1.5 out of 5 stars A very cool idea goes absolutely nowhere until it goes right off a cliff. Goodreads.com: Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: an Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution, by R.F. Kuang Please explain to me why people are raving about this book! (4.5 stars based on 11.5k reviews on … Continue reading Review: Babel
Tag: historical fiction
Review: Circe
4 out of 5 stars Haunting and beautifully bleak, Circe shows us that female empowerment isn't just for humans. Goodreads.com: Circe, by Madeline Miller The Gods of Ancient Greece are not good. They are cruel and cold. Immortality is a gift and also a curse - how can anything have value if nothing can ever … Continue reading Review: Circe
Review: The Essex Serpent
2.5 out of 5 stars Not even picturing Tom Hiddleston as the male lead could save this story. Goodreads.com: The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry Upon learning that Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston were making an AppleTV+ adaption of The Essex Serpent, I convinced my book club friends to make it our next choice. Then … Continue reading Review: The Essex Serpent
Review: Serpent and Dove Trilogy
3.5 out of 5 stars Spunky and charming old-fashioned witchcraft (en francais!) in need of better pacing. Goodreads.com: Serpent & Dove (4/5 stars); Blood & Honey (3.5/5 stars); Gods & Monsters (3/5 stars), by Shelby Mahurin Serpent and Dove is a solid supernatural tale. Louise Le Blanc is the heiress to the greatest magical power … Continue reading Review: Serpent and Dove Trilogy
Review: The Girl the Sea Gave Back
3 out of 5 stars A solid spinoff, but fails to capture the stark grit of its predecessor. Goodreads.com: The Girl the Sea Gave Back, by Adrienne Young (Sky in the Deep #2) In the first pages on The Girl the Sea Gave Back, Tova dies. A child of the Viking-esque Kyrr clan, her body … Continue reading Review: The Girl the Sea Gave Back
Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
5 out of 5 stars As Travars. To travel. To be transported, once again, by the genius of V. E. Schwab. Goodreads.com: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V. E. Schwab I could give this book seven stars, one for each of the iconic freckles spread across Addie LaRue's face. What an achievement this … Continue reading Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
DNF or Keep Reading? Chain of Gold
This book is very dull. Change my mind. Goodreads.com: Chain of Gold, by Cassandra Clare (The Last Hours #1) To DNF, or not to DNF, that is the question facing another 18 hours of audibook as I struggle to get into Cassie Clare's newest Shawdowhunters trilogy. I love The Mortal Instruments. I was surprised at … Continue reading DNF or Keep Reading? Chain of Gold
Review: Where the Crawdads Sing
4 out of 5 stars I have thoughts upon thoughts about this slow, southern drawl of a book. Goodreads.com: Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens Kya, known in her 1950's - 1970's backwater North Carolina town as Marsh Girl, lives in an actual shack in the swamp outside town. One day, her mom leaves. … Continue reading Review: Where the Crawdads Sing
Review: Sky in the Deep
4.25 out of 5 stars Quick, straightforward and violently beautiful, Sky in the Deep is as harsh as it is lovely. Goodreads.com: Sky in the Deep, by Adrienne Young (Sky in the Deep #1) Young Eelyn is a warrior of the Viking-esque Aska clan. Every five years, her people fight a brutal season against their … Continue reading Review: Sky in the Deep
Review: Poisoned Blade
3.75 out of 5 stars A extremely solid sequel, Poisoned Blade, finds our blunt and capable heroine Jes even more deeply ensared in politics, love, and family. Goodreads.com: Poisoned Blade, by Kate Elliott (Court of Fives #2) Jes has one thing going for her: the Fives, an ancient Greek-ish version of American Ninja Warrior. She's … Continue reading Review: Poisoned Blade