Looking back on this year in terms of reading, I must say that it has been versatile. As always, I’ve been reading across different genres, including biographical & autobiographical non-fiction.
Reading a book series is a special experience. When the author puts a part of themselves into the story that spans across several books, readers inevitably become attached to the characters. And when the journey comes to an end, it can bring tears, along with satisfaction at reaching the conclusion, to the more sentimental of us. I am not ashamed to admit that I belong to this group.
So, 2025 is marked by continuing the series that I loved from the very first book, starting a new series that made me feel hooked, and also completing the series, reaching the finale of which, on the one hand, felt extremely satisfying, while on the other, left me feeling sad.
“River Becomes Shadow” by Anne M. Smith-Nochasak
Book two of the Taggak Journey trilogy is as dark and uncompromising as the first one.
River is twelve, and she is the one who is destined to save the world. The world that desperately needs saving. The religious cult – the Elect – rule over what is left after the bombings that destroyed the civilisation as we know it. They rule by inflicting fear and killing those who disagree with them. And since they have weapons and the remnants of technology left intact, no one can stand against them.
Yet, there is always something that makes people do seemingly reckless things, the things that will definitely get them killed. And it is hope. It isn’t necessarily a shining beacon, making one feel warm and strong inside. “Sometimes the hope sticks in our throats and presses hard and sharp while we cry, but it is still there.” In the end, that is what matters to help those who try to continue. For the hope to still be there.
On the outside, “River Becomes Shadow” is about an arduous journey an assorted group of individuals take to join the revolution and bring down the Elect. In its core, it is so much more than that. It is an unflinching account of human courage, resilience, and the strength of love. It doesn’t treat you gently, hinting at the atrocities people are ready to commit to gain power or to save their skin. Everything is at full display here, sharp-edged and painfully realistic, forcing you to close your eyes and draw a deep breath.
Read my full review of “River Becomes Shadow” by Anne M. Smith-Nochasak here
“A Pack of Wolves” by P.L. Stuart
While I was reading the fifth instalment of the epic fantasy masterpiece of a series – The Drowned Kingdom Saga by P.L. Stuart – the thought struck me that after this one, only two more books in Othrun’s story will be left. And even though I’m burning with impatience to find out how the author wraps up the life of one of my favourite characters in modern literature, this thought scared me. What will I be looking forward to after Othrun’s destiny is told in full? So far, following the fate of an arrogant, stubborn, suffering from world-saviour syndrome royal bastard has been a riveting, totally engrossing literary adventure. And I’m not ready to say goodbye to it.
My favourite part of the book is the audacious mission Othrun undertakes to save someone important to him. It reminded me of Othrun’s self-discovery quest in book two “The Last of the Atalanteans”, where he had to test himself through humiliation and humility. In my opinion, that quest had been a sort of salvation for him. And although what he did – saved King Wely and helped to restore him on the throne – didn’t make him a good man, it did make him a better one. A better version of himself, if you will.
“A Pack of Wolves” takes the readers closer to the finale of the Drowned Kingdom Saga. The author’s skill in building a battle scene is unparalleled. On the pages of his books, war isn’t solely about bloodshed. It isn’t even only about tactics and strategies. Wars are initiated, planned, and fought by people. And when something is about people, a human factor always plays a huge role both in the process and in the outcome.
Read my full review of “A Pack of Wolves” by P.L. Stuart here
“Sky Watcher: A Shadow in Time” by Heather Lynn
This book pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The author has a magical component that she adds to her writing, which makes you live the characters’ lives rather than simply read about them.
“Sky Watcher: A Shadow in Time” by Heather Lynn is a story about Charlotte. At twenty-two, her life has thrown too many curveballs at her. When it becomes too much, Charlotte decides to do something reckless. She decides to save a distant relative from death. It doesn’t stop her that Elizabeth, whom she’d never known existed before she’d begun researching her family history, died almost two centuries ago. Using Wiccan practices, she attempts to perform a spell that should transport her into the nineteenth century. And it works.
Charlotte doesn’t travel to the past unprepared. Her education in the field of medicine and vast knowledge of herbs and their healing qualities prove to be of utmost importance. Besides, she makes sure to learn how to prepare the things she won’t find in a 19th-century store.
The book ends with a head-spinning cliffhanger. It left me eager to learn what awaits Charlotte next – whether we should say ‘in the future’ or ‘in the past’ remains a controversy that I hope to solve by continuing to read the Sky Watcher series.
Read my full review of “Sky Watcher: A Shadow in Time” by Heather Lynn here
“Taken” by Kat Kinney
How do I start…well, for all that’s fanged and holy, what am I supposed to do now when the last book of the Caldwells’ saga is out and I just finished it? On the one hand, it feels extremely satisfying since the author gave every Caldwell brother and the world she created a well-deserved ending. While on the other, I feel sad that the waiting is over. The town of Blood Moon in Texas, with exactly six stoplights, which to the utter surprise of its inhabitants turned into a mecca for the fans of the supernatural after a vampire exposed the existence of his kind to the world during a traffic stop when he behaved nasty to a cop, has grown under my skin and I’m not ready to part with it.
“Taken” is a thrilling race of a book, packed with twists and turns, most of which I didn’t see coming. It is also replete with the heart-warming moments of family bonding – copious amounts of Texan cuisine involved! – I’ve grown to love. And yes, shapeshifters are passionate creatures, led by their instincts, so be prepared for some hot scenes. This summer, while waiting for the last book to land on my Kindle, I reread all the previous books, and I’m so glad that I did. It made the experience of saying goodbye to the Caldwells so utterly satisfying.
Read my full review of “Taken” by Kat Kinney here
Eve's Book Diary 
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