I received this for free from a promo website. I had never read anything by the author previously. I read this one because it sounded interesting. A sI received this for free from a promo website. I had never read anything by the author previously. I read this one because it sounded interesting. A story from the viewpoint of a busker on a space station seemed unusual. It was also short enough for me to fit in before the end of April.
Protagonist Lucy Daz is a 15 year old orphan who is trying to raise enough money to get off the station and relocate to a colony. She's performing as an illusionist which brings a great deal of joy to small children. I thought Lucy was clever and courageous. She also turned out to be more principled than I expected in her circumstances. Most impoverished orphans can't afford principles. So Lucy is a likeable protagonist and the story ended well for her.
After all the noir I've been reading, it was nice to see a story where good things happen to good people.
Merged review:
I received this for free from a promo website. I had never read anything by the author previously. I read this one because it sounded interesting. A story from the viewpoint of a busker on a space station seemed unusual. It was also short enough for me to fit in before the end of April.
Protagonist Lucy Daz is a 15 year old orphan who is trying to raise enough money to get off the station and relocate to a colony. She's performing as an illusionist which brings a great deal of joy to small children. I thought Lucy was clever and courageous. She also turned out to be more principled than I expected in her circumstances. Most impoverished orphans can't afford principles. So Lucy is a likeable protagonist and the story ended well for her.
After all the noir I've been reading, it was nice to see a story where good things happen to good people....more
Two women who challenged the beliefs of their era, one fictional and one a well-known historical personage, are the focus of this book. Their lives alTwo women who challenged the beliefs of their era, one fictional and one a well-known historical personage, are the focus of this book. Their lives alternate in the narrative up until their meeting. It's a very compelling and well-written story.
I confess I downloaded this book because Hypatia of Alexandria is one of these women. According to the most reliable authorities, Hypatia did not teach religion or expound on it as this author depicts in one momentous scene. I recommend Hypatia of Alexandriaby Maria Dzielska for those who want a scholarly biography of Hypatia.
Yet this was a lovely novel. I enjoyed reading it right until the unexpected ending.
Merged review:
Two women who challenged the beliefs of their era, one fictional and one a well-known historical personage, are the focus of this book. Their lives alternate in the narrative up until their meeting. It's a very compelling and well-written story.
I confess I downloaded this book because Hypatia of Alexandria is one of these women. According to the most reliable authorities, Hypatia did not teach religion or expound on it as this author depicts in one momentous scene. I recommend Hypatia of Alexandriaby Maria Dzielska for those who want a scholarly biography of Hypatia.
Yet this was a lovely novel. I enjoyed reading it right until the unexpected ending....more
I read Redemption by Deborah J. Ledford, a mystery focusing on Native American characters, because it was a selection of what was once a local mysteryI read Redemption by Deborah J. Ledford, a mystery focusing on Native American characters, because it was a selection of what was once a local mystery book club that I used to attend in person. The membership has broadened and it now meets online.
I very much disliked the multiple viewpoints. I thought it was unnecessary and that I couldn't feel immersed in the book. I quickly tired of the array of narrators. The narrative felt choppy.
It seemed to me that the main protagonist, police detective Eva Duran, could easily have been a single narrator for the entire book. It's true that she wasn't aware of everything that went on as it happened, but she eventually discovered what she hadn't known as investigators do. ...more
I read and reviewed The Poison in All of Us, a historical mystery by the same author. Since I liked it, I requested an ARC of this novel from the authI read and reviewed The Poison in All of Us, a historical mystery by the same author. Since I liked it, I requested an ARC of this novel from the author in return for this honest review.
This isn't a mystery because it's from the perspective of a teen thief who is a perpetrator. So I would call it crime fiction. Darlene is in constant rivalry with her sister Annabelle who is also a thief. She is continually trying to prove herself and not succeeding very well.
My favorite characters were Darlene and Annabelle's grandmother and her friend Rita, who were both unexpected.
The author intended this novel to be humorous, but it's not my type of humor. My taste in comedy runs more to clever dialogue and satire. This was more like situational comedy. At least The Orchid Caper was short. I thought it was cute.
Merged review:
I read and reviewed The Poison in All of Us, a historical mystery by the same author. Since I liked it, I requested an ARC of this novel from the author in return for this honest review.
This isn't a mystery because it's from the perspective of a teen thief who is a perpetrator. So I would call it crime fiction. Darlene is in constant rivalry with her sister Annabelle who is also a thief. She is continually trying to prove herself and not succeeding very well.
My favorite characters were Darlene and Annabelle's grandmother and her friend Rita, who were both unexpected.
The author intended this novel to be humorous, but it's not my type of humor. My taste in comedy runs more to clever dialogue and satire. This was more like situational comedy. At least The Orchid Caper was short. I thought it was cute....more
The protagonist, Angry Wasp, is in some ways like most men. He tells another warrior that women aren't important. Yet his sorceress wife is not only mThe protagonist, Angry Wasp, is in some ways like most men. He tells another warrior that women aren't important. Yet his sorceress wife is not only more powerful than Angry Wasp but his actions show that he cares deeply about her even though he doesn't express it. I found him a very believable character.
Angry Wasp can also be unexpectedly insightful. His shamanistic abilities which he acquired through his wife's teaching assist him in this area.
I very much appreciated the spiritual aspect of this book. Other novels I've read dealing with the peoples of Mexico during this period make a travesty of their religious practices. It's as if their spirituality were all about bloodletting. Austin Briggs provides us with a deeper view of these complex cultures.
This was the first book that I read on my new Kindle. I was impressed. I'm looking forward to Five Dances With Death: Dance Two
Since I didn't have a blog when I wrote this review, I decided to feature it as one of my top reads in the first half of 2012. See the June blog post dealing with being at the halfway point in the Around the World challenge at http://www.maskedpersona.blogspot.com
Merged review:
The protagonist, Angry Wasp, is in some ways like most men. He tells another warrior that women aren't important. Yet his sorceress wife is not only more powerful than Angry Wasp but his actions show that he cares deeply about her even though he doesn't express it. I found him a very believable character.
Angry Wasp can also be unexpectedly insightful. His shamanistic abilities which he acquired through his wife's teaching assist him in this area.
I very much appreciated the spiritual aspect of this book. Other novels I've read dealing with the peoples of Mexico during this period make a travesty of their religious practices. It's as if their spirituality were all about bloodletting. Austin Briggs provides us with a deeper view of these complex cultures.
This was the first book that I read on my new Kindle. I was impressed. I'm looking forward to Five Dances With Death: Dance Two
Since I didn't have a blog when I wrote this review, I decided to feature it as one of my top reads in the first half of 2012. See the June blog post dealing with being at the halfway point in the Around the World challenge at http://www.maskedpersona.blogspot.com...more
The House on Graveyard Lane is the only book I've read so far by this author. I read it because a book club that I attend online had selected it. I reThe House on Graveyard Lane is the only book I've read so far by this author. I read it because a book club that I attend online had selected it. I received a copy via Net Galley.
One character in this novel complained about protagonist Rachel Savernake's unhealthy obsession with murder. This amused me, but it occurred to me that I should have seen such a remark before while reading a murder mystery. Mysteries do tend to have protagonists who are preoccupied with murder, and they also have more ordinary characters. So I wonder why these more ordinary folk in other mysteries have never reflected on the strangeness of the protagonist's predilections. Not that Rachel Savernake really is particularly strange. In fact, I didn't consider her a standout character at all. I felt that other characters seemed more central to the narrative.
One of the more prominent characters in The House on Graveyard Lane is Kiki de Villiers. Kiki had numerous extra-marital affairs--some with very prominent men. From my perspective, Kiki's adventures weren't worth the space that the author devoted to them.
I didn't really find any of the plot developments all that interesting. It was just a series of sordid shenanigans. I don't feel that it was worth my time.
I learned a great deal about recent history and Nancy Pelosi's role in it. I think that I admire her more now.I learned a great deal about recent history and Nancy Pelosi's role in it. I think that I admire her more now....more
I received a free review copy of A Savage Kultur from Monique Roy and this is my honest review.
The painting at the center of A Savage Kultur, "The Lo I received a free review copy of A Savage Kultur from Monique Roy and this is my honest review.
The painting at the center of A Savage Kultur, "The Lovers: The Poet's Garden IV" by Vincent Van Gogh isn't well-known and has an unknown fate. An image of Van Gogh's sketch of the painting is reproduced on the bottom section of the cover. Yet all the characters in A Savage Kultur are fictional creations. So Monique Roy has given us a speculative narrative about this missing work.
Contemporary protagonist Ava Goldberg experiences what might have been a favorite fantasy come true for an art history student like her when she inherits an art gallery from her grandfather. Her love of art and her devotion to her family are the most believable aspects of her character. On the other hand, I didn't find the romantic aspect of her life very credible, and thought that the book could have dispensed with it entirely.
My favorite character in this book was Ava's grandfather, Karl Engel, who was the protagonist of the historical chapters in this dual period novel. I consider him the most fully realized character.
What most sets apart this novel about Nazis and art is that this one doesn't portray Nazism as a defunct ideology. There are unnerving survivals of Nazi beliefs and attitudes alive among their 21st century descendants in A Savage Kultur. I was reminded of a William Faulkner quote. "The past is never dead. It's not even past." So the resolution wasn't nearly as triumphant as other books in this sub-genre. Instead there is a dark undertone that could cause readers to wonder when other manifestations of the Third Reich might surface.
I received a free review copy of A Savage Kultur from Monique Roy and this is my honest review.
The painting at the center of A Savage Kultur, "The Lovers: The Poet's Garden IV" by Vincent Van Gogh isn't well-known and has an unknown fate. An image of Van Gogh's sketch of the painting is reproduced on the bottom section of the cover. Yet all the characters in A Savage Kultur are fictional creations. So Monique Roy has given us a speculative narrative about this missing work.
Contemporary protagonist Ava Goldberg experiences what might have been a favorite fantasy come true for an art history student like her when she inherits an art gallery from her grandfather. Her love of art and her devotion to her family are the most believable aspects of her character. On the other hand, I didn't find the romantic aspect of her life very credible, and thought that the book could have dispensed with it entirely.
My favorite character in this book was Ava's grandfather, Karl Engel, who was the protagonist of the historical chapters in this dual period novel. I consider him the most fully realized character.
What most sets apart this novel about Nazis and art is that this one doesn't portray Nazism as a defunct ideology. There are unnerving survivals of Nazi beliefs and attitudes alive among their 21st century descendants in A Savage Kultur. I was reminded of a William Faulkner quote. "The past is never dead. It's not even past." So the resolution wasn't nearly as triumphant as other books in this sub-genre. Instead there is a dark undertone that could cause readers to wonder when other manifestations of the Third Reich might surface.
I was really looking forward to Return to Blood by Michael Bennett. It's the sequel to Better the Blood which really wowed me. Unfortunately, Return tI was really looking forward to Return to Blood by Michael Bennett. It's the sequel to Better the Blood which really wowed me. Unfortunately, Return to Blood wasn't nearly as engaging.
There were point of view switches that sometimes confused me because it took me some time to determine who the point of view character was, and when it was taking place within the novel's chronology. The only thing I want to figure out in a mystery is whodunit. I suppose that makes me a traditional mystery reader.
This sequel lacks the intensity of the previous novel, and the plot needed more organization. Toward the end, I was turning pages wishing that Return to Blood would be over.
The protagonist is Maori police detective Hana Westerman. Hana is a complex character with loyalties to both law enforcement and to her people which cThe protagonist is Maori police detective Hana Westerman. Hana is a complex character with loyalties to both law enforcement and to her people which can conflict.
Yet the actions of the Maori revolutionary/terrorist Poata Raki dominate the narrative. His violence is viewed negatively by Hana, but she is sympathetic to his cause. This ambivalence is understandably difficult for her to deal with. For Raki, this is all very personal. It's about what's been done to members of his family, and what's been done to his tribe. Hana sees Raki as a member of her people who has "lost his way".
I thought that this novel was powerful and indeed beautiful and haunting in its resolution. It's been a while since I'd read any fiction that deserved to be given five stars for its thematic focus and the complexity of Bennet's view of the various characters who are all parties to this personal and political conflict.
I have never been to Tennessee, but I do know people who do reside in Tennessee or own property there. Carol Chumney has been a Tennessee state legislI have never been to Tennessee, but I do know people who do reside in Tennessee or own property there. Carol Chumney has been a Tennessee state legislator. I also learned from her article on Wikipedia that she is currently a Shelby County circuit court judge.
This is the memoir of a politician which contains a great deal of political content. So I hope that I've managed the balancing act of reviewing this political book without being excessively political. I found The ARENA far more interesting than I expected.
This "Egyptology" book was about British women who traveled in Egypt and later became involved in archaeology there. It was totally from the British pThis "Egyptology" book was about British women who traveled in Egypt and later became involved in archaeology there. It was totally from the British perspective. When I thought about it from the Egyptian perspective, I came to the realization that archaeology during this era was about people from colonizing powers claiming ownership of the past of other peoples. I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley.
The Diabolical by David Putnam is #11 in the Bruno Johnson crime thriller series. I'd like to thank the publisher for my review copy. It was an advancThe Diabolical by David Putnam is #11 in the Bruno Johnson crime thriller series. I'd like to thank the publisher for my review copy. It was an advance reader copy when I received it, but this book has since been published. I haven't read any previous books in the series.
So now we move on to the current case. Six people were killed in a mass shooting at the local night club, El Gato Gordo. Bruno thought that the shooter had come to kill one person, but was trying to confuse matters by shooting others.
I expect to rate The Diabolical four stars on Goodreads. It was very unpleasant, but Bruno was a rather sympathetic protagonist even though he was no saint.
I received this book from the author, Alison Morton, earlier in the month. The title was spelled differently on the ARC I read. I have corrected the sI received this book from the author, Alison Morton, earlier in the month. The title was spelled differently on the ARC I read. I have corrected the spelling in this review.
As Exsilium opens, Christians had become very powerful in Rome. Alison Morton portrays Pagans as going into exile in response.
Intolerance was an important commonality between what was happening then, and some current day problems. I was sympathetic toward the difficulties of the protagonists who chose to exile themselves from Rome.
The Lantern's Dance got my immediate attention. I was astonished to get an approval of a Laurie R. King novel from Net Galley at the end of last year The Lantern's Dance got my immediate attention. I was astonished to get an approval of a Laurie R. King novel from Net Galley at the end of last year. I've never had an approval for such an eminent mystery author.
There was a complex web of characters in The Lantern's Dance. I sometimes had to page back to where these characters were introduced to identify who they were. Changes in perspective added to the complexity. There was at least one moment of confusion about the viewpoint character that I recorded in my notes.
The author notes that 2024 marks 30 years since the first Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes novel , The Beekeeper's Apprentice, appeared. So I would like to wish Laurie R. King a happy anniversary and felicitations on publishing this very labyrinthine mystery.
I received this book from the facilitator of an F2F book club that I attend. I have never previously read a book set in Fiji nor have I previously reaI received this book from the facilitator of an F2F book club that I attend. I have never previously read a book set in Fiji nor have I previously read a mystery where the doctor's examination was described. Usually, I only get to read the results of the exam at the coroner's inquest. I learned some Fijian vocabulary including "bula" which is the Fijian equivalent of "to life" or L'Chaim in Hebrew. Fans of the musical Fiddler on the Roof will recognize that Hebrew word.
What I liked most about this book was the cultural context. Readers who are interested in reading novels dealing with the complexities of class differences should read A Disappearance in Fiji. The police protagonist, Akal, was also appealing....more
I was given a copy of this book for review by someone unknown. I can't find the e-mail among my saved messages. It's a bit of a mystery to me. It coulI was given a copy of this book for review by someone unknown. I can't find the e-mail among my saved messages. It's a bit of a mystery to me. It could have been an employee of the publisher, an agent or a publicist.
This book is a collection of essays and excerpts. My review includes what I learned from this book that I considered most significant.
In "On Racial Justice, Black History, Critical Race Theory and Other Felonious Ideas" by Robin D. G. Kelley, I found out about Freedom Libraries for the first time. Freedom Libraries were established in the South because African Americans had to sue for access to public libraries in most Southern states.
I also found out about Black disability issues, how diabetes and asthma are related to pollution and a secret school for slaves in Natchez, Mississippi.
I read Five Biblical Portraits because I'm interested in what Elie Wiesel had to say about the Bible. I received a free copy of this book from the pubI read Five Biblical Portraits because I'm interested in what Elie Wiesel had to say about the Bible. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss. I have to say that I'm not overly fond of any of the Biblical personages in this book.
An 11 year old girl looking for her father is plunged into a dangerous world of theft and murder. I learned some things about construction that I hadnAn 11 year old girl looking for her father is plunged into a dangerous world of theft and murder. I learned some things about construction that I hadn't known. (view spoiler)[ Such as the fact that working with cement wears away fingerprints. How convenient that would be for a criminal! (hide spoiler)] The protagonist is forensic scientist Theresa MacLean who turns out to be quite courageous in this outing. I've never read any other books in this series, but I'll probably try another....more
I was very interested in reading a book by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren especially one about saving the U.S. middle class.
Warren believes that largeI was very interested in reading a book by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren especially one about saving the U.S. middle class.
Warren believes that large corporations who aren't paying their employees enough to live on are a major problem. I also learned what the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 is about.
Another problem that deeply concerns Warren was increasing Alzheimer's. I imagine that our aging population will have rampant Alzheimer's and other serious medical problems. Radical changes in diet could reverse this trend, but I don't think that will happen. So I am not optimistic about the future health of Americans.
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