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A favorite that will always be a favorite. I love this story. It's full of adventure and tension, but also love and sadness. There is a true emotional journey from beginning to end. The story is pure and genuine with a great protagonist in Billy and an approach to narrative style that feels authentic. I have read this many times over and I will never tire of it. Middle grade at its finest...even though it has torn my heart out a million times.
Paula McLain's writing is always so lyrical and beautiful. She captures the beauty and danger of early 20th century Kenya so incredibly well. Following the life of Beryl Markham, the first woman horse trainer in Africa, this is a slow burn read that inches its way into your soul.
Beryl is a sympathetic character, despite her flaws. In fact, that's one of the things I liked about this novel so much. All of the characters are unapologetically imperfect. There were things that I definitely did not like about Beryl as a person, but I was still very interested in her journey and invested in her accomplishments.
The story celebrates Beryl's successes as well as wanders through her struggles and failures in her bid for independence, something quite difficult for a woman in her day and age. The narrative is very atmospheric throughout with a methodical inclusion of conflict every few chapters, keeping things interesting from start to finish.
Circling the Sun generated a strong interest in me to know more about this period of time and specific group of individuals. I plan to follow this read up with Beryl's autobiography as well as Isak Dinesen's Out of Africa in the future.
Beryl is a sympathetic character, despite her flaws. In fact, that's one of the things I liked about this novel so much. All of the characters are unapologetically imperfect. There were things that I definitely did not like about Beryl as a person, but I was still very interested in her journey and invested in her accomplishments.
The story celebrates Beryl's successes as well as wanders through her struggles and failures in her bid for independence, something quite difficult for a woman in her day and age. The narrative is very atmospheric throughout with a methodical inclusion of conflict every few chapters, keeping things interesting from start to finish.
Circling the Sun generated a strong interest in me to know more about this period of time and specific group of individuals. I plan to follow this read up with Beryl's autobiography as well as Isak Dinesen's Out of Africa in the future.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
3.5 stars.
I liked this one, but it lacked a little luster. The premise was good and interesting, but the plot and the narrative just didn't pack the punch I was looking for. Similarly, Coin was a decent character who certainly wasn't a flat construction, but she could have used a little more depth and complexity. The overall story was good and I enjoyed the moments of conflict created throughout the narrative--there was obvious creativity to the plot and some good entertainment factor. It would have likely been a more compelling story with more fleshing out of the characters and more detailed world-building. I certainly could have used a bit more backstory to the world, including a better explanation and understanding of the caste system. This would have enhanced the experience and made me a bit more invested in the plot. Regardless, this was a good read and a respectable freshman novel.
3.5 stars.
I liked this one, but it lacked a little luster. The premise was good and interesting, but the plot and the narrative just didn't pack the punch I was looking for. Similarly, Coin was a decent character who certainly wasn't a flat construction, but she could have used a little more depth and complexity. The overall story was good and I enjoyed the moments of conflict created throughout the narrative--there was obvious creativity to the plot and some good entertainment factor. It would have likely been a more compelling story with more fleshing out of the characters and more detailed world-building. I certainly could have used a bit more backstory to the world, including a better explanation and understanding of the caste system. This would have enhanced the experience and made me a bit more invested in the plot. Regardless, this was a good read and a respectable freshman novel.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
I will read anything that Charlie N. Holmberg writes! Her worlds are so creative and weird with so much wonderful darkness.
Enna is a good character for this story. Though perhaps a couple of years older than I would have imagined her, she is appropriately daring and a brilliant combination of mature and naive given her circumstances. Her family's backstory is just enough to give some footing while still leaving substantial room for mystery and maybe a little reader confusion.
The dual POV approach is interesting at first, but works very well as the story unfolds. The majority of the tale is told from Enna's first person point of view, showing the reader her limitations while a smaller piece of the narrative is a third person view of Maekallus, the mysting to whom Enna has bound herself unwittingly. This second perspective gives just enough information to create increased tension in the narrative and makes the story just that much more interesting.
I loved this story very much, though I will admit that I would have loved for Enna's grandmother to have still been alive. I wanted more of her knowledge of the mystings as I found these pieces of the world incredibly fascinating. Holmberg's writing is just my style and I have yet to find a book of hers that I haven't loved. This was another weird and wonderful read.
I will read anything that Charlie N. Holmberg writes! Her worlds are so creative and weird with so much wonderful darkness.
Enna is a good character for this story. Though perhaps a couple of years older than I would have imagined her, she is appropriately daring and a brilliant combination of mature and naive given her circumstances. Her family's backstory is just enough to give some footing while still leaving substantial room for mystery and maybe a little reader confusion.
The dual POV approach is interesting at first, but works very well as the story unfolds. The majority of the tale is told from Enna's first person point of view, showing the reader her limitations while a smaller piece of the narrative is a third person view of Maekallus, the mysting to whom Enna has bound herself unwittingly. This second perspective gives just enough information to create increased tension in the narrative and makes the story just that much more interesting.
I loved this story very much, though I will admit that I would have loved for Enna's grandmother to have still been alive. I wanted more of her knowledge of the mystings as I found these pieces of the world incredibly fascinating. Holmberg's writing is just my style and I have yet to find a book of hers that I haven't loved. This was another weird and wonderful read.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
3.5 stars
The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy is a good freshman YA fantasy novel. It is based in a fairly well described society which is ruled by four Sifter leaders, of which Madame is the strongest. She rules viciously in a land where memories are currency to be bought, sold, and stolen.
Etta has made a deal with Madame that was meant to keep her mother safe. But Madame, it seems, is not going to keep her word. Upon notice that her mother is to be "auctioned" in a few days' time, Etta sets out to rejoin the Shadows and rescue her mother from the evil Sifter.
Mansy has some clear writing talent and the premise for this novel was interesting and fairly well constructed. The characters overall fell slightly flatter than I would have liked, but there was a decent development in Etta and maybe a hint beginning in Reid. Though no sequel is currently indicated, the writing for these characters did feel a bit like the typical "setup" novel for a fantasy trilogy.
The world building in this novel is decent and there is the creation of some atmospheric setting. The construction is coherent and mostly simple, while still staying unique and interesting. However, there is some info dumping in the beginning that creates a bit of confusion. The different "occupations" and sectors of the public got a little muddled for me and I had to slowly weed out the details of who was who and what powers were given to what factions.
I enjoy the fact that there is a fantastic setup for an unreliable narrator in this plot. When your memories can be taken, altered, or replaced/erased, how do you know what is real? This fact wasn't used to it's fullest, but it was definitely exploited to a degree...which I appreciated.
The ending was a bit of a whirlwind. The battle felt a little short compared to all the buildup. It wasn't bad, but somehow felt underwhelming. There also exists an epilogue, which does close up a few important matters, but still felt different from the writing in the rest of the book.
Overall, this was a good read and I liked the world that it was set in. It would make good sense for there to be a sequel to this book, but as a standalone it still lines up pretty okay. A stronger ending would have really helped it out, but I was still mostly content with what took place in the pages.
3.5 stars
The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy is a good freshman YA fantasy novel. It is based in a fairly well described society which is ruled by four Sifter leaders, of which Madame is the strongest. She rules viciously in a land where memories are currency to be bought, sold, and stolen.
Etta has made a deal with Madame that was meant to keep her mother safe. But Madame, it seems, is not going to keep her word. Upon notice that her mother is to be "auctioned" in a few days' time, Etta sets out to rejoin the Shadows and rescue her mother from the evil Sifter.
Mansy has some clear writing talent and the premise for this novel was interesting and fairly well constructed. The characters overall fell slightly flatter than I would have liked, but there was a decent development in Etta and maybe a hint beginning in Reid. Though no sequel is currently indicated, the writing for these characters did feel a bit like the typical "setup" novel for a fantasy trilogy.
The world building in this novel is decent and there is the creation of some atmospheric setting. The construction is coherent and mostly simple, while still staying unique and interesting. However, there is some info dumping in the beginning that creates a bit of confusion. The different "occupations" and sectors of the public got a little muddled for me and I had to slowly weed out the details of who was who and what powers were given to what factions.
I enjoy the fact that there is a fantastic setup for an unreliable narrator in this plot. When your memories can be taken, altered, or replaced/erased, how do you know what is real? This fact wasn't used to it's fullest, but it was definitely exploited to a degree...which I appreciated.
The ending was a bit of a whirlwind. The battle felt a little short compared to all the buildup. It wasn't bad, but somehow felt underwhelming. There also exists an epilogue, which does close up a few important matters, but still felt different from the writing in the rest of the book.
Overall, this was a good read and I liked the world that it was set in. It would make good sense for there to be a sequel to this book, but as a standalone it still lines up pretty okay. A stronger ending would have really helped it out, but I was still mostly content with what took place in the pages.
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4.5 stars.
A very good end to the series. Lots of action and great character building/maturing. I appreciate that Riordan trusts his readers enough to know that there need to be some sacrifices along the way for a good book and that not all characters can survive to the end if you want your conflict to be viewed realistically. It gave the book so much more power and I found so much more enjoyment in the fact that the risks of going into battle were real for these characters. Are there moments where good characters die? Yes. But it makes the author more trustworthy to tell a good story. Also, I'm very thankful that the Heroes of Olympus series exists. Because even though this is the last Percy Jackson, there is SO much more story to be told and I need it oh so much. Starting the Lost Hero very soon.
A very good end to the series. Lots of action and great character building/maturing. I appreciate that Riordan trusts his readers enough to know that there need to be some sacrifices along the way for a good book and that not all characters can survive to the end if you want your conflict to be viewed realistically. It gave the book so much more power and I found so much more enjoyment in the fact that the risks of going into battle were real for these characters. Are there moments where good characters die? Yes. But it makes the author more trustworthy to tell a good story. Also, I'm very thankful that the Heroes of Olympus series exists. Because even though this is the last Percy Jackson, there is SO much more story to be told and I need it oh so much. Starting the Lost Hero very soon.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
3.5 stars.
Ivory Apples by Lisa Goldstein contains a good handful of my favorite tropes. It contains a book within a book and is a dark fantasy with a magical realism flare.
Ivy Quinn's great-aunt Maeve is a recluse, an author by the real name of Adela Madden (for some reason listed in the Goodreads synopsis as Adela Martin), who wrote the cult fantasy novel Ivory Apples. She is in hiding from a following of obsessed fans, some of whom Ivy assumes must be out to harm her in some way. When the mysterious Kate Burden becomes obsessed with Ivy and her sisters, Ivy is highly suspicious in all the right ways. What follows is a tumbling story of darkness, deception, and fantastical bits all rolled into a narrative with beautiful and whimsical writing.
This was my first time reading a Lisa Goldstein work, but it certainly won't be my last. Her writing style is magnificent and I devoured this book. For some, this won't work...as it requires a bit of suspending reality, but I love this kind of fantastical writing. Add in myth and legend, and well...I was hooked.
I don't want to spoil any of the magic, so I will leave my synopsis rather vague beyond this point. However, I will say that I wanted more of Pommerie town and the original Ivory Apples. In fact, I wanted more of this book. I really enjoyed my reading...in fact...the book was well on it's way to a 5-star rating...but I was let down somewhat by the ending. After so much intricate weaving of tale and prose, the ending just felt rushed and cluttered. The conclusion was unfulfilling. There was a bit of this that hinted at the potential for a sequel, though I could find nothing indicating that this is in the plans. I will say that the existence of a sequel would help bolster my rating as I could forgive a little vagueness should a continuation of the story exist. As it is, this could have easily been a 5-star for me with a more solid end. I will still likely grab this book for a reread in the future and will probably keep my fingers crossed for that hoped for redeeming sequel.
As a side note...a finicky bit of the narrative. For me, the presence of a romantic element for Ivy felt forced. It shows Ivy's increase in age/maturity as the tale goes on, but it felt like the existence of an LGBTQIA+ thread simply to check a box. I'm all for diversity in my reading and in my characters, but I don't like when authors appear to add this into the narrative simply to make their book seem more inclusive. In this case, Ivy's sexuality and romantic feelings did nothing to affect or further the plot and was a minor piece that more detracted from the overall flow of the book.
3.5 stars.
Ivory Apples by Lisa Goldstein contains a good handful of my favorite tropes. It contains a book within a book and is a dark fantasy with a magical realism flare.
Ivy Quinn's great-aunt Maeve is a recluse, an author by the real name of Adela Madden (for some reason listed in the Goodreads synopsis as Adela Martin), who wrote the cult fantasy novel Ivory Apples. She is in hiding from a following of obsessed fans, some of whom Ivy assumes must be out to harm her in some way. When the mysterious Kate Burden becomes obsessed with Ivy and her sisters, Ivy is highly suspicious in all the right ways. What follows is a tumbling story of darkness, deception, and fantastical bits all rolled into a narrative with beautiful and whimsical writing.
This was my first time reading a Lisa Goldstein work, but it certainly won't be my last. Her writing style is magnificent and I devoured this book. For some, this won't work...as it requires a bit of suspending reality, but I love this kind of fantastical writing. Add in myth and legend, and well...I was hooked.
I don't want to spoil any of the magic, so I will leave my synopsis rather vague beyond this point. However, I will say that I wanted more of Pommerie town and the original Ivory Apples. In fact, I wanted more of this book. I really enjoyed my reading...in fact...the book was well on it's way to a 5-star rating...but I was let down somewhat by the ending. After so much intricate weaving of tale and prose, the ending just felt rushed and cluttered. The conclusion was unfulfilling. There was a bit of this that hinted at the potential for a sequel, though I could find nothing indicating that this is in the plans. I will say that the existence of a sequel would help bolster my rating as I could forgive a little vagueness should a continuation of the story exist. As it is, this could have easily been a 5-star for me with a more solid end. I will still likely grab this book for a reread in the future and will probably keep my fingers crossed for that hoped for redeeming sequel.
As a side note...a finicky bit of the narrative. For me, the presence of a romantic element for Ivy felt forced. It shows Ivy's increase in age/maturity as the tale goes on, but it felt like the existence of an LGBTQIA+ thread simply to check a box. I'm all for diversity in my reading and in my characters, but I don't like when authors appear to add this into the narrative simply to make their book seem more inclusive. In this case, Ivy's sexuality and romantic feelings did nothing to affect or further the plot and was a minor piece that more detracted from the overall flow of the book.