Starling has said she was inspired by the 2015 film Crimson Peak (directed by Guillermo Del Toro and starring Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska) and having seen the film, I can definitely appreciate the spooky and creepy gothic goodness of both works. They both feature the tropes of the mysterious husband and the eerie isolation of a decrepit old house. If you liked Crimson Peak, I’d absolutely recommend that you pick up The Death of Jane Lawrence and take a trip to Lindridge Hall.

I don’t usually read too much of the gothic horror genre as in the past I have found it a bit slow, but I enjoyed Starling’s previous book The Luminous Dead so much, and that wasn’t my usual genre either, so I wanted to give this a go. Plus it was just in time for the spooky season.

I think my favourite thing about The Death of Jane Lawrence lay in the writing. I liked the way the house was made to feel like a character and constant presence brought to life throughout the book. The writing takes you there without overloading on the description. It really built up a picture of the house in my mind, I could feel the weather, and hear the bumps and creaks in the night. The gore was also very vivid and there were times when I felt like I was seeing what Jane was seeing.

The pacing was near enough perfect. There were some lulls but I felt this was necessary to allow the reader to catch their breath. The writing was easy to follow even when talking about things such as surgery and medical things that I don’t have any real knowledge of. There were parts of the book where the writing felt hectic and rushed but I felt that may have been because that was because there were times were Jane was rushing and becoming almost delirious. If anything this added to the tension.

Another strength was the characters. Both Jane and Mr Lawrence particularly. Mr Lawrence was always keeping me guessing and I loved Jane, she was no-nonsense and took no shit. I liked her methodical approach to things. Her motivation to get married wasn’t setting out to find a love match, she had criteria she wanted to meet for a partnership and convenience and she went out and got it. She observes, sees more than people think she does and isn’t afraid to ask questions. She isn’t the girl from that time period that faints at the sight of blood.  When it got to the part in the story where you are reading about her character having to question things and then seeing her become more frazzled and verging on deranged really had me rooting for her, like come on Jane you can do it!

I also enjoyed many scenes with Jane and Mr Lawrence together and I wish there had been more. I liked how she was falling for him despite herself. I enjoyed the romantic part of the story where you could see them being drawn towards each other despite their initial arrangement.

When it comes to themes, I may be wrong, but I feel like the book was trying to blend the lines behind scientific medicine and ritual. I like magic in books to feel realistic and like it could be possible, and whilst I didn’t quite get that from this book, it did get me thinking a number of times about how different belief systems and rituals have things in common with science in maths, like how it can be so methodical. I felt like Jane was the perfect character for this, as she has to take her logical and practical side and apply it to the fact that things around her are happening that really should be a fantasy.

After finishing the book I felt a bit confused, a bit unsettled. Although I knew I didn’t completely “get” the ending, I still felt satisfyingly spooked. Whilst I didn’t enjoy it as much as The Luminous Dead, I am still a fan of Starling’s writing and ideas and I will definitely continue to read whatever she brings out.

I would recommend this book to fans of the gothic horror genre, but also to readers that like a bit of dark romance, to readers who like their female protagonists tough as nails, and also to anyone that’s just looking for a spooky read.

The Death of Jane Lawrence is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 5th 2021.

Will you be picking up The Death of Jane Lawrence? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Practical, unassuming Jane Shoringfield has done the calculations, and decided that the most secure path forward is this: a husband, in a marriage of convenience, who will allow her to remain independent and occupied with meaningful work. Her first choice, the dashing but reclusive doctor Augustine Lawrence, agrees to her proposal with only one condition: that she must never visit Lindridge Hall, his crumbling family manor outside of town. Yet on their wedding night, an accident strands her at his door in a pitch-black rainstorm, and she finds him changed. Gone is the bold, courageous surgeon, and in his place is a terrified, paranoid man—one who cannot tell reality from nightmare, and fears Jane is an apparition, come to haunt him.

By morning, Augustine is himself again, but Jane knows something is deeply wrong at Lindridge Hall, and with the man she has so hastily bound her safety to. Set in a dark-mirror version of post-war England, Starling crafts a new kind of gothic horror from the bones of the beloved canon. This Crimson Peak-inspired story assembles, then upends, every expectation set in place by Shirley Jackson and Rebecca, and will leave readers shaken, desperate to begin again as soon as they are finished.

The post Review: The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Summer Sons takes some of the characteristics you would find in a southern gothic such as flawed characters, the use of horror imagery, ghost stories, and secrets and uses them to create a layered and lingering tale. There are a fair few spooky and eerie moments, which becomes unsettling at times but that’s what can make a book go from good to great because it gets to you.

The book also attempts to show the darker side of academia and privilege, but the story isn’t all set on campus and it tries to straddle both worlds. Andrew struggles to attend college in the beginning as his primary motive in being there is to follow in Eddie’s footsteps and he is going round in circles and hitting deadends.

The pacing creeps slowly at first, but then it soon starts to drip with suspense and tension as both the reader and Andrew delve deeper into what Eddie left behind and try and figure out the people he was spending his time with. It is worth talking about these characters as I found that I started to like them more as the book progressed and where Andrew started to let them in, which felt very natural. Andrew is wary of everyone at first and so is the reader. Andrew is grieving, he’s confused, his head is not the best place to be in, it’s raw and straight-up sad at times. You have Riley as a roommate living with Andrew, wanting to help, asking questions, and encouraging Andrew to continue with Eddie’s research and academic path, then at night, there is Sam, who provides the party, the gasoline, the drugs, and the late night texts.

We need to mention the chemistry between Andrew and Sam, the CHEMISTRY:

“Sam Halse had cocaine and a fast car and apparently a goddamn death wish—inviting scabs on his knuckles, plus a mouth that could peel paint off a wall. The appeal was obvious // Andrew understood where the hook had sunk in because it had pierced straight through the meat of his cheek, too. He wanted to race Halse again, and that was a strange sensation: want. He also wanted to break his knuckles on Halse’s jaw.”

These men will be the death of me, I swear. I wanted to bang their heads together.

Yes, so I was hooked in from reading the blurb, but I found that there is so much more to find in the story that all weaves together. It is a ghost story (maybe both physical and metaphorical), it also becomes a search for the truth, about friendship, self-discovery, unpacking trauma, re-evaluating relationships and looking towards recovery. I found it to be a very memorable, and yes, haunting read and I am already looking forward to re-reading it again with new eyes.

I am not the only one to think this, but I would compare this to The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater (one of my all-time favourite book series) perhaps not in writing style, but definitely because of the vibes and some of the characters. Think of the fast cars, night drives, and the street racing with Ronan Lynch in The Dream Thieves, and of the ghostly presence of Noah Czerny. I would even stretch to say it is similar to Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo in the way that the character of Eddie is similar to Ninth House’s Darlington in that he may be missing physically but is very much present and the reader finds out more about him through the story.

I’d recommend Summer Sons to fans of the southern gothic as well as those new to the genre, and I think readers who like a good mystery would enjoy this too. I’d also recommend it to those who enjoy character focused novels, as well as anyone looking to read more queer literature by queer authors.

Definitely worth mentioning a content warning for adult content including alcohol, drug use, drink driving, profanity, sex, suicide references, plus trigger warnings for death and gore and some homophobic slurs.

Summer Sons is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of September 28th 2021.

Will you be picking up Summer Sons? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Andrew and Eddie did everything together, best friends bonded more deeply than brothers, until Eddie left Andrew behind to start his graduate program at Vanderbilt. Six months later, only days before Andrew was to join him in Nashville, Eddie dies of an apparent suicide. He leaves Andrew a horrible inheritance: a roommate he doesn’t know, friends he never asked for, and a gruesome phantom with bleeding wrists that mutters of revenge.

As Andrew searches for the truth of Eddie’s death, he uncovers the lies and secrets left behind by the person he trusted most, discovering a family history soaked in blood and death. Whirling between the backstabbing academic world where Eddie spent his days and the circle of hot boys, fast cars, and hard drugs that ruled Eddie’s nights, the walls Andrew has built against the world begin to crumble, letting in the phantom that hungers for him.

The post Review: Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Lost Coast is about Danny, who finds herself drawn to the town of Tempest, California, and it turns out she was actually summoned there by a group of friends who believe she has what they need to find their missing friend Imogen. Danny arriving there is the result of their last attempt at a spell. This group of queer witches are known as The Grays, and for someone like Danny, she’s starting to feel she has actually found her place and somewhere she belongs. They teach her about magic, but also guide her to what her own talents and gifts might be. Whilst figuring this out, she is also aware of her growing attraction towards one of the Grays but isn’t sure if her feelings will be returned. Their search for Imogen steers in different directions and there is a building eerie sense of something wrong.

The novel is certainly queer and uses the term on-page. Its diverse cast includes a lesbian character, bi characters, a non-binary character, and there is also some ace representation as well. The rep is what stands out for me as there are things in each character I can relate to, plus it’s always good to see more queer characters in the books we read. These characters are confident in their own identities and sexuality and encourage discussion about it: “So, what word fits in a way that makes you happy at this very moment?” I think part of their ability to be themselves is why Danny is so drawn to the group as she is finding people who understand her whilst also feeling free to be their true selves. They seem comfortable in their own skin. It’s been weeks since I finished this book and I’m already looking forward to reading it again as it left me with such a warm, fuzzy, positive feeling.

“I’ve found the heart of another secret: the Grays are always touching and kissing each other because so many before us couldn’t. Each kiss carries the weight of so many kisses that never were. Every touch is an invisible battle won.”

Did I mention this book is unapologetically queer?  I love how The Lost Coast has such a nice way of portraying intimacy and attraction. Before coming to Tempest, one of Danny’s main pastimes was kissing girls and whilst this was frowned upon by her mother, Danny wasn’t ashamed of it. The Grays kiss each other and touch each other because they are close and feel they are able to do so. The book does include a sex scene and it is good to see characters feeling comfortable with sex and their bodies as it gives off a sex-positive message.

I have seen reviews comparing The Lost Coast to The Raven Cycle, which is one of my most favourite book series, and I can see why such comments are made. There are similarities like making magic, the found family trope, the continuous trips to the woods, and the sense of “otherness” surrounding the trees etc, but for me, that’s where it ends. Plus, this is a standalone so I don’t think it’s fair to compare it to a series.

“The trees keep us company as we ride. They keep our secrets, and we never have to ask. …Maybe that’s why girls like us are always in the woods.”

When it comes to writing, the story felt more character-based than plot-based, however, there is still a sense of the mystery running through it that forms the base of the story, but overall I felt like the focus was on the prose and atmosphere. I love looking at trees and like the feeling of being on a good walk in the woods. I can see the woods from my window and The Lost Coast just made me want to put my shoes on and walk out into nature. I adore the writing in this and because of that, I think I’ll look at other books by Capetta. The story is told in a non-linear fashion but each chapter tells you who’s point of view it is from and which point in time. I feel this writing choice works really well at giving insights into the characters. It helped the town of Tempest feel like an important character in its own right, the trees feel like a character, and the ravens are a character (they get their own short chapters and viewpoint). I enjoyed the difference in chapters between The Grays which are narrated in the third person, and Danny’s chapters which are in the first person from her point of view. It was easy to get into the swing of things after a few chapters.

It’s definitely a whimsical and imaginative read, and some readers may find it slightly weird at the end, but if you think you like the sound of this then I’d absolutely recommend it. I think if you enjoy contemporary fantasy, queer stories, and dreamy writing, then you can’t go wrong with The Lost Coast. I would really love more people to pick up and shout about this book. It’s a beautiful, beautiful book. I think it’s really about finding your place or your people and the real difference and hope that can bring to a person.

The Lost Coast is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up The Lost Coast? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

The spellbinding tale of six queer witches forging their own paths, shrouded in the mist, magic, and secrets of the ancient California redwoods.

Danny didn’t know what she was looking for when she and her mother spread out a map of the United States and Danny put her finger down on Tempest, California. What she finds are the Grays: a group of friends who throw around terms like queer and witch like they’re ordinary and everyday, though they feel like an earthquake to Danny. But Danny didn’t just find the Grays. They cast a spell that calls her halfway across the country, because she has something they need: she can bring back Imogen, the most powerful of the Grays, missing since the summer night she wandered into the woods alone. But before Danny can find Imogen, she finds a dead boy with a redwood branch through his heart. Something is very wrong amid the trees and fog of the Lost Coast, and whatever it is, it can kill. Lush, eerie, and imaginative, Amy Rose Capetta’s tale overflows with the perils and power of discovery — and what it means to find your home, yourself, and your way forward.

The post Review: The Lost Coast by Amy Rose Capetta appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

In Sheets, Marjorie Glatt has a lot to deal with at thirteen. Her mother has passed away, her father isn’t handling it well, and it’s left to Marjorie to keep on top of the family launderette business, dealing with customers and never-ending laundry, as well as keeping an eye on her brother and handling school. Looming around every corner is the big bad yoga enthusiast Mr Saubertuck who wants to take the launderette to use the building for his own business.

One day, Wendell The Ghost has jumped the train out of the ghost realm, and shows up in Marjorie’s launderette, but he might just be the friend she needs and may just have an answer to those mounting pressures that could help the family business.

Sheets carefully and sensitively tries to handle those feelings of grief, loss, and feeling overwhelmed as a teenager. The responsibility on Marjorie’s shoulders is high for a girl of her age which is really quite sad. However, these emotional and darker, gloomy moments are balanced with Wendell’s humour and scenes from his point of view. I love how Wendell appears to be just a sheet but he can have so many expressions. I’d say that is great artistic skill, making one emotional over a sheet!

Although the ending seemed to be over quite quickly, it still wraps up nicely and I knew the next novel Delicates would be coming!

Delicates is just as good as Sheets, however this time it covers a few more topics. I feel like the focus this time is on trying to delicately handle issues like bullying, loneliness, “fitting in”, and peer pressure. I believe it is best to read Sheets first before reading this one in order to get a background on Marjorie, Wendell, and the ghosts.

Delicates introduces us to a new character named Eliza, who is starting to feel like an outsider. She’s seen as “the weird kid” at school due to her hobby and interest in photography and ghosts. She spends a lot of her time alone, and her goal is to capture a ghost on film. Marjorie on the other hand is starting to be accepted into the popular group of kids at school and is finding herself with less time for Wendell, leading Wendell to feel even more invisible.

The lessons to be learned in this novel was the importance of friendships and that it’s good to be kind, and to apologise when you’re in the wrong.

As the last book touched on grief and the effect death has on a family, I would like to have seen Marjorie’s father become a bit better with dealing with his grief and engage more as a parent, but perhaps this will follow in another book? It seems he is starting to improve which is a positive sign.

Once again, I loved the illustrations, the drawings are enjoyable in relaxing and soothing colours with characters wearing fun 90s outfits, and some lovely hairstyles!

Overall, Sheets and Delicates are both emotional, moving, and visually pleasing graphic novels and I’d recommend them to a whole array of readers, but mostly to schoolkids and teenagers in particular because of the issues raised and the sensitivity in which they are handled. 

So what might happen next..

If we get a third book to follow up to Sheets and Delicates (and I really hope we do), I’d love to see Wendell get more page time. Maybe we will see Marjorie, Eliza, and Wendell hanging out together as a trio? Maybe Wendell might be discovered by Eliza’s father? I’d also like to see more ghosts, maybe some more of Wendell’s ghost friends will visit? I can’t wait!

Content warning: bereavement, bullying, death, suicidal thoughts

The post You Should Be Reading Brenna Thummler’s ‘Sheets’ and ‘Delicates’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Who I Was With Her is the debut novel from Nita Tyndall and it is a moving and beautiful coming-of-age piece that explores the journey of grief, along with identity, love, and friendship. It can be sad in parts as it navigates the understandably upsetting subject matter, but it also manages to become that little bit empowering in an uplifting way as we follow Corrine’s journey to live life on her own terms.

“I have stopped counting how long it’s been since she died. She deserves to be remembered, not measured by the days of my grief or how long it’s been since she left. She deserves to be remembered for who she was.”

Corrine has kept her sexuality and her relationship with Maggie hidden from her friends and family for some time, and now she finds herself dealing with her grief alone. The only person who knew about the relationship was Maggie’s brother, Dylan. Through Dylan she meets Elissa, an ex-girlfriend of Maggie’s. It’s messy and not an ideal set up, but she may be the only person who Corrine can confide in and relate to as Elissa knew Maggie too. Having kept so much from people, Corrine has isolated herself and having a stranger to talk to becomes a crutch. As well as exploring the relationship between them, the story follows Corrine trying to make it through school, repair her strained friendship with her best friend Julia, navigate living between her separated parents, and making decisions about college. Running is quite prominent in the novel as cross country running is the sport that brought Corrine and Maggie together and it’s what Corrine’s father hopes will be her ticket out of the town and towards a better future. Corrine needs to examine her own attitude towards running, why she runs, and what she really wants out of it.

The story goes back and forth with the reader following present-day Corrine along with there being shorter chapters that are flashbacks to her time with Maggie. I liked this way of storytelling as we get to see what their relationship was like, which helps make Maggie’s loss have more of an impact. It adds another layer of depth as we can see how her death changes Corrine. It also increases Maggie’s presence throughout the book and allows us to gather our own impression of her too.

I was pleased with the bisexual representation in this story. I liked that the word was used often and that Corrine took the time to be comfortable with applying the label to herself. There was plenty I could resonate with which helped me connect to Corrine more and I think it’s why the book left a big impression on me. I found that overall the book had a sex-positive message as it mentions the importance of waiting until you are ready, but also shows casual sex and how it does not have to be seen as a negative thing.

I would recommend Who I Was With Her in particular to teenagers and those approaching the end of school or starting college who are unsure of their next step. A lot of young people feel pressure because of expectations from their parents and I think this book would help them feel that they are not alone. People process grief differently and this book may be upsetting for anyone who has recently suffered a loss of a loved one, but on the other hand, some readers may find it comforting if there is something they can relate to. I’d also recommend it to anyone in the LGBTQ+ community that might not yet be out for whatever reason, in the hope that they can resonate with the questions and feelings surrounding Corrine and her identity. With all good books though, I can honestly say I would recommend this to anyone regardless of age. I’m 29 and it was one of my favourite books of 2020. I really wish more sapphic books and positive bisexual representation was around when I was younger.

“This is my coming out. One person at a time. No big statement, no grand gesture. Only people I want to tell. Why should I come out the way everyone else wants me to?”

Content warning: Death/ Grief, Homophobia, Parent with Alcoholism, Slut-Shaming, Sex

Who I Was With Her is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Who I Was With Her? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

There are two things that Corinne Parker knows to be true: that she is in love with Maggie Bailey, the captain of the rival high school’s cross-country team and her secret girlfriend of a year, and that she isn’t ready for anyone to know she’s bisexual.

But then Maggie dies, and Corinne quickly learns that the only thing worse than losing Maggie is being left heartbroken over a relationship no one knows existed. And to make things even more complicated, the only person she can turn to is Elissa — Maggie’s ex and the single person who understands how Corinne is feeling.

As Corinne struggles to make sense of her grief and what she truly wants out of life, she begins to have feelings for the last person she should fall for. But to move forward after losing Maggie, Corinne will have to learn to be honest with the people in her life…starting with herself.

The post Review: Who I Was With Her by Nita Tyndall appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

I think Lord really gets social media and writes about it well. A bit of knowledge about Instagram would give readers an advantage, but for those not familiar with the platform, it shouldn’t make the book less enjoyable. It does explore how using the app affects people, and I think the message around responsible use of these types of social media platforms is a good one for teenage readers. It’s not preachy, but I feel like there is a lesson to be learnt.

Lord’s writing style is enjoyable and the voice is easy to get into, it’s what made Tweet Cute one of my favourite reads of last year. Like in Tweet Cute, this will appeal to your senses as one of the characters named Leo loves to cook, so there is plenty to smell and taste. Once again, I think she hits what it’s like to be a teenager really well. There are times where characters feel lost and confused, jealous, sad, and wanting to get back at their parents! I could definitely relate, and think lots of readers will have felt these emotions at some point. There is quite a bit of miscommunication between characters in the story which creates drama, and life would be so much easier if everyone just says what they mean, but when have feelings and emotions ever been easy to deal with at that age?

You Have A Match does have sensitive themes around family and brings up adoption, and I cannot comment on how well this topic is handled and represented as this is not something I’ve ever had to experience myself. Experiences can vary, the book can only show how its characters choose to feel and behave in their own unique situation. Saying this, the book never takes itself quite too seriously. It’s emotional, and there are tough moments, but it’s broken down into short chapters and there are lots of jokes, banter, silly scenes, and tender moments to break it all up. On the one hand you could argue that it doesn’t take certain issues (adoption, family trauma etc) seriously enough, but on the other hand, you could argue this is a teen book also trying to be a coming of age comedy set at a summer camp. Sometimes I felt like the book was trying to tell two stories at once, so the secret sister plotline sometimes had to take a back seat where it should have been at the centre stage. It is still a positive book though, honestly reading this was a ray of sunshine after the year we just had! I would definitely check out anything else Emma Lord wants to write a book about, she’s one to watch!

If you’ve enjoyed Emma Lord’s previous work, then read this book. If you haven’t read her books yet, then pick up this book. If you’re a teenager or ever been a teenager, read this book!

You Have A Match is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of January 12th 2021.

Will you be picking up You Have A Match? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord’s You Have a Match, a YA novel of family, friendship, romance and sisterhood…

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby’s growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

The post Review: You Have A Match by Emma Lord appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

As challenging as the game is, I personally am really enjoying it. It really feels like a Crash Bandicoot game and offers up nostalgia and the things we loved about the original, as well as adding enough new things to feel like a fresh game with a modern take.

So whats new?

Unlimited lives: That’s right. In It’s About Time you get the option of playing in “retro mode” where you can collect lives like in previous games, or “modern mode” where you have unlimited lives and you’ll never see a “game over”. Go for modern mode, you’ll need it!

New Playable Characters: You can play certain levels as Dingodile, Cortex, and Tawna. Each character has different skills so it makes gameplay more fun that just playing as Crash for the whole game. Personally, I liked playing Cortex’s levels the most out of the three.

Masks : As you progress through the game, the levels will require you to complete certain sections using specially powered masks. Players can then flip gravity, slow time, super-spin, or pop in and out of alternate dimensions. I feel this is where the gameplay is different to the previous games as this isn’t something players would have encountered before.

Check out this gorgeous illustration of the new “Quantum Masks” from concept artist Nicholas Kole

Inverted mode: Some way through the game you’ll unlock inverted mode. This mode gives you the option to play the same levels again but experience it with different visuals. Some add a different effect to the game such as playing in near darkness unless you spin and break boxes to see the rest of the path, others just look REALLY pretty. It’s worth just having a go at different ones just to see what the new look is. One of my favourite levels is a Mardi Gras type level and it’s done as if it’s an old movie on a flickering tape with piano music. Cute!

Flashback tapes: In each level you can collect a tape which allows you to play bonus levels. These levels are reminiscent of the original crash “bonus rounds” and are retro in style and are a flash back to when Crash was in Cortex’s testing lab. They’re all about the jumping and breaking boxes (not my strength I must admit – yes I am aware what game I’m playing) but the music in these is a great throwback to the first Crash Bandicoot game.

It may seem that there is a lot of new extras, but again, I believe it still feels like a Crash game. The soundtrack is brilliant, the music fits, and some of the music is a remix of the classic old tracks. Lex Lang returns to voice Cortex (he does a great job!), and players will recognise old enemies such as Dr N.Brio, Dr N. Gin, and N. Tropy.

An example of an Inverted Level [Image Source]

What is there to collect?

If you’re a completionist then there is so much to collect!

There are 6 gems per level; the usual one for breaking all the boxes, one for completing the game in 3 lives or less, plus a hidden gem, then you’ll get 3 by collecting 80% of the Wumpa fruit. Collecting gems also enables players to unlock new outfits or “skins” for Crash and Coco.

There are the time trial relics which you can obtain by beating the level in a set time, and there are the new Flashback tapes which allow you to play mini levels. If you throw in Inverted Mode, then that’s double the gems, and double the relics to collect!

[Image Source]

My Verdict

I’m not a what you’d call a pro gamer. I’m not terrible at Crash, but I’m not the greatest, and I’m never going to be one of those players that can get all the gems and boxes to get that 100% finish (apart from Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped – I smashed that)

Woah, it is HARD. I went into It’s About Time quite naively thinking I wouldn’t find it any more difficult than the last game, after all, children still want to play this don’t they? I was WRONG.  It’s demanding, but to me it’s a fun challenge. Almost. Sometimes it felt frustrating, but at the end of the day it was still fun to play (nervous laughter).

Playing as Cortex was a highlight, his levels are engaging, his background music is awesome and his chatter is silly! I liked Dingodile’s levels the least, as his control felt a bit clunky and his levels felt long and a little dull (there is never any need for 400 boxes!)

A Flashback Tape Level [Image Source]

Overall Rating: 8/10

Where it loses points for me personally is that it felt a touch just too difficult, and I probably won’t replay it much as I know there are things I’ll never be able collect or levels I’d even re-attempt as they were too much for me. I feel it might be too challenging for the casual or a less experienced younger gamer. However, there is something to be said for the addicting part of it, because I’ll admit I sat there and attempted something nearly 100 times. Where it wins is that it’s new enough to be interesting, but still feels like classic Crash Bandicoot. It’s a great challenge, plus it looks lovely, there is a mix of environments and settings and theres lots to collect for those that like to 100% finish a game.

What did you think of Crash Bandicoot 4? Tell us in the comments below!

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Having no expectations or preconceptions, I was drawn to the book because of its setting and the fact the main character was no longer working in law enforcement. To me, a crime novel without all of the cops offered something different.

The Searcher follows Cal Hooper, a recently divorced, recently retired policeman from Chicago. He’s now in the fictional small town of Ardnakelty for some fresh air, good scenery, and to throw himself into the project of fixing up the old farmhouse he’s trying to live in. It doesn’t take long for another project to demand his attention. The object of his search is a missing nineteen-year-old, and Cal must do his searching without all of the tools of the police at his disposal. This means Cal has to figure out the town and its people, seek them out, get them talking, and get to uncovering secrets all the while trying to fit in as the American stranger in their town.

The setting and surroundings within The Searcher add to the enjoyment of the novel. Ardnakelty is almost a character itself as it is always present but changing. The isolated rural town adds to the slow-growing tension and gives off a good atmosphere. At times, it was almost a cosy reading experience because of the plentiful descriptions of the weather, animals, and the food. I read this as the weather changed to a grey, rainy week in October, which is similar to The Searcher as it is set during the time of year where the darker nights are closing in.

The slower pacing allows time to introduce the reader to the residents of Ardnakelty, as well as giving a bit of background to Cal. The character of Marty helps the reader get to know about who’s who. This is done well as the same time he’s getting Cal up to speed on his neighbours, the reader is being informed too. This helps the reader on their journey as they are trying to work out the secrets along with Cal. Although the slow start is not a negative, I would have liked to see an increase in pacing after the halfway point, because slow burners are not for everyone.

I’d have liked a fuller conclusion for an ending, but I appreciate different readers are going to want different things. It would have been more engaging to have a bit more drama, or a twist in the plot of the mystery, but on the other hand, too much drama would have been out of place with the setting of the novel. I think this is one of those stories and endings that will divide opinions!

Also, I must add a mention that Tana French gets some bonus points for dropping in a mention of the amazing musician, Hozier!   

The Searcher is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of November 5th 2020.

Will you be picking up The Searcher? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a remote Irish village would be the perfect escape. After twenty-five years in the Chicago police force, and a bruising divorce, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens.

But then a local kid comes looking for his help. His brother has gone missing, and no one, least of all the police, seems to care. Cal wants nothing to do with any kind of investigation, but somehow he can’t make himself walk away.

Soon Cal will discover that even in the most idyllic small town, secrets lie hidden, people aren’t always what they seem, and trouble can come calling at his door.

Our greatest living mystery writer weaves a masterful tale of breath-taking beauty and suspense, asking how we decide what’s right and wrong in a world where neither is simple, and what we risk if we fail.

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Thank you so much for doing a Q&A with us! Can you tell us a little about yourself and the Hell’s Library trilogy for those that aren’t yet familiar with it?

What happens to the stories you never get to tell, the books that are never written, the art that’s never made? Perhaps they still exist in some sort of library, a library just adjacent to Hell. Stories are restless things—of course there are runaways. That’s the premise of the Hell’s Library trilogy of books. The trilogy starts with THE LIBRARY OF THE UNWRITTEN, in which we follow the Unwritten Wing’s head librarian, Claire, her assistant, the ex-muse Brevity, mentor Andras, and a junior demon courier named Leto as a simple runaway fictional hero retrieval sets them on a crash course with Heaven in pursuit of the codex gigas, the Devil’s Bible. It’s a trip that will tromp across several realms of the afterlife, explore our relationships with stories, and reveal the nothing is ever so simple in the Library.

The sequel, THE ARCHIVE OF THE FORGOTTEN, examines the fallout of winning the battle, and the problems that arise when a Library keeps secrets even from its own inhabitants. THE ARCHIVE OF THE FORGOTTEN is out on Tuesday, October 6th.

The book features muses, whose job it is to carry and bring inspiration to the humans. What inspired you to write this trilogy?

I started writing this when I was an unwritten (and unpublished) author myself. Any author will tell you that the struggle to finish a novel will conjure up all sorts of emotions and doubts. I had a lot of time to think about (think, here, meaning angst eternally) about what happens to stories that don’t get shared. I liked to imagine there was a library for them, since libraries are one of the most comforting inventions humans have come up with.

And, well, it made sense it would be in a kind of purgatory Hell.

That may sound straightforward, but ideas are a bit like ants in your kitchen. One day they’re not there, the next you turn the light on and BOOM—idea ants. You’re not sure where they came from or what bit of brain crumbs drew them, but it’s your job to deal with them. So after a lot of thinking about stories and hell librarians and demons and regret and the afterlife, I got to writing.

The Unwritten Wing in The Library of The Unwritten is where all the unwritten and unfinished books go, and the arcane wing is for darker objects. Do you like collecting anything?

I am guessing that ‘books’ doesn’t count as a collection. I do have a rather embarrassing collection of fountain pens and fountain pen ink. I don’t add to it often, as it’s a rather expensive collector hobby, but it’s an amazing feeling to hold a writing instrument that had the same thought and craftsmanship put into it as a piece of art would. I’ll be honest, the presence of the mysterious ink in THE ARCHIVE OF THE FORGOTTEN gave me a great excuse to indulge in my nerdy love for fountain pens and ink.

Both The Library of The Unwritten and The Archive of The Forgotten are told from multiple points of view, but which character was your favourite to write?

I don’t think I’ll surprise anyone here if I say Hero’s POV was the most fun to write. He’s the kind of character that is dying to flavor a story with his side of things. That might be why I resisted and didn’t let him have a POV in the first book, THE LIBRARY OF THE UNWRITTEN—he would have carried away the show. In the sequel, he has an extensive arc of his own to go through, so I got to turn him loose on the page.

If you had to go on a road trip, would you rather go with Claire, Brevity, Rami, or Hero as your companion?

What a tough choice! Hero certainly wouldn’t let things be boring, but Rami would be the best designated driver and insist on regularly mandated rest stops and care maintenance—he’d never let the gas dip below half a tank. Brevity would be the best at roadside tourist attractions—Carhenge, giant ball of twine, whatever the attraction Brevity would love it and absolutely force everyone to spend way too much time exploring the gift shop.

I might have to go with Claire, though, because she would maintain a very sensible schedule and let us all stop at one of the good hotels for a solid night’s sleep.

I really enjoy your interpretation of different realms, like Valhalla in The Library of The Unwritten, and Chinvat Bridge in The Archive of The Forgotten. Did you have to do much research for this or is it something that interests you?

Mythology and various afterlife interpretations has always interested me! However, I am very aware that sometimes I am writing of afterlives that are part of active practitioner’s belief systems today, and I want to treat that with respect. I do as much research as I’m able—talking to members of that faith, if I can—but ultimately I hope it comes across that the afterlife realms of the series’ world represent popular concepts, non-canonical religious interpretation—Valhalla is a much more pop culture take on the realm than traditional Norse mythology—so any errors or failures are my own.

You also write romance as Ada Harper. Are there any other genres you’d like to try?

I would love the chance to write a YA series, in particular, and as a fan of video games I’ve always had an interest in writing interactive fiction. In grad school I actually did my research on how the medium of something effects the message (or in this case, the story) so I’d love the chance to play with media. Right now, however, I have enough adult fantasy ideas to last me for quite a few books!

What do you think a Hell’s Library film or TV show would look like? Is this something you would want for your series?

I don’t know many authors who haven’t imagined what their future Netflix/HBO/etc. series of their dreams could look like. The ultimate reality is, however, that if it does happen, I’ll have very little artistic control over the end result. Still, I’d love to see Claire and the gang introduced to wider audiences someday, because so many of the book series themes about stories and humanity apply to other mediums too. If it ever happens, I hope it retains the hopefully, found family emphasis of the books, and the cast remains just as diverse, and just as queer.

Are you able to tell us anything about what we can expect in the final book?

In no particular order, there is fire, water, fancy parties, dealings with the devil, spilled tea, and TROUSERS. Claire’s nightmares, basically. Readers will probably appreciate the return of a couple familiar faces. And we finally get to spend more time with other library Wings and librarians! Disaster always brings a family together.

What’s next for you?

More novels, with any luck! I am working on a new fantasy that I’ve shorthanded as the shrinepunk heist book. There are small gods, jazz age chaos, tattoo magic, good tailoring and angry women, as you might expect. If I manage to convince someone to publish it, I will be excited to tell you more.

Of course, we have to ask a bookish question! Have you read anything amazing recently? Who are some of your favourite authors?

Right now, I am 60% of the way through Naomi Novik’s DEADLY EDUCATION, and I am delighted by it while simultaneously happy I am not living in a magical school that is trying to kill me. Before that, I absolutely devoured Rebecca Roanhorse’s BLACK SUN, and ACROSS THE GREEN GRASS FIELDS, Seanan McGuire’s latest book in the Wayward Children, which is a series dear to my heart. Sadly, that still leaves me approximately five thousand thirty-teen books behind all the greatest new releases. We’re really blessed to have so many great fantasy books releasing in such a hard year.

Will you be picking up The Archive of the Forgotten? Tell us in the comments below!

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The Archive of The Forgotten picks up where The Library of The Unwritten ended. It deals with the consequences of the battle to protect the library, whilst facing a new threat. Whilst the two books both contain their own main plot, The Archive of The Forgotten moves past the events of the previous book and it focuses on the new balance of relationships between the characters, and what the changes mean for them. I think I found the first part of the book slower than its predecessor because I spent some time picking up the pieces, but it soon ramped up. It was really good to spend more time with the characters that I’d come to know, and A.J Hackwith’s writing is just as beautiful as before. The Archive of The Forgotten still has the inventive worlds and wonderful prose that make it just as captivating as before.

“They burn them first, the stories. Humans always come for the stories first. It’s their warm-up, before they start burning other humans. It’s their first form of control, to burn the libraries, to burn the books, to burn the archives of a culture. Humans are the stories they tell.”

After the battle saw books destroyed and burnt, Claire is no longer the librarian in charge of the unwritten wing with all of its potential stories. Instead, she is moved to the arcane wing, and takes the title of the arcanist, in charge of objects that represent humanities darker side. This means the role of Librarian lies with former muse Brevity, and Hero is now her assistant. One of the remaining books starts to leak a mysterious ink, and Brevity and Claire have different ideas of how best to approach this. The book sees the two wings experimenting, researching, and trying to understand what this ink means, and the reader learns along with them. A muse from Brevity’s past named Probity arrives, and she has her own motive. She believes she has found a way for muses to create their own stories without a need for humans – a big no no!

“Humans were ridiculous creatures, in Hero’s expert opinion. They always saw what they wanted to see and ignored the rest. No creature edited its own reality so viciously as a human.”

The reader also gets to see more of Hell’s Library, such as the Dust Wing, where the books that humanity has forgotten end up, and the Unsaid Wing, full of letters and confessions that were never sent. I think the idea of these different wings are so imaginative, and it makes me excited to see where else we might get to explore in the next book. Through exploring the different wings of the Library, and seeing them through Hero’s eyes, we go on a journey with him. Remember, Hero is a character out of his own book, he is trying to find out where he fits in. There are a number of wonderful quotes about humanity in both of these books.

Like The Library of The Unwritten, this book has multiple points of view but it is written in the third person, and the chapters are from either Claire, Hero, Rami, or Brevity’s perspective. There is a distinction between them and I found Hero’s chapters more fun to read as they held his humour, whereas Claire’s chapters had a more serious feel to them. Rami might have to be my favourite character though. He’s lived for hundreds (thousands?) of years and blesses us with pearls of wisdom like this: “I think the weight of a man’s life lies in what he does with it. Reasons and heart are important, but it’s your actions that have long-reaching effects.”

The guy might be a fallen angel, but he has the patience of a saint to try and crack Claire’s tough exterior and put up with Hero’s flighty character. He is finding his family and I am HERE FOR IT.

“Ramiel kept Claire standing, and Hero kept her on her toes.”

Ah, relationships. Throughout The Archive of The Forgotten, I felt like one of the characters was maybe starting to feel a little more than feelings of friendship towards another. There were also a few hints of attraction between characters too. There is a kiss! However, I will not reveal who it was between. I do feel curious as to where Hackwith is going to take the romantic direction of this pairing. I feel the dynamic between Rami, Claire, and Hero has more to meet the eye, perhaps we may even see the start of a poly relationship? I might be wrong, but I would like to see where the three will go, as I think feelings are going to start getting complicated.

The Archive of The Forgotten is a strong sequel, whilst it addresses events of the previous book (the damage to the library), it also has its own storyline which does get more or less resolved, but also leaves points to be addressed in the next book. The characters get plenty of development too, for example, we can see this in Claire’s attitude towards those around her, caring for others and showing vulnerability and asking for help. Brevity starts to gain more confidence working within the library and speaking for herself too. By the end of The Archive of The Forgotten, I definitely felt much more connected with the characters and invested in their relationships with each other. I am very keen to see what journey  A.J  Hackwith decides to take us on next!

The Archive of The Forgotten is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 6th 2020.

Will you be picking up The Archive of The Forgotten? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

In the second installment of this richly imagined fantasy adventure series, a new threat from within the Library could destroy those who depend upon it the most.

The Library of the Unwritten in Hell was saved from total devastation, but hundreds of potential books were destroyed. Former librarian Claire and Brevity the muse feel the loss of those stories, and are trying to adjust to their new roles within the Arcane Wing and Library, respectively. But when the remains of those books begin to leak a strange ink, Claire realizes that the Library has kept secrets from Hell–and from its own librarians.

Claire and Brevity are immediately at odds in their approach to the ink, and the potential power that it represents has not gone unnoticed. When a representative from the Muses Corps arrives at the Library to advise Brevity, the angel Rami and the erstwhile Hero hunt for answers in other realms. The true nature of the ink could fundamentally alter the afterlife for good or ill, but it entirely depends on who is left to hold the pen.

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