Becky | Uptown Oracle

The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan 🗡️ Power, Pride, and the Growing Cost of Being the Dragon The Path of Daggers sits firmly in the part of The Wheel of Time where momentum slows, tensions rise, and consequences start piling up faster than victories. This is not a triumphant book. It’s anxious, fractured, and often frustrating for both our characters and us as readers. Jordan focuses more on the strain of leadership, the splintering of alliances, and the quiet realisation that winning doesn’t always look like winning.

The Path of Daggers sits firmly in the part of The Wheel of Time where momentum slows, tensions rise, and consequences start piling up faster than victories. This is not a triumphant book. It’s anxious, fractured, and often frustrating for both our characters and us as readers. Jordan focuses more o

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan ⚔️ After the Storm, the Reckoning Coming off the brutality of Lord of Chaos, A Crown of Swords has an unenviable job to deal with the fallout. This is not a book of explosive revelations or world-shattering battles. Instead, it’s quieter, more political, and far more introspective, a story about consequences, recovery, and power reshuffling after trauma. It’s a slower entry in The Wheel of Time…

Coming off the brutality of Lord of Chaos, A Crown of Swords has an unenviable job to deal with the fallout. This is not a book of explosive revelations or world-shattering battles. Instead, it’s quieter, more political, and far more introspective, a story about consequences, recovery, and power res

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan 👀 Power Taken, Power Broken, and One of Fantasy’s Most Brutal Payoffs By the time you reach Lord of Chaos, The Wheel of Time has stopped pretending this is a cosy chosen-one adventure. This is where the series turns sharp. Political. Brutal. Claustrophobic. What begins as a slow, tension-heavy chess match between factions ends in one of the most infamous sequences in epic fantasy, a moment that doesn’t just shock, it…

What begins as a slow, tension-heavy chess match between factions ends in one of the most infamous sequences in epic fantasy, a moment that doesn’t just shock, it redefines the series.

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan 🔥 A Transitional Chapter of Power, Pride, and Prophecy By the time The Fires of Heaven rolls around, The Wheel of Time has well and truly hit its stride. We’re past the early wanderings and deep into the political and personal turmoil of being the Dragon Reborn. This fifth instalment sees Rand grappling with leadership, prophecy, and the crushing weight of destiny while the women of the series find themselves scattered across continents, chasing enemies, and occasionally, each other’s patience.

It’s a hefty book, filled with triumphs, tension, and the occasional bout of narrative meandering. While it has some truly jaw-dropping moments, it also feels like one of the more transitional volumes of the saga rather than a core turning point.

The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan 🐉 Mythic Chosen Ones and Institutional Powers The Dragon Reborn does something bold: it sidelines its supposed main character and proves the series is bigger than any one hero. Rand al’Thor may be the Dragon Reborn, but in this third instalment, he’s more myth than man, glimpsed, feared, and hunted, rather than followed step by step and focus goes to the other characters. The result is a faster, sharper, more confident book that shakes off any lingering “classic fantasy comfort blanket” energy and leans hard into prophecy, paranoia, and political chaos.

The Dragon Reborn does something bold: it sidelines its supposed main character and proves the series is bigger than any one hero. Rand al’Thor may be the Dragon Reborn, but in this third instalment, he’s more myth than man, glimpsed, feared, and hunted, and focus goes to the other characters.

The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan ⚔️ When the Wheel Stops Warming Up and Starts Turning Fast If The Eye of the World was Robert Jordan clearing his throat, The Great Hunt is him saying, “Right. Let’s get on with it.” Bigger, darker, and far more confident, this second instalment of The Wheel of Time sheds much of its Tolkien-shaped training wheels and begins forging an identity all its own. This is the book where the series clicks into place.

If The Eye of the World was Robert Jordan clearing his throat, The Great Hunt is him saying, “Right. Let’s get on with it.” Bigger, darker, and far more confident, this second instalment of The Wheel of Time sheds much of its Tolkien-shaped training wheels and begins forging an identity all its own.

Strange Houses by Uketsu 🏠 A Creepy, Clever Mystery You Can’t Put Down Some books politely ask for your attention. Strange Houses grabs you by the collar, sits you down, and refuses to let you leave until you’ve unravelled every last unsettling detail. I got this in the post, opened it “just to skim”… and suddenly hours had passed and I’d finished the entire thing. This compact horror-mystery blends an eerie premise with striking visuals, turning the act of reading into a puzzle you…

Some books politely ask for your attention. Strange Houses grabs you by the collar, sits you down, and refuses to let you leave until you’ve unravelled every last unsettling detail. I got this in the post, opened it “just to skim”… and suddenly hours had passed and I’d finished the entire thing.

The Eye of the World 🛞 Where Epic Fantasy Truly Begins Few books define the phrase “epic fantasy” quite like The Eye of the World. As the first instalment in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series, it’s a sprawling, richly built adventure that draws heavily from Tolkien-esque roots while forging its own intricate mythos. It’s a book of immense scope and one that feels like stepping into an entire world rather than simply reading a story.

Few books define the phrase “epic fantasy” quite like The Eye of the World. As the first instalment in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series, it’s a sprawling, richly built adventure that draws heavily from Tolkien-esque roots while forging its own intricate mythos. It’s a book of immense scope a

Coldwire by Chloe Gong 📚 A High-Concept Sci-Fi With Big Ideas but Low Engagement Chloe Gong dominates when she’s in her lane, with historical fantasy, sharp political intrigue, lush world-building. Coldwire steps into new territory: a neon-lit future, digital realms, and corporate corruption. It’s ambitious, high-concept, and full of potential… but it never quite reaches the spark her previous works have. Despite its clever structure and moments of intrigue, this was a slow burn that never fully ignited, with much of the story weighed down by exposition and uneven pacing.

Chloe Gong dominates when she’s in her lane, with historical fantasy, sharp political intrigue, lush world-building. Coldwire steps into new territory: a neon-lit future, digital realms, and corporate corruption. It’s ambitious, high-concept, and full of potential… but it never quite reaches...

Next year I want to read more non-fiction books 🤔 any suggestions for what I just *have* to pick up?

Start of a Chapter 📖 December 2025 TBR | Magic, Journeys, and the Foundations of Middle-Earth As we close out the year, December’s TBR list is packed with magical tales, epic conclusions, and a deep dive into the vast lore of Middle-earth. This month, we’re revisiting the thrilling continuations and conclusions of Trudi Canavan’s "Traitor Spy" trilogy, embarking on a time-travel adventure with Alexandra Bracken’s "Passenger," and exploring the final layers of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary world. Let’s take a closer look at what’s on the reading list for December!

Start of a Chapter 📖 December 2025 TBR | Magic, Journeys, and the Foundations of Middle-Earth

As we close out the year, December’s TBR list is packed with magical tales, epic conclusions, and a deep dive into the vast lore of Middle-earth. This month, we’re revisiting the thrilling continuations…

The Vengeance by Emma Newman ⚔️ Piracy, Vampires and Found Family The Vengeance by Emma Newman is the first book in a new fantasy series blending historical adventure, found family, and light supernatural elements. Set against the backdrop of an alternative France, the novel follows a young woman raised by pirates who sets out on a quest for revenge after the death of her mother figure. If you’re looking for a story packed with action, tension, and emotional growth, this might be the next adventure for your reading list.

The Vengeance by Emma Newman ⚔️ Piracy, Vampires and Found Family

The Vengeance by Emma Newman is the first book in a new fantasy series blending historical adventure, found family, and light supernatural elements. Set against the backdrop of an alternative France, the novel follows a young woman…

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells ✨ A Cosy Tale of Love, Legacy, and the Lightest Touch of Magic Set against a misty mountain backdrop where folklore and family secrets intertwine, The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells promises a story rich with enchantment, love, and rediscovery. Rachel Greenlaw blends her signature warmth with a touch of magical realism in this story about coming home and confronting the ghosts of the past. While it’s undeniably cosy and beautifully atmospheric, I found it leaned more towards heartfelt romance than true magic.

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells ✨ A Cosy Tale of Love, Legacy, and the Lightest Touch of Magic

Set against a misty mountain backdrop where folklore and family secrets intertwine, The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells promises a story rich with enchantment, love, and rediscovery. Rachel…

Falling Back in Love with Non-Fiction

Somewhere between finishing school and falling back into reading for pleasure, many of us quietly abandoned non-fiction. Maybe it was the memory of thick textbooks, or the association with obligation rather than enjoyment. Fiction promised worlds to escape…

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn 🦇 A Powerful Gothic Horror Set Against the Wild Yorkshire Moors Hungerstone by Kat Dunn is a beautifully crafted gothic horror novel set against the wild Yorkshire moors, blending psychological intensity, atmospheric writing, and allegorical supernatural elements. This is a story of longing, repression, and the slow, haunting decay of a woman trapped by society and marriage. Fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and classic gothic fiction will find much to love in this dark, layered novel.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn 🦇 A Powerful Gothic Horror Set Against the Wild Yorkshire Moors

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn is a beautifully crafted gothic horror novel set against the wild Yorkshire moors, blending psychological intensity, atmospheric writing, and allegorical supernatural elements. This is a…

Bookish Gifts That Feel Personal (Not Generic)

Every year, the same list circulates: scented candles, novelty mugs, bookmarks printed with quotes no one asked for. And while there is nothing wrong with those little comforts, gifting for book lovers deserves something more personal, something that…

Daughter of Chaos by AS Webb 🦉 A Promising Mythological Debut That Falters on Impact Greek mythology retellings always have a special pull, the promise of gods, prophecies, and the fine line between mortal and divine. Daughter of Chaos by A.S. Webb dives headfirst into that allure, reimagining ancient Greece through the eyes of a young woman destined to challenge the gods themselves. It’s ambitious, fast-paced, and filled with potential... yet, despite its epic scope, it didn’t quite linger in my mind the way I hoped it would.

Daughter of Chaos by AS Webb 🦉 A Promising Mythological Debut That Falters on Impact

Greek mythology retellings always have a special pull, the promise of gods, prophecies, and the fine line between mortal and divine. Daughter of Chaos by A.S. Webb dives headfirst into that allure, reimagining…

Building a Creative Routine When It’s Cold Outside

There is a quiet kind of beauty that arrives when the temperature drops. The mornings feel slower, the air sharper, the light softer. Outside, the world exhales, but inside our calendars, things often quicken. As the year edges towards its end,…

Start of a Chapter 📖 November 2025 TBR | Epic Conclusions, Dark Histories, and Magical Beginnings As we approach the end of the year, November’s TBR list is all about monumental conclusions, deep dives into the darker corners of Middle-earth’s history, and revisiting the start of a magical adventure. This month, we’re reading the final book of "The Wheel of Time," exploring the complexities of Tolkien’s legendarium, and returning to Trudi Canavan’s enthralling world of magic and intrigue.

Start of a Chapter 📖 November 2025 TBR | Epic Conclusions, Dark Histories, and Magical Beginnings

As we approach the end of the year, November’s TBR list is all about monumental conclusions, deep dives into the darker corners of Middle-earth’s history, and revisiting the start of a magical…

Autumn in the City: Favourite Cafés, Corners & Coats There is a particular kind of magic that only exists in the city once the air begins to cool. The pace softens, the mornings stretch a little slower, and even the noise feels quieter. You begin to notice the details that summer’s chaos often hides: the steam rising from takeaway cups, the swirl of amber leaves caught in the wind, the way streetlights glow against wet pavements.

The city feels different in autumn. Softer. Quieter. A little more like home 🍂

New on Uptown Oracle: Autumn in the City

On Reading Slower: Romanticising the Quiet Evenings 📖 There is a certain kind of magic that only appears in the quiet of an evening. The world softens, the air cools, and the light turns golden against the edges of the page. You reach for a book, not to tick another title off a list, but to linger, to let words unfurl slowly, like steam from a mug of tea.

We count pages. We chase goals.

But the books that change us? They’re the ones we linger with.

New post On Reading Slower: Romanticising the Quiet Evenings 🕯️

Sundays are for puppy cuddles and reading a good book 😌 Starting on the latest Witcher book, a prequel showing what Geralt was like before we knew him 👀

5 Cosy Fantasy Reads for Darker Nights When the evenings draw in and the air smells faintly of woodsmoke, I always reach for fantasy that feels like a hug. There’s something about this time of year, the early sunsets, the rhythm of rain against the window, the soft ritual of lighting a candle, that invites us to slow down and sink into stories that soothe. Autumn isn’t for chaos or cliffhangers; it’s for books that feel like comfort.

My favourite fantasy books aren’t always the epic ones. They’re the ones where magic smells like coffee and comfort ☕✨

New on Uptown Oracle: 5 Cosy Fantasy Reads for Darker Nights 🔥

The Art of the Autumn Reset 🧣 Autumn has always been a season of gentle contrasts, a time where crisp air meets warm drinks, and golden light filters through falling leaves. There’s something about October that invites stillness after the energy of summer with a soft pivot between doing and being. As we step into the final stretch of the year, many of us feel that familiar tug to start fresh, new goals, new habits, new routines.

The best part of autumn?

The chance to start over softly 🍂

Read my new piece on The Art of the Autumn Reset, about finding calm, clarity, and comfort in Q4 ✨

Remember when I was in my prime, woke up early, survived hours of school, still finished a book in one evening

Start of a Chapter 📖 October 2025 TBR | Final Battles, Epic Re-Reads, and the Fall of Sauron October’s TBR is packed with climactic confrontations, deep dives into legendary lore, and the continuation of grand sagas. This month, we’re nearing the conclusion of "The Wheel of Time," revisiting the treacherous politics of Westeros, and exploring the detailed development of Tolkien’s iconic final battles in Middle-earth. If you’re ready for a month filled with epic moments, intricate plots, and the rich history of fantasy’s greatest worlds, October’s reading list will not disappoint.

Start of a Chapter 📖 October 2025 TBR | Final Battles, Epic Re-Reads, and the Fall of Sauron

October’s TBR is packed with climactic confrontations, deep dives into legendary lore, and the continuation of grand sagas. This month, we’re nearing the conclusion of "The Wheel of Time," revisiting the…

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil 🌹 A Haunting, Lyrical Vampire Tale V.E. Schwab returns with a lyrical and haunting tale in Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, a novel that unfurls across centuries, countries, and inner lives. Told through the eyes of three very different women bound together by blood and immortality, this vampire story is no action-packed thriller. Instead, it delivers a poetic meditation on survival, desire, trauma, and grief.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil 🌹 A Haunting, Lyrical Vampire Tale

V.E. Schwab returns with a lyrical and haunting tale in Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, a novel that unfurls across centuries, countries, and inner lives. Told through the eyes of three very different women bound together…

House of the Beast by Michelle Wong ⚔️ Power, Pain & Pilgrimage House of the Beast by Michelle Wong is a dark, intricate, and emotionally wrought fantasy that marries grimdark aesthetics with mythic romance and razor-sharp character dynamics. With a protagonist bound to an elder god and a society steeped in blood-soaked religious duty, this is not a tale for the faint of heart. Wong delivers a beautifully crafted world of devotion, vengeance, and survival, made all the more immersive by the addition of in-world artwork and stunning illustrations throughout.

House of the Beast by Michelle Wong ⚔️ Power, Pain & Pilgrimage

House of the Beast by Michelle Wong is a dark, intricate, and emotionally wrought fantasy that marries grimdark aesthetics with mythic romance and razor-sharp character dynamics. With a protagonist bound to an elder god and a society…

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher 📚 A Sword, a Stoic Warrior & a Stubborn Widow Swordheart by T. Kingfisher is a warm, witty, and thoroughly enjoyable romantic fantasy that delivers on both heartfelt character development and delightful magical elements. It’s a character-driven story with cosy, adventurous tones, focusing on found family, love in later life, and the quiet strength of choosing your own freedom. When widowed housekeeper Halla inherits her late uncle’s estate, she doesn’t expect to discover an enchanted sword and she certainly doesn’t expect to accidentally unleash a grumpy, honour-bound warrior from within it.

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher 📚 A Sword, a Stoic Warrior & a Stubborn Widow

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher is a warm, witty, and thoroughly enjoyable romantic fantasy that delivers on both heartfelt character development and delightful magical elements. It’s a character-driven story with cosy,…

The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams ⚔️ A Towering Start to a Classic Fantasy Series If you're looking for a sweeping epic fantasy filled with rich world-building, thoughtful character growth, and the slow-burn momentum of classic high fantasy, The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams might be exactly what you need. The first instalment of the Memory Sorrow and Thorn series, this book is a foundational piece of modern fantasy that has inspired countless authors, including…

The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams ⚔️ A Towering Start to a Classic Fantasy Series

If you're looking for a sweeping epic fantasy filled with rich world-building, thoughtful character growth, and the slow-burn momentum of classic high fantasy, The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams might be exactly…