It has been an unusually slow month for reading. I have spent almost all of my spare time reviewing my current manuscript after receiving my editors notes at the end of August. I only managed to read three books, and I was halfway through two of them before the month even started. Luckily they were all very good.

Unruly – David Mitchell

A review of English Monarchs from Arthur to Elizabeth I. I knew almost everything already, English history being something I was raised with, but I particularly enjoyed Mitchell’s narration. It was a very easy going, amusing journey through the centuries and I liked Mitchell’s analysis of the development of Kingship as a concept: from biggest bully to divine right by birth and back. I would recommend this to anyone looking for an entertaining read or listen, regardless of whether they ware familiar with the subject.

Buried Deep – Naomi Novik

Naomi Novik is one of my favourite writers, but I wasn’t very excited about the news that she would be releasing a book of short stories. I’m not the biggest fan of short form fiction, I find it rather hit and miss. However, I bought the book anyway and sat down to give it a go. I should have trusted Novik wouldn’t let me down! I loved all the stories; especially the little Scholomance epilogue! It really whet my appetite for the book she is currently writing and I will definitely be back to review this again!

The Hunger of the Gods – John Gwynne

This is the second in Gwynne’s Norse inspired fantasy. I enjoyed this book very much but I did struggle with the list of named characters, at one point there was a Skapti, a Skuld and a Skald all talking at or about each other! The first book ended with all of the characters in one very remote place and it took them a while to scatter back to their respective plot lines which made the initial few chapters feel a bit slow. Once everyone started properly I found the book a lot faster. I look forward to reading the finale next month!