The House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron
19 May 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, Books, Fantasy, fiction, Lauren Wiesebron, reading, The House of Frost and Feathers
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Lovely writing, good ideas, slow.
My review for the House of Frost and Feathers is very overdue and I do feel terribly guilty. Things just got away from me and I became all wrapped up on completing my SPFBO books and trying not to fall behind.
Anyway, here we are. I enjoyed The House of Frost and Feathers, the writing is lovely, I really liked the House which was virtually a character in it’s own right and I liked the characters. But. This is not a fast read. It’s not the type of story that you’re simply going to pick up and complete in two sittings and to be totally fair for a while there it felt like very little was going on at all which did lead me to put the book down and sometimes hesitate to pick it back up straight away. That being said I really enjoyed the writing and will certainly keep my eye on this author to see what she does next.
The main character is called Marisha. Her parents have fallen victim to the sleeping plague that attacks every ten years. Marisha has run from home to escape her aunt’s plans to marry her off to a wealthy suitor and with very few alternatives she manages to snag herself a place as an assistant to Baba Zima’s apprentice in a house that moves from place to place upon chicken legs!
Baba Zima is a woman of magic, who travels from place to place assisting people who need her help and still believe in magic. Her apprentice Olena is trying to find a cure for the plague and her and Marisha, having this desire in common, decide to try and help each other.
So, what worked for me with The House of Frost and Feathers.
The story is based on Slavic folklore and although it seems to be an age where people are not believing in magic quite as much as they did in the past there is still enough people in search of magical aid. Baba Zima is a wily one, quite powerful and very secretive. She controls the house – speaking of which, I loved this aspect of the story. The house itself is a great creation. It’s a fanciful place, sometimes it has a different layout, sometimes it permits people to pass through certain doorways and other times it doesn’t.
I enjoyed the characters. There’s very much a found family feel and the book takes it’s time letting the reader discover them. This does have a ‘slice of life’ feel to the story which definitely affects the pacing. I actually really enjoyed the earlier chapters. It has a lovely fairytale feel.
I did have a good time reading The House of Frost and Feathers but I did have some issues. The slow pacing wasn’t really a problem for me in fact I preferred the earlier chapters to the grand finale when the pacing stepped up. I wasn’t totally convinced with the direction that things took, the ending felt a little rushed even.
That being said, I did enjoy this and I’m definitely keen to see what the author comes up with next.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3.5 of 5 stars
Review: Paladin’s Grace by T Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel #1)
5 May 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, Paladin's Grace, Review, T Kingfisher, The Saint of Steel #1
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Loved It. Want Much More
Paladin’s Grace was such an easy book to read. I can’t seem to get enough of this author at the moment and the books seem to be coming fast and furious which is a real bonus.
Paladin’s Grace is the first in series. It’s a romantasy, cosy in many respects but also with the author’s usual touch of darkness, bordering on light horror.
As the story begins we meet Stephen, a former paladin, brought low following the death of the God he dedicated his life to. Stephen is one of only a few remaining paladins. Most died on that ominous day and the rest live in disgrace, (after their God died the paladin’s were overcome with a beserker rage that led to bloodshed). Stephen wants nothing more than to live his life serving others and helping his brothers live out their days in peace. Well, that wouldn’t be much of a story would it? So, in a chance encounter, one evening, he makes the acquaintance of a perfume maker called Grace. Following this chance encounter the two find themselves, much against their will, thinking of each other often and innocently bumping into each other on a number of occasions.
I don’t want to go much into the plot. This is a very entertaining story with spies, assasins, over zealous religious types, a serial killer who removes people’s heads, a threat against royalty and two people becoming rather smitten.
What I really liked about this. Just everything to be honest. The story has a lovely pace, there are without doubt some darker elements, but for the most part I loved the dialogue and the characters and put simply I was rather smitten myself. I certainly didn’t guess the direction that this was going to take.
Stephen and Grace are very easy to engage with and actually were refreshingly original. Stephen is the epitome of knightly behaviour – when he’s not knitting socks or overthinking his feelings. Grace is a bundle of indecision with an excellent ‘nose’ who is about to become caught up in something of a dilemma. Grace is running from her past, Stephen is also scarred by his past and the two are undoubtedly broken but, put the two together, and as well as the chemistry there is definitely hope for both their futures – if only they can see it. These two are great. They undoubtedly made me laugh.
I also really enjoyed the supporting cast, Stephen’s brothers in arms – all needing a bit of a group hug themselves and at the same time ready to rush into the fray at the drop of a hat to protect their friend. The Monks who try to keep the paladin’s alive – in spite of the paladin’s themselves and Grace’s friend Marguerite – a spy who seems to have fingers in many pies.
To be honest I don’t think I can say much more. A cosy romantasy, with darkness and death but also a big splash of hope, an intriguing murder mystery and an assassination attempt – all mingled together. I loved reading this and can’t wait to read the next.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Monthly/Weekly Wrap Up/What’s On My Plate April/May
4 May 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: April/May, Book Review, book-blog, Books, Monthly recap, reading, Weekly wrap up, What's on my Plate, Wrap Up
I’m trying to post a wrap up for the end of each month, mainly to help me to keep track of my reading and at the same time look at what I’m intending to read during the month ahead (inspired by Books Bones and Buffy’s What’s on My Plate.
Today’s post will be a bit messy. Looking back, and obviously April was a very busy month for me so I did miss a number of posts, I don’t think I posted a monthly wrap up covering March/April. So, I’m also going to post the books I read during March and April. In other news the SPFBO competition is now complete and the winner chosen. There were some great books so if you’re looking for something new check out this post here.
Since my last weekly update I’ve been reading The Devlls by Joe Abercrombie.
Next weeks reads:
Complete The Devils – I won’t say this is a quick read but I am enjoying it. Hopefully I can also pick up The Vengeance by Emma Newman.
My reading for March:
- Clockwork Boys by T Kingfisher
- The Vipers by Katy Hays
- A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall – still reading
- A Fortune Most Fatal by Jessica Bull
- Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
- 1 x SPFBO Finalist
- 1 x SPFBO Finalist
Not as good as I would have liked to be honest.
Reviews posted:
- Wolf of Withervale (Noss Saga #1) by Joaquin Baldwin
- Runelight (The Aenigma Lights Book 1) by JA Andrews
- Gates of Hope by JE Hannaford
- The Humane Society for Creatures and Cryptids by Stephanie A Gillis
- The Forest at the Heart of Her Mage by Hiyodori
- The Oathsworn Legacy by KR Gangi
- The Tenacious Tale of Tanna the Tendersword by Dewey Conway and Bill Adams
- Mushroom Blues by Adrian M Gibson
- By Blood by Salt by JL Odom
My Monthly Wrap Up:
Books read:
- April
- 1 x SPFBO Finalist
- 1 x SPFBO Finalist
- Senseless by Ronald Malfi
- Paladins Grace by T Kingfisher
- The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose
- Spellbound by Georgia Leighton – DNF
- Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou
Here’s what I’m hoping to read in May:
- The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
- The Vengeance by Emma Newman
- The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North
- Vianne by Joanne Harris
- The Malevolent Eight by Sebastien de Castell
-
- Version 1.0.0
I’m quite relieved that I managed to keep May’s book requests to a reasonable number as I’m also hoping to fit in some Backlist books
I haven’t started this challenge yet but hoping to read a couple of backlist books this month if I can manage it.
Bookforager‘s Picture Prompt book bingo.
and the text version:
PICTURE PROMPT BOOK BINGO 2025 (TEXT VERSION)
| 1. A prehistoric flint knapped stone knife | 2. A lighthouse | 3. An apple on a leafy branch | 4. An archery target with three arrows in it |
| 5. A very large mechanical telescope | 6. A human skull | 7. A stag | |
| 9. A crab | 10. A sheaf of wheat | 11. An old mechanical typewriter | |
| 15. A stylized sun with a human face | 16. A Roman helmet |
The prompts I’m crossing off so far:
No.8 – The ruins of a temple-like structure – I’m using Daughter of Chaos by A S Webb
No. 12 – A cluster of four mushrooms – I’m using Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
No. 13 – A fringed umbrella/parasol – I’m using A Fortune Most Fatal by Jessica Bull
No.14 – A chemistry set-up of bottles and tubes – I’m using Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
27 April 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, book-blog, book-blogger, Booking Ahead, Books, Caffeinated Book Reviewer, reading, Sunday Post, Weekly wrap up
Books read this week:
So, finally things are starting to calm down a little and I feel like I’m making progress. I’ve read two of my books this week – Paladin’s Grace and The Maid’s Secret and I’ve started a third. I’ve posted three SPFBO reviews and have three more left to post this week and I’ve finally managed to start blog hopping and answering comments so feeling positive.
Next Week’s Reads:
Complete Spellbound by Georgia Leighton. I’ve also made a start on Gifted and Talented by Olivie Blake.
Reviews Posted:
- Wolf of Withervale (Noss Saga #1) by Joaquin Baldwin
- Runelight (The Aenigma Lights Book 1) by JA Andrews
- Gates of Hope by JE Hannaford
Outstanding Reviews
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- The House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron
- SPFBO x 1
- SPFBO x 2
- SPFBO x 3
- Senseless by Ronald Malfi
- Paladin’s Grace by T Kingfisher
- The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose
That’s it for me this week, what have you been up to, any good books to shout out about. Let me know.
#SPFBOX Review: Gates of Hope (Aulirean Gates #1) by J.E. Hannaford
26 April 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBOX, Aulirean Gates #1, Book Review, Book Reviews, Fantasy, Gates of Hope, J.E. Hannaford, Review
Today I’m posting my sixth Finalist review for #SPFBOX (here’s a link to the Finalist table). I’ve already posted a review for The Humane Society for Creatures & Cryptids (Teraglossa #1) by Stephanie A. Gillis, The Forest at the Heart of Her Mage by Hiyodori, Oathsworn Legacy by KR Gangi, Wolf of Withervale (Noss Saga #1) by Joaquin Baldwin and Runelight (The Aenigma Lights Book 1) by JA Andrews:. I have three more reviews to post over the next few days. So, without further ado let’s get to my review for Gates of Hope by JE Hannaford :
Firstly here’s the description (courtesy of Goodreads), the cover and a link.
The Watcher shattered the gates. Now hope must arise from the shards.
Five hundred cycles ago, the Watcher closed the gates between the world of Lieus and its moons to end a war. Since then magic has been hidden, relegated to childhood tales. On the outer moon of Tebein, any human showing magically aligned traits would sentence their entire community to death at the hands of the native awldrin overlords.
For awldrin are immortal and their memories long.
Even peace is transient, and on Lieus, invasive monsters are encroaching on Caldera, leaving Darin and his bonded moonhound to face nightmares made real. As the creatures spread their wings, Suriin’s father is injured, and she must delve deep into the secrets of the Black Palace to try and save him.
Elissa’s magic could not have bloomed a a worse time on Tebein, as the awldrin are roused, and now she must run to save everyone she loves.
Far more than the fate of their loved ones is at stake, but will any of them see it in time?
Gates of Hope is epic fantasy but with a slice of life feel to it.
I’m not going to go into great depth about the world (or worlds) as I think there are other reviews out there that make a better go of it. Just briefly, the planet Lieus has two moons (Mythos and Tebein). The three used to be connected via gates which were destroyed by the Watcher during a period of war (the Watcher is a dragon now revered as a God). After the split the planet of Lieus has become an almost uninhabitable world, the people there live in the craters and rarely venture to the surface. On Tebein there is a mix of human and Awldrin. The Awldrin are a very long lived race of warriors, they keep the humans on the moon subdued and magic is forbidden.
So, the story is told in three POVs. Elissa, Darin and Suriin. Surin and Elissa have similar coloured hair (marking them out as wielders of magic). Their stories otherwise are very different. Surin lives on Lieus and is desperate to leave the family home and have adventure. Her story takes her to Redpike where she will learn more about her magic. Darin also lives on Lieus and also has travelled to Redpick hoping to find work as a soldier to help his struggling family. His plans change when he forms a bond with a Moonhound (these dogs rarely bond with a male) and in fact Darin struggles at first to perform the simplest magical tasks (the magic uses crystals and music). However, his story changes quite dramatically, and quite secretly with a couple of discoveries that I won’t post here and spoil for other readers.
Elissa lives on Tebein. She is one of the untouched – her hair is purple, singling her out as a magic wielder so she must hide her hair colour and keep a low profile. Elissa actually bonds with a magical crystal which sets her story onto a different course of action.
I enjoyed Gates of Hope. It’s very well written and once again the author’s love for the world and characters really shines out.
I think the magical system is very well imagined and there is a good deal of promise yet to be realised in future editions.
That being said, I don’t think this book was for me – although I have no doubt it will find plenty of readers who love it. I found this a little meandering, there’s too much focus on everyday matters that keep the pace quite slow, and apart from Darin and his moonhound I didn’t really connect to the characters. To be fair to the book and the author I will say that I think this is down to me and not the book. I do love epic fantasy, I do love detailed books, but, I find myself wanting something more – that element that raises the stakes somehow or just gives it something new.
I received a copy courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 6.5 of 10
Books and travelling with Lynn 