The Beast Within (The Villains Tales)

Although this is the second book of the Villains tale, I have decided to read it first. This is the first book of the year that I was totally not impressed with the story. I think it was a little bit flat and practically it was a re-telling of the original story. My expectancy was so high that I was utterly disappointed. Although, I did not hate it. I expected the ending to be a little bit different and I felt that the story was a little bit rushed and short from details. I did not make the connection with the characters. The finale was something that really bothered me.

The story is a quick read and a light read as well. It is from the beast point of view. It is how the Prince was evil and selfish, became cursed, what it was like before he meet Belle, the transformation and that they eventually live happily ever after. Characters like Gaston and Circe was centralised but the story with Belle came sudden without any suspense. As I said before, I did not hate it and I totally recommend it if you are passing from a reading slump or after you have read a heavy book. Also, I could see this book ideal for teenagers and if you are discouraged from heavy, complicated books. I enjoyed the fact that the author made use of another story within this retelling but still I have expected more from it.

Spinola Bay; 10 000 mojitos on the Rock

Faraxa Books contacted me through my Instagram account @onceuponamaltesereader to give an honest review of the book 10 000 mojitos on the Rock: Spinola Bay. This book intrigued me to read it because it is about the Maltese islands. This book is the first one of its genre that made it into my library. It is a very dark psychological thriller. I gave it a solid 4 star. This is my honest review and spoiler-free. 

This book by Sandorr Papp is a story about Ben and his arrival into the Maltese islands exactly in a very small flat in Spinola Bay. His idea was to live in a mundane, solitary life until he became a regular visitor into one of the famous bars in Paceville, Bar Native. This is where his adventure begins. Driven by his loneliness, Ben became involved into several passionate encounters and erotic experiences while sipping continuously mojitos. Several mysterious deaths and fading memories led to an unexpected, very dark circumstances that left me very perplexed.

From the prologue itself, the story hooked me into my chair. It is not a light read and I totally recommend it to an adult audience since it involves a lot of particular topics. This includes the theme of suicide, drugs, murders, detailed sex scenes, alcohol and smoke. If one is interested in psychological thrillers I totally recommend it. It was interesting to experience Malta and Sicily through the eyes of the character. Apart from the fact that the story in itself made me crave for more information to discover what happened to Ben and Nino, one of the characters in the story. This story hooked me from the beginning and left me in suspense until the last sentence. This book is one of the best books I have read so far so thank-you Faraxa and Sandor Papp!

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Finally, I have read this book! I wanted to read this book for a very long time because I saw a lot of posts discussing the Midnight Library. I thought that for this new year I had to give it a shot. It is a book that it did not disappoint. It is a story about anxiety, regrets, suicide, depression, death and also uplifting experiences and interesting reflections. This book is something that gave me a lot to think about. This review is spoiler-free.

The character of this book Nora Seed finds herself facing a very important decision in her life. Living with regrets, anxiety and depression is not an option for her so she decided to end her life. Between her life and death, exists the Midnight Library that holds an infinite amount of books. Every book offers an alternative edition of how Nora could live her life. She faces the possibility of experiencing how life could be if she made different decisions. Nora had to make an important decision because she can't live in the Midnight Library forever.

I adored this book. The concept of it is fascinating. The book has short chapters which I loved and sometimes when in traffic or walking I opted to the audio book as well. I would highly recommend it and I believe it is worth all the hype. Although the story is simplistic in itself but for me the way it was written helped me to enjoy it even more. The Midnight library is a 4.5 stars for me!

Nova's Blade by Will Scifi (ARC)

Will Scifi contacted me through my Instagram account @onceuponamaltesereader to read the advance readers copy of Nova’s Blade. I must admit that this is my first ARC that I have received, and it was a very different experience. I never read an advance reader copy of a book and I never read anything with the genre of this book. I received a physical copy of the book and I was not compensated for the review. The review is my own opinion and spoiler-free.

The main character of the story is Nova that lives in a world that one must fight for basic human rights. She lives with her mother and her sister on the verge of poverty with an ambience full of corruption, instability and insecurity. Losing her job, was something that made Nova and her family once again vulnerable in society. One day, Nova was kidnapped for the purpose to compete into the Last Valkyarie Games. The Games are a live tournament where women kill each other and fight to death. There is only one winner with the prize of a better life and stability. The winner is promised to marry into a powerful family and thus, regaining freedom. Refusing to fight means that she can call herself dead.

Nova’s Blade gave me the Hunger Games together with the Gladiator, Squid Game and the Purge type of vibes. I never read of a futuristic, dystopian Cyberpunk read which was something that intrigued me to commence. The chapters in the book are easy to read and I believe that some refinement must be expected in the actual copy. The story had some parts that I felt as predictable however, the story is a good one especially if you are interested in this genre. The description of Nova and the creation of the world that the story is based on is a good one. It is a fast-paced read and honestly brutal. There is a lot of violence described in a book and it is good to remind you gentle reader, that one must be attentive if you are sensitive to any type of violence. Nonetheless, if you are interested in a thriller, full of action book that will leave you with your mouth open, this is the book I totally recommend. Age recommendation is 16+.

The book will be released in February so check on Will Scifi’s Instagram account for more info. Thank-you Will for the Advance Reader’s copy!

                                                                                                                             

Sherlock, Lupin u Jien: Il-Misteru tal-Warda l-Ħamra #3

This is the second book of the year that I have decided to read, and I was so looking forward to it. The cover is something that immediately caught my eye and the idea of Sherlock Holmes, Arsène Lupin and Irene Adler in one story was quite convincing. It did not disappoint. It is a light read. It was an enjoyable story so thank-you @merlinkotba for the gifted copy and thank-you also Dwayne Ellul for the translation. The review is spoiler-free.

This book is the third one from a four-book series. It depicts young Sherlock, Lupin and Adler in another mysterious case in London. During one of their encounters in a coffee shop, the trio found a clue in a newspaper that helped them to decipher a series of clues of yet-to-come crimes. With their young age as a barrier to solve the case, the trio tried to seek some help from Scotland Yard. However, without any success, Sherlock, Lupin and Adler tried to investigate, risking a lot to try and succeed in another mission. The book has a Christmas theme going on. It was interesting the fact that this book gave us a hint of another important character that I believe it is part of the forth book. I can’t say the name, since it is a spoiler-free review, but it is a very important character 😉

The point of view of the book is from young Irene Adler but as a Sherlock fan myself, it was enjoyable to see him in his early stages, discovering his observation skills and the art of deduction. The book is targeted for adolescents and teenagers however, I was hooked from the beginning. The illustrations in the beginning of each chapter are very interesting to look at. The Maltese translation was impeccable. I had to buy the other two books in the series. So, thank-you Merlin and Dwayne for the wonderful work!

L-Ispettur Montalbano: Il-Forma tal-Ilma

 I have decided that for the first book of the year I read the first translated book of the Montalbano series: Il-Forma tal-Ilma *The Form of Water * by Andrea Camilleri. Translated by Antoinette Borg. This book was gifted to me by @Merlinkotba. The genre of this book is a mystery crime based in Sicily. It is also a tv series. I am writing this review in English since there are various translated editions of this book.

The story is about a murder that happened in Vigàta. The lifeless body of the engineer and politician Silvio Luparello was found in an abandoned field and Inspector Salvo Montalbano, the main character of the book has to identify what happened. Pressured by the police, bishop and judges of Vigàta, to close the case as soon as possible, Montalbano was not convinced that Luparello died of natural causes. So, he has to involve himself into an irregular network of paths that might help him to uncover the truth.

I found this book  as a slow placed-read. I usually avoid crime novels however I gave this book a tentative shot. I was not disappointed however it is not the best book I have read so far. I read some reviews that Camilleri develops his style of writing throughout the series. Montalbano is a very interesting character and a very complex one. Sometimes too complex for me. The plot is engaging however it is short in the description of the characters. I expected the plot to be simple for just 188 pages however, it turned out to be much more complicated. I read the Maltese translation. Antoinette Borg made an incredible job, at least now we have the first copy of the series. What I suggest is that before reading the book, watch the series. I know that many prefer reading before watching. Nonetheless, it can help to get to know the characters more personally. Thank-you Merlin and Antoinette for this translated copy.