Amalia Gkavea

*Disclaimer- Any comments related to religion, politics and History in general, will receive the treatment initiated by Ivar the Boneless and reserved for his enemies in all his outrageous glory. Meaning that melted gold will burn said comments and those who wrote them will be blocked to oblivion. Seriously, you people who have come to Goodreads to start a fight, don't try my non-existent patience. It will get you nowhere.. Unless you're in for some good swearing to start the day...:) *

When I started writing this review, I took my pen, stopped for a moment and then put it down again. And this happened two-three times. Because how can a mere text communicate all the pain, the horror and death and brutality that became all too tangible and real that night of November, when the City of Light was forced to face a thick, bloody darkness in her beautiful heart? When creatures worse than beasts tried to massacre all that is young and good and hopeful. When madmen blinded by ignorance, false ideals and hatred for what they cannot have, tried to attack the future? Amélie Antoine attempted to pay her own homage to the victims of that nightmarish day and, in my opinion, she succeeded.

The novel follows young men and women, along with their families, during November the 13 2015, when the attack on Paris took place. These fictional characters will find themselves in the Bataclan, one of the most iconic concert halls in Europe, each for their own reasons. The stories are told in three parts, Before, During and After. I can tell you that from a technical point of view, the Before part isn't very good and I bet my bookcases that it's purely the translator's fault. The French language contains many colloquialisms that cannot be easily translated to English and the translator literally butchered the dialogue, ending up with expressions that came across as if from a horrible American teen movie.

However, the aforementioned section is essential to the story. When we, as reader, go through this journey along with the characters, experiencing the different aspects of family life through the eyes of teenagers and adults and when we know what is to come, the impact is even greater. I couldn't help it, my heart was gripped in terror, because this is a nightmare that is too recent and too alive in our minds and in our hearts. The parts of During and After are excellent. They are poignant and written in a way that reminded me of all the darkness and violence and pain that covered Europe that night, without resorting to gory details and melodramatic language that would cheapen the novel.

It is highly hypocritical to say that Antoine tried to make use of the attack for profit. Then, the same can be said for the thousands of stories taking place during the two World Wars, the 9/11 and all the wars that took place throughout the bloody History of what we call mankind. Let us be serious. In my book, Antoine fully succeeded in communicating the feelings that I experiences that night, sitting in front of my TV, staring in disbelief, watching the news all night long. Read it and form your own opinion.

Many thanks to AmazonCrossing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

Beautiful writing, interesting story, haunting atmosphere and flowing dialogue. However, it was a bit predictable, especially for someone like yours truly who has read tons of English Horror Fiction, and too loaded with clichés. I understand that every Horror novel in the world has ‘‘borrowed'' traits from practically everywhere, but as I was reading, I was picturing sequences from either ‘‘The Woman In Black'' or ‘‘The Conjuring''. No full review for this one as others have said all better than me.

It was an enjoyable reading, with quite a few serious scares, but nothing innovative or earth-shuttering. A very decent example of Horror Fiction, containing some of the most haunting passages I've come across recently.

“As the venom streamed down once more, he heard the unmistakable sound of a wolf howling. It would not be long now. Ragnarok had come, and he would see Asgard crushed and burned till he trod on the ashes of all those who had wronged him.”

As an avid reader of Norse Mythology, when I stumble upon someone calling Loki “the greatest villain of all time”, I cannot help but cringe. One of the most fascinating characteristics of the Norse and Greco-Roman pantheons is that there is no cut-out villain (even though Harris tried to portray him so in her absurd, almost farcical “The Gospel of Loki” ), but ambiguous, troubled figures that provide the finest opportunity for a clever and interesting discourse. In my opinion, Loki is among the brightest examples and this is what this novel has achieved. Loki may be the Sly One, the Trickster, the Bringer of Chaos, but he is also a figure with desires, aspirations, driven by an intense feeling of being neglected and fooled. This is how I've always viewed Loki, ever since my first experience with the universe of Norse Mythology. Vasich succeeded in portraying Loki as a complex individual, an anti-hero in all his twisted and extraordinary glory, something that even Gaiman couldn't fully accomplish.

Vasich creates an outstanding account where all the well-known myths we've come to love are included. Where Loki may be at the heart of the story but each deity is masterfully crafted and portrayed. While the gods have their own reasons to resent Loki, Vasich doesn't waste pages to turn his book into a list of condemnations. Freya, Freyr, Tyr, Heimdall, Balder, Thor and of course, the Allfather Odin are very much alive in our pages. We enter their thoughts, their feelings and they become approachable, these larger -than-life figures. These deities aren't void archetypes, nor liveless “heroes” out of silly comics. They are like us, mortals, sharing the same passions and vices.

“The Valkyries flew out from Odin's hall on spectral steeds and sought out those who would become Einherjar. They were known as the Choosers of the Slain, and all mortal men desired to see them, for what greater honor could there be than to be brought to Valhalla to serve the High One?”

Where to start with the wealth of the myths in this novel? The Building of the Wall of Asgard, the kidnapping of Idunn, the Birth of Loki's monstrous offsprings (...and I've always had a soft spot for Hel...), Odin's Ordeal, Balder's death and Loki's punishment. One of the things that make this novel special is that it brings many of the familiar Norse figures into the spotlight. It doesn't feature the deities exclusively. The Valkyries, the Einherjar, Odin's army of the chosen dead warriors, Fenrir -my favourite beast-, Sleipnir and many more mythological creatures are given a fair share of the narration.There is an interesting juxtaposition between the sagas and the writer's version of each myth.The abrupt aging of the gods after the theft of Idunn and her apples of Youth is a striking scene. The breaking of Gleipnir and the release of Loki are perhaps the most exciting moments. And naturally, the sequence of Ragnarok is the culmination to a perfect journey with Vasich's Loki. Pet peeve: the names of the Valkyries and the Norns are translated into English. I'd much prefer to remain in Old Norse. Also, I missed Skadi, Njord and Frigg....

I don't have anything more to add. This is the finest novel inspired by Norse Mythology I've ever read. It is even better than Gaiman's version, it is a masterpiece...

“He could well understand why they feared him. He was the Terrible One, the Hanged God, the Lord of the Gallows. He was the god of mystery, magic, and death, and the tales of his exploits were not sung by drunk warriors seeking to pluck up their own courage for an upcoming battle. Instead, they were tales to frighten small children, and grown men as well. They were grim tales of death and its certainty, the shade of One Eye appearing to send one to Niflheim with a thrust of his spear or a gaze from his eye. He was not a god to be loved; he was a god to be feared.”

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

“It doesn't matter who remembers what, I guess, so long as somebody remembers something.”

“Goodbye, Vitamin” came highly recommended by many people whose opinion I trust and I had high hopes. I expected to enjoy it- if such a verb can be used in this context - but I didn't expect to love it so much. It was a novel that moved me deeply and made me lose my stop in the Tube on my way back from work. And this happens extremely rarely, so you understand how much it influenced me.

Ruth returns home to help her mother as her has been diagnosed with Alzheimer. He used to be an esteemed and beloved professor, but now? He's not even allowed to set foot in the campus, a rule imposed by a vindictive former colleague. So, the situation at home is very demanding. In addition, Ruth's private life has its own difficulties. Her career has stalled and her relationship has fallen apart as a result of her fiancé's infidelity.

Ruth has an awful load on her shoulders and her minor and major daily trials are described in a contemporary, humorous language that is balanced and immediate, managing to communicate so many things almost without saying anything. Khong uses the diary technique to have Ruth narrate her story. At the same time, we are shown Howard's “letters” to his young daughter that are touching, sweet and a beautiful mirror to the wonderful interactions between a parent and a child. There is little dialogue and many poetic, almost dreamy, passages about Ruth's life before and after this eventful year. Her thoughts and confessions, her effort to reminisce about the past in order to understand the present is our vehicle to the story, but I didn't find this alienating. On the contrary, entering her mind made me understand and appreciate Ruth and her surroundings even better.

This girl is a delightful character. I loved her and connected with her from the start. She is a tricky one, though. She is brave and resourceful and refuses to give up, but she has many moments of weakness and sometimes, she is too severe with herself. At the hands of a less capable writer, Ruth would have become unlikable, drowned in puddles of melodramatic self -pity. However, Khong knows her Art and, in my opinion, she succeeded in creating a highly memorable heroine that is real, approachable and very interesting. Khong manages to compose fully-developed characters within a limited number of pages. I felt that there was an aura of mystery surrounding Howard, as a father and a husband, as a professor. Linus and Theo were very sympathetic, as well. I can't say the same for Ruth's mother, but she had her reasons.

This book is like a beautiful breeze. Khong chose to deal with a very difficult subject as Alzheimer is one of the central issues that are addressed in our society. Judging from myself and from discussions with young and elderly people, this disease constitutes one of our major fears. How would it feel if our parents weren't able to recognize us? How would it be if we were unable to recognize our children? It is too frightening....Books such as this one provide a more optimistic perspective and Khong uses humour mixed with sadness to create a bittersweet novel that never becomes disrespectful or light. It's the kind of book that should be read in order to be felt and one more bright example to the endless list of Contemporary Fiction diamonds.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

One of the strongest traits of Contemporary American Literature is the Short Story. A genre that can be more touching and powerful than the Novel when done right, serving a long tradition of exceptional short - story writers. I've always been an avid reader of short stories. The open ending, the ambiguity, the uncertain resolution or complete lack of it, appeal to me and this collection by Scott O'Connor is among the finest I've read so far. Complex themes, antiheroes, stories that are bound to take you on an intense emotional journey. Beware, though. It is probable that the course will be uncomfortable...

“Hold On”: An immensely moving story about a survivor who is trying to cope with the aftermath, the severe alterations in his life, and to discover the identity of the woman whose voice helped him to hold on to life.
“It Was Over So Quickly, Doug” : A gang shoot -out in a coffeeshop told from the perspectives of three people who couldn't be more different.
“Jane's Wife”: Two women go through the implications of their troubled marriage within the context of the 2016 Presidential elections in the USA. I wasn't satisfied with this story, to be honest. I found it unnecessarily melodramatic and a bit of a gimmick with two very unsympathetic, selfish and absurd protagonists.
“Golden State”: A young mother and her teenage son move to California from New York, chasing an irrational dream. The story touches upon the frenzy over TV shows, the hypocrisy of the suburbs, the feeling of being the “new face” in the neighbourhood. Still, the tone of it is light, bittersweet and hopeful.
“Interstellar Space” : A moving, eerie story taking place in the late 70s. Two sisters are fighting with the imposing enemy of mental illness.
“In the Red”: A bunch of despicable men take part in an anger management class. Jonas, possibly the least despicable of them but not less of a criminal, tries to find some escape through a TV sales programme.
“Flicker”: A story that starts with the echoes of frustration from an unsuccessful actor becomes a tragic research on love, death and remembrance.
“Soldiers”: A bully from a broken family, a boy with a drunkard father and an exhausted, indifferent mother, learns a good lesson from three siblings. An ugly story with an ending that offers plenty to think of.
“The Plagiarist” : A well-known writer of short stories is exposed as an utter fraud.
“Colnago Super”: A young bicycle - thief is determined to find a missing boy. This was one of the most touching stories of the collection.

These stories don't need many words. O'Connor doesn't shy away from issues that are universal, relevant to our troubled modern times, and chooses characters that come from all walks of life, different backgrounds, teenagers and adults. They are shady -even the children and morally ambiguous, troubled, confused, tortured and haunted by the past and by their own guilt. Some of them are immoral, verging on the territory of “despicable”, but the power of O'Connor's writing is such that draws you in and make you care for them. You want them either to be punished or to find some kind of absolution, a new will to change their way.

The overall tone isn't happy. None of them is a “feel-good” story and I wouldn't like them if they were. Life isn't made of unicorns and rainbows and fantasy creatures. These stories are real. They are grey and sad, full of desperation, exhaustion and pain, difficult, toiling and demanding, like most things in life. But a glimpse of hope is always present, kind of escape, even momentarily. The state of California, its areas, its people, the particular way of life, becomes a character in its own and Thalassa (the Greek word for “sea”) is always present along with the hills and the nightly sky. But the Golden State of O'Connor hides a multitude of coals, in a universe that is far from perfect. A universe that is real and absolute.

Many thanks to Scout Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

‘'I must tell my story...Oh God, let me not go mad! ‘'

I won't lie. I am a sworn Shakespeare purist and there is nothing that can alter my mind. My opinion on the Hogarth Shakespeare series is somehow divided. I adored ‘'Vinegar Girl'' and I look forward to Nesbo's ‘'Macbeth'', while ‘'Hag-Seed'' will find a place in my wintry reads. ‘'King Lear'' is one of those plays that have haunted me ever since I read it, some 15-odd years ago. I haven't had the chance to attend a live performance yet, but Shakespeare's words and the figure of this highly troubling and troubled, tormented man are so powerful that spring alive from the page. Now, with this in mind, I can tell you that ‘'Dunbar'' seemed to me an uneven retelling. Naturally, no writer is Shakespeare and it is more than apparent in most of the retellings. With this novel, I venture to say that the readers who have not yet read ‘'King Lear'' are likely to enjoy it and appreciate it even more. I couldn't...

Henry Dunbar is a mass media mogul. A widower with three daughters, Abigail, Megan and Florence (... as in Goneril, Regan and Cordelia...) Having practically disinherited Florence for being unwilling to dedicate herself to the company, Abby and Megan are given her own share of the fortune. And what do they do? They ‘'imprison'' him in an asylum in Manchester. What happens next would be easy to guess if you read ‘'King Lear''.

The characters were the mightiest disappointment, in my opinion. Besides Dunbar and Florence, who are strong equivalents of their original versions, and Chris who somehow stands for the King of France, the rest are not good enough to support such an effort. Wilson, is a hybrid between Gloucester and Kent, but lacks the tragic nature of the Duke and the savviness of Kent and if Dr. Bob is Edmund, then I am Ophelia...He is not powerful enough to make for a convincing antagonist. Now, in my opinion, the characters of Abigail and Megan significantly lowered the quality of the entire novel. They had no strength of presence like Goneril and Regan, and they had no motive. They existed just to be evil and the writer tried too hard to make them appear as such. They had no personality, no evil maturity and menace like the villains in Shakespeare. They just swear, talk to each other while hallucinating and have sex with any male that crosses their path. There was too much emphasis on sex with these women, destroying any hint of a sinister atmosphere and all it accomplished was for them to be reduced to sex-crazed psychopaths, characters that escaped from those rubbish-quality paperbacks with the disgusting front covers.... I don't claim to know the writer's intentions, but it was cheap and disrespectful. The way I see it, he lacked the deep insight into the human nature.

‘'Who can tell me who I am? Who I really am?''

With Dunbar, the futility and remorse of Lear, is clearly and brilliantly depicted. The whole essence of his ordeal was faithful and respectful of its source. The agony to right the wrongs and to escape a world that demands you to be mad is tense and vivid. The scenes of Dunbar's time in hiding and his thoughts of remorse echo Lear's tribulations. Florence's fears for her father and her struggle to protect him from her sisters are well-depicted without being melodramatic. However, the dialogue was rather average and the fact that there were scattered quotes from ‘'King Lear'' throughout didn't help. It rather alienated me, to be honest. The overall writing isn't powerful enough to explore the complexity of the themes of identity and despair of ‘'King Lear'' and at times, the story became too action-driven and too family drama both of which aren't to my liking.

‘'No mercy. In this world or the next.''

The problem is that Dunbar's words fall empty. The end, although it was to be expected, was no less bitter and shocking. However, it wasn't convincing enough. I found it to be abrupt and lacking in justice and resolution, the catharsis (however limited) that is communicated in the final Act of the masterpiece. Dunbar may call for no mercy, but there's noone to hear his words. Perhaps, you will claim that I should judge the book as a work on its own. You will be probably right and I'd still give it the rating I did. The thing is that it's not a work on its own. It's a retelling of Shakespeare's great tragedy and bound to be compared. It cannot stand the comparison, I'm afraid. The finest writers in the world could try to rewrite one of his plays and they would still fall short.

So, as it stands for me, the writer dropped the ball in certain important moments with momentary satisfying highlights. But merely ‘'satisfying'' doesn't do, in my opinion. There was no shuttering moments, no dagger nailed into the heart when witnessing the characters' ordeal, because the writer doesn't allow us to experience it fully and convincingly. Therefore, I believe that even the 3 stars may be too generous...

Many thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

Well, I don't know... I don't know where to begin with this one. When you finish a book and the first thing that comes to your mind is “I won't write a review on this one”, then things are quite bleak. The two stars are for the effort and the fact that Karl was an acceptable character in an array of cardboard cutouts, in a story that wanted to be “dystopian” because the genre is currently fashionable. Honestly, perhaps authors should give it a rest and try their luck with a different subject. Dystopian novels require immense capabilities on the part of the author. In my opinion, Kennard would be excellent in a psychological or domestic drama. The dystopian universe, however, is very demanding....

Our main characters are Karl and Genevieve, a young married couple. Karl has failed to fulfill his tax obligations and the two have no alternative but to sign up as participants in a shady organization called “The Transition”. They start living in the house of Stu and Janna, another highly dysfunctional couple, they're stripped of their wages, their privacy, even the right to choose their food each day. One day, Karl decides that enough is enough. The problem is that when I reached that point, I had stopped caring.

Karl is somewhat sympathetic and guilty for certain miscalculated financial choices. He doesn't really try to make amends and behaves as if the solution will be miraculously given to him on a silver platter. Genevieve is horrible. Highly unlikable, irrational, stupid, hiding her selfishness and insecurities behind the “mental issues” smoke screen. She is so devoid of any kind of feeling that I felt she was quite a bit unrealistic and couldn't take her seriously. Moreover, the writer puts some pretty ugly words about the teaching profession in her mouth that disgusted me and infuriated me. Stu and Janna are completely unimpressive even though they're supposed too be the main antagonists. Just no....

I fear the writing wasn't what I expect to find in a book. There were a few moments of brightness and coherence, but for the most part, the dialogue was poor, the implications of the characters' choices led to nothing and the themes that Kennard chose to communicate were probably too much for his abilities. The conclusion of the story was weak, rushed, anemic. It left me feeling nothing and a dystopian novel shouldn't do that.

A friend told me that the plot reminded him of Atwood's “The Heart Goes Last” which I am planning to start very soon. But mentioning Atwood here is sacrilege. Many reviewers seem to like “The Transition”. To me, this wasn't a good Dystopian novel. It wasn't even a good book. I felt no coming threat, everything was too predictable, too “soft”, too horrible Netflix -inspired dialogue and an overall poor execution. And once again, I cannot help but wonder how many more wannabe -Dystopian novels does our world need?

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

“Sometimes they're angry. They hate being stuck.”

This was one of my most anticipated scheduled reads for the year. It felt appropriate for the beginning of the winter, since November calls for stories with supernatural twists. The title and the front cover set the scenery. This proved to be a story rich in atmosphere, local lore and with an engaging plot line. And it was also an example of how fast can a certain 5-stars read become a 3 within 120 pages...In my opinion...

The story follows two different plot lines that are obviously connected to each other. Set in West Hall, Vermont, a land of witches and dark woods, we initially find ourselves in 1908 when Sara loses what is most precious and dearest to her. Her daughter. And she wants her to return close to her. In our present times, two girls living in Sara's house, discover their mother is missing. Another woman, Katherine, wants to find answers to her husband's death. These stories are linked by a common denominator, a strange, nameless threat that lurks in the woods.

The atmosphere is excellent. Actually, it's beyond excellent. It's exemplary both in construction and execution. McMahon creates a setting that draws you in from the very start. Girls are disappearing without a trace, animals are found dead, violently killed, the children are locked in their houses once darkness falls. The land is mysterious, there are whispers of witches living in caves, spirits making their home inside tree trunks. As I was reading, I could honestly feel the cold wind, I could picture the wintry woods, I could hear boots walking with heavy steps upon the snow. The plot, although supernatural in essence, was quite believable and there were many domestic scenes that were chilling and foreboding. These features in combination with Sara, Ruthie and Fawn, who are very interesting characters, made me certain that this would be a wonderful novel. And then a character was brought in and everything changed...

Although the descriptive parts were brilliant, the dialogue wasn't worthy of laurels. It was acceptable (and merely passable at times) since there was too much repetition and quite a few stiff interactions. When this creature Candace came along, a nightmare started. She did a major harm to the novel and the story would have been a 100 times better without her. The dialogue became cringe - worthy, the characters' actions became absurd, the whole construction was torn down. She seemed to have sprung out of a low-quality chick-thriller book (or film, a genre that I deeply loathe) and she sounded like a poorly thought-out villain.The quality of the novel was brought down to a significant degree.

The other thing that disappointed me was the absurdity of the conclusion, if I may call it thus. The motive was implausible, the perpetrator was highly unlikely and not as a twist, but as a frightfully inconsistent choice. Furthermore, the whole plot seemed laughable during the last 100 pages. I may sound harsh but this is how I felt. The line between haunting and unexplained and ridiculous is very thin and I'm afraid that the last steps of the story walked towards the latter.

I recommend the book, though. I really do. It is “Halloween - approved” and the writer knows how to set the pawns. But how do I rate a book that was 5-stars material until the 50% mark and then fell into the 2-stars abyss? I know that most people will enjoy it. It's just that I wanted more but what I got was very little. It was another case of expectations ending unfulfilled. May you fare better...

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

‘'The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.'' H.P. Lovecraft

Starting this book, I had the belief that nothing new was in store for me. That it would possibly prove to be a satisfying read on the Paranormal field but with little new to offer. Well, I was wrong. It was very well-written with some exciting changes from the norms that made it all the more interesting.

The title ‘'Monstrous Creatures'' is a bit misleading. I suppose the word ‘'monstrous'' is loosely used to signify something unnatural, threatening and evil. Something that we cannot understand, something that repels us. In this volume, we find a well-balanced array of traditions from all over the world, folklore from the five continents, although the emphasis is on the Anglo-Saxon world since the written testimonies are heavily broader and properly documented. Vampires, werewolves, the living dead, mysterious creatures of the sea, anthropomorphic being lurking in dark woods, dark entities responsible for dark deeds. There are spirits, superstitions and beliefs that go back ages and ages ago and yet, they are very much alive in our time.

There are two things that I found refreshing and worthy of praise, in my opinion. For starters, the narration is very vivid, very interesting, thoughtful and sincere. The writer comes across as a level-headed person, witty and respectful of the subject. He doesn't downgrade it, he doesn't turn it into a smartarse satire. He walks the thin line between the believer and the sceptic comfortably and I found myself in absolute agreement with his views. What makes this book special, in my opinion, is the fact that it links beliefs and traditions of the past with extremely recent unexplained occurrences. We're talking about phenomena that were reported in the 60s, the 70s, all the way to our decade. The fact that stories whose roots can be found in the past still seem to concern us certainly gives food for thought. I admit that many of the stories- and quite a few were unknown to me- were eerie and chilling. The experience was enhanced by the simple yet effective black-and-white illustrations and I cannot help but give extra points to Aaron Mahnke for the Hannibal (TV series) reference. Nothing beats Mads and his culinary skills. Or any other of his skills and yes, this was totally inappropriate...

So, it takes a lot to impress a reader who has read extensively on the Paranormal subject, but this book managed to do it. I consider myself leaning more towards the believer's side with a significant dose of doubt (because who knows for sure, right....?) and many of the questions Mahnke poses had me thinking. This is a book that sceptics and believers will enjoy since the writer doesn't provide answers. He simply states the facts. Speaking for myself, I was a bit influenced and each night I read it (because I obviously such things in the late hours...), I double-checked to make sure the cross I keep on my bedside table was there. It doesn't hurt to be cautious....

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

‘'Are you lost? Are you afraid? Are you a child at heart?''

I never thought that there would ever be another book that would make me experience all the emotions The Night Circus brought to surface. The awe, the magic, the sadness and the hope. Naturally, I was immediately drawn to the story of ‘'The Toymakers'', but I thought that it would be an elegant fairytale, a book to prepare me for the festive reads of this year's Christmas that's fastly approaching. But this novel by Robert Dinsdale proved to be so much more. A gem of beautiful quotes, vivid characters, exceptional writing. A fairytale for grown-ups, a creation where life is seen at its most majestic and its darkest moments.

Dinsdale has created a striking Prologue, written in a fascinating contemporary version of Dickensian language that is natural, flowing and poetic. So we are immediately transferred to the magical world of Papa Jack's Emporium, a toyshop that opens with the first frost and closes when the snowdrops start blooming again...It's a toyshop in the heart of London, but unlike any toyshop we've ever seen. Magic makes its home inside its walls and this is where Cathy, a young woman in need of safety, finds her way under difficult circumstances. Papa Jack and his two sons, Kaspar and Emil, offer refuge and the journey begins...

‘'It was the first frost of winter this morning. We don't turn folk away, not on first frost.''

The story is centered around Kaspar and Emil's battle for the control of the Emporium and the affection of Jack and Cathy through her eyes, in a saga - because that's what it is- that starts in 1907 and concludes in 1953. We go through the two devastating World Wars and the ongoing fight between the two brothers. The themes of love, loyalty and war are the ones that guide the story further. How hatred and affection are separated by a thin line, how war can wound our souls more than it can ever hurt our bodies. Dinsdale writes and magic and beauty flow through his words, but at the same time, he doesn't shy away from darkness, pain and death. Jack's background story of his imprisonment in Siberia is harrowing. As the Great War sheds its horrible shadow over Europe, the Emporium doesn't remain unscathed and not only because of Papa's nationality. The post-traumatic shock effect, the abominable ‘'white feather'' incidents are brilliantly woven into the story, a dark reality to remind us of our bleak human nature amidst the otherworldly beauty of being a child. At the same time, there are scenes of ethereal, whimsical poetry, such as the night lights and the opening day of the shop year after year.

The characters of Jack, Cathy, Kaspar and Martha are beautiful, strong, complex. Cathy is our eyes to the story and her strength, grace and loyalty are features that make her an extremely memorable protagonist. Martha is the exact, perfect copy of her mother. Jack is the rock that supports the construction of a turbulent lifetime and Kaspar is one of the most complex characters I've recently come across. On the other hand, Emil and Nina are horrible. I couldn't stand them, I hated them so much...He is whiny, insecure, irritating, selfish. Nina is absolutely stupid, an utterly uneducated egoist, unlikable to the core. They were pretty well-matched and helped in making Cathy and Kaspar even more perfect.

This novel is full of changes and implications and I try to safely step into the no-man's land of spoilers. It starts like a fairytale, with a vague aura of ‘'The Night Circus'' and a warm, cozy feeling of a late-Victorian Christmas read, haunting and dreamy. And it grows and becomes darker and darker. Darkened by a world drowned in blood and madness, by a man's desire for control and self-assurance. Give yourselves the chance to experience a beautiful, bittersweet example of Historical Fiction and Magical Realism. Suspend all your realistic expectations, suspend disbelief and let yourselves enter the world of Emporium, where everything has a mind and life of its own. Where the aisles become a metaphor for every passion, strength and loss in our lives.

Many thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

“She was the gatekeeper at the edge of the world. The final human hymn before all fell to wind and shadow and the strange crooning of stars. She was a pagan chorus. An older song.”

One of the most exciting and nervous moments in the life of a dedicated reader is the minute we open the next book by a writer who produced a masterpiece whose roots are planted deep in our soul, a novel that has never really left our mind since the last page was turned. In this case, I'm talking about Hannah Kent and her debut novel “Burial Rites”. I think the vast majority of those who read it adored it and those who didn't still found many things to appreciate. Her sophomore effort is no less exciting, beautiful, haunting and agonizing. The only exception is the lack of a character who could rival Agnes' powerful voice and convictions. The three women in “The Good People” don't even come close, but it doesn't matter because the mysticism that flows through Kent's exquisite own makes this novel a 5-star read.

-They say there's portent in the direction of a new year's wind.-What does a wind from the west bring?-Please God, a better year than last.

The previous year has brought all kinds of misfortune for Nora. She lost her daughter to a sudden, wasting disease, her husband collapsed after a heart attack and she is left with her grandson, Micheál, who has lost the power of his legs, his speech and his mind. She hires a young woman, Mary, to aid her with her load and pays frequent visits to Nanche, an old woman who claims to possess the intimate knowledge of herbs and fairies. The three women are our ears and ears in the story, each one different in her fears, but with the feeling of despair and helplessness for things beyond their understanding.

“Such a dark season of death and strangeness.”

Kent sets her story perfectly. Strange accidents are taking place, the hens and the chickens are not producing their goods as before, the cold is unusually severe, the fog is too thick, the sun has darkened. For a community that is steeped in superstition and gossiping, these events mean only one thing. The Evil Eye is upon them and they are certain that more wrongs will follow.

“They have always been here. They are as old as the sea.”

The Good People of the title are the Fairy Folk, the main stars in the tradition that has shaped a great part of the outstanding Irish Folk we have all come to love. Nanche believed that all misfortunes have been caused by the creatures of the world beyond and takes it upon herself to right the wrong. Whether she can do it or not is another matter. Her ally is Nora who, driven by her losses, is eager to put the blame on someone who is different, unwanted, unable to defend himself against the madness of a dark time.

“Don't be questioning the old ways.”

At the heart of the story lies the legend of the Changeling. According to tradition, the fairies used to steal human babies from their cradles and leave a child of their own in their place. The fairy child was different in shape and spirit and considered evil by the community. Nora is convinced that the boy is responsible for everything, aided by Nanche. But Mary, whose bright mind is free from superstitions, has come to bond with the boy, much to Nora's dismay.

The writing in this novel is nothing short of outstanding. It is simple, mystical, poetic and loaded with tradition. Kent inserts a plethora of traditional Irish customs and superstitions in the narration, many of which play a significant part in the development of the story. Apart from an exquisite plot, this book is a wonderful folk study of the Emerald Island. It is intriguing to witness the way the superstitions shaped and controlled the lives of the residents in the past. And they still do, albeit to a much small extent. The language is beautiful, the interactions are written with respect to the setting of the story, but there are no idioms that would present problems to those who aren't familiar with the Irish dialects. The ambiguity of the convictions of the people is very effective and it was refreshing to see that there isn't much focus on a rivalry between Religion and Tradition. Apart from the local priest who tries to make the people see some sense, the villagers have fully embraced a combination of Christianity and the Old Ways. The problem is that the balance is very uneven....

The characters of the three women are very well-written, interesting but can't be compared to Agnes of “Burial Rites”. Still, Kent takes us on a journey in three very different souls. Nanche and Nora are almost fanatics and Nora is a rather contradictory character, since she is against gossips but very much in fear of the Evil Eye. I can't say that I sympathized with her. I understand the depth of her pain, but she was so thick-headed and unfair. To use a well-known equivalent, she reminded me of the cruelty and narrow-mindedness of Catelyn Stark. Too bad no wedding was in sight...Nanche is very ambiguous. I still can't decide whether she truly believed in what she did or it was her excuse to make herself useful. Mary is a character that shines. She seems to live in the periphery of the action, but I feel that her importance is significant. She is like us in a sense, watching and bonding with the poor, blameless child, feeling unable to stop what is coming. I fully sided with her decisions and convictions.

Hannah Kent is a born writer. Her pen is magic, her ideas and characters jump out of the page, people of their time and place but people like us. This book is a hymn to the rich Irish tradition, a mystical, haunting, dark, violent journey to places and ideas of a more innocent, more ignorant era. It is a novel to be cherished and appreciated by readers who desire meaningful stories and knowledge in the hands of a trusted artist. It is a human study of the darkest hours of our existence, when we're faced with despair and death and don't know in whom to trust our hopes. It is a book by Hannah Kent. This should be reason enough for you to read it....

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

‘'Think of me sometimes'', he returned, ‘'When the snowdrops have bloomed and the snow has melted.''

Moving on to the 2nd book of the trilogy immediately after finishing the 1st volume was a no-brainer and from the very first pages, I knew that this would prove to be an exciting journey. Well, ‘'exciting'' is an understatement actually. In my opinion, this was a rollercoaster of images, of characters and emotions. It was better than that the 1st part of the Winternight series and its atmosphere was more ‘'Russian'', more faithful to the original legend, more authentic.

In the rare cases in which I have dedicated my reading time to a trilogy, I've found that the 2nd book is usually my favourite. It happened with ‘'The Lord of the Rings'' and with the Grisha Trilogy.So, ‘'The Girl in the Tower'' was no exception. We delve right into action from the opening pages and continue in a whirlwind, because Arden achieves a much-needed balance between the action parts, the interactions of the characters and the descriptions of the life in the rural communities and the glorious city of Moscow. The lavishness of the capital juxtaposed with the threats that are lurking in the frozen woods is beautifully executed. In fact, I have nothing but praise for Arden's writing in this installment.

What I really appreciated is the fact that Arden doesn't dwell much in the events of the 1st part and prefers to refer to them occasionally and in context with the current events and their implications. After all, it wouldn't be wise to start a trilogy from the 2nd part. She is a really capable writer and her writing here is mature, engaging and haunting, fully doing justice to the beautiful wintry fairy tales from the land of the Rus.There is not a single trace of YA tropes and norms in this novel, and despite the extensive presence of characters of a world beyond our own, this reads more like a Historical Fiction book, rather than a fantasy. The elements of legends are here, but they are finely woven into the narration and they are part of the action, not mere gimmicks. There is a beautiful reference to the Snow-Maiden, the fairytales that provided the inspiration for Eowyn Ivey's masterpiece ‘'The Snow Child'' . You'll read about the Firebird, the horse with the golden mane, the goddesses of Morning, Midday and Midnight, the Gamayun and many familiar Russian mythical figures. I also have to say that I was impressed with the way Arden treated the Tatars' raids subplot. Without being too graphic, she creates a shadow that looms over our heroine and over the residents of the country. The shadow of a threat that is far more real than any demons or evil spirits.

The characters are extremely well-written. Vasya is more mature, but no less intelligent, feisty, brave and kind than we knew her. Still, the complications that come from experiencing certain disturbing feelings may weigh down on her. Morozko's presence is electrifying, a larger-than- life figure and a battlefield in which the man and the immortal try to prevail against each other. The moments between him and Vasya are the highlights of the novel. We meet a few new characters and come to know certain previously introduced ones even better, but I'd be thoughtless if I didn't mention Sergei, a monk who is Sasha's mentor and a wonderful character that really stood out. Olya, on the other hand, was too irritating for my troubled patience...

So, those of you who have read the 1st book, don't tally:) Read the 2nd volume as soon as you can, because you don't want to miss the experience. I loved this book, you know. I really, really loved it. As a Historical Fiction, as a beautiful fairytale, as an avid reader and lover of Russian Folk tradition and Literature. This is a book that celebrates womanhood, love, the fight to surpass the obstacles and remain true to your principles...

‘'You are immortal, and perhaps I seem small to you'', she said at last fiercely. ‘'But my life is not your game.''

Many thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

‘'All my mistakes are my own.''

This is a novel about having the ability to commit your own mistakes and learn that something good may come from ill choices. It is a novel about not giving in to despair and hardship, about ignoring all the do-gooders and obey your heart, no matter the consequences. It is a novel about love and acceptance and the sacred, eternal bond between a mother and a daughter. It is a bright example of Literary Fiction and one of the most poetic, ethereal novels I've read this year. There are so many beautiful reviews on this book, so I haven't got much to add. Still, I read a comment stating that the positive reviews exist because we're afraid (!) to say the truth. Well, try and picture this: some of us have actually enjoyed it...I never, ever comment on opinions, but this remark was rude and offensive and insensitive. Some need to learn that there are opinions which are different and we can discuss without calling names. So, if we write a negative review, we are honest and if we write a positive review, we are liars? Just because our tastes as readers differ? In which universe do those people live, I wonder...Anyway. End of rant.

Angela is a lovely and lively girl who lives with her mother in a village in Ukraine, during our times. The father is nowhere to be seen and her mother is slowly descending into depression, no matter how hard she tries to fight against it. Angela understands her deterioration and is torn between blaming herself and trying to help Lyuda stand on her feet. She realises that a benevolent, nightly spirit watches over them and perhaps, the healing process is about to begin. But it is far from easy and the end is anything but guaranteed.

This is a very difficult book to review because it creates so many thoughts the reader needs to absorb. The writing is exquisite, it is literary and poetic, but I found it approachable enough if one is willing to dedicate time and thought. The story is simple but told in an elegant, mysterious, haunting kind of language and the voices of the three women of the family can be clearly heard and are brilliantly constructed and direct. Meriel manages to create beautiful images out of daily activities and glimpses into the people of the community. The nightly scenes are hypnotising and mesmerizing and they reminded me of the atmosphere I often experience when reading Russian or Finnish literary novels. Meriel's pen brought to mind the poetic language of Oksanen in certain instances.

The three women represent the three generations of the family, three different ways of thought, of feelings and experiences. Angela is a bright child, wise beyond her years, gifted. We enter her thoughts on her mother and their life, we see her deep connection with the nature around her, her quick perception of people and spirits alike. Lyuda is a woman of sorrow and regret, full of love for her onlychild and bitterness for the wretch of a man who fooled her with empty promises. She dreams of a different life, a different way things might have turned out. Angela's grandmother is the woman of her time, an old era which gave her the experiences needed to warn her daughter of the traps laid before her. But she chose not to listen. And yet, it didn't matter. Her life was own to decide. And if she created a waterfall of tears and hopes and regret, it is her doing and she had the right to fight for it.

The only thing that didn't work for me was the whole concept of the Nightspirit. It was rather intriguing at first, but then, I felt that it became too repetitive and too New Age spiritualistic for
my taste. Also, I know that it may possibly be a bit confusing for readers who aren't familiar with Literary Fiction or even Magical Realism. The different timelines aren't always clearly conveyed and this may present certain difficulties, but do not fret. You'll certainly have an idea what is going on if you read carefully and if you like beautiful, poetic language.

This is a story that centers around womanhood, motherhood, disappointment, loss, sorrow and hope. It's not for everyone, it's not for those who strictly look for fast-paced action stories or romances. But if you are in the mood to read a novel that is full of poetry, beauty and dreams, then give it a try.

Many thanks to Granite Cloud and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

''Where are you?'‘ ‘‘But answer came there none.''

Eliza Caine may have found the answer to her question at some point, but unfortunately, I never found mine as to why I was expecting so much from this ‘'ghost'' story...A story that tried too hard to include many Gothic tropes, to appear scary and intellectual at the same time, but eventually fell flat on all levels, in my opinion. But for the sympathetic protagonist, the intriguing children and some scarce glimpses of a remotely creepy atmosphere, I would have rated it with 1 sad little star...

Eliza wants to start a new life away from London after the death of her father. She abandons her occupation as a teacher for small girls (as we were told so many times because we readers are practically stupid and we forget too easily...) and replies to a dubious advert for the position of the governess in an old estate. When she reaches her destination, she realises that there are certain strange forces at work and the previous women's work ended under peculiar (to put it mildly) circumstances.

The basis of the story, while not original by any means, is very interesting and has a lot of potential. When one is an avid lover of ghost stories, two things happen. One, we can't keep away from every single read about the subject and two, there is very little that can impress us and truly catch our attention. I expected and I wanted an old-fashioned ghost story with an English foreboding estate, a troubled governess and secrets of the past haunting everyone, but not in a childish, naive manner of writing. Because, in my opinion, that is what I found here. A kind of writing that was flat, uninspiring, pretentious and predictable. Although the first 30% of the book was somewhat satisfying, the rest went downhill all too quickly. There was not a single thing that made me feel scared, although Boyne tried too hard to force it out. Excuse me, but this wouldn't scare a child. So I treated it as a mystery rather than a ghost story and I still found it severely lacking. Boyne's notion of ‘'scary'' is Eliza being thrown around on walls, floors and grounds like a sack of potatoes with numerous parts of asphyxiation thrown for good measure. Overdone, unrealistic, ridiculous. There have been ghost stories I could actually believe in. Stories that made me shiver, stories that gave me nightmare. This one made me roll my eyes in frustration and I was lucky they weren't stuck on the back of my head...

The characters are better constructed. The children are a good combination of creepy and intriguing and I really liked Eliza. I found her to be a reliable narrator and I admired her deep sense of duty and commitment to the children. Her musings concerning her work as a teacher touched me deeply, perhaps because I recognised many of her thoughts and feelings. Now, did I find her naive? No. Some of us put our priorities on children, come ghosts or vampires or bad parents, and we stick to them. This is what she did, this is why she didn't run away and I don't think this was unrealistic.I mean, really. We have a wrestling battle between spirits and humans and some consider her decision unbelievable...I know this will sound absurd to many in our current, artificial world where being ‘'comfortable'' is all that matters, but anyway..Sorry for the rant, let us continue.

The end was somewhat satisfying and by ‘'end'', I actually mean the last page, because the last chapters were eerily bad, almost laughable. I don't know, many reviewers seemed to like it, so I'm clearly in the minority, but I cannot lie. For me, Boyne tried to combine The Turn of the Screw, Jane Eyre and The Woman In Black in a big ghost-tale feast. Even Rebecca, if I take the resolution into consideration. But he is not Henry James, or Charlotte Bronte. He is not Daphne Du Maurier or Susan Hill. Although he pretended to be a contemporary Dickens, he failed miserably in my books. So, pushing all the anachronisms and improbabilities aside, this was mediocre at best and one of the biggest disappointments of my current reading year. I don't doubt that he can write (I'm not qualified to judge...) but I won't seek any of his books anytime soon...

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.co

‘'Fairy tales are sweet on winter nights, nothing more.''

Russian fairy tales are unlike any others, in my opinion.They are not simple, ‘'happily-ever-after'' myths, but wonderfully detailed glimpses in the daily lives of people born in times gone-by and tales that hide themes that are relevant to our era. They contain female heroines that surpass inexplicable odds and many have ambiguous closures. There is a sadness that permeates the Russian fairy tale tradition and a fierceness, a strangely modern idea of feminism. All these features are included in Katherine Arden's beautiful first installment of the Winternight Trilogy.

This book has been sitting in my TBR for practically forever, and when the second part came to me as an ARC, I thought it was finally time to begin my journey to Lesnaya Zemlya. In a Russian village, during the late medieval times, a child is born but the mother dies. Vasya has inherited the extraordinary, otherworldly gift of her mother, along with her kind heart, her free spirit of adventure and tolerance. Vasya can see what noone else is worthy to see, but her gift puts her in danger when her father decides to wed another woman. Her name is Anna, a fundamentalist as any has ever seen in any genre in Literature, and another woman who has the ability to see ‘'demons''. Terrified of the traces of the pagan culture in her husband's territory, she calls for a priest to come and cast away the demons. Konstantin arrives and everything in Vasya's life changes.

The essence of the tale is the battle between the pagan tradition and Christianity. Still, ‘''battle'' isn't the right word, since this division is completely constructed by a small number of people who wish to serve their own false convictions. Before Anna came to the community, the people had found the perfect balance between the teachings of Christ and the old Russian deities and traditions. Until priests started talking of demons, fire, and eternal damnation. It's always been a point of great discourse (and discord) in Literature and in History. In any case, Vasya, Dunya and most of the women are respectful followers of both religions. Anna cannot understand it, locked as she is in her own hallucinations and she descends into a darkness where fear and demons reign. The problem is that she takes everyone else with her.

Arden has composed a tale out of many familiar characteristics of Russian fairy tales. The well-known legend of Lord Winter and the beautiful Maiden lies at the heart of it, while we meet the Baba Yaga, the domovoi (the peaceful spirits that protect the hearth of the Russian household), the vazila, the enchanting Rusalka...The supernatural characters become the heart of the story, because the human characters, well...they're not very interesting. Anna would make a fine couple with the Devil she so hates (although I'd pity the poor man...), Vasya's father is a doormat and Dunya is kind and comforting, but not that original. The one who had my unwavering attention was Konstantin, the young priest. An ambiguous character, fully conflicted, dark and perplexing as he is perplexed. He desperately wants to believe and serve but in what? In whom? His interactions with Vasilisa were brilliant and very intriguing. Besides Vasya and Konstantin, there is another major haunting character, but you'll have to read it to discover it....

So, does the novel worth the hype? In my opinion, yes. Absolutely and definitely. The atmosphere and the transition of the traditional story are exceptionally constructed. Do I think it would be even better if it was written by a Russian writer? Allow me to say that yes, I believe it would. You see, there is a distinctive, haunting veil of sadness, threat and death in the Russian tradition and, while these elements are present in Arden's work, they weren't as tense and concise as I'd like them to be. At times, the writing became a bit too YA, a genre that I do not appreciate much. This is strictly my personal opinion, formed out of many years of familiarity with Russian Literature and Culture. However, I definitely enjoyed ‘'The Bear and the Nightingale'' and I hope that ‘'The Girl In The Tower'' will be equally satisfying.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

“In her living room she opened the windows to get a bit of breeze. The sun had set, so the first fireflies of the evening would begin to flare in a bit. She sat on the windowsill and enjoyed the cold, shaped pineapple and watched as squirrels ran along the telephone wires, perfect sine waves with their bodies and tails. Sitting there, she had her second ice pop as well, until the fireflies began to float magically above the patches of grass and sidewalk.”

I'm not a Hollywood fan, nor I enjoy watching films all that often. My tastes lean more on British and European Cinema. I don't read actors' biographies or books written by celebrities. However, in the case of “Uncommon Type”, it's Tom Hanks we're talking about. I can't think of another actor who makes you feel as if you actually know him, as if every role of his is performed for each and every member of the audience. He is widely loved in Greece, he is widely loved everywhere and quite a few of his films are considered classics of the 7th Art. This collection of short stories is written in a simple, eloquent, flowing writing style. Humane, immediate, confessional. It is a brilliant token of the distinguished American writing, it is the voice of Tom Hanks, the Everyman, and if you don't like it, well....you need Jesus in your life.

In 17 stories, Tom Hanks creates characters out of life. The inspiration seems to be the types of New York (mainly) residents, even some of the roles he has performed in his astonishing career. Each story is embellished with the photo of a typewriter that plays a characteristic part in many of the stories. The importance and joy of writing is everywhere, the need to communicate feelings and thoughts first to ourselves and to the people around us. His themes are universal and relevant to our daily lives. Love, companionship, the errs and joys of the past, self - dignity, immigration, togetherness and a deep, acute feeling of nostalgia. A journey through the USA, with the metropolis of New York ever present, in one way or another.

So, without further ado, the 17 stories are:

‘'Three Exhausting Weeks”: Two best friends decide to become an item, but they seem to be highly incompatible. Poor guy starts feeling as if he has signed for the Olympics preparations or the NASA training. Anna is one of the most authoritative people to ever grace a book and this story is hilarious and nostalgic at the same time.
“Christmas Eve 1953”: A beautiful Christmas story that takes us back to 1953 and to 1944, the D-Day, its aftermath and the wounds, physical and psychological that are inflicted upon those who survived the inferno in the shores of Normandy.
“A Junket in the City of Light”:A story about a rising Hollywood star and the ordeals coming from exhausting press junkets and over-demanding studios. Paris, during the night, provides the beautiful setting.
“Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- An Elephant in the Pressroom”: A glimpse into the conflict between the printed version of a newspaper and the coldness of reading your newspaper on a digital device.
“Welcome to Mars”: A sad tale of the bonding between a father and a son, a story full of the sun, the sea and surfing.
“A Month on Greene Street”: A story set in the sleepy suburbs, during the dog days of August. A divorced mother of two starts a new life in a welcoming, peaceful neighborhood. This is a text filled with the laughter of children, the soothing early evening atmosphere, and a certain kind of hope for starting anew.
“Alan Bean Plus Four” : We revisit our unique couple of “Three Exhausting Weeks” in a story that brings “Apollo 13” to mind.
“Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- At Loose in the Big Apple” : A celebration of New York in the form of an account from our grumpy (but sweet) journalist with a tiny bit of nostalgia for a more innocent era.
“Who's Who?” : The Big Apple is the city where dreams are supposed to come true. However, young Sue from Arizona, an aspiring actress who can act and sing and dance finds her dreams crushed all too soon. Until, a sudden appearance proves that possibly, dreams can still become reality...A beautiful story of youth and aspirations set in 1978.
“A Special Weekend” : The story of a boy who loves typewriters and airplanes, living a difficult life after the divorce of his parents. I confess that the end gave me chills...
“These Are the Meditations of My Heart” : A story of impeccable writing and immense beauty that reminded me -once again - how much I love typewriters.
“Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- Back From Back In Time” : Our favourite reporter takes a trip down memory lane escorted by his trusted typewriter.
“The Past Is Important to Us” : This story was a true surprise. A combination of Historical Fiction and Sci-fi where a scientist travels back to the 1939 for the sake of a woman. An impressive look into a potential future and a tale that shows how closely linked the past and the present actually are.
“Stay with Us” : This story is written in the form of a film script and therefore, it really flows. Departing from Las Vegas, a wealthy, kind hearted businessman and his personal assistant find themselves in the middle of nowhere and change the lives of the residents, while finding a new meaning in their own. This is a story full of happiness, camaraderie and trust.
“Go See Costas”: In this story, Mr. Hanks celebrates diversity, multiculturalism and companionship, without whitewashing the problems and the fears faced by the immigrants. His love for Greece is more than well-known, and here we find Greeks, Cypriots, Bulgarians. Set in the heart of the era of immigration to New York, this story is a hymn to the abilities and persistence of hardworking people who desire a better life, without forgetting their principles and without resorting to shady means. A tale that shows that people may come from different backgrounds (economical, educational, ethnic), but these factors mean very little when we are faced with adversities. In the end, it is the heart that matters. A story that couldn't be more relevant to the chaos and conflicts of our times.
“Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- Your Evangelista, Esperanza” : The grumpy reporter gives the spotlight to Esperanza who reminds us that there is actually life without a smartphone, Facebook and the like.
“Steve Wong Is Perfect” : The last word belongs to the insane gang of the beginning and to bowling. Hilarious and nostalgic.

This is a collection to be cherished and kept as a good friend to whom we may return when in doubt and in need of a comfort. Not because the writer is named Tom Hanks and heralded as one of the finest actors to ever grace our screens. This is a book of simple, unpretentious beauty. 17 stories of people who could be our neighbours, our friends, our lovers, our parents, written in the immediacy and clarity that characterizes the majority of American Literature, a trustworthy volume like a trustworthy Royal typewriter. Let it carry you away....

Many thanks to Penguin Random House, Tom Hanks and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

Disclaimer- As always, any comments that have to do with religion and the like, will receive the punishment of bygone times. That is, condemned to be hung by the neck, until they are dead...(Translation for the uninformed- deleted and blocked)

www.themountainguide.co.uk/england/pendle-hill-photos.htm

‘'Stand on the flat top of Pendle Hill and you can see everything of the county of Lancashire. Some say you can see other things too. This is a haunted place. The living and the dead come together on the hill.''

Jeanette Winterson is one of those writers that can take a single, tiny word out of context and create fiction that transcends boundaries. In ‘'The Daylight Gate'', she weaves her tale around the well-known trials of the Pendle Witches in 1612, the most significant witch trials on British soil and one of the most infamous in the course of the persecution of witchcraft around the world. I can tell you from the very start that this isn't a book for everyone. There are many details and events that can make the most sensitive of readers feel uncomfortable. However, Historical Fiction and obscure facts linked to those troubled eras isn't exactly a walk in the park. Speaking strictly for me, this had my name written all over it and I could see that 5 stars were on their way before I finished the 3rd chapter. But I am always attracted to the obscure, the weird, the sinister....

‘'The North is the dark place.''

The northern parts of England are particularly steeped in darkness. The moorlands create a perfect scenery for all kinds of hauntings and mischievous deeds (and don't we love those?) Winterson brings the story of the documented trials to a whole new level, as the hill, the forests and the Malkin tower come alive and lend their wild beauty to this tale of the women who defied the norms of their era, as ambiguous as they might have been. A dark land where the darkest deeds come from suspects that may or may not be justified in their wrong-doings. Lancashire is considered to be one of the most beautiful corners of Britain, its dramatic history and landscape makes it attractive and mysterious.

‘'Baptised twice- once for God and once for Satan.''

Alice Nutter is a beautiful widow who has acquired a significant amount of fortune through her hard work that produced a special kind of magenta dye. She hasn't inherited anything from a father or a husband. She created everything herself. This cannot be understood by the male authorities of the county that try to bring her to a trial on the basis of a pact with the Dark Gentleman. There is an abundance of want-to-be witches in the story, but are they as they want to appear? Has every single one of them sold her soul to Satan? If they had, well, allow me to say, much good it did to them, because frankly? Their power wasn't as strong as they claimed to be. No, Winterson doesn't create super women, ready to take down their enemies. She creates realistic characters that want to live their life, without being threatened by men that let them go free only to capture them again, as a twisted whim, depending on their purposes. So, some of them decide to follow the Left - Hand Path (or so they think, anyway) to gain freedom and the access to revenge. They are disillusioned, this much is clear, and they are more naive and desperate than dangerous.

‘'You have a god to forgive you your sins. I carry mine with me every day.''

Alice is a wonderful character. Conflicted, brave, sensitive, compassionate, insecure. A gem. She loves with all her might and fights for it. She doesn't shy away from her faults or her weaknesses, nor does she try to justify her mistakes. She is what she has chosen to be and that is why she comes across as a magnificent main character. Roger Nowell is also intriguing and fascinating. He is conflicted as well, perhaps more than Alice, since he is a man of power and influence, but with feelings that cannot come forth because of his position. The interactions between the two characters are electrifying, full of underlying emotions. And this is how a writer shows that you don't need romance and the like to make a story interesting....

Winterson combines two key moments in the reign of James V, the Gunpowder Plot and the Witch Plot. Were the two ever linked? Possibly. It doesn't matter, because the way in which she weaves the story around them is impeccable. John Dee and William Shakespeare are influential presences in the narrative, along with our well-known dark entity that is more felt than shown in the story. Furthermore, Winterson manages to focus on the absurd conflict between the Catholics and the Protestants that shaped the British history. The nature of her writing is brave, a knife in the marrow, even for the readers who are experienced in the subject and the era. There are quite a few bloody images as Winterson doesn't shy away from the cruelty and vulgarity of the rera. Abused women and children, abused souls by the ones who pray endlessly, wishing to appear pious to God, although their table in Hell has already been reserved and laid, waiting for them. There is an excellent scene of a Good Friday dinner that is guaranteed to bring you chills.

The ending of the trials is well-known to us who find the particular subject fascinating. And yet, Winterson's talent made me wish for Alice and the others to find some peace amidst the madness and the prejudices. Perhaps, they did. Who knows? In an era, where even fellow Christians were considered evil and servants of Satan because they attended Mass and prayed to the Holy Cross. I mean, they should have made up their minds, because the Cross and Satan don't make for a compatible fellowship,obviously....

I cannot recommend this book enough and yet, I know that not many will choose to read it. If you are hesitant, I say give it a chance, but proceed with caution, as Winterson portrays the bloody era in all its disturbing, violent glory. It's a book that gave me nightmares, but this is the best kind of reads, in my opinion. The ones that enter the soul and cause feelings we may not like, but to experience them means that we were touched in some way or another....

‘'Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles to betray's in deepest consequence''.
Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 3

Yes, sweet Banquo, but what are the true instruments of darkness in this tale?

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

Kate Riordan's first novel, “The Girl in the Photograph”, was one of the most atmospheric reads of last year. It contained everything we have come to associate worth the good, old British Gothic Fiction. An old mansion, dual time narration, a governess that finds herself in front of dark family secrets and a touch of the Creepy and, possibly, the Paranormal. In “The Shadow Hour”, Riordan repeats herself and this is more than obvious. However, there is absolutely no Gothic element, unless we count the same old “governess holding a candlestick and wandering in a dark corridor after hearing a strange noise” as Gothic. Yes, not! What I found was a predictable plot, with too many coincidences and resolutions that were too “safe” to satisfy me as a reader.

The narration is divided between two governesses, Grace and Harriet, her grandmother. Harriet has her own agenda and sends Grace to Fenix house that sealed her own future years ago. Harriet is equipped with a moderately interesting story line, unlike Grace who is a walking doormat with a snooze fest for a story. To tell you the truth, I'd far prefer it if the three young ones (Helen, Victoria and Lucas) were the narrators. They were so much more interesting than the two women whose voice is meek, repetitive and, in my opinion, frightfully boring at most times. There is no spirit in them, they only swoon over their employers, blushing and practically shoving themselves on them. It was a bit pathetic, actually....

What rescues the novel from the lowest of the low is Riordan's ability to create anticipation and atmosphere through well-written descriptions. The interactions, however, left a lot to be desired. Naturally, the language of the 1880s and the 1920s was stylized and formal, but this doesn't mean that it has to be flat and melodramatic. The story was so predictable and so loaded with clichés that I found my mind wandering to a millions other things as I was reading. When you are in the Tube and you catch yourself l gazing absent mindedly out of the window into the fast-moving darkness, there is definitely something wrong with the book in your hands.

Perhaps, readers who have a bit more tolerance with family dramas and romance may enjoy this. I'm not an admirer or these tropes. I want some form of meaning in the books I read, I want female characters that don't define themselves by blushing for a man. I want well-written dialogue and when a book is advertised as “Gothic”, I want it to be...well, Gothic. Romance and forced tear-jerkers are not good for my headless (apparently) soul. I didn't grant one star out of respect for Riordan's first novel, but I admit I will think twice before I choose another work of hers. And, frankly, the clichéd doomed love affair between a governess and the “master of the house” has to seize. There can only be one “Jane Eyre”, there can only be one Charlotte Bronte...

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

“Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?” “With graveyard weeds and wolfsbane seeds, and empty graves all in a row.”

Who would pass a book entitled Haunted Nights? Would you pass it? I think not. And do it came to that this collection of stories was added to the October reading list and took priority over other books. I was optimistic that I would enjoy the collection, but I believed that nothing too special was in store. I thought I'd find tales that would be eerie, mildly creepy and Halloween-y (...and this word probably doesn't exist, but let's pretend...). And I was wrong.These are stories that are dark, bleak, heart-wrenching and utterly frightening. They are unsettling and upsetting and will make you feel more than uncomfortable. They will make you scared and sad. In short, this is probably the best Halloween stories you'll have read by now.

“Halloween's always been the night when the rules don't hold, hasn't? It's like the world's night off.”

The stories take place in the night of Halloween, a night that is hallowed, wild, sacred, potentially orgiastic. A night when masks are on and the world becomes a different place, both magical and haunted, beautiful and dangerous. Sad and nostalgic, if we accept that the dead come to wander with us, a moment of being “alive” in the nothingness of immortality. Who knows of such things? What I do know, however, is that these are the adjectives I would use to describe this collection.

The richness and diversity of the stories will definitely attract your attention, since there seems to be something for everyone. We find ‘'traditional'' spooky characters and techniques. Haunted houses, dead children, forgotten spirits, owls, gargoyles, vampires, werewolves, but what is truly special is the inclusion of traditions dating back to the pagan days. This makes the stories dark, menacing and unpredictable. A Halloween story from Argentina with a terrifying nod to Seleenwoche, a tale of justified revenge and comeuppance. Poor old Jack-O'-Lantern speaks to us. There is a story dedicated to Nos Galan Gaeaf, the Spirit Night of the Welsh tradition. We experience Samhain and our favourite Dia De Los Muertos with the Sugar Skulls and we come face to face with Keres, the chthonian Greek deities of blood, darkness and death.

The sixteen tales of the collection are excellent but there are a few that made a lasting impression:

‘'Dirtmouth'' by Stephen Graham Jones is a beautiful story, containing the most accurate observations about this very special day of the year. This is a tragic, haunting tale.
‘'Wick's End'' by Joanna Parypinski has a Neil Gaiman touch, reminding me of his ‘'Coming to America'' chapters in ‘'American Gods''. And I won't tell you who is the narrator of the story...
‘'A Flicker of Light in Devil's Night'' by Kate Jonez has a nightmarish, menacing atmosphere, right from the start...
‘'The Turn'' is scary and chilling as is ‘'Lost In the Dark''. Now, I'd definitely pay to watch that film...
I felt that ‘'The First Lunar Halloween'' was the weakest link in the collection. I don't like sci-fi and I couldn't appreciate the inclusion of this tale, but if you enjoy the genre, then you will definitely like this intergalactic story.

These are not stories to be read in Halloween and be forgotten afterwards. They are scary tales for readers who want something more besides the same old jumpscares or gory spectacles. This is a collection that communicates the eerie, menacing atmosphere of these days to perfection.

Many thanks to Blumhouse Books/Anchor Books, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

‘'Come tomorrow, if you like, to the grave. I said I'd go alone, but perhaps that's the point; perhaps we are always alone, no matter the company we keep.''

This novel is as complex, as beautiful and mesmerizing as its cover. It is astonishing, an exciting, majestic literary journey. It deserves all the recognition it gets and then some. It is plain and simple one of the most beautiful, unique novels I've ever read. There will be no ‘'but'' or ‘'or'' in my review. ‘The Essex Serpent' is perfection...

Cora Seaborne- a highly symbolic surname- is a young widow with an interest- nay, an adoration- in science and in the workings of nature. She cannot stand anything she considers as superstition but is always keen to learn. Prompted by a friendly couple, she travels to the parish of Aldwinter to experience the frenzy that has come with the rumors of an appearance by the Essex Serpent, a devilish Loch Ness-like monster that has returned after almost 200 years. Her meeting with Will Ransome, the local vicar, will bring forth all kinds of debates between them, all kinds of contradictions between the world we think we know and the one we aren't able to see.

Perry focuses on three issues. The contrast between Science and Religion. She doesn't take sides, a token of how skillful she is. She respects both and lets the reader decide. Then, we have the Victorians' obsession with everything that has to do with the supernatural and the occult and the misunderstood position of the women in the society of the era. She stresses that not all women were victims of the restrictions and the norms, but they had to face disbelief, scorn and accusations as the price for their freedom. For Cora, freedom comes through the death of her husband, a man as tyrannical as he was cold, whose personality can be traced in Francis, Cora's son, who is an intriguing child, but highly unlikeable.

‘'Girls and boys come out to play...The moon does shine as bright as day.''

The children form a main point of view in the book. Joanna, Naomi, Francis see the world in their own eyes. They experience the phenomena in personal ways which couldn't be more different and diverse and the interpretation sets quite a few things in motion. The omens in the community are numerous. People falling victims of a strange illness, young girls experience a fit of unusually lively laughter, the moon is full and red, the crops are failing, the residents sprain their ankles all too easily. The children believe in the signs and try to protect the world from changing into something they don't wish to know.

‘'Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils.''

Does the serpent exist? The smell is foul, the sounds otherworldly, the feeling of uneasiness and restlessness has been plaguing the community. Each resident finds the chance to blame everyone else but themselves and stories from the past haven't been forgotten. Perhaps, the serpent stands as a symbol for the community's narrow-mindedness and fear of progress.. Their dusty lives constantly influence the young ones and when Cora or Luke try to put some sense into their heads, they're scorned and attacked. These are people who fear darkness but in truth are in love with it. They don't want it to go away because it provides them with an excuse to live.

‘'We both speak of illuminating the world, but we have different sources of light, you and I.''

Cora and Will are worlds apart, at first glance. Cora is the naturalist, the science lover, the one who looks at nature and sees causes and effects. Will sees the divine presence, the Hand of God released from medieval superstitions. They argue. They disagree and grow closer, their banter is full of well-drawn arguments (and sexual tension...) but they respect each other's views even if they're too proud to admit it. They are against all prejudices, religious and social, but deep down they're helpless. They try to shed their skin and come to terms with the other's reality, but this requires a kind of sacrifice they're not willing to commit. And they're trapped in a world where the mob cannot be freed by their fears and nightly terrors.

‘'There was a crooked man'', he said, ‘'who walked a crooked mile.''

Same thing happens with Luke whose appearance makes people suspicious of his intentions. He is a doctor, highly skilled, highly intelligent, whose offers are denied out of terror. He speaks outright and faces adversity and hostility from minds that are buried in the mud where the Serpent resides. Luke is the most fascinating character along with Cora. Will, on the other hand, well...not so much...

Will is a coward. He denies his moments of clarity and is afraid of his feelings. Cora makes him a complete, rounded character. When he's alone, he becomes a shadow and yet, he cannot see it or refuse to do so. Cora shakes his mundane life, but he prefers mediocrity. His wife, Stella is a pathetic woman. A figure created out of boredom, docility and piousness in the extreme. Martha, Cora's maid, is a shrew in heh most negative way possible. She's full of anger for everything and everyone, she hates everyone's existence and believes she has to constantly speak her mind (which is usually wrong) ad interfere in Cora's life in a presumptuous, rude, vulgar manner. Stella and Martha required a lot of patience from me in order to avoid skipping their pages...

I don't need to stress how exceptional Perry's writing is. Poetic, lyrical, dark, Gothic. There is stream of consciousness at times, there are diary entries, correspondence. There are passages with descriptions that seemed to have jumped straight out of a tale by Poe. The language may remind you of the Bronte sisters. There are bloody images- with a Viking blood eagle reference- and there is also a hymn to the beauty of the foreboding nature. Rooks and ruins, waves and the moon. The dialogue is perfection, the moments when Perry describes the actions and the state of mind of our main characters simultaneously contain some of the most exquisite pieces of writing I've recently found in a novel (and I have found a plethora...). It gives an atmosphere of darkness, an eerie feeling that something is about to happen. One of our characters will cross a personal limit or a new wound will occur.. Who knows...Perry definitely knows how to create anticipation and this is one of the most important aspects in Gothic Fiction, particularly. The Author's Notes contain a ton of fascinating suggestive reads and they are jewels in themselves.

For me, this book is as close to perfect as it can get. Let yourself wonder in a dark coastal town and look the serpent in the eye...

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

I admit that strange as it may sound, I didn't count myself among the millions of ‘'Hocus Pocus'' fans until last autumn, when I watched the film for the first time. You see, Halloween isn't among the ‘'officially established'' holidays in Greece, but a) it gains more and more ground every year, and b) who cares about what is ‘'official''? So, for the last four years, me and my mother have this special ‘'film festival'' starting at October 2st, when we watch a Halloween-themed film or a ghost movie every weekend up until the first days of November. Last year, I thought ‘'let's see what the fuss is all about''. And we watched ‘' Hocus Pocus''. And we were smitten with it at first sight.

This beautiful film isn't just creepy, funny and somewhat daring for its time. Speaking strictly for me, it causes a deep surging of nostalgia for a more innocent, more carefree era. When we didn't know what Halloween was (unfortunately....) but we were able to walk in our own neighborhood with safety in those dimly lit, crispy afternoons and early evenings. The reason why our time is different isn't relevant so I won't discuss it here. That was also a time when movies were better, in every sense. When you still had films that were atmospheric and interesting and fun and this is how I view ‘'Hocus Pocus''. It's not a cultural masterpiece but a creepy and entertaining creation that demonstrates everything we have come to love about autumn and the glorious festive period of Halloween.

The companion is true to its name, because it prompts you to think of the film's value through the years, even though its journey to the box-office at the time of its release was far from satisfying. To tell you the truth, look at the films that rise to the 1st place in our days. If these are the future of cinema, I'm glad I don't consider myself a movie-buff. But, anyway...Aaron succeeds in demonstrating the distinctive Salem atmosphere that was beautifully depicted in the 1993 film. There are numerous interesting essays covering many themes and observations about the film, the inspiration behind it and the dynamics of the time of its production.

There is a very interesting -albeit peculiar, I admit- analysis on the issue of virginity and sexuality in a Disney film in the beginning of the 90s. There is an exploration of the strong feministic connotations that are present in the movie, since Winnie is an absolute queen, Mary is the home-caring one, Sarah is the childish seductress and Dani with Allison are the kind-hearted, clever and resilient ‘humane' witches. We also find references to the inspiration provided by established thrillers and Horror films that helped in shaping the overall tone of ‘'Hocus Pocus'' with some interesting behind-the-scenes information and suggestions on films of similar interest.

Honestly, I cannot understand why this film received so much hatred and scorn in the reviews at the time of its release. I guess those of us who never trust the film reviewers are somehow justified. Most of the time, they promote whatever they want to serve their own purposes and we end up with garbage like ‘Shakespeare In Love'' taking the Oscar for Best Film over ‘Saving Private Ryan''...(I mean, were they on LSD or something during THAT night?) If you want to familiarize yourselves with the fascinating world that is ‘'Hocus Pocus'' or of you are a die-hard fan, then this companion is a beautiful work for the lovers of the film, the Halloween-crazed fans and any movie-aficionado.

...And for once, let us stop taking every single thing so seriously. Sometimes, all we need to escape the mundane, troubled, bleak reality is a broomstick, a pointy hat, a few pumpkins, and a cat. And a book....And Winnie's songs....

“But what if those buried, fetid stories are the ones that have bubbled to the surface? What if they're right there, balanced on the edge of our teeth, ready to trip into the world without even our permission?”

And what if you have practically no idea what the bloody Hell you're actually reading, curled up in your sofa, and yet you cannot help being hypnotized chapter after chapter? Because this is what happened with “The Grip Of It”. This book does grip you and leave you wondering and when you reach the last page, you're still uncertain but you know you've enjoyed the journey. This is how I felt about the novel that kicked off my Halloween reads.

James and Julie are our protagonists. A young couple that decides to leave the big city and start a new life in a small town and a new house. They want to mend certain unhappy choices of the past and look to a cleaner, more innocent future. Their house, however, is anything but innocent. It seems alive, inhospitable. So far, there is nothing groundbreaking in the plot, the virtue of this novel isn't its originality but its powerful writing. This book is like a good ghost film that we watch again and again, always closing our eyes, hiding behind a pillow in the same jumpscares.

After a striking Prologue, we enter the heart of the action right away. The narration is told in both James' and Julie's point of view, in Present tense, like a voice -over. The chapters are like snippets from the couple's life in the house. The foreboding images are plenty. There is the constant presence of woods and waves, the earth and the water elements, both risky, symbolic and powerful. Voices of happy children can be heard, but they're not seen. Ever. In fact, the town seems almost deserted and the few residents seem to know there is something amiss but are unwilling to get involved. The forest surrounding the house seems to move closer, somehow. There is a constant humming noise, there are cracks, drawings on the walls appearing out of nowhere and an old, weird neighbour who may be an intruder.

James and Julie are very sympathetic characters, flowed and realistic. The phenomena largely affect Julie, as is often the case in supernatural occurrences. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I felt for her and I believe James was a fine equivalent to her strength, no matter his flaws. And there were many. Connie, on the other hand, is insufferable. A nosy hysterical who pretends to be interested in Julie's welfare. Why does every mystery seem to need an irritating busybody? I think we'd be much better without their ghastly presence.

I can't say more and I fear I've already said too much. What is so engaging, even frightening if you like, is the psychological effect of the haunting. The book passes beyond the supernatural thriller and becomes a psychological observation. Yes, at certain times, it becomes a bit repetitive and unnecessarily wordy, but overall it is a very satisfying effort. In my opinion, this is everything “The Upstairs Room” wasn't....

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

‘'Will the world miss me? No. Will the world be any poorer without me? No. Will the world survive without me? Yes. Is the world a better place now than when I came into it? No. What have I done to improve it? Nothing.''

When we need to place a name next to the word ‘'pessimism'', Jonas' will be ideal. Our main protagonist stands on a crossroads, the most crucial in his life. His marriage is broken, shadows are cast over the paternity of his beloved daughter and he feels there is no purpose left in his course on this planet. So, he decides to put an end. Permanently. To kill himself. Observing the people who marked his life for what he intends to be the last time, he decides to travel abroad to lessen the pain for his child.

The story is set in Iceland, a place of immense, wild beauty, a land of darkness and mystery. Jonas' mood matches the melancholic nature. A nature that hides flames inside, a country of volcanoes, of fire and ice. And Jonas is like a volcano about to erupt while the series of disappointments from his own family have turned him into ice. Instead of fighting, he gets tired and tries to find the best way for his ‘'exit''.

I read page after page waiting for Jonas' end. I was hooked. At first, you may think that not much happens but this depends on what each reader considers as ‘'happens''. There is not an emphasis on ‘'action'', but on Jonas' mental state, the state of depression that has covered his life. Reading his thoughts was an adventure in itself and Olafsdottir manages to create anticipation out of everyday interactions.

‘'Do you think you can glue back together a broken world?''

Jonas finds himself a guest in ‘Hotel Silence', a dilapidated hotel in a country torn and bled by war. It remains unnamed but the descriptions of the natural environment and the emphasis on a recent conflict brings many places to mind. The Balkans, the Eastern Europe, Israel, it could be anywhere and it doesn't matter. Whatever the writer's inspiration may have been, the setting is extremely vivid. The city is devastated, the people full of wounds that are impossible to heal, struggling to leave the past behind and rebuild their lives. Jonas becomes a part of this community.

‘'And if there was silence, you knew that it would all start again tomorrow.''

Mae, the young woman who runs the hotel along with her brother, is an astonishing character, the jewel of the book. Having survived a Hell on Earth, she shows Jonas that there is always something to fight form even if the tunnel seems to have no end. Mae speaks in some of the most beautiful, heartfelt quotes and provides hope and light in a dark world. The rest of the character are vivid, well-drawn and quirky enough to enjoy.

The writing is extremely interesting. There is the distinctive, minimalistic Nordic tone that never becomes dry, but contains worlds within a few short sentences, even though this is a translation.The dialogue is well-structured, the voice of Jonas is clear and complex. There are many bookish reference centred around troubled writers. In fact, books are everywhere in the story. Novels, poetry, Non Fiction. I found ‘' Hotel Silence'' to be much more bookish and literary than other novels which wished to be advertised as such and ended up being devoid of any significant reference. Yes, ‘Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore'' , I am looking at you and your big, stinking pile of nothing... There are also references to the singers' curse of ‘'27'' and emphasis on tattoos and scars, whatever consists a tortured soul.

The ending, though...It was...I don't even know how I feel about it...It causes questions and interpretations. You'll have to read it to understand what I mean. It was unexpected and fitting to the tone of the story, but I can't say that it was wholly satisfying on a personal level. In my opinion, it leaves room for a second book which I would be more than happy to read.

‘'Hotel Silence'' is a special book. If you have an issue with so-called depressing themes, then you may find it difficult to read. However, life is full of difficult subjects and to avoid them means to live inside a pink bubble, but that's just me. It's special and demanding, in tone, in themes, in images and characters. It is a work that showcases -once again- why Nordic Literature is arguably the most interesting in our literary world.

Many thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

‘'Some crimes God does not forgive!''

Last week, I watched (for the gazillionth time...) ITV's 2010 production of ‘'Murder on the Orient Express'' with the inimitable David Suchet in the role of our beloved Hercule Poirot and it prompted certain thoughts in my mind. Why is this considered one of Christie's finest creations? Many say that, arguably, it is her best work and this view I do share.

I don't think any of us need a synopsis. To say the story is well-known would be an understatement. Even people who haven't read the book know of the outstanding outcome and the resolution of, possibly, the most controversial murder (but is it a ‘'crime''?) in Christie's marvellous works. So what is it that makes this novel by the Lady of Crime so iconic and a point of reference?

Is is the exceptional cast of characters, each one battling with the demons of the past? Is it the wintry atmosphere? The intense feeling of claustrophobia, of being trapped in a train, within a snowstorm, in a foreign country with a dead body lying in a compartment? Or is it the absolute, ultimate questioning of the moral values we have come to adopt? What is right and wrong? When injustice isn't punished, to what extent can we bend the human limits? God and Law can't always protect us...Here, Hercule discovers that his little grey cells are only a small part of the solution. It is his heart that has to do the rest.

This is a jewel not only of Crime Fiction, but of Literature in general, regardless of the genre. A work that doesn't ask the reader to think of the ‘'who has done it'' question, but to contemplate on the ‘'what would you have done'' issue. And as for me, I fully agree with Greta Ohlsson. Some crimes God doesn't forgive....

My reviews can be found in: https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

“Memories are like that, aren't they? ....They trip along. Like a reflection over water. Always threatening to disappear.”

Memories and desires...If we come to think about it, the connection between these two notions is so powerful and ever-present. Desires may be created by memories of actions and people from our past. They may be caused by unfulfilled wishes, cravings, the thirst for the unattainable, for the one thing or the one person we cannot have. Few things are more personal than memories and desires. Few stories are more powerful than this darkly fascinating collection.

First of all, don't let the title trick you. This book has nothing to do with romance or erotica (genres that I admittedly have zero experience with). These are stories about hidden terrors, sins of the past that caused tragedy. About repressed sexuality and the need to discover the origins of human desires. Every story is an allegory, full of references to myths, to historical characters, to Biblical legends. The atmosphere is dark, haunting and as Gothic as it can get.

Lakes with waters that hide monsters, quaint villages abandoned by progress, buried in time. Marie Antoinette is haunting the garden of her beloved Petit Trianon, undead aristocrats are lurking in dimly lit streets in London, Paris, Vienna. Sodom and Gomorrah tell a story of an accursed past, alchemists, veterans of a devastating war, tragic mothers, haunted children, desperate lovers narrate their stories.

This is a book whose cover speaks for itself. A collection where Paracelsus, Versailles, the Celtic Rites of spring, King Arthur sleeping in his cave, Freud and Jung come together to form one of the darkest psychological reads that will ever grace your shelves. This is Gothic Fiction in one of its finest moments. You don't want to miss it...