The Blue Hawk by Peter Dickinson

The Blue Hawk
Peter Dickinson

Date read: 4 - 9 February 2016
Length: 236 pages


Tron is chosen to be Goat, but he finds himself drawn to the blue sacrificial hawk. So he takes it and leaves the temple, embarking on a journey of a lifetime. He meets the king, is involved in a war, all the while the Gods of Aa and O are by his side. He hears the word of Gdu, and learns to tame the hawk.


I'm going to be honest, I didn't enjoy this book. I thought it wasn't very captivating, and a bit boring really. Because I couldn't get invested, I feel as if I was just kind of reading it, without taking anything in, and as a result I don't feel I really know what the story was about. Not fully, anyway.

There were no characters I felt I could relate to. Although Tron had his mission, and it all sounds very exciting. But in reality, I found it very tedious.


Not one I'd recommend, unfortunately.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes

The Brightest Star in the Sky
Marian Keyes

Front cover

Date read: 20 January - 3 February 2016
Length: 612 pages


There's something watching the residents of 66 Star Street. On the ground floor we have Matt and Maeve, a young married couple. On the first floor is Jemima and Fionn, an older lady and her foster son who's filming a gardening television programme. Next we have Lydia, Andrei and Jan. Lydia is a taxi driver who despises her foreign roommates. And on top we have Katie and Connall, Katie in the music business and Connall is obsessed with his work; 'tidying' and making cuts in business departments. But what is watching them, and why so intently?


This is quite a relaxing book to read, despite its size! I liked reading about the residents and their stories. Because there are so many it didn't really get boring. It's also nice how they sort of overlap with each other, even though in the beginning they don't really interact.

Out of all the flats, the most curious to me was Matt and Maeve. Although they're a young married couple, they don't act like it. They act like an old, worn out couple. It's obvious they love each other, but like something's getting in the way. I'm glad I got to know what happened, and it wasn't left a mystery. That would have driven me insane!


Quite a light read, good for a holiday I reckon! You'd never guess who's watching though.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

A Hat Full of Sky (Discworld #32) by Terry Pratchett

A Hat Full of Sky
Discworld #32
Terry Pratchett

Front cover

Date read: 11 - 19 January 2016
Length: 337 pages


Tiffany has gone to live with Miss Level in order to learn the way of the witch. But something is sharing her mind, and it's not pleasant. Can she fight it before it takes over completely?


It was good to read about Granny Weatherwax again! It seems a while since she's been around. She's definitely my favourite witch. She may be old, but she's badass.

And of course the Nac Mac Feegle are brilliant. You know it's going to be good when they're around. Although their new Kelda, Jeannie, is a bit strange. It may just take me a while to like her, who knows?


Brilliant, and well worth a read!

Terry Pratchett

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

A Snowball in Hell (Angelique de Xavia #3) by Christopher Brookmyre

A Snowball in Hell
Angelique de Xavia #3
Christopher Brookmyre

Front cover

Date read: 1 - 10 January 2016
Length: 393 pages


The Black Spirit is back! This time he's capturing and torturing celebrities and hosting his own reality TV show. With Angelique's history concerning the Black Spirit, she's the best officer for the case. But she has a dilemma; agree to his terms and save the hostages, or hand him over to an unknown and save her parents? She tracks down Zal for some help. How will it end?


I'm glad Zal is in this. I was a bit worried he'd be forgotten. Zal and Angelique just fit so well together, if under ordinary circumstances their relationship would probably blossom! 

I'm very pleased with the ending. Not just with this book, but the trilogy as a whole. There are so many ways it could have ended in disaster, but I'm so glad it didn't! I loved the ending here though. I can't say too much without spoiling it, but it's very satisfactory.


Seriously, if you haven't already, get reading this trilogy! You'll get so invested in the characters, you'll think they're real!

Christopher Brookmyre

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Right to an Answer by Anthony Burgess

The Right to an Answer
Anthony Burgess

Front cover

Denham is used to travelling for his job, but he takes some time off and visits his father. He meets the locals in the pub. On his travels back from one trip he meets Mr. Raj, who seems innocent enough, if a little intense. How could anyone foretell the events that are to follow?

Copyright date is 1960, and it's quite apparent in the way race is talked about. Everyone is very much on edge when interacting with coloured people, and immigrants are people to be feared. It's quite strange to read.

The ending is a bit surprising! I had a feeling something wasn't right with Mr. Raj, so although I didn't expect it, I wasn't utterly gobsmacked either. I'm not going to spoil the ending, but it was a nice twist!

A nice short book that doesn't require much thought.

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Monstrous Regiment (Discworld #31) by Terry Pratchett

Monstrous Regiment
Discworld #31
Terry Pratchett

Front cover

Polly joins the army in an attempt to find her brother. Little does she know, all her squad are women! Among her is a vampire with a thirst for coffee, a troll and a few other fine young 'lads'. But will she find her brother? What will happen if her secret comes out?


It felt weird that this one wasn't centred around main areas like Ankh-Morpork and Klatch but it's good to explore other areas. And we weren't left completely without a familiar face; William de Worde made an appearance.

I liked the strong female presence in Monstrous Regiment. It makes me wonder just how many females disguised themselves as men in order to join the army in real life. Probably a lot more than are recorded, certainly.


Definitely worth a read.

Terry Pratchett

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Sacred Art of Stealing (Angelique de Xavia #2) by Christopher Brookmyre

The Sacred Art of Stealing
Angelique de Xavia #2
Christopher Brookmyre

Front cover

After the events at the dam, Angelique is feeling a bit lost. That's until she gets put on the case of a bank robbery. There's something different about the lead criminal. Something sparks between them, and she agrees to meet him. She learns about some of his plans. A robber and a cop? This can't end well!


I loved Zal. He's definitely not your typical antihero. He's smart, cunning and charismatic. And not a psychopath or mentally deranged. In fact, antihero might not even be the right word. He's a criminal in that he breaks the law, yes, but he has his reasons, and they're pretty good.

I'm looking forward to the next one, but I'm hoping that Zal isn't forgotten. He's far too good a character to be left behind!

This trilogy has definitely been worth reading so far!

Christopher Brookmyre

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist