A Rural Wolf Reads

The Martian -  Andy Weir's  This was my first encounter with Andy Weir's work. I hadn't read anything by him before, but I had a hunch his writing would be captivating—and I wasn't disappointed. Weir’s style is truly unique. He skillfully blends complex science, math, and physics into a narrative that, while occasionally academic, remains deeply human and touching. The story follows Mark Watney, a botanist, astronaut, and handyman, who gets stranded on Mars after an accident forces his crew to leave, thinking he's dead. Upon waking, Watney faces a tough choice: give up or fight to survive against impossible odds. With no way to contact NASA or his crew, Watney must survive on a planet seemingly designed to kill him. Mars is like space's version of Australia: isolated, unforgiving, and full of things ready to ruin your day. Though a sci-fi tale, The Martian doesn't feel like a distant future fantasy. It highlights human resilience, ingenuity, and hope amid wo...

★★★☆☆ The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer ⚠️ Major spoiler warning — this review contains the ending and major plot developments. The Caretaker is one of those annoying books where I liked a lot of what the author was doing, but the execution of the finale left me cold. Marcus Kliewer writes in brief, snappy chapters that keep the pages turning and, for much of the novel, he constructs a wonderfully unsettling sense that something is very wrong. At just over 290 pages it should be an incredibly quick read and for the first half it was absolutely so. Unfortunately my increasing difficult relationship with the protagonist made the last third a lot more of a trudge than it needed to be. The atmosphere is easily the most powerful component. Kliewer is very good at creeping dread, letting the situation slowly get stranger and more threatening without giving away his hand. The prose is clean and accessible, the pacing works brilliantly at first, and the eventual descriptions of the Visitors’ tru...

  CURRENT AUDIO BOOK LISTEN ***COMING SOON ***  Lighthouse at the Edge of the World  By J. R. Dawson  

  Rock, Paper, Scissor   By Alice Feeny  I listened to 'Rock Paper Scissors' by Alice Feeney on Audible, and the audiobook was my first experience with one of her novels. I knew very little about her other than that she was known for writing clever twists, and I believe that was the ideal way to experience it   The remote Scottish setting immediately creates a wonderfully spooky atmosphere. The entire narrative feels chilly, cramped, and unsettling because of the remote chapel, the constant snowfall, and the feeling of being totally cut off from the outside world.   As an audiobook, it was especially effective. The narration heightened the suspense and made it simple to lose yourself in the characters, their interactions, and everything they were keeping to themselves. Even when I couldn't identify it, there was always a feeling that something wasn't quite right. For a large portion of the book, I tried to piece everything together and figure out where it ...

  The Book of Doors  By Gareth Brown  T o be honest, the only reason I didn't DNF Gareth Brown's 'The Book of Doors' is because of Miranda Raison's narration. I had a hard time getting into the story at first and finding my footing. For me, that isn't particularly unusual. I frequently have to overcome what I refer to as the "new-world brick wall" when it comes to fantasy—that phase of trying to comprehend the characters, the rules, and how everything fits together. But after I overcame that first obstacle, the book started to captivate me. The idea and magic system seemed truly unique, unlike anything I had ever come across. I really enjoyed the world-building, especially the implication that there are more magical books out there just waiting to be found and the enigma surrounding their creation. It gives the impression that the world is much bigger than the narrative taking place right in front of us. The novel creates something enigmatic, invent...

  The Chemist By A.A. Dhand The Chemist by A. A. Dhand is a fast-paced, dark crime thriller that takes place in Leeds. Idris Khan, the main character, is a well-liked neighbourhood chemist who discreetly keeps his vulnerable clients' secrets while dispensing methadone. Idris becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse and a bloody battle between rival drug gangs after a loved one vanishes. The novel's unique hero is its strongest point. Idris's intelligence stems from his familiarity with the community and his knowledge of pharmaceuticals; he is neither a detective nor a traditional action figure. Particularly in the scenes involving addiction, methadone treatment, and the challenges faced by independent pharmacies, Dhand's personal experience as a pharmacist gives the setting convincing detail. The spiralling effect of one poor choice that inevitably leads to another is at the core of the story. Idris's attempts to regain control only serve to push him fart...