I don't even know why I have waited years and years before reading Jansson's first adult novel. Maybe I was scared since she is one of my favourite auI don't even know why I have waited years and years before reading Jansson's first adult novel. Maybe I was scared since she is one of my favourite authors of all the time but there was nothing to worry about. Sculptor's Daughter is definitely one of the best Jansson novels I have read. I love how it plays with autobiographical moments. You can definitely see her childhood, spending the summers in archipelago and winters in Helsinki, growing up surrounded by artists and writers. It still should be treated as a work of fiction. It is delightfully clever and I think, as I said before, the best of Jansson....more
I am just sitting here, wondering how Juliet Marillier manages to write three books in the series that are all equally so good that I can't even decidI am just sitting here, wondering how Juliet Marillier manages to write three books in the series that are all equally so good that I can't even decide what is my favourite? She has some potential of becoming one of my all the time favourite authors. ...more
When a 700 pages long book feels too short, it is a sign of a new favourite. And East of Eden definitely was that kind of a book. Heartbroken and shatWhen a 700 pages long book feels too short, it is a sign of a new favourite. And East of Eden definitely was that kind of a book. Heartbroken and shattered but also consoled because there is so much hope in it. ...more
The trouble with incredible start of a trilogy is the fear that the sequel will fail you, especially as it is narrated by the same character. Son of tThe trouble with incredible start of a trilogy is the fear that the sequel will fail you, especially as it is narrated by the same character. Son of the Shadows, however, is equally incredible as Daughter of the Forest was. We follow Liadan, Sorcha's daughter, who has grown up to be very much like her mother; strong headed, skillful young woman with healer's abilities. One day she is captured by an outlaw in need of a healer and Liadan meets the Painted Man, feared and ruthless chief of outlaw group. Even though the distaste is equal in the beginning, Liadan learns to care for this man and her life is changed by the blossoming of first love. However, there is a prophesy of Liadan that links her to stay connected to Sevenwaters, and as her mother, she needs to make a choice between love and her family. Juliet Marillier weaves together another unforgettable love story that, in all honesty, gave me some butterflies in my stomach. I never believed that I would love Liadan as much as I did Sorcha but oh boy was this a wild ride! The entire world which is weaved together with Celtic mythology, makes the story incredibly atmospheric. Marillier definitely has the skill to write epic fantasy that has a good amount of character development and romance. She is already becoming one of my favourite fantasy authors even though I have only read two books by her. If you haven't yet read anything by Juliet Marillier, what are you doing?...more
Sally Rooney has a gift of leaving me breathless until the very end. I love how she almost carelessly closes the story, smiling knowing that only she Sally Rooney has a gift of leaving me breathless until the very end. I love how she almost carelessly closes the story, smiling knowing that only she knows how the story will go on after that. Still there is something so comforting about leaving everything on edge. Rooney's characters are pretentious, annoying but so true to life. They are exactly that kind of people that you expect to find in university parties and gatherings, the ones that catch your interest but annoy the hell out of you. Her books are impossible to put down because you are so involved with the story and the characters. Frances and Bobbi are almost so annoyingly true to live that you can imagine hating them if you met them. In the middle of Conversations with Friends I was sure that this wouldn't come as close to perfection that Normal People but in some levels I even preferred this to Rooney's latest. There is spark between Frances and Bobbi, Frances and Nick. I am not even sure who I am rooting for after finishing the book. I am so glad that Sally Rooney didn't end up being disappointment to me the way popular contemporary fiction usually is to me. After this I will surely be reading every single book by her that comes out....more
Daughter of the Forest is a good mixture of romance, little bit of magic and adventure. In it, we meet Sorcha, the only daughter of the lord of SevenwDaughter of the Forest is a good mixture of romance, little bit of magic and adventure. In it, we meet Sorcha, the only daughter of the lord of Sevenwaters. She has six brothers who she loves beyond all. She has a knack for healing and grows up helping the people around her. The idyll changes when the lord becomes bewitched by a woman that he marries. Lady Oonagh sees the children, especially Sorcha, as a threat and casts a curse that turns the six sons into swans. Sorcha needs to achieve a dangerous task to save her brothers, while staying mute until her brothers are saved. However, she is captured by the enemy and taken far away from home. What happens with her task to remain mute and break the curse while she is away, especially when she finds herself falling in love? Juliet Marillier weaves the fairytale of The Six Swans and mythology of ancient Britain together with a love story that sweeps you in. The setting is absolutely gorgeous and you can feel the connection that the main character has with the nature around her. Sorcha is such an amazingly strong character that pushes through upsetting situation while still remaining true to herself and the task. She still finds time to be in love with the world and people around her even though upsetting things continue happening. It is a good example of epic, very traditional fantasy novel and that is just what I needed; strong female narration, sweeping love story and incredible setting. It is filled with twists and turns that keep you in the story. I am sure Juliet Marillier will become one of my favourite fantasy authors in the future....more
2019: Tilly and the Bookwanderers is a heartwarming story of a girl who realises that she can step in2020: Still hopelessly in love with this series.
2019: Tilly and the Bookwanderers is a heartwarming story of a girl who realises that she can step into any of the books she is reading. One day Tilly starts seeing Anne Shirley and Alice, her two favourite characters, in her grandparents bookstore, Pages & Co. Her grandparents are taking care of her since her father died before she was born and her mother disappeared mysteriously when Tilly was only a small child. Once she learns from her grandparents that she has a knack called bookwandering, she is swept into many wonderful adventures that include books like Anne of Green Gables, Treasure Island and A Little Princess. Her mother's disappearance is still on her mind and it might be that this new adventures will help her to learn where her mother has gone. I enjoyed this so much. While I was reading this, I had the same feeling when I was reading my favourite middle grade books like Anne of Green Gables and Nevermoor. It is filled with magic and Anna James really manages to capture the wonderfulness of getting lost in a book. Sometimes when you are reading a book for children as an adult, it might feel that something is missing. However, while reading Tilly and the Bookwanderers, I felt that I was a child again, reading books and dreaming about getting lost in the world of my favourite characters. I can't wait to read the next book in the series when it comes out. Anna James definitely has the skill of writing for both children and adults alike....more
I am very happy that this ended up being the first book I finished in 2019. I had high hopes and I wasn't disappointed. I think as with Nevermoor alsoI am very happy that this ended up being the first book I finished in 2019. I had high hopes and I wasn't disappointed. I think as with Nevermoor also, I need to let this book stay in my mind a bit before I can be completely sure how I feel about it. Townsend has created an incredible universe and her world building isn't too heavy but still very creative. In this we continue following Morrigan's adventures; Townsend deepens up the old characters which have grown very dear to me but we also meet new characters that I am surely going to love. Despite being middle grade series I enjoyed this so much and it definitely proves that books for children suit perfectly well to adults that are ready for adventure....more
As every novel in the Chronicles of Barsetshire, this is a slow burner. Only in the end I realised how skilled Trollope is keeping everything togetherAs every novel in the Chronicles of Barsetshire, this is a slow burner. Only in the end I realised how skilled Trollope is keeping everything together despite having so many stories to tell. The characters, especially the whole Crawley family, grew slowly on me and I am very pleased how everything turner out. Definitely one of my favourites from the series and a very good conclusion for the stories that I have been following while reading The Chronicles of Barsetshire....more
Gone with the Wind is one of those larger than life books. I spent the whole book hating Scarlett, wishing that her stubbornness and selfishness wouldGone with the Wind is one of those larger than life books. I spent the whole book hating Scarlett, wishing that her stubbornness and selfishness would miraculously disappear but I ended up loving her for those reasons. It is so refreshing to read a book that has such a imperfect heroine. Sure, the book is filled with a whole cast of female characters, but Scarlett is the queen of the book without a doubt. I thought Gone with the Wind would be only a romance book that sweeps you in but it ended up being so much more. It is one of those books that make you laugh, cry and also a bit wearisome but it is definitely worth of your time. I grew to love Melanie, Ashley, Rhett and even Scarlett and I am little bit sad that it is finished. At many points of the book I wasn't entirely sure if I would end up loving this book but the last three chapters shook me so completely that I am sure this book will stay in my mind for a very long time....more
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