This is a very intriguing and creepy mystery/thriller with a sprinkling of chilling horror, and I loved the audiobo4.5 stars - Mystery/Thriller/Horror
This is a very intriguing and creepy mystery/thriller with a sprinkling of chilling horror, and I loved the audiobook narration from Richard Armitage. This book also has an alternative, original title, The Taking of Annie Thorne, and I think that title and cover are more fitting....more
I mainly read the Shadow and Bone trilogy before this to have a better understanding of the world-building, and I'm gla4.5 stars - Young Adult Fantasy
I mainly read the Shadow and Bone trilogy before this to have a better understanding of the world-building, and I'm glad I did because I think it helped my enjoyment of this book. I thought the Shadow and Bone trilogy was interesting, but it felt too YA for me in some ways. I also didn't like the characters.
That isn't the case at all with Six of Crows. The story is a multifaceted, dark, intriguing, action-packed fantasy with villains, brutal violence, some road-trip buddy moments, a prison break, a heist, and subtle romance. Even though the ages of the main characters make it fall into the YA category, they don't act like typical YA characters and seem much older. They're all complex, brave, strong, and broken or tortured in some way. I loved them all, especially Kaz and Inej. (view spoiler)[And I'm really hoping for a happy ending for them all in the second book. (hide spoiler)]...more
Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors, and she deserves praise for writing about the uns4.5+ stars - Vietnam Historical Fiction/Women's Fiction
Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors, and she deserves praise for writing about the unsung heroines of the Vietnam war. Yes, there were female Vietnam veterans. During the Vietnam War, more than 265,000 American women served the military and 11,000 women served in Vietnam, with 90% working as nurses. Some women also worked in administrative roles, military intelligence, and air traffic control. These women veterans were ignored, marginalized, dismissed, and denigrated, and many of them suffered PTSD, addiction, and suicidal thoughts without receiving assistance from the VA.
The Women is an emotional and powerful read, and I really enjoyed the story. It's nearly a 5-star read, but part of it felt a bit melodramatic. I admired Frankie, but she also frustrated me toward the latter part of the book. I loved her best friends, Ethel and Barb. Honestly, I found Barb's character even more intriguing than Frankie, and I would love a book about her.
The main reason I didn't rate it full 5-stars is that everything wrapped up at the end much too quickly. (view spoiler)[I was glad for the peace that Frankie found on the Montana ranch and in helping other nurses and women veterans, but I wanted a lot more page time spent on that journey of recovery and healing. And I really wanted Frankie's dad to put a picture of her on their family's wall of heroes! (hide spoiler)]
I listened to the audiobook, and Julia Whelan does a great job with the narration. I highly recommend this! 4.5+ stars! ...more
This was unlike any other WWII fiction that I've read. I've read other books about the siege of Leningrad, 4.5 stars - WWII/Russian/Historical Fiction
This was unlike any other WWII fiction that I've read. I've read other books about the siege of Leningrad, but the author managed to convey the horrors of the war, the harsh winter, and brutal starvation in a compelling, insightful, and unique way.
Benioff takes us on a journey through the cruel landscape of war with Lev and Kolya, and their developing friendship, brotherly humor and banter, and fight for survival is an unforgettable experience. This book made me laugh and cry, and the ending was sad and happy at the same time.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by actor Ron Perlman, and it's so well done. I think City of Thieves would make an excellent movie....more
This latest St. Cyr installment is another compelling, complex mystery, and having Sebastian struggle physically with a 4.5 stars - Historical Mystery
This latest St. Cyr installment is another compelling, complex mystery, and having Sebastian struggle physically with a healing injury while tracking down the murderer added an interesting component to the story. I was hoping for more page time for Paul Gibson and Alexi, and I also felt that the ending was somewhat abrupt.
After 18 books, I'm really anxious for revelations to some of the lingering questions that have gone unanswered for too long. (view spoiler)[Who is Sebastian's father? Was Jamie Knox his half-brother? Did Jarvis and Victoria kill Hero's mother? (hide spoiler)]
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Jenny Sterlin, does a pretty good job. But I really miss Davina Porter's phenomenal narration of the series....more
I've read several books by this author recently, and I've been impressed with all of them. The Burning Girls is a v4.5 stars - Mystery/Thriller/Horror
I've read several books by this author recently, and I've been impressed with all of them. The Burning Girls is a very multi-layered, gripping, eerie, complex, provocative, and creepy mystery/thriller with elements of chilling suspense and supernatural folk horror. Tudor has credited Stephen King for being a huge influence on her work, and you can definitely tell. Stephen King has also recommended her books to his readers.
This book reads like a British TV series or movie, especially with the fantastic audiobook narration from Gemma Whelan and Richard Armitage. It was made into a TV series in 2023 with actress Samantha Morton, and I'm definitely going to watch it....more
I really enjoyed this thrilling archaeological adventure mystery romance! It’s sort of4.5 stars - Historical Mystery/Action Adventure/Thriller/Romance
I really enjoyed this thrilling archaeological adventure mystery romance! It’s sort of a mix of Indiana Jones, Jungle Cruise, The Mummy, and Lara Croft, but it’s more authentic and not at all silly or cheesy. The Mayan and Aztec cultural references, mythologies, and mysteries were intriguing.
Ellie is a bold, brave, clever, and determined heroine, and I liked her, even though she was stubborn and frustrating at times. (view spoiler)[I didn’t like that she lied to Adam, or that she kept lying to him for so long putting their mission and lives in danger. But she had her reasons, and she was very remorseful and tried to make it right. (hide spoiler)] Adam is a swoon-worthy, perfect hero. He’s sexy, strong, smart, resourceful, skilled, brave, modest, and gallant.
My only issue with the book is that the ending is abrupt, and I really wanted an epilogue. I’m hoping she writes more adventures for Ellie and Adam and maybe for some of Adam’s friends from his archaeology club.
I’m so glad I’ve discovered author Jacquelyn Benson. The Charismatics series (The Fire in the Glass and The Shadow of Water) are two of my favorite reads this year. And this is another really great read! I’m looking forward to more books from this talented author....more
I've been waiting for Illium's book since what feels like forever. I also wanted Aodhan's story. So I s4.5 stars - Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/MM Romance
I've been waiting for Illium's book since what feels like forever. I also wanted Aodhan's story. So I should've loved this book, right? I really liked it, but I was also a tad disappointed, especially after waiting for so long.
Illium's/Bluebell's and Aodhan's/Sparkles's transition from lifelong, immortal friendship with deep, abiding mutual love and respect to something more physical and romantic in nature was emotional, touching, and very slow-burn. I just wanted more romance and a lot more of them actually together in their newly evolved and developed relationship.
The ending was a bit abrupt, and I would have loved an epilogue. I can only hope that Ms. Singh satisfies my craving for more of them together by featuring Illium and Aodhan prominently in future books....more
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