This is my first book review blog, so I put in a quick intro to ensure we are on the same page, and then I jump into the review! If I do another one, I can go straight into the review. 

Based on my best friend’s recommendation, I will try something new on this site. 

In my previous blog post, I said that this year hasn’t been my best year. It feels like it is kicking my butt over and over, and there’s no sign of it lifted up.  If anyone is still interested in reading those two blogs, I’ll link them here:

Recap of the last four years (mid-2020-2024) and. Well, that didn’t take long now, did it……

Since 2024 has been a rough year, there is one saving grace has to be this guy…..

(Kindle Paperwhite)

I’ve read 17 books this year alone. most of them have been fantasy books,

Recently, while reading a fantasy book, my mind kept drifting away, and I was having trouble staying focused on the story. I had to DNF the book. (I went back and finished that book, so it’s all good!!)   

I guess I was getting tired of the tropes and I desperately need to try a different genre.

During my downtime,  I come across a ‘booktube’ YT channels  “Ashlynn Calee” and “Ian Gubeli”. One of their videos where both of them talking about the book ‘Dark Matter by Blake Crouch’.  A Science fiction Thriller ?? 

Seeing how both of them try to explain what the book is about and both getting over exciting to the point that they are both at a loss of words. I thought that I had to buy it and try and read it myself.  

I have to quickly say that I’m primarily drawn to fantasy stories, and the only Sci-fi book I read this year is ‘STARSHIP TROOPERS’……… for those who know, that book is not your typical reading experience. Totally different than the movie version. 

I’m getting sidetracked!!

So I looked up ‘Dark Matter’ on the Kindle and brought the book and started reading the first chapter….. 

:O!!!

OMG IM SO GLAD I DID!!!!!

(I just realised that at some point, I have to do a non-spoiler review on this book)

HAHA, how? How does one review this book in a non-spoiler format?

…….……

…………..…….….….

( no joke I have been sitting in the same spot now for 30 mins struggle to think.)

……………

…………………..

Let’s try and find my first thoughts on my IG, hold on…..

‘

OMG, I just finished reading this!!!  

SO GOOD!!!!!  

Brilliant first chapter had me gripping my seat and it kept a fast pace all throughout.  And the twist and turns 😱  I won’t say anything 🤐.

                                                ’

Ok, so yeah,

I read the first chapter and immediately I was hooked and it kept me on a rollercoaster of a journey which rarely slowed down.

  And when it does slow down, the moment you start asking questions or you start getting answers….. 

 It quickly slaps you in the face and the pacing quickly picks up again.  Giving you no time to breath once again.  

And it keeps this up all the way to the end of the story. 

 I say this is a science fiction story. How was the ‘science’? 

(I don’t know about you but sometimes when I read a science fiction  book, the science talk gets SUPER confusing and I must admit that sometimes I have to skip past the science chatter  just to keep the story going.)

However in this book, you experience science alone with the characters and the writing is so good, it is easy to visually understand the science concepts…..

(Don’t worry I keep it brief) 

The story plays with two theories:

1.   One of the concepts the book pays off masterfully!  The way it is explained is easy to create an image in your mind.   (can’t say anymore without spoilers.)

2. The other concept, I must admit that while I was reading the book, I was confused about how it relates to the story. 

 My guess is that it was so organically told into the story that I didn’t notice it into the story.  

  ( It took me a couple of days after I finished the book to finally realise this concept.  It is possible that my dumb brain just missed it the first time! ) 

 (Again, I can’t say any more without spoilers)

  I guess I should think about if there is anything that is ‘bad’ about the story.

………….

Honestly, nothing really stands out as ‘bad’ in the book.  

I guess I’m being REALLY picky, (again, no spoilers, so not worry).  There’s a decision made that clearly sets up the final climax of the story. As I was reading that part I thought it was a strange/dumb decision.

Which I guess comes down to emotions, which it’s never a good idea to do. 

But the other characters also say that is a REALLY dumb idea so is not just me thinking this way! 

Ok, I think I’m done!  

I choose a really tricky book to attempt to write a non-spoiler review about. 

I also brought a physical paperback version and added it to the science fiction section of my library.  

I wonder if other books are easier to write a review on. I have no idea how people on YT do this. 

I’m not sure if I should do this for EVERY BOOK I read. This is basically a fun little experiment for more to do and to see if I’m even able to talk about books this way.

If you have made it this far, thanks for reading!