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Bright Dead Things (Bitter Legacies 1) by Hailey Turner | Book Review

If the forest stares back at you, you’re already prey.

Bran Gallagher grew up with three rules passed down through his coven: beware forest paths that lead to dangerous mounds, always keep iron close, and never speak of magic.

Cillian Dunne grew up with his mother’s love, his father’s absence, and secret warnings to never trust a witch.

In Pelham’s forest, where bright lights haunt the trees and hunt the lost, there are traditions kept for survival and others out of habit, none of which should be broken.

Bran and Cillian unknowingly broke tradition and ruined each other in the aftermath of a kiss years ago. Reunited in the wake of a family tragedy, they cross paths with something old, something terrifying—something that wants them dead. When Bran’s younger sister is stolen away by a nightmare into the Otherworld, they can only follow and try to keep each other alive in a strange and haunting land.

Trapped in a dangerous Fae Court, Bran learns being a witch comes with a death sentence. To save him, Cillian must fight against those who seek power from a past he has no memory of, and the only person he can trust is the witch who broke his heart.

But it might be too late.

For the Fae have never been kind, and they have always hungered, and this time, what they hunger for is revenge.

How was it?

One of the weird things about me, is that when I pick up one of my trusted authors’ books, I sometimes don’t want to know anything about it before diving in. That’s been my approach with Hailey Turner after Soulbound. At most tell me there are witches, Fae, and a new fantasy world to explore, and I’m in.

Unfortunately, I accidentally read the blurb before starting Bright Dead Things. I say unfortunately because the blurb reveals an event that doesn’t happen immediately enough, and for the entire first quarter of the book, I found myself waiting for that moment instead of fully experiencing the story as it unfolded. It’s not the book’s fault, but it definitely changed my reading experience a little.

I still got pulled into the story. I sat down to read a few chapters and suddenly found myself around 20% into the book without really noticing, which is a good sign since I’m a slow reader.

The biggest strength of Bright Dead Things is its atmosphere. The forests is eerie, the Otherworld feels dangerous, and there’s this constant sense that something is lurking in the edges, just beyond sight. Turner is very good at worldbuilding and creating an atmosphere, here it’s a creeping feeling that something is wrong long before the characters fully realize it themselves.

This book is very fantasy forward, the romance between Bran and Cillian is almost an after thought, yes there’s some longing but it’s a genuine slow burn. I’m happy with that here because the story and world surrounding it is more interesting to me than a second-chance romance. The world, the mysteries, and the hints of larger dangers kept me engaged while the relationship developed at its own pace.

The one thing I wasn’t entirely sold on was the magic system. It feels a bit loose compared to fantasy worlds with clearly defined magical rules. The casting itself, mostly Bran’s and his witchmarks, often sounded complicated and time-consuming. I feel like Bran could get shot before witchmarking himself a shield, and maybe that’s the point he’s not supposed to duck and hide so he could raise a shield, lol.

There’s a slow build, with clues and unsettling details scattered throughout the first half, before everything starts accelerating. The first quarter of the novel is largely spent setting up the events described in the blurb, which is why I’m annoyed I read it! It’s really around the halfway point that the pace picks up significantly, bringing more action, revelations, and a clearer picture of the larger threat lurking behind everything.

I enjoy that gradual crescendo because I’ve come to trust Turner, I know she’s building toward something worthwhile. But I worry about how a brand-new reader would feel about it. If you’re unfamiliar with her talent, the slower first half might require a bit more patience, but if you(re familiar, enjoy the ride.

I am invested in seeing where this series goes next, despite not being quite as attached to Bran and Cillian as I usually am after the first book of a Hailey Turner series. I like them. They’re good characters, I care about what happens to them. I’d be annoyed if they get hurt or killed but it wouldn’t ruined my day at this point. I haven’t formed a deeper emotional attachment yet.

However, the mysteries introduced here, the larger mythology taking shape, and the unanswered questions left hanging have me eager to return to this world.

Overall, Bright Dead Things is a strong opening to a new fantasy series. It’s atmospheric, creepy, full of intriguing folklore, and steadily builds toward something much bigger. If you’re willing to embrace a slower start and enjoy stories where the mysteries unfold piece by piece, there’s a lot here to enjoy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth (Book Review) | A Chillingly Precise Political Thriller That Feels Real

The Jackal. A tall, blond Englishman with opaque, gray eyes. A killer at the top of his profession. A man unknown to any secret service in the  world. An assassin with a contract to kill the world’s most heavily guarded man.

One  man with a rifle who can change the course of history. One man whose mission is so secretive not even his employers know his name. And as the minutes count down to the final act of execution, it seems that there is no power on earth that can stop the Jackal.

How was it?

The Day of the Jackal is often described as a classic political thriller, but it really came on my radar when the Eddie Redmayne’s TV series was on the horizon. What struck me the most about this book is how much it feels like a meticulously constructed case study, almost like an investigative documentary, before it even becomes a fictional story.

The early sections of the novel, there are four parts of them, I think, are incredibly detailed, laying out the chain of events that lead to the hiring of the Jackal. Forsyth takes his time here, and while that might sound heavy, it’s anything but dull. Instead, it reads like a fascinating deep dive into the anatomy of an assassination plot. The inclusion of the Algerian War of Independence adds a strong historical background, effectively showing why someone like Charles de Gaulle was deeply polarizing and targeted.

What makes this novel particularly compelling is its blend of fact and fiction. Because parts of the story are rooted in real historical tensions, making the fictional elements feel grounded and believable. That sense of realism never really fades, even as the narrative shifts more squarely into thriller territory.

One of the standout aspects for me is the level of detail, especially when it comes to the Jackal’s preparations. The specifications of the rifle, the disguises, and the step-by-step planning are incredibly precise. Normally, this level of technical detail might slow a story down, but Forsyth manages to keep it engaging throughout. The pacing flows surprisingly well, and the perspective shifts between the assassin and those trying to stop him, pulling you right into the process on both sides.

That said, this same precision is also what holds the book back from being truly great in my eyes. There’s a certain emotional distance to the narrative. It feels intentionally cold, which makes sense given the subject matter and the character of the Jackal, but it also means I was more intellectually engaged than emotionally invested. I was fascinated by how everything would unfold, but I wasn’t deeply attached to the outcome, just curious.

Having just seen the TV adaptation of the story, I also found it interesting to compare portrayals. The Jackal’s meticulous nature, his attention to detail, use of aliases like “Duggan,” and careful planning are very much present here and clearly form the backbone of those adaptations. However, while the TV version added more emotional weight, the novel remains more clinical in its execution. It does make me curious about which elements different adaptations chose to use or leave out.

Overall, The Day of the Jackal is an impressively crafted thriller that excels in realism, structure, and details. Even if it doesn’t fully deliver on emotional depth, it’s a gripping and highly intelligent read that stands out for its precision and authenticity.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Eddy grandit – Linda VANDEN BEMDEN – 2025 – Ed. Quadrature

Quatrième de Couverture

L’oiseau est tombé du nid et dans de bonnes mains. Grâce à elles, il survivra, grandira, s’affranchira. L’enfant aussi est tombé du nid. La famille est désemparée. Dans le village, les recherches s’organisent. Deux envolées croisées avec, au milieu, l’adulte qui fait ce qu’il peut. Et puis Henry…

Mon Avis

La vie nous réserve, parfois, de belles aventures. De celles qui réchauffent le cœur et changent la vie, pour une durée indéterminée. Un jour, devant sa porte, une dame trouve un oisillon qui ne ressemble à rien. Il n’a pas de plumes. Il n’a pas, non plus, l’air vivant. Pourtant, il se laisse faire. Sa protectrice le nomme Eddy. Dans le village, un enfant, ayant le même prénom, disparaît à son tour. Les recherches débutent. Deux homonymes: l’un lutte pour sa vie, l’autre a disparu, et tout le monde prie pour le retrouver vivant et sauf. Des mains, pleines de chaleur humaine et d’amour, prennent soin de cet oisillon tombé de nulle part. Un oisillon gagne un foyer tandis que dans le village, un enfant perd le sien. 

La narratrice raconte, en parallèle, l’histoire de deux Eddy qui sont très aimés. L’amour fait des miracles. Il donne foi à la vie. Il insuffle à notre oisillon la force de se battre pour survivre, grandir, et, pourquoi pas, devenir autonome et quitter le nid. L’amour pousse de nombreuses personnes à rechercher un jeune disparu. Le trouveront-ils? Les mots sont posés avec douceur, amour et empathie. Dans cette histoire, Henri est celui qui garde la tête sur les épaules. Il tempère, ramène son épouse, qui prend soin de l’oisillon, dans la réalité. C’est si bien écrit que la vie des deux Eddy se mêlent, s’embrassent, au point que le lecteur finit par en faire un seul et même être. 

Deux Eddy: un oiseau et un enfant, dont l’histoire débute le même jour. Un récit très poétique, avec des chapitres courts. L’écriture est si belle que le lecteur suit les deux histoires naturellement. Le récit reste agréable, réaliste. Les deux Eddy intriguent. C’est un écrit sur l’amour, la résilience, la confiance en soi. L’auteure raconte deux vies si différentes. Mais, en y réfléchissant, n’y a-t-il pas quelque chose qui les lie? Quoi? Pourtant, leurs histoires ne se ressemblent pas. L’un est perdu, l’autre est trouvé. L’un fait naître l’angoisse dans le cœur des gens, l’autre a reçu l’amour un peu possessif d’une mère. Il s’est laissé pouponner. Quel sera le destin des deux Eddy? C’est un roman sublime. 

9782931080528    Ed. Quadrature    77 p.    12€

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Deux journalistes- Stéphane BRET – 2025 – Book On Demand

Quatrième de couverture

Sylvain Grati, jeune journaliste, débute à Europe N°1 en 1968, radio périphérique du paysage audio-visuel de la France des Trente Glorieuses. Renaud Neuburger rejoint les rangs de la chaîne d’information continue I-Télé en 2000, à l’heure des réseaux sociaux, d’Internet, de la concentration de la presse entre les mains de quelques grands groupes industriels.. Et si les impératifs de ce noble métier n’avaient en réalité jamais été frappés d’obsolescence? La permanence l’emporte -t-elle sur les contingences des circonstances? Ce récit des parcours de ces deux hommes suggère quelques réponses encourageantes…

Mon Avis

Le journalisme est un métier dur et noble. Pour ceux qui n’en égratignent pas l’éthique. C’est la mémoire moderne d’un peuple. C’est le rêve de Sylvain Grati qui débute dans le métier. Avec un regard empreint de respect et d’envie, il observe ses collègues plus anciens. Un jour, il sera comme eux, voire, il les remplacera. En attendant, il a du chemin à faire. Des éditions à écrire. Des échelons à grimper. Un avenir de découvertes sociales, sociétales, politiques. Il vit avec son époque et participe à de grands événements en tant que journaliste. En 1968, le monde est en effervescence. Des décennies plus tard, Renaud, un autre journaliste, débute dans le métier, souhaitant respecter l’éthique et la déontologie de son métier. Utopie?

Deux hommes. Deux époques différentes. Le même amour du métier. Deux méthodes et lieux de travail. Nous sommes à l’ère d’Internet. Le climat politique n’est plus le même. La violence est partout, aussi bien dans la société que dans la politique. Le métier a évolué. Les hommes politiques aussi. Comment exercer, déontologiquement son métier, face à la violence qui bouleverse le paysage français? Dans un monde où tout se passe rapidement. Chacun à sa manière, jette un regard sur l’évolution du métier de journaliste. Sur les liens entre politiques et journalistes. Nous découvrons aussi la différence dans ce métier entre la France et les États-Unis. Dans quel pays y a t-il une plus grande de liberté de la Presse? Est-ce vraiment de cas? 

Les deux journalistes nous démontrent l’évolution de leur métier ainsi que celle de la politique française, à travers les élus, les chefs de gouvernement, les chefs d’État qui se succèdent au pouvoir. Le regard de l’un des journalistes se plaît à ne pas se voiler la face. L’autre se questionne quant au maintien de l’éthique et la déontologie, dans un pays où la violence et l’ignorance sont rois. Le mode de vie des deux hommes montre aussi l’évolution sociale et sociétale. Nous sommes à une époque où tout va très vite, grâce à Internet. Dans une France où les attentats fleurissent, volant des vies innocentes. Les deux hommes, au travers de leur métier et de leur expérience, réfléchissent à l’avenir de ce dernier, qui s’entache d’une possible propagande. Doivent-ils continuer d’exercer ou changer de métier ? 

9782810628230    Books On Demand    150 p.    18,50€

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Persuader (Jack Reacher 7) by Lee Child | Book Review

Jack Reacher.

The ultimate loner.

An elite ex-military cop who left the service years ago, he’s moved from place to place…without family…without possessions…without commitments.

And without fear. Which is good, because trouble–big, violent, complicated trouble–finds Reacher wherever he goes. And when trouble finds him, Reacher does not quit, not once…not ever.

But some unfinished business has now found Reacher. And Reacher is a man who hates unfinished business.

Ten years ago, a key investigation went sour and someone got away with murder. Now a chance encounter brings it all back. Now Reacher sees his one last shot. Some would call it vengeance. Some would call it redemption. Reacher would call it…justice.

How was it?

The seventh book in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series kicks off with a bang – literally. The story screeches in with some action right from the start, pulling readers into the chaos before offering any explanations. I was thrown by some of what was happening in that opening scene. It was a smart move that set the tone for a relentless, twisty thriller that managed to hold my attention from beginning to end. I kept questioning and speculating about everything that was going on, and yet I was more surprised here than any other Reacher books that I’ve read so far.

One of the things I find interesting in this book is how it grounds Reacher in the era it was written. His uncertainty with emails, for example, is a subtle but telling reminder of the early 2000s – a marker of time that adds a bit of charm to his otherwise tough-as-nails persona.

The plot revolves around unfinished business from Reacher’s past, resurfacing through a chance encounter. This setup gives us a gripping combination of vengeance and justice, wrapped in Reacher’s signature approach – uncompromising, strategic, and ruthless. What stands out here is the back-and-forth narrative between the present-day operation and the dark incident that happened ten years earlier. The back-and-forth kept me on edge, it was slowly unraveling the mystery of what went wrong in the past while Reacher tackled the present-day threat. Although both have dark moments, the past incident is really the one that F’d me up because at some point in the book I didn’t want to know the details. But ultimately, the back-and-forth structure worked well in heightening the tension and tying together the plot.

There’s a lot of darkness hinted at in Persuader – disturbing acts and messed-up goons that push Reacher’s moral boundaries. These elements give the story an edge that makes it one of the grittier entries I’ve read. It’ll be interesting to see how these darker themes are adapted into season 3 of Reacher, especially since some of the hinted atrocities might not make it to the screen.

Overall, Persuader is a tightly wound, action-packed thriller that delivers classic Jack Reacher. With intense action, a gritty narrative, and a well-paced mystery, this book showcases everything fans love about the series. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Reacher’s world, this entry is a must-read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

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