Little Aiden – A Big Kid Book for Toddlers by Albert Choi


Little Aiden – A Big Kid Book for Toddlers by Albert Choi
Publisher: Mytogo Publishing
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Join Little Aiden on an exciting journey as he transforms from a tiny tot into a daring adventurer! Bursting with curiosity, he’s eager to conquer the world solo. As Aiden grows, he embraces the role of a big kid, confident and ready to take on the world with newfound independence. This heartwarming story of growth and discovery is perfect for family story time.

Big kids get to do so many more things!

One of the things I appreciate most about this series is that it was written in plain, simple language to appeal to toddlers. There is no additional layer of meaning included for adults, and while I also enjoy picture books who take that approach it was refreshing to see the world from a little boy’s perspective who was just beginning to understand why his parents did certain things. Childhood logic is wonderful, and it’s what makes these tales so much fun to read.

I would have liked to see more time spent exploring the consequences of Aiden’s choices. Whether he was being naughty, helpful, curious, or silly, there was space here for him to talk about what he was doing and why he was doing it. If that had happened, I would have happily chosen a five-star rating as his adventures are adorable.

What a gentle story this was. Aiden’s parents were patient and loving with him no matter what was happening in their lives. This included a few amusing scenes of the main character getting into mischief the moment he was left alone. I laughed as I learned about the silly things he did now that he was able to climb and reach higher places than he ever had before. What a true glimpse this was of how toddlers slowly change into preschoolers.

This is the third instalment in a series that can be read in any order.

Little Aiden – A Big Kid Book for Toddlers made me smile.

Days Like Shadows Pass by MS Morris


Days Like Shadows Pass by MS Morris
Publisher: Landmark Media
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Myth. Mystery. Murder.
DCI Tom Raven’s hopes for a few quiet days with his daughter, Hannah, are shattered when a shocking murder plunges him into a macabre mystery in the nearby coastal town of Whitby.

In the hallowed grounds of the ruined abbey, a man lies lifeless: drained of blood and marked by the symbol of a dragon.

As rumours of a vampire-like killer echo through Whitby’s cobbled streets and his own daughter becomes entwined in the town’s dark legends, Raven is forced to play a twisted game of life and death, navigating a deadly maze of myth, mystery and murder.

DCI raven has finally managed to take some well-earned leave and he’s excited his daughter, Hannah is finally able to come and visit him. Only a bizarre case drops in the lap of his team and Raven’s boss insists he take the lead. A local Goth festival has the small coastal town crammed with tourists and costume wearing visitors. One of the regulars has been murdered by having all his blood drained. Can DCI Raven and his team figure out what’s going on?

I’ve been enjoying this Yorkshire series and this book in particular was an excellent addition. I found the murder mystery interesting and complicated enough to really hold onto my attention. All the regular police team characters were there but I found Raven’s daughter, Hannah, to be an excellent addition. Young and interesting but also not really a member of the team I enjoyed her input and felt her character really added a fresh and different twist to the story. I also really enjoyed her open mindedness and hope we might see more of her in some of the future books.

Readers who like British police procedural mysteries should find this an excellent book and not be too worried by the slower pace of the plot. Personally, I find the knottier mystery plots and slower pace complicated enough to maintain my interest and this style of smaller town setting a real bonus in the stories. I’m looking forward to the next in this series.

Aspire To Die by MS Morris


Aspire To Die by MS Morris
Publisher: Landmark Media
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

Lust. Ambition. Murder.
When a beautiful, wealthy student is found dead in her room in Oxford’s most prestigious college, Detective Inspector Bridget Hart is called to investigate. The murdered girl appeared to have no enemies, yet was killed in a brutal and bloody assault.

Haunted and driven by her own personal tragedy, newly promoted DI Bridget Hart has a lot to prove as she leads her first murder case. Her investigation uncovers a tangled web of lies, lust and ambition, and brings her into conflict with powerful interests.

But no one can be above suspicion within the closed and claustrophobic confines of an Oxford college, where students and academics live and work side by side, and a ruthless killer waits to strike again.

When a beautiful, wealthy student is found dead in her room at one of Oxford’s most prestigious universities, DI Bridget Hart is called to investigate. Newly promoted, DI Hart is determined to do her best, only there’s no real evidence and no clear enemies who wish ill upon this young student. Can Bridget sort through what really happened in time?

While I have been enjoying the Tom Raven series by this author this book is the first in a different series revolving around DI Bridget Hart in Oxford. Fast approaching middle age with a teenage daughter I found Bridget to be an enjoyable and relatable character. I feel it’s clear the author is well versed in the location of Oxford and the University setting was both interesting and well integrated into the murder mystery.

I do feel the pace of the story was a little on the slower than usual side. Partly this was because the main characters and other team members really needed to be introduced and they all had to settle in a bit together – so I understand how important that is – but equally there felt to me to be quite a few viable and understandable lines of inquiry that the police team needed to investigate. While a lot of this ended up as red herrings I do feel the author should be commended – at no time did I feel like the story was being padded out and nor did it feel like DI Hart or the team were chasing their tails or falling for false leads.

The plots all felt legitimate but upon reflection it did seem like a larger than usual amount of mess and false leads. I thought this book had loads of atmosphere, good and strong characters and a thoroughly relatable storyline and easiness to be read and binged on. I was a little over half way through the book when I ordered the next one and I’ll happily read that when it arrives. A good new series I am eager to sink my teeth into.

My Only Friend, the End by Steven Owad


My Only Friend, the End by Steven Owad
Publisher: Paper Angel Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Review by Astilbe

Surviving was easy. The hard part—living alone—starts now.

For Owen Bale, life in Great Falls, Montana, is good. He has a loving wife and son, a career as a writer, and plenty of reasons to get up in the morning.

The charmed existence ends one sun-kissed day when everyone in town—maybe everyone everywhere—drops dead. Owen is left alone in a city on fire.

The options now: sit tight and wait for help or seek out survivors. One thing’s certain: if Owen doesn’t move—and move fast—the stresses of the flash extinction will swallow him whole.

He sets out in search of people—and of the cause of the devastation. Cosmic cataclysms. Pandemics. Bio-warfare. Earth has been through five mass extinctions. How do they differ from what’s happened now? Maybe God was behind the carnage. Or little green men. Whatever the answer, why was Owen spared? And if he’s alive, it stands to reason others survived, too. If all people everywhere are in fact gone, will there be any point in going on?

Staying sane and strong in a hostile landscape filled with unexpected dangers would be easier if Owen’s own inner demons weren’t along for the journey. Finding the post-civilization promised land will take every ounce of courage and self-knowledge he can muster.

Survival comes in many forms.

I can’t remember the last time I read a book that was about only one person, and I was curious to see how the author used the smallest cast possible to explore this world. Even the most introverted and shyest among us eventually need companionship, after all, so Owen was dealing with something humans aren’t well-equipped to handle in the long term. Other readers should find out for themselves how this conflict was explored, but it was a breath of fresh air to this longtime fan of the genre.

From the perspective of an invested reader, it would have been helpful to have more details about why everyone died. Obviously, I wasn’t expecting a character who had no scientific or medical background to discover everything there was to know about these mass deaths and why they affected humans in particular, but I was a little disappointed by the answer that was eventually given due to how much time was spent pursuing it. For example, was this something that was likely to happen again or was it a tragic one-time occurrence? Was it a worldwide phenomenon or did it only affect North America? Having a few more answers here would have propelled this into a five-star read for me.

One of my favorite themes involved how Owen looked after his mental health – or, in some scenes, absolutely did not look after his mental health – after everyone died off. He had already experienced a horrible tragedy in his life, so he started off from an even more emotionally difficult place after everyone around him died than someone with a happier past would have had. The raw honesty of these passages was an important part of getting to know this character and understanding what motivated him to keep going as he tried to figure out what happened to all of the dead people around him and what he was going to do next.

I’d recommend My Only Friend, the End to fans of literary and post-apocalyptic fiction alike. These two genres are rarely blended together, so this was a treat!

Cross My Heart by Roxy Sloane


Cross My Heart by Roxy Sloane
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

“Oxford, England. The city of dreaming spires, dark secrets… And desire.”

Anthony St. Clair. The future Duke of Ashford. A reckless enigma… and my greatest temptation.

I’ve come here, to Oxford University, on a mission—to uncover the truth about what happened to my sister—no matter the cost. Until I meet him…

Saint is my passport to a sensual world of wealth and privilege, but something wicked is lurking behind these ivy covered walls. Secrets these people will kill to protect.

Loyalty is everything to them… but will it be my ruin?

Full of twists and turns!

She wants to know what happened to her sister. Then she meets Saint. Her world gets turned upside down and it’s spicy.

The characters are developed and interesting. I have to admit, Saint wasn’t what I expected. Then again, the whole story wasn’t one I expected. I’ve never read a book considered dark academia, but I did like the atmosphere evoked. It was heavy and dark, but yet intriguing. Now, back to Saint. I wasn’t sure what I expected—stodgy maybe, but he’s certainly a ladies’ man. I liked his unabashed quality. Tessa, on the other hand, wasn’t my favorite character. I hoped she’d be stronger in many ways. I can’t put my finger on it, but I just thought she could have more backbone. That’s not to say it’s a bad read. It might not be my cuppa, but it could certainly be others. It’s hot and steamy.

One note, it does end on a cliffhanger, so be warned. The other note is that this is the first book in a trilogy, so answers may certainly come from the second and third books. I’m glad for that.

If you’re looking for a sexy read for a cold evening, then this might be the one for you.

Backwater Bay by Steven Becker


Backwater Bay by Steven Becker
Publisher: The White Marlin Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Review by Snowdrop

How much would it take for you to kill someone close? From Bestselling Author Steven Becker comes a new mystery series: When a body is found floating in the mangroves of Biscayne National Park, Special Agent Kurt Hunter has his first real case. He’s not looking for the spotlight or notoriety—he’s had both with disastrous results. But that seems unavoidable as the trail leads him to South Beach and his introduction to the culture there is anything but comfortable. In the National Parks Service’s version of the witness protection program, Kurt quickly finds out that the pristine waters surrounding Miami are very different from the National Forest he transferred from. Follow Kurt through this new world as he unearths a crooked families greed to solve the case.

In Backwater Bay, Kurt Hunter has been placed in the Fish and Wildlife Service in The Florida Keys. It’s not a landscape nor a temperature he’s totally familiar with, but his home is in a wonderful backwater place where it’s unlikely the people who want to kill him for busting their drug ring in California will find him.

I thought this story started off slowly. It really seemed as if it was Book 2 instead of Book 1 because I was a little confused right at the beginning- like I needed to catch up. I continued to read and was rewarded with a new character that I really enjoyed. Kurt Hunter may have just seemed to be trying to learn his new job, but he’s smart and a little savvy and quite funny at times.

Backwater Bay is my first Steven Becker book. I was hoping against all hope that I liked it because there are 15 books in the series. I enjoyed it, I liked the setting, and I liked the characters. Yippee Kurt Hunter series, here I come.

Free by EB Roshan


Free by EB Roshan
Publisher: Roshan Publishing
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

An accident brought Rex’s career as an interplanetary bodyguard to an abrupt end. Now, he spends his time tending fruit trees and dreaming of his exciting past. One day, he gets an unexpected opportunity to pick up a ray gun again, but things aren’t how he remembered them…

What could be more exciting than exploring outer space?

The world building in this graphic novel was well done. Rex had already had many thrilling adventures by the time the audience met him, and yet there were even greater things still waiting for him. I enjoyed getting to know the fruit moon where Rex had ended up after a terrible accident took his leg and thought this setting was explained nicely. Farming was completely different from what he’d done before, but his coworkers were friendly and the fruit they picked was delicious.

I would have preferred to see a little more character development here. While I liked nearly all of the characters, especially Rex, there wasn’t a lot of time spent displaying his personality or showing how he’d changed as a result of his accident and the years he’d spent as an interplanetary bodyguard. There was plenty of space there to dive into these topics, and I would have gone for a full five-star rating if the author had done that.

Let’s see how much I can share about the ending without sharing spoilers. I thought it was the best part of this tale and perfectly fit everything I’d learned earlier due to how much time was spent showing what made Rex truly happy and which direction his life might head next. It was also something that I wouldn’t necessarily expect from the science fiction genre, so pushing the boundaries of that genre and the audience’s expectations, especially for the middle grade age when it doesn’t seem to happen as often as it does for adult readers, was also a breath of fresh air.

Free was a wild ride.

Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch


Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch
Publisher: Gollancz
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

The Faceless Man, wanted for multiple counts of murder, fraud, and crimes against humanity, has been unmasked and is on the run. Peter Grant, Detective Constable and apprentice wizard, now plays a key role in an unprecedented joint operation to bring him to justice.

But even as the unwieldy might of the Metropolitan Police bears down on its foe, Peter uncovers clues that the Faceless Man, far from being finished, is executing the final stages of a long term plan. A plan that has its roots in London’s two thousand bloody years of history, and could literally bring the city to its knees.

To save his beloved city Peter’s going to need help from his former best friend and colleague–Lesley May–who brutally betrayed him and everything he thought she believed in. And, far worse, he might even have to come to terms with the malevolent supernatural killer and agent of chaos known as Mr Punch….

Detective Constable Peter Grant and Nightingale finally know who The Faceless Man is and their main mission is to now stop him. But when it comes to magic in London – and The Faceless Man in particular – nothing is ever easy, and this time the nefarious plan is already well under way by the time Peter and Nightingale finally feel they might catch up to him.

I have been thoroughly enjoying this series and can highly recommend all the books in the series. While I do feel if readers come fresh to this book having not read any of the previous installments the book is still quite enjoyable and a great paranormal mystery on it’s own merits, I do believe that a lot more connection and enjoyment can be had having read the previous books.

I was really pleased that a lot of the overarching plots got a semblance of conclusion in this book and while there are still plenty of loose threads and clearly more stories to come I do think a lot of readers who have been following along will find this story particularly satisfying.

Readers who enjoy magic and paranormal stories – especially with a bit of mystery and police procedure thrown in – should find this book and this series as a whole highly enjoyable. I absolutely love this series and find the whimsy and even at times laugh out loud craziness is a joy to read. The characters are vibrant and relatable and the plot is delightfully complicated while still having a bit of the messiness and craziness of real life added in.

A great series and one I can strongly enjoy. Recommended.

What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane


What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Dr. Richmond Dougherty is a renowned pediatric surgeon, an infamous tragedy survivor, and a national hero. He’s also very dead—thanks to a fall down the stairs. His neighbors angrily point a finger at the newest Ms. Dougherty, Addison. The sudden marriage to the mysterious young woman only lasted ninety-seven days, and he’d had two suspicious “accidents” during that time. Now Addison is a very rich widow.

As law enforcement starts to circle in on Addison and people in town become increasingly hostile, sides are chosen with Kathryn, Richmond’s high school sweetheart, wife number one, and the mother of his children, leading the fray. Despite rising tensions, Addison is even more driven to forge ahead on the path she charted years ago…

Determined at all costs to unravel Richmond’s legacy, she soon becomes a target—with a shocking note left on her bedroom wall: You will pay. But it will take a lot more than faceless threats to stop Addison. Her plan to marry Richmond then ruin him may have been derailed by his unexpected death, but she’s not done with him yet.

In What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane, the intricacies of human relationships and the moral ambiguities that often accompany them are brought to life through the tumultuous narrative surrounding Addison and Richmond. At first glance, Addison may come across as a morally questionable character, driven by a desire for revenge and fueled by disdain for her husband. However, as the story unfolds, layers of her complexity are revealed, allowing readers to empathize with her plight. In stark contrast, Richmond, a celebrated surgeon, emerges as a character who lacks redeeming qualities, making it difficult to root for him despite his accomplishments. The only semblance of morality within the narrative can be found in Richmond’s children, who serve as a reminder of innocence amidst the chaos that defines the relationships surrounding them.

Addison’s motivations are deeply intertwined with the secrets she harbors about Richmond’s past, which she uses as leverage to manipulate him into leaving his first wife. This act of blackmail reveals not only her desperation but also her desire for agency in a world where she feels powerless. It is this struggle for control that makes Addison relatable, as many readers can understand the desire to reclaim one’s narrative in the face of betrayal. As the story progresses, readers are invited to consider the consequences of Addison’s actions and the lengths she will go to for vindication.

The strength of What the Wife Knew lies in its character development and the building of suspense through layered storytelling. Kane masterfully crafts an atmosphere that keeps readers engaged, not through relentless action, but through an intricate web of secrets, lies, and the impending sense of doom surrounding Richmond’s fate. The narrative thrives on curiosity, compelling readers to question not only the characters’ motivations but also the ethical implications of their choices. In a world rife with moral ambiguity, What the Wife Knew encourages readers to grapple with their own perceptions of right and wrong. The story serves as a reminder that every character has their own set of circumstances that shape their behavior, even if those behaviors are less than admirable. As the plot unfolds, the tension mounts and the death of Richmond serves as a catalyst for further exploration of the characters’ psyches, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of human nature.

In conclusion, Darby Kane’s What the Wife Knew is a captivating exploration of complex characters and the intricacies of personal relationships. Through Addison’s evolution and Richmond’s moral failures, the novel invites readers to question their own judgments and consider the shades of gray that exist within every story. The emotional depth and suspenseful narrative make it a compelling read that lingers long after the final page is turned, leaving readers with a greater appreciation for the multifaceted nature of humanity and the secrets that bind us all.

A Calamity of Noble Houses by Amira Ghenim


A Calamity of Noble Houses by Amira Ghenim
Publisher: Europa Editions
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Tunisia, 1930s. Against the backdrop of a country in turmoil, in search of its identity, the lives and destinies of the members of two important upper-class families of Tunis intertwine: the Ennaifer family, with a rigidly conservative and patriarchal mentality, and the Rassaa, open-minded and progressive.

One terrible night in December 1935, the destiny of both families changes forever when Zbaida Ali Rassaa, the young wife of Mohsen Ennaifer, is accused of having had a clandestine love affair with Tahar Haddad, an intellectual of humble origins known for his union activism and support for women’s rights. The events of that fateful night are told by eleven different narrators, members of the two families, who recall them in different historical moments, from the 1940s to the present day. The result is a complex mosaic of secrets, memories, accusations, regrets, and emotions, taking the reader on an exciting journey through the stories of individuals caught up in the upheavals of history.

Set against the backdrop of Tunisia in the 1930s, readers see a country that is rebelling and trying to find itself. We discover this through the eyes of several characters living through the vibrant energy all around them. Certain things are forbidden and tried anyway.

Zbaida Ali Rassaa is accused of cheating on her husband with Tahar Hadda, a man of humble origins, but quite an interesting one. He is an activist and wants to improve the lot of women. The accusation of infidelity between the two characters creates great trouble for the families. As secrets are uncovered, readers get to know the characters on a more intimate level.

This story is an entertaining way to learn about an exotic culture in times past. It comes across as realistic. Though the book is educational, it is also fun to follow along with the different people being affected throughout the tale. Emotions will be evoked, and readers are sure to have their favorite characters while being thrown into a foreign yet relatable world.