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emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A second chance romance type of story, but this book is more than it seems on the surface. It's a genre bender with mystery, sci-fi, and YA contemporary mixed in as well. As with a lot of mystery reads, I highly recommend not reading the full synopsis before reading. Going in knowing very little heightens the impact and really makes the whole experience a bit more rich.
The plot is intriguing. I enjoy a "lost memory" type of story, where the reader is learning the reality alongside the protagonist. There is definitely a lot here that could have been ratcheted up and the story could have continued on longer, but I found it entertaining and intriguing enough to keep me sucked in. The characters are good, though a bit flat, and things move at a decent pace.
There are a lot of heavy topics addressed in the narrative, but they are handled in a way that doesn't feel overly oppressive. It's what I would refer to as a "surface level" story where you just get a taste of the ugly...enough to hit you with the conflict but not leave you a sobbing, broken mess on the floor. Bad things happen, bad things have happened, and there is trauma to deal with. It could have been explored in a more hefty way, but the execution works fine for a YA contemporary style read.
The wasn't anything that truly blew me away, but I found it cozy and paced quickly enough to feel a bit like a beach read. For the reading mood I was in at the time, I liked that. It's one of those books that are great for a relaxing afternoon. There is just enough suspense to keep you wondering, a tenseness that propels the plot naturally. There are tense moments and things at stake, but the intensity is a bit restrained. That's not to say that it wasn't a good read. A lack of "edge of your seat" intensity is perfectly fine and works well for this genre mix. I would have been happy to read something with a bit more depth and, in fact, still would enjoy exploring this trope in additional ways (I'm nothing if not stuck in my ways), but I had a good time with this read.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
The plot is intriguing. I enjoy a "lost memory" type of story, where the reader is learning the reality alongside the protagonist. There is definitely a lot here that could have been ratcheted up and the story could have continued on longer, but I found it entertaining and intriguing enough to keep me sucked in. The characters are good, though a bit flat, and things move at a decent pace.
There are a lot of heavy topics addressed in the narrative, but they are handled in a way that doesn't feel overly oppressive. It's what I would refer to as a "surface level" story where you just get a taste of the ugly...enough to hit you with the conflict but not leave you a sobbing, broken mess on the floor. Bad things happen, bad things have happened, and there is trauma to deal with. It could have been explored in a more hefty way, but the execution works fine for a YA contemporary style read.
The wasn't anything that truly blew me away, but I found it cozy and paced quickly enough to feel a bit like a beach read. For the reading mood I was in at the time, I liked that. It's one of those books that are great for a relaxing afternoon. There is just enough suspense to keep you wondering, a tenseness that propels the plot naturally. There are tense moments and things at stake, but the intensity is a bit restrained. That's not to say that it wasn't a good read. A lack of "edge of your seat" intensity is perfectly fine and works well for this genre mix. I would have been happy to read something with a bit more depth and, in fact, still would enjoy exploring this trope in additional ways (I'm nothing if not stuck in my ways), but I had a good time with this read.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one rare time where a cover selection worked well in my favor. Based on the cover, this is NOT the story I was expecting, but it was still fantastic. I don't know why, but something about it (I assume the title and my brain's automatic association with Keanu Reeves as a result) made me think this would be a sci-fi. Welcome to, hey...read the synopsis idiot. Guess what...it's medieval historical fiction. I could NOT have been farther away.
Good news though...I like historical fiction. In fact, I particularly love historical fiction about England/France...mostly the Tudor/Plantaganet era. So...this just about nailed it in that regard. The story is centered around Marie de France, a semi-mysterious historical poet who is envisioned as the illegitimate sister of Eleanor of Aquitaine for this novel.
The writing is gentle and feels casual with great historical context and the construction of a character in Marie that I just found fantastic. She is strong and brave and takes on the...matriarchy? (it's a matriarchal society under Eleanor, but let's be real...it's still men being chauvinistic for the most part). I found her interesting and inspiring and I WISH that all of this was historical fact. Because this Marie is awesome, though she has little in common with the historically documented one overall.
The historical context outside of Marie's character is really well done and I loved the atmospheric content to the writing. The book felt realistic in that regard (though let's be honest, I'm no scholar on the 12th century so my opinion here is really unfounded). The narrative can be a bit languid and there is a bit of a literary feel to the book in that regard, but I still really enjoyed my experience reading this and I will ABSOLUTELY be reading more Lauren Groff in the future.
Side note: There is some good commentary on fat shaming and the judgement of women's physiques that I found well handled and realistic even for today's society.
Moral of the story: Some cover buys work out great, just not in the way you necessarily thought they would and the word Matrix isn't always synonymous with choosing between the red and blue pills.
Good news though...I like historical fiction. In fact, I particularly love historical fiction about England/France...mostly the Tudor/Plantaganet era. So...this just about nailed it in that regard. The story is centered around Marie de France, a semi-mysterious historical poet who is envisioned as the illegitimate sister of Eleanor of Aquitaine for this novel.
The writing is gentle and feels casual with great historical context and the construction of a character in Marie that I just found fantastic. She is strong and brave and takes on the...matriarchy? (it's a matriarchal society under Eleanor, but let's be real...it's still men being chauvinistic for the most part). I found her interesting and inspiring and I WISH that all of this was historical fact. Because this Marie is awesome, though she has little in common with the historically documented one overall.
The historical context outside of Marie's character is really well done and I loved the atmospheric content to the writing. The book felt realistic in that regard (though let's be honest, I'm no scholar on the 12th century so my opinion here is really unfounded). The narrative can be a bit languid and there is a bit of a literary feel to the book in that regard, but I still really enjoyed my experience reading this and I will ABSOLUTELY be reading more Lauren Groff in the future.
Side note: There is some good commentary on fat shaming and the judgement of women's physiques that I found well handled and realistic even for today's society.
Moral of the story: Some cover buys work out great, just not in the way you necessarily thought they would and the word Matrix isn't always synonymous with choosing between the red and blue pills.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Welcome to a case of "this book was NOT for me". I know there are a lot of readers who enjoy things similar to me who have lauded the praises of this book. But I was severely underwhelmed. The plot was SUPER slow and unrewarding. There were some brief moments of interest when I thought things might pick up, but overall I just found it meh. In fact, there were several times I considered a DNF and I kind of wish I would have gone with that initial instinct. But...by the time I seriously considered it I had already invested too much time and I just had to wrap it up.
The writing wasn't bad, but felt a bit overly chatty and things certainly could have gotten to the point a lot more quickly. There was a great premise, but the execution just didn't work for me. Instead the primary plot felt like a sideline that simply existed to give the smut something to be wrapped up in.
The characters are okay and there is definitely some gay rep for those shouting about this being fantastically queer, but I just didn't find anyone interesting. Instead they came off mostly pretentious and annoying. The smut felt more awkward and aggressive to me than natural to the storyline and I just got ick factor from it instead of feeling like it made sense for the progression of the relationship. I just struggled to find anything that was really above average for me.
Like I said, I'm certainly not in the majority here so maybe I just went in expecting something that wasn't what the synopsis was intending to sell. Regardless, I won't be continuing this series. I'm mildly sad about that because I want a good series with these tropes, but I'm not going to willingly subject myself to this mind-numbing plodding again.
The writing wasn't bad, but felt a bit overly chatty and things certainly could have gotten to the point a lot more quickly. There was a great premise, but the execution just didn't work for me. Instead the primary plot felt like a sideline that simply existed to give the smut something to be wrapped up in.
The characters are okay and there is definitely some gay rep for those shouting about this being fantastically queer, but I just didn't find anyone interesting. Instead they came off mostly pretentious and annoying. The smut felt more awkward and aggressive to me than natural to the storyline and I just got ick factor from it instead of feeling like it made sense for the progression of the relationship. I just struggled to find anything that was really above average for me.
Like I said, I'm certainly not in the majority here so maybe I just went in expecting something that wasn't what the synopsis was intending to sell. Regardless, I won't be continuing this series. I'm mildly sad about that because I want a good series with these tropes, but I'm not going to willingly subject myself to this mind-numbing plodding again.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars.
I think this is the point in the series where the books are starting to feel more YA than middle grade. That certainly isn't a bad thing either way, but as Anne gets older and matures, the stories mature with her. It's also the case that this installment was written out of order, published 20 years after the third novel, so Montgomery's writing style likely evolved and grew more mature over time.
Anyway...I digress...
Anne remains lovely and fun and Montgomery's characters continue to just enchant me. I am particularly fond of her knack for writing cantankerous characters who leave me laughing out loud at their ridiculous antics. And this novel is rife with them.
I just had a really great time with this read and I love this series. It's definitely mildly dated, but I still find the situations relatable and the whole thing generally wholesome. A case of a classic series that holds up.
I think this is the point in the series where the books are starting to feel more YA than middle grade. That certainly isn't a bad thing either way, but as Anne gets older and matures, the stories mature with her. It's also the case that this installment was written out of order, published 20 years after the third novel, so Montgomery's writing style likely evolved and grew more mature over time.
Anyway...I digress...
Anne remains lovely and fun and Montgomery's characters continue to just enchant me. I am particularly fond of her knack for writing cantankerous characters who leave me laughing out loud at their ridiculous antics. And this novel is rife with them.
I just had a really great time with this read and I love this series. It's definitely mildly dated, but I still find the situations relatable and the whole thing generally wholesome. A case of a classic series that holds up.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Adorable sci-fi middle grade read with real world implications. The pace in this was medium, but felt fast. I blew right through this book I was enjoying it so much. The concept is fantastic and integrates a good dystopian type narrative with messages about equality (or lack thereof) with regard to wealth, privilege, and opportunity.
The construction of the narrative is great. There is a mix of story with interjections by the "narrator". This was so cute and clever and I loved how it played into the plot.
There is bound to be controversy with regard to the analogy presented through the narrative, but I think it's important to view this through a middle grade lens. There are definitely imperfections in the construction (which I think is the case with most novels), but as a whole it provides a hopeful approach that things in society could someday get better. This is important for middle grade readers, though viewing it through an adult lens can make the social implications seem a bit too simplified.
In general, I feel like The School for Whatnots presents a great jumping off point for conversations regarding privilege. Middle grade readers are adept enough to begin understanding the way the world works and how life isn't always fair. Many of them likely have personal experience. Giving them a book to start understanding situations beyond their own lens or as a conversation piece for how to make the world better is important.
Margaret Peterson Haddix's inclusion of Josie as a character was crucial and I think she was handled well. Josie had insights that reveal some of the more important underlying emotional issues and the complexities of the decisions that the parents in the story are being forced to make.
A good, thought-provoking read that will be important to follow up with discussion for younger readers.
The construction of the narrative is great. There is a mix of story with interjections by the "narrator". This was so cute and clever and I loved how it played into the plot.
There is bound to be controversy with regard to the analogy presented through the narrative, but I think it's important to view this through a middle grade lens. There are definitely imperfections in the construction (which I think is the case with most novels), but as a whole it provides a hopeful approach that things in society could someday get better. This is important for middle grade readers, though viewing it through an adult lens can make the social implications seem a bit too simplified.
In general, I feel like The School for Whatnots presents a great jumping off point for conversations regarding privilege. Middle grade readers are adept enough to begin understanding the way the world works and how life isn't always fair. Many of them likely have personal experience. Giving them a book to start understanding situations beyond their own lens or as a conversation piece for how to make the world better is important.
Margaret Peterson Haddix's inclusion of Josie as a character was crucial and I think she was handled well. Josie had insights that reveal some of the more important underlying emotional issues and the complexities of the decisions that the parents in the story are being forced to make.
A good, thought-provoking read that will be important to follow up with discussion for younger readers.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really great YA contemporary romance novel with lovable characters and a fairly heartbreaking plot from start to finish. There is so much sadness built into these characters' lives and I hurt for both of them for so many ways along the journey.
The writing is lovely and comforting in a way and there was an interesting approach to the narrative by including the story of the Hawaiian O'o bird as an analogy of sorts. The characters and friend groups felt natural and unobtrusive to the story. Though there are friends and family members who clearly play a part in the narrative, they are very much sidelined to the focus on Anna and Weston. I loved that feeling of having the world revolve around the two characters as I think it really delivered on the teenage love feel to the story.
I highly recommend reading ONLY the first two paragraphs of the synopsis, as I feel like it totally wrecks the emotional impact of the book.
I was mildly put off by the religious aspects of the novel, as they were brought up but really didn't factor in the two protagonists' lives in any consistently coherent way. Instead, it just felt like a way to add some internal shame to the characters' actions and rubbed me the wrong way.
Despite my personal feelings about the ending, I still enjoyed my read quite a bit. I also see great value in this read for other readers. I liked the writing style and the character construction and I will definitely be looking to read more from Ashley Schumacher in the future.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
The writing is lovely and comforting in a way and there was an interesting approach to the narrative by including the story of the Hawaiian O'o bird as an analogy of sorts. The characters and friend groups felt natural and unobtrusive to the story. Though there are friends and family members who clearly play a part in the narrative, they are very much sidelined to the focus on Anna and Weston. I loved that feeling of having the world revolve around the two characters as I think it really delivered on the teenage love feel to the story.
I highly recommend reading ONLY the first two paragraphs of the synopsis, as I feel like it totally wrecks the emotional impact of the book.
Spoiler
With regard to that, I personally didn't appreciate the ending, but I know full well that's my own specific taste and a lot of readers will get an experience that leaves them satisfyingly full of emotion. For myself, I think I felt like I predicted the ending too soon and the emotional journey just felt like it was horribly unfair. I get that it's probably somewhat to the point, but it just made me frustrated.I was mildly put off by the religious aspects of the novel, as they were brought up but really didn't factor in the two protagonists' lives in any consistently coherent way. Instead, it just felt like a way to add some internal shame to the characters' actions and rubbed me the wrong way.
Despite my personal feelings about the ending, I still enjoyed my read quite a bit. I also see great value in this read for other readers. I liked the writing style and the character construction and I will definitely be looking to read more from Ashley Schumacher in the future.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars.
A companion novel to Star Mother, this novel blends so many of the things that I love about Charlie N. Holmberg's writing. Everything feels natural and yet a touch ethereal, with the atmosphere and the universe creation developing in a way that somehow feels comforting and continuously compelling. Her worlds and characters have something to them that just seizes my heart.
The plot follows a mortal woman, Aija (Ai), who finds herself unknowingly in love with the Sun God (Saiyon) while a celestial war wages. The relationship in this novel follows a much more adult feel in the emotional component and it has been fun to watch the evolution of Holmberg's characters in a way that somewhat parallels her own age. Aija, unlike most fictional adult heroines, is in her thrities. I appreciated the introspective consideration of Ai's character and love that she fits right in among Holmberg's tendency toward strong, independent female protagonists. She is stubborn & fierce & often a force to be reckoned with.
The pacing was a bit slower in this novel than the first in the duology, but there was a lot of introspective character work and an establishment of fantastic relationships between Aija and all of the people and cosmic beings who surround her. I enjoyed the quest aspect to the plot and loved seeing the exploration of different ecological areas. There is a touch of darkness to Aija's Earth and the interactions with the celestial world, something that definitely increases my interest in a plot.
This is a fantastic mix of Holmberg's strongest talents. Fantastical quest plus beautiful romance. I had a lot of fun with the duology and, as always, look forward to reading more of the fantastic things that Charlie N. Holmberg puts to the page.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
A companion novel to Star Mother, this novel blends so many of the things that I love about Charlie N. Holmberg's writing. Everything feels natural and yet a touch ethereal, with the atmosphere and the universe creation developing in a way that somehow feels comforting and continuously compelling. Her worlds and characters have something to them that just seizes my heart.
The plot follows a mortal woman, Aija (Ai), who finds herself unknowingly in love with the Sun God (Saiyon) while a celestial war wages. The relationship in this novel follows a much more adult feel in the emotional component and it has been fun to watch the evolution of Holmberg's characters in a way that somewhat parallels her own age. Aija, unlike most fictional adult heroines, is in her thrities. I appreciated the introspective consideration of Ai's character and love that she fits right in among Holmberg's tendency toward strong, independent female protagonists. She is stubborn & fierce & often a force to be reckoned with.
The pacing was a bit slower in this novel than the first in the duology, but there was a lot of introspective character work and an establishment of fantastic relationships between Aija and all of the people and cosmic beings who surround her. I enjoyed the quest aspect to the plot and loved seeing the exploration of different ecological areas. There is a touch of darkness to Aija's Earth and the interactions with the celestial world, something that definitely increases my interest in a plot.
This is a fantastic mix of Holmberg's strongest talents. Fantastical quest plus beautiful romance. I had a lot of fun with the duology and, as always, look forward to reading more of the fantastic things that Charlie N. Holmberg puts to the page.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holy crap. This book was amazing. It yanked me right out of a reading slump and had me devouring it nearly entirely in one day. I could NOT walk away.
A bit of Frankenstein, a bit Dickens, a bit Sherlock Holmes, Anatomy is just a mesmerizing narrative that had me captivated from the beginning. Gothic, Victorian, and mysterious with a strong female protagonist. It has things that just get me excited to read.
The writing is excellent and the pacing just flies. The narrative is gritty and awesome, reflecting on the female situation in the early 19th century and the misogyny that strongly existed in this era with regard to employment, social standing, and the worth of opinion. Hazel is a badass female character and I freaking adored her.
The medical aspect of the book was awesome and I loved it so much. Not for the squeamish, but so freaking good otherwise. Just enough dark and weird to whet my appetite and I am chomping at the bit for more. There is some indication from the author that there may be a follow-up novel coming in the future and I could go ahead and take that right now thank you.
The ending is a bit rushed and there is something of an ambivalent ending, but if there is to be a continuation of this as a series...all good. I'm down for more. Let's do this thing.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
A bit of Frankenstein, a bit Dickens, a bit Sherlock Holmes, Anatomy is just a mesmerizing narrative that had me captivated from the beginning. Gothic, Victorian, and mysterious with a strong female protagonist. It has things that just get me excited to read.
The writing is excellent and the pacing just flies. The narrative is gritty and awesome, reflecting on the female situation in the early 19th century and the misogyny that strongly existed in this era with regard to employment, social standing, and the worth of opinion. Hazel is a badass female character and I freaking adored her.
The medical aspect of the book was awesome and I loved it so much. Not for the squeamish, but so freaking good otherwise. Just enough dark and weird to whet my appetite and I am chomping at the bit for more. There is some indication from the author that there may be a follow-up novel coming in the future and I could go ahead and take that right now thank you.
The ending is a bit rushed and there is something of an ambivalent ending, but if there is to be a continuation of this as a series...all good. I'm down for more. Let's do this thing.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4.5 stars.
Short, quick, gut punch of a read. Set in Ceausescu's Romania during the 1980s, I Must Betray You is a stripped down YA historical fiction that gets right to the guts of Communism and the suffering that took place during this country's history. The writing is blunt and raw with excellent atmospheric description. This was an especially emotional read for me at this time as it coincided with Russia's invasion of Ukraine--the scenes from the book sometimes easily compared with scenes coming out of that Communist conflict.
Sepetys is just really good at historical fiction. Her narratives are always incredibly accessible, yet hard-hitting. The time periods and situations she picks are items not typically explored by other historical fiction authors and I really appreciate being able to be exposed to these tales from around the world. This read was no different. It cut to the quick right off and dove right in with gritty detail. My stomach sank and I was emotionally destroyed by this book at several turns. It is heartbreaking that humans can be so greedy and cruel, yet there have instances like Romania's experience under the Iron Curtain in multiple locations at multiple points in history and there continues to be human suffering in similar political regimes in the present.
Books like this are so important and I'm incredibly glad that Sepetys has chosen to be the author to write some of them. She has an incredible talent and her writing is just phenomenal. She tells a tale in a way that absolutely feels real and her stories are engrossing reads that I just can't put down.
Short, quick, gut punch of a read. Set in Ceausescu's Romania during the 1980s, I Must Betray You is a stripped down YA historical fiction that gets right to the guts of Communism and the suffering that took place during this country's history. The writing is blunt and raw with excellent atmospheric description. This was an especially emotional read for me at this time as it coincided with Russia's invasion of Ukraine--the scenes from the book sometimes easily compared with scenes coming out of that Communist conflict.
Sepetys is just really good at historical fiction. Her narratives are always incredibly accessible, yet hard-hitting. The time periods and situations she picks are items not typically explored by other historical fiction authors and I really appreciate being able to be exposed to these tales from around the world. This read was no different. It cut to the quick right off and dove right in with gritty detail. My stomach sank and I was emotionally destroyed by this book at several turns. It is heartbreaking that humans can be so greedy and cruel, yet there have instances like Romania's experience under the Iron Curtain in multiple locations at multiple points in history and there continues to be human suffering in similar political regimes in the present.
Books like this are so important and I'm incredibly glad that Sepetys has chosen to be the author to write some of them. She has an incredible talent and her writing is just phenomenal. She tells a tale in a way that absolutely feels real and her stories are engrossing reads that I just can't put down.
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fiona Davis has a very solid style. Her writing is consistent and brings historical settings to life so well. This book was a great mix of true history and creative fiction. The author's note was particularly enlightening after completing the book and really just brought everything all together quite nicely.
I very much enjoyed her previous novel, The Lions of Fifth Avenue and found that The Magnolia Palace had a similar flavor. A rich family, old New York, and a missing valuable item. A story brought together using strong female protagonists and alternating timelines. Apparently all these things are my jam. I love the characters she creates and the mystery surrounding her narratives. I will admit that the mergings of Lillian and the Fricks as well as Veronica and the Frick Mansion were a little rocky for me, but the rest of the story was fun, enjoyable, and relaxing.
The pacing can be a little slow in places and there is some instalove mixed into the plot, but overall I just had a good time reading this and it was a great palate cleanser after reading some heavy and slow paced character novels. There was something light about this mystery that had me both intrigued and entertained in a way that really made reading pleasant.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
I very much enjoyed her previous novel, The Lions of Fifth Avenue and found that The Magnolia Palace had a similar flavor. A rich family, old New York, and a missing valuable item. A story brought together using strong female protagonists and alternating timelines. Apparently all these things are my jam. I love the characters she creates and the mystery surrounding her narratives. I will admit that the mergings of Lillian and the Fricks as well as Veronica and the Frick Mansion were a little rocky for me, but the rest of the story was fun, enjoyable, and relaxing.
The pacing can be a little slow in places and there is some instalove mixed into the plot, but overall I just had a good time reading this and it was a great palate cleanser after reading some heavy and slow paced character novels. There was something light about this mystery that had me both intrigued and entertained in a way that really made reading pleasant.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *