Reviews and Comments

The trials, tribulations, and machinations of a clever boy who grows up to become First Citizen of the Vesani Republic.

As a very Parker protagonist, Basso is clever, exceedingly cunning, and often very charming, and is always ready with a deft solution to obstacles he saw coming far in advance. Well, almost always.

I'm a sucker for a highly competent and clever protagonist, and I really like the bittersweetness that laces Parker's books. TL:DR If you like Parker's novels and writing style, this is yet another enjoyable read.

An astronaut chronicles her mission to far-flung worlds, and desperately hopes that someone reads it.

I didn't enjoy this as much as I've relished previous chambers novels. Perhaps it was the novella format, or maybe the subject. It's still a very Chambers book, but somehow missing whatever gives me a frisson of delight every time I finish one.

Glad I read it, but unlike every other Chambers book I've read, I'll probably not reread it. 5 stars to the title however, love it and where it comes from, and that did elicit a shiver of pleasure!

A thief turned reluctant hero gets isekaied after a house fire, and goes rogue.

Another LitRPG novel, and I'm not entirely sure that I appreciate the stats obsession of the genre. I think I like a little less RPG in my novels. Still a fun read. I didn't enjoy this one was much as “Dungeon Crawler Carl”, nevertheless I'll be reading a couple more because I've been told the kobolds are worth it.

Though blurbed as “darkly funny”, “feminist”, promising a “vindictive marriage therapist”, and using the tagline “revenge is in session”, it was a huge disappointment. It's a tedious book about a dim helicopter parent wallowing in self-pity, her cardboard cut-out “friends”, including a “yummy mummy” caricature, unpleasant husbands, at least one of which is a sex pest, and a child who reads “Dilbert”, all capped with “they all cheered at the end”.

I found it silly, unsatisfying and a waste of time obnoxiously free from anything vaguely fun, or even an iota of revenge. And, Dilbert FFS?!

I did not like this at all. Everything I don't enjoy in literary fiction shows up in this book. Tedious unpleasant people acting in bizarre, unfathomable ways while nothing much really happens, and the ending is supremely unsatisfactory.

I find these kinds of books utterly opaque, and I know it's not the book, it's my brain. Yet, I struggled through it, and actually finished, but I really shouldn't have, I despised every sentence.

A fantasy murder mystery served with a dollop of Pacific Rim, garnished with a hint of The Goblin Emperor, and a tiny sprig of romance. It was nicely written with interesting world-building and enjoyable characters; Ana, in particular, was a delight. The murder plot and its somewhat deflated resolution kept this at a 3-star rating for me. Though the opportunity is rarely afforded in fantasy whodunits, I like to follow along and solve crimes too! While it didn't guarantee a sequel a place on my to-read list, I might try more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to read a digital ARC of Vibrant Watercolor: A creative and colorful exploration into the art of watercolor painting by Geethu Chandramohan.

The book is divided into two main sections, The Basics and Projects. The Basics is split into eight sections detailing tools and materials, watercolour basics, colour theory, watercolour techniques, perspective, composition, light and shadow, landscape painting.

The author includes recommendations and useful tips throughout, and each chapter is full of photographs illustrating concepts introduced in the text.

The remainder of the book consists of 14 projects, which detail step-by-step how to achieve the finished product. The text and photos are clear and seem easy to follow.

This is a very nice book for beginners, and those new to watercolour. I have added it to my wish list along with some watercolour supplies and can't wait to use Geethu Chandramohan's techniques and advice to improve my painting skills.