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966 reviews
The Last Hours by Minette Walters
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“It will be as if we never existed if our history cannot be read.”
THE LAST HOURS
Yes, I am still here, and yes I am still reading. But with the credential program, working in first grade, and the RONE Awards for InD’Tale Magazine– my updates are minimal. I have a backlog of reviews that I need to post. I am sitting here at gymnastics class for my son and my school’s website won’t open, so I figured this is the perfect opportunity to write a review.
The Last Hours by Minette Walters is the first book in the Black Death duology. A little morbid considering our current times?-Maybe. The year is 1348 and the Lady Anne of Develish takes charge when her horrid husband leaves on a trip to another demense. That is when news of the pestilence arrives. Lady Anne was educated by nuns and takes matters into her own hands with the help of the serfs to prevent death in their own community. But she is a woman, and by taking charge with the serfs she makes enemies of the priest, steward, and even her own daughter. Quarantine only makes things worse and now the threat of limited resources looms. Soon someone must venture out for resources and to see if anyone else has survived.
The Last Hours by Minette Walters is the first book in the Black Death duology. A little morbid considering our current times?-Maybe. The year is 1348 and the Lady Anne of Develish takes charge when her horrid husband leaves on a trip to another demense. That is when news of the pestilence arrives. Lady Anne was educated by nuns and takes matters into her own hands with the help of the serfs to prevent death in their own community. But she is a woman, and by taking charge with the serfs she makes enemies of the priest, steward, and even her own daughter. Quarantine only makes things worse and now the threat of limited resources looms. Soon someone must venture out for resources and to see if anyone else has survived.
It is important to note that this book was published in 2017. Many would find the similarities to our current pandemic eerie. We see the same arguments that we have seen in the last couple of years. The same, as “we shouldn’t have to adhere to government limitations,” or “what about our rights.” They even dive into the logistics of the actual pestilence. No one knew what was causing it originally and many believed it was a punishment from God. Guess what? I have heard that argument too about our current pandemic. But I love how Lady Anne thinks ahead. She knows she has to be careful because she is a woman. She is educated, and went against the law, and educates her serfs. She hopes that this pestilence could end serfdom and that the community of laborers will be able to go forth and create their own path.
The descriptions of the plague are gruesome and maybe those who have worked on the frontlines may want to skip this book, because it may be triggering to them. I think Minette Walters did a wonderful job at bringing history alive and making connections to our current reality. It is so important that we learn from our past to prevent it from reoccurring. However, my favorite aspect of this book is how this community sees how every person has worth and they are all worth saving.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Death, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Blood, Death of parent, and Abandonment
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
“The opposite of racist isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is ‘anti-racist.’ What’s the difference? One endorses either the idea of a racial hierarchy as a racist, or racial equality as an anti-racist. One either believes problems are rooted in groups of people, as a racist, or locates the roots of problems in power and policies, as an anti-racist. One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an anti-racist. There is no in-between safe space of ‘not racist.”
HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi is not just a social commentary but also a memoir. I had read Stamped from the Beginning and have been eager to read this one. I listened to the audiobook which is read by the author. The book discusses racism and the racist policy that allows for racism to still be a present force in our society. However, like the quote above, Kendi argues that claiming that one is not racist is not enough, you must be antiracist. By choosing neutrality, one allows racist policy and racist aggression to continue. One must actively strive to educate themselves, reflect on their own racist tendencies and work to eradicate those tendencies, as well as speak out when one is a witness to racist behavior.
There is a reason why this book soared when it was released and again in 2020. This book effectively critiques society but it is also informative to read about Kendi’s personal experiences. He also dives into the complexity of racism and stereotypes regarding gender and sexuality. I was really moved when he discussed racism through his own eyes as a child. It is so important to recognize that children experience racism. It is clear that I have work to do and will be working on for the rest of my life. I will be instilling antiracist values in my children. It is absolutely clear that we need to take an active approach and not sit idley by while racism still ravages communities of color
There is a reason why this book soared when it was released and again in 2020. This book effectively critiques society but it is also informative to read about Kendi’s personal experiences. He also dives into the complexity of racism and stereotypes regarding gender and sexuality. I was really moved when he discussed racism through his own eyes as a child. It is so important to recognize that children experience racism. It is clear that I have work to do and will be working on for the rest of my life. I will be instilling antiracist values in my children. It is absolutely clear that we need to take an active approach and not sit idley by while racism still ravages communities of color
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My kids are absolutely obsessed. I am too but that is not the point. My kids are obsessed.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“The world is full of painful stories. Sometimes it seems as though there aren’t any other kind and yet I found myself thinking how beautiful that glint of water was through the trees.”
PARABLE OF THE SOWER
My first Octavia E. Butler book was Kindred and I knew then it would not be my last and I was not disappointed. Parable of the Sower is the first book in the Earthseed series by Octavia E. Butler. This book was written in the 80s and published in the early 90s. The book is a science fiction novel but definitely falls in the dystopian category as well. The scary part? The year in the book is 2025. The world has been ravaged by climate change. Lauren Olamina lives in a community outside of Los Angelos. The community is gated to shelter them from the anarchy that is outside the walls. This community, led by her father, is very particular about their use of resources and takes safety very seriously. Lauren is personally affected by what she calls “sharing.” It is actually a hyper-empathy reaction where she feels the pain that others are experiencing. She creates her own religion called Earthseed which focuses on the fact that “God is Change.” Soon tragedy reaches their community and Lauren finds herself traveling North with only a few companions. The danger on the outside is worse than they previously imagined and they don’t know who to trust.
This book touches on so much that we are currently experiencing in our society–climate change and corporate greed. People sacrifice everything to find some low-paying jobs, only to be trapped in the return of slavery and indentured servitude. This is a heavy book and it is not all that far-fetched. If the world would to continue the way we are headed…the details in the book would be accurate. It is a crime that this book isn’t required reading along with George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, and Ray Bradbury. –But I also said the same thing about Kindred. I think this book would encourage students to think and make correlations to our current society. The characters are flawed but trying to survive. I found their reactions and actions made sense in their situations—which is a rare opinion for me. When I read this genre, I always find that characters’ decisions rarely make sense and just create more chaos. This book captured my attention from beginning to end and I fully intend to continue with the series.
This book touches on so much that we are currently experiencing in our society–climate change and corporate greed. People sacrifice everything to find some low-paying jobs, only to be trapped in the return of slavery and indentured servitude. This is a heavy book and it is not all that far-fetched. If the world would to continue the way we are headed…the details in the book would be accurate. It is a crime that this book isn’t required reading along with George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, and Ray Bradbury. –But I also said the same thing about Kindred. I think this book would encourage students to think and make correlations to our current society. The characters are flawed but trying to survive. I found their reactions and actions made sense in their situations—which is a rare opinion for me. When I read this genre, I always find that characters’ decisions rarely make sense and just create more chaos. This book captured my attention from beginning to end and I fully intend to continue with the series.
A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
If you are just tuning in, then you will need to know that I have been on quite a historical mystery kick recently. I became completely immersed with Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby Mystery Series and Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock Series. Well, I flew through those books and I have been desperate for more, and that is when it was suggested that I pick Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series. The first book is A Curious Beginning and I am sorry to say there is nothing curious about it. Veronica Speedwell has traveled the world taking pleasure in everything it has to offer. She is also a lepidopterist, a person who studies butterflies. She was raised by her two spinster aunts and she finally comes home when the last one dies. However, someone waits for her in the cottage and she is saved by an eccentric German baron. He tells her she is in danger and brings her to stay with his friend, Stoker, who is a naturalist. Veronica decides to go with the baron because he claims to have known her mother, but then GASP, he is murdered. Stoker and Veronica, an unlikely pair, are now stuck together to solve this mystery.
So I want to start out by saying that this review can get a little ranty. I enjoyed the wit and writing of the author but overall it was the plot and characters that did not work for me. So I will start with my biggest issue, Veronica Speedwell. Good god, she was annoying. I think the point was to make her a woman ahead of her time, but it didn’t work out so well. She never stops talking. Never. She leaves her aunts to travel, explore, and have romantic dalliances (BUT NOT WITH AN ENGLISHMAN!!) However, we find out that her aunts were not her aunts at all and the reason they were moving around so much when she was a child was to keep her safe. But then they just cut her loose to travel when she is 18? Then there is a good portion of the novel where Veronica denies that she is in danger, despite ALL OF THE EVIDENCE. But she is known for her investigative mind?
Then we come to the obvious romance part of the story. Veronica Speedwell–a talkative, modern woman and Stoker–a gloomy, grumpy, naturalist. There is obviously chemistry there but Veronica refuses to sleep with a fellow countryman, which she states over and over. –Like you do you boo, but you don’t need to keep repeating yourself.
So overall, it just did not work for me. We kick off with this mystery, but because the characters are on the run, they get distracted along the way and the ending was just so…meh? However, I love the descriptions of the traveling circus, and the author excels at writing action scenes. And the only character I really appreciated was the baron and look how that turned out.
So I want to start out by saying that this review can get a little ranty. I enjoyed the wit and writing of the author but overall it was the plot and characters that did not work for me. So I will start with my biggest issue, Veronica Speedwell. Good god, she was annoying. I think the point was to make her a woman ahead of her time, but it didn’t work out so well. She never stops talking. Never. She leaves her aunts to travel, explore, and have romantic dalliances (BUT NOT WITH AN ENGLISHMAN!!) However, we find out that her aunts were not her aunts at all and the reason they were moving around so much when she was a child was to keep her safe. But then they just cut her loose to travel when she is 18? Then there is a good portion of the novel where Veronica denies that she is in danger, despite ALL OF THE EVIDENCE. But she is known for her investigative mind?
Then we come to the obvious romance part of the story. Veronica Speedwell–a talkative, modern woman and Stoker–a gloomy, grumpy, naturalist. There is obviously chemistry there but Veronica refuses to sleep with a fellow countryman, which she states over and over. –Like you do you boo, but you don’t need to keep repeating yourself.
So overall, it just did not work for me. We kick off with this mystery, but because the characters are on the run, they get distracted along the way and the ending was just so…meh? However, I love the descriptions of the traveling circus, and the author excels at writing action scenes. And the only character I really appreciated was the baron and look how that turned out.
Alias Emma by Ava Glass
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you, Bantam Books, NetGalley, and Ava Glass for the opportunity to read this book! It releases on August 2nd!
“A wise man once told me that every day can be revenge, if you do it right…”
ALIAS EMMA
Move over James Bond, here comes Emma Makepeace. Alias Emma by Ava Glass introduces MI6 agent, Emma Makepeace. She is undercover monitoring an environmental group that is being funded by the Russians when she is suddenly taken out of her assignment. A Russian physicist’s family is being threatened by the Russians. So Emma must contact Michael Primalov and get him to a safe house. However, Michael does not want to uproot his life as a pediatric doctor, but when the foreign assassins stop at nothing including risking civilian lives he has no choice but to go with Emma. Emma and Michael are in for a really long night.
This is an excellent fast-paced spy thriller that takes place in one night. One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book is that there are no unnecessary plot lines. The story takes place over one action-filled night with a few timelines jumps to Emma’s first days as an agent. It was fascinating to read about her journey and inspiration to become an agent.
One of the best parts of the book is the acknowledgments. The author mentions how she had interacted with spies and how we may have interacted with spies but never knew it. As a crime reporter, she came across some spies that would inspire this novel. I can’t wait to read more by this author and an adaptation would be awesome too!
This is an excellent fast-paced spy thriller that takes place in one night. One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book is that there are no unnecessary plot lines. The story takes place over one action-filled night with a few timelines jumps to Emma’s first days as an agent. It was fascinating to read about her journey and inspiration to become an agent.
One of the best parts of the book is the acknowledgments. The author mentions how she had interacted with spies and how we may have interacted with spies but never knew it. As a crime reporter, she came across some spies that would inspire this novel. I can’t wait to read more by this author and an adaptation would be awesome too!
A History of London County Lunatic Asylums & Mental Hospitals by Ed Brandon
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Thank you, Ed Brandon, NetGalley, and Pen & Sword Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. This book releases tomorrow, July 30th, 2022.
Trigger Warnings: Mental health discrimination, poverty, abuse
I have always been curious about mental health history as it is still very much stigmatized today. England has some of the most notorious mental health hospitals like Bedlam. I was very anxious to read A History of London County Asylums & Mental Hospitals by Ed Brandon. I am a huge fan of Anne Lee Huber’s Lady Darby Mystery series where the main character’s deceased husband was an anatomist and was known for his nefarious ways of getting dead bodies to study. I love how her stories really tackle mental health issues and shine a light on the atrocities committed by those in power who did not know or even want to understand mental health issues. So when I picked up this book, I was hoping to read about the hospitals and what they did and bring justice to the victims. This book has little to do with the patients and mainly a general history of Hanwell (St Bernard’s), Colney Hatch (Friern), Banstead, Cane Hill, Claybury, Bexley, Manor, Horton, St Ebba’s, Long Grove, and West Park
This book did have its moments like how it discussed how views on mental illness changed with King George III. There is even a portion of the book where it talks about the original “Jack the Ripper” suspects who were committed to an asylum. But I would say more than half of this book is mainly about the different architecture and floorplans of the major hospitals. The other parts give a brief history of the doctors. But the author tries to talk about the positives and the negatives.—So it really wasn’t what I was expecting. However, if readers are into architecture, this is the book for you.
This book did have its moments like how it discussed how views on mental illness changed with King George III. There is even a portion of the book where it talks about the original “Jack the Ripper” suspects who were committed to an asylum. But I would say more than half of this book is mainly about the different architecture and floorplans of the major hospitals. The other parts give a brief history of the doctors. But the author tries to talk about the positives and the negatives.—So it really wasn’t what I was expecting. However, if readers are into architecture, this is the book for you.
The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Come on, let’s go back to the coffee shop and I’ll make us Irish coffees and we’ll discuss this like people who don’t die in the first five minutes of a horror movie.”
THE HOLLOW PLACES
I read my first T. Kingfisher book this year and it was Nettle & Bone, I absolutely loved it. I also have What Moves the Dead on my TBR! So I decided I needed to read The Hollow Places which is narrated by Hillary Huber. This book is classified as a horror novel and begins with Kara, also known as Carrot, who has to move back home after her divorce. Carrot and her mother don’t really see eye to eye much so she moves into the room above her uncle’s museum. Her Uncle Earl runs The Wonder Museum which contains all kinds of oddities…including a portal to another dimension. Except it is a portal that needs to be closed at all costs.
T. Kingfisher’s writing is everything. It is quirky, imaginative, and unique. The best part about her books is the characters and their relationships. Carrot is going through a lot but bonds with Simon who works in the coffee shop next door. It is their dialogue that almost keeps this book from being too horror-y. Sometimes, I was laughing out loud at the most inappropriate moments.
T. Kingfisher’s writing is everything. It is quirky, imaginative, and unique. The best part about her books is the characters and their relationships. Carrot is going through a lot but bonds with Simon who works in the coffee shop next door. It is their dialogue that almost keeps this book from being too horror-y. Sometimes, I was laughing out loud at the most inappropriate moments.
“Turns out my left eye’s got some rare form of color blindness that only women get. So they think I’m probably a chimera and ate my twin in the womb and it’s actually her left eye.”
I sipped the coffee. It was extremely good coffee. “Huh.”
“The optometrist got very excited.”
THE HOLLOW PLACES
There is definitely a very unnerving and eerie aesthetic and I can tell it is inspired by HP Lovecraft’s work. I don’t think I will look at willow trees the same way ever again. However, there are moments where things were repetitive and I wanted there to be more depth into what was happening. The story kept the readers hooked but took a while to progress. Overall, it is a wonderfully eerie book that horror fans will love!
The New Neighbor by Karen Cleveland
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you, Karen Cleveland, NetGalley, and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this book! This book was just released yesterday, July 26th, 2022.
I read Karen Cleveland’s debut novel, Need to Know when it first came out and I loved it and I have been eagerly awaiting the adaptation being produced and starring Charlize Theron. So I was so excited to read The New Neighbor! Beth Bradford is a CIA Analyst and when their family was just starting out they found the perfect house with the ideal neighbors. Their little cul-de-sac is filled with other members of the CIA but they bond and raise their families together. However, 20 years later, the kids are gone, they are selling the house, and Beth’s husband has left her for his secretary. But the final straw is being taken off her case where she has been tracking The Neighbor. She refuses to let it go and starts investigating The Neighbor on her own. Her investigation leads her back to her old neighborhood asking which neighbor is a traitor to the country?
One thing that I absolutely love about Karen Cleveland’s novels is that she is a former CIA analyst. She gives the books a very real quality! While this book goes at a slow burn pace there is a wonderful build-up and moments of speculation. However, I was not a fan of Beth Bradford. I completely agree with the CIA for taking her off the case. She was not reliable, obviously didn’t follow protocol, and was way too close to the case. When it comes to the ending, it was a little scattered, but I am hoping it leads into a sequel.
I did appreciate the twists. The author is great at leading readers to believe one thing and then changing it all in the blink of an eye. I would love a second book that would focus on some of the other characters and get to know their backstory within the CIA. Overall, a fun spy read!
One thing that I absolutely love about Karen Cleveland’s novels is that she is a former CIA analyst. She gives the books a very real quality! While this book goes at a slow burn pace there is a wonderful build-up and moments of speculation. However, I was not a fan of Beth Bradford. I completely agree with the CIA for taking her off the case. She was not reliable, obviously didn’t follow protocol, and was way too close to the case. When it comes to the ending, it was a little scattered, but I am hoping it leads into a sequel.
I did appreciate the twists. The author is great at leading readers to believe one thing and then changing it all in the blink of an eye. I would love a second book that would focus on some of the other characters and get to know their backstory within the CIA. Overall, a fun spy read!
Daughters of Paris by Elisabeth Hobbes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
“Life is going to get hard, Fleur. Not everyone is strong enough to bear that and war changes people. Some for the worst, and some for the better. I believe you are one of the strong ones.”
DAUGHTERS OF PARIS
Thank you, Elisabeth Hobbes, NetGalley, and HarperCollinsUk for the opportunity to read this book! It will release on August 5th, 2022.
I absolutely adored Elisabeth Hobbes’s previous novel, Daughter of the Sea. While I am really particular about World War II novels, I just had to pick up Daughters of Paris. This one begins before the German invasion of France with two girls, Colette and Fleur becoming best friends but are from two totally different backgrounds. Colette comes from a wealthy family, with a doting father but a disconnected mother. Fleur’s parents have passed away and now she lives with her aunt who is the housekeeper for Colette’s family. But then the war comes to France and their lives change. Colette and Fleur have grown apart but now they have to band together to survive. It turns out that they have it easier than others. Fleur is not willing to go down without a fight and joins the Resistance, but it means that their lives will be filled with danger.
So in terms of World War II novels, it isn’t the best. This book fell prey to romancing the war. However, I did absolutely love the aspects of friendship and courage. At first, I could not stand Colette and pretty much all of the characters except for Fleur. But the one thing that Elisabeth Hobbes does so well is character development. I won’t lie, Colette and Sebastian’s relationship didn’t affect me. However, I was so invested in Laurent and Fleur’s relationship. They were both so dedicated to helping others and France. That came first and they made smart decisions, unlike Colette and Sebastian. But she can definitely write a scene. I could picture myself in Paris. I was completely immersed and felt every emotion.
I can’t lie the Resistance movement within Paris is what interested me the most. I plan to look more into it as I studied Jewish Forest Camps in college. To make a difference, all it takes is one person. Like this book, every person is a link in a chain.
So in terms of World War II novels, it isn’t the best. This book fell prey to romancing the war. However, I did absolutely love the aspects of friendship and courage. At first, I could not stand Colette and pretty much all of the characters except for Fleur. But the one thing that Elisabeth Hobbes does so well is character development. I won’t lie, Colette and Sebastian’s relationship didn’t affect me. However, I was so invested in Laurent and Fleur’s relationship. They were both so dedicated to helping others and France. That came first and they made smart decisions, unlike Colette and Sebastian. But she can definitely write a scene. I could picture myself in Paris. I was completely immersed and felt every emotion.
I can’t lie the Resistance movement within Paris is what interested me the most. I plan to look more into it as I studied Jewish Forest Camps in college. To make a difference, all it takes is one person. Like this book, every person is a link in a chain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Genocide, Hate crime, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail