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Hair esthetic for My collection for Black is Beautiful.

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Book Review: The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

Rating: 3.6/5

Narrator: Wil Wheaton (aka the real MVP)

Let me tell you—this one was fun. Like, “Jurassic Park but what if the scientists were more sarcastic and the dinosaurs were radioactive kaiju living in an alternate dimension” kind of fun.

I picked up The Kaiju Preservation Society because, well… it’s John Scalzi. I trust him to deliver sci-fi that’s sharp, fast-paced, and just weird enough to make me think. And this one delivered. The vibe? Quarantine-era fever dream meets buddy comedy meets monster-sci-fi-adventure. I wasn’t mad at it.

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What’s It About (No Spoilers)?

Jamie Gray gets fired from a startup gig and ends up getting recruited into a mysterious organization. Turns out, their job is to help protect kaiju—yep, those giant monsters you know from old Japanese films. Only twist? These kaiju are real, and they live on an alternate Earth. Cue portal-jumping, military secrets, and a ragtag group of quirky scientists.

This book isn’t about saving the world—it’s about saving the kaiju from the world. And honestly, that flipped premise was refreshing.

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The Worldbuilding

Okay, so the science is soft, and Scalzi knows it—but it works because the book isn’t trying to be hard sci-fi. It’s more like, “Here’s just enough science to make you feel like this could kind of happen, now let’s ride a kaiju.”

I loved the alternate Earth concept and the ecosystem stuff. The idea that kaiju are their own little bio-reactors, complete with internal nuclear ecosystems? That’s the kind of weird creativity I live for. And I found myself wishing we could’ve stayed longer in their world, seen more species, more culture, more… weird. But I’ll take what I can get.

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The Characters

Jamie was likable, if a little standard-issue “snarky everyperson dropped into wild circumstances.” The real stars were the supporting cast—the scientists, the awkward nerds, the sarcastic banter. No deep character arcs here, but the dynamic between the crew was golden. It’s like hanging out with the science club you never knew you needed.

Also, big shoutout to Wil Wheaton for bringing every one of them to life. His narration added so much personality that I don’t think I would’ve liked the book quite as much without him.

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The Vibe

Imagine if Brandon Sanderson and Michael Crichton had a baby and that baby got raised on The Martian and Tumblr humor. That’s the vibe. Scalzi even gives Sanderson a little shoutout (which I lived for, because yes—give that man his flowers). The tone is cheeky, the chapters fly by, and the stakes are never too heavy even when things get explosive.

This isn’t a book that wants to destroy you emotionally—it just wants to entertain you while casually roasting tech bros and making you think, “What if monsters were just misunderstood and majestic?”

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Why 3.6?

Because while I liked it and had a good time, it didn’t shake me. It didn’t linger. It was a good one-sitting kind of book, but not one I’ll be haunted by. That said, I’d absolutely read a sequel if one dropped. And I’m officially a Wil Wheaton audiobook truther now.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a clever, fast-paced sci-fi adventure with portal-hopping, massive monsters, and a surprising amount of heart, this is it. Just don’t expect emotional devastation or deep moral dilemmas. This one’s here for the vibes—and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

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Book Club Questions

1. If kaiju were real and lived on a parallel Earth… would you take a job helping protect them? Even knowing they’re basically walking nukes?

2. Scalzi pokes fun at tech culture, corporate greed, and ego-driven science. What real-world parallels did you catch—and which ones hit a little too close to home?

3. If you could build out this world into a series, what corners would you explore? (A kaiju migration? A spy thriller between rival preservation orgs? A deep dive into kaiju-human spiritual myths?)

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nina simone in action

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Reading Slump? Read Jemisin

Sometimes the best cure for a reading slump is returning to the book that wrecked you the first time.

I’ve been in a mild reading slump lately. You know the kind—where nothing’s bad exactly, but nothing’s inspiring either. Books blur together. You start one, pause it for another, then scroll aimlessly through your TBR like it’s Netflix.

So I did what any book-lover with trust issues and high standards would do: I went back to The Fifth Season.

This wasn’t just a re-read. It was a reset.

Why This Book?

Because The Fifth Season didn’t just tell a story the first time—it gripped me by the soul and whispered, “You’re not ready.”

The world is brutal. The writing is sharp. The structure is bold. And the themes? They hit even harder the second time.

Reading it again, I found myself catching details I missed before. I knew what was coming, but somehow it still hurt. That second-person narration? Still genius. The tension between survival and humanity? Still raw.

And the pacing? I was worried I’d be bored since I already knew the twist—nope. Still gasped. Still whispered “oh my God” in the middle of cleaning my kitchen.

Re-reading as a Way Back to Joy

There’s something sacred about revisiting a book that changed you. It’s like catching up with an old friend who knows your favorite version of yourself.

The Fifth Season reminded me why I read in the first place: for stories that make me feel, question, and remember who I am.

So if you’re in a slump too, maybe it’s not about picking up something new. Maybe it’s about going back to the book that broke you—in the best way.

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Fun but Thought-Provoking Questions

1. What book do you go back to when nothing else is hitting? Is it comfort, pain, or both?

2. Have you ever re-read a book and noticed something that changed your entire perspective the second time around?

3. If you could read The Fifth Season again for the first time, would you? Or was the emotional damage too real?

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Book Review: Dragon Day by Bob Proehl

When the dragons are the villains—and you’re kinda rooting for them anyway.

Let’s just start with this: I love a good dragon story, but I extra love it when the dragons aren’t wise, majestic sky pets… but straight-up monsters. Dragon Day flips the script in the best way. Here, dragons don’t show up to be ridden, tamed, or admired—they show up to burn it all down. And I was kinda here for it.

This Audible Original kicks off with explosive chaos, and for a while, it had me. The dragons hit hard. There’s destruction, panic, and a sense of real threat that so many fantasy stories gloss over. Plus, I’m a sucker for multiple POVs, and Dragon Day gives us that—characters from different walks of life, each processing the carnage in their own way. It made the world feel big, messy, and real.

What I Loved:

🔥 Dragons as legit threats – Not just symbolic or misunderstood—these beasts came to wreck things.

🌍 Multiple POVs – I loved seeing the ripple effects of the dragon attacks through different characters’ eyes. You really feel how it impacts the world on every level.

✨ The concept – The setup is so promising. A sudden dragon apocalypse? Yes, please.

But Then… It Dragged.

As much as I was into the early chaos and the survival setup, the second half lost me a bit. Once everyone started figuring out how to live with the dragons or fight back, the story just kinda… stalled. It didn’t feel like it escalated or deepened the way I hoped it would.

There were still moments of tension, but it was missing that something—that bigger twist or emotional punch to take it to the next level. The ending left me feeling like this could’ve been so much more. The foundation was solid, but the build-out just didn’t land.

Final Thoughts

If you like creature apocalypse stories, you’ll enjoy the ride—at least in the beginning. Dragon Day had a great concept, strong narration (shoutout to the full cast!), and a world I wanted to fall in love with. But by the end, I was more “meh” than “whoa.” Still, glad I listened—and I’d check out more from Bob Proehl if he ever wants to unleash chaos again.

⭐ Rating: 3.5/5 – Awesome idea, fiery start, but it kinda fizzled out. Still worth the listen if you’re craving dragons and disaster.

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Fun but Thought-Provoking Questions

1. Do you prefer your dragons wise and noble—or destructive and terrifying like this? What makes a good dragon story for you?

2. Which POV did you connect with most, and how would you react if dragons suddenly invaded your city?

3. What would’ve made the second half of this story stronger for you—more action, deeper character arcs, or a darker twist?

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Book Review: Hitchhikers by Ben H. Winters

Time travel, regret, and a fight with your future self—what could go wrong?

Let me just say: I’ve been tiptoeing dangerously close to a reading slump lately, and Hitchhikers swooped in like a short, weird, twisty little lifesaver. If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I’ll just read a short story to keep things moving,” this is the one to reach for.

The premise? Seems simple at first: an old woman gets the chance to jump through time and talk to her younger self to help her make better choices. We’ve seen this kind of story before, right? Classic sci-fi meets life-lesson. But then—bam. It pivots.

What I Loved:

⏳ It lulls you into a false sense of normalcy. You think you know where it’s going… until it doesn’t.

⚔️ The twist hits hard. Suddenly, old-you and future-you are in a deadly conflict, and now you’re wondering—if you’re fighting yourself, aren’t you just hurting your own existence?

🧠 It makes you think. Regret, legacy, control—how much of your past self would you really want to fix? And at what cost?

✍️ Tight, impactful writing. Winters doesn’t waste words, but he builds a whole world and emotional arc in just a few pages.

Final Thoughts

This was the kind of short story that reminded me why I love sci-fi. It’s smart, strange, and doesn’t hold your hand—but it also doesn’t drag or get too tangled in its own ideas. If you’re in a slump, this one might just jolt you awake. It did for me.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 – Quick read, big impact, and a twist that’ll have you staring at the wall afterward.

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Fun but Thought-Provoking Questions

1. If you could give your younger self advice without changing the entire timeline, would you do it? What would you say—and would they even listen?

2. What happens when your past, present, and future selves don’t agree on who you should be? Who wins in that fight—and what do you lose in the process?

3. Is changing the past ever really worth it if it risks erasing who you’ve become now?

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Just another pic of Bartholomew. Just because.

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Book Review: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Terrifyingly real, painfully relevant, and worth every bit of the hype.

Let me start by saying this: WHY did I wait so long to read this?! This book had been recommended to me multiple times, and now that I’ve finally read it, I want to kick myself for not picking it up sooner.

Octavia Butler doesn’t just write stories—she prophesies. Parable of the Sower is one of those books that feels less like sci-fi and more like a warning. Published in 1993 but eerily relevant today, it’s a slow-burn dystopian masterpiece that hits way too close to home.

So, What’s the Setup?

The world is falling apart—climate disasters, economic collapse, widespread violence—and people are just trying to survive. Our protagonist, Lauren Olamina, is a hyper-aware, intelligent teenager who sees the chaos for what it is: the beginning of something new. She develops a belief system called Earthseed, based on the idea that God is Change, and sets out on a dangerous journey toward building a better future.

And when I say dangerous, I mean brutal. This book does not hold your hand—the world Butler creates is harsh, unforgiving, and terrifyingly believable.

What I Loved:

🔥 Lauren Olamina is THAT GIRL – She’s a force. Smart, pragmatic, emotionally strong—but not in a way that feels unrealistic. She’s just trying to survive like everyone else, but the difference is, she has a vision.

💀 The Worldbuilding is TOO Real – This isn’t some distant, abstract dystopia. This feels like it could happen next week. Economic collapse, water shortages, corrupt cops? Sound familiar? Butler saw the future, and it’s unsettling.

📖 The Writing is Simple but Devastating – Butler doesn’t waste words, but every sentence carries weight. There’s no fluff—just raw, honest storytelling that keeps you hooked.

🌱 The Earthseed Philosophy – “God is Change.” The way Butler weaves in this belief system without making it feel preachy? Genius. Whether you agree with Lauren or not, you can’t ignore her logic.

Did Anything Not Work for Me?

Honestly? No. If I had to nitpick, I’d say this book is emotionally exhausting—not in a bad way, but in a wow, I need to sit with this way. It’s heavy. It hurts. It makes you think. But that’s the point.

Final Thoughts

Parable of the Sower isn’t just a great book—it’s an essential book. It makes you question, reflect, and prepare (because let’s be real, this world is looking way too familiar). If you haven’t read it yet, don’t be like me. Read it NOW.

⭐ Rating: 5/5 – Life-changing, prophetic, and absolutely worth the hype.

1. If you lived in Lauren’s world, do you think you’d survive? Would you be a leader like her, or would you struggle to adapt?

2. Do you think the Earthseed philosophy (“God is Change”) makes sense in today’s world? Would you follow it, or do you see flaws in Lauren’s vision?

3. Octavia Butler wrote this in 1993, but so much of it feels and is real right now. What parts of the book hit hardest for you as something that could actually happen?

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Book Review: The Borrowed World by Franklin Horton

Fast-paced, realistic, and a wake-up call for the unprepared.

Some books entertain you. Some books make you think. And then some books do both while simultaneously exposing just how unprepared you actually are. The Borrowed World by Franklin Horton? Yeah, that one hit different.

This book sits solidly between survival thriller and prepper manual—giving us action, tension, and multiple POVs that show how not everyone reacts the same way to a crisis. That’s what really hooked me. It wasn’t just one lone wolf survivalist—some characters panicked, some adapted, some made questionable decisions, and it all felt real.

So, What’s the Setup?

Picture this: a coordinated terrorist attack cripples the U.S. infrastructure, leading to a full-blown societal collapse. Our main guy, Jim Powell, is hundreds of miles from home on a work trip, and suddenly, he’s got to fight his way back to his family—all while everything around him is unraveling.

And let me tell you, this book never has a dull moment. Every chapter had me thinking “What would I do?” which led to some unsettling realizations. Spoiler: I need to step up my game.

What I Loved:

🎒 Realistic Survival Challenges – The book doesn’t sugarcoat things. Resources run out. Bad choices have consequences. Not everyone is cut out for survival. It’s not just “let’s grab our go-bags and play apocalypse.” There’s logistics, human error, and brutal reality checks.

🔄 Multiple POVs – We see different mindsets and reactions, which made the story even more engaging. Some people go full survival mode. Others… not so much.

⚡ Fast-Paced & Action-Packed – This isn’t one of those slow-burn survival stories. The stakes are high from the jump, and it never lets up.

🛠️ Prepper Takeaways – I came out of this with a mental checklist of things I need to fix in my own disaster planning—like how a solar generator beats a gas one for stealth, and how a good spare pair of shoes is just as important as food.

Any Downsides?

If you’re not into survival/prepper fiction, this book might feel a little heavy on the preparedness talk. It’s not just a thriller—it’s also teaching you things, which I personally liked. But if you’re looking for a more straightforward dystopian adventure, this one leans more “how to survive” than “how to entertain.”

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy high-stakes survival stories with realistic scenarios, The Borrowed World is absolutely worth the read. It’s thrilling, thought-provoking, and might just make you rethink your own preparedness (I know I did). And now, even though my TBR list is glaring at me, I might just jump straight into the next book.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 – A survival thriller that keeps you on your toes and makes you want to double-check your bug-out bag.

1. If a nationwide collapse happened while you were away from home, how prepared would you actually be to make it back? What’s one thing you’d need to change ASAP after reading this book?

2. The characters in this series react very differently to the crisis. Who do you think handled it best, and who made the worst decisions? Would you have acted differently?

3. This book blends survival fiction with real prepper strategies. Did any part of the story change the way you think about personal preparedness, or do you already have a solid plan?

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Book Review (or Roast): Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

Confusion. Chaos. Headache. DNF.

Alright, let’s talk about Black Leopard, Red Wolf. Or rather, let’s talk about how I tried, I really did, but I just couldn’t.This book? A mess. I did not finish it, and I have zero regrets.

What Even Was This?

I honestly couldn’t tell you. And that’s the problem. From the little I did read, I have no clue what was happening, what the plot was, or what I was supposed to care about. It felt like I was trapped in a fever dream, and not the good kind.

Why It Didn’t Work for Me:

💥 The Writing Style = A Struggle – I don’t mind a complex book, but this felt needlessly confusing. The prose is dense, and I had to reread certain sections multiple times… only to still be lost. That’s a red flag for me. 💥 All Over the Place – The pacing, the storytelling, the structure—none of it felt cohesive. It jumped around in a way that made it impossible to latch onto anything. 💥 The Plot (???) – If someone asked me, “What’s this book about?” I’d stare at them blankly. I read some of it. I triedto follow along. And yet, I couldn’t tell you what was happening. That’s a problem. 💥 Dense for No Reason – Some books are complex but rewarding (The Fifth Season, for example, makes you work for it, but it’s worth it). Black Leopard, Red Wolf just felt… unnecessarily difficult.

Final Thoughts (aka My Exit Strategy)

At a certain point, I had to ask myself: Why am I forcing this? Life is too short, my TBR is too long, and this book was giving me nothing but frustration. I tapped out.

⭐ Rating: DNF / 0 Stars – Not for me. At all.

If this book worked for you, great! But I’ll be over here, far away from it, reading something that doesn’t make my head hurt.

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Book Review: Kabu Kabu by Nnedi Okorafor

Magical taxis, unexpected journeys, and stories that transport you.

So let’s talk about Kabu Kabu by Nnedi Okorafor. This was my first dive into her short story collection, and it was exactly what I expected from her—imaginative, deeply rooted in African culture, and full of twists that leave you thinking.Some stories I absolutely loved, others didn’t hit as hard, but overall? A solid, vibrant collection with a little bit of everything.

What’s the Vibe?

The title Kabu Kabu refers to the informal, sometimes sketchy taxis in Nigeria that don’t always take you where you expect. That’s exactly what this collection feels like—you hop in, thinking you’re going one way, and then suddenly, BAM—you’re in a world where gods, spirits, and the supernatural blend with everyday life.

The stories range from sci-fi to fantasy to folklore-inspired tales, all infused with Okorafor’s signature storytelling—lush descriptions, powerful female characters, and a sense of magic that feels deeply connected to reality.

What I Loved:

🚖 The Concept – The idea of hopping into a story like you would a cab, never quite sure where you’re going to end up? Brilliant. The opening novella, Kabu Kabu, sets this up beautifully. ✨ The Blend of Genres – Some stories feel like straight-up fantasy, others lean into Afrofuturism, and some are just eerie, unsettling takes on the world we know. 🌍 Strong Nigerian Influence – Okorafor always roots her stories in African culture, mythology, and history, which makes everything feel so alive and distinct from typical Western fantasy/sci-fi. 📝 Short, Powerful Storytelling – Even the shortest pieces leave an impact. Some feel like glimpses into bigger worlds, and that’s both frustrating (because I want more!) and amazing (because it sticks with you).

Standout Stories

Not every story landed for me, but these were my favorites:

"Kabu Kabu" (co-written with Alan Dean Foster) – A lawyer tries to take a cab to the airport and ends up on a surreal, magical detour. This story gets you into the whole vibe of the collection.

"The Winds of Harmattan" – A beautifully written, haunting piece that stayed with me.

"Spider the Artist" – A blend of sci-fi, AI, and Nigerian folklore that was chef’s kiss.

"Bakasi Man" – One of those eerie, unsettling stories that make you pause for a second after finishing.

Anything I Didn’t Love?

Like any short story collection, some pieces felt too brief or unfinished—like I was getting a teaser for a bigger story that never came. A few were so abstract or open-ended that I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about them. But honestly? That’s part of the experience with a collection like this.

Final Thoughts

If you love Afrofuturism, folklore, and stories that blur the line between magic and reality, Kabu Kabu is worth a read. Some stories hit hard, others are more fleeting, but all of them showcase Okorafor’s incredible ability to craft unique, unforgettable worlds.

⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 – A magical, unpredictable ride worth taking.

1. If you could hop into a “kabu kabu” (an unpredictable, magical taxi) and be taken anywhere—real or fictional—where would you want to go? Would you trust the journey?

2. Okorafor blends sci-fi, fantasy, and folklore into her stories. Which genre do you think shines the most in this collection, and which story stuck with you the longest?

3. Many of these stories feel like glimpses into larger worlds. If Nnedi Okorafor expanded one of them into a full-length novel, which one would you want to read more of

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Book Review: The Gathering by C.J. Tudor

Vampires, murder, and a chilling atmosphere? Yes, please.

Let’s talk about The Gathering by C.J. Tudor. This was my first book by her, and wow, I’m officially a fan. If you tell me a book has vampires, I’m already interested—but this one delivered. It’s dark, atmospheric, and full of tension, but beneath the bloody thrills, there’s a lot more going on.

So, what’s the vibe?

Imagine a mix of small-town secrets, eerie vampires, and a setting that feels both claustrophobic and dangerous. It’s got that slow-burn mystery feel but never drags. The pacing? On point. The story? Kept me hooked. And the best (or worst?) part? I wish it was a series. Tudor, if you’re reading this… PLEASE.

What I Loved:

🦇 The Vampires – Not your sparkly, romantic vampires. These are dangerous, eerie, and unsettling, and I loved every second of it.

🏚️ The Small-Town Suspense – Tudor does creepy, small-town vibes so well. The sense of isolation and mystery had me flipping pages fast.

📖 The Writing – Sharp, engaging, and perfectly paced. It never dragged, and every moment felt intentional.

🔪 The Twists – Just when I thought I had things figured out, BAM. Tudor threw something else at me.

But Here’s the Thing… It’s Not Just About Vampires

Tudor isn’t just giving us a bloodsucking horror story—she’s using The Gathering to say something deeper about society. There are some big themes woven into the narrative:

• Fear of the Other & Discrimination – The way vampires are treated in this world isn’t just about monsters—it mirrors real-world discrimination, whether it’s racism, classism, or xenophobia. Tudor asks: Who are the real monsters? The vampires, or the people in power?

• Corruption & Power – Small-town politics, secrecy, and manipulation play a huge role. The way power is used to control and divide people feels all too real.

• Survival vs. Morality – Characters are forced to choose between doing what’s right and staying alive. Tudor explores how morality shifts in desperate situations.

• Climate Change & Scarcity – The harsh environment and dwindling resources in the book? Feels like a subtle nod to climate change and a world becoming less hospitable.

These layers made the book even more compelling—it’s not just about blood and fear, it’s about control, survival, and what it means to be human.

Final Thoughts

If you love dark, atmospheric vampire stories with mystery and tension, The Gathering needs to be on your list. It gave me exactly what I wanted—creepy, compelling, and unputdownable. My only complaint? I NEED MORE. Tudor, please give us a sequel. Or a spin-off. Or just… more vampires.

⭐ Rating: 5/5 – Would absolutely recommend.

1. If vampires were real in today’s world, do you think they would be feared, controlled, or accepted? How do you think society would react to them compared to how they’re treated in the book?

2. The book explores survival, power, and fear. In a town like this, would you try to keep your head down and survive, or would you fight back against the system?

3. If C.J. Tudor expanded The Gathering into a series, what would you want to see next? A deeper dive into the town’s history, a vampire rebellion, or something else?

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Tomorrow’s Demise: The Extinction Campaign by Christian Warren Freed

By Bartholomew’s Bookshelf

You ever have a book that just grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go? That was Tomorrow’s Demise: The Extinction Campaign for me.

I picked this up after meeting the author, Christian Warren Freed, at Fayetteville Comicon 2024 (super cool experience, by the way), and he recommended this series to me. And let me tell you—I am so glad he did. This book is an absolute blast from start to finish.

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What’s Tomorrow’s Demise About? (No Spoilers)

Picture this: A desert planet, brutal war zones, and a mix of elite military soldiers, assassins, slayers, and mercenaries, all with their own motives, alliances, and betrayals.

If you love high-stakes military sci-fi, this book delivers. It’s got the gritty, battle-heavy intensity of something like Warhammer 40K, but with deeper character development and multiple POVs that give you a full view of the chaos unfolding.

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What I Loved

🔥 Nonstop Action – When I say this book is action-packed, I mean ACTION. PACKED. From the very first pages, you’re thrown into combat, and the intensity never lets up. If you love books that keep your adrenaline pumping, this is for you.

🪖 Diverse Cast of Warriors – This isn’t just your standard one-dimensional “good vs. bad” war story. There are assassins, berserkers, mercenaries, elite military units, and they all have their own goals, conflicts, and personal battles. No one is just a hero or villain—they’re all complex, and I loved that.

📖 Multiple POVs Done Right – I’m a sucker for books that show the story from different perspectives, and Tomorrow’s Demise nails it. You get to experience the world from various characters’ eyes, and each POV adds something fresh to the story.

⚡ Great Pacing & Character Depth – It’s fast-paced but not just mindless action. The characters are fleshed out, the world is rich, and the balance between storytelling and high-intensity battle sequences is chef’s kiss.

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Final Thoughts

This book was hard to put down, and now I’m fully invested in this series. If you love military sci-fi with deep world-building, intense action, and a cast of morally complex warriors, I highly recommend Tomorrow’s Demise: The Extinction Campaign.

📚 Would I recommend it? 100%.

🎯 Who should read it? Fans of Warhammer 40K, The Expanse, or anything with brutal, tactical combat and deep character conflicts.

💥 Will I read the next book? Absolutely—I can’t wait to see what happens next.

1. This book has multiple POVs, each offering a different perspective on war and survival. Which character’s storyline gripped you the most, and why?

2. The book blends military sci-fi with epic fantasy elements. If you had to fight in this war, would you rather be a battle-hardened soldier, a cunning strategist, or a rogue mercenary?

3. War, extinction, and survival are major themes in this book. Do you think humanity would handle a large-scale planetary war any better than the characters in this story, or are we just as doomed?

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Book Review: Lock-In by John Scalzi

By Bartholomew’s Bookshelf

So, I finally read Lock-In by John Scalzi, and I loved it. No surprises there—I started with The Dispatcher series on Audible, got completely hooked, and figured I should dive in. Lock-In did not disappoint.

But I’ll be honest—it took me a minute to wrap my head around the world-building. What exactly is a Threep? How does this society even function? Once I got it, though, I was all in.

What’s Lock-In About? (No Spoilers)

Imagine a near-future world where a virus (yep, another pandemic story) leaves a small percentage of the population in a state called “Lock-In”—fully conscious but unable to move their bodies. Technology steps in, allowing them to “inhabit” humanoid robots called Threeps (named after C-3PO, which is kind of amazing).

Enter Chris Shane, an FBI agent who also happens to be one of the most well-known locked-in individuals. When a murder case comes up that may or may not involve a person using a Threep, things get complicated.

Things I Loved

🔥 Scalzi’s Snappy Dialogue – One of my favorite things about Scalzi is his fast-paced, witty dialogue, and Lock-In delivers. Every conversation feels natural, and the humor keeps things moving even when the plot gets heavy.

🤖 The Threep Concept – It took me a second to visualize a Threep, but once I did, I was fascinated by how people interacted with them. The way Scalzi explores identity, accessibility, and bias through this technology is subtle but so well done.

💨 Fast-Paced & Engaging – No filler, no wasted time—just a solid sci-fi mystery that moves fast.

Things That Took Me a Minute

🌀 The World-Building Drop – Scalzi kind of throws you into the deep end with no floaties. The world is explained as you go, so for the first few chapters, I was just trying to get my bearings. But once everything clicked, I was hooked.

Final Thoughts

If you love sci-fi with sharp dialogue, an interesting futuristic setting, and a murder mystery twist, Lock-In is definitely worth checking out. It took a second for the world-building to settle in my brain, but once it did? I was all in.

📚 Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

🎧 Audiobook-worthy? YES. Wil Wheaton narrates, and he’s fantastic.

Have you read Lock-In? Did it take you a second to visualize a Threep, or was that just me?

1. If you had to live your life through a Threep (a robotic body), do you think you’d adapt easily, or would it feel too disconnected from reality?

2. The novel blends sci-fi, mystery, and social commentary. Which aspect stood out to you the most— the futuristic tech, the murder investigation, or the exploration of disability and identity?

3. Haden’s Syndrome changes society in major ways. If a real-world pandemic had a similar outcome, how do you think governments and corporations would react? Would they handle it better or worse than in the book?

[bartholomewsbookshelf]

A Complete Guide to The Broken Earth Trilogy (No Spoilers!)

By Bartholomew’s Bookshelf

So, you’re thinking about reading The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin? Good. Choice.

This series is a mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and straight-up emotional devastation (in the best way). If you love deep world-building, unique magic systems, and stories that punch you in the gut, this is 100% for you.

But maybe you’re still on the fence? Cool, let’s talk about what makes this trilogy so special—without spoilers.

What is The Broken Earth Trilogy About?

This trilogy is set in a world where the earth is literally trying to kill everyone. The planet is constantly shaking, shifting, and throwing apocalyptic tantrums called Fifth Seasons, which wipe out entire civilizations like it’s just another Tuesday.

The series includes:

📖 Book 1: The Fifth Season – The one that reels you in and wrecks your soul.

📖 Book 2: The Obelisk Gate – The one where things get even wilder.

📖 Book 3: The Stone Sky – The grand finale that will leave you staring at a wall, processing life.

It’s an epic journey of survival, power, and resistance, told in a way that flips traditional storytelling on its head.

What Makes This Series Stand Out?

🔥 N.K. Jemisin Made History

• All three books won the Hugo Award for Best Novel, making Jemisin the first person EVER to win three years in a row. That’s legendary.

🌍 A World That Feels Too Real

• The story takes place on a continent called The Stillness, where people have spent generations trying (and failing) to survive these deadly Fifth Seasons.

• Every culture, belief, and way of life in this world has been shaped by the constant threat of destruction. It’s immersive in a way that most fantasy books wish they could be.

🌀 A Magic System Unlike Anything Else

• Some people, called orogenes, have the ability to control seismic energy—meaning they can stop earthquakes… or cause them.

• Sounds cool, right? Well, in this world, orogenes are feared, controlled, and treated as less than human. It’s a system that mirrors real-world oppression in ways that hit hard.

📖 Narrative Style That Keeps You Guessing

• This isn’t your typical “once upon a time” storytelling. Jemisin plays with perspective, timeline shifts, and second-person narration, and it all works so well.

• The way she reveals information is chef’s kiss—every book makes you rethink everything you thought you knew.

Who Will Love This Series?

✔ Fantasy lovers who want something fresh – This isn’t another medieval, European-inspired fantasy. It’s unique, it’s powerful, and it’s genre-defining.

✔ Sci-Fi readers who love deep lore – If you enjoy world-building like Dune or The Expanse, this series will hook you.

✔ People who like stories that make them think – This trilogy isn’t just entertaining; it has layers. It makes you question society, history, and power in a way few books do.

✔ Anyone who enjoys emotional destruction – If you like books that make you feel things deeply (The Poppy War, A Little Life, etc.), welcome to your next heartbreak.

Where To Start?

📌 Step 1: Read The Fifth Season. Trust me.

📌 Step 2: Mentally prepare yourself for The Obelisk Gate and The Stone Sky.

📌 Step 3: Find someone to talk to when you finish, because you will have emotions.

If you’ve read The Broken Earth Trilogy, tell me—which book hit you the hardest? Let’s discuss (but no spoilers!). 👇

Final Thoughts

Listen, if you’re even considering reading this series, do it. It’s one of those books that sticks with you, reshapes the way you see fantasy, and leaves you thinking about it for weeks. You won’t regret it.

🌍💔 Are you ready for The Stillness?

1. The world of the Stillness is brutal and unforgiving. If you had orogenic abilities, would you try to hide them, embrace them, or reshape the world with them?

2. This trilogy explores themes of oppression, survival, and power. Which character’s journey impacted you the most, and why?

3. The use of second-person narration in parts of the trilogy is unique and immersive. Did it enhance your connection to the story, or did it take time to adjust to?

[bartholomewsbookshelf]

Welcome to Bartholomew’s Bookshelf, where the books are stacked high, the genres are all over the place, and a tabby cat keeps watch over the reading nook.

I read widely and with reckless abandon—sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, thrillers, and whatever else catches my interest. Some books transport, some challenge, and some leave me questioning my life choices (in the best way). Here, you’ll find:

📚 Spoiler-free (and occasionally spoiler-filled) book reviews

📝 Deep dives into world-building, characters, and themes

📖 Curated book lists for every mood and obsession

🐾 Random interruptions from Bartholomew himself

If you love books that make you feel something—whether it’s awe, rage, or existential dread—you’re in the right place.

Pull up a chair (or a cat bed). Let’s talk books.