Tag Archives: Review

Review: The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

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What I love the most about Maggie Stiefvater’s writing is the atmosphere she creates. Even though they all take place in real settings, there is always something magical about them. The Listeners takes place in 1940s West Virginia. The US joined World War 2 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. June Hudson is the General Manager at the Avalon. A luxury hotel that caters to the most elite people in the world. The sweetwater is said to be healing, but there is more than that. Things turn upside down when the US Government takes over the Avalon. The delegates from the Axis nations have to keep and watch somewhere; what better prison for them than a luxury hotel? Tucker Minnock is an FBI agent assigned to their detail and has a secret. Like all of Maggie’s books, she fills them with rich, interesting characters. The German diplomat’s wife is more than just a wife. She has a few depths that prove that people are not just one thing. She cares deeply for her daughter and knows if she goes back to Germany, her life would be in danger but she is also supports the Nazi party. June and Tucker’s relationship develops organically a they both try to do their jobs. June, trying to keep her hotel running while dealing with unusual guests, the staff keep getting drafted, and goods are being rationed. Tucker is listening to the diplomats and reporting back anything that he can report to the Bureau. They all soon realize that after all of this, nothing will be the same. Not just for the hotel but for them as well. Beautifully written and based on actual events in US history. I highly recommend it.

Review: I Remember You, A Ghost Story by Yrsa Sigurdardóttir (Read by Lucy Paterson)

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Cover of I Remember You by Yrsa Sigurdardóttir

You know when you get sucked into a creepy story and you don’t want to put it down and then you realize it’s nearly 3 a.m. and you do, in fact, have to work in the morning and you’re annoyed you have to put it down? Just me? Anyway, this is a creepy tale that starts off seeming like two very unrelated stories, except that they are sort of happening in the same place, the West fjords in Iceland. (Except they aren’t because they are taking place in the winter in the West fjords so at least part of the story is happening in an isolated location that is hard to reach.) So, while creepy ghost stuff is happening, you are also trying to work out, “How are these two lines of narrative at all related?” But, as the story unfolds, you come to realize how they are related and it is heartbreaking and infuriating.

So, one of the narratives follows Freyr, a psychiatrist who has moved to the West fjords following the disappearance and presumed death of his son and his subsequent divorce from his wife. As the only psychiatrist in the area, he sometimes consults with the police on crime. Freyr is called in when a preschool is vandalized. Speaking with one of his patients later in the day, he comes to find out that there had been a similar incident of vandalism decades before. He and his cop friend start digging into the earlier incident when a woman who turns up dead of an apparent suicide also seems related to the case and to Freyr’s missing son.

Meanwhile, in an abandoned village across the fjord, three friends arrive to begin renovations on a house they bought, hoping to turn it into a summer guesthouse. They… don’t seem like people who should be doing renovation work, but who am I to judge? As they work, and explore the abandoned village, it becomes clear that they are not alone. But who or what is there with them is the question.

The two stories are well integrated; I was interested in both plot lines. I had guesses about what would happen next and I was proved right a couple times, which is a feeling I enjoy. The setting was atmospheric. I could very easily picture the grey Icelandic setting and put myself in the situations the characters were in. The resolution was mostly satisfying. I’m happy with how it ended, although there was at least one character who I would have liked to see a bit more of a comeuppance and at least one character whose ending bummed me out. I enjoyed this and I’m already on the lookout for more books translated into English by this author. So, if you’re into a creepy tale of mystery, betrayal, ghosts, and the search for justice, this is a book you should try!

Review: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

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Cover of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

Y’all, this was so fun. Cecilia Bassingthwaite is a very proper young lady and also a very proper scoundrel. She is thrilled to find out, in the first pages of the novel, that someone has put a hit out on her. Maybe she’ll finally be invited to become a full member of the Wisteria Society. Plus, the assassin who has been sent to kill her isn’t at all terrible to look at and that is a nice bonus.

Cecilia and her Aunt become involved in highjinks. There are flying houses, other lady pirates, some of whom are on their side and some of whom are dirty traitors. There is a villain who is obsessed with Branwell Brontë and who also happens to be Cecilia’s father. Can Cecilia prove that she is nothing like the terrible rogue? Can she save the day?

I know I’ve already said this, but this was incredibly fun. I liked Cecilia and the cast of characters who surrounded her. The back and forth between her and her charming assassin was delightful. Her Aunt was a hoot. The flying houses were thrilling. I enjoyed every second of this book and I cannot wait to get my hands of the next one, as soon as its available from the library.

I purchased my copy of this from The Ripped Bodice; when I am not supporting my local library, I enjoy supporting independent bookstores. (Not to pat myself on the back or anything. Think of this more a little reminder to myself to keep putting my money where my mouth is ;))

Review: Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

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This follows the pattern of Ali Hazelwood’s other academic romances, but if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Rue is a brilliant scientist who is doing research to prolong the shelf life of food. Eli is part of an Equity firm that has bought the loan of her company. They first meet on an app for hookups, and the attraction is immediate, which only complicates things because Eli is trying to ruin Rue’s mentor. They both have their issues. This book deals with serious topics of food insecurities, neglect, and abuse. All play a role in why they both try so hard not to admit what they are in love. What I love about Ali’s books and many of the romance novels that I have read is that Eli is always so patient. Consent is important in every relationship. He fully admits he wants more from her, but respects her boundaries. As their relationship grows and secrets start to come out about others and each other, Rue begins to open herself up to new things. She starts to trust Eli, but also herself in stating what she wants and how she wants it. As for the big reveal of who the “big bad” is, if there is one in this book. Minor spoilers, but it is pretty obvious from the beginning. It reminded me of something Kate has said about her time in Grad School. While they were women in her field, who have become successful, they haven’t done much to form paths for the women that came after them. Rue’s mentor does help Rue. There is no denying that, but when push comes to shove. She only cares about herself and will sacrifice anyone, no matter how close she is to them, to save herself. Things do have a happy ending because this is, after all, a romance, but not the ending. We will see more of Rue and Eli in the sequel.

Quick Review: Gideon the Ninth by Tasmyn Muir

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I don’t know what I was expecting, but it’s definitely not a murder mystery. I am not complaining, but I was led to believe this was a sci-fi novel about lesbian necromancers. There was a little bit of that, but you know. Gideon hates living in the Ninth House and wants out. She is allowed to be the Cavalier to Harrow, the Ninth’s Necromancer. They head to the first house, where Harrow will compete against the other houses to become the kingdom’s Lichter. I really enjoyed the banter between Gideon and Harrow but I am also a sucker for the “Enemies to Lovers” trope. Gideon is smart and sarcastic. Just how I like my heroines. They must work together to figure out what is going on and who is murdering the other houses. This was a fun read, and I am looking forward to the sequel.

Review: The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare

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This took me a little bit longer to finish than it normally would. Not because I didn’t like it, but mostly because I’ve been working from home more recently and commuting less. I do most of my reading these days on the subway. I thought this was a good sequel. It picks up not much after the end of the last book. I will admit that some of what happened was predictable, but there was one reveal at the end that I did not see coming. Lin, who claimed she is the Goddess, now has to prove it. Kel is investigating the Shining Gallery incident with the Ragpicker King’s and his crew’s help. Conor is doing his best to be mature and rule, and Antonetta is prepping to marry. A lot is going on, and they have no idea where the real threat is coming from. I do like how Clare can weave together so many interconnected stories so seamlessly. It just flows very nicely together. For me the character that really was the star was Conor. The events of the last book and his feelings for Lin have changed his perspective, and we can see that growth. I do think people underestimate him. That he knows more of what is going on than he leads people to believe. I am really looking forward to where is story goes next. I do love a good mystery, and adding a bit of magic is just a bonus.

Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Read by Kate Kellgren

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This month’s Theme for our TBR Project book club was Cottagecore. Since it’s officially Spring, we wanted to read something sweet, simple, and a little rustic. I chose Pride and Prejudice because I have seen many versions of the story in movies and TV, but I have never actually read the book. I didn’t realize until after I started reading that it is the 20th Anniversary of the Kiera Knightley movie. For those interested, it’s being rereleased in theaters to celebrate. I digress. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that there are so many details left out of the many interpretations. The lives of Lizzie and her sister is much more lively than they came across to me in any movie or TV show ever gave me an impression. They are all involved in the running of the house and in the town. While the focus may be on marriage, they all had other interests. It was good to get to know Jane a bit more. She is always portrayed as stoic, which she is, but she is also a lot more observant than she is given credit for. Even Wickham became a more interesting character. Same with Darcy. We get a little bit more incite into his mind much earlier in the novel than I believe we do in most adaptations. He’s not just rude but socially awkward. Who can’t relate to that? Anyway, it was delightful. I am glad I have finally read it.

Review: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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The third installment in the Fourth Wing series started off pretty well and then was a bit of a slog in the middle before hitting with the big finale at the end. I wouldn’t say this was the best in the series. It didn’t have the same sense of purpose as the first two. Which is weird since we have three books in the world, and we have a better sense of the world and what is at stake. Part of it might have been that the scenes between Violet and Xaden were a bit tedious. Which is a problem since they are the heart of the story. This might show my age, but their obsession with each other is beyond toxic. Like, they really need to go to therapy. I do appreciate that at least other characters do call out how truly problematic their relationship is. So at least, it’s not gone on notice and younger readers will read it and think As entertaining as this story is, their relationship should not be relationship goals by any means.

My real issue with this book was the middle. It spent way more time island hopping, looking for Adarna’s dragon family. I can understand what Yarros was going for. It not only expanded the world. Showed that not everywhere in this world has magic or mystical creatures and gave more incite into the Gods of this world. I do have a feeling that they will be playing a bigger role as the story moves forward. However, I stopped caring if they ever found the Irid dragons and even forgot at one point why they were doing all of it in the first place. All I can say is that whatever was trying to be set up in this portion of the book better pay off in later books. So yeah, a good installment to the story. Not great, but good. The ending does set up a pretty interesting storyline for the next book. Let’s hope Yarros can keep the momentum going.

Review: Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia E. Butler, Damian Duffy and John Jennings

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When we decided on this month’s topic for our TBR book club, I knew this would be the book I would read. I felt a bit ashamed that I hadn’t read any of Octavia Butler’s work before. This one seems the most relevant because so much of fiction is just pattern recognition and Ms. Butler was very good at that. I didn’t mean to read the graphic novel, but I wasn’t really paying attention to the version I was checking out from the library, and I had already been on the waiting list for a month when it came available, so it had to be. I wasn’t mad at the idea and i think it did see it illustrated only magnified the story. I do want to eventually read the original novel because I feel this book needs it to be read in it’s original prose.

Lauren is an hyperempathy so not only can she feel everything around her but she also very observant. She sees clearly what so many do not or do not want to. Her narration brings the people and her neighborhood to life. I felt just as devastated for her when her family was taken as she was. I wanted to shield her from all the pain and tragedy around her but knew that I couldn’t. It’s not that she needed because Lauren is probably the most resilient, strong character I have ever read. It’s not that the events of her life did not affect her. They did and more, but she persevered and kept moving and inspired others to join her. The illustrations also brought the story alive. It was muted and sharp and gave a true atmosphere to the reading experience. This is not a feel good book. It wasn’t meant to be. It was supposed to be a warning that we ignored. We can only hope that we have learned enough to avoid the tragedies Lauren and her family endured. Time will only tell if this work of fiction will become our reality.

Review: Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao

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This was a trip to read at this time. I read this as my monthly pick about leadership because it is based on the first Empress of China. Xetian is a girl from a small village that has turned the world on its head. At the end of The Iron Widow, she starts a rebellion and finds the last Emperor from 200 years ago. She wakes him up but gets more than she bargains for. She is forced to work with him to achieve her goals. This book was too close to home as they rebel against an oligarchic government. They are rallying the workers and people to their cause but change is hard. As a woman, it doesn’t matter how much power she possesses or what she has accomplished, she will still be seen as a woman who cannot be trusted. Even as she gets to the new Emperor, she knows she can never let her guard down because his goals are not hers. She is smart and uses the time she has to learn as much as she can to set herself up for the future. I do love a morally ambiguous heroine. She does some rather questionable things but it’s all to make the world better. For some reason, I thought this was a duology but there’s another book coming, and what a showdown it’s going to be.