5/18/2021 0 Comments Madam by Phoebe Wynne
Madam by Phoebe Wynne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars If you want me to read a book, put a boarding school filled with girls in a creepy building and you have my instant attention. Cue the “mean girls”, the comrade who drinks too much and has a loose tongue yet never says enough, the handsome counterpart, and the automatous office secretaries, and you’ve got me, hook, line, and sinker. The elusiveness and intrigue in the beginning of this story borders on irritating as the pace that reveals the reason for the mysteries can be a bit slow but it makes the reveals and conclusion all the more worthy for the wait. Also, prepare to have your interest piqued in the Greek tragedies, as this story is often told through the teaching of and interpretation of these timeless works. It is this unique writing approach that makes up for the sometimes unconventional transitions and back-and-forth timeline that can give a reader a bit of whiplash. However, nothing can top the dramatic conclusion, leaving with a hint of possibility for a sequel, or maybe the author is just a tease. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews
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5/10/2021 0 Comments The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Logophiles will delight in the eloquent structure and vocabulary of this innovative thriller. As someone who enjoys writing and crafting sentences, reading this was an absolute treat, not only because it deals intimately with the writing process and the inner workings of publishing and authors, but every phrase is a lesson in terminology and verbiage aesthetics. Not to mention, you’re reading two different books at the same time, bouncing between the main story, and the story that is the reason for all the drama that makes up this book. Aside from this structural deviation, all the traditional anticipated twists and turns are present. There are times when it’s difficult to wrap your head around some of the wilder concepts of the main character’s amateur sleuthing, or the crazy cast developments, but it still makes for a compelling and worthy weekend read. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 5/10/2021 0 Comments Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars For a sci-fi novel, this book has something for everyone; it’s heartfelt, it’s funny, it’s definitely science-y with plenty of fiction, but overall, it’s a well-rounded, enjoyable read. Weir’s dry wit and humor that was prevalent in The Martian is back in full force. From the very beginning, I was laughing out loud and rereading passages to my husband because he wanted to know what was so funny. There isn’t much I can say in a review for fear of spoiling any of the surprises, but I’m anxious and excited for the movie version, since it’s already been optioned, because as much as I would love to see how they recreate some of my favorite scenes, part of me knows that they’ll undoubtedly fail to capture it in just the right way to satisfy my imagination. While the science talk can become a bit technical and would cause me to space out (pun intended) at times, most of it is written in a way that us laypeople can understand complex concepts and still remain interested and engaged. The structure of the novel, with well-placed flashbacks answering many of the questions that come up during the present timeline, keeps the story fresh and moves it along at a fair pace. Everything about this story was fantastic and I cannot recommend it enough. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 4/20/2021 0 Comments Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Cronin’s The Passage meets M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village in this twisty, heart wrenching monster tale that often left me confused to which time period this book was set. It starts with the main character, Vern, on the run, making it sound like she is an escaped slave fleeing from her master and his hounds, add then the brutal solo birth of her twin babies, and this definitely has to be 19th century. Then there are the civil rights references and the cult-like, commune environment of the Blessed Acres, reminiscent of the 1960s and ‘70s, and you start to form another picture in your head, but it’s still hard to reconcile these happenings with the present day. However, even further in the story you realize that this is, in fact, playing out in the 21st century and begins to sink in, the depth and magnitude of the story. An extreme range of emotions can be felt when turning the pages, from anxiety when Vern leaves the twins, to anger at the treatment Vern receives at the hands of her family back on the compound. The excitement experienced during some of the steamier moments played out are undeniable, and then quickly expunged with the images of pain used to describe Vern’s mysterious and gruesome transformation. Prepare for your imagination to run amok as it conjures images of a Kafka-esque metamorphosis that doesn’t even scratch the surface of the horrors unveiled. There is so much to unpack with this novel and I think it would take multiple readings to catch everything. While there are some spots that drag a bit and it’s a bit more risqué than I tend to read, the overall storytelling and imagery make this a worthwhile read. I received an advanced copy of this book from its publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 4/14/2021 0 Comments The Dark Hour by K.J. Young
The Dark Hour by K.J. Young
The entire mood of this book is as if you picked up a yellowing copy of a campy pulp fiction novel, the entire story played out in sepia tones. You can smell the musty pages as you turn each one rapidly, your heart pounding as you read each line of predictable but thrilling text. It’s a ghoulish and disturbing narrative set in the 1970s, a life of archaic isolation, before everyone was connected via cellphones and computers. It all lends to the creepiness and validity of the events that unfold, including a glaring abject lesson that further highlights the downfall of the “Me Decade”. With creepy cultish imagery and the built-in macabre of the ailing and aging characters, this is good old-fashioned horror at its finest. I received an advanced copy of this book from its publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 4/1/2021 0 Comments Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge
Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge
My rating: 3 of 5 stars What started out as an interesting historical fiction account of a black woman doctor as told by her daughter, ended up becoming a long, drawn-out, rebellious identity crisis that comes to a blunt and unsatisfying conclusion. The storytelling was there, but the plot tended to wander without ambition and no apparent objection. All the components needed to create a compelling narrative were there: fascinating characters, a time period ripe with potential, and an entire “lifetime” to play out on the page. Numerous experiences were glossed over that, if expounded upon, could have enriched the storyline, instead drawing out the more dull moments and adding miscellany that could have been omitted. The synopsis held so much promise but did not deliver. Algonquin Books gifted me an advanced copy of this book. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 3/24/2021 0 Comments The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars What starts out feeling like a campy mockumentary quickly turns into a horrifying nightmare that will haunt you long after you finish this book. The story development is an insane tease, the back and forth of narratives and timelines creates an intense but delightful suspense. I could read hundreds of books like this and still want to read more. The combination of mysterious disappearances, crazy religion, murder, and abandoned buildings is my favorite bookish recipe. While the characters were a bit melodramatic for my taste, it played well into the “mockumentary” vibe and was believable considering their age. As well as with many stories I read, I wanted so much more backstory, there was enough to keep me interested and entertained, but I still was left with questions. Everything about this story was meticulous and well-crafted and deserves high praise. Minotaur Books and NetGalley gifted me an advanced copy of this book. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars MIND BLOWN! Hands down, best book I’ve read in 2021. Every emotion is touched in this beautiful piece of literature and I felt all of them in an immense way. The fact that this is Boulley’s debut is unbelievable. It’s an incredible story that expertly blends the real world (circa 2004) with Ojibwe traditions and culture. Every single character in this book is important and necessary, their humanity is tangible. Daunis is young and strong, confident and forward, a refreshing face in an overwhelming sea of whiny, doormat female protagonists. She’s stubborn but not foolish, she’s intelligent but still manages to be age appropriate. Every interaction she has is natural and the dialogue is seamless. Even my romance averse reading preference appreciated the tender moments that happen between Daunis and Jamie and I couldn’t help but hope for their relationship to turn into something more. Boulley doesn’t hold back, her writing style is eloquent but raw, tasteful but real. There were several moments where I swear my heart stopped, my breath wouldn’t come, and I had to fight back tears. Even though I had an advanced e-galley, I had to go out and buy a hard copy, I had to feel the power of it in my hands, experience it with every sense. I would recommend this book to anyone from young adult to elder, there is something to be learned and enjoyed for everyone. I will be singing its praises for a long time coming. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 3/14/2021 0 Comments The Puritan by Birgitte Margen
THE PVRITAN by Birgitte Märgen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars This scary slow-burn has words that leap off the page and images that will haunt you. Nothing is creepier than a string of murders that seem completely unrelated except for one tiny, religious, detail. Detectives Marti and Neil hunt down a killer, leaving no stone unturned, investigating Salvadoran gang members, high schoolers, and satanic cults. Torn back and forth between Boston’s Puritanical past and the dark reality of the present, a delicious tension builds, a psychological and spiritual nightmare. Following the clues, the detectives wade through psychic tips and false confessions. Tramping through graveyards leads to gruesome discoveries and dead ends. Close calls and near misses keep you on the edge of your seat while wicked suspense will drive you through until the bittersweet conclusion. NetGalley and the author granted me access to an advanced copy of this title. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews
Silence Is a Sense by Layla AlAmmar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars An introspective and informative piece that will affect you in ways that you didn’t think were possible while reading a book. I find that I learn about what’s going on around the world best when I read it in the pages of a novel. Even if it’s fiction, I can still get a personal sense of what’s going on, and then I’m inspired to read more into the truth and history. This is the type of book that makes me want to delve more into what was happening on the ground, not from my vantage point of viewing media coverage. What first drew me in was the immediate observations and people watching done by the main character of her surrounding neighbors. This type of voyeurism is always fascinating and thrilling even if it’s borderline creepy or invasive, but her careful and constant monitoring of the other tenants in and around her building are often the catalysts in this story. Different characters from around the world are all residing in these apartment buildings and it is intriguing to watch their different lives play out. However, watching the main character grow and develop, sort through trauma and pain, adapt and overcome, is the main attraction. Stretching herself slowly and steadily testing the boundaries of what she finds safe and comfortable is what drives this story forward to its almost conclusion, because it never really ends, even when the last page is turned. Instead, you are offered a glimpse of hope into a future where she continues to heal and cope and live despite her past struggles, whilst never forgetting her true roots and heritage. Reading this was an absolute privilege and I am thankful to Algonquin for granting me an advanced copy. View all my reviews |
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