Karolina Dalca, Dark Eyes.

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 :)))))

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Books and coffee

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?) 

I read four more books!

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. 

……

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?

Night Prayers by Santiago Gamboa

It’s safe to say that over the last few months I have developed a taste for a different genre. I really enjoy reading historical fiction, especially ones set in Latin America or Spain. The author has got to be from there too, I don’t know how to describe it but I get great pleasure from this. 

I think my transition started when I finished Javier Marias, after A Heart so White I couldn’t imagine reading anything but stories based in Latin America or Spain. 

Now, Santiago Gamboa, can we please have more of his books translated to English? I enjoyed every single word in this book, there was not one part that made me wonder off and think of something else. I was into the story from the first page and on edge to find out where Gamboa was taking me. 

I would normally want to review the whole book however I don’t believe I can do it justice. I also want to write a review without spoilers, I really struggle with this when I’m looking for my next book. I want to know enough to judge if I would enjoy the novel without knowing the story line. 

So in order to be spoiler free I’m going to review the part that has stuck with me the most. I’m hoping it’ll be spoiler free as if you’ve heard of Night Prayers you’ll know that the book is about a disappearance, at least I hope you do and if not, I’m really sorry about that spoiler! 

Quote from the book

“She stopped being among us, without a word, which was worse than if she’d died, Consul, because when someone dies you’re there, you witness their deterioration and are aware of the advances of death.”

In life there are a few things I fear, I fear them so much that I hardly ever speak about it or spend too long thinking about it. Speaking it into existence is not something I want to do.  

I would be so lost if one day someone I loved stopped being there, not because of death or for whatever known reason, but the unknown. The next quote summarises the thought process very well. 

“The victim suffers from imagining the anguish of his nearest, they cling on to any hope they can. The long suffering for those who spend years investigating, trying to understand the reasons for what happened, why he was killed”. 

This took me back to a documentary I watched a few months ago, Madeleine McCann on Netflix. The interview was with another woman whose son had disappeared. She found her son’s picture in a document that the police keep of children who have been used for pornography. 

To know that these things go on in the world is so heartbreaking. The possibilities of what can happen to people who disappear, the fear of them being hurt and alone and not being able to help. Unfair is an inadequate word to describe being with someone one day and not knowing about their safety and whereabouts the next. 

Gamboa’s detailed take on disappearance and how it leaves people in an endless search took me back to my suppressed fear. 

Looking back at my mini review I think it’s important to stress that although I’ve made the book seem very depressing, and it’s in no way a happy book. However, it is a book with a lot of character, fierceness and knowledge. 

The reviews on Gamboa are often complaints that he references a lot of writers and readers feel lost if you’ve never heard of them. I didn’t feel that at all, I admired his literary knowledge- I felt like he was showing off and paying homage at the same time. 

We have just over two months for the end of the year so I hope this isn’t too premature but Night Prayers is my favourite book of the year. 

5/5 for this greatness. 

My book hit list

If you’re anything like me and you continuously search for new books to read and want to explore new authors then you will understand my never ending struggle. Although struggle is a bit of an unfair way of describing it as I do really enjoy searching for a new book. Especially during a time that we’re asked to spend more time at home in self-isolation. If you’re someone who enjoys reading or want to start reading more (as we have more time) then hopefully my hit list will help you discover new books and who knows, maybe they’ll make it on to yours too. 

I’m currently reading A heart so white by Javier Marias, this is my first book by Marias. I have found him to be a very playful author as he pretty much teases the reader with his work. He will take time and care in explaining a feeling, an emotion in very simple terms however also make it sound very romantic. Romantic would be a good summary of Marias in a heart so white. 

I don’t want to give too much away as I intend on writing a blog about it! 

The heart is a lonely hunter by Carson McCullers, do you see a heart theme going on here? ahha . The book is set in the deep south and is about a man called John Singer. John is a man who draws people to himself with his kind nature. The people who John pull are lonely in one way or another, the title sort of makes sense. 

The tone set for this book is very dark and poor (economically), I’m curious to find out how they communicate with one another and the impact they have on each other. I’m expecting tears of sadness and joy with this book. 

2666 by Roberto Bolaño this book was published a year after his death and for me there’s something about dead authors that add power to their work. In a way we are respecting them even after they have gone, though sometimes we do this too late but there you have it. 

I read a review that said Bolaño was a feminist writer, as a feminist myself I enjoy reading about women from a male’s perspective, one which understands us that is. The book 2666 (you know numbers as the book title always means something fucked up is going to happen) follows the mystery of several unsolved murders of women. 

It’s said that this novel is a good representation of how Bolaño saw the world and for me it is a luxury to see the world through someone else’s eyes. 

Paulo Coelho, what a cutie he is. By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, so this book is about two childhood lovers who meet after 11 years. My understanding is that the two have lost contact and end up living two very different lives. 

Their meet up after so many years will either be one of love and being with each other again or the complete opposite. I’m curious to see how they end up by the River Piedra and who cries for what reason. His use of the world “wept” makes me feel like some powerful things happen that could get the reader thinking and crying. These aren’t unusual emotions for Coelho though.