Two novels leave me determined to discover more

THIS week I have been toggling between two very different reads on my bookshelf.

One, a fantasy novel, is completely out of my reading depth, but I am interested to see where it takes me.

The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black is not a book I'd rush out to buy, but there are insightful observations about politics and betrayal. Oak believes Wren betrayed his family, but later realises that this was not the case.

Still, I cannot help but feel a disconnect from the characters. The book is slow-paced and inconsistent, and I had to force myself to push through the first few chapters.

Hopefully, reading from Chapter 10 will change my mind – six days to read nine chapters is unlike me.

Still, I am intrigued to find whether or not he keeps his promise by taking her to Elfhame.

The second book I am currently reading is from Laura Messina – The Library of Heartbeats. A mellow read about friendship, loss, love and grief.

While this book has more sadness than death, the narrative behind the novel is interesting – the Teshima island in Japan that collects an archive of heartbeats from visitors around the world.

Moreover, it is about a beautiful friendship that blossomed between a 40-year-old and an 8-year-old. A friendship, or rather, a father mentorship developed through grief.

Mainly told from Shuichi's perspective – he tells of struggling to cope and moving back home after his mother's death in order to sort through her things.

Through the process he meets Kenta, 8. Kenta visited the home where Shuichi lived and took a few low-value items to sell. The two soon formed a bond and decided to travel to the library of heartbeats.

Similar to Black's The Prisoner’s Throne, The Library of Heartbeats slow-paced.

I am not sure what the rest of the novel holds, but I am determined to finish it.