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Taken from a 5⭐️ review. A woman hires private investigator Arthur to find out what happened to her missing husband. But what he discovers is something far bigger and the real pleasure of the book is watching him piece it all together, step by step. At its core, it’s a crime mystery, but the surrounding world adds a lot more to the story. It’s set in Gildcleft, a completely invented place, and the writing is so descriptive and lively that I could picture it perfectly just from the page. That’s something I often find tricky, so it really stood out to me. The magic is handled just as smoothly: the characters are human, some with special gifts, and their abilities drive the story without taking over or becoming tangled in needless complexity. I couldn’t put it down and read it in a single night. I was invested in the world and the characters and constantly found myself thinking ‘just one more chapter’. The characters are what make it special. They’re flawed, but never dysfunctional, mostly just trying their best. That made them easy to believe in. Arthur, in particular, is a great companion: capable and trustworthy, but not perfect. The writing lets you follow his thoughts so closely that you get a real feel for how he works and how he sees the world. The mystery is nicely balanced. There are enough clues to keep you guessing alongside Arthur, but not so many that the answer arrives early. The case he’s hired to crack wraps up by the end, while the bigger picture, the society itself and its hidden secrets, is left open to explore futter.

This book series (split into 7 parts, with only the first 4 currently translated to English) takes a unique twist on the classic Groundhog Day trope. The story follows a young woman named Tara who is stuck repeating the same November day on repeat. Perfect if you like books with a quiet but unique plot, that dig deep into the protagonist's emotions and thoughts when faced with an unusual situation. P.S. book 2 is my personal favourite, in which Tara travels around Europe, attempting to recreate the seasons by visiting different climates, while still stuck in the same November day.

Great story teller

Suspence

Its an amazing tale of many generations of the same family leaving through pain, love, loss. Its a tale of humanity in a miniature version.

What I love about this book is how it explores the influence our environment and social circumstances can have on our behaviour and the way we live our lives. It’s a classic of Brazilian literature and a great example of naturalism and determinism. Although it was written in the 19th century, many of its themes still feel very relevant today, particularly the way our surroundings, social class and living conditions can shape who we become.

An incredible account of how the author, who was then the US Secretary of State for Defence, concluded the Vietnam War could not be won, and the fallout that resulted within the Linden B Johnson presidency.