The fascinating concept of shadow magic was what drew me to this book. Sadly, this concept is not well-developed and is slowly established in a manner that had me confused for most of the story. The lack of tension and suspense generated by the writing style also failed to keep me engaged in the unfolding story. However, I did find the transitions between current and past events very smooth, and I thought these added some much-needed depth to the story.
Fiction
Fiction book reviews
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BOOK LOVERS by Emily Henry
Vivid and easy to follow, I cannot find any faults with the writing style. Not only does Emily Henry create an adorable setting with Sunshine Falls, but her ability to capture feelings and actions with words brings her characters to life.
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THE ATLAS SIX by Olivie Blake
The unconventional design is well-suited for the story it represents. It is fascinating, but I do not find it eye-catching (pun intended).
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THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by Richard Osman
The opening lines effortlessly captured my attention and set the tone for the entire story. I soon found myself engaged and invested in the story because of the subtle humour and clever use of cliffhangers at the end of most chapters. I also enjoyed the multiple points of view as each had a distinct and realistic voice.
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THIS WOVEN KINGDOM by Tahereh Mafi
The gold design with pops of red and green immediately draws the eye. I love the contrast between the lush yellow background and the simple, central illustration. Although this illustration is suitable for the genre, it fails to capture a significant element of the story it is supposed to represent.
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BLOOD SCION by Deborah Falaye
Steeped in Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, the world Deborah Falaye creates is immersive, graphic and fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the extensive history and culture that unapologetically showcases the Yoruba language. While there is no avoiding the wealth of information needed to establish this complex world, I love that Deborah takes her time to gradually weave this information into the story. This allows the fast pace of the story to be maintained and presents the details in manageable pieces.
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THE BRIDGE KINGDOM by Danielle L. Jensen
The world-building is undeniably unique. The kingdoms, the bridge, the politics – all these are not only fascinating but are all presented relatively simply. Through this, Danielle smoothly avoids the dreaded info dump often seen in fantasy books while still creating a vivid world. I must also acknowledge the large amount of tension that builds gradually throughout the story. Although I was frustrated with the events driving this tension, it did keep me invested in the story and eager for the inevitable train wreck.
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A PHO LOVE STORY by Loan Le
The simple writing is easy to follow and enjoyable, but it is not hugely striking or engaging. Even the alternating points of view between the two main characters fail to add much to the story as information is often summarised and repeated with each narrative switch. What I loved was the slight integration of the Vietnamese language. This is just one of the many ways Loan Le shows that she is unapologetically proud of her culture, and I was here for it!
