This novella is a retelling of The Horror at Red Hook by H.P. Lovecraft. I didn’t know about the retelling aspect before beginning and have never readThis novella is a retelling of The Horror at Red Hook by H.P. Lovecraft. I didn’t know about the retelling aspect before beginning and have never read any of Lovecraft’s work so I feel the literary enjoyment was lost on me....more
I absolutely loved the gothic vibe of this literary horror novel. Thirst has two timelines, a century apart, yet a full circle. The timeframes are sepI absolutely loved the gothic vibe of this literary horror novel. Thirst has two timelines, a century apart, yet a full circle. The timeframes are separated into two parts and the world building of both is exquisite. There is history, paranormal elements, family issues, and a thirst that is both metaphor and a palpable verb. Best of all is the writing/translation. I can’t wait to read more translated editions of Marina Yuszczuk’s work....more
The Fox Wife was very slow in my opinion which impacted my attentiveness and desire to pick the book back up. However, this author always excels at skThe Fox Wife was very slow in my opinion which impacted my attentiveness and desire to pick the book back up. However, this author always excels at skillfully introducing culture to her readers and I will read every book she writes for this reason alone....more
I thought The Nightingale was going to be Kristin Hannah’s one hit wonder because I’ve barely connected with any of her other books… until now. I coulI thought The Nightingale was going to be Kristin Hannah’s one hit wonder because I’ve barely connected with any of her other books… until now. I could not put The Women down. It showcases so many important issues and gives voice to the women in the Vietnam War whose service was unrecognized. And not only did the government ignore the female contribution, but the women returned home to a world of chaos where they were harshly judged instead of celebrated. The men faced the same ridicule back home but we are focusing on the women (who didn’t have access to VA supports). Isn’t war hard enough? Additional parts of the main characters life added even more value to the story, including grief, family/romantic relationships, career, mental health & substance abuse. Maybe it’s the book high talking but this feels like Hannah’s most excellent work. All the stars....more
Beyond That, The Sea is Laura Spence-Ash’s debut historical fiction novel. It spans the length of several decades and incorporates the POV’s of multipBeyond That, The Sea is Laura Spence-Ash’s debut historical fiction novel. It spans the length of several decades and incorporates the POV’s of multiple characters. There is a lot to track but I never felt confused. Overall, I found this story to have a calm, slightly melancholy tone themed with family and regret. I didn’t love it but I didn’t dislike it. Historical fiction is not my preferred genre but the character driven quality of this book helped....more
An excellent exploration of history in terms of Chinese culture, medical practices and gender studies. The reader gets a thorough education while watcAn excellent exploration of history in terms of Chinese culture, medical practices and gender studies. The reader gets a thorough education while watching Tan Yunxian's life unfold. I found her character to be a vessel used solely for this purpose, versus a main character with an independent storyline. The history lessons truly are fantastic, and the research that obviously went into this book is astounding. I felt very conflicted when it came to rating and reviewing this but Lisa See is in my top 5 list for favorite authors and the existing story unfortunately held my interest at a minimum....more
Five stars for Jessica Knoll's newest release. I'd expect nothing less - I love Knoll's work.
"Women got that feeling about him., that funny one we
Five stars for Jessica Knoll's newest release. I'd expect nothing less - I love Knoll's work.
"Women got that feeling about him., that funny one we all get when we know something isn't right, but we don't know how to politely extricate ourselves from the situation without escalating the threat of violence or harassment. That is not a skill women are taught, the same way men are not taught that it is okay to leave a woman alone if what she wants is to be left alone."
Bright Young Women is based on real, well-known events thanks to the infamy gifted to the serial killer who I will not name. His life does not deserve any more attention and Knoll feels the same. Instead of highlighting a violent psychopath, Knoll highlights the survivors & victims. Let's acknowledge what it takes to keep breathing after trauma, and what it takes to keep the memories of bright young women alive when this male-centered world wants to denounce, discredit, and disregard. I loved this book. ...more
“Children, I knew, were generally trusting of adults, assuming that whatever plans they were making were for the best. Which was ironic, reall
“Children, I knew, were generally trusting of adults, assuming that whatever plans they were making were for the best. Which was ironic, really, considering that adults are the very last people who should ever be trusted.”
All the Broken Places is a complex story about guilt and restitution. 91-year-old Gretel, the lead character here, was a child during the holocaust where her father functioned as a commandant of one of the Reich's most notorious extermination camps. The story alternates between past and present, showing her grow from a privileged girl in a family of power to a young woman who must make herself as invisible as possible. After all, the hunters have become the hunted. Gretel is not a victim though, and she will be the first to say it. Even though she was a child, she carries the guilt of silence and inaction down in her soul and she feels she deserves every bad thing that comes her way. And many bad things come her way.
For me, this story was so emotionally complex. It questions culpability in an extremely traumatic time in history. I can see this being triggering for some and somewhat controversial as well. But John Boyne is a talented storyteller and his role is to get readers thinking which he always succeeds at.
Note: Admittedly, I STILL have not read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and I had no idea All the Broken Places was related until after I finished and came upon the author’s note. I still loved it and it served as a successful standalone for me, earning a strong 5 stars. Although, I did wonder at the significance of Gretel’s brother (who is the lead in Striped Pajamas), so now, after the fact, I see how the books are intended to connect....more
This novella-length story was so impressive. Not only does it build a world with its own paranormal rules and characters, it builds relationships so bThis novella-length story was so impressive. Not only does it build a world with its own paranormal rules and characters, it builds relationships so big that you feel every moment of love, heartbreak and sacrifice. The 1940s timeframe and settings gave this story a noir-like quality and the time sensitive mystery provided plenty of suspense. There is so much heart in this book though. Heart for all the things we would do for our beloveds... even if we already know the end.
January LaVoy perfectly narrates this audiobook. Highly recommend!
Thank you to RB Media and Netgalley for complimentary access to the audiobook for review purposes. This title is for sale on 11/08/2022....more
Little Eve is a gothic, historical fiction novel with dark content and themes. It features cult dynamics and gruesome scenes, and combined with its OcLittle Eve is a gothic, historical fiction novel with dark content and themes. It features cult dynamics and gruesome scenes, and combined with its October release, it's a no-brainer for spooky season. Little Eve hit high marks in many areas, but overall, I found it slow which impacted my investment as a reader. I've only read one other book from Catriona Ward which I enjoyed a great deal. She's got a dark mind which I always appreciate in my horror/gothic fiction. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Audiobook Narrator Carolyn Bonnyman gave an excellent performance, allowing her voice to add to the timeframe and gothic feel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio/Tor Nightfire for complimentary access to the audiobook edition for review purposes. This title released October 11, 2022 and is available now....more
"Once, I thought fear of the dark was the oldest fear of all. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe it's not the dark that people fear, but what comes in t
"Once, I thought fear of the dark was the oldest fear of all. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe it's not the dark that people fear, but what comes in the dark. What exists in it."
Dark Matter is the slowest burn ghost story I might have ever read but how I loved it. The isolation, the aggressive elements, the mental decay, and the dark. Oh, the dark. This is Arctic winter in the 1930's. Our main character Jack sets out as part of an ecological research crew to overwinter in the high Arctic where night reigns and the frozen sea traps everyone where they are. Things happen and Jack ends up carrying on the expedition alone... well, at least he wishes he was alone....more
This was my most anticipated book of September but I had to force myself to finish it. It started out humorous and creatively familiar but I honestly This was my most anticipated book of September but I had to force myself to finish it. It started out humorous and creatively familiar but I honestly can’t pinpoint what happened. Every time I picked it back up to finish I became increasingly annoyed. Maybe after processing for a bit I can identify some specific reasons. Any other author and I would have DNF but it’s SALLY THORNE!!! It’s really not fair to put these authors on an unflawed pedestal but we sure do, don’t we. ...more
The Good People is a well-researched work of historical fiction from the talented Hannah Kent. The story is transportive to both place and time, succeThe Good People is a well-researched work of historical fiction from the talented Hannah Kent. The story is transportive to both place and time, successfully activating all the senses. However, a bulk of plot was quite repetitive, causing it to drag and make me feel barely engaged. I pushed through because I know what Hannah Kent is capable of. If you are new to this author, start with Burial Rites. I just bought her most recent book: Devotion. I'm excited to see where I rank that one after reading. ...more
This story is as gloomy as an approaching thunderstorm. It's just as beautiful as one, too. Based on a true story from Icelandic history, debut authorThis story is as gloomy as an approaching thunderstorm. It's just as beautiful as one, too. Based on a true story from Icelandic history, debut author Hannah Kent gives humanity to a woman whose name has been associated with evil. A murderess, a witch, a whore... and worst of all, a woman of intelligence.
Hannah Kent's writing in this book is breathtaking. I savored every word and I stretched out the reading experience as long as I could while simultaneously enjoying that coveted feeling of not wanting to part with it. Burial Rites allows the reader to accompany a woman awaiting execution. It's heavy and sad, but there is so much amazing historical content about all aspects of how people lived and how the courts worked during the early 1800's in Iceland. There is also a study of relationship dynamics under duress, and the opening of hearts. Exquisite....more
Historical fiction is one of my least favorite genres but Kiran Millwood Hargrave's work consistently keeps me engaged and highly invested. The writinHistorical fiction is one of my least favorite genres but Kiran Millwood Hargrave's work consistently keeps me engaged and highly invested. The writing is beautiful with much emotion threaded throughout as well. I suggest to read her author's note first as to appreciate the true history her work is based on, as well as how personally meaningful the story is to the author. ...more
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