Kathleen Haagenson

While this was a frustrating and heartbreaking read for so many reasons. I have extreme respect for Grann's ability to recount this long forgotten historical event sharing the tragic stories of the Osage and the murderous plot enacted to claim their money.

As standard for Grann's work you can tell he researched this topic heavily and with the utmost care. He truly has a knack for finding and bringing forgotten historical events to light.

To read my full review visit my blog: https://www.kathleenhaagenson.com/killers-of-the-flower-moon-by-david-grann/

From the opening sentence, this book had me in a chokehold. It was an amazing and spooky experience full of foreboding and dread. The gothic atmosphere also helped to create the ideal backdrop for this sinister tale.

The characters are dynamic and well-developed. And I really appreciated the sense of found family and love they had towards one another. My favorite character by far was Van Helsing he was the one who set the wheels into motion with his wisdom and quick thinking. The group wouldn't have gone far without his input.

I loved all the vampire lore that was in this book and how villainous Dracula was. The description of him smelling like decay and having long fingernails with a pale appearance was so ghastly. Quite different from the modern-day vampires we've romanticized and lust after.

And the pacing came full circle. We started with a rather shocking beginning as Jonathan Harker traveled to Transylvania to meet Count Dracula and the hellish discoveries that were made during his stay. Then we transition to a slower pace as we witness the unfolding of Dracula's diabolical plan to overtake London for his devilish enterprise.

Towards the end, the pace picks up again as the characters race to meet Dracula for the final showdown. Even though the story slowed considerably in the middle the mysterious circumstances that occurred were enough to keep me entranced.

While I'm still kicking myself that I haven't read this classic masterpiece sooner I'm glad that I chose it now. It was the perfect read to kickstart the spooky season. A must-read for those that love vampires.

Check out my full review on my blog: https://www.kathleenhaagenson.com/dracula-by-bram-stoker/

This was an amazing book that was beautifully written and explored the darker elements of academia and intellectuals as their humanity and morality crumbles.

We see how these pursuit of enlightenment and transcendence becomes deadly and the far reaching consequences that lead to the unraveling of a close knit group of Classics students.

This book also explores how the longing to belong and become members of particular groups or cliques forming unhealthy attachments and how far you'll go to stay apart of such groups. What secrets will you keep, what things will you do? How far is too far concerning things such as morality and ethics?

This was top tier storytelling and masterful writing with gorgeously complex characterization and slow burn suspense. A true modern classic and the originator of the dark academia genre. Superb!

I feel a sad sort of emptiness having finished this series. Like I just lost my best friends and I don't quite know what to do with myself.

This was an action packed sequel that had my heartbeat racing. I experienced all the emotions, anger, fear, anxiety, heartbreak, disappointment, grief, hope I was an emotional wreck.

But Bardugo did such an excellent job wrapping up this series. We learn more about the characters backstories and their motivations which made them that much more endearing.

I really hate to say goodbye to these characters but I'm satisfied with the ending because everything is as it should be.

Even better than the show! I mean of course books are always better.

What I most enjoyed was understanding Jason's mindset, emotions, thought process and feelings as he went through this wild experience.

I loved the themes about identity and how the choices we make concerning our lives and the environment we are in play a large roll in our decision making process and defining our identity.

An amazing fast paced read.