Rosh's Reviews

AUTHOR: C.A. Wright NARRATOR: Olivia Darnley GENRE: Fantasy Retelling PUBLICATION DATE: November 1, 2024 RATING: 3.5 stars. In a Nutshell: A fantasy retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s short story, ‘The Nightingale’. A great concept that might have worked better at the hands of a more experienced writer. Good plot but the twists are guessable. Lyrical writing, cookie-cutter main characters, underdeveloped secondary characters. Recommended, but better suited to YA readers, though it’s not labelled as such. Plot Preview: Oriane is a skylark, the only one of her kind after the passing of her mother in childbirth. Every morning, she turns into a lark and sings the song that calls forth the dawn. But throughout her life, she has been so secluded by her overprotective father that she is lonely as well as curious about the larger world. One day, she goes against his wishes and flies beyond her usual boundaries, only to end up in the royal palace. Much to her surprise, at first she is trea...

AUTHOR: Donna Everhart GENRE: Historical Fiction. PUBLICATION DATE: RATING: 4.25 stars. In a Nutshell: A historical fiction based on true events. Excellent character and plot development. Fabulous atmosphere and research. Graphic abuse, though it’s never sensationalised. Compelling but also highly disturbing. Definitely recommended, but only when you are in a strong headspace. Plot Preview: 1941. Twenty-four-year-old Ruth Foster and fifteen-year-old Stella Temple find themselves enrolled at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women in Kinston, North Carolina. Stella views it as a kind of escape while Ruth considers it a prison. Stella believes she did something wrong and hence needs to be redeemed during her stay at the Farm; Ruth is clear that she doesn’t deserve to be in the institution and wants to get out asap. Superintendent Dorothy Baker, convinced that she is transforming degenerates and ”mental defectives” into morally worthy citizens, oversees all the training and treatment ...

AUTHOR: Hans Christian Andersen GENRE: Fairytale, Classic. PUBLICATION DATE: May 8, 1835 RATING: 2 stars. In a Nutshell: A classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Hasn’t aged well, though the comic edition I read resolves many of the issues in the original story. I read this for nostalgia and came away questioning my younger self’s reading choices. 🤭 Reading ‘Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil’ reminded me of the existence of this story that I had read in my childhood. I didn’t recollect anything about the plot except that it had three dogs with huge eyes. So I decided to reread it again after all these years. Oh boy! Present-me is convinced that Past-me was so fascinated by the dogs that she ignored all the other red flags. 😏 This is the first story published by Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen in 1835, and it has some elements in common with Aladdin. Reading this tale made me realise why it is not more popular. It is not at all a happy story for anyone except the ...

AUTHOR: Marie-Fleur Borac ILLUSTRATOR: Sonny Lata Yiu GENRE: Children's Illustrated Story. PUBLICATION DATE: November 6, 2025 RATING: 2 stars. In a Nutshell: An illustrated storybook about three unlikely characters coming together for a quest. The story is sadly a bit flat and disjointed. The hand-painted illustrations are the best feature of this book. If parents can add some embellishments to the events, this indie offering might work as a decent readaloud option. Plot Preview: When a butterfly’s treasure is stolen by an evil witch, the distraught butterfly decides to go to her house deep in the forest to get it back. He doesn’t have a plan but hopes to make one soon. Along the way, an anxious chickadee and a vain unicorn join him on his quest, though both of them do it for their own selfish reasons. How can the three work together to outwit the witch and get the treasure back? At the surface level, this book shows a lot of promise. Fighting for what is rightfully yours even whe...

AUTHOR: Susan Verde ILLUSTRATOR: Peter H. Reynolds SERIES: I Am Books GENRE: Children's Picture Book PUBLICATION DATE: September 15, 2020 RATING: 3 stars. A picture book that tackles a simple question: How can one person make a difference? "Beautiful things start with just one" - this is represented through the various examples presented at the start. As we all know, it does take one to make a difference, but in a world where the crazy seem to outnumber the sane, my pessimistic side struggles with such idealism. But for the sake of all little ones who are still innocent and still believe in humans and hope, I keep my fingers crossed that this book reinforces their strength and belief in themselves and their individual power. The illustrations are mostly cute, with lovely rainbow hues on every page. I wasn't a big fan of candle wax being dropped in a pond, but it was a trivial issue in an otherwise good book. A good option for the topic of positive action. Works for re...

AUTHOR: Susan Verde ILLUSTRATOR: Peter H. Reynolds SERIES: I Am Books GENRE: Children's Picture Book PUBLICATION DATE: September 7, 2021 RATING: 3.5 stars. A picture book about positive affirmation on the themes of courage and resilience. Written in first person, the simple lines are infused with mental reinforcements about going on in times of trouble. The tone fits the title, being more about strength and determination than blind hopefulness or idealism.  I appreciate how it highlights that the courageous can also have fear and failure, and that helping others is equally important on the journey towards success. The slow change from first person singular to plural is a good way of highlighting team efforts. The author's note at the end presents some simple yoga techniques that help build inner peace. A good option for kids who enjoy reading such topics. Not my kind of book, but I can see its benefit for the right reader. Works for kids aged 4+.

AUTHOR: Caitlin Rozakis NARRATOR: Megan Tusing GENRE: Dark Fantasy PUBLICATION DATE: May 27, 2025 RATING: 2.75 stars. In a Nutshell: A cozy fantasy garnishing a parent-school drama with cryptids and competitions and prophecies. Great concept, average execution, annoying adult characters. Think ‘Big Little Lies’ (PTA politics) plus ‘Gilmore Girls’ (mother-child drama) plus ‘Wednesday’ (cryptid magic), but without the charm. Might work better if you expect a parenting drama with mild fantastical vibes than a cozy fantasy featuring parents. Plot Preview: When five-year-old Aria was bitten by a werewolf, her parents Vivian and Daniel had no choice but to move to a hidden magical community in New England that has a special school for such children. Living in a new neighbourhood filled with mages and cryptids isn't easy, especially when you are a mere human. But Vivian is determined that she will do whatever it takes to ensure that Aria gets the future she deserves, even if it means lear...

AUTHOR & NARRATOR: Oliver Darkshire SERIES: Household Gramarye #1 GENRE: Cozy Dark Fantasy PUBLICATION DATE: May 13, 2025 RATING: 2.5 stars. In a Nutshell: A darkish cozy fantasy. Quirky, but often feels forced in its humour. Minimal cozy vibes. Whimsical human and nonhuman characters. Mild Discworld vibes. I had to read it twice because the audio version just didn’t click with me. First of a planned series. Not a book that will work for all, but it might find a niche audience. Plot Preview: Isabella Nagg lives in the sad little village of East Grumsby. With an unappreciative husband, snide neighbours, and recalcitrant farm animals, Isabella has only a pot of basil to talk to (even if it doesn’t speak back) while she handles all her chores. One day, when the useless Farmer Nagg returns with a spell book he stole from the local wizard, Isabella wonders if she could use magic to ease at least a part of her life. As Isabella ventures on this new magical path with only a grouchy cat-l...

AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR: Rashin Kheiriyeh GENRE: Children's Picture Book PUBLICATION DATE: February 24, 2026 RATING: 4.5 stars. In a Nutshell: A cute little picture book about the celebration of the Persian New Year in Iran. Lovely folktale-style story, wonderful characters, nice touch of humour, amazing illustrations. Loved the authenticity of the portrayal. Recommended. Plot Preview: Nane Sarma, the grandmother of winter, lives in a small village in Iran. Every year, at the end of the cold season, she awaits her old friend Uncle Nowruz, the harbinger of spring. But somehow, she always seems to miss his arrival. This year, she's determined to be better prepared, so she calls her three grandchildren over and starts making Nowruz preparations well in advance. Do we get to meet Uncle Nowruz? We certainly do, and he's everything Grandma Nane was waiting for. Does she get to meet him? You need to read the book for that! A fun fact first: Several indigenous cultures across the ...

AUTHOR: Hans Christian Andersen GENRE: Short Story, Classic. RATING: 3 stars. In a Nutshell: A classic short story written by fairy tale master Hans Christian Andersen. Good, not great. This story has been on my agenda since many years, but as one of my upcoming audiobooks turned out to be its retelling, I thought it the right time to give this a go. The plot is fairly simple, though its morals go deep. A vain king falls in love with a nightingale’s beautiful voice and keeps her caged in his court, until a toy nightingale that looks prettier comes his way and earns greater esteem from him. The real nightingale secretly returns to her home in the woods, but comes back after hearing about the king’s illness. I don’t know how I would have felt about this tale in my childhood. I sure wouldn’t have analysed it deeply. But reading a classic children’s story in adulthood often results in our finding hitherto undetected flaws. Of course, this was first written in 1844, so times are obviously v...

AUTHOR: Laura Amy Schlitz GENRE: Middle-Grade Fantasy PUBLICATION DATE: September 2, 2025 RATING: 2.75 stars. In a Nutshell: A middle-grade fantasy about a girl and a doll, with the narration in both their perspectives. Quite a few subplots, which makes the book seem disjointed at times. The non-human characters are interesting; the humans are more mixed in behaviour. Some good life lessons on what to do as well as what not to do. Minor ‘Toy Story’ vibes. Recommended, though not with much enthusiasm. Plot Preview: (The actual storyline is quite tricky. This is a barebones version.) One day, eleven-year-old Tiph saves an old lady named Szilvia from falling and assists her back home. After a chat, Tiph realises that she can help Néni (Aunt) Szilvia with certain chores, and in turn, Szilvia could help her fulfil a long-awaited wish. Will her parents be happy with the new arrangement? From a nearby shop window, a little antique doll named Gretel sees Tiph helping the old woman and immediat...

AUTHOR: Pope Francis and Paul A. Reynolds ILLUSTRATOR: Peter H. Reynolds GENRE: Children's Picture Book PUBLICATION DATE: January 20, 2026 RATING: 5 colourful-rainbow stars! 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 In a Nutshell: A beautiful picture book containing a beautiful message and beautiful illustrations. Based on a message by the GOAT Pope Francis, but secular enough to be relevant to all. Much, much recommended! I am not usually one to pick inspirational books. But just a single glance at the key author’s name on the cover page ensured that I scrambled to get a copy of this picture book. Beloved Pope Francis 🥰, whom I have respected, admired and loved ever since he showed Catholics a new path towards inclusivity and acceptance, spoke about a metaphorical personal treasure chest to a group of youth in 2015. On his passing, the authors, twin brothers Peter and Paul Reynolds ( Love their apostolic names! ), decided to pen this picture book inspired by that message so as to make it reach and influence mo...

AUTHOR: Lauren Haldeman GENRE: Comics Collection PUBLICATION DATE: March 10, 2026 RATING: 2 stars. In a Nutshell: A “diary comic” collection by the poet-artist. Covers random musings, confessions, and funny moments from routine life. Hazy in its purpose and disjointed in execution, hence leading to a lacklustre reading experience. I had expected far better from the blurb. The blurb tells us that the author is an award-winning poet and that this book offers “a fresh, humorous, and emotionally resonant perspective on the wonders and weirdness of everyday life.” This tempted me to give this book a try. I mean, we do see plenty of the weirdness on display in real life these days, but it would have been great to look at the wonders as well. Sadly, the book doesn’t exactly do justice to this claim. The blurb also calls this a ‘debut book from an exciting new voice in comics’, but this also is inaccurate. The author already has a couple of published graphic novels to her name. (Unless the blu...

AUTHOR: Lim Sunwoo TRANSLATOR: Chi-Young Kim GENRE: Speculative Fiction Collection PUBLICATION DATE: February 10, 2026 RATING: 3.7 stars In a Nutshell: A speculative stories collection. True to the genre, with a good mix of real and surreal. Character-oriented despite having tricky plots. Good translation. A bit disjointed at times in the storytelling but on the whole, a great debut. Recommended. This debut collection contains eight stories that delve into human feelings while still reaching beyond the human experience into the surreal and the bizarre. It is ‘speculative’ in the true sense of the word, with each of the stories transcending logic without offering pragmatic justifications. There is no foreword or note introducing the theme of the collection. But the blurb says that these stories “explore feelings unseen, unconveyed, unexplainable” and that “each sparkling story asks you to look within, to encounter all that is desired and strange and possible in life and death.” This ef...

AUTHOR: Yume Kitasei NARRATOR: Eunice Wong GENRE: Science Fiction. PUBLICATION DATE: September 30, 2025 RATING: 3.5 stars. In a Nutshell: A near-future literary eco-thriller about two sisters who go on an epic sea journey to search for their missing third sister. Character-oriented, decent pacing. Interesting plotline and characters, great worldbuilding. Three sections, with the impact of each going steadily downwards. A good option that sadly misses out on the chance to be great. Plot Preview: In a world ravaged by climate change and food scarcity, twenty-two-year-old Skipper, a skilled sailor, makes a meagre living by reselling plastic debris she finds in the ocean. Though the youngest of three sisters, Skipper lives alone with her grandmother, who isn't that kind to her. Then Skipper learns that her eldest sister Nora is missing. Nora had left home a decade ago to work with an organisation focussing on a solution to the global food crisis. Nora has been Skipper’s idol for a lon...