam and Eve however with an added a twist. A twist which I enjoyed as the female character isn’t a “sinner”.
I am The Messenger by Markus Zusak
I enjoyed Zusak’s The Book Theif so much that I had to go back for more. I do have to say that The Book Theif and I am The Messenger are not equals. The Book Thief is an amazing story which left me in tears. I picked this up because I wanted the same impact. I wanted Zusak to play on my heartstrings but this was not the case.
It was an enjoyable read. I didn’t get bored of the book in fact I finished it within a few days. It’s really easy to read and flows well. My only problem was that I wanted an emotional read.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
I started this book in 2016. I remember buying it from the bookstall at the Thursday market- Essex University. The reason it took me 4 years is that I forgot about it. For a long time, it was my favourite book but that was because I didn’t read much back then. I thought that if a book was a classic then it must be good and should be my favourite.
Thankfully I’ve gotten over thinking like that.
In the world of the book readers, Crime and Punishment is a must-read. It’s not boring like some classics (Pride and Prejudice) but it isn’t the most fun either. I feel like Dostoyevsky could’ve easily cut some detail out.
I’m glad I’ve read it because I do want to read more classics and see if I agree with the rest of the readers in making it a classic. If you also think like this then you should give it a shot.
The Remains of The Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
This book has 4.12 stars on Goodreads.
Goodreads is like my bible. If a book is popular amongst Goodreads users I usually trust their judgement and give the book a try. I regret doing this with The Remains of The Day.
This was so boring that I dragged myself to read at least half of the book. I wouldn’t normally leave a book and the books which I have currently gone halfway are still on my desk *to be continued*. I couldn’t do that with this one. I know I’ll never go back to it.
The book follows the journey of a boring butler. That’s all I can tell you to be honest. Boring encounters of a disciplined man.
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That’s a mini-review of the books I’ve read since my last blog. I’ve decided to not buy any new books because I want to get through my old ones. Is anyone else doing this or am I the only one?
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