Alyce Caswell - Author - Book Reviews

Alyce Caswell - Author

Nijiko's Delivery Service

15/4/2026

Messenger Cat Cafe by Nagi Shimeno
Translated by M. Jean

Fuuta is a cat who has departed the land of the living, but he wants to see the owner he left behind. He could wait the customary time - or he could become a messenger cat and earn the right to see her again after completing five tasks. Fuuta's new job can be difficult. He must convey a soul's message through someone - or something - conveniently nearby. Sometimes, he has to leave it to chance.

This is a sweet enough book and one chapter actually left me sobbing, but there's not much here to make it stand out amidst the rest of the titles in the crowded healing fiction genre. I also think this would have worked better had every story involved a soul who had actually passed on. A couple of the stories failed to leave an impression on me due to this. But at least Fuuta is a charming narrator.

Content warning: discussions of child loss/stillbirth, cheating

Pottering Along

14/4/2026

The Healing Season of Pottery by Yeon Somin
Translated by Clare Richards

Jungmin became a recluse in Chestnut Burr Village after she quit her job, burnt out by work and burdened by her past. When she finally leaves her "cave" in search of a cafe, she finds Soyo, a pottery workshop where all types gather to create meaningful, sometimes imperfect, pieces. Throughout the seasons, Jungmin will quietly approach healing and find her way once more.

This was the perfect choice for me to dive into on an autumnal afternoon. I let myself be lulled by the gentle rhythm of this book and enjoyed every moment of Jungmin's journey. What I found most impressive was how Yeon managed to approach very serious subjects without throwing too long a shadow over those particular scenes. It's difficult to obtain this balance. I related to Jungmin on so many levels and now feel inspired to creep outside my own cave a little more often.

I'll take my chances with the Sarlaac

10/4/2026

The Mandalorian Armor (The Bounty Hunter Wars #1)
(Star Wars Legends)
by K. W. Jeter

Dengar has made a potentially deadly discovery: Boba Fett, barely alive on the sands of Tatooine after escaping the Sarlaac. Nursing him back to health might be a very bad decision. Fett has a reputation. He's the sort who once infiltrated the Bounty Hunters Guild and sowed chaos. So even though Fett has agreed to a partnership with Dengar, no decent bounty hunter should ever trust that kind of offer...

I barely remember reading this the first time. Possibly because it's as dull as plodding through the Dune Sea. Come on... this trilogy is called The Bounty Hunter Wars! Why is the action mostly, well, missing in action? What we get is extended scenes of characters talking about how awesomely devious they are. Then there's a ridiculously long chapter in which Xizor spouts so much bullshit and we're supposed to believe that he impressed Palpatine. There are so many better ways to impart information in a story than these tedious conversations (all of which are delivered in flashbacks).

Was there a developmental editor? I doubt it. Or maybe they got tossed into the Sarlaac for suggesting that there's only enough content here for a few chapters (and maybe the trilogy should be condensed into one book)? I don't think the other two books will change my mind about this. But re-read them I shall.

Rom-Com Gore Core

3/4/2026

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

Jamie is a huge fan of slasher flicks and rom-coms. She's also convinced they are pretty much the same. Anyway, what are the odds that she'll end up in a situation that combines both? Pretty high, as it turns out. When she and her friend head to a speed dating event, they're catapulted right into the most horrific, romantic situation ever. Jamie must use her cinematic knowledge to survive the night.

If you're a Millennial movie fan like me, you will grin at all the references (yes, I too can quote much of While You Where Sleeping, like Jamie can) and find yourself having fun as you follow the formula that Thompson lays out for you. This is definitely an entertaining read. I won't say it's brilliant and despite not being a horror fan I figured things out early on, but it's a nice little diversion.

EDIT: Oh, alright. I might not be a horror fan but I have seen a fair few of these films and know how they work, because I have friends like Jamie lol

The School Teacher or the Actor?

2/4/2026

My Grandfather, the Master Detective by Masateru Konishi
Translated by Louise Heal Kawai

Kaede's grandfather has Lewy body dementia, but he hasn't lost his love for solving mysteries. From how obituaries came to be a secondhand book to missing persons to murder, Kaede comes to him for help in teasing out the most likely scenario. What seems like a harmless game becomes a very serious matter of life and death. Kaede's own personal mystery might be her ultimate undoing.

I'm not really a mystery fun, but I couldn't pass up the premise of this book. It's obviously a deeply personal piece of writing for the author. Konishi draws on his experience with his own grandfather and there's so much love in every word. Kaede is such a relatable character, as is her struggle to balance her anxiety about her grandfather's situation with trying not to worry him. His condition is given so much care and respect, and it's woven beautifully into each mystery. I will admit that some of it's farfetched... but this book really is something special.

The Philosophical Ride

1/4/2026

The Lucky Ride by Yasushi Kitagawa
Translated by Takami Nieda

Shuichi is an insurance salesman who has just lost twenty contracts in one hit. The financial repercussions will be huge if he doesn't fix his situation - and fast. As luck would have it, he finds himself in a taxi driven by a strange man who tells him that his bad mood is stopping him from making better use of the opportunities around him. This taxi ride might very well change his life.

This book is so easy to read. I flew right through it, because the writing style (either due to the author or the translator or both) flowed so well. Unfortunately, I just couldn't agree with book's message. I am not a fan of toxic positivity, especially given how ableist it can be, though I suppose some people might feel inspired by Kitagawa's worldview. An interesting story, nonetheless.

Bridgerton It Ain't

1/4/2026

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever (Bevelstoke #1)
by Julia Quinn

Miranda Cheever has been in love with Turner (AKA Nigel Bevelstoke) ever since she was a child. How can she possibly have a London season with him at her side, especially as he just lost his (admittedly awful) wife? Not to mention that kiss! It's clear that proximity might be the undoing of them both. Miranda's heart is in as much danger as her virtue. Will Turner finally man up and speak his feelings?

Sometimes I forget that while Bridgerton might be wonderful, some of Quinn's books are not.

Turner is extremely unlikeable as a hero. He sexually assaults the heroine near the start of the book! He even uses the world "assault"! Then he is incredibly pushy, which made me anxious on Miranda's behalf. I cannot call what they had between them love or anything like it. I do not even know how their relations reacted to such a shotgun wedding, because we never get to see those moments. I will say, however, that the last chapters of the book are actually quite sweet (even if Turner is still bloody annoying as he sorts his shit out).

Meow-food for the Soul

1/4/2026

Diary of a Cat by Mayumi Nagano
Translated by Yui Kajita

Chimaki and his little brother Norimaki are two cats that became lost at an airport and then became strays. They are found by "Grandpa", quickly becoming beloved members of the Horai family. Chimaki observes the behaviour of the family, their relationships with each other and the food that connects them throughout the year.

I'm not entirely sure if I truly liked this one, since it's not really my thing. It's the kind of book that an anthropologist would love in a few decades' time, because it focuses on the minutiae of life. If it wasn't told from the POV of a cat, I'd write it off as an aimless description of a slightly unusual Japanese family. But it IS narrated by a cat. And that part is well done. Chimaki is such a great character. Less great is Mum Komaki, who is less a character and more of a mouthpiece for the author and her interest in nutritional food. I did like the touch of magical realism surrounding another character, the particulars of which I won't spoil here.

Anyway, this book is about people doing mundane things. It's a slice of life for foodies and cat lovers.

Not Quite a Touchdown

24/3/2026

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

He's woken on a spaceship heading towards a star he doesn't recognise. He doesn't know this name or what's going on. It soon becomes clear that he's been sent here to save Earth, an overwhelming task for the sole surviving member of his crew, but he is not as alone as he thinks - because more than one planet is in danger and it will take the smarts of two species to save them all.

Andy Weir effortlessly makes you believe that humanity WILL come together at the most critical times and save the world. I love that about his books. The premise here is great - Earth is under attack by tiny, unintelligent life forms! And I also enjoyed Ryland and Rocky's friendship, unlikely though it was. But... yeah, Weir still can't write decent female characters. It's like he doesn't even try? Ryland even grated on me at times. He seemed to be written like a teenager. Anyway, there's a brilliant story here, but it's buried under layers of ick.

EDIT 31/3: I saw the movie a couple of days after finishing the book. Loved it. Amaze amaze amaze. Movie > book. Also it's hilarious/sad that Weir doesn't realise he wrote a book that is inherently political.

Food for the Soul

24/3/2026

Syonagri Book Kitchen by Kim Jee Hye
Translated by Shanna Tan

Books are food for the soul and the Soyangri Book Kitchen will give you the sustenance you need at just the right moment. The situation may not change, but you can.

What can I say? If it's a "healing read", then of course I'm going to read the book and heal while I'm going it. Kim has added a strong entry to the genre, even if I occasionally found it hard to connect to the characters. What I liked most was the realistic growth portrayed here. Not everything ends in sunshine and rainbows, but the journey is more important than the outcome.