Amy Reads Books

I thought I may as well commit to reading the novellas as well as the books in The Stormlight Archive and boy am I glad I did!

Edgedancer follows Lift, a strange little thief who can make herself Slick, grow things and heal people. We met her in Words of Radiance very briefly. There’s just something so endearing about little Lift, I’m eager for her to join our team of Radiants.

I find it amusing that Brandon Sanderson’s “novella” is the page length of a normal book. I suppose that for someone who writes 1000+ pages, 300 pages is a novella.

I am thoroughly enjoying this whole series and eager to begin the next book, Oathbringer.

4.5/5

I decided to give my brain a break and read something light and fun. I had heard good things about Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters so decided to give it a try. I do love a good cozy mystery.

Egypt has a special place in my heart and I would love to visit there someday, another reason why I chose this book to read.

Crocodile on the Sandbank follows Amelia Peabody as she embarks on an archaeological expedition in Egypt.

It was strange, I enjoyed this book but felt like nothing really happened. Not at least till the end. I’m not sure that I will continue this series as there are 20 books and I don’t think I want to make that kind of commitment .

Overall, 3/5. I did love the setting of the book and I enjoyed Amelia Peabody and her sharp wit, I just wish more had happened.

The Devil’s Code by Michael Wood is book two in the Doctor Olivia Winter series. It follows Olivia Wood as she investigates a coded journal written by infamous murderer Isaac McFadden who was arrested after being pulled over for a blown taillight and discovering the dismembered body of a young man in the boot.

Michael Wood is one of my favourite authors. As soon as a new book comes out, I stop whatever I’m reading to read it. This was no exception. It was gruesome and graphic, just the way I like my books.

However, despite enjoying this book, I figured out the ‘twist’ at the start of the book. I’m kind of used to doing that so it didn’t really dampen my enjoyment. I look forward to the next book and I hope Ryan has a bigger part in the next one.

4/5

This is will be a short review as I already reviewed The Way of Kings in more detail.

Holy Stormfather! I didn’t think I would adore these books but oh boy was I wrong. This series has sucked me in and won’t let go!

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read characters as well-rounded and thoughtfully developed as the ones Brandon Sanderson creates. He’s his own Radiant. A Radiant of words.

This book is definietly a 5/5! I can’t wait to see what happens in Oathbringer.

Three Little Lies by Danielle Stewart started off strong. The book follows Jo, a mother suffering from crippling anxiety, just trying to protect her kids the best she can. She’s talked into hosting a foreign exchange student and there her fate is sealed. Nothing will ever be the same again!

There was just enough creepiness to unsettle me and keep me reading. However, the ‘twist’ just didn’t do it for me, I could see it coming from a mile away!

The one thing I did love about this book is how Jo talked about how her childhood trauma affected her. As someone who also suffers from childhood trauma, I found Jo to be so real.

Quotes I can relate to:

“People-pleasing was never about being loved and accepted, it was about avoiding danger.”

“I smile to make others feel comfortable, not because I am comfortable.”

“The people-pleasing sits deep in my soul, attached by the sharp talons of my childhood.”

“Setting myself ablaze so that they will never be cold.”

“Yelling is a warning sign that danger is imminent. It doesn’t seem to matter how long it’s been since I was a scared child. The reaction has not diminished.”

Overall, this book was okay, I give it a 3/5.

Chasing the Case by Joan Livingston is about Isabel Long, a former journalist turned amateur investigator, as she investigates the disappearance of Adela Collins, a woman who vanished without a trace 28 years earlier. I found the premise intriguing; I love a good cold case about a missing person. However, I didn’t like this book.

The main character is a grandma so she’s likely in her 60s but she’s often doing and saying things that make me forget and think she’s in her 20s and then I’m reminded again she’s older and I found it very disconcerting. She had a way of talking to the reader that I didn’t like, it kept pulling me out of the story. Sometimes the sentence structure was awkward and I had to re-read it multiple times to get its meaning.

I figured out the crime immediately and there were no surprises along the way. Yes, the main character knew how to investigate but it seemed she got all her clues by sheer luck. She also knew what happened at the end without any clues, just dumb luck.

I give it a generous 2.5/5 stars because I know writing is hard and there were bits about the book I did like, such as the witty banter between characters.

I was recommended The Way of Kings from a friend of mine. I don’t usually read a lot of fantasy because I find it usually drags. One of my least favourite things to read about in books is war and as I started reading The Way of Kings, I was upset to realise the whole books is essentially about war. I persevered and told myself I would read the whole book but I probably wouldn’t pick up the second book. However, I was wrong. By the time I got near the end, I had goosebumps on my arms and tears in my eyes. When I wasn’t reading, all I was thinking about was this book and what was going to happen next. Like all fantasy novels, it takes a while to get into because there is so much detail needed for the world building but Brandon Sanderson absolutely nailed it. As soon as I finished this book, I bought the next four in the series. I NEED to know what happens next.

Overall, I loved it, I loved the world building and the characters. I rate it 4.5/5

I’m currently working my way through The Inspector Graham Mysteries by Alison Golden and Grace Dagnall. I’m on book 5 of 9.
Books in this series with page count are:
The Case of the Screaming Beauty – 196
The Case of the Hidden Flame – 160
The Case of the Fallen Hero – 252
The Case of the Broken Doll – 252
The Case of the Missing Letter – 261
The Case of the Pretty Lady – 288
The Case of the Forsaken Child – 364
The Case of the Sampson’s Leap – 358
The Case of the Uncommon Witness – 396

I’m currently enjoying this cozy murder mystery series. I’m always on the lookout for books that remind me of Agatha Christie, as nobody does it quite like her! These are not quite the same but they have the same vibe. I just wish there were more clues sprinkled throughout the book so when the culprit is caught and all the clues are laid out, I feel stupid for not seeing it!

Overall, I really enjoy these books and I’ll keep working my way through the entire series. I give them a 4/5 rating.