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TBR Spotlight: A Desolation Called Peace

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This week the random number generator gave me #252, A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine!

An alien armada lurks on the edges of Teixcalaanli space. No one can communicate with it, no one can destroy it, and Fleet Captain Nine Hibiscus is running out of options.

In a desperate attempt at diplomacy with the mysterious invaders, the fleet captain has sent for a diplomatic envoy. Now Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass—still reeling from the recent upheaval in the Empire—face the impossible task of trying to communicate with a hostile entity.

Whether they succeed or fail could change the fate of Teixcalaan forever.

I found A Memory Called Empire utterly fascinating – it’s a dense slowburn of a book, but one with such clever worldbuilding and gorgeously woven culture. It’s sci fi that feels like a lush historical drama. The only reason I haven’t yet picked up its sequel, A Desolation Called Peace, is because I wanted to go back first and reread A Memory Called Empire to make sure I remembered everything I needed to before diving in, as I didn’t want to be confused. I think this is going to be great, though. A lot of people whose opinions I trust have said it’s as good as, if not better than the first book, so I’m very much looking forward to the day I do get to pick this up.

Is this on your list, or have you read it already? I’d love to know your thoughts!

Book Reviews

TBR Spotlight: Girls of Fate and Fury by Natasha Ngan

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This week the random number generator picked a very recent addition to my TBR, #348, Girls of Fate and Fury!

“Don’t struggle, Lei-zhi. It’s time to take you back to the Hidden Palace. You’re going home.”

The final pages of Girls of Storm and Shadow brought a jaw-dropping conclusion that had the fates of Lei and Wren hanging in uncertainty. But one thing was certain – the Hidden Palace was the last place that Lei would ever consider home. The trauma and tragedy she suffered behind those opulent walls would plague her forever. She could not be trapped there with the sadistic king again, especially without Wren.

The last Lei saw of the girl she loved, Wren was fighting an army of soldiers in a furious battle to the death. With the two girls torn apart and each in terrorizing peril, will they find each other again or have their destinies diverged forever?

This is the third and final book in the trilogy that started with Girls of Paper and Fire, the book so good I reviewed it twice! Find my first and second reviews here, and my review of book two here, if you want to catch up on my thoughts about the series so far. This is one of my favourite YA fantasy series, and I’m quite apprehensive to read the finale – my expectations are high, for one thing, but I also know it’s going to be an emotional read. I’ve deliberately steered clear of too much info to avoid spoilers, so I’m going to have to read this one soon!

Book Reviews

Kitten Corner: Autumnal Reads

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The days are getting shorter and the weather’s getting colder, which means autumn’s the perfect time to curl up with a book! These sweet reads all felt really autumnal to me – they were all sent to me for review, but my opinions are my own as always.

Who Said Twit-Twoo? by Becky Davies, illustrated by WYi-Hsuan Wu, from Little Tiger

The previous book we had in this series, Who Said Cheep? was literally loved to pieces, so I’m thrilled to have a new instalment, which is full of nocturnal animals. I will say that the flaps, which are thin card, are not the world’s sturdiest, and they’re easy for little hands to crease and even tear off, so this is definitely one to read under supervision, but it combines flaps and feely bits for a fun interactive read. Animals making the wrong noises is always a hit, and the sweet, gentle artwork makes this a lovely book to look at as well as play with.

Wake Up by Isabel Otter, illustrated by Pau Morgan, from Little Tiger

I’m a big fan of this nature-themed recycled board series, and Wake Up, with all its sleepy animals, is so adorable. The soft colours make this feel very cosy to read, and the peek-through cutouts definitely keep the attention from page to page. I enjoy having a more relaxing read every now and then amidst all the very bright books, and I love that these are a bit more eco-friendly than some very plasticky board books. Wake Up is lovely!

Peekaboo Moon by Camilla Reid, illustrated by Ingela P Arrhenius

Another favourite series! After Peekaboo Sun, I suspected a night-themed book might be next, and it’s just as sweet as I’d hoped. Incorporating the bedtime routine (dinner, bath, toothbrushes, bed), this book is full of sliders that are absolutely perfect for little fingers to do themselves. The big mirror is a huge hit as always!

Under the Stars by Rosie Adams, illustrated by Frances Ives, from Little Tiger

This is a very sweet rhyming book that points out lots of similarities between our lives and those of the wildlife around us. There’s a pleasantly repetitive chorus, which really highlights how much we have in common with the animals, and it has a gentle message of kindness and love for the natural world. I love the soft art style, particularly the watercolour backgrounds and the textures of the feathers and fur – this would make a lovely bedtime read, as it’s very calm and relaxing to look at.