Review: A Far Better Thing by HG Parry
3 July 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Far Better Thing, Book Review, Books, Fae, Fantasy, HG Parry, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Brilliant. No Further Words Needed
I thought I was going to love this, I loved The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door and I was excited to pick this up – and, I did love it, literally, it didn’t disappoint.
Firstly, I haven’t read a Tale of Two Cities – although I confess this book actually makes me wish to do so. So, I have no idea how this story ties in to the Dickens tale. However, I had such a good time reading this. Parry writes with confidence and panache. I love her style, this read like a period novel, not necessarily with the wordiness and antiquity but with a flavour of the times and an ease of reading. I mean, you have to love an author that gives you a feel for Dickens but with a more modern take. I really enjoyed this.
Secondly, I’ve read and loved two books now by this author, so, literally, HG Parry is on my list of authors to watch.
So, I’m not going to talk of the plot. At all.
What I loved.
The writing is exquisite. I loved the writing. I mean, I really enjoyed reading this. I’m really excited to see what this author comes up with next.
The characters, you care about them. They’ve, for the most part been pretty much mistreated by the fae and, in fact, continue to be so. Some of them are the fae, changelings in fact, and yet they’re not aware. How complicated is it really?
The setting is a perfect period setting. It feels Dickensian in so many ways. The dialogue, the description of places, the slums, the ways of life, the discrepancies between those with and without, and then of course the move to France and the Revolution.
The fae are perfectly hideous. They’re all about the long game. Plotting and planning and downright nasty. I loved them.
Overall, I loved this, I can’t recommend it enough. If you want a period feeling novel dripping with fae machinations you simply have to read this.
I received a copy through Netalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
2 July 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Alchemy of Secrets, Book Reviews, Books, Can't Wait Wedesday, Fantasy, Stephanie Garber, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is: Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber. Here’s the cover and description:
The HOTLY ANTICIPATED adult debut novel by the beloved, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author of the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series: a contemporary fantasy kicking off a brand new series!
It starts with a class in an old movie theater.
Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor. Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real. When she tracks down a local legend named the Watch Man, who can supposedly tell you when you’ll die, the world finally makes sense. Except that the Watch Man tells her she will die at midnight tomorrow unless she finds an ancient object called the Alchemical Heart.
With the clock ticking, Holland is pulled deeper into this magical world in the heart of Los Angeles—and into the path of a magnetic stranger. Everything about him feels like a bad idea, but he promises Holland that her sister sent him to protect her. As they chase clues and stories that take them closer to the Alchemical Heart, Holland realizes everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, not even the Alchemical Heart will save her.
Expected publication: October 2025
The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag, 2025
30 June 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: blogging, Book tag, Book Tags, book-blog, Books, reading, Reviewing, The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag
I don’t think I’ve completed this tag before but I’ve seen a couple of bloggers recently posting and I liked the prompts so decided to give it a shot.
I’m not sure who created this tag so if you’re in the ‘know’ give me a shout so I can credit them.
Without further ado:
1. BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2025:
The Rush by Beth Lewis. This book could also have fit ‘the biggest surprise’ prompt. I had such a good time with this book. It’s beautifully written and highly evocative.
2. BEST SEQUEL OF 2025 SO FAR:
Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett. This was the final chapter in the series and was a perfect ending. I highly recommend this series.
3. NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO:
Paved With Good Intentions by Peter McLean – this is one of my June review books that I can’t wait to pick up but unfortunately my reading has been much slower than I anticipated, mainly as a result of more socialising and being very busy with visitors. This will be, later than I would like but, my next read.
4. MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE OF THE SECOND HALF OF 2025:
The Blackfire Blade by James Logan. I absolutely loved The Silverblood Promise and it was in my top ten reads for 2024 so I’m really excited about this one.
5. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF 2025:
I’ve had quite a few books that I’ve had to set aside this year, which could simply be a mood thing. The book that does spring to mind for this prompt is Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou. To be totally honest I still feel like I want to give this another try though and see how I get on, even more so as I read at least half already.
6. BIGGEST SURPRISE:
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito – I haven’t posted my review for this one yet but it’s one grisly gothic story.
7. FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU):
Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill. I absolutely loved Greenteeth. I practically inhaled it.
8. NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH:
Nothing springs to mind unfortunately!
9. NEWEST FAVOURITE CHARACTER:
I think the two central characters from the Emily Wilde series (above) – Emily and Wendell – are definitely up there.
10. BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY:
None so far.
11. BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY:
Vianne by Joanne Harris. Such a beautiful story, I couldn’t put it down.
12. FAVOURITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION OF 2025 YOU’VE SEEN:
Mmm, this is ridiculous but I don’t think I’ve seen any adaptations this year – what have I been doing? I’m sure I’ll think of something as soon as I post this.
13. FAVOURITE POST/REVIEW YOU’VE WRITTEN THIS YEAR:
Grave Empire by Richard Swan – simply because this was another excellent book that I can’t recommend enough.
14. MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU BOUGHT OR RECEIVED THIS YEAR:
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig – I love the cover for this. I haven’t read it yet but I’m excited to pick it up.
15. BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THIS YEAR:
So many books on my shelves for the remainder of this year. I’m not going to list them all here because I’m going to be posting ‘my most anticipated reads’ very soon.
I’m not tagging anyone. Take this as an open invitation to take part if you so wish.
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
29 June 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Book Reviewer, Sunday Post, Weekly wrap up
Books read this week:
I’ve had a very busy week this past week, and the weather has been very warm! So, I haven’t got on with much reading unfortunately. I’m still reading A Far Better Thing by HG Parry – the writing is so good. I’ll probably finish it this evening.
Next Week’s Reads:
Hoping to read Paved With Good Intentions by Peter McLean in, and time allowing I’ll be listening to some more of Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry.
Reviews Posted:
- Swordheart by T Kingfisher
Outstanding Reviews
- Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
That’s it for me this week, what have you been up toany good books to shout out about. Let me know.
Friday Face Off: The Last Hour Between Worlds (The Echo Archives #1) by Melissa Caruso
27 June 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Friday Face off, Melissa Caruso, The Echo Archives #1, The Last Hour Between Worlds
Today I’m returning to the Friday Face Off, originally created by Books by Proxy). I’ve missed these for the past few months and so would like to get back to comparing covers (and hopefully I will be updating this page with a new banner. This is an opportunity to look at a book of your choice and shine the spotlight on the covers. Of course this only works for those books that have alternative covers (although sometimes I use this to look at a series of books to choose a favourite). So, if you have a book that has alternative covers, highlight them and choose your favourite. If you’re taking part it would be great if you leave a link so I can take a look at what you’ve chosen.
This week I’ve chosen a book that I read last year and really enjoyed. The Last Hour by Melissa Caruso.
Here are the covers:
My favourite this week:
I do like the colours for the other covers but I think this cover is much more striking.
Which is your favourite?
Join me next week in highlighting one of your reads with different covers
Books and travelling with Lynn 