There was quite a buzz around The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. It got me very curious! I do like a good fantasy story. This book is not available in Dutch (yet), so I read the English e-book. To be honest, I don’t mind reading books in the language they were written in. Albeit, I must be able to understand the language. 😉 What did I think of this book? Let’s find out!

The book cover of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires

My first impression

Because of how people talked about this book, I thought it was a funny book too. However, apart from one part in the beginning, it’s not that funny. Or does the funny come back a few chapters later? I don’t know, I am puzzled by this. However, it is a mysterious read and I am curious to find out what happens! Something seems off about James Harris, but he could still be a good guy.

The story

Patricia Campbell is a housewife that looks forward to her bookclub meetings. However, she doesn’t really read the books. That changes when she and some other women start a new bookclub. They read true-crime novels.

When a new neighbor joins the neighborhood, everyone is a fan of him. However, it isn’t long before Patricia doesn’t really trust him. The new neighbor, James, seems to be nice. When Patricia voices her concerns, everyone turns against her and choses James’s side. Even her husband belittles her. When things turn even darker later in the book, they turn really dark. Exponentially.

My opinion

Honestly, what did I just read?! The book starts off kinda funny, then becomes kinda annoying and sexist, then becomes extremely dark. Like, horrific. In my opinion, this book is all over the place. It is so different from what I expected! I was not prepared for this. There were parts that were enjoyable, but how the story evolves towards the end is just weird and over the top.

Conclusion of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires

The story definitely had potential, but the over the top dark ending left me confused. I did like one of the last decisions Patricia made though. The writing was not consistent enough, thus the book changes the tone too much. Therefore, I would not really recommend this book. However, I was intrigued enough to finish it.

Verdict

Het nieuwe, geanticipeerde boek van Geert Mak Grote verwachtingen moest ik natuurlijk wel lezen! Uiteraard krijg je daar als historica kritiek op. ‘Geert mak is toch geen échte historicus’? Zelf vind ik het onzin. Geert Mak beschrijft op een heldere wijze de recente geschiedenis. Dat dit toegankelijk wordt gemaakt voor een groot publiek lijkt mij alleen maar een verdienste.

Ik heb dit boek half via audiobook en half via e-book gelezen.

De achterflap van Grote verwachtingen

I was looking for an easy breezy light book and someone recommended me The house in the Cerulean sea. The premise sounded good, a stuck in his way government worker going to a magical orphanage to investigate. The book is not available in Dutch (yet) so I bought the English e-book. What did I think of it? Let’s find out!

The book cover

My first impression of The house in the Cerulean sea

The main character, Linus Baker, reminds me a bit of Ove from A man called Ove. That is one of my favorite books, so it’s a good sign! As soon as he reached the magical orphanage, I continuously have a smile on my face because it’s just so adorable. I want to read more but I don’t want the book to be finished!

The story

Linus Baker, a man set in his ways and seeing great importance in the RULES AND REGULATIONS as described by his job, receives a new assignment. He is to go to the Marsyas orphanage where six 6 strange kids and 1 strange headmaster live. Linus must determine whether the orphanage should be closed or remained open.

Although at first he resists, Linus is more and more charmed by the kids and the headmaster Arthur. They embark on small and grand adventures. He really gets to know the kids and they don’t intimidate him as much anymore. I mean, they still tell him awful things, but now he laughs instead of getting scared.
What will Linus’s recommendation be in the end?

My opinion

The house in the Cerulean sea is just so adorable! Although the story may be a bit predictable, sometimes that doesn’t matter! I like that there are several themes combined. Such as fantasy, family, love, (self) acceptance, empathy. It’s a story that shows that a family can be so much more than the traditional view of it. I really recommended this book! Because it’s funny, magical, adorable and feel-good.

Conclusion of The house in the Cerulean sea

I really loved this book! Actually, I wanted to read even more. I hope this gets turned into a series. The author has many other books and trilogies, so I hope this will follow suit. Also, I will definitely read more written by this author. I highly recommend The house in the Cerulean sea if you are up for an adorable and magical read.

Verdict