BookFox
Flower and Thorn adds magic to the historical context of India during the time of its invasion by the Portugese in the 1500s. Irinya is part of a nomadic group that travels the grasslands on the edge of a large salt flat called the Rann. Irinya and other young people in her kul go into the Rann to hunt for magical flowers, each of which possess unique properties. When one of the flower hunters finds an especially rare flower that grants considerable power, it sets in motion of chain of events which sends Irinya far from her home to try to save her kul and all of India.
I enjoyed this book, not just because it is an engaging story, but also because I learned more about a time and place I was not very familiar with. There is a fun cast of characters and a well-paced plot. This was my second Rati Mehrotra book and I look forward to reading more!
Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove is a terrific YA fantasy full of intrigue, romance, torment, and fighting the patriarchy. It's tough to summarize without giving anything away, so I will just stick to praise. I loved the main character, Katyani, and what she learns about herself over the course of the book. She feels very relatable and realistic despite the fact that her world involves monsters and magic. I also enjoyed the South Asian mythology. I definitely recommend this for fantasy fans!
I think I enjoyed Southern Lady Code more, but this one was still really fun! Definitely go with the audiobook, hearing the author read it is worth it!
Ryland Grace is a brilliant scientist who left a career in academia to be a middle school science teacher. Except he has just woken up alone on a spaceship millions of miles from Earth and he can't remember his name or why he is there. As his memories slowly return he realizes he is in a race against time to save humanity from extinction... no pressure!
Project Hail Mary is in Andy Weir's trademark style - lots of hard science that is conveyed in an understandable way. It is a more similar vibe to The Martian than to Artemis, so if you loved The Martian but weren't as keen on Artemis definitely give this one a chance. I enjoyed both the story and the characters. A good read for when you want to put the science in science fiction!
The latest installment in the Temperance Brennan series, The Bone Code involves a blast from the past as a new case Tempe catches in North Carolina brings back memories of an unsolved murder she and Ryan worked in Montreal 15 years earlier. She ping pongs between the U.S. and Canada as she works to discover how (or if) the two cases are indeed connected.
I always enjoy a new Bones book (although I have to say, I hardly associate these books with the TV show because they are so different)! I thought the secondary mystery/investigation in this story was unnecessary and it somewhat distracted from the main plot, but overall it was a good read. There's not much character development, but perhaps that's not too surprising for the 20th book in a series. I'm still looking forward to more!
3.5 stars - Caroline has fled to London alone to reevaluate her life after finding out just days before that her husband has been cheating on her. During a tourist adventure she accidentally stumbles upon, she discovers an artifact that rekindles her passion for history and draws her into the mystery of an apothecary who lived in the same area over a century earlier. Nella's shop is different from other apothecaries - it is just for women. Not only that, if you are a woman who has been wronged or betrayed by a man, Nella can help you get rid of that problem with a seemingly natural death.
In The Lost Apothecary, Caroline's and Nella's stories are intertwined with that of a young girl, Eliza, who briefly becomes part of Nella's life. All of the women have been betrayed by men, and uncovering Nella's story helps Caroline process her own feelings. This is a fun combination of modern and historical fiction with some elements of mystery and lots of girl power. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending, but still enjoyed the book overall, and it was a quick read.
The Broken Spine is the start of a new cozy mystery series featuring librarian Trudell Beckett. The leaders of Tru's small Southern town have decided to turn the library bookless and replace everything with computers and tablets to bring the town into the future. All of the library's print books are destined for the landfill. Tru is in the middle of an illicit book rescue operation when she discovers the body of the man responsible for the “bookless library” project, which immediately makes Tru seem to be the obvious suspect. She has to work with her friends to solve the mystery in order to clear her own name.
This book is a decent cozy mystery with some fun characters. At times the Southern-ness felt a little over the top, but I admit I don't have firsthand experience of living in small town in the South. As a librarian myself, the library focus probably made me like the story a bit more than I would have otherwise.
Fatal Fried Rice is the latest installment of the Noodle Shop Mysteries by Vivien Chien. Lana finds herself tangled in another murder investigation when she discovers the body of her new cooking teacher after the first day of class. She must solve the case to clear her name when it becomes obvious that the unfriendly lead detective considers her the prime suspect.
While it seems to be getting a little more difficult to find ways to contrive murders that Lana is connected to and therefore must investigate, this story was as enjoyable as all the others in the series. It includes all the characters we know and love, and Lana continues to be relatable to anyone in their late 20s trying to adult while feeling woefully unprepared. This is a fun series!
How to Break an Evil Curse is a light fantasy that pokes fun at some of the stereotypical tropes of “save the princess” stories. Princess Julianna has lived her whole life in a dungeon because a wizard cursed her father's firstborn child to die if ever touched by sunlight. Fed up with her imprisonment, however royally comfortable it might be, she escapes one night through a tunnel she spent half her life digging. Meanwhile, the wizard has finally managed to locate the boy who meets all the requirements to break the curse and is going to do his best to make sure Warren never meets Julianna.
While the style of the novel takes a bit of getting used to, it's a fun read - a bit like the TV show Galavant without the musical numbers. It will appeal to readers looking for a fairy-tale type story with a comedic bent as opposed to serious drama.
What would Henry VIII have been like if he lived in the modern era? Olivia Hayfield explores this question in her novel Wife After Wife. Henry becomes Harry Rose, the the heir of a mega-successful media empire. An orphan at a young age, he works his way up through the company until he is old enough to take over from his uncle. Handsome and charismatic, women find Harry as irresistible as he finds them. Katie Paragon, Ana Lyebon, Janette Morrissey, Anki from Cleveland, Caitlyn Howe, and Clare Barr are the ones lucky (or unlucky) enough to marry him.
Wife After Wife is a fun and thought-provoking exploration of the infamous six wives of Henry VIII, and their relationships with him. By placing these historical figures in a contemporary setting, they become more relatable and the reader can more easily imagine the struggles, motivations, joys, and grievances that led to the beginning and end of each marriage. Hayfield strikes a good balance between historical accuracy and a compelling narrative. For those familiar with history, it is entertaining to see how each figure is reimagined as a modern person, and for those who aren't it is still an interesting and enjoyable story. I hear there is to be a sequel, and I look forward to reading it!
Naya Turner is a survivor of an abusive relationship, and has been burying herself in her work. When her friends challenge her to create a bucket list to get out of her shell, at first she resists the idea. But when following the list causes her to have an incredible encounter with a sexy stranger, it doesn't seem like such a bad idea after all. Will she be brave enough to continue the relationship with Jake, or will she retreat right back into her comfort zone at the first sign of trouble?
How to Fail at Flirting deals with some heavy topics - domestic violence, women experiencing workplace harassment - but it still manages to be a fun and sexy romance. It's impossible not to root for Naya to overcome her insecurities and let herself love again, and it's refreshing to bask in Jake's respectfulness and decency towards her. I look forward to reading more from Denise Williams in the future!
Jules and Will seem to be the perfect celebrity couple, and their wedding on a starkly beautiful island off the west coast of Ireland is on track to be just as perfect. However, as guests begin arriving the tensions start to rise as actions people thought they had left buried in the past come back to haunt them. The Guest List has an “And Then There Were None” vibe, albeit with a much lower body count. The short chapters and rotating perspectives pull you through the action and make for a quick, exciting read. You will be left wondering how well you really know your friends!
A very enjoyable cozy mystery adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, in which Elizabeth and Darcy are part of rival law firms as they work to solve a murder of which Bingley has been accused. As a Jane Austen fan I enjoyed seeing how each character would end up being involved in this new story. It was a good mystery and the action keeps you turning the pages. I look forward to the next installment in the series!
An interesting commentary on human development and behavior. Are you truly happy if you have never experienced pain or sadness in comparison? What does it mean to be an individual in a society where no one is ever alone? I hope the world never comes to this!
This book is part family memoir/biography and part history of schizophrenia treatment and research. The Galvan family included 12 children, six of whom developed schizophrenia. This tragedy ultimately created a perfect sample for the study of schizophrenia's potential genetic roots and played a key role in the nature vs nurture debate for this disease.
I enjoyed this book but thought it could have been shorter. It was somewhat fragmented and repetitive at times. It was interesting to learn more about how schizophrenia has been researched over time, and heartbreaking to learn about how difficult life was for all of the Galvans. It provides a more nuanced and realistic view of schizophrenia than most mainstream media, which makes it seem way more prevalent and dangerous than it actually is. Schizophrenia is actually a very rare disease compared to other types of mental illness.
If you like memoir-type books or want to learn more about schizophrenia, then you will probably like Hidden Valley Road.
Virgil Wounded Horse is the man people turn to on the Rosebud Reservation when they can't get justice through federal law enforcement, which ignores nearly all crimes short of murder. For a price, he'll provide the punishment the courts won't. When his teenage nephew becomes embroiled in a drug scandal, Virgil makes it his mission to find out where the drugs are coming from and stop them from getting onto the reservation. Along the way he has to confront and come to terms with his Native identity.
Though a work of fiction, Winter Counts is an eye-opening glimpse into life on a Native American reservation in the 21st century. The book is well-plotted with a great cast of characters. The mystery and action pull the reader through the story. A great read for any thriller fans or fans of the movie Wind River.
The Glass Hotel is an atmospheric, people-centered glimpse into a Ponzi scheme and how it affects everyone involved. A series of character threads, from the woman who marries the man in charge of the scheme to the naive investor who loses everything, all eventually connect back in some way to a small luxury hotel in the Canadian wilderness. Spanning decades, this work of literary fiction is primarily a tale of the things people do to survive and how they rationalize their actions to themselves and others. While this novel didn't really grab me, and at times was a bit confusing in terms of timelines, it was still a fairly engaging story that will likely interest fans of character-driven fiction.
In this sequel to The Gilded Wolves, the once close-knit team of Séverin, Laila, Zofia, and Enrique has drifted apart in the wake of Tristan's death at the hands of the Fallen House. Haunted by the loss, Séverin becomes obsessed with locating an artifact he believes could turn him into a god. He convinces the crew to help him with this one last mission, which leads them into the heart of Siberia.
The Silvered Serpents is a bit darker than the first book, given that the relationships between the crew members have deteriorated due the tragedy at the end of The Gilded Wolves. However, it's still an exciting page-turner full of magic and mythology, with some great character development. Another cliffhanger ending will leave readers wanting more!
Vern is (probably) the last dragon alive, and is currently living a lonely life in the Louisiana swamp, until one day his covert existence is threatened by a teenager's run-in with a corrupt cop. Everett “Squib” Moreau manages to avoid incineration and convince Vern that he can be useful rather than a liability, but things get a little dicey when the corrupt cop keeps digging. Vern and Squib are forced into an unlikely partnership to save themselves and their loved ones.
Highfire is an entertaining adult fantasy novel with a quirky cast of characters. It is funny, sad, and graphically violent in equal measure. After a bit of a slow start the story picks up, with nonstop action towards the end.
Theodora Fox is a true adventurer's daughter - smart, curious, independent, and feisty. Unfortunately her father Richard only ever leaves her behind in hotel rooms when they are out traveling the world. Then, while in Istanbul, Theodora's childhood love Huck turns up at her hotel out of the blue a year after he left without even saying goodbye, and informs Theo that her father is missing and sent Huck to find her. Looking at her father's travel journal, which Huck brought with him, Theo suspects the disappearance is related to the artifact her father was hunting - a powerful ring that had belonged to Vlad III, better known as Vlad Dracula or Vlad the Impaler. She and Huck have to try and find Richard before it's too late.
The Lady Rogue is a delightful romp through early 20th-century Europe and its folklore, particularly that of the Transylvania region in Romania. Theo is a fun protagonist that will resonate with anyone longing for a little adventure in their lives (but be sure to bring a Huck with you to keep you grounded). I love a good Dracula-related story, and this one does not disappoint. I hope there will be more Theo and Huck adventures to come!
Clever, independent Annabelle Archer is suffocating in her role as maidservant to her oppressive cousin and his large family in the country. When she learns about Oxford's brand-new college for women, she cannot let the opportunity pass her by. She pays her cousin to let her go, and receives a stipend to cover her tuition. The catch is that her stipend has come from a suffrage group, so Annabelle is obligated to participate in women's suffrage activities on top of her schoolwork. During one such activity she makes the mistake of targeting one of England's most powerful men, the frosty Duke of Montgomery. As a result she is assigned to get the duke on the women's side, and what follows is a fun tale of independence, persistence, friendship, and love.
This book was a delight. I was pulled into the story almost immediately and had a hard time putting it down. There are a lot of parallels to Pride and Prejudice, but it still feels unique. There is good character development, and the romantic intensity starts early and doesn't let up. Though lighthearted, this book also makes you think about what women have had to endure to get the rights they have today. A great read for anyone who likes romantic historical fiction.
One morning in a quiet town in southern England, a woman walking her dog discovers a man's body on the beach. At first thought an accident, it is then discovered that the man was stabbed to death. DI Matthew Venn, recently returned to his hometown, is placed in charge of the case. As the investigation continues, it seems to revolve more and more around The Woodyard, an arts center for the community and a place for learning-disabled adults to receive care during the day. Unfortunately for Matthew, his husband Jonathan is one of the chief administrators there. When one of the adults with Downs syndrome goes missing, Matthew must put aside his personal attachments and rely on his team to solve the case before it's too late.
The Long Call is the start of a new series from acclaimed mystery writer Ann Cleeves. It is well-plotted and has interesting characters. At times it is very obvious that the book is setting up for a series, rather than focusing on the individual storyline of the novel, but that isn't too much of a detractor. It's a good read for fans of atmospheric mysteries.
The Girl the Sea Gave Back picks up about 10 years after the events of Sky In The Deep. Halvard has grown up in a time of peace in his new combined clan, the Nadhir. Meanwhile, a girl named Tova has grown up an outsider among the Svell after being discovered by their holy man in a funeral boat washed up on the shore as a young child. The tattoos covering her body mark her as coming from a mysterious northern clan and as being a Truthtongue, someone who can see the future by casting rune stones. The Svell fear her, and when one day the stones bear an ominous message, a cascade of violence begins and Tova begins to question her powers and her past.
I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as Sky In the Deep. It was a bit confusing and choppy due to alternating perspectives and timelines, and the characters were not as well developed. I didn't feel as drawn into the story and I did not get invested in Tova, the new character. The connection between Halvard and Tova felt somewhat arbitrary and forced as well. I did enjoy getting a glimpse of how the characters from the first book were doing 10 years later!
Everyone should read this book. It is a truly disturbing look into the generic drug industry, and how a lack of effective regulation has led to a flood of unsafe and ineffective medications being sold and consumed around the world. Even though I work with pharmacists, I still did not have a good understanding of how generic drugs differed from the brand name versions, or how they got approved by the FDA. This book makes it clear how bureaucracy and corporate greed have subverted what should have been a public health triumph and turned it into a corrupt money machine with no regard for the patients it should be helping. It really makes you think twice about what is in your medicine cabinet!
Hell has a library, and within it is the Unwritten Wing, where every story that was never written or has yet to be written is kept. Claire Hadley, the current librarian, is responsible for keeping the Unwritten Wing under control; not as easy as it sounds considering restless books sometimes wake up in the form of one of their characters. When one such character escapes to Earth it is up to Claire and her assistants to retrieve it. Meanwhile, a soul has arrived at the gates of Heaven carrying a scrap of paper with dangerous implications. An encounter in Seattle between Claire's group and the angel sent to investigate the paper touches off a series of events that threaten not only the library, but Heaven and Hell and all the other worlds in between.
The Library of the Unwritten is a creative book with great imagination. Experiencing the story from several points of view enhances the character development and keeps the action going. I enjoyed the mythological influences and the fun characters. A whimsical book that will especially appeal to librarians and writers!