Category Archives: Books

The Khan by Saima Mir My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a well-told thriller with compelling characters, strong writing and a great sense of place and atmosphere. But, it runs out of steam a bit towards the end. … Continue reading →

Speed by Abi Barden My rating: 4 of 5 stars This appears to be a mid-series book: established characters, plot development, new questions and a great cliffhanger. I’m thoroughly invested in the adventure. It is full of questions and uncertainty. … Continue reading →

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik My rating: 2 of 5 stars Novik introduces three female protagonists in this book without much preamble and keeps moving between them in a confusing way. I was never quite sure which of the three … Continue reading →

Echoes by Abi Barden My rating: 4 of 5 stars The adventure just gets better. It is a very engaging steampunk world and Amethyst’s adventures in this thought provoking “reality” move on. With several love interests at play, not just … Continue reading →

Preventable: How a Pandemic Changed the World How to Stop the Next One by Devi Sridhar My rating: 5 of 5 stars Prof Sridar has written an insightful, compelling narrative of the COVID-19 pandemic that is easy to read and … Continue reading →

Rutherford and Fry’s Complete Guide to Absolutely Everything by Adam Rutherford My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a fun book to read despite the title and subject matter. The tongue-in-cheek writing makes the sometimes humdrum science and math … Continue reading →

Tenants: The People on the Frontline of Britain’s Housing Emergency by Vicky SprattMy rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a really solid analysis of what went so wrong with Britain’s (especially England’s) housing policy. Spratt manages to link economic … Continue reading →

Shades: A Steampunk Fantasy Adventure by Abi Barden My rating: 4 of 5 stars Very enjoyable read though a bit slow at the start. I’m assuming Abi was trying to establish the characters at the beginning. It wasn’t until after … Continue reading →

The Mask Falling by Samantha Shannon My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Bone Season series is one that continues to keep growing with every instalment and this is no difference. The world opened up, giving us a glimpse of … Continue reading →

The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty My rating: 5 of 5 stars The end to this trilogy was everything I could have asked for. The extensive world building is expanded even further, the characters are pushed to the absolute … Continue reading →