aaronj21's Reviews (912)

C. J Tudor's debut novel is instantly immersive and gripping enough to make any read through a quick enterprise. From page one vivid characters and some truly electric word choice and profound sentence structure make this book a joy to read. Additionally, end of chapter revelations and cliffhangers make putting it down for any amount of time no small feat. Where this novel shines is in its well written and fascinating characters, realistic dialogue, and unnerving, fast paced plot. However, the reveals and overall crime drama aspect of the book are a bit less that stunning, the answers you receive to the intricate mysteries of "The Chalk Man" are satisfying, but not necessarily astounding. Do yourself a favor and pick up this addictive mystery, enjoy it but just don't expect it to be the best book you read this year.

A fascinating and compelling book about a pioneering entomologist, Chrysalis combines the best aspects of biography, history, travel log, and science into a single gripping story. Maria Sibylla Merian was a woman far ahead of her time, an insect enthusiast who studied the process of metamorphosis when most people thought insects were spawned spontaneously and a skilled artist who insisted on sketching her highly detailed portraits from life in a period when outlandish and exaggerated drawings were popular. In addition to her incredibly full and adventurous life this book also includes the fall from popularity to obscurity Maria's reputation and work suffered after her death. Discussing why Maria was dismissed and ridiculed as a foolish old lady after her death for making claims that she witnessed and were later corroborated by other scientists is a crucial and fascinating part of her story and the author takes great pains to emphasize that. This is an enjoyable book for science lovers in general or entomologists in particular, for fans of history books or biographies or anyone interested in interesting individuals that history has largely forgotten.

This book is a compelling and insightful rebuke of perhaps the most famous and long lived propaganda campaign in history. Piece by piece the author examines and refutes the story we've all been fed since childhood about the conquest of the Aztec empire; that Hernando Cortez was a brilliant and ambitious conquistador who, through determination, cunning, and superior intellect almost single handedly overthrew the bloody Aztecs. Read this interesting and well researched book for a far more factual, if less cut and dry, account of what actually happened.