This was a strange read, partially because I amn't used to short stories. Aside from that, it read like multiple different stories, starting with a self-confessed con artist describing how she works, then a great creepy middle section that's a little "The Turn of the Screw"-esque, but the ending was quite disappointing to me. 3⭐

This is sort of the parallel story to the first book, showing what Percy Jackson has been up to while he's been missing. Percy has to go on a quest with some members of the other demigod camp in order to battle the giants, who are planning an attack. 4⭐

Ahh I had forgotten how much fun Rick Riordan's books are. A strange boy appears at Camp Half-Blood and is sent on a quest with some other demigods to rescue Hera, Queen of the Gods. I love feeling like I'm learning while reading a super enjoyable story. 4⭐

Poirot and Hastings meet a young woman called Nick Buckley who appears to have had multiple attempts on her life, and set about solving the mystery. The end of this really took me completely by surprise, as per usual for Agatha Christie. 3.5⭐

Another very enjoyable Poirot mystery (although I'll be honest, I missed Hastings - what is wrong with me?) The mystery was interesting enough but I really enjoyed the characters in this story, especially Katherine Grey. 3.5⭐

This was another fun installation of Poirot, but it's the first which really stretches the imagination - an evil supervillain group who run the world is way outside of the expected Agatha Christie cozy mystery... Enjoyable nonetheless, but not my favourite so far. 3.5⭐

This second installment in the series was a much quicker read than the first book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt while reading it that the plot was moving much more than in the first book - but looking back now, I don't think that too much actually happened to further the plot 😂 3.5⭐

This is set when Florentyna Kane is President, however it is told from the perspective of an FBI agent who uncovers a plot to assassinate her. This book was actually written before the Kane and Abel series, then reworked to include Florentyna as the President, and it shows - it's very different from the earlier two books, with very little perspective from Florentyna at all. It wasn't bad but my least favourite of the three. 2.5⭐

This is the sequel to Kane and Abel, following Abel's daughter Florentyna throughout her life, from childhood to acting as chairman for her father's hotel group, to a life in politics. This was interesting but oddly paced, where a large portion of the book covered what had already been covered in Kane and Abel, while Florentyna's foray into politics seemed rushed. 3⭐

This is a fascinating story following two people born in completely different circumstances - William Kane, born into a wealthy banking family and Abel Rosnovsky, born into poverty in Poland - and how their stories intertwine. Archer is great at developing characters whose actions you completely understand. 3.5⭐

Tiffy has just been through a breakup and needs a cheap place to rent quickly. Leon works nights, has a one bed apartment and needs some extra cash. His solution is to put his flat up for rent as a bed share, looking for someone who works days, so that their paths will never cross. This was such a lovely, sweet read and just what I needed after a lot of fantasy 😊 4⭐

This is the continuation of Kvothe's story, and it was a bit of a disappointment after the first book. It begins with Kvothe at the University, however he has caused too much controversy for the University of late and so decides to spend a term away to let his infamy die down. There was just far too much going on in this book, too many plots to count and everything very strangely paced, and I really felt the book dragged on as a result. 3⭐

This was such a great read. It follows Kvothe, a young boy whose lifelong goal has been to get into the University to become an arcanist (essentially a magician). I loved everything about it, and the pacing was excellent to me, which is not something I usually notice in books. Also, I'm a sucker for books set in a school so I loved the University aspects. 4.5⭐

The final showdown between vampire and vampaneze - I wasnt happy with the ending, but I can't think of any ending to this saga that would have been satisfactory, so I can't really fault that too much. Overall though, highly recommend the saga - they're quick, entertaining, and a good time. 3⭐

Darren travels back to his hometown, where he encounters old friends, old enemies, and a horrifying prophecy regarding his own future. The stage is set for the final showdown with the psychopathic Vampaneze Lord in the final book. 3⭐

This book takes us completely out of the series arc, when Darren and Harkat travel to another place (past? future? another world?) in order to find out who Harkat was in his previous life. While I did like the break from the intensity of the War of the Scars, I felt that a whole book away was too much of a disconnect. I did enjoy the story though. 2.5⭐

The group hunting for the Vampaneze Lord get waylaid when they least expect it - by the human police, who arrest them for the string of murders that have been occurring. Their escape eventually leads them to a showdown with the vampaneze, and some horrifying reveals which leave you screaming at the page. 3⭐

Some familiar faces join Darren, Mr Crepsley, Harkat and Vancha in the hunt for the Vampaneze Lord. Fate draws them back to the city of Mr Crepsley's birth, where they faced their first vampaneze all those years ago. 3⭐

Darren and Mr Crepsley must leave Vampire Mountain on the hunt for the Vampaneze Lord - a prophesied leader who will lead the vampaneze into a victorious war over the vampires. Darren, Mr Crepsley, and the third hunter will have 4 chances to kill the Vampaneze Lord - or doom the vampires to extinction. 3⭐

It's always difficult to keep summarizing as a series goes on, for fear of giving spoilers. When the vampire clan is threatened, Darren shows how courageous and selfless he is, but he also has to deal with a huge betrayal. I've read this book 3-4 times in my life, and it always makes me cry. 4⭐

Darren must prove that he is a worthy half-vampire by passing a set of Trials - gruelling, dangerous tests that only those with courage, skill and luck can survive. We're starting to get a bit darker, a bit gorier, in the series now. I LOVE a book that has a series of tests or trials that the character has to pass - it makes this one of my favourite of the series. 4⭐

Darren and Mr Crepsley, along with a Little Person called Harkat Mulds and a vampire named Gavner Purl, travel to Vampire Mountain for a Council which is held every 12 years. Darren must learn about vampire society and traditions, and be presented as a half-vampire to the Princes - the vampire rulers. 3.5⭐

Mr Crepsley, Darren and Evra travel to the city where Mr Creosley grew up, to investigate a string of murders that have been happening. Darren learns of the existence of the vampaneze - blood cousins to the vampires, but who always kill when they feed. 3.5⭐

Darren is clinging on to his humanity, and refuses to come to grips with his new life as a half-vampire. Mr Crepsley realises that Darren is lonely, so he decides to have them join the Cirque du Freak. These books are so fun - childish at first, so these first few aren't my absolute favourites, but the maturity develops with the series. 3⭐

I decided to reread this childhood favourite series, and I'm so glad I did! In this first instalment, Darren and his friend Steve sneak out to a freak show, but nothing will ever be the same after Steve recognises one of the performers as a vampire. This series starts out innocent enough, but absolutely gets darker as it goes on. 3⭐

This book tells of Rand, Mat and Perrin, three young men from a rural village who must flee their home when it seems that their presence is drawing evil into the village. I don't really know how to describe this book - it's lengthy and complex but full of interesting characters and the plot seems more advanced than expected for the first book in a long series, so I'm hoping that the rest of the series has similar momentum. 3.5⭐

I read this after seeing it was highly recommended by some authors I like, but I'm still not sure I understand what it's about 🤣 I like John LeCarre's writing a lot, but I might need to reread this one to actually get the twists. 3.5⭐

This is a retelling of The Turn Of The Screw, so I wanted to read them one after another. A woman is hired as a nanny to three children in a high-tech smart house, but starts to notice things aren't quite right in the house, and the children seem determined to get rid of her. This is a great, creepy, atmospheric thriller that unsettled me all the way through. 4⭐

This is a story about a governess who is hired to teach two young children in a remote country manor. She soon begins to notice sinister forces around the house, which may or may not involve the children. Or is the isolation affecting her sanity? The writing style of this is difficult to get used to at first, as Henry James never used 1 word where he could use 20 instead, but I really enjoyed the story. 4⭐

This book has some fun background information and interviews with the creators of Death Note. I read what I was interested in, but there was a lot of detail which I didn't consider interesting so I just skimmed.

I'm pretty happy with how this ended - I dont think it could have been concluded satisfactorily in any other way! I do feel that the eliminating of a *certain death* in an earlier volume could have made the finale even better, but... Maybe I'm just bitter 😂

Near begins to implement his plan to prove that Light is Kira, and Light has his own plan to defeat Near. Its interesting to see how they predict what the other will do, in order to try to stay a step ahead of each other at all times. I'm excited to see how this wraps up.

First book of 2020 😊🎉

Near figures out which member of the task force is Kira, and he and Mello work together to keep a close eye on them. Light has chosen an heir to the Kira name and watches as his heir starts to take the Kira killings even more extreme. This volume was definitely less chaotic than the last two, which I appreciated.

I'm really hoping the plots start tying together a bit more in this one, as I've been finding them a little hard to follow in the last few books...

The exchanges between Mello and the task force come to a head, resulting in the loss of one of the task force members. Near becomes convinced that Kira is one of the members of the task force and puts plans in place to get more information by placing doubts in the minds of the task force members. Light is consistently becoming darker, and the plot is becoming harder to follow and even harder to remember.. But I'm hoping it will pull together!

Light is now the newest member of the Japanese NPA, as well as Kira. He has to deal with two new adversaries in the form of Near and Mello, L's protégés who have taken on the Kira case. The task force travel to America to deal with Mello, who has involved the Mafia in his attempts to hunt down Kira. I feel like there is a huge part missing in this story as the result of a death in the previous book, and the web of plot is becoming too tangled...

Light regains his memories of the Death Note after apprehending the newest Kira. Plans he put in place months beforehand finally come to fruition. I am simply not okay with what happened in this book. I'm trying to keep an open mind for what might come, but I just can't see how the story can continue at the super entertaining, high-stakes level it has been thus far.

The investigation into the Yotsuba group members heats up, and the task force discover which of the businessmen has Kira's powers. This volume builds up to an extremely tense, edge-of-your-seat car chase and sort of unmasking, and I Ioved it.

To divert suspicion from himself, Light puts himself into solitary confinement and relinquishes the Death Note, losing all of his memories of it in the process. While he is confined, the Kira killings continue but now seem to be focused on killing for corporate gain. When released, Light starts to help the search for Kira in earnest. The direction of the story seemed to change with this one but it was still enjoyable.

The police are completely thrown by the appearance of a "second Kira", another unknown entity who seems to be able to kill at will. Light meets this second Kira, and comes up with a plan to divert suspicion from himself. Goddammit, these are so much fun.

Yes, yes, yes. What a fun series, and so quick to get through these manga books too! Things are getting more tense in this third installment when L reveals himself to Light and asks for his help investigating the Kira case, while still suspecting Light of actually being Kira.

Tea, a fun book and Gilmore Girls in the background - could there be a more perfect Sunday evening? 😊

Stakes start getting higher in volume 2 when FBI agents are sent to Japan to investigate the "Kira" case, where criminals are dropping dead seemingly of their own accord. Light is determined that he is creating a better world, and the mysterious detective L becomes more involved in the hunt for the killer.

This was my first manga, and I definitely enjoyed it. Light finds a death god's notebook and discovers that any name he writes in it causes that person to die, so he sets about creating a better world where criminals are all dead. However he also starts using this power to ensure that he won't be caught, by killing the people who come looking for him. It's interesting and really well done, and I'm having a good time.

I was a little bit let down by this story. Unfortunately the major twist that happens about half way through was spoiled for me, so I knew that was coming. But I thought, this book is so raved about, there MUST be lots more twists throughout, to keep me guessing until the end, but there wasn't anything. I liked the story and the writing, I just wished that the author had tried to lead us astray some more in the second half.

Okay I'm finally giving up 😂😂😂 I have a problem DNFing books/series which is why I continued with the second book after disliking the first, and now the third... But this series is actually making me hate reading, so its time to say goodbye, and bail on it.

If I thought I didn't like A Discovery Of Witches, I absolutely detested this book. To be completely blunt, this was utterly pointless. The main characters set out to do one thing, to look for a teacher for Diana, and the author proceeded to completely ignore that excuse for a plot and show off all she knows about the 1600's, just in case we forgot that she's a historian. Poor dialogue, character regression, no plot equals zero interest.

Okay... I know this book is super popular. But I did not like it. Boring, tired characters, adults who can't control their tempers and are very suddenly angry at each other for no reason like moody teenagers, very little semblance of plot, writing which was full of clichés and never ever sucked me in to the story... GUYS. I have had full on rants about this book 😂 I'm not a critical reader by any means, but this book ain't it, chief.

I'm excited to start this one, I've heard a lot about it since the TV show came out! Has anybody read it? If so, what did you think? 🧙‍♀️