Reviewing some further books, for those looking for some reads in these Brexit days! All come courtesy of Netgalley.

The Fireman

Without question one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Clearly my favourite read this year, and I can’t recommend it enough. This is the end of the world as it ought to be writte. Fantastic novel, really enjoyable!

The Stiletto

I was a massive fan of The Rook, the first book in the series. Had been looking forward to the sequel for quite some time, disappointed with the multiple delays in publication which made the expectation grow and grow. And when it finally arrived, I jumped right in. It was a good book, a fun read, but never nearly as good as the first one. And that was disappointing… as expectations where very very high. It’s a sequel that focuses on expanding the characters and the universe, but in doing so, loses a lot of the wit and charm that made The Rook as special as it was. Still a good read, and now looking forward to the third in the series, but with slightly less enthusiasm as before. 4 out 5.

The Sudden Appearance of Hope

I was fascinated by Claire North’s “The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August.” Was one of my favourite reads in recent times…. and as such have promptly followed the author’s next offerings. Her follow-up, “Touch”, was an intriguing concept, but I found the second half of the book too tiresome and fatiguing… so where would “The Sudden Appearance of Hope” fall under the spectrum? Sadly, more towards the latter. A very original premise, a girl who keeps being forgotten and turns to the one profession she could do with her gift / curse… professional thief. The concept makes it worth a read in its own right… but unfortunately, the middle section of the book is an incredible drag, The writing, at times to reflect streaming consciousness, loses its charm very quickly, and you just keep reading in the hope it ends soon… Shame, because I really enjoyed the concept and premise, but found the tone a bit too preachy, as if trying to hard to make a stand, to give a message. Top marks for originality, but the long (and largely pointless) middle act brings the score down…. 3.5 out of 5