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Book Review: The Drowning Place by Sarah Hilary

This was my first experience reading Sarah Hilary, and I went into it hoping to discover a new detective series to follow. Overall, this turned out to be an enjoyable read, though one that clearly feels like a series opener. The beginning was on the slower side, focusing heavily on introductions, backstory, and the private lives of the characters. While this is often necessary in the first book of a series, it did make the pacing feel a bit drawn out at times. One aspect that didn’t fully work for me was the inclusion of characters seeing and speaking to ghosts. I understand the intention behind it, showing how the past lingers and haunts, but I personally felt there were more effective ways this could have been conveyed. Where the book really worked for me was in its twists and character work. The writing was strong, the mystery kept me engaged, and both the DI and DS felt layered and well-developed. By the end, I was invested enough to want to see where the series goes next. Overall,...
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Book Review: The Society of unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown

Long time no see. Mainly because I ended up sick and then landed in a reading slump. I had the chance to receive an e-ARC of The Society of Unknowable Objects via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and I honestly feel a bit bad that this took me so long. But I always aim to be honest and the truth is, I DNF’d this book at around 60%. That said, I fully intend to finish it before the end of the year.


The premise intrigued me from the beginning: a secretive society collecting mysterious, magical objects that defy logic and understanding. These “unknowable objects” seem to raise a deeper question: Who should have access to magic? Should anyone? Is it inherently dangerous or can it be used for good? When Magda travels to secure a new object, the story sets off or rather, it tries to.


Because here’s the thing. While I enjoyed the author’s writing style and the intriguing world he created, the pacing felt really off. I found myself bouncing between chapters full of tension and action and others that slowed everything down again with backstory. It became a frustrating rhythm of start-stop-start-stop. Just as I was getting into the story, it would pull back again. And although I liked the characters, this inconsistent pace made the overall reading experience feel a bit tiring and repetitive.


That said, I’m still curious enough to see how it all ends. This isn’t a book I can read in one go it’s the kind I need to put down and ease myself back into. So while it didn’t quite work for me yet, I haven’t given up on it.


If you’re someone who enjoys slower, more reflective fantasy with big questions at its core, this might resonate with you more than it did with me.



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