Notes from The Commute

Iron Flame, The Familiar, Slow Horses and more

I’ve started reading my TBR pile. That elusive pile of books to be read that seems to grow rather than shrink.

I sat down, made a list of all the un-read titles I had in piles against the wall and came to 62. We’ll see how long it takes to get through them all but so far, it’s been a delight to read books that I was once excited about but didn’t get around to reading.

There are still a couple on this edition that are new but I’ve since made a pact with myself to not buy any new books until I’ve finished the ones I own.

Iron Flame - Rebecca Yarros

I only recently got into audio books. The first book that I listened to was Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and I loved it so much I continued the audio book tradition with Iron Flame.

Fourth Wing took BookTok by storm and it was a joy to read something that was not only exciting, fun and spicy but to see people discovering the fantasy genre through the book. Suddenly friends who read the novel because of a craze were asking what books were similar and boy did I have a list to share.

Iron Flame continues on with the great story and keeps a solid pace without leaving too many plot points all wrapped up - there’s three books left in the series, after all. If you’re looking for a fun read, I would highly recommend.

The Familiar - Leigh Bardugo

My participation of the Leigh Bardugo fan club continues. I picked up The Familiar from my local library and it consumed me on the commute. It had me so excited to get back on the train home so I could continue it. It’s a fantasy novel but set during the spanish inquistion. And I’ll admit, before reading this the only real knowledge I have of the spanish inquisition was that nobody expects the spanish inquisition!

The magic elements are both central and background to the story which weaves the history of Spain and the religious persecution of the time throughout. The main drawcard - which is not unusual for Leigh’s work - are the characters. Seeing how her women cope with different roles, power and relationships to God in a time that was very strict about what women should do was fantastic.

Sorcery of Thorns - Margaret Rogerson

This YA book has been on my TBR pile for a while and it didn’t dissapoint. The story follows Elisabeth who’s been accused of a crime. She must put aside her fears and trust a sorcerer and his demon to help her uncover the truth and save the world.

It was so refreshing to read a standalone fantasy book. To have a world and magic system fully developed before the story concludes was refreshing.

The Poppy War - R. F. Kuang

If Sorcery of Thorns is a great example of standalone fantasy, then The Poppy War is a fantastic example of the first book in a trilogy.

Drawing from politics of mid-20th century China, The Poppy War follows Rin who surprises everyone in her small rural village by acing the entrance exam to the toughest military school in Nikan. Rin then has to train harder than anyone to prove herself as she learns more about her Shamanic powers and channelling the Gods.

It’s an epic read and somehow Kuang’s first book?? So apparently she was an incredible writer from the start. She seamlessly creates fantasy worlds and all of her characters are beautifully complex. I’ll happily read the next one.

Slow Horses - Mike Herron

I bought this book back when the show first aired and started getting hype. Then I shelved the book and watched the show instead.

Now I wish that I had read it first. It’s a great read but an almost perfect chapter to scene adaptation so there was no extra nuance in the book.

But! I have only seen season one which was book one and there are eight books in the series. So I’ll show some restraint and read the sequels before I watch any more of the show.

If you love a snappy but detailed spy thriller - I recommend reading it too. If you love Gary Oldman, just watch the show.

I am Pilgrim - Terry Hayes

I am Pilgrim is epic book. Not only because of its size, it’s about 900 pages, but the story travels around the world in a race to save it, well it’s America-centred so it’s a race to save America.

PILGRIM. The codename for a man who doesn't exist. A man who must return from obscurity. The only man who can uncover a flawless plot to commit an appalling crime against humanity.

The book runs at an incredible pace. It’s both a fast-paced thriller and slow-character study of Pilgrim and his assailants.

I’m glad that I went back to it now and even though it put my arm muscles to the test it was a really good read.

The Uncaged Sky - Kylie Moore Gilbert

I don’t often buy a lot of non-fiction but this one is a special one. Kylie tells her story about being trapped in an Iranian prison for 804 days. Kylie’s an academic who travelled to Iran for a conference before being arrested at the airport. She wasn’t told why and didn’t speak farsi at the time (she later learned Farsi in prison to help plead her case for release).

It takes 804 days for her to be released, which is over two years. 804 days in one of the intense prisons in the world.

It’s an extraordinary, tragic tale but what makes this book unforgettable is Kylie’s storytelling and her ability to show her strength throughout and continuous hope for the future.

Kylie is now free from prison and back home in Australia.

Take Me There - Edited by Winston Malone

An anthology made by

Storyletter XPress Publishing

with science fiction short stories centred around the theme of travel.

Winston has done an incredible job editing the stories and bringing it all together. I find anthologies sometimes to be disjointed even when they’re servicing a theme. But these read really well together while still allowing the individual stories to shine.

I recommend purchasing yourself a copy. Not only would you get a great anthology but you’d be supporting a small, independent press from right here on Substack - what’s not to love.

Notes from The Commute is a review series from Verse, the home of great speculative fiction. Make sure you’re subscribed so that you don’t miss a sentence.