I have only read one book this week, but what a book! American Gods by Neil Gaiman is a huge read and I nearly didn’t finish it. I used to be able to devour long books with no issues at all, but these days my concentration is poor even though I have lots of time available.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Anyway, here is the blurb!

If you are to survive, you must believe.

Shadow Moon has served his time. But hours before his release from prison, his beloved wife is killed in a freak accident. Dazed, he boards a plane home where he meets the enigmatic Mr Wednesday, who professes both to know Shadow and to be king of America.

Together they embark on a profoundly strange road trip across the USA, encountering a kaleidoscopic cast of characters along the way. Yet all around them a storm threatens to break.

The war has already begun, an epic struggle for the very soul of America, and Shadow is standing squarely in its path.

I had so much trouble trying to think how to review this. As you will know, if you have being reading these roundup posts, I am not the world’s best reviewer. I cannot write long and profound, or even short and insightful, responses to books. In fact, I must be one of the few librarians without A Level English Literature. So, if you want to read some great reviews, please look on Goodreads or other book sites and blogs!

Here is what I did manage to write:

This is so hard to write as I am struggling to find the words for my response to this book. Gaiman has written some of my favourite works of all time, such as The Sandman graphic novel series. I am also aware that American Gods has won massive acclaim and awards and has also been turned into a TV series. But I found it so hard to read!

I was “lucky” enough to have a copy from the library which turned out to be the extended version and I usually dive into very long books without any hesitation, but this one was daunting. Some parts were very gripping and I enjoyed many of the side stories set in the past or about mythological beings. As a former student of the ancient world, I love reading about the old gods, goddesses and fantastical creatures. Somehow, a lot of this book became a chore to read and I had to battle to get to the end. I am not totally sure why that happened. The characters were interesting, the events often intriguing and exciting, the settings were well-drawn, and the writing was very skilful.

Would I read the book again? I doubt it. Will I watch the TV series? Probably. Would I recommend the book to my friends? Well, some of them have already enjoyed it, so I think so.

I have given the book four stars because I think that it deserves at least that, but equally I could have given it two or even one!

So, make of that what you will!

The Desert Spear by Peter V Brett

I have now changed the pace and am reading the second part of the Demon Cycle series by Peter V Brett:  The Desert Spear. My verdict will be given next week.

Until then, Happy Reading to you all!

Best wishes,

📖📚📖📚📖