Dark Age: A harrowing but exemplary character-driven fifth entry in the Red Rising series
There were numerous occasions when I was stood open mouthed in the gym listening to what was happening, aghast with pure incredulity.
Keep readingElliptical Billiard Balls: A Hilarious Take on Corporate Absurdity
Author: Neil Rackham Book: Elliptical Billiard Balls Like LinkedIn got possessed by the AI from Dungeon Crawler Carl. Elliptical Billiard Balls is a funny collection of 11 short science fiction stories. Usually with a compendium of short stories, you have the weak ones propped up by the few strong ones, that you just have to…
Keep readingThe Left Hand Of Darkness: A Bold view of sexuality, but narratively flawed
The Left Hand of Darkness Author: Ursula K Le Guin I’ve got a lot to say about this one so buckle up. Ursula K Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness is heralded as one of the most iconic sci-fi stories, which won her a Hugo Award amongst a myriad of others, mainly due to…
Keep readingThe Book of Fallen Leaves: A Truly Epic Fantasy
Book: The Book of Fallen LeavesAuthor: A. S. Tamaki Firstly, thank you to Orbit Books and the author, Alex Tamaki for trusting me with an ARC of The Book of Fallen Leaves, in exchange for an honest, un-biased review. The Book of Fallen Leaves is an epic, east-Asian fantasy, filled to the brim with adventure,…
Keep readingThe Beauty and Complexity of ‘This Is How You Lose the Time War’
Title: This Is How You Lose the Time WarAuthor: Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone This is How You Lose the Time War is poetry. The prose and writing is beautiful and flows like a river. But with the beauty of the prose, we have a sacrifice of sense and story. A story of love and war…
Keep readingWhy Addie LaRue Failed to Captivate Me
Book: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueAuthor: V. E. Schwab Oh Addie. You’ve lived so many lifetimes. Yet, you’re such a bore. I don’t understand it. This was one of the top ten Goodreads books in their recent most impactful books list, the ratings are magnificent, influencers and people who’ve read it wax lyrical about…
Keep readingExploring Babel: Language’s Power in Dark Academia
Book: BabelAuthor: R F Kuang Really enjoyed that. I had a lot of people tell me that they didn’t like this. But in contrast I had a lot of people tell me they loved it and I needed to read it asap. Needless to say, I had put off reading Babel for a long while as I…
Keep readingCity Watch Series: Why ‘Feet of Clay’ Stands Out
Book: Feet of ClayAuthor: Terry Pratchett I think this is perhaps my favourite Discworld so far. This is the third entry in the City Watch series, and my 11th (?) Discworld since I started properly reading again. I think my favourite thing about the Watch series are the characters. Knobs, Vimes, Carrot, Colon, Vetenari, Cheery,…
Keep readingBlood Over Bright Haven: A Must-Read Fantasy Novel
Book: Blood Over Bright HavenAuthor: M. L. Wang She’s done it again. I was so worried that Sword of Kaigen would be a standalone feat of fantasy greatness. There was nothing to worry about. Blood Over Bright Haven was sublime. M L Wang writes the oppressed female perspective with such care, focus and attention. Blood…
Keep readingAlan Moore’s The Great When: Complex to a fault
Book: The Great WhenAuthor: Alan Moore Firstly – thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Where do I begin with The Great When? I cannot avoid talking about Moore’s writing style. Or the narrator’s choice of words. So often, nonsensical metaphors and similes detract so much from the story and goings-on, that…
Keep readingGideon the Ninth Review: A Disappointing Fantasy
Book: Gideon the NinthAuthor: Tamsyn Muir That was absolutely, unbelievably okay. Went into this knowing very little and came out feeling a little disappointed. In my head, I saw the reviews, saw the awards and expected it to be a “WOW”, huge fantasy sci-fi, world-spanning epic. Alas, instead we get something that’s a bit more…
Keep readingArtificial Wisdom: A Captivating Science Fiction Novel
Book: Artificial WisdomAuthor: Thomas Weaver That was unexpectedly brilliant. Not because I thought it’d be shit or anything. It was so far from what I expected going into reading it. I expected it to be deep-lore, pure sci fi, and it ended up being more of a thriller/drama/mystery with a splash of science fiction. It felt like…
Keep readingHero of Ages Review: A Masterpiece of Fantasy
Book: The Hero of AgesAuthor: Brandon SandersonGenre: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Epic Fantasy I’m going to review this as a book. Then as a trilogy, so be patient. Hero of Ages was a fabulously paced, and perfect example of why Brandon Sanderson is one of the most prolific and yet widely read fantasy authors of the…
Keep readingExploring Hyperion: A Journey Through Sci-Fi Fiction
Book: HyperionAuthor: Dan SimmonsGenre: Sci Fi, Fiction, Fantasy, Space Epic. No other words would do Hyperion justice. Every page, every story, every sentence felt like the very definition of sci-fi. I grew up on sci-fi films; Fifth Element, Blade Runner, Total Recall. Some campy, some grandiose, but all memorable in shaping my youth and Hyperion…
Keep readingWhy The Sword of Kaigen Is a Must-Read Fantasy
Book: The Sword of KaigenAuthor: M L WangGenre: Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Magic, Asian Literature The Sword of Kaigen is legitimately one of the greatest books I have ever read. The hype is real, please read this story. It is going to be difficult to put this one into words, but I’ll try – so…
Keep readingHannah Kaner’s Sunbringer: A Thrilling LGBT Fantasy
Book: SunbringerAuthor: Hannah KanerGenre: Fantasy, Fiction, LGBT Hannah Kaner well bloody done. That was superb. Godkiller was alright. It was a bit slow, and felt like a prologue and intro to the characters but dragged out across a few hundred pages. I think, understandably, it made me apprehensive to read Sunbringer. Well I was wrong. I was…
Keep readingPandemic Reflections in Short Stories
In the ever-evolving world, the art of forging genuine connections remains timeless. Whether it’s with colleagues, clients, or partners, establishing a genuine rapport paves the way for collaborative success.
Keep readingHaruki Murakami’s Running Reflections: A Unique Memoir
Challenges in business are a given, but it’s our response to them that defines our trajectory. Looking beyond the immediate obstacle, there lies a realm of opportunity and learning.
Keep readingService Model: A Fun Take on AI and Free Will
Every business has a unique potential waiting to be tapped. Recognizing the keys to unlock this growth can set an enterprise on the path to unprecedented success.
Keep readingCary Groner’s The Way: A Spiritual Journey Through Dystopia
The magic that emerges from effective collaboration is undeniable. When diverse minds converge with a shared purpose, the results can be transformative.
Keep readingWhy Brandon Sanderson’s Writing Shines in Well of Ascension
What fosters effective teamwork? It’s not just about grouping individuals together and hoping for the best. It’s about cultivating an environment where trust, open communication, mutual respect, and a shared vision converge.
Keep readingAudiobook Experience with The Hotel Avocado
In an ever-shifting business landscape, adaptability isn’t just a trait—it’s a competitive advantage. Companies that embrace change, learn from challenges, and pivot when necessary are the ones that not only survive but also thrive in uncertain environments.
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