Review: Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

 

Title: Girl, Serpent, Thorn

Author: Melissa Bashardoust

Publisher: Flatiron Books (July 2020)

Is it just me, or has COVID kicked everyone's motivation in the teeth? But I am back and reading up a storm. With winter dancing on our doorsteps here, it's perfect timing to settle in and burn through my rather insane pile of books I was hoping to read this year.

Up first is Girl, Serpent, Thorn, a Persian folklore inspired fantasy by Melissa Bashadoust.

There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story.

As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.

Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming...human or demon. Princess or monster. (from Goodreads)

This book was a spontaneous buy for me. I spotted it at one of bookstores in my town that stock a small but current selection of English YA titles and grabbed it for the cover alone. It was also really appealing that this is a standalone and I wouldn't be waiting on a sequel to find out the conclusion of the story.

I was really surprised by how good this is. The writing is lyrical without being overly so and the story definitely had that whimsical, fairy-tale feel to it while still feeling fresh and exciting. It reminded me a little of Enchantment of Ravens, so if you loved that book, I have a good feeling you will enjoy this one too.

In terms of plot and pacing, I felt the story flowed and had definitive sections where you could feel Soraya's progression as a character. There were plenty of twists and revelations that kept me on my toes. There is also an unexpected romance in this that will please those seeking more LGBTQ representation. This is handled subtly and with tenderness and is not there simply for the sake of ticking boxes.

I am keen to try out the author's previous book, Girls Made of Snow and Glass, if it is anywhere near as enjoyable as this one.

All in all, if you are looking for a quick, yet satisfying read, I highly recommend this one. 

5 TV Series to Binge During Lockdown

Hey everyone!

Because most of us are going into a forced period of being at home, I decided to put together some suggestions of TV shows you can watch on Netflix right now.

These are all great shows that will keep you going through this strange period we find ourselves in.

1. Virgin River

While this only has one season out so far, I highly recommend this show as I couldn't stop watching it and can't wait for a rewatch soon.

Virgin River follows a nurse as she escapes a painful past to work in a small town in the middle of nowhere. While this show reminds me of Hart of Dixie and Everwood, I still found it captivating and loved the diverse cast of characters. It has plenty of romance, drama and mystery to keep everyone entertained and waiting for the next season.

2. GLOW

GLOW is one of those awesome series that completely captures the feel of the 80's. This one is about a group of down-and-out women who find themselves involved in a wrestling show. Each character has a great background story and this is definitely focused on them rather than flashy action scenes.

I love the whole cast and there was parts of this show that made me feel every emotion possible. This is not a fluffy, shallow watch and also not for the kids. There are now 3 seasons available.

3. Stranger Things

Another TV series set in the 80's, Stranger Things is very addictive and reminds me of the pulp horror books I read when I was younger (Think RL Stine and Christopher Pike).

If you enjoy monsters, quirky characters and things that go bump in the night, then I highly recommend this and each season is just as good as the last.

4. Aggretsuko

Retsuko is just you average office worker, trying to get through the days of working for a horrible boss and dealing with her co-workers. At night, however, she vents her frustration by singing metal Karaoke. And that is basically the premise of this cute and fun show by the creators of Hello Kitty.

Anyone who has been at the bottom of the corporate food chain will find something to relate to and don't be put off by the animation style as this is seriously not for kids!

5. The Dragon Prince

This was complete surprise and delight. A beautifully animated series with a rich story that will keep the whole family entertained.

This series focuses on two human princes and an elven assassin and they team up to try save their people from a terrible war. I love this series so much and it will certainly appeal to adults as the story is just so good. There are now three seasons which do have a conclusion of sorts./


I hope these give you guys an idea of series to try out! I am going to think of more recommendation lists to help keep everyone entertained and busy for the next few weeks.

Stay home and be safe!

Review: Keyflame by Tallulah Lucy

Title: Keyflame
Author: Tallulah Lucy
Publisher: Astral Owl Press (6th March 2020)

I was fortunate to get an advance review copy of Keyflame, the debut novel of South African author Tallulah Lucy.

Set in Grahamstown, South Africa, Keyflame follows first-year student Lilah as she navigates the struggles of fitting in, being away from home and everything else that comes with University life. But, things soon take a turn for the fantastical and Lilah starts questioning who she really is.

I do not want to elaborate further on the plat than that, as I think part of Keyflame's appeal is the mystery that is slowly introduced to both the reader and Lilah as the story progresses.

Scenic Grahamstown (Wikipedia.com)

It was an authentic experience, having the book set in a town I am familiar with. Although I didn't spend time there as a student, I was still able to enjoy the nostalgia when various landmarks were named. I also really loved the South African flavor of this over all, and think it's a pretty bold move for the author to not only make this choice, but to keep it true and undiluted by other influences.

For context, a lot of South African authors tend to place their stores in either the States or a generic setting for the sake of marketability. Which is understandable, should authors wish to appeal to an international audience. However, the setting here adds to Keyflame's charm and I feel would certainly appeal to a larger audience.

Keyflame also has really strong, well-developed characters with their own quirks. Some of Lilah's thoughts made me giggle as I found them to be things I might have thought in that situation. I love that we are not presented with perfect characters This is especially true of the love interest as he is not described as having perfect, godly looks.

Overall, this book was really enjoyable and made me miss my home country a little.

If you are looking for a fun fantasy, this is definitely worth the buy and you will also be supporting a deserving and creative author.

Keyflame is out on the 6th March 2020 and is available for pre-order now!

Visit Tallulah's website here.
Buy Keyflame on Amazon here.
Add Keyflame on Goodreads here.
Follow Tallulah on Instagram here.

Reading Goals: Series I Want to Get to In 2020

I am really bad at not finishing series I enjoy, so one of my big reading goals for this year is to finally finish completed series that I own.

This means doing a reread of the books I have read before and wrapping up the rest of the books with the story still fresh in my mind.

I have put together a  list of the top series I want to finally finish this year.

All descriptions come from Goodreads, detailing the first book in the series.

1. Arc of a Scythe by Neal Schusterman

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.
Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

2. The Illuninae Files by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents--including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more--Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

3. Nevernight Trilogy by Jay Kristoff

In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.
Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined.
Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic—the Red Church. If she bests her fellow students in contests of steel, poison and the subtle arts, she’ll be inducted among the Blades of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the vengeance she desires. But a killer is loose within the Church’s halls, the bloody secrets of Mia’s past return to haunt her, and a plot to bring down the entire congregation is unfolding in the shadows she so loves.
Will she even survive to initiation, let alone have her revenge?

4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

5. Snow Like Ashes Trilogy by Sara Raasch

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.
So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

6. Strange the Dreamer Duology by Laini Taylor

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.
What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?
The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

7. Cursebreakers Duology by Brigid Kemmerer

Fall in love, break the curse.
Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.

6. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

I am so excited to read all of these as I have read the first book for most of them and loved it! Are any of these on your list of series you want to try out or finish?

Keep an eye out for my reviews as I read these.

January 2020 Wrap-Up

This has been a really good reading month for me. This is mostly due to me still looking for work having only been in the Netherlands for 2 months.

In total, I completed 9 books, putting me one book ahead of my goal of 100 books for the year.

The books I read were:

1. De droomebewaker - Thea Stilton

This is a simple Dutch reader that I picked from the library to help me learn some of the language. I actually really enjoyed it as it has loads of pretty illustrations.

2. The Poppy War - RF Kuang

This is an adult fantasy with a strong female lead who defies all odds. I loved it and highly recommend it for fans of YA fantasy looking for that step-up into something a little more mature.

3. A Very Large Expanse of Sea - Tahereh Mafi

Super surprising. I loved this and read it on one sitting. You can check out my review here.

4. Lipstick, Lies and Dead Guys - Jennifer Fischetto

A random book I had on my Kindle. This is the start of an Indie paranormal romance series with reminds me a little of an old tv show called Tru Calling. I enjoyed the humorous writing and might even get the next ones in the series on Kindle Unlimited.

5. Stepsister - Jennifer Donnelly

This is a fairy-tale inspired novel about one of Cinderella's stepsisters and her story after Cinderella finds the prince. I really enjoyed this unique take on a known fairy tale.

6. The Faerie Guardian - Rachel Morgan

The first in South African author Rachel Morgan's self-published fantasy YA series. I am not going to lie. I thought it was a little generic at first, but then the plot twist kicked in and I was hooked.

7. Air  Awakens - Elize Kova

Another Kindle read. I didn't like this, though it is well-written. The main character literally had four men pining after her by the middle of the book and it was just too annoying to continue the series.

8. We Rule the Night - Claire Eliza Bartlett

I loved this fantasy about two girls finding their place in a male-dominated war setting. While it's clearly inspired by modern warfare, the fantasy elements are awesomely integrated. Highly recommended.

9. Agent of Chaos - Kami Garcia

This is the first of two X-Files Origin novels. I got them for the nostalgia and didn't really expect it to be as good as it was.

I hope to manage this many books this month too! I am also going to be focusing more on reading completed series I own so that I can start clearing space on my bookshelves.

Review: Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Title: Serpent and Dove (Book 1)
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 2019)

This is a hard review for me to articulate because I really did love this book, but it has massive flaws that bothered me throughout the narrative.

Lou, our protagonist, reminds me a little too much of Celaena Sardothien with her badassery and sass, however all it did was make me want to return to the Throne of Glass universe (which I will do when my books arrive from South Africa in the next week or two). But, she at least isn't a complete carbon-copy and carries her story well.

The story is well-paced and told from alternating points-of-view which suits the duality of this story. We need both sides as these are very different characters from different worlds and seeing their opinions of the other side is imperative to the plot. This is, at the core, a romantic fantasy and it makes for fun reading.

I did also have a problem with the romance and the building of sexual attraction between the two leads. There were times where their interactions felt a little forced and this is perhaps due to this being the author's debut novel. I just wasn't rooting for the couple as hard as I have other fictional couples and don't feel the need to look up fanart or any of that fun stuff to fill the void left until the next book releases.

***Also going to make a note that there is pretty descriptive sex in this for a book aimed at teens. There is no "fade to black" here kids, so be aware if you are getting this for a younger teen.***

But if you like YA fantasy and hate-to-love romance tropes, this is worth picking up.

7/10

Review: Now Entering Addamsville by Francesca Zappia

Title: Now Entering Addamsville
Author: Francesca Zappia
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (October 2019)

Eliza and her Monsters is one of my favorite reads of the past few years. I was really excited for this one, as I also love a good spooky read and expected the author to deliver with a fun story and quirky characters.

Alas, Now Entering Addamsville was a bit of a letdown for me. The story had so much potential, but I wonder if Zappia was rushed to produce this in time for Halloween release, as the story felt rushed and half-formed.

What should have been a creepy mystery felt like a bunch of scenes thrown together in which we get told how much the town hates Zora and the injustice of it all. There was not much plot to hold this up and, while I liked the supporting cast of characters, felt very little for Zora herself.

I guess if you are looking for a read like this, you would be better off with The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.

I have not written this author off and will definitely check out her next book, but this time with fewer expectations.

3/10

Review: A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

Title: A Very Large Expanse of Sea

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Publisher: HarperTeen (October  2018)

I did not have a good time reading the Shatter Me series, Tahereh Mafi's debut work. I found them to be very generic with a Special Snowflake heroine and a weird writing style that made getting though the book kind of jarring. If you have read them, you will know exactly what I am talking about.

I was therefore not excited when I heard Mafi was taking a foray into contemporary. This book flew under my radar for ages and I only decided to read it because my local library had a copy.

Well, color me surprised. I read A Very Large Expanse of Sea in a single sitting and loved it. Set shortly after the events of 9/11, this book deals with the themes of racism and prejudice in a very clever way. I know nothing about the author's personal history, but this felt so real that I don't doubt this book was written from her own personal experience wearing a hijab in a time when people were looking for a reason to hate.

I felt really connected to Shirin, a complex character whose journey through this prejudge as her personal growth kept me turning the pages. I felt angry at the prejudice she experienced.

However, in spite of the themes in this books, I felt that this was ultimately a hopeful story and I highly recommend it to any fan of YA contemporary.

8/10

My 5 Favorite English Bookstores in the Netherlands

I have now been a resident in the Netherlands for just over a month and of course I had to indulge in a little bit of book tourism, as I wanted to find out which stores had the best selection of English titles.

I thought this information might be useful for other who are visiting or moving here so I decided to list my five favorite spots to visit for a browse.

1. Donner Boekhandel (Rotterdam)

This is an amazing bookstore based in the heart of Rotterdam's shopping district. It offers a wide selection of both English and Dutch titles and has a coffee shop and a selection of quality art supplies as well.

Donner also has an interesting history. It is the largest independent bookstore in the Netherlands and was crowdfunded when a bookstore chain called Polare folded and the staff wanted to try and retain as many jobs as possible and save the historical store. The store has been around since 1912 and in the current location since 1988.

This is a much-loved and popular destination for readers and I was especially impressed at the selection of English YA titles. There is also a whole section dedicated to all things Harry Potter.

If you ever are in Rotterdam, a city worth visiting regardless, definitely pop into Donner for a browse.


2. American Book Center (Amsterdam)

The most prominent bookstore in the Netherlands for English titles, ABC is family-owned and has branches in Amsterdam and The Hague. Established in 1972, they offer a massive selection of English titles across all genres. I was particularly impressed with their Fantasy and Sci-Fi section as they seem to make an effort to keep whole series of books in stock.

The Amsterdam store has a small coffee shop where you can enjoy a drink and a pastry while choosing what books you want to take home with you.


3. Broese Booksellers (Utrecht)

This bookstore has been around since 1753 and is a short walk from Utrecht Centraal train station.

While primarily offering Dutch titles, you can find a selection of English books. This bookstore also has a dedicated Harry Potter section as well as a decent English Fantasy selection.

It has a warm feel with very helpful staff who are present on the floor.


4. Waterstones (Amsterdam)

The popular UK chain has a store in Amsterdam along the main shopping street. They have been in Amsterdam since 1998 and the store even feels very English in the design and layout.

Spanning 3 floors, Waterstones offers a great selection of titles and you may even find some Waterstones exclusive editions of popular titles in stock.

There is no coffee shop, but you will find comfy seats where you can sit and browse.

The Fantasy selection is perhaps a bit lacking compared to the other stores mentioned, but I love their selection of YA and Graphic Novels.


5. Athenaeum (Various Locations)

While their offering of English titles is quite small, I do still like these bookstores as you will find some of the more popular English titles.

This is a chain with various stores across the Netherlands. There is even one in my town, Haarlem.


Of course, I have also visited the library and am very pleased at the variety of English titles available. This is also a great option for those looking to live here and I highly recommend looking at the library in your area. Of course, the offering of English titles will differ from library to library.

There are other bookstores I really want to look at and may do a follow-up post at a later time. Until then, I hope I provided some insight into what you can expect should you be looking to do some book shopping in the Netherlands.

Welcome! New Year, New Blog, New Goals

Welcome to my new little project, Books on Benches!

This is a blog where I will not only be posting book reviews, I will also be doing some commentary on life in the Netherlands as an expat (I come from South Africa), restaurant reviews and more.

I did run a blog titled UrbanisedGeek for a long time, but I thought it was time for a fresh start and a complete re-brand. While some of the content will be similar, I feel like I have outgrown my old blog and this is an opportunity for a clean slate.

I am passionate about books and reading and have been a blogger for going on 10 years now. I admit that I have been the most consistent or regular blogger, but I hope to change that this year with regular posts as I have set some personal goals for myself in terms of my reading.

Every year, I take part in the Goodreads Reading Challenge, a popular tool that enables you to set a reading goal for the year and track your progress. It is quite fun as you can also see how well your friends are doing at meeting their own reading goals. I much prefer this idea to a reading challenge where one has to reads books based on a checklist of criteria they need to meet. This might force you to read books you might not have looked at before, but I also want to read books I want to and not for the sake of some arbitrary checklist no one actually cares about.

So, this year I am keeping it simple. 100 books. 100 reviews. I can manage that, right? That in between finding a job and adjusting living in a new country. I got this.

I know it's going to take some time to build up an audience here and if you did find me from my previous blog, thank YOU for sticking around!

You can also follow me on Instagram @booksonbenchesnl for a taste of Dutch life and, of course, photos of books on benches!

Happy 2020 everyone!