Even though my reading year hasn’t started off perfectly—with quite a few disappointing reads—there’s one silver lining: I’ve started a series that will most likely make it into my Top 5.
Stats
Total Reads: 6 📚
Total Pages: 2.812 📃
Average Rating: 3 ⭐
Rivers of London – Ben Aaronovitch
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch is a creative and entertaining urban fantasy with a richly detailed London setting that feels like a character in itself. I enjoyed the unique blend of magic and reality, the witty humor, and the way the city’s history and landmarks were woven into the story. However, the pacing was inconsistent, with exciting supernatural moments often interrupted by mundane police work, which sometimes lessened the tension. Peter Grant is a likable protagonist, but his quick acceptance of magic felt rushed, making his character development less compelling. Despite these flaws, the book’s charm, humor, and inventive world-building make it an enjoyable read, especially for those who love London or urban fantasy. Read my Full Review here.
Rating
Plot ★★☆☆☆
Characters ★★★☆☆
World Building ★★★★☆
Atmosphere ★★★★☆
Writing Style ★★★☆☆
Malice – John Gwynne
Malice by John Gwynne is all about the characters, and they are absolutely the best part of the book. I could write a hundred-page essay on each one because they’re just that good. You get all the classic fantasy tropes you want—Coming of Age, Found Family, Animal Companion—wrapped in an epic setting that feels both familiar and fresh. The character development is top-tier, making you root for them, cry for them, and obsess over their journeys. If you love deep, well-written characters in a sweeping fantasy world, this book delivers everything you could ask for.
Rating
Plot ★★★★☆
Characters ★★★★★
World Building ★★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★★★
Writing Style ★★★★☆
Valour – John Gwynne
Valour takes everything Malice did right and cranks it up to perfection. If you thought the first book was a five-star read, just wait until you dive into this one. Every page matters—whether it’s packed with emotion, epic battles, or beautifully written moments that make you savor the journey. The balance between fast-paced action and slower, character-driven scenes is flawless, and the fight sequences are just incredible. And yes, I cried at the end. Now, I’m actually terrified to read the next book, which is why I’m putting it off until February.
Rating
Plot ★★★★★
Characters ★★★★★
World Building ★★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★★★
Writing Style ★★★★★
Iron Widow – Xiran Jay Zhao
The year has just begun, and I’m already convinced I’ve read my worst book of the year. A full, rage-fueled review is coming soon. I love feminist stories, but this felt more like a marketing gimmick—what I got was toxic and immature. The author has a strong presence on social media, which made me think I’d love this book, but NOPE. (I know this sounds mean, but seriously… just don’t read it. 😂)
Rating
Plot ★☆☆☆☆
Characters ★☆☆☆☆
World Building ★☆☆☆☆
Atmosphere ★☆☆☆☆
Writing Style ★★☆☆☆
The Teller of Small Fortunes – Julie Leong
After Legends & Lattes, the cozy fantasy hype completely got me too—I love having a gentle, smaller story to balance out epic adventures. But even cozy books need some originality, and this one felt like it just borrowed the most recognizable tropes from a hundred other stories without adding anything special. And honestly? It wasn’t even that cozy. The whole “Teller of Small Fortunes” aspect was barely mentioned in a handful of sentences, while the rest was a shallow little rescue quest. Disappointing.
Rating
Plot ★☆☆☆☆
Characters ★★☆☆☆
World Building ★★☆☆☆
Atmosphere ★★★☆☆
Writing Style ★★★☆☆
A Study in Drowning – Ava Reid
Do you know how heartbreaking it is when one of your favorite authors disappoints you? The first half of A Study in Drowning was exactly what I expect from Ava Reid—mysterious, beautifully written, all about the vibes rather than the plot. But then the story took such a weird turn that nothing felt cohesive anymore. It completely lost me, and I was genuinely disappointed. Because of that, I won’t be reading the second book.
Rating
Plot ★☆☆☆☆
Characters ★★★☆☆
Excitement ★★☆☆☆
Atmosphere ★★★★★
Writing Style ★★★★★
Favourite Book of January
And now, drumroll please, for my favourite book of January… Valour by John Gwynne. That was an easy one 😉
The Reading Stray 
The Teller of Small Fortunes sounds so cosy – it’s disappointing that it doesn’t live up to its title!
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Oh yes the title is just perfection 😦 I wish we had gotten a story like that.
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