Kim
This book was inspired by the old tale of Hans Christian Anderson's called The Emperor's New Clothes. This tale is told by Lillian as she is writing her memories in a book. It is such an adventurous, magical tale that was such a joy to read as she is telling of her travels as she is trying to find her way home. Only, she doesn't remember where home is after stepping into the Forest of Forgetfulness. She weaves her way into the hearts of many and winds up in a few tight spots due to certain circumstances. I highly recommend this book if you want a fun magical read! Oh! And I love that beautiful cover too!
First of all, the book design is stunning inside and out! I enjoy when books have the printing on the actual book and noticed she has several others I will acquire for future reading.
While waiting for Winter to be over and eager for Spring, I wanted to read a book about gardens, nature and small communities for those cozy vibes. I initially didn't know if this book was for me. The writing had me confused at first until I got the gist of what was going on and the flashbacks that seemed to come out of nowhere. Once I got accustomed to what was going on, I was still not sure this was the book I was hoping it would be. The flashbacks take the character to a relationship with a married man that apparently left her deflated. However, about Chapter 12, things started clicking in place and had my mind envisioning all the beautiful surroundings with the garden, nature and new found friends. Shocking truths were found out and make you realize you really don't know what even someone in your own family is going through.
4.5-Loved this book! It does end a touch open ended but it was one I will be putting on my shelf as a keeper. You slowly find yourself following this young boy and his grandfather further and further from reality and see how past traumas affect the mind long term. It's best diving into this one not knowing too much but highly recommend reading it during the cold Winter months for the best environmental feels.
Aunt Minnie saved this book from becoming a one star. I loved that feisty character!
4.25-A beautiful story and a beautiful book! Two people from two different places are drawn to each other in sort of a body transference and they must figure out why. The story is told from the perspective of a third party connection which added a sometimes comical touch to the story. I was immediately drawn to this book not only for the author and synopsis but also for that beautiful cover art by Tran Nguyen who also did the cover art for The Art of Prophecy.
A perfect book for Fall/Spooky season! This book had the elements of Fall with the Apple orchard but the horror elements of this mysteriously addicting apple variety named the Ruby Slipper that needs “special” type of nutrients for growth and you could say it has a cult following.
I love a book that starts out with action from the very start and keeps it going. The author did an excellent job of weaving bits of Retribution Falls(Book 1) that helps familiarize you with the backstory while moving ahead in this one. Having been familiar with the airship crew and their many sorted back histories, I found my enjoyment of this book even higher than the last. If you are looking to read a series with morally grey characters that left to their own devices struggle but joined with the crew of the Ketty Jay they are unstoppable, lots of humor, wrong decisions, plans that go awry, airships and adventure-you'll love this series!
Highly recommend and looking forward to reading the next two books.
4.5- This book had me hooked from the beginning! It's part dystopian part horror and one I would read little bits at a time before bed because I could tell it was one I didn't want to end. The elements of the shadow monsters lingering also has a meaning in todays world and our mental status we must fight through. The main character never seems to give up and is optimistic at the worst of times. I read this book from Netgalley and unfortunately seem to be unable to find one for purchase ATM but it's definitely one I want to own for my book collection.
3.5- I was a bit let down by one of my most anticipated books this year. The story was rehashed in many different ways causing much redundancy and boredom. I guessed one thing very early on in the book but I'll admit I was a little surprised by how the family died.
I did enjoy the parts referring to the joys of reading.
Love the cover art, very well done and definitely draws your attention.5 stars on that.
The book did certainly have several creepy elements to it but I felt I really couldn't get into the story as much as I wanted and something just seemed lacking in general. Everything just felt more superficial as I was being told of elements without me actually feeling really into the happenings. It was an overall ok read and I feel it's one T Kingfisher fans would enjoy.
3.5 stars
This is one of those atmospheric books you really get immersed into. I could just imagine this vivid dark setting with something lurking in the nearby “ghost woods”. The author also brings to light how unmarried pregnant women in the 60's were treated compared to today's times and the conditions of the birthing homes they were sent. If you love books based on folklore, this is one I really enjoyed.
I love retellings of folklore and fairy tales and Issunboshi was one derived from an old Japanese folklore tale. I enjoyed reading this tale starting with the origin story of Japan and the “heavenly spear” used for its creation that later comes into the wrong hands in many different forms that are gathered. The hero of this tale, Issunboshi is only 1 inch high(the one inch samurai) which adds an extra element to this retelling and his true purpose in life. I was given a digital copy of this graphic novel from Netgalley and recommend giving it a read. The cover illustration is what drew me to this story and I'm glad it did!
Having watched the movie years ago, I was very aware where this book was headed. It's one of those that is very slow but that ENDING pays off.
This was my first book from Brom and I loved it! Based around a Puritan society and injustices to women during this time has you following a main character in an arranged marriage who fights with everything she has. You'll really hate one character in particular that is constantly her adversary and is filled with his own self preservation.Now,add in an old folklore legend, dark creepy elements, great pictures from Brom and you have yourself a fantastic book.
This is the best book I've read this year and the best book I've read in a long while! I listened to this on audiobook and have since purchased the physical book to read and annotate. I felt so many emotions while reading: MOTIVATION-to want to read the books on the list myself, HAPPINESS-for found families,non-readers finding books and bonding,SADNESS-dealing with grief and the emotional impact it has in our lives and how to cope. The list was masterfully crafted to open your eyes about how fiction helps with real life in the messages it teaches us.
LOVED this book and yes, that last chapter had this usually non crying book reader crying. So good!
4.5- So much happens in this one! Claire needs to be rescued more than once from major happenings and scheming. Murder,historical leading up to events,day to day life,progression in other major characters lives and of course more of the lovey dovey stuff. They can never seem to get enough of each other,whew!
I do feel however that this book wore me out at times and would have been much better at half the size divided into two books, but that wouldn't have been Gabaldon now,would it? I'll definitely will be continuing on with the series but will be taking a big break before starting the next.
I love Sykes character Sal the Cacaphony! This sequel to Seven Blades in Black once again had Sal telling her story in this dual timeline book that converges at the end. Reading once again about the MANY mages with their different abilities while you follow Sal in her adventurous tale of revenge was just as entertaining as Book 1.
Gary Rendell,astronaut,stuck in a strange object with a vast network of tunnels in space, trying to find his other crew members after being separated. This book flips back and forth to Gary exploring these tunnels to Gary pre-tunnel experience. The humor in this book is excellent! Gary's experiences eating the local “cuisine” is not to be missed. As he's going along in the cold, dark tunnels, he becomes lonely and starts talking to an imaginary friend “Toto” or as I felt, he was talking directly to me-the reader. Along his journeys he meets several different type of alien species, some of them are nice and some not. This is my first book by Tchaikovsky and won't be the last. Excellent writing that kept you interested in what was around the next corner for Gary. And oh, that twisty ending-loved it!
Wonderful read drawing on folklore and The Child Ballads. If you love books with elements of nature, love scorned, revenge, survival, old mystical wards and elements then you'll love this book.
To own this book is a joy as well. It is printing directly on the hardcover and contains many beautiful illustrations. Glad to have it for my collection!
I'm on a mission to read all of Alice Hoffman's adult fiction book and have had some highs and lows but this one did not disappoint. Following the main character from her lowest point in her life that hit hard up to her gradual realization and transformation really made me realize how Hoffman became someone who I wanted to read more from.
This was worth waiting for! I fell in love with A Discovery of Witches when I first read it on a random read from the library when it first came out years ago and have since been reading the subsequent books with having liked them just fine but this last one was more enjoyable to me because I love more of a witchy type of tale and found family. I thought this was going to be focusing on the children but Diana herself discovers new things deep within herself.
This was a great one from Koontz and he could definitely write a cozy novel if he felt so inclined. The atmosphere of the nature surrounding this small home in a secluded area involving the main character living a simple life had me dreaming of a life with this environment. Things take a turn when she begins investigating into the death of someone she loved and small town corruption is exposed. Don't mess with this gal because she's smart, strong and you'll likely be met with dire consequences.