Start of a Chapter 📖 January 2024 TBR

When a class war erupts inside a luxurious apartment block, modern elevators become violent battlegrounds and cocktail parties degenerate into marauding attacks on “enemy” floors. In this visionary tale, human society slips into violent reverse as once-peaceful residents, driven by primal urges, re-create a world ruled by the laws of the jungle.

Intriguing Dystopian Exploration: I’m drawn to “High Rise” for its reputation as a thought-provoking dystopian novel. The premise of a class war erupting within a luxurious apartment block promises a unique examination of societal breakdown and the primal instincts that surface.

Geralt the Witcher—revered and hated—is a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary murderer: his targets are the multifarious monsters and vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent.

But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good… and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.

Introduction to a Fantasy Epic: As a fantasy enthusiast, I’ve heard glowing reviews about Sapkowski’s Witcher series. “The Last Wish” serves as the gateway to Geralt of Rivia’s world, offering interconnected short stories and a promising introduction to a series praised for its character complexity and rich world-building.

Geralt is a witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary murderer: his targets are the multifarious monsters and vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent.

Continuation of the Witcher Saga: Having delved into “The Last Wish,” I’m eager to continue Geralt’s journey with “Sword of Destiny.” The promise of more adventures, deeper character development, and Sapkowski’s immersive storytelling make this an irresistible addition to my TBR.

Long-banished dragons, revered as gods, return to the mortal realm in the first in this magical new epic fantasy trilogy from a bestselling author

Long ago, humans betrayed dragons, stealing their magic and banishing them to a dying world. Centuries later, their descendants worship dragons as gods. But the gods remember, and they do not forgive.

Thief Arcady scrapes a living on the streets of Vatra. Desperate, Arcady steals a powerful artifact from the bones of the Plaguebringer, the most hated person in Lumet history. Only Arcady knows the artifact’s magic holds the key to a new life among the nobles at court and a chance for revenge.

The spell connects to Everen, the last male dragon foretold to save his kind, dragging him through the Veil. Disguised as a human, Everen soon learns that to regain his true power and form and fulfil his destiny, he only needs to convince one little thief to trust him enough to bond completely–body, mind, and soul–and then kill them.

Yet the closer the two become, the greater the risk both their worlds will shatter.

Magical World-Building and Dragons: The blurb of “Dragonfall” promises a mesmerizing fusion of magic, betrayal, and dragons—a combination that fuels my fascination. The idea of long-banished dragons returning to the mortal realm and the intricate relationships between characters make this fantasy novel an irresistible addition to my TBR pile.

When their father is injured in an accident, life changes for the Johnstone family. Unable to afford their home, they have to move to a small London flat. Carol can no longer go to ballet school and Tim is heartbroken as he must leave his beloved dog, Jelly, behind.

Then, it seems, their wishes are granted: in an extraordinary twist of fate, Tim inherits a dilapidated country house, Caldicott Place, where the family – including Jelly – can live together. But the house is badly in need of repair and they have no money, so a solution is found – the family start to look after wealthy children in the school holidays. Although they dread the prospect of sharing their newly found home with rich spoiled children, perhaps friendships can be found in the unlikeliest places.

Heartwarming Family Narrative: “Caldicott Place” beckons me with its heartwarming tale of family, resilience, and the unexpected turns of life. Streatfeild’s reputation for creating endearing characters and exploring nuanced family dynamics has convinced me that this is a must-read for moments of warmth and reflection.