This sweeping historical novel set against the backdrop of the building of the monumental Panama Canal was such a great read!
I loved how many charactThis sweeping historical novel set against the backdrop of the building of the monumental Panama Canal was such a great read!
I loved how many characters there were- and how we got to hear their very different points of view. I enjoyed seeing how all their different backgrounds nationality, gender, class, race and age informed their lives and fates.
There were so many heart-rending scenes but Henriquez wrote them all with a deep empathy and respect for the characters and the larger story.
This is historical fiction at it's best- using the backdrop of real life events to remind people of the humanity (and many times inhumanity) of those who lived it.
The breadth and depth of the storylines would makes this a perfect pick for a bookclub.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper for providing me with a complimenatry advanced copy in return for an honest review. ...more
When a young woman is found frozen to death on the doorstep of a local business, the shop owner hires Bao, an amateur detective, to find out what happWhen a young woman is found frozen to death on the doorstep of a local business, the shop owner hires Bao, an amateur detective, to find out what happened in order to avoid the bad luck his business has suffered since.
Bao, retired from his day job, and in his 60s has a supernatural knack for knowing truth from lies, methodically follows the trail, slowly but doggedly unraveling the mystery which only leads to more mysteries.
Meanwhile, Snow, a fox spirit disguised as a human, is hunting down the man who caused the death of her baby/cub. In danger of being exposed as a fox and possibly being killed herself in the process, she nonetheless goes on a parallel journey as Bao- but hers is for revenge sake rather than professional curiosity.
As their paths converge, they discover the interconnections and truths underlying their shared mysteries, confront their respective pasts, and encounter new possibilities.
Set in Northern China in 1908 this novel is full of mythological folklore, magical elements, intricately plotted storylines and tenderly drawn characters. This atmospheric tale is a heartbreaking and life-affirming amalgam of fantasy, historical fiction and mystery that will appeal to a wide range of readers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review....more
13 year old Nestor and Nena’s burgeoning love for eachother is an impossible one. She the privileged daughter of the powerful ranchowner, he a lowly v13 year old Nestor and Nena’s burgeoning love for eachother is an impossible one. She the privileged daughter of the powerful ranchowner, he a lowly vaquero- not more than a peasant tied to the land. But against all odds, they share a dream of marrying one day.
That is until one night, a strange and terrifying beast attacks Nena. Nestor does all he can to save her but upon seeing her lifeless body, he panics and flees, convinced he will be blamed for her death.
Almost 10 years pass before Nestor is called back to the rancho to help fight against White Texas invaders trying to take Mexican land by force. There he sees Nena- miraculously alive. But she’s not ready to forgive him for abandoning her all those years ago.
Now they are thrown together in desperation, fighting for their lives and their land against the settlers' escalating incursions and the supernatural creatures who are also increasing their attacks.
Set in Northern Mexico during the pre-Mexican-American War period, this vibrant novel combines historical fiction, action, horror, and romance to create a thrillingly unforgettable story.
For fans of Silvia Moreno Garcia.
Thank you to Penguin, Berkley and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Penner did an excellent job of telling dual stories- both set in London but at different times. In the 1791 story we meet Nella, an apothecary who makPenner did an excellent job of telling dual stories- both set in London but at different times. In the 1791 story we meet Nella, an apothecary who makes poisons for cheating and abusive men, and her would be 12 year old apprentice Eliza. In present day, we meet Caroline, a woman who's in London on a vacation that she was supposed be sharing with her husband- in celebration of their 10 year anniversary. On having found out that he was having an affair, she takes the trip by herself.
The two stories link up pretty quickly when Caroline finds an old vial, and with the help of a local librarian, starts to unravel it's mystery. That same vial is dispensed with poison by Nella in 1791, in an interaction that goes awry, creating far-flung consequences that reach into the present.
I liked how the novel was explicitly feminist with Nella making a point of writing her customers' names in her register, with the knowledge that it may be the only place where these women's names are recorded and remembered. To the best of her ability, she also makes sure that her craft can’t be used against other women.
This was a satisfying read and will appeal to fans of historical fiction, mystery, women's fiction and books set in London.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of this book from Net Galley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
Did you know that Hedy Lamarr, legend of the Silver Screen was also an inventor? And that the technology she helped invent is still used today in Wi-FDid you know that Hedy Lamarr, legend of the Silver Screen was also an inventor? And that the technology she helped invent is still used today in Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth? In this well-researched historical fiction novel, we get up close and personal with Hedy Lamarr, born Hedwig Kiesler, a Jewish woman in an Austria that was falling slowly and surely into a fascist, antisemitic state. While still a teenager, she enters into a marriage to a powerful and abusive arms dealer in order to protect her family from the political turmoil. Her subsequent escape from her abusive marriage and ultimately into the United States is astounding, as is her ascent to Hollywood stardom. Even as a successful movie actress, she struggles against rampant sexism, Antisemitism and survivor guilt, all of which as a largely self-taught scientist, she works to remedy by working on communications technologies with the aim of fighting against the Third Reich. Benedict has a track record for writing women back into the narrative, and she does an outstanding job with this astonishing and true story of a brilliant, resilient and compassionate woman that was unrecognized in her time....more
Loading...
