Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

Your Heart Belongs to Me
Dean Koontz

Front cover

Date read: 5 - 14 July 2020

Length: 406 pages

Published: 2008

Ryan Perry is a fit and healthy 34 year old. He owns a very successful internet company and has a wonderful partner, Samantha. But he learns he is going to need a heart transplant. 16 months later he receives a terrifying threat, being promised a nightmare death. Can he solve the mystery of his enemy and save his life?

I felt like there was a lot of background information before the story kicked in, and yet there's a huge chunk in the middle missing from the story!

I feel sorry for what happened between him and Sam. I'm not sure exactly what happened, only what is alluded to, because it seems to have happened in the chunk of story that is missing. I would have preferred to have all the continuous information rather than the waffle at the start, or even both!

I liked Ryan going into detective mode and seeing what he'll find out. It's like we're there with him, figuring out all this stuff together.

This isn't Koontz's best, but it was an okay read.

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Taran Wanderer (The Chronicles of Prydain #4) by Lloyd Alexander

 Taran Wanderer
The Chronicles of Prydain #4
Lloyd Alexander

Front cover

Date read: 30 June - 4 July 2020

Length: 187 pages

Published: 1967 (1979 in GB)

Taran leaves Caer Dallben searching for answers about himself; where he came from, who his parents are, and what that might mean to him. With his trusty companions Gurgi and Fflewddur Fflam, they set off to find the mirror of Llunet. What will he discover about himself?

After a little dip in the middle of the series, I enjoyed this one a bit more than the last. I felt like you really got to know Taran more, as you join him on his quest to find himself.

One thing that wasn't so good is that there was no Eilonwy! It's not the same without her telling him when he's being an idiot.

Craddoc was nice but dishonest. What he did was very strange and a shame for Taran. I'm glad he learned the real truth and could move on from there.

I liked all the people in the free commots. Taran learned a great many skills from weaving to pottery, and made some good friends as well. It seemed like a nice community.

It's a shame Taran didn't get the answers he was looking for, but I think he did find himself on the journey nonetheless.

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Silken Bonds (The Waverley Women #2) by M. C. Beaton

Silken Bonds

The Waverley Women #2

M. C. Beaton

Front cover

Date read: 25 - 29 June 2020

Length: 202 pages

Published: 1989

Frederica is fed up of her restricted life in the Waverley house on Hanover Square. When Lord Harry Danger enters their lives and saves them from thieves, her mind wanders to what could be. Will Frederica get her happily ever after like Fanny did?

Modern notions are all well and good - but

where does one find a man to share them?

A good second volume although I felt there was some repetition, like the men the girls are interested in trying to find out more about them by going to the orphanage and Harry being another Lord.

There is something about the girls past though. The fact that the orphanage wont share any information and went to the effort to inform Mrs Waverley that they had been trying to find out things.

And there's definitely something going on with Mrs Waverley and the Prince Regent. The way the avoid each other - I just want to know more!

First indication of a time - it's set in the early 19th century.

I was very surprised that Mrs Waverley married Colonel Bridie! After all she's brought the girls up to believe about being independent and having a good education for themselves, and that they don't need men in their lives. A bit hypocrital really.

I really hope we get answers in the last one!

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Boy (The Queen of the Tearling #0.5) by Erika Johansen

The Boy
The Queen of the Tearling #0.5
Erika Johansen

Front cover

Date read: 24 June 2020
Length: 6 pages
Published: 2016


Before Kelsea was even a twinkle in her father's eye, there was The Boy. Living under the city, the only thing he's good at is fighting - he never loses. But is this the life he really wants?


In The Boy we learn more about Lazarus/the Mace and where he came from.

I feel sorry for the kid. He's kind of forced into the life he's leading, without much room for him to think about the life he really wants. He knows he's good at fighting and I think that's why he does it.

He's come a long way to end up serving Kelsea, and clearly he fought his way there. I'm glad he did, as he's loyal to her and will do everything to protect her.


A nice little addition to The Queen of the Tearling series, but you do need to have read at least the first one before reading this. I waited until I had finished reading the series.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Castle of Llyr (The Chronicles of Prydain #3) by Lloyd Alexander

The Castle of Llyr
The Chronicles of Prydain #3
Lloyd Alexander

Front cover

Date read: 20 - 23 June 2020
Length: 160 pages
Published: 1966 (1968 in GB)


Princess Eilonwy is sent to Mona to learn how to be a proper princess. Accompanied by Taran and their band of companions, they make it to Mona, only to realise things are not as they seem, and Eilonwy is in grave danger. Can they save her?


I like Eilonwy. You forget she's actually a princess because she's so down to earth and just acts like 'one of the boys'. In her heart she wants to stay and have adventures with her friends, but she knows she must learn how to be a lady.

Prince Rhun of Mona is a bit of an idiot, and in no way an adventurer. But he comes through for them in the end and that makes him one of the good guys. "Hallo, hallo!"

Who doesn't love a giant cat? Well, most people when they're trying to get away. Luckily Llyan likes Fflewddur Fflam and his harp.

We learn a little more about Eilonwy's magic orb. It is called the Golden Pelydryn and can be used to read the Book of Spells. But it won't work for everyone!

There is still more to learn of course. We still don't know who Taran's parents are!

So I didn't quite enjoy The Castle of Llyr as much as the previous two, but it's still good! I'm looking forward to reading more.



Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The First Rebellion (The Waverley Women #1) by M. C. Beaton

The First Rebellion
The Waverley Women #1
M. C. Beaton

Date read: 14 - 19 June 2020
Length: 217 pages
Published: 1989


Fanny, Frederica and Felicity have been adopted by Mrs Waverley, a bluestocking woman and advocate of women's rights. But the girls are growing up, and don't all believe men to be the beasts they were brought up to think. When the Earl of Tredair enters their lives, poor Fanny has a lot of thoughts and feelings to consider.

His kiss has left her flushed and disconcerted -

perhaps men are best avoided after all!

This is a nice easy read. Perfect summer romance novel!

I want to know more about Mrs Waverley. She's very secretive about her past and I'm hoping we will learn more about her in the following two novels.

I think there is more to the girls' lineage that we will find out later. They know what orphanage they came from, and it was slightly different in that someone must have paid for them to go there. When Fanny tries to find out more she gets nowhere!

I'm glad there was a happy ending for Fanny. She got what she wanted in the end, even if she had to do it in a strange way.

Looking forward to the next one!

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Million Dollar Baby by F. X. Toole

Million Dollar Baby
F. X. Toole

Front cover

Date read: 8 - 13 June 2020
Length: 235 pages
Published: 2000


Originally published as Rope Burns, Million Dollar Baby contains short stories about boxing; the people in boxing, their lives, the industry, and fights. Each story tells something new, but all are deeply about the sport.


I don't really know much about boxing, apart from what is portrayed in movies and TV programmes. I'm not a sport fan. But after reading these short stories, I feel like I've actually learned something about the real world of boxing. The author, F. X. Toole whose real name is Jerry Boyd, was a professional boxing trainer and 'cut man'.

I quite enjoyed these stories, although my favourite is probably Million Dollar Baby. I guess that's why the book was re-named and also why the film got this title. I'll need to watch the film and see how it compares.

I found Black Jew hard to read at first. It would probably be easier to read it aloud! It's written in the way that the main character Jeet/Jackie would talk. But as I read more I got more into it and found it easier.

Rope Burns was also pretty good. It shows how bonded some people are in boxing. The people they work with can become like family.


A good collection of stories.




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist