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Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire #1) by Mark Lawrence – REVIEW
TRIGGER WARNING – RAPE/MURDER Prince of Thorns is the first book in the Broken Empire series by Mark Lawrence. After reading his Book of Ice series I quickly realised his brand of storytelling is one that I love immensely. There is action aplenty but at the core of the story is a pulsing heart that bleeds with every injustice. He made me remember why I fell in love with Fantasy, in particular Grimdark. Prince of Thorns follows fourteen-year-old Jorg Ancrath. I’m kind of torn between loving and loathing Jorg. In his defence (if there is any) he was a boy that lost his mother and brother in the worst circumstances.…
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Borrowed Time by Russell Dean – REVIEW
Borrowed Time is masterful. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book through the haze of tears. Russell Dean delivers laser-focused prose with a beating heart that will impact the coldest of readers. Borrowed Time is by far my favourite book of the year, and I’d struggle to envision anything topping it – it wrought emotion, a feeling of longing, and the need to read the next instalment like yesterday. Russell Dean is locking up for a battle, he tackles heavy subjects without ever shying away, and he carries it out with ease and tactfulness. So, if I haven’t already managed to convince you to read it, then…
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The Black Dog by Kevin Bridges – REVIEW
The Black Dog is full of social commentary with Bridge’s comedic wit shining through every page. Darkly funny but brimming with life. The Black Dog is written by an author that is known more for his comedy than his novel writing but that’s all likely to change – he’s added another string to his bow in a stunning debut by Glasgow’s household name, Kevin Bridges. Instantly you are transported into the streets of Glasgow, with authentic dialogue, a strong connection to the working-class plight, and a story that is full of grit and character. It’s a strong offering and the story gave me vibes of Gregory’s Girl – a coming-of-age…
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Dead Daughters by Tim Meyer – REVIEW
Dead Daughters blew my motherfucking mind! It’s twisted and horrifying, and I couldn’t wait to turn the next page. You can feel Meyer laughing at your shock. Dead Daughters is a story to remind me to be grateful for the boring, mundane, and uneventful life I lead. It’s definitely not something that you want your life to resemble – uncertainty, unimaginable stress, and a worry that your daughter will be taken and end up dead. The story examines the dynamics of relationships through a microscope. A Couple. A cherished daughter. A photograph that depicts the death of your child. Friends. Strangers. The premise of the story had me immediately hooked.…
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The Ex Between Us by Nicola Marsh – REVIEW
The Ex Between Us has a killer premise. The story was impactful with a deep plot that evokes emotion on every page. Marsh constantly stokes the flames of mystery. The story had me instantly with the book cover. Mysterious, the colours remind me of the feeling of sorrow. I had the feeling that the book would be chilling and atmospheric. The story focuses on two main characters, Abi, and Jo. Abi is struggling after her only child, Rob leaves to go to college. Empty nest syndrome is real, she has focussed her entire life on bringing him up to be the young, confident man he has become. Getting pregnant at…
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Meantime by Frankie Boyle – REVIEW
Meantime is beautiful in its harsh and brutal narrative. The writing is crystal clear, each word soaks into your skin like the bleak Scottish rain. No happy endings but it is intricate, it settled under my skin and had me craving more. Every mistake carves a deep and unsettling wound. If one sentence could sum it up it would be that. Meantime captures the banal and lively existence of being Glaswegian like a seesaw that drops you into oblivion. There are many downs, but it’s occasionally peppered with some good. It holds a different kind of magic, one where the disappointment from the referendum eats at the shoes of people…
