Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Contemporary Romance + Young Adult + LGBTQ
This is a queer young adult romance. The plot revolves around two princes from different cRating: ⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Contemporary Romance + Young Adult + LGBTQ
This is a queer young adult romance. The plot revolves around two princes from different countries who are neighbors. It was inspired by "The Princess Diaries." One of them is Jamie Johnson, who, up until the time he turned seventeen, was completely unaware that he was supposed to be a prince. The second one is Erik Von Rosenborg, the prince of a European Kingdom.
Erik is asked to tutor Jamie on everything about being a prince. How to speak, how to conduct oneself, and all of the associated royal etiquette. During the course of all of that, the two young princes develop feelings for one another, which ultimately leads to the beginning of a romantic relationship between them.
The narrative is told in the first person, but it is told from the points of view of the two main characters. Even though the story is endearing and the book itself is adorable, it lacks any kind of depth. This is the kind of story that is ideal for going through when you are looking for something simple to read that does not contain a lot of tension. You are going to have a good time with it, but I do not think you will remember it for a very long time.
My primary criticism of the writing in this piece is directed toward the voices of the two main characters. They are very similar, and it is hard to distinguish them from each other. Even though the events of the story allow you to differentiate between the two voices, the point I am trying to make is that both voices share the same characteristics. I feel these primary characters needed to be more unique.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book....more
I’m not going to say much about the book’s synopsis because it consists of three stories in thrRating: ⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Mystery Thriller + Historical Fiction
I’m not going to say much about the book’s synopsis because it consists of three stories in three timelines that eventually intertwine. This book revolves heavily around the mystery of the Willoughby family, so it is better that you explore the whole thing yourself.
I was interested in reading it because the premise seemed like it would be about something that would be really interesting. It is possible that I am one of the few people who did not believe that the execution did justice to the intriguing case that was presented. Having to deal with three timelines was simply too much for me. Add to it multiple points of view narrated in first person style. Furthermore, even the present time period is constantly shifting between "before Harry's death" and "certain hours after Harry's death" and so on in a manner that is completely non-linear in terms of time. All these back-and-forth shifts didn’t work for me.
From my point of view, this had the potential to be a five-star book, and I sincerely believe that it would have been a very beautiful historical fiction story. The authors, unfortunately, made the decision to stick more with the mystery thriller genre side, giving it the cliche structure of today's mystery thrillers by alternating between different timeframes unnecessarily because they wanted to build a mystery. I wouldn’t go on to say this was a bad book because it isn't, but it was the wrong book for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
Abbott is a Lyft driver who encounters a woman sitting on a large black box. She offers him $200,000 in cash to traRating: ⭐⭐ ½ Genre: Mystery Thriller
Abbott is a Lyft driver who encounters a woman sitting on a large black box. She offers him $200,000 in cash to transport her and the box to Washington, DC. However, she imposes strict rules: no questions and no peeking inside the box. As they embark on their journey, rumors about the box and its purpose begin to spread across social media.
The narrative is told in the third person, with multiple characters providing their points of view throughout the story, which takes place over five days. The idea behind the story is absolutely incredible, and it brings to mind the film "The Bag Man" by John Cusack, which I found to be a fascinating and entertaining film. In the same way, the main character is unable to look at the bag, obtain any information about it, or ask any questions about it.
Unfortunately, unlike many other readers who enjoyed this book, I did not find it enjoyable. Firstly, the book seemed too long. I'm not sure if the pacing was off or if the book was simply too lengthy. Additionally, I don't think the story needed multiple points of view. It would have been more satisfying for me if the story had focused solely on the box's location and if the two main characters discussed their pasts or something. I didn't find the viewpoints of Abbott's father or the other characters necessary.
As a reader, I found it difficult to connect with the characters in the story, which was a significant factor. The main character, Abbott, is not likable, and I struggled to understand or sympathize with him. I also found it hard to relate to the other characters. It's unfortunate because I feel that the story had a lot of potential.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
I have heard many compliments about Jodi Picoult, and despite having a few of her books in my collection, I neveRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Historical Fiction
I have heard many compliments about Jodi Picoult, and despite having a few of her books in my collection, I never had the chance to pick one for one reason or another. When I got the opportunity to grab her new historical fiction, I didn’t hesitate. It was about time.
By Any Other Name tells the story of two talented women in different eras. The similarity between the two is that they both need to hide their names behind someone else’s in order for their work to be recognized.
The story is set in two different timelines. Melina Green is in the present, while Emilia Bassano was in Elizabethan England in the past. The fascinating thing is that Melina is a descendant of Emilia. While I’m not a fan of dual timelines, I didn’t mind it in this book because the author kept the events and characters very distinct and because the POVs were in the third person style, which made things very clear and more interesting.
The author has certainly done a lot of research to write this book, which I admire. The story and message she is telling are both very empowering. Although the book will initially place a greater emphasis on women's empowerment, I see it more as the story of people who are determined to pursue their passions and defy society's norms.
After reading this book, you can't help but question William Shakespeare's work, whether the man was really the original author or if he just put his name on Emilia’s work. History is always fascinating and questionable.
The author's writing was fantastic in both timelines. Nevertheless, I believe that Emilia's story would have been more effective if it had been the entirety of the book. This is not to say that Melina's story was any less interesting; however, the inclusion of two timelines made the book longer and the pace of the story slower at times.
Overall, I really liked this book and the historical information it provided. I’m definitely going to read the author’s other books because this one worked for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
Boy Parts is a fictional novel written by Eliza Clark. The book revolves around the life of Irina, a young woman whRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Literary Fiction
Boy Parts is a fictional novel written by Eliza Clark. The book revolves around the life of Irina, a young woman who is struggling to find her place in the world. After dropping out of college, Irina moves to Newcastle, where she starts working as a photographer. She also takes part in an online art project, through which she meets a wealthy and peculiar man.
This man becomes Irina's patron and starts paying her to take provocative photographs of men that can sometimes be described as disturbing. She becomes obsessed with capturing their vulnerability and agony in her photographs. All this will open for Irina the door to a world of sex, drugs, and depravity that she never imagined existed. Soon she begins to wonder if her art is taking her too far and if she is really ready to deal with the consequences of her actions.
Irina, a lady who is both intriguing and strong, was unaware of the extent to which she had influence over the male subjects of her photographs until much later. Eddie was yet another fascinating and fragile character that appeared in this story. On the other hand, I liked the mother the most. Simply put, I enjoyed reading the scenes in which she interacted with her daughter very much and would have liked to see more of those scenes in this book.
Boy Parts is an exciting and thought-provoking book that examines issues of power, sex, and art. Readers will be left wondering about their own boundaries and ambitions since it paints a rough and unvarnished portrayal of modern life. The book has many trigger warnings, so be sure to be aware of them before picking it up.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
This is the author’s debut novel and tells the story of the Weil family members after the tragic death of sixteen-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½ Genre: Literary Fiction
This is the author’s debut novel and tells the story of the Weil family members after the tragic death of sixteen-year-old Alice. The book starts with Alice’s brother Benji and her best friend Morgan getting married.
The present time is about twelve years after the death of Alice, and the book occasionally goes into the past period to show how this tragic death has affected all the members of the family. Nick, Benji’s father, has been fired from his job, and he doesn’t want his second and younger wife, Cara, who used to be his secretary and mistress, to find out. On the other hand, his first wife, Linnie, has a new boyfriend with a disturbing past.
Each and every person there is confronted with a multitude of challenges. I believe that the author did an excellent job of developing the characters by revealing both their previous selves and their current personalities. The characters had a genuine and believable feel to them. This debut novel reinforces the idea that nobody is perfect and that people should stick together in harsh and difficult times.
There were times when the pace was a little slow, but I believe that is to be expected for a story of this nature. The story is told from the perspective of a third person, which is a good choice because the viewpoint continues to shift from one character to another throughout the narrative. The author's decision to stick to this style rather than using first-person narration is something I sincerely appreciate. This ended up being a nice and fascinating read. All in all, a good debut novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
This is a novel that incorporates elements of horror, gothic, and queer literature into its narrative. Roos Beckman Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½ Genre: Horror + LGBTQ
This is a novel that incorporates elements of horror, gothic, and queer literature into its narrative. Roos Beckman is the main character in this tale, and she is in possession of a unique ability from the beginning. While her age in the story is not explicitly mentioned, she is mature enough and knows what she is doing. Her mother makes good use of this ability by forcing Roos to attend all the gatherings where people want to make contact with the deceased. Roos acts as the medium at these gatherings.
A number of significant characters, such as Ruth, who is a spirit that has been around for centuries and travels with the main character, are responsible for altering the course of the story and moving the plot forward. Agnes, a wealthy young widow, develops feelings for Roos and eventually asks her to move in with her in her manor.
The novel has such an eerie atmosphere, be it the setting or the séances. They all contributed to making it such a haunting story. I think the book is well-written, and the author has the ability to make the situations very intriguing.
I enjoyed reading it and recommend it to fans of the horror genre, especially the supernatural one. I just wish the characters were more developed. Although the main character is multifaceted, I really wish the book invested more in making the reader understand more about Roos by telling us her background story. I wouldn’t say I was a big fan of the queer love story here, but I think it was effective overall. Just be sure to check the trigger warnings before you decide to read the book since it has many disturbing themes.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
Noemi Broussard’s life is turned upside down when her boyfriend commits suicide. She is not convinced that her boyfriend willRating: ⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Horror
Noemi Broussard’s life is turned upside down when her boyfriend commits suicide. She is not convinced that her boyfriend will kill himself like that, but she suspects that there is more to his death than what appears to be. She starts to believe that his suicide has to do with something related to their tribal lands. Along with her uncle Louie, the two become determined to find out the truth.
The story is narrated from two perspectives: Noemi’s perspective represents the present, and Louie’s perspective is related to the past when Noemi was a child. Although the story’s goal is to know what happened in the present, it delves more into the past, so Louie’s chapters are longer than Noemi’s.
I am entirely new to this author's work; I have never read anything else by them before. I think his writing style is interesting. Although it is a well-written book, a few things bring it down to a lower level. The pacing is off, to begin with. It is not entirely clear to me whether or not this can be classified as a slow-burn story because there are times when things move more quickly, and there are other times when events appear to be more still. What I believe to be the primary reason for this is that the novel contains multiple timelines that are not linear, resulting in the pacing and the plot being somewhat more complicated.
Another aspect of this story that I did not enjoy was the manner in which a large number of characters were suddenly introduced to the reader. It became overwhelming and confusing to follow. I believe the author did an excellent job with the two main characters because they were multifaceted and possessed distinct layers of personality. This is an interesting novel, but I’d expected more from it being a horror story.
The narrative explores some potentially upsetting topics, including suicide, violence, and trauma; therefore, if you are sensitive to these topics, you should proceed with caution.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
Society of Lies is a debut mystery thriller about two sisters, Maya and Naomi. After ten years, Maya is finally goinRating: ⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Mystery Thriller
Society of Lies is a debut mystery thriller about two sisters, Maya and Naomi. After ten years, Maya is finally going to take part in her college reunion. One day, however, she gets a phone call informing her that her sister, who was about to graduate from college, has passed away. Although they have determined that it was an accident, Maya believes there is more to her sister's death than that.
After conducting her own investigation, Maya discovers that her sister joined the Sterling Club despite the fact that she had repeatedly cautioned her against doing so numerous times. Maya will then continue her search for additional secrets in order to discover what transpired with Naomi.
Using the first-person narration style, the story is told from the perspectives of the two sisters. There are three different timelines, one of which is the present day, told from Maya's point of view. As well as two in the past, from the points of view of both of the girls.
There is a lot of intrigue surrounding the concept of the book. It is always interesting to read about secret societies, and I believe the author did a good job of making this aspect of the mystery the primary focus of the whole thing. Both the writing and the organization of the book are excellent, especially considering that it is the author's first novel.
Society of Lies is a decent mystery thriller. Because I am not a fan of multiple points of view written in one's own voice, especially when both of the characters' own voices were not too distinct from one another, I am unable to say that I enjoyed everything the author did. Additionally, another thing that I do not like about this is that there are three different timelines that we are dealing with here. In this case, I suppose it is a "me" thing. Therefore, if you don't mind these things and like reading about secret societies, you should give it a try because you might like it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Fantasy + Romance + Historical Fiction
This historical fantasy is based on the legend of Xishi, who was considered to be one of the FRating: ⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Fantasy + Romance + Historical Fiction
This historical fantasy is based on the legend of Xishi, who was considered to be one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China. In her village, Xishi's beauty is considered a blessing because the ideal destiny for a girl is to have a good husband and provide for her family. With the help of the renowned young military advisor, Fanli, who notices her, she is given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to harness the power of her beauty. Her objective is to sabotage the enemy from the inside out by infiltrating their palace as a spy and wooing their ruthless king.
I don’t want to reveal more about the plot because it is left to you to see if her mission is successful or not. This is the first time I have read something by this author, and I can say that her writing is beautiful. Reading this book did not feel like a chore because I had problems with the story.
My first issue is that this book is classified as a fantasy—not only that, but the synopsis explicitly states that it is an epic historical fantasy. This is neither an epic fantasy nor a fantasy. It lacks all aspects of epic fantasy. There is no magic system and no glitter like those found in fantasy novels.
This was meant to be a romance. I mean, the romance was supposed to be the heart of the story, but even that did not work for me. I am not even sure when the two main characters fell in love. Was the romance off the page? I did not see enough chemistry between the two for them to fall in love. After finishing the book, I am not sure if they were in love or not. They rarely exchanged looks or words with one another.
For some reason, this version of the story did not convince me. The majority of the reviews were extremely positive, which gave me reason to have high hopes for it. My impression is that a great number of reviewers may have been moved by the tragic conclusion of the story, which is the reason for the high favorable ratings. In my opinion, this turned out to be an OK story, nothing more and nothing less.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book....more
Iris and Gabriel are a couple living a happy life until an unexpected guest arrives one day. Laure decides to moveRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Mystery Thriller
Iris and Gabriel are a couple living a happy life until an unexpected guest arrives one day. Laure decides to move in with the happy couple after discovering the infidelity of her husband, Pierre. The two couples have known each other for a long time, but things take a totally different turn when Laure decides to stay with Iris and Gabriel. Her behavior irritates Iris, who wants things to go back to just the way they were before she arrived at their doorstep.
The trope of an uninvited or unexpected guest who shows up in a mystery thriller is one of my favorites. I had the impression that this story would primarily focus on that trope. At the very least, it was the first fifty percent, but after that, it goes in a different direction in the second half. It is ironic that the part I expected to love due to this trope was the slowest, and that the story started to get more interesting and have a faster pace once that trope went away!
The second half of the book is where things really pick up and get wild. This is where the thriller aspect of the story really shines, and if you make it through the first half without giving up, you'll be rewarded with some intense action. I wouldn't say that the characters are particularly well-developed, but in a story like this, I think the plot is more important anyway. If you're a fan of the author's writing style, you'll probably enjoy this book because you know what to expect.
I remember reading B.A. Paris' debut book, Behind Closed Doors. I found it to be an enjoyable read. Although "The Guest" was entertaining too, it did, at times, venture into the realm of the implausible. I cannot say that I enjoyed it more than her first domestic thriller, but it provided a comparable level of entertainment value. As for my rating, I was vacillating between a 3.5 and a 4-star rating. However, I ultimately found the conclusion to be sufficiently redeeming, so a 4-star rating appears warranted.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
The Observable Universe is a melancholic and poignant memoir that explores the evolution of the AIDS virus and the interneRating: ⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Nonfiction
The Observable Universe is a melancholic and poignant memoir that explores the evolution of the AIDS virus and the internet in parallel timelines. In the early 1990s, the author suffered the loss of her parents to AIDS and became an orphan at the age of ten. Her grandmother in Los Angeles then took care of her.
The connection between HIV and the internet is interestingly made through the use of multiple mediums, like scientific studies, TV shows, Wikipedia, and other studies. Along with all this, the author put a lot of her own experiences into this to make it more personal.
I believe that the most appealing aspect of this book is the author's willingness to expose her unfiltered vulnerability, which allows readers to be drawn into her world. Her examination of how she deals with grief comes across as genuine and sympathetic. The use of parallel narratives is another one of the book’s strengths in this situation. It is something so unique that I have not read anything like that before.
However, where this memoir suffers is in its pacing. There are times when the story wanders off course and loses its concentration. There are some sections that could be improved by more stringent editing. In addition, it took me some time to start putting things together and getting used to the flow of the narrative in this instance. A few more narrowly focused topics would have been of great assistance. Regardless of the cons, this is still a fascinating memoir.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
In the book, the protagonists are three sisters who are brought back together for the occasion of one of theirRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Contemporary Fiction
In the book, the protagonists are three sisters who are brought back together for the occasion of one of their sisters' wedding, which takes place in an English castle. As a librarian and a widow, Sylvie, whose name is derived from Sylvia Plath, is about to tie the knot with Simon Rampling, a man who is extremely wealthy.
Even though her sister Cleo, who is named after Cleopatra, is a criminal defense attorney and has relationship issues, she will take on the responsibility of investigating Simon's history in order to ensure that her sister is making the right choice by marrying that man.
On the other hand, Emma's life is falling apart because she has made a number of decisions that are problematic from a financial standpoint, and she has been attempting to conceal the entire situation from her husband.
Add to the above mix a toxic mother who used to care about nothing but herself! Will she change this time, though? You need to read to find out.
The book is narrated from the POVs of the three sisters, and thankfully, all are in third-person narration style. I think the author has done a great job with the family dynamics. I enjoyed reading about the three sisters, their stories, and how they bonded. Themes of unity and forgiveness were really impactful here.
There were times when the story seemed predictable, but that did not detract from its endearing qualities or positive atmosphere. Some of the themes in this story include love, forgiveness, healing, and unity. It was an entertaining read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
Like Mother, Like Daughter is a mystery thriller that tests how strong the bond can be between a mother and her daugRating: ⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Mystery Thriller
Like Mother, Like Daughter is a mystery thriller that tests how strong the bond can be between a mother and her daughter. Besides that, it is also about family secrets and how they affect the lives of the two women.
Cleo is a college student. One day, when she is visiting her mother, she finds out that her mother, Katrina, is missing. Due to the condition of the house, she feels something bad must’ve happened to her mother, so she contacts the police. When the police start their investigation, Cleo realizes that her mother has been hiding lots of secrets.
I wanted to read something by Kimberly McCreight for a long time. I have the physical copy of Reconstructing Amelia and also have A Good Marriage on my wishlist, so when I had the opportunity to try this new mystery thriller by her, I didn’t hesitate.
The premise was really intriguing, and it sounded quite good to me. The author’s writing is good and easy to follow, too. However, what I didn’t enjoy was the way the story was structured. The story is told from the mother and daughter's POVs, which is acceptable. I didn’t like the first narration style that was used, especially in a nonlinear timeline. These factors depend on personal taste, so they might not be something that would bother you. If I knew that this was the structure of the book, I would’ve declined it. Publishers really need to mention how a book is structured and narrated.
Overall, this was an OK thriller. I don’t feel like it is something that I’m going to remember for a long time. If you do not mind the nonlinear timeframe, you should give it a shot because you might find that you enjoy it. If, like me, you find this to be bothersome, then you should look elsewhere.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
The story of this book is set in a small Alaskan town called Deadhart. A boy who went missing some time aRating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½ Genre: Mystery Thriller + Horror
The story of this book is set in a small Alaskan town called Deadhart. A boy who went missing some time ago has his body discovered with his throat ripped out and his blood wholly drained. Barbra Atkins, a detective, is sent to this town to cooperate with the town’s local authorities and investigate this murder case.
I will not go into further detail about the story because I believe that it is best left up to the reader to discover on their own. However, I will give you a few keywords to ignite your interest if the small synopsis still doesn’t sound appealing to you. You have a small town, a murder case, a cold, icy climate, and vampires!
I have read several C.J. Tudor books by now, and fortunately, they are all entertaining to a varying degree. The Gathering is not my favorite, but it is quite a fun story due to multiple factors. The first is the atmospheric setting, one constant strength I find in the author’s books, which makes me return to her stories.
Another element that I really like is the supernatural element of her stories. It is strongly present in this one, too. This blend of the horror and mystery thriller genres made this premise more interesting. The two aspects of the story that I wish were stronger are the pacing, which I think was slow in the first half. And the other thing is the ambiguous ending. Sometimes, I’m OK with such endings, but in this case, I really would’ve liked answers to some of the questions.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
This mystery thriller is set in the iconic family-owned hotel, The Precipice. As the owner's passing leaves a void,Rating: ⭐⭐ ½ Genre: Mystery Thriller
This mystery thriller is set in the iconic family-owned hotel, The Precipice. As the owner's passing leaves a void, his three daughters, the Bishop sisters, step into the spotlight to claim their inheritance. Little do they know, a storm of unexpected events is about to hit. A hurricane rages, revealing hidden truths! And amidst this chaos, a sinister murder mystery takes hold.
The story is narrated in the first person from the perspective of a maid named Charlie. The reader gets to feel Charlie’s insecurities and fear, especially now that there is a chance that she might lose her job after the owner's death.
The synopsis sounded amazing to me, but despite the author's great job with the setting and the overall atmosphere of the story, the tale itself felt somehow flat. Going back to the past period to understand the Bishop sisters didn’t help. It took me out of the tension that the author has built for the present.
Generally speaking, I enjoy reading about flawed characters as they represent us as humans. Unfortunately, I think the characters in this story still need a lot of work. The narrator is the eye with which we, as readers, look at the story and characters from her perspective. I couldn’t connect to her or sometimes understand her behavior. The other characters were not that interesting either.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Rant: When is NetGalley going to update the format of the ARCs they send to our Kindles? I need to use my Kindle Scribe to take notes, and sticky notes do not even work with the old format! I also wish the publisher would send us a decently formatted e-book. This ebook could have been more appropriately formatted. There were numbers inside the paragraphs, which really hurt the reading flow. I’m not sure who is responsible for the quality of the ebooks sent, NetGalley or the publishers; whoever is needed to do a better job....more
This is a story told in a dual timeline. The past is set in 1965 and follows Frances Adams and her two best friendRating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½ Genre: Mystery Thriller
This is a story told in a dual timeline. The past is set in 1965 and follows Frances Adams and her two best friends. One night, the three girls visit a fortune teller, who predicts that Frences will be murdered. This prediction will make Frances miserable and cause her to waste her life figuring out how to prevent that from happening instead of living normally.
The present timeline follows the character Annie Adams, who is Frances’ great-niece. She is invited to her great aunt's estate, along with other characters, to discuss Frances' will and the modifications that she made to it. Upon her arrival there, she will be shocked at what she will find there.
This is a cozy murder mystery with intriguing main characters. Both timelines are narrated in the first-person style. The premise of a woman trying to prevent her own death really sounded interesting to me. It is the main attraction of this mystery novel.
The twists are not going to shock you or anything like that, but they are suitable for the story. However, I think the dual timeframe disrupted the flow of the story. No matter what, you will find yourself invested in one story more than the other, which makes the one that you are not much invested in more like an annoyance.
The other thing you need to keep in mind is that there are many characters, and that requires you to be more focused. Certain characters are exclusive to a single time period, while others are present in both time periods. I think the author did a good job of creating different motives for the different characters. This was an entertaining read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
"Bye, Baby" by Carola Lovering is a gripping tale that delves into complex friendships and the secrets that bind theRating: ⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Mystery Thriller
"Bye, Baby" by Carola Lovering is a gripping tale that delves into complex friendships and the secrets that bind them. Billie and Cassie, at some points, are the best of friends. Things change when ambitious Cassie decides to enter a different world of fame and success and has a different circle of friends. Billie refuses to move on, and things will get really intense.
The narrative is told from the points of view of the two main characters, and there are also multiple time frames that alternate between the past and the present. The present days are all counted towards the day that Cassie’s baby is kidnapped. There is no need to worry because this is not a spoiler, as you will be aware from the very beginning of the prologue.
There is a saying that says, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer”. Somehow, this saying might be relevant to this story as we see how two close best friends fall apart and how things deteriorate between them. Overall, I found the book to be entertaining; however, there were times when I felt that the characters just had one dimension. Despite the fact that the author's writing style was excellent and made the book simple to read, the plot left me wanting much more, which is especially surprising given that it is a thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
"Wandering Stars" is a book that examines the complicated history and traumatic experiences ofRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Historical Fiction + Literary Fiction
"Wandering Stars" is a book that examines the complicated history and traumatic experiences of Native American families in the United States of America. It is a multi-generational work that spans centuries and is rich in content. The novel begins with the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864 and continues up to the present day, weaving together the stories of many different characters who struggle with the repercussions of colonialism, forced assimilation, and intergenerational trauma.
At the beginning of the book, there is a terrifying event called the Sand Creek Massacre. Star, a Cheyenne warrior, is present during this event and witnesses the brutal slaughter of his people. He escapes and is imprisoned at Fort Marion, where he encounters Richard Henry Pratt, an evangelical prison guard obsessed with "civilizing" Native American people.
From that point on, we follow all of the various characters and the difficulties, challenges, and obstacles that they encounter throughout the various eras. Until now, I was completely unaware that this was a part of a series. Since I have not read "There, There," I am unsure how my evaluation of this book would have been affected if I had read that book. This writing is so lyrical and has such a beautiful quality. No matter how much I praise the author’s prose, I don't think it would do him justice.
I could tell I was going to adore this book the moment I started it. The historical portions in the first half, though, are the most interesting and impactful, in my opinion. I simply would have preferred it if the story had narrowed its focus to that period and introduced fewer characters so that I could relate to them better. I think that would have made it a five-star book for me.
There is more to Wandering Stars than just a story about adversity. Additionally, it is a demonstration of the unwavering fortitude, resiliency, and love that serve as the glue that holds the Bear Shield-Red Feather family together. The author begins this book by delving deeply into the dark history of the United States of America, specifically, the genocide that was committed against the Indians, or what we now refer to as Native Americans, and how this genocide continues to have an impact on the generations that have survived it. Not only does this matter greatly from a historical perspective, but it is also relevant to the present day because genocide is occurring elsewhere under the guise of "war" and everyone is obliviously watching as if it were a fascinating circus.
The fact that this book explores topics that some people may find unsettling and problematic makes it an extremely important piece of literature. It is necessary, however, to tell stories such as that, and we must continue to remind people of the past for them to comprehend how they should behave in the present and the future. It is imperative that everyone is aware of topics such as the legacy of colonialism and the ongoing impact it has had on Indigenous communities. Moreover, the book delves deeply into the significance of cultural identity and the difficulties of recovering it following centuries of suppression.
This is not a book to be read for entertainment purposes, but rather to understand history and empathize with the people who have endured and continue to endure great hardship and suffering.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
The story of this mystery thriller is set in 1995. April and Eddie are a young couple who just got marriRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½ Genre: Horror + Mystery Thriller
The story of this mystery thriller is set in 1995. April and Eddie are a young couple who just got married. They decide to spend their honeymoon in a small resort town, but on their way, they take a wrong turn and end up on the eerily deserted Atticus Line, notorious for its string of unsolved murders. On that road, they stop to help a hitchhiker, only to discover that she's not what they thought she was. You should get to the book without knowing anything more. Knowing more information will spoil the story.
Murder Road is the second book I have read by the author. The first one was The Sun Down Motel, which I really enjoyed a lot. Fortunately, Murder Road is even better than that one. I love how the author mixes mystery thriller with paranormal elements. These kinds of stories work for me when they are well-structured and narrated.
I admire the fact that the author did not employ the present and past alternating structure in this piece. Instead, the author chose to remain in the present for most of the story, with only flashbacks pertaining to the main characters' pasts. This immensely helped the reading focus more on the present and the eerie atmosphere.
The protagonists undergo significant growth throughout the course of the plot. Throughout the story, readers are able to see right through April and Eddie as they undergo extensive analysis of their past and present. This kind of development makes it much easier to relate to their circumstances and the challenges they face.
Although the first fifteen percent of the book may appear to be a bit slow, this is only the beginning of the book. As each chapter goes by, the situation becomes more interesting, and from then on, the pace will pick up further. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this atmospheric mystery thriller and would recommend it to any reader who enjoys paranormal elements in mystery thrillers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book....more
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