A Bundle of Books Posts

Published 23/07/2018

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton | Review

Title: The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Authors: Stuart Turton

Publisher: Raven Books

Publication Date: 1 March 2018

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Where To Purchase: Takealot, Exclusive Books, Book Depository

Rating: 

Stuart Turton’s debut novel, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, burst onto the book scene earlier this year with an original and thrilling plot. It promised a heart-stopping, intense story of murder, mystery, and secrecy, and has been raved about all over the internet as a must-read for lovers of the thriller genre. With an average rating of 4.14 stars on Goodreads and a highly intriguing plot, I had high hopes for this novel despite not being a huge fan of thrillers or murder mysteries. However, despite the promising start of the novel, it ultimately became a confused mess with too many characters, sub-plots, and a bizarre timeline. I maintained hope throughout the story that these issues would resolve themselves into a surprising and unpredictable ending yet it ultimately fell flat and left me disappointed, resulting in my 2-star rating.

Read MoreThe Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton | Review
Books I Would Take To A Deserted Island | Discussion
Published 20/07/2018

Books I Would Take To A Deserted Island | Discussion

If you were sent to a deserted island for an indefinite amount of time, what would you take with you? Food? Your cell phone? Warm clothing? Well, I would, of course, want to take books and not only because I love them so much! Unlike food, my books won’t run out and I’ll probably be able to find some coconuts or fruit on the island anyway. I don’t need to charge my books in order for them to work like I do with my cell phone and, considering that I’m going to a tropical island, I doubt it will be cold enough to need extra clothing. But the hard part is having to choose exactly which books I would take with me. They would have to be books I love and will reread over and over again without getting bored. So, here is my list of the books I would take to a deserted island!

Read MoreBooks I Would Take To A Deserted Island | Discussion
Enjoyable Classics? My Recommendations! | Discussion
Published 18/07/2018

Enjoyable Classics? My Recommendations! | Discussion

Most of us, at one point or another, have had no choice but to read a classic. Whether that be in school or university, you have most likely been faced with having to read a daunting and unfamiliar classic against your will. Growing up, I was definitely not a fan of classics. When I was in high school I found that the novels and plays we studied took all the fun out of reading and made me want to read less in general. My classmates often expressed how boring they thought these books were and some of my teachers did not show the enthusiasm I hoped they would. Some of the classics I read were Animal Farm by George Orwell, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, and Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy, all of which I did not enjoy at all. I’m interested in trying to uncover why there’s this sentiment that classics are “boring” when they are some of the most important novels out there. Is it because of their difficult language? Do their plots sound bland? Or is the assumption that if others do not enjoy them that we won’t either?

Read MoreEnjoyable Classics? My Recommendations! | Discussion
Published 16/07/2018

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi | Review

Title: Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha #1)

Author: Tomi Adeyemi

Publisher: Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: 6 March 2018

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Where To Purchase: Takealot, Exclusive Books, Book Depository

Rating: 

Children of Blood and Bone was one of my most highly anticipated books of this year. Inspired by West African culture and mythology, this novel has taken the world by storm with its promise of fast-paced adventure, POC representation, and African high fantasy. Whilst Adeyemi’s novel delivered on this note, it also went far above what I expected. The simultaneously heartwrenching and empowering story makes for a spellbinding novel that leaves the reader reeling by the end of it. Yet what makes Children of Blood and Bone a truly special novel is how it discusses real issues in our own world, ultimately holding up a mirror to society. All of the elements in this novel, from the mythical setting to the complex characters, come together to create a story that fully deserves a 5-star rating and has become one of my new fantasy favourites.

Read MoreChildren of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi | Review