I continued my T. Kingfisher journey with The Hollow Places, a book that initially didn’t seem to promise much given its portal horror/fantasy theme—a subgenre that isn’t usually my favorite. I’ve never been one for portal stories, but I decided to give it a chance. Surprisingly, the novel’s atmospheric strength quickly won me over. The eerie world into which the protagonist is thrust is vividly drawn, from the haunting figure of a creepy boatman navigating his tiny vessel to the bizarre presence of a character who is half-water, half-human. The unsettling scripts and cryptic signs scattered throughout the narrative added an extra layer of mystery that kept my curiosity piqued. Despite these richly detailed settings, I found the plot a little lacking when it came to building sustained suspense. There were moments where the tension fizzled out, leaving me wishing for a bit more narrative momentum. Even though The Hollow Places stands as my least favourite of Kingfisher’s works in terms of plot execution, the overall experience was undeniably enjoyable. It’s a testament to Kingfisher’s skill in creating mood and atmosphere, proving that even when the story doesn’t hit all the right notes, a book can still be a fascinating read.

Rating
Plot ★★☆☆☆
Characters ★★★☆☆
World Building ★★★☆☆
Atmosphere ★★★★☆
Writing Style ★★★☆☆

I’ve always been enamored with John Gwynne’s epic fantasy series—his knack for crafting gripping battle scenes and high-stakes conflicts is legendary. However, with Ruin, I found myself at a crossroads. As much as I appreciate his detailed descriptions of warfare and heroic struggles, the relentless barrage of battle scenes in this volume began to feel overwhelming. It was as though the narrative was so intent on delivering epic combat that it sidelined the character development I so dearly missed from the earlier books. While the sheer scale and intensity of the battles were undeniably impressive, the shift in focus left me yearning for more personal moments with the characters I had grown to love. Despite these criticisms, Ruin still managed to keep me engaged, and the ending offered a hopeful glimpse that the final volume—due in March—will return to the nuanced, character-driven storytelling that first captured my heart. This bittersweet experience has only deepened my anticipation for what’s to come.

Rating
Plot ★★★☆☆
Characters ★★★★☆
World Building ★★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★★★
Writing Style ★★★★★

Finally, Sorcery and Small Magics provided a refreshing change of pace. Sometimes a book’s success hinges not on its inherent qualities but on the reader’s mood, and in this instance, I found myself less captivated than I expected. The story is a delightful blend of a cozy quest and a humorous “sunshine versus grump” dynamic that immediately reminded me of tales like Ella Enchanted. Leo, the relentlessly cheerful protagonist, is a character who radiates optimism—so much so that it can be a bit overwhelming at times. Yet, his interactions with the eternally grouchy, overachieving counterpart offer some truly funny and endearing moments. The concept of pairing these polar opposites in an adventure that forces them to work together is both creative and entertaining. However, the plot felt somewhat contrived, as if every twist and turn was predetermined by the need to keep the story moving rather than by natural character development or organic progression. Even so, there’s no denying that the idea behind Sorcery and Small Magics is imaginative and will likely win over many readers who appreciate a blend of humor and magic. For now, it remains a solid story that simply didn’t click with me as much as the others.

Rating
Plot ★★☆☆☆
Characters ★★☆☆☆
World Building ★☆☆☆☆
Atmosphere ★★☆☆☆
Writing Style ★★★☆☆