May 20 2025

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Book Review: Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkman

Title: Meditations for Mortals

Author: Oliver Burkman

Series: N/A

Genre: Non-Fiction

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Overview: Meditations for Mortals takes us on a liberating journey towards a more meaningful life – one that begins not with fantasies of the ideal existence, but with the reality in which we actually find ourselves. Addressing the fundamental questions about how to live, it offers a powerful new way to take action on what counts: a guiding philosophy of life Oliver Burkeman calls ‘imperfectionism’. How can we embrace our non-negotiable limitations? Or make good decisions when there’s always too much to do? What if purposeful productivity were often about letting things happen, not making them happen? Reflecting on ideas drawn from philosophy, religion, literature, psychology, and self-help, Burkeman explores practical tools and shifts in perspective. The result is a bracing challenge to much familiar advice, and a profound yet entertaining crash course in living more fully. To be read either as a four-week ‘retreat of the mind’ or devoured in one or two sittings, Meditations for Mortals will be a source of solace and inspiration, and an aid to a saner, freer, and more enchantment-filled life. In anxiety-inducing times, it is rich in truths we have never needed more. –Goodreads

The Review:

This might be my favorite non-fiction book.

Four Thousand Weeks no-joke changed my life with its core idea of embracing finitude and focusing on what matters most. Whereas that book was mostly philosophical in nature, this M4M companion book is almost completely practical application. You’ve embraced the philosophy with one, so now it’s time to implement the ideas.

Brilliant.

Out of the full 28 days of insight, there were only one or two ideas that didn’t totally resonate with my entire being. When coming up with material to talk about in a Youtube vid, I already had ten minutes of talking points from the intro alone. The book helps to increase understanding on why we as productive beings suffer stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. Then it offers new ways of thinking about situations and tools to feel more at peace amidst the chaos. At the very least, this book will help narrow down priorities and empower you to go through life with a little meaning, fulfillment, and grace.

If you can’t tell, I loved this book. I’ve already started in on a second read a few months later and am sure I’ll pick it up again for continued inspirations. The 5-7 minute daily snippets were absorbing, and whenever I started my day with one I experienced a lot more clarity and peace.

Overall, a 5-star winner. If Burkman hadn’t already been one of my gurus before, he absolutely is now.

Recommendations: Read this now if you want to get off the meaningless pursuit of chasing the bottom of endless to-do lists (an impossible task). The book encourages you to read it slowly over the course of 28 days, and I highly recommend that route. It lets you sit with each idea much longer and increases the efficacy at which you can apply it to your life. Consider this an Obsessive Bookseller favorite!

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Jen, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, Bee, Tracey, Dagmara, and Poochtee! <3

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by Niki Hawkes

May 19 2025

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Book Review: Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn

Title: Star Wars: Heir to the Empire

Author: Timothy Zahn

Series: Thrawn Trilogy #1

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: It is a time of renewal, five years after the destruction of the Death Star and the defeat of Darth Vader and the Empire. But with the war seemingly won, strains are beginning to show in the Rebel Alliance. New challenges to galactic peace have arisen. And Luke Skywalker hears a voice from his past. A voice with a warning. Beware the dark side…. The Rebel Alliance has destroyed the Death Star, defeated Darth Vader and the Emperor, and driven the remnants of the old Imperial Starfleet back into barely a quarter of the territory that they once controlled. Leia and Han are married, are expecting Jedi twins, and have shouldered heavy burdens in the government of the new Republic. And Luke Skywalker is the first in a hoped-for new line of Jedi Knights. But thousands of light years away, where a few skirmishes are still taking place, the last of the Emperor’s warlords has taken command of the remains of the Imperial fleet. He has made two vital discoveries that could destroy the fragile new Republic—built with such cost to the Rebel Alliance. The tale that emerges is a towering epic of action, invention, mystery, and spectacle on a galactic scale—in short, a story that is worthy of the name Star Wars. –Goodreads

The Review:

Well, color me a Star Wars nut -> I loved this!

I don’t know why only just now I’m suddenly all fired up about diving into the SW Universe. Maybe it was coming away from The Rise of Skywalker (Episode 9…) feeling disappointed in the cheap trick writing and lack of any meaningful conclusions. Maybe it was also catching Mike’s Book Reviews’ really good video about where to start in the SWU, which might have removed the intimidation factor I felt of trying to pick a place to jump in. Whatever the case, I’m happy it led me here now.

Here’s the thing about the Thrawn Trilogy – it’s a direct continuation after Return of the Jedi. And it was written in 1991!! You mean to tell me that I could’ve been discovering what happens next THIS WHOLE TIME?! Good hell, I don’t even think I saw the original films until after these were written.

And with such amazing cannon stories right at our fingertips it begs the question: why didn’t someone just adapt THIS instead of messing around with everything else on the market? These are great! A most excellent new villian (no, Palpatine did not somehow return), all the characters we know and love, plenty of space battles and action, and a fun new set of conflicts that play out like a cinematic production in your head.

If you hadn’t heard, Disney arbitrarily decided everything that had once been cannon is no longer. I’m of the opinion that THIS is the bonafide Lucas-approved cannon, and nothing Disney delcares will convince me otherwise. It almost seeems as if they were just too lazy to do any research on what had been written and that scrapping it all was someone’s brilliant quick fix. After all, who needs years of carefully thought-out lore when all you plan to do is make shitty movies anyway?

Apparently I’ve internalized some hostility I didn’t know I was harboring.

Anyway, I experienced this on audio and it’s the way to go. It includes the recognizable cinematic music during the intro and various action scenes throughout. It offers sound effects and other ambiance noises (would someone please find out what is making that goddmaned beeping noise?), and the voice actor does awesome impression of the main characters (AND Chewy, C3PO, and R2D2, who sound like themselves – woot!). It’s a true experience, and I wasn’t kidding when I said it was like watching a movie.

Overall, I’m so excited to be dipping my toes into these stories, and can’t wait to read more of this genuine continuation. :)

Recommendations: if you’re a Star Wars fan or have been looking for a reason to become one, give this a try! It’s wonderfully nostalgic, tons of fun, and so, so satisfying in it’s role as the TRUE continuation to Luke, Leia, and Han’s stories.

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Jen, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, Bee, Tracey, Dagmara, and Poochtee! <3

by Niki Hawkes

Mar 17 2025

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Book Review: A Practical Guide to Conquering the World by K.J. Parker

Title: A Practical Guide to Conquering the World

Author: K.J. Parker

Series: The Siege Trilogy #3

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 Stars

The Overview: This is the true story of Aemilius Felix Boioannes the younger, the intended and unintended consequences of his life, the bad stuff he did on purpose, and the good stuff that happened in spite of him. It is, in other words, the tale of a war to end all wars, and the man responsible. -Goodreads

The Review:

I’m so glad I read this trilogy. The first book was the strongest, but there’s so much good stuff in the rest of it that I still recommend the entire thing highly.

The writing voice and style choices are always what strike me first when I start a Parker novel, convincing me it’s written by someone who knows all the rules masterfully enough to break them with flair. Everything from the construction of the series as a whole to certain ways he drops in backstory – it’s all so good I feel like I need to read it again to pick up on the even subtler things I missed. Add to all of that a deeply funny infusion of dry humor, and you have novels that fire on all cylinders in my wee brain.

Felix’s story was interesting, cleverly written, and abundant with “keep reading to find out more” mechanisms that had me engrossed. Each MC POV so far has had a particular talent that lends itself to the plot, and Felix’s eclectic ones were especially fun, adding a nice variety to the story.

One of the most compelling things about this trilogy was finding out how he was going to tie the whole series together. Books 2 & 3 start out seemingly unrelated, but slowly start to show their connections. I will say the way in which they relate ended up being a bit looser than I was hoping for, but ultimately the journey of discovery was worth the effort.

Also did I mention it was funny? Perhaps not quite as funny as the first book, but overall I’ve read this entire trilogy with a constant edge of amusement (kind of like with a Pratchett book, only darker), which is a big part of why I enjoyed it so much. I genuinely can’t wait to read more from this author. Consider him a new Obsessive Bookseller favorite!

This is one of those series you read for a certain vibe/mood, and I’m hoping to find more of this specific craving in his other works (good thing he has so many!). Another good comparison is that it reads like a more jovial version of Abercrombie. Who knew grimdark would end up being the types of books that tickle me the most? Maybe it has something to do with the contrast of so many darker moments making the smidgen of light and hope shine through all the brighter. Or perhaps I just relate to it more – when everything’s gone to shit, you may as well laugh.

Recommendations: read at least the first book, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City, as it’s the strongest (and I think it would be just fine as a stand-alone). However, if you’re even a fraction as delighted with it as I was, I think you’ll like the rest of the trilogy too. But seriously that first book -> a must read!

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Jen, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, Bee, Tracey, Dagmara, and Poochtee! <3

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by Niki Hawkes

Jan 1 2025

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Book Review: Charon’s Claw by R.A. Salvatore

Title: Charon’s Claw

Author: R.A. Salvatore

Series: Neverwinter #3, Legend of Drizzt #25

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 2/5 stars

The Overview: Drizzt draws his swords once more to aid his friends. His lover, Dahlia Sin’felle, can speak of nothing but the moment she will face the Netherese lord Herzgo Alegni once again. Drizzt has already followed a trail of vengeance beside Dahlia. Can he justify one more battle to settle a grudge he does not understand? Artemis Entreri too seeks vengeance. He offers to aid Dahlia in her mission to destroy Alegni. But Charon’s Claw, Alegni’s sentient sword, dominates Entreri’s movements—if not his mind. And then there’s the way Entreri looks at Dahlia. Can Drizzt trust his old foe? -Goodreads

The Review:

I kind of hated this book. And have kind of hated this entire set.

Hated.

I’ve read over twenty books with Drizzt so far and seriously – everything through Ghost King has been superb (assuming we’re giving Icewind Dale a pass). Neverwinter has felt directionless. Aimless. Lacking in any sort of purpose… boring? Which granted is in line with the transitional state of the main character and is probably partially intentional, but that does not mean that I have to enjoy reading about it. Thank goodness for those Drizzt interludes, is all I’m saying.

That leads well into the most prominent problem: not enough Drizzt. Only 20% Drizzt and a whole mess of dozens and dozens of villains with limited shelf lives. What little there was of Drizzt progressed the plot in a meaningful way, but did I really need to slog through 300+ pages for such a small amount of actual story?

What’s left felt like filler plot. Within the prologue and the first couple of chapters, Salvatore introduced over a dozen villains I needed to keep track of if I had any hope of following the plot. Problem is, it’s a Drizzt book. The 25th fricken Drizzt book. And you know most of those villains are going to wind up cannon fodder. So ultimately, having to commit to memory all of those characters felt like a colossal waste of my reading time.

On top of all of that, there’s a new character in this set whom I don’t like even a little.

Those are very specific reasons why Neverwinter has been less than successful for me. I’m really hoping to like the final book more. I was averaging a book or two per year in the Drizzt world until I hit Neverwinter, and it has taken me half a decade just to read the first three. And I still have one more to go!

Recommendations: as I mentioned, everything up to and including Ghost King has been superb – highly recommended (starting with the Dark Elf Trilogy)! It’s only in this Neverwinter set that I’ve personally become grouchy and dissatisfied. Here’s hoping the next set is a better return to form on all of the Salvatore/Drizzt greatness I’m used to. EDIT: I’ve started book #4, the Last Threshold, and it’s SO MUCH BETTER. Finally.

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by Niki Hawkes

Aug 7 2024

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Book Review: Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey

Title: Mercy of Gods

Author: James S.A. Corey

Series: Captive’s War #1

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Overview: How humanity came to the planet called Anjiin is lost in the fog of history, but that history is about to end. The Carryx—part empire, part hive—have waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy. Now, they are facing a great and deathless enemy. The key to their survival may rest with the humans of Anjiin. Caught up in academic intrigue and affairs of the heart, Dafyd Alkhor is pleased just to be an assistant to a brilliant scientist and his celebrated research team. Then the Carryx ships descend, decimating the human population and taking the best and brightest of Anjiin society away to serve on the Carryx homeworld, and Dafyd is swept along with them. They are dropped in the middle of a struggle they barely understand, set in a competition against the other captive species with extinction as the price of failure. Only Dafyd and a handful of his companions see past the Darwinian contest to the deeper game that they must play to survive: learning to understand—and manipulate—the Carryx themselves. With a noble but suicidal human rebellion on one hand and strange and murderous enemies on the other, the team pays a terrible price to become the trusted servants of their new rulers. Dafyd Alkhor is a simple man swept up in events that are beyond his control and more vast than his imagination. He will become the champion of humanity and its betrayer, the most hated man in history and the guardian of his people. This is where his story begins. -Goodreads

The Review:

I love that we’re getting more scifi from these amazing authors! And to boot it’s something tied to the Expanse universe, albeit far removed from almost everything that’s familiar about that series. But so far, the Captive’s War is shaping up to be a completely different, but equally satisfying, experience!

But one thing that hasn’t changed is their mastery of character work. To take you into the granular details of what it means to be human coping with an unsympathetic existence. That brilliance is why I always feel so connected to the people in these stories and feel their stuff on a visceral level. I love Abraham’s fantasy works for much the same reason. There’s this way of slowing down events for the sake of connection that’s almost unparalleled (in but maybe a Hobb book) that always leaves an everlasting impression on my being. I’m a huge fan, and Mercy of the Gods is only the latest punctuation to that sentiment.

The Expanse was amazing. I’ve thought on occasion how for a scifi it was really only missing one point of interest… something that if included would’ve felt like it was trying to do too much. Mercy of Gods is where all that extra stuff came to play. It’s where the authors could throw off constraints and just have fun. And play they did! This was a wildly creative experience and I loved the overall concept of the story. It was slow and gripping and fast and action-packed and always exciting. Every bit as good as the best of Expanse!

Speaking, yes (I suppose) you could read this by itself without having read Expanse. It’s a 100% self-contained narrative at this point. However, if you ever plan to read Expanse and don’t want any of the progressions of things in that story ruined, trust me – start there. The tiebacks here were subtle but somehow also profound, and I’m most excited to figure out more ways in which this story ties back to the Expanse in future books… I have a feeling it’s going to be great.

I always say one of the reasons I love scifi is for the creature creation and new world explorations. I love the creativity involved and even more so when authors can tap into the biological workings of the aliens. Mercy of Gods was definitely one of the more satisfying books I’ve read in that regard, and I mean it when I say I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us in the next book. Is it out yet?!

Recommendations: James S.A. Corey fans, dive in without hesitation – this was awesome!! Daniel Abraham fans, dive in without hesitation – the character work is superb! New to the authors fans, consider whether or not you’ll ever want to read Expanse before diving in. It wont affect your enjoyment of this story much, but implications read in Mercy of Gods will wreck a good portion of the story arcs in the Expanse in one very specific regard…

I’d like to thank James S.A. Corey, Orbit Books, and Netgalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of Mercy of Gods – y’all made my year!

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, and Bee! <3

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by Niki Hawkes

Jul 24 2024

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Book Review: Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova

Title: Foul Days

Author: Genoveva Dimova

Series: Witch’s Compendium of Monsters #1

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Overview: The Witcher meets Naomi Novik in this fast-paced fantasy rooted in Slavic folklore, from an assured new voice in genre. As a witch in the walled city of Chernograd, Kosara has plenty of practice taming rusalkas, fighting kikimoras, and brewing lycanthrope repellent. There’s only one monster Kosara can’t defeat: her ex the Zmey, known as the Tsar of Monsters. She’s defied him one too many times, and now he’s hunting her. Betrayed to him by someone close to her, Kosara’s only hope is to trade her shadow―the source of her powers―for illegal passage across the Wall to Belograd, where monsters can’t follow. Life in Belograd should be sweet, but Kosara soon develops a fast-acting version of the deadly wasting sickness that stalks shadowless witches―and only reclaiming her magic can cure her. To trace her shadow, she’ll have to team up with the suspiciously honorable detective investigating the death of the smuggler who brought her across the Wall. Even worse than working with the cops is that all the clues point in a single direction: one of the Zmey’s monsters has found a crack in the Wall, and Kosara’s magic is now in the Zmey’s hands. The clock is ticking, the hunt is on, and Kosara’s priorities should be clear―but is she the hunter or the hunted? And in a city where everyone is out for themselves, who can Kosara trust to assist her in outwitting the man―the Monster―she’s never been able to escape alone? -Goodreads

The Review:

One of my favorite things I’ve picked up this year – Foul Days is worth a second look!

One of those genre-bending novels, I loved this as both a fantasy and urban fantasy reader. Rich in Slavic folklore, it had an abundance of monsters and great cultural infusion. The marketing was pretty accurate when it advertised “Witcher meets Naomi Novik,” with a similar moodiness and feel of Novik’s works (especially Spinning Silver) and an loads of dangerous magical creature encounters. I found it wildly entertaining.

The book had great pacing, with plenty of exciting moments but also enough slow stretches to form connections with the characters. The characters! All fun profiles, and the relationships between them were especially well done and realistic – I actually felt the connections, which doesn’t happen often.

I also thought the staggering of certain reveals was particularly well-paced. There were several times throughout the book where I went, “oooh, okay, one more chapter.” It made the pages fly by, and had enough substance to the plot to make me feel like I was getting something satisfying. The writing was superb.

Foul Days was oozing with fun-factor. This is one of those books that makes it easy to talk about and recommend. I loved it – with so many great elements and a good sense of humor, after only one book I’m already convinced Dimova is going to be an auto-buy author for me.

I had the chance to pick up an early copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio about halfway through the book, and narrator Zura Johnson was an excellent match for the tone and mood of the story. With her accented delivery, she elevated the text even more, making for an immersive experience. I particularly liked how she performed the dry humor between characters – great back and forth exchanges! I definitely recommend the audiobook route. :)

There honestly wasn’t anything I didn’t like about Foul Days. The second half of this duology, Monstrous Nights, comes out October 22, 2024, and you’d better believe I’m already hounding for a copy!

Recommendations: for a fun-filled, culturally-infused, monster-tastic story, look no further! Foul Days was one of the best debus I’ve read in ages. I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us next!

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, and Bee! <3

I’d like to thank the publicists at TOR for providing me with review and finished copies of Foul Days and Macmillan Audio on Netgalley for the chance to read/listen/review this very exciting new title!

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