Waking Gods (Themis Files #2) by Sylvain Neuvel

As a child, Rose Franklin made an astonishing discovery: a giant metallic hand, buried deep within the earth. As an adult, she’s dedicated her brilliant scientific career to solving the mystery that began that fateful day: Why was a titanic robot of unknown origin buried in pieces around the world? Years of investigation have produced intriguing answers—and even more perplexing questions. But the truth is closer than ever before when a second robot, more massive than the first, materializes and lashes out with deadly force.

Now humankind faces a nightmare invasion scenario made real, as more colossal machines touch down across the globe. But Rose and her team at the Earth Defense Corps refuse to surrender. They can turn the tide if they can unlock the last secrets of an advanced alien technology. The greatest weapon humanity wields is knowledge in a do-or-die battle to inherit the Earth . . . and maybe even the stars.

-- Goodreads.com description -- 

This is the sequel to Sleeping Giants and I got an e-arc from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. However, I received a PDF file and I have a hard time reading those, so I waited until the paperback came out to read it (which I'm glad of right now because don't have to wait too long for the third book).

I liked the first book Sleeping Giants, but I did not think it lived up to the hype. That said, I really enjoyed Waking Gods.

This series is told through interviews and documents (similarly to The Illuminae Files) and while I had trouble connecting to the characters and plot in the first book, I didn't have any issues with Waking Gods. That might have something to do with the fact that the sequel is a lot more action-packed than the first one and intrigued me from the beginning. Additionally, a lot of questions raised in the first book were answered and the one shocking thing after another happened. 

Ultimately, I was pleased with all the answers I got but was left with even more new questions I can't wait to explore in the third book.

All in all, I would recommend this book even to people who read the first book and are in doubt whether or not to continue the series. It's definitely worth it, in my opinion! Action, mystery, great characters and an original plot. Very much looking forward to Only Human! 4 stars! Also, look at that gorgeous cover!

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Only Human (Themis Files #3) by Sylvain Neuvel

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. It's based on Waiting On Wednesday hosted at Breaking the Spine.

We always thought the biggest threat to humanity would come from the outside.

We were wrong.

As the human race picks up the pieces of destruction left behind, a new world order emerges. New alliances are formed. Old divisions are strengthened. And, with a power struggle fuelled by the threat of mutually assured destruction, nothing is certain.

At a time when the world's nations should have been coming together, they have never been more divided.

With the human race teetering on the brink of total war, Rose, Vincent and Eva must choose sides. But doing the right thing might mean making the ultimate sacrifice.

-- Goodreads.com description --







I had some issues with the first book Sleeping Giants, but I read the sequel, Waking Gods this week and really enjoyed it! Now, I'm really excited to read the third and final book! Another thing I love about this science fiction series are the stunning covers! This one might even be my favourite so far!

Have you read this series or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below! 

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Have a wonderful day everyone!

Can't-Wait Wednesday: LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. It's based on Waiting On Wednesday hosted at Breaking the Spine.

On an island junkyard beneath a sky that glows with radiation, a deadly secret lies buried in the scrap.

Seventeen-year-old Eve isn't looking for trouble--she's too busy looking over her shoulder. The robot gladiator she spent months building has been reduced to a smoking wreck, she's on the local gangster's wanted list, and the only thing keeping her grandpa alive is the money she just lost to the bookies. Worst of all, she's discovered she can somehow destroy machines with the power of her mind, and a bunch of puritanical fanatics are building a coffin her size because of it. 

If she's ever had a worse day, Eve can't remember it. The problem is, Eve has had a worse day--one that lingers in her nightmares and the cybernetic implant where her memories used to be. Her discovery of a handsome android named Ezekiel--called a "Lifelike" because they resemble humans--will bring her world crashing down and make her question whether her entire life is a lie. 


With her best friend Lemon Fresh and her robotic sidekick Cricket in tow, Eve will trek across deserts of glass, battle unkillable bots, and infiltrate towering megacities to save the ones she loves... and learn the truth about the bloody secrets of her past.

-- Goodreads.com description --

I love The Illuminae Files and Nevernight series by Jay Kristoff, so I'm definitely excited to read more of his work! LIFEL1K3 will be released at the end of May, if Goodreads is to be believed. This author is quickly becoming one of my favourites and I can't wait to read his newest science fiction story!


Have you read this book or are you planning to? Which books are you highly anticipating? Leave your thoughts down below!

Stacking the Shelves: Netgalley Book Haul

Stacking the Shelves is a meme co-hosted by Reading Reality and Tynga's Reviews. Each week bloggers share the books they got. These are the books I got from Netgalley this semester. I've gotten a lot of pdf files in the beginning and some more now as well and I have to say that I have a lot of trouble reading those. Which is why I am behind on my Netgalley ratio. My ratio is now about 63%. I've been incredibly busy with my teaching practice lately and it seems it will only get worse. I barely have the time to read, let alone blogging... Can't wait for Christmas to have a break (break meaning time to study for exams).


1. Waking Gods (Themis Files #2) by Sylvain Neuvel 

Pdf file, sooo I still need to read it. If it had in another format, I would have read it already.

2. Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden and Brenna Thummler

This graphic novel was wonderful! You can find my review here! 5 stars! And Brenna Thummler actually tweeted me back twice! 

3. The Ghost of Gaudi by El Torres

I love Gaudí, so when I saw this graphic novel on Netgalley, I just had to read it! 3 stars. You can find my review here.

4. Taproot by Keezy Young

3 stars, you can find my review here.

5. Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story by Debbie Tung 

Loved this graphic novel! 4 stars! Highly recommend it! You can read my review here.

6. How to Be Perfectly Unhappy by Matthew Inman

Hmm, still not sure about my rating... Check out my thoughts here.

7. Disney Manga: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas by Jun Asuka

Love the movie, hope to read the manga soon!

8. The Little Red Wolf by Amélie Fléchais

Really excited to read this one! The illustrations look gorgeous!



Which books did you recently get? Have you read any of the ones mentioned above or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below!


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Review: The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.

-- Goodreads.com description -- 

I got this book from my Broke and Bookish Secret Santa last year, so first of all I want to thank her again for this wonderful gift!

I didn't know more than the blurb at the back of the book when I picked it up and I believe that's the best way to read it. On Goodreads it's classified as horror and I really don't care for horror movies or books so I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I wouldn't describe it as horror at all but it's definitely a thriller. 

We follow Melanie, a very smart 10-year-old, who was just a fantastic protagonist. We do get a lot more perspectives than hers alone. All the characters are well developed and relatable to some degree (some more than others). I understood the drive and meaning of every character even though I couldn't stand some of them. It makes this science fiction story very realistic.

The world was crafted really well. Carey uses a lot of scientific explanations to describe the world and the changes which occurred. This gives it depth and once more makes the story more believable. 

I don't want to give any spoilers and since it's best to read it without knowing too much, I'm going to say more. Just read it!

The only remark I might have is that the ending felt quite sudden to me and I just wanted more!

I highly recommend this novel! If you are expecting a real horror book, you might be disappointed but if you read it as a science fiction thriller, you won't be disappointed! 5 stars!


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Have you read this book or are you planning to read it? Leave your thoughts down below!

Massive August Book Haul Part 1

Stacking the Shelves is co-hosted by Reading Reality and Tynga's Reviews. Each week bloggers post the books they purchased or received. I bought a lot of books in the month of August, I decided to treat myself after finishing my Master thesis and celebrating my birthday. This is part one.

I went to Brussels to visit the Magritte museum and Waterstones. On my way to the bookstore, I passed Sterling, another English bookshop and I simply couldn't resist!

Books I got in Waterstones:

1. Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1) by Sylvain Neuvel

I have already read this book but I felt a bit disappointed because of the hype. Has anyone read the sequel? Should I continue the series?

2. Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse #1) by James S.A. Corey

The cashier in Waterstones actually started chatting with me about this book and now I'm doubly excited to read it!

3. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I actually got this book twice this month. I bought the paperback in Waterstones and then my bookbestie got me the hardcover! Can't wait to read this one!

4. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

I've heard such good things about this one! 

The following books I got from the Sterling bookshop in Brussels:

5. Villette by Charlotte Brontë

I'm slowly collecting classics in the Penguin English Library editions, I'll have to be quick about it, because a lot of these are already out of print :(

6. Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

I actually was unable to find Cranford in this edition online for months and when I saw it in the bookstore, I just couldn't leave without it!

7. Kim by Rudyard Kipling

The next two Penguin Modern Classics were 10% off and if you bought two, you got a literary poster, so I got one of Jack Kerouac.

8. On the Road by Jack Kerouac

9. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

I haven't read anything by these two authors before, but I'm excited to get to them.

Okay, these are the books I got from my parents for my birthday:

10. The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

11. Robinson Crusoe (Robinson Crusoe #1) by Daniel Defoe

12. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

13. Big Mushy Happy Lump (Sarah's Scribbles #2) by Sarah Andersen

I already read this one and loved it! I can relate to these cartoons so much! Highly recommend!

14. The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson

I also got a couple of board games last month, if anyone's interested in that, I'm willing to write about them as well.

Part two of my August book haul will be posted next Saturday!

Have you read any of the books mentioned above or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below!

Which book should I read next?

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Review: Firefly

Five hundred years in the future, a renegade crew aboard a small spacecraft tries to survive as they travel the unknown parts of the galaxy and evade warring factions as well as authority agents out to get them.

-- Imdb.com description --





Firefly is a science fiction TV show created by Joss Whedon. Despite its fan base it got cancelled after only one season containing fourteen episodes. I started watching this show because two of the main actors are coming to Ghent in our version of Comic Con, called Facts. I'm talking about Nathan Fillion and Morena Baccarin.

Before, I avoided the show because I had a feeling I would fall in love with it instantly and be incredibly sad such an amazing show actually got cancelled. And of course that's exactly what happened. 

Firefly is mostly set on spaceship Serenity, which is a firefly, hence the title of the show. The characters are what made the show so special to me. I loved every single one of them! To me this was a feel-good show, even though it was constantly action-packed, I just felt very connected to the characters. It's hard to pick a favourite but how can you not love Mal? 

This show is action-packed, full of laughs, friendship and love. There is something there for everyone. I, for sure, will truly miss this show! But maybe, with all these revivals, a second season is still possible? Who knows? 

I highly recommend you give this show a try! But please do start with the episode Serenity, which is the actual first episode where all the characters are introduced. After watching the first half of that episode, I already knew I would have to binge watch the rest! So what are you waiting for? Quit reading this blog and go watch Firefly!

Stacking the Shelves: June Book Haul

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Each week bloggers post the books they purchased or received. These are the books I acquired in the month of June:

1. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1) by Becky Chambers

2. Descender, Vol 1: Tin Stars (Descender #1) by Jeff Lemire (Writer), Dustin Nguyen (Artist)

3. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

4. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Which books did you get recently? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in a comment down below!

Starflight (Starflight #1) by Melissa Landers

Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world—and each other—the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe...

-- Goodreads.com description --

This is my first Melissa Landers book and I really enjoyed it! At first I was hesitant to pick it up but after several days I finally gave in and purchased this book in hardback, which I don't normally do but the paperback isn't available yet. I read the book without the dustjacket and I most add that the paint of the hardcover rubbed off on my fingers, which I didn't enjoy at all. If I can bring myself to buy an expensive hardcover, it better be one of great quality!

Moving on to the actual story! I hoped this book would be a fluffy, cute, science fiction romance and I wasn't disappointed! I love romance stories that start out with an antagonistic relationship between the main character (Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite books, so what did you expect?). Doran stars out as Solara's bully and he doesn't seem to possess any redeeming qualities, especially in the beginning. However, there is a lot of character development present in this book which was absolutely amazing!

One thing I didn't know before actually reading the book, is the fact that we get to different perspectives: one from Solara of course but we also get Doran's point of view! From the moment I read the first page, I knew I would love this book! I absolutely adore the characters, even all the secondary characters all amazing! I had a fantastic time reading Starflight and I'm actually sad it's over! Thankfully, we get a second book with two different main characters but I believe all the characters of this book will make an appearance.

I highly recommend Starflight if you are looking for a funny, fluffy, science fiction YA romance novel! I can't but give this book 5 out of 5 stars! I loved it! However, I would have preferred the paperback over the hardback, because the last one isn't very special (just plain dark blue and the title and author on the spine) and like I said, your fingers will be blue if you read the hardback.

Do you want to read Starflight or have you already finished it? Leave a comment down below!

Fortune's Pawn (Paradox #1) by Rachel Bach

Devi Morris isn't your average mercenary. She has plans. Big ones. And a ton of ambition. It's a combination that's going to get her killed one day - but not just yet. 
That is, until she just gets a job on a tiny trade ship with a nasty reputation for surprises. The Glorious Fool isn't misnamed: it likes to get into trouble, so much so that one year of security work under its captain is equal to five years everywhere else. With odds like that, Devi knows she's found the perfect way to get the jump on the next part of her Plan. But the Fool doesn't give up its secrets without a fight, and one year on this ship might be more than even Devi can handle.

If Sigouney Weaver in Alien met Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica, you'd get Deviana Morris -- a hot new mercenary earning her stripes to join an elite fighting force. Until one alien bite throws her whole future into jeopardy.

-- Goodreads.com description --

I've heard so many good things about Fortune's Pawn which is why I was so disappointed with it in the end. I almost did not finish this one, but I was already 64% through and I wanted it to count on Goodreads even though I already completed my challenge.

Whilst reading Fortune's Pawn, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was missing and that the book didn't really feel well developed. I didn't really like any of the characters which is a huge problem for me. I ultimately took a break from it, and read the last 30% a few weeks later. The last part of the book actually got better. I actually liked Devi however I still don't really like her love interest but I don't hate him anymore either. This might be because the romance wasn't well developed as well, which was such a shame!

The ending felt better structured and somehow I liked all the characters better. The ending itself was intriguing and might cause me to pick up the second book sometime in 2016.

Since I almost marked this book as a dnf, but still liked the ending, I'm ultimately giving this book 3 out of 5 stars and that's being generous. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it unless you're already too interested in the book and this review didn't sway you. In my opinion, Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is a much better space opera.