Book reviews Archives - Luke’s Blog

10Sep 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Supersize Island by J.J. Walsh book review

Supersize Island by J.J. Walsh is a book that was kindly sent to me by the people at Social Deviant. It came in a really cool package - it came in an American fast food to-go bag along with some other Supersize Island goodies such as a rubber burger, a 'beware of the squirrel' sign and some other little bits. But what is Supersize Island about? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. As stated above, Supersize Island was kindly sent to me by the team at Social Deviants in return…

04Sep 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery

If you’ve ever read any of my Fredrik Backman reviews before, you’ll know that he’s solidly one of my favourite writers. He has an incredible ability to write almost poetic books that balance humour and serious topics so perfectly. Us Against You is the second book in the Beartown trilogy, picking up almost directly after the first book with the town in trouble after a huge incident caused so many problems in the previous book. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via any of the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. If you haven’t yet read my review…

01Sep 2023 by Luke Harkness 2 Comments

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman book review

Book reviews, Crime, Mystery

The Thursday Murder Club series is a bit of a cult sensation. When the first book came out it broke some record for being one of the fastest-selling debut novels of all time or something and since then every single sequel shoots to the top of the best sellers almost instantly upon release. There’s something about Osman’s casual and lighthearted writing style and the cast of unexpectedly humorous older characters that make these such accessible books for all ages. But how’s the third in the series? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of…

30Aug 2023 by Luke Harkness 2 Comments

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Romance

If you wanted to sell a book to me, telling me it was about two people who spend decades of their lives trying to create the best games, you'd have me pretty much sold. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow was sold as this to me by many people across social media. This concept sounded very enticing and so I went into it more excited than I already was by the fantastic front cover design. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is a story about Sam Hasur…

01Aug 2023 by Luke Harkness

A Court and Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

You've likely heard of Sarah J Maas if you know much about fantasy. She's made a name for herself in the fantasy genre over the past decade-plus for smashing out some well-received female-led fantasy series. One of her more successful is the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. The first book in the series is of the same name - but is it any good? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via any of the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. I've updated this review to reflect my reread in 2023. Some elements are my initial thoughts…

29Jul 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Tribe of the Accord by Shaun Michael Stone book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction

I was kindly sent Tribe of the Accord by Stone himself. I was in limbo with whether I could take any more review requests but after seeing the front cover and hearing about the unique premise, it piqued my interest and so I said I'd be happy to review a copy. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Please note that I received a copy of Tribe of the Accord from the author in return for an honest review. Tribe of the Accord appealed to me straight away, as I said…

22Jul 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

Joe Abercrombie is an author name that needs no introduction in the fantasy space. He’s a name that is often brought up as one of the best in the genre and most certainly the best at grim dark fantasy (where it’s all swearing, dark humour and gore etc). Before They Are Hanged is the second in the The First Law trilogy. I have read and enjoyed The First Blade which I enjoyed the characters of but said that the plot was slightly lacking. Does Before They Are Hanged improve upon this or is it much of the same? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I may receive a small commission at no extra…

16Jul 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction

I’ve read a few books by Taylor Jenkins Reid with my first being Malibu Rising which I thought was good but nothing amazing to then the incredible The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and the Six, two books that will forever be on my list of the best books I’ve ever read. Taylor Jenkins Reid (or TJR as I’m gonna refer to her so I don’t have to keep typing out her full name) specialises in writing books about lifetimes. They’re often stories of incredibly famous fictional people who have lived incredible lives to get to where they are today. Carrie Soto is Back is exactly the same. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via…

05Jul 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Still Life by Sarah Winman book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction

There are some books that receive an awful lot of praise and hype when you post about them on social media, Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus was one and Still Life by Sarah Winman is another. This always then buries a high expectation into you whilst you’re reading it and, unfortunately, you often find that the book can never reach the hype that social media has set for it. Either it’s not your thing or the mass of audience who came to tell you it's great aren’t into the sort of books you like. Still Life isn’t one of those books. It’s brilliant. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a…

04Jul 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Way It Is Now by Garry Disher book review

Book reviews, Crime

The Way It Is Now is a book that I was kindly sent by Viper Books as a proof copy quite a while ago. After showing my partner my TBR bookshelf which I’ve broken down into books sent to me to review and books I’ve bought - she chose this from the ‘books sent to me’ list. I had absolutely no idea of what the premise of the book would be when I picked it up and, after finishing it, I'm still not 100% confident of what the point of it was. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase any products using the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not…

Category: Book reviews