Jen's Book Blog

2021 Book #26 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Illustrated)

Medium – Book

About the Book – In this large-scale illustrated version of the third Harry Potter book, the Wizarding World is in uproar – the notorious serial killer, Sirius Black, has escaped the Prison of Azkaban, and is hellbent on murdering Harry Potter. After a rather unfortunate incident with his uncle’s sister, Harry finds himself homeless and on the brink of expulsion from Hogwarts. However, the threat of Black means that his underage magic is overlooked for once, and Harry is able to return to Hogwarts, with his friends Ron and Hermione. However, once he is back at Hogwarts, Harry soon discovers why Sirius Black may want him dead, as the murderer seems to be getting ever closer to the school.

My Rating – 5/5 (for both the story and the illustrations!)

My Thoughts – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has always been my favourite of the Harry Potter books. The storyline is compelling, but Voldemort plays a really small role. The children are past the innocent age, but are not at the angsty teenager stage. It has one of my favourite literary characters ever – the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Remus Lupin (seriously, as a much younger reader, my ideal husband was a mix of him, and Legolas from the Lord of the Rings). I really like the inclusion of some of the characters with smaller roles, like Buckbeak, Professor Trelawney and Sir Cadogan. For me, it was the book that drew me into the Wizarding World. As this was a re-read, the book was always going to be a five star one for me, but I wanted to give equal weighting to the illustrations, as that is what is special about this book.

Jim Kay, who illustrated the book, has done a fantastic job. I loved the whole page illustrations, especially those that looked like they came out of magical textbooks (like ‘Fantastic Beasts’), and really enjoyed reading on the pastel-coloured pages (which are great, if like me, you have visual stress). I really enjoyed the portraits that the author had created as well – I liked the fact that the characters were more like I had pictured them, rather than like the actors in the film. I’m really keen to get the other illustrated versions of the books (although having to think really carefully about where I am actually going to store them!)

2021 Book #25 – The Wicked King

Medium – Audiobook

About the Book – The sequel to ‘The Cruel Prince’, and set a few months after, Jude is now the chief advisor to High King Carden – the cruel prince of the previous novel. She has Carden under an enchantment, where he has to follow her orders for a year and a day, effectively making her the Queen of the Faerie Realm. Jude has placed Carden on the throne to protect it for her little brother Oak, who is currently growing up in the Mortal Realm in order to protect him from the intrigues of the court and the machinations of Jude’s adoptive father, General Madoc. Jude knows her time as Carden’s master is running out, and the Undersea Realm is itching for war. Worse, Jude finds her feelings towards Carden changing into a deeper attraction – which will not only destabilise her plan, but put her, and her friends in danger.

My Rating – 2.5/5

My Thoughts – The first of the books in this series, I did quite enjoy. I thought the world-building, the characters and the plot were interesting and kept me intrigued, and I liked the way the author presented the world of Faerie as a not quite lovely, not quite safe, fairy-tale world. This book, the second in the series, I got a bit bored by. I think the first reason for finding it a bit tedious was the lack of development for the characters. Taryn is still a bit of a wimp, Carden is still not the nicest of people (although he does grow on you a bit) and Jude is still a character I can’t say I have much sympathy with. Vivi, my favourite character from the last book has even turned unlikable, dragging her poor mortal girlfriend into the fairy world and then enchanting her when she has a horrid experience.

I get why the author has created characters who are flawed, and I do prefer books where the main characters do have some less desirable features, but I do believe that to enjoy a book, you have to have sympathy with at least one character in the story. I can’t say, in this particular instalment, I really liked any of the main characters, or was particularly interested in them ‘winning’. There is one more book left in the series, and I am considering having a read of it for my own curiosity, but honestly? It will probably be one of those audiobooks that I have on in the background, rather than really getting immersed in the story.

2021 Book #24 – Maskerade

Medium – Audiobook

About the Book – Agnes Nitt, a young woman of Lancre, decides that she is going to go to Ankh Morpork to make her way in the world as an opera singer – she does have a rather ‘magical’ voice. But the witches of Lancre (Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg) have decided that they would like her as their third witch. They follow her and find the opera house in the grip of madness – the opera ghost, who has haunted the opera house peacefully for many years has now started killing the crew. The witches and Agnes work together to try and find the identity of the opera ghost and stop him before he kills anyone else…

My Rating – 4.5/5

My Thoughts – Of all the Terry Pratchett discworld books, I think my favourite ‘stream’ are the witches books (although the Death ones, Unseen University and the Watch also have a special place in my heart!) I love the characters of Granny Weatherwax, the powerful and clever lead witch, and her best friend, the rather crude and funny Nanny Ogg. Maskerade is one of my favourite books as it not only is tremendously funny but also is a parody of one of my favourite musicals, Phantom of the Opera. I love the way that the characters are created, each having their own particular character and set of characteristics.

I also love these audiobooks – at the moment, they are the stories I am drifting off to sleep with. I don’t usually include my ‘sleep audiobooks’ in my reading challenge, but this one I have listened to enough in my waking moments to feel that I have actually taken in the story! The narrator, Nigel Planer, is excellent and I love his narration and distinction of all the voices. The earlier witches books were read by Celia Imrie, but not only do I not find her as soothing, but her criticism of the books in her autobiography really turned me off of listening to them! This is the third/fourth time I have listened to this book, and whilst it may not be in my number one slot for Discworld books, it is definitely up there in the top five.

2021 Book #23 – The Doctor Will See You Now

Medium – Book

About the Book – TV Doctor and GP, Dr Amir Khan, writes about some of the most interesting, amusing and heart-breaking cases he has faced as a GP working in Bradford, Yorkshire. From the seven-year-old who verbally abused him, to the man with unexplained injuries, to the woman who would not go into hospital until he volunteered to take her cat, Dr Khan discusses all with sensitivity, kindness and compassion. Writing right up until the middle of the coronavirus lockdown last year, Dr Khan also discusses the impact of the pandemic on the already over-stretched medical professionals at doctors’ surgeries.

My Rating – 4.5/5

My Thoughts – I have a confession to make – I have a slight crush on Dr Amir Khan. I first saw him on the Channel 4 series ‘GPs Behind Closed Doors’, and really enjoyed how lovely he was and how much he obviously cared about his patients. He is now the TV doctor for This Morning, the NHS’s info commercials about doing the Covid tests and lots of other things! He is the ultimate ‘family doctor’, someone who cares about every patient that he sees and wants to build relationships with them. I’m very lucky to have some fantastic GPs, but I can’t deny that a small part of me would quite like Dr Khan to be mine!

This book was a lovely mix of funny stories twinned with sadder ones. I really enjoyed the earlier part of the book, which was a little more light-hearted. The descriptions of Covid and the girl who was dying of cervical cancer were a little more difficult for me, and I have to admit to skimming those. What came out most strongly, however, was Dr Khan’s care for his patients and the lovely working environment he has alongside his colleagues. I loved the relationship between him and his best friend (nurse practitioner Debbie – who I think has a pseudonym in the book – I can’t remember). Most of all, the book gave me a new appreciation for the lovely people who work in my local surgery, and I am looking forward to (hopefully soon) having my vaccine, so I can go and thank them all!

2021 Book #22 – The Art of Harry Potter

Medium – Book

About the Book – This book includes concept drawings for the Harry Potter films, focussing on buildings and places, characters, magical objects, graphical design (i.e. book covers, newspapers, labels, shop fronts) and creatures. Included in different sections, the pictures show some of the development of the artistry around the films, concept sketches, maps, blueprints, and other ways that the production designers brought the Wizarding World to life.

My Rating – 3/5

My Thoughts – To be honest, this book was a bit of a disappointment. For Christmas a couple of years ago, I got this book and ‘Middle Earth from Script to Screen’ (as I am a movie art geek!) I reviewed the Lord of the Rings art book as my fifth book this year, and really, there is no comparison. The Harry Potter book is lovely, and does contain some fascinating and beautiful concept drawings – particularly fascinating was the graphic art done to really bring the world to life. But I missed the in depth descriptions and the integration of the narrative and quotes from the cast/crew that appeared in the Middle Earth book.

What I would have liked to see was more pictures of how the props, costumes and characters developed – from original concepts to the finished piece. I also missed the commentary from the people who worked on the films – how did they come up with their ideas? What was their favourite set/costume? I realise that the two books I’m comparing had slightly different scopes – the Middle Earth book is more about the whole process from Script to Screen, whilst the Harry Potter book is more just about artwork. But it almost felt that there was something slightly missing in the lack of commentary about the pictures and objects being created.

2021 Book #21 – Romanov

Medium – Book

About the Book – Anastasia Romanov, the Grand Duchess of Imperial Russia, is imprisoned with her family (her Papa, Mamma, older sisters and younger brother) by soldiers of the Bolshevik army, their every movement scrutinised, watched everyday. They are moved to Ekaterinburg in Siberia along with some soldiers including the dashing and handsome Zash. Anastasia is tasked by her father to smuggle an ancient spell out with her, that is promised to save the lives of the Romanovs. Zash and Anastasia get closer as she tries to release the ancient magic. But their attraction is terrifying, and they find themselves on opposite sides of a firing squad.

My Rating – 5/5

My Thoughts – As you may have realised, if you have read other entries in this blog, I am an absolute sucker for Russian history. I’m also fascinated by the story of the Romanovs – one of my favourite books about their last days being Helen Rappaport’s ‘Last Days of the Romanovs’, and one of my favourite films being the slightly less high-brow ‘Anastasia’. This book contains all the things I love about YA fiction – a spunky heroine, set in an interesting time in history, magic and spells, and likable characters. The fact that it is about one of my favourite times in history and (spoilers) there is a slightly happy ending to what in reality was a tragic and terrible occurrence, ticks all the boxes for me.

The book is split really into two halves – the first half set before the night of the 16/17 July 1917, and the second half after this. Without wanting to give too much away, both halves have slightly different feels – the first is more threatening, the second more adventurous. The characterisation is fantastic – I really liked the portrayal of Tsar Nicholas II, Anastasia’s lovely Papa, and of Alexei, her little brother. The elements of magic in the storyline don’t feel forced – they kind of ‘pick up’ at the point when the story turns from (semi) non-fictional to fictional, and I liked that about it. As someone who is a Christian, I also really enjoyed the exploration of Anastasia’s faith, and her wrestling with the forgiveness of the people who imprison and hurt her. I have a feeling that this will only be a standalone novel, but it is great and I will definitely read more from the same author.

2021 Book #20 – Forensics

Medium – Audiobook

About the Book – Crime Writer Val McDermid investigates the use of forensics in the solving of crime, looking at various areas of forensic enquiry, such as forensic psychology, forensic accounting and digital investigation, pathology and forensic anthropology, alongside many others. She interviews mainly British/Irish experts from across those disciplines, discussing the ways in which they solve crime and how the methods of crime detection have evolved since their inception.

My Rating – 3/5

My Thoughts – This book was one I had picked up for £3 from an audible sale, and I didn’t really know much about it until I started listening to it (except that it was about forensics!). There were a few things I really enjoyed about it – I really liked the way that the author had organised the different disciplines in forensic science into chapters, I really enjoyed the narrator. Some of the chapters were fascinating, such as the one on forensic anthropology (which may be a hangover from my 2000s love of the American TV show ‘Bones’) and the one on pathology.

Overall, though, I found the book just a little dull in places, which is surprising given the subject matter. It wasn’t a bad book, and I really enjoyed McDermid’s writing style, I just found that bits weren’t particularly interesting to me. But, as with all reviews on this blog, that is a very personal review – this is very much my opinion and others may really enjoy the book. It’s the ideal book if you are super interested in forensics or you would like to think about the different areas of forensics you might be interested in. Not an audiobook I would listen to again, but it has interested me in reading some of McDermid’s novels or the works of Sue Black, one of the forensic anthropologists interviewed for the book.

2021 Book #19 – Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops

Medium – Book

About the Book – Shaun Bythell is the owner of The Bookshop in Wigtown, which is Scotland’s National Book Town. He is the author of several books about his joys and tribulations of running his bookshop, and all the interesting people he spends time with and employs in the shop. In this short book (less than 150 pages), he writes short ‘spotter’s guides’ to the people he finds in his bookshop – firstly in general categories, and then more in depth. He identifies seven genuses – The Expert, The Young Family, The Occultist, The Loiterer, The Bearded Pensioner, The Not-So-Silent Traveller, The Family Historian and The Staff, and within those, several sub-categories. He explores the American family historian, the person who is in for erotica and the parents who leave their children for ‘free babysitting’ among others.

My Rating – 4/5

My Thoughts – I have read Shaun’s books several times over the years, including listening to the audiobooks, and I think he’s great. Slightly grumpy, but also a complete book-lover who (as I think all of us would) gets annoyed at Amazon for undercutting him and uses blatant sarcasm on difficult customers. It is one of my greatest ambitions to go and visit Wigtown and his bookshop (I guess some would say I have rather small ambitions but a whole town dedicated to books sounds amazing!) This little book is perfect for someone who wants a short, funny read that they can put on their shelves and peruse for years to come.

It was also great fun to try and work out exactly which of the types of people me and my family members are. So far, I have decided:

Me – rather big-headedly, I think I am ‘Perfect Customer – Normal Person’. Hear me out – I go into bookshops and generally leave with books. I have no particular love of a particular genre or theme – I will go for anything. I will never haggle.
Hubby – ‘Loiterer’ or ‘Perfect Customer – Railway Collector’. My husband will go into bookshops and will generally look at lots of different ones, but is a lot less free with his money than I am. Within the ‘loiterer’ category is ‘bored spouse’. I think this may be him 50% of the time. He does love a good railway book though.
Mother – ‘occultist – craft enthusiast’. My mother loves craft – she will get books on all sorts of things to craft – knitting, embroidery etc. The main difference to the people in the book is she is actually good at all she turns her hands to.

There are also other categories mentioned that I may have some people in mind for. Overall, a lovely little book, but I would definitely recommend his other two (starting with ‘The confessions of a bookseller’ to get a full background into the joy of his lovely bookshop.

2021 Book #18 – The Windsor Knot

Medium – Book

About the Book – Rozie is the new assistant private secretary to HM The Queen. Whilst she is away in Nigeria for a cousin’s wedding, the unthinkable happens at Windsor Castle – a young Russian pianist is found dead – strangled – in one of the guest rooms at the castle. Rozie returns to the castle and soon finds herself working as an assistant to the Queen in solving the mystery. Rozie soon finds out that this is not the first mystery that the Queen has worked on, and discovers that she (and the Queen) have a knack for working together and solving mysteries. But the murder of the Russian pianist may be the work of the Russian government, and Rozie is in the firing line…

Rating – 4.5/5

My Thoughts – This book was a Christmas present from my parents, that I had asked for after seeing it for sale on Fox Lane Books. I am a secret Royal watcher (though not to the lengths that some go) and am a massive fan particularly of the Queen, and of murder mysteries, so what’s not to like? I really enjoyed the parts written in the Queen’s voice – I thought that they were very realistic feeling – kind, humorous and very clever. The Queen’s dislike of being talked down to, together with her relationship with Prince Philip I thought really added character to this non-fictional, but also fictional representation of her. Rozie was great too – I loved the idea of a black private secretary breaking down walls of dislike and prejudice, with the help of Her Majesty.

This book was a quick read and had plenty of plot twists to keep me reading – as well as a mystery that I couldn’t guess. It felt ‘gentle’ too – more like a cosy crime type of novel as opposed to a hard-hitting murder mystery. One of the quotes on the cover was that it felt like a Miss Marple book – and I would heartily agree – it had the same cleverness alongside humour and that assurance that there are good people in the world working for good. A book I very much enjoyed, and I will be looking out for the sequel!

2021 Book #17 – Grimm Tales for Young and Old

Medium – Audiobook

About the Book – Philip Pullman retells fifty of his favourite Grimm Fairy Tales, such as ‘Snow White’, ‘The three snake leaves’, ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Thousandfurs’. The stories are told with humour, but generally stick to the same settings and language structure as the original tales. The audiobook is read by Philip Pullman (for the introduction) and Samuel West (for the stories). Pullman describes how the fairytales influenced his own creative process (including the reasons why he is not ‘re-setting’ the stories).

My Rating – 2.5/5

My Thoughts – I have to admit, I did not fully finish this audiobook. I am a big fan of fairy-tales, but unlike Philip Pullman (who was very disparaging about the trend), I really enjoy when the fairy tales are ‘re-set’ in other settings, or time periods, or with a feminist etc. lens. I found these tales just a little repetitive – which I understand is due to the Grimm Brothers’ reuse of themes, but after a while just gets a little repetitive. I managed 5 hours of the audiobook, but did not really want to listen to more. The introduction by Philip Pullman was interesting and informative – but really could have been either a lot longer (so going into more detail about the background of fairy tales in general) or shorter.

The one big plus point for me was Samuel West’s reading of the stories, which was really lovely. He has a wonderful voice, and provided a myriad of different voices and tones for all of the characters we meet along the way. So I would say, if you want something to go to sleep to, pick out this book, as even if the stories are a little repetitive, you do get the glorious voice of Sam West reading you to sleep.