Th Watcher in the Shadows, 2.8 stars, Carlos Ruiz Zafon

[Amy]

OK - So Carlos Ruiz Zafon, his young adult novels are all pretty similar. They all have a similar feel. A shadowy ghosty figure, in the mist killing lovers, chasing young kids. A body washed onshore. things ending in fire, with young kids telling the tale from later on. There is often a lighthouse, and island, motherless neglected children. Its scary and dark and psychological, and sort of not for me. But he was my author of the year, and I reread the entire Shadow of the Wind Series, and ended with Labryinth of the Spirits, and had already read Marina, and now these three young adult novels. So what shall I say about this one? Set in Normandy France. Well, its a lot like the others that is for sure. There is an appearance of Andreas Corelli from the Angel's Game, and some similar themes there. And there is the theme and reference to September Lights - which is.... the name of his next novel, set to come out this year. September Lights. Will I read it? Of course I will. I am a sucker to finish a story and an authors set of works, once I set out to do it.

Just a rare few of you may have wondered who is my author of the year for 2020. It is.... Da Da Da...
Taylor Jenkins Reid. Although I would like to knock off a book or two from some other authors in 2020. I have decided I will also try for 1 Joshilyn Jackson, 1 Beatrice Williams, 1 JoJo Moyes, 1 Melanie Benjamin, and 1 Lucinda Riley. Just for fun! What is my Series for 2020? Well I believe I am choosing Robert Balsam and the Once We Were Brothers Series. There is like 6 of them now, and I am going for that in 2020. And I even think I have added a new challenge. Remarkable Woman in Historical Fiction. I think da da da... There are like four books on my TBR for Cleopatra. So - I think its her! Cleopatra! I predict a strong year of cleaning out my TBR and being more discriminate in what I add. I also do hope to get rid of 15 owned books if I can.

Nearing the end of 2019. Happy reading everyone!

[Holly R W]

I enjoyed reading your review. It didn't dawn on me that you were reading all of Zafon's books this year. Isn't it interesting how you can see his interests coming through in his books. Your plans for 2020 (how can this be?) sound really neat... I've never organized my own reading with any plans. It's been based upon what I see at the library and now, the reviews I read here on GR.

[Joanne]

I have Once We Were Brothers on my TBR-So you let me know when, and I am in for a Buddy Read!

[Amy]

Because I’ve always wanted and needed to get to it it was on my trim of 36 list. If it comes up in December, great, otherwise I’m finally doing the series in 2020. Would love for you to join me and anyone else who would like to as well. This is one of those books that everyone has loved and that I just never got to. I even own a copy.