Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Set in the sleepy town of Abbeymead in 1955, Flora Steele, a young bookshop owner, is shocked when the reclusive crime writer Jack Carrington discovers a dead body in her old store. The police call it a natural death, but Flora is doubtful. When rumors spread about the bookshop being haunted, Flora starts to lose her business and savings.
Having no one to call her own after Aunt Violet’s death, Flora is determined to unearth the mystery behind the death. After all, how can a healthy young man die of a heart attack? Why was he in her bookshop, and when did he even enter?
Flora enlists Jack’s help to get to the bottom of the mystery, only to stumble upon more deaths in the process. Why are people related to the Priory dying, and why is the new owner not bothered about it?
The list of suspects keeps changing, and Flora is even determined than before. How can she let the killer get away? So what if the police are least interested?
The Bookshop Murder is the first book in the series and an engaging cozy mystery set in Sussex. Flora is a 25-year-old single woman, running her deceased aunt’s bookshop (now her own), All’s Well. She has a simple and routine life with the dreams of traveling the world to keep her company during the lonely days.
Jack is a recluse who had no choice but to step out to collect his books from All’s Well when the boy running errands falls sick. He discovers a dead body during his visit to the store, and there starts the story. Torn between writer’s block and the unexpected feeling to help Flora, Jack teams up with her to solve the mystery.
The book stays true to its genre and gives us an enjoyable mystery to solve. It’s neither complicated nor silly. Flora and Jack balance each other rather well. Neither of them is always right or wrong. They have their strengths and weak points.
As the first book in the series, the story gives us quite a bit of detail about the lead characters’ pasts. This adds to the character arc. The subsequent books are likely to have a budding romance between the leads, and yeah, I’m looking forward to it.
The case is solved in this book, and we have a definite ending. Picking it up as a standalone, and you’ll still enjoy it.
Overall, The Bookshop Murders is an engaging book with books, deaths, and amateur sleuths. Don’t expect much except for a nice little crime, and you’ll enjoy it more.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheBookshopMurder #NetGalley
Having no one to call her own after Aunt Violet’s death, Flora is determined to unearth the mystery behind the death. After all, how can a healthy young man die of a heart attack? Why was he in her bookshop, and when did he even enter?
Flora enlists Jack’s help to get to the bottom of the mystery, only to stumble upon more deaths in the process. Why are people related to the Priory dying, and why is the new owner not bothered about it?
The list of suspects keeps changing, and Flora is even determined than before. How can she let the killer get away? So what if the police are least interested?
The Bookshop Murder is the first book in the series and an engaging cozy mystery set in Sussex. Flora is a 25-year-old single woman, running her deceased aunt’s bookshop (now her own), All’s Well. She has a simple and routine life with the dreams of traveling the world to keep her company during the lonely days.
Jack is a recluse who had no choice but to step out to collect his books from All’s Well when the boy running errands falls sick. He discovers a dead body during his visit to the store, and there starts the story. Torn between writer’s block and the unexpected feeling to help Flora, Jack teams up with her to solve the mystery.
The book stays true to its genre and gives us an enjoyable mystery to solve. It’s neither complicated nor silly. Flora and Jack balance each other rather well. Neither of them is always right or wrong. They have their strengths and weak points.
As the first book in the series, the story gives us quite a bit of detail about the lead characters’ pasts. This adds to the character arc. The subsequent books are likely to have a budding romance between the leads, and yeah, I’m looking forward to it.
The case is solved in this book, and we have a definite ending. Picking it up as a standalone, and you’ll still enjoy it.
Overall, The Bookshop Murders is an engaging book with books, deaths, and amateur sleuths. Don’t expect much except for a nice little crime, and you’ll enjoy it more.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheBookshopMurder #NetGalley
Set in a Norse kingdom, Saylok, the book takes us through the lives of a blind boy, Hod, named after the mysterious blind God, and Ghisla, a young Songr girl. Hod takes care of her after she washes ashore near the caves he’s living in.
They form an unlikely bond that deepens over the years. Ghisla’s songs can make Hod see even if it means his other senses weaken.
Burdened by a curse, the kingdom of Saylok is trying to gather and save girls for the next generation. How long can a kingdom exist if there’s no girl child?
Ghisla is sent to the temple for protection along with four other girls from different regions of Saylok. The relationship between the king and the chieftains is strained, and the power struggle leads to turmoil in several lives. Ghisla and Hod are apart, trying to hold onto each other only by hope.
Can the two find peace among betrayals and power games? How can they save the kingdom from being destroyed forever?
The Second Blind Son is the second book of the series, The Chronicles of Saylok. I wasn’t aware of the first book until I got this one. However, it did not affect my reading experience. Maybe I would have understood a couple of characters better if I read it first, but there’s enough character development in the second book to work as a standalone.
This book also happens to be my first by the author, and I’ve already added most of her other works to my TBR.
The beginning is slow, but that’s expected with a fantasy. The world-building is essential, and the author took care to provide the right amount of information without dumping everything at once on the readers.
The story picks up the pace to match the plotline. It progresses over a decade. The first half of the book is YA, while the second half is more in the adult category. The romance is quite a slow burn, with the couple being apart more than they can be together.
As with every other historical, the story has betrayals, treachery, lies, power politics, greed, lust, and more. The elements of fantasy are just right, enough to give the story that extra kick without making it too absurd or weird. I love the magic of the runes, irrespective of the uncertainty they bring.
What made the book stand out was the author's writing. Her imagery is strong and vivid. She has control over the setting, the atmosphere, and her characters. The characters are flawed yet real in a strange way. Imagine understanding characters from a historical fantasy when some of the contemporary ones don’t even make sense.
A friend, who recommended the book, mentioned that I would enjoy the author’s writing style, and I sure did. In fact, I didn’t even notice if there were too many adverbs (and that’s proof enough). I’ll, of course, be going back to read book one and am already looking forward to the next in the series.
To sum up, The Second Blind Son is a beautiful book with all elements in the right proportion. Take your time to read it, and you’ll enjoy it more (or so I feel). A breather makes this book even better.
It’s been a long time since a book inspired me to write a poem. That alone makes me rate it full five stars.
On the palm of our hands
Among the lines of fate
Deciding our destiny
Daring us to find a new path
Bound by the threads unseen
We stumble this way and that
Wondering what would happen
If the lines could be altered; erased
A question, a speculation
With no answer in sight
Or so it seems until one day
Comes the one challenging us to act
Take the knife out, break the skin
Let scarlet drops fall to the earth
The wound will sting, mixed with sweat and spit;
Let it burn as desire flares in your soul
Find your mate, and draw the rune
Let the words of the ancient times
Bind you, test you, bless you
Forced by the fresh lines you draw
The lines of a new fate
You carve on the palms… for love.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and 47North and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheSecondBlindSon #NetGalley
They form an unlikely bond that deepens over the years. Ghisla’s songs can make Hod see even if it means his other senses weaken.
Burdened by a curse, the kingdom of Saylok is trying to gather and save girls for the next generation. How long can a kingdom exist if there’s no girl child?
Ghisla is sent to the temple for protection along with four other girls from different regions of Saylok. The relationship between the king and the chieftains is strained, and the power struggle leads to turmoil in several lives. Ghisla and Hod are apart, trying to hold onto each other only by hope.
Can the two find peace among betrayals and power games? How can they save the kingdom from being destroyed forever?
The Second Blind Son is the second book of the series, The Chronicles of Saylok. I wasn’t aware of the first book until I got this one. However, it did not affect my reading experience. Maybe I would have understood a couple of characters better if I read it first, but there’s enough character development in the second book to work as a standalone.
This book also happens to be my first by the author, and I’ve already added most of her other works to my TBR.
The beginning is slow, but that’s expected with a fantasy. The world-building is essential, and the author took care to provide the right amount of information without dumping everything at once on the readers.
The story picks up the pace to match the plotline. It progresses over a decade. The first half of the book is YA, while the second half is more in the adult category. The romance is quite a slow burn, with the couple being apart more than they can be together.
As with every other historical, the story has betrayals, treachery, lies, power politics, greed, lust, and more. The elements of fantasy are just right, enough to give the story that extra kick without making it too absurd or weird. I love the magic of the runes, irrespective of the uncertainty they bring.
What made the book stand out was the author's writing. Her imagery is strong and vivid. She has control over the setting, the atmosphere, and her characters. The characters are flawed yet real in a strange way. Imagine understanding characters from a historical fantasy when some of the contemporary ones don’t even make sense.
A friend, who recommended the book, mentioned that I would enjoy the author’s writing style, and I sure did. In fact, I didn’t even notice if there were too many adverbs (and that’s proof enough). I’ll, of course, be going back to read book one and am already looking forward to the next in the series.
To sum up, The Second Blind Son is a beautiful book with all elements in the right proportion. Take your time to read it, and you’ll enjoy it more (or so I feel). A breather makes this book even better.
It’s been a long time since a book inspired me to write a poem. That alone makes me rate it full five stars.
On the palm of our hands
Among the lines of fate
Deciding our destiny
Daring us to find a new path
Bound by the threads unseen
We stumble this way and that
Wondering what would happen
If the lines could be altered; erased
A question, a speculation
With no answer in sight
Or so it seems until one day
Comes the one challenging us to act
Take the knife out, break the skin
Let scarlet drops fall to the earth
The wound will sting, mixed with sweat and spit;
Let it burn as desire flares in your soul
Find your mate, and draw the rune
Let the words of the ancient times
Bind you, test you, bless you
Forced by the fresh lines you draw
The lines of a new fate
You carve on the palms… for love.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and 47North and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheSecondBlindSon #NetGalley
3.5 Stars
Phoebe Glassman, a mortuary cosmetologist, lost her husband Logan three years ago. She’s been more dead than alive since then, drifting through days in a haze while completing her job at Fair Winds. On the day of the third death anniversary, a body arrives at the mortuary, changing Phoebe’s life forever.
Pauline Steele, the dead woman, is around a decade younger than Phoebe and looks like a long-lost twin. The resemblance between them is too striking to ignore. Phoebe is still in shock when she spies a unique butterfly tattoo on the woman’s arm. She knows exactly where she last saw the design.
Fueled by curiosity, Phoebe digs through the dead woman’s belongings and finds an old faded photograph of herself from a few years ago. Phoebe is now determined to unravel the mystery that binds her and Pauline together. The more she tugs at the tangled threads, the complex things get. It doesn’t help that she’s close to losing her sanity and sometimes wonders if she’s already gone crazy.
But she fights on and finally finds answers to some of her questions. Does she find peace too?
The premise and the cover of the book were intriguing enough for me to request it. The beginning is strong, and the narration picks up speed as we read on. There are hints scattered from the beginning to give us a glimpse of the secrets kept hidden from Phoebe.
There are several twists and turns, doubts, questions with no answers, and whatnot to take the story forward. Phoebe’s emotional state weakens, and that should have made me feel sad for her. Somehow, from start to finish, I couldn’t connect with Phoebe on any level. Sure, I don’t relate to her. Still, I could have empathized with her.
Sadly, I could feel only a wee bit sad when reading about her pain. It’s a devastating loss on many levels, and yet, it didn’t touch me as I wanted it to. There was a thick glass between us that refused to let us connect.
It’s only the fast pace and my desire to see if my analysis was correct that made the book interesting. I did get it right, so I would give the author a few brownie points for not bringing a twist I didn’t expect.
The ending is quite satisfactory, that’s another plus because I like happy endings. There are still some left-out loopholes, but at least the last page didn’t leave wondering about everything.
It does look like I’m a minority, and most people liked the book (until now). I’m glad for them. Personally, it didn’t offer anything new or exciting.
Overall, In Another Light is a fast-paced story about a traumatic women’s quest for truth while battling her pain and loss.
On a side note, I don’t why I thought this was listed as a thriller somewhere. NetGalley says it is women’s fiction, and I call it a psychological family drama. Oh, well, it’s not a thriller per se despite the pace and suspense.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#InAnotherLight #NetGalley
Phoebe Glassman, a mortuary cosmetologist, lost her husband Logan three years ago. She’s been more dead than alive since then, drifting through days in a haze while completing her job at Fair Winds. On the day of the third death anniversary, a body arrives at the mortuary, changing Phoebe’s life forever.
Pauline Steele, the dead woman, is around a decade younger than Phoebe and looks like a long-lost twin. The resemblance between them is too striking to ignore. Phoebe is still in shock when she spies a unique butterfly tattoo on the woman’s arm. She knows exactly where she last saw the design.
Fueled by curiosity, Phoebe digs through the dead woman’s belongings and finds an old faded photograph of herself from a few years ago. Phoebe is now determined to unravel the mystery that binds her and Pauline together. The more she tugs at the tangled threads, the complex things get. It doesn’t help that she’s close to losing her sanity and sometimes wonders if she’s already gone crazy.
But she fights on and finally finds answers to some of her questions. Does she find peace too?
The premise and the cover of the book were intriguing enough for me to request it. The beginning is strong, and the narration picks up speed as we read on. There are hints scattered from the beginning to give us a glimpse of the secrets kept hidden from Phoebe.
There are several twists and turns, doubts, questions with no answers, and whatnot to take the story forward. Phoebe’s emotional state weakens, and that should have made me feel sad for her. Somehow, from start to finish, I couldn’t connect with Phoebe on any level. Sure, I don’t relate to her. Still, I could have empathized with her.
Sadly, I could feel only a wee bit sad when reading about her pain. It’s a devastating loss on many levels, and yet, it didn’t touch me as I wanted it to. There was a thick glass between us that refused to let us connect.
It’s only the fast pace and my desire to see if my analysis was correct that made the book interesting. I did get it right, so I would give the author a few brownie points for not bringing a twist I didn’t expect.
The ending is quite satisfactory, that’s another plus because I like happy endings. There are still some left-out loopholes, but at least the last page didn’t leave wondering about everything.
It does look like I’m a minority, and most people liked the book (until now). I’m glad for them. Personally, it didn’t offer anything new or exciting.
Overall, In Another Light is a fast-paced story about a traumatic women’s quest for truth while battling her pain and loss.
On a side note, I don’t why I thought this was listed as a thriller somewhere. NetGalley says it is women’s fiction, and I call it a psychological family drama. Oh, well, it’s not a thriller per se despite the pace and suspense.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#InAnotherLight #NetGalley
3.7 Stars
Set in 1789, the book has Jane Austen as a young thirteen-year-old, playing detective at the Southmoor Abbey. Jane has to take her elder sister’s place as Lady Cromwell’s companion for a week during the celebration of her son’s coming-of-age birthday party.
Jane has a bet with (one of) her brother to solve the mystery of Abbey’s ghost. As a non-believer of ghosts, she is determined to unearth the truth.
However, Jane realizes there’s a lot more to solve as incidents happen one after another. The list of suspects is increasing. Luckily, she finds an ally in Luke, the stable boy, and Deepti, a young Indian laundress with several talents.
Can Jane solve the mysteries without risking her life in the process?
The book started rather well. Jane is portrayed as a cheerful, quirky, and witty teen. She carries a notebook to write down her observations. She is smart, not really sensible, but clever enough to solve a mystery despite the obstacles.
The tone is lighthearted, and you can hear Jane muttering at times. The actual mystery starts almost halfway through the story. It’s not much of a mystery either. However, it should suit the target audience, middle graders. The writing is consistent and a little juvenile. That’s a plus. Jane is 13 years old. That’s how she is supposed to be. Her family is considered rather eccentric and reminds us of the Bennet family.
There were times when Jane seemed more like a mix of her heroines in the book. This could go either way with fans. But yeah, it’s rather hard to imagine Jane Austen playing an amateur detective, resembling a historical version of Nancy Drew.
The author did her best to show a positive portrayal of Indian characters, Deepti and her father, Arjun. I’m glad to see that. However, I do wonder how a girl from Maratha, belonging to the warrior/ bodyguard community can call Jahangir the great Mughal emperor. Her loyalties will be with the Maratha kingdom, not the invaders.
I understand where it comes from. The internet is full of portraying invaders as noblemen and whitewashing the killings of millions of natives.
That’s a minor point that stayed with me because I belong to the country.
Going back to the story, it did fall a little flat in terms of the ‘ghost' part, which was supposed to be the central theme. The other incidents take more prominence, and the ghost is more or less reduced to being used as a prop. Though it’s a decent mystery for middle graders, it could have been better.
Overall, the book shows promise. I feel that the next one would be even better. Looking forward to reading book two in the series. Pick this one as a light and casual read for kids.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Lion Hudson Ltd, and Lion Fiction and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#JaneAustenInvestigates #NetGalley
Set in 1789, the book has Jane Austen as a young thirteen-year-old, playing detective at the Southmoor Abbey. Jane has to take her elder sister’s place as Lady Cromwell’s companion for a week during the celebration of her son’s coming-of-age birthday party.
Jane has a bet with (one of) her brother to solve the mystery of Abbey’s ghost. As a non-believer of ghosts, she is determined to unearth the truth.
However, Jane realizes there’s a lot more to solve as incidents happen one after another. The list of suspects is increasing. Luckily, she finds an ally in Luke, the stable boy, and Deepti, a young Indian laundress with several talents.
Can Jane solve the mysteries without risking her life in the process?
The book started rather well. Jane is portrayed as a cheerful, quirky, and witty teen. She carries a notebook to write down her observations. She is smart, not really sensible, but clever enough to solve a mystery despite the obstacles.
The tone is lighthearted, and you can hear Jane muttering at times. The actual mystery starts almost halfway through the story. It’s not much of a mystery either. However, it should suit the target audience, middle graders. The writing is consistent and a little juvenile. That’s a plus. Jane is 13 years old. That’s how she is supposed to be. Her family is considered rather eccentric and reminds us of the Bennet family.
There were times when Jane seemed more like a mix of her heroines in the book. This could go either way with fans. But yeah, it’s rather hard to imagine Jane Austen playing an amateur detective, resembling a historical version of Nancy Drew.
The author did her best to show a positive portrayal of Indian characters, Deepti and her father, Arjun. I’m glad to see that. However, I do wonder how a girl from Maratha, belonging to the warrior/ bodyguard community can call Jahangir the great Mughal emperor. Her loyalties will be with the Maratha kingdom, not the invaders.
I understand where it comes from. The internet is full of portraying invaders as noblemen and whitewashing the killings of millions of natives.
That’s a minor point that stayed with me because I belong to the country.
Going back to the story, it did fall a little flat in terms of the ‘ghost' part, which was supposed to be the central theme. The other incidents take more prominence, and the ghost is more or less reduced to being used as a prop. Though it’s a decent mystery for middle graders, it could have been better.
Overall, the book shows promise. I feel that the next one would be even better. Looking forward to reading book two in the series. Pick this one as a light and casual read for kids.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Lion Hudson Ltd, and Lion Fiction and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#JaneAustenInvestigates #NetGalley
3.7 Stars
Icasia Bloom lives in a Globe that’s controlled by an elusive leader, Jacobson. They have to adhere to the Rules and follow the protocols. People like Icasia find a way to rebel without entirely breaking the rules.
However, for people to move from First Life Phase to Second Life Phase they need to find Happiness and a Letter that says they have been successful in finding happiness. It’s a dystopian world with rules of its own.
Icasia isn’t bothered much about her happiness. She only cares for her son’s happiness and future. Being a single mother isn’t easy either. She meets Selma, another woman who has been straddling the Rules.
Selma needs to find a way for Jerome to get his Letter of happiness before his 40th birthday. If not, he’ll lose his life and has no say in the matter. Nothing seems to be working, and Icasia promises to help. This results in some vital questions and rule-defying answers that change the way the Globe looks at happiness.
The title and the cover attracted my attention. Dystopian isn’t my genre, but I’m glad I requested this one. The story starts almost straight away and goes on to share details in bits and pieces. That prevented information dump and kept me interested.
The narration jumps from the second person to the third person to omnipresent. Luckily, the chapters are titled (Listen/ Watch/ Chronicles) to alert readers to this fact. The story walks a fine line between dystopian and philosophical. Things are different yet the same.
The characters are flawed, but most of them don’t appear silly or stupid. Leila, Selma's teenage daughter, was a typical teen, which meant some of her actions don’t make sense unless there’s a proper backstory and complete arc.
The theme of the book hinged on what happiness is and how one should find it. As with the dystopian trope, the government has a role to play in most decisions. It isn’t anything new, to be honest. The author makes it interesting to a major extent by using the setting to her advantage.
However, I felt she hasn’t delved deep into the concept. It could be because she didn’t want to risk being preachy. Lord knows how hard it is to maintain balance. Still, the characters needed more exploration. Some of the scenes feel disjointed, as if there’s a missing link. This link doesn’t appear elsewhere to complete the connection. Nor do we find answers to certain questions about why the Rules were established that way. (It sounds vague because I’m trying to avoid spoilers).
The premise is excellent, and the use of the bluebird is worth mentioning. The characters needed more effort. They are good, but they had to be better to elevate the story. Some of the scenes felt too distanced to feel for the characters. I don’t usually relate to most characters, so that’s not an issue. But I do like to feel for them.
It would sound better to call the swastika a Hindu symbol rather than a Sanskrit symbol. Sanskrit is our ancient language with a script and symbols of its own. There is no difference per se, but it’s important to us. It is a part of our culture; we like to not be disassociated from the sacred symbol or our sacred language the way it is being done with yoga.
That said, the presence of swastika adds no value to the story. It was used more of a prop to show that the character knew the difference between the Hindu swastika to the Nazi symbol and maybe to bring a sort of inclusivity in the book. After that, there’s no mention of it again. It doesn’t feature anywhere else in the book. I don’t think the book would be the least affected if that scene mentioning the swastika tattoo was removed.
And Eve could have been the reader. In fact, I preferred it that way. The last chapter could have been better without Eve being a victim of a car accident or losing her memory.
Also, the ending wasn’t too great. It sort of diminished the emotions evoked until then.
To sum up, How Icasia Bloom Touched Happiness is a decent novel with multiple aspects to ponder about. The book is fast-paced and worth a read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Vine Leaves Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#HowIcasiaBloomTouchedHappiness #NetGalley
Icasia Bloom lives in a Globe that’s controlled by an elusive leader, Jacobson. They have to adhere to the Rules and follow the protocols. People like Icasia find a way to rebel without entirely breaking the rules.
However, for people to move from First Life Phase to Second Life Phase they need to find Happiness and a Letter that says they have been successful in finding happiness. It’s a dystopian world with rules of its own.
Icasia isn’t bothered much about her happiness. She only cares for her son’s happiness and future. Being a single mother isn’t easy either. She meets Selma, another woman who has been straddling the Rules.
Selma needs to find a way for Jerome to get his Letter of happiness before his 40th birthday. If not, he’ll lose his life and has no say in the matter. Nothing seems to be working, and Icasia promises to help. This results in some vital questions and rule-defying answers that change the way the Globe looks at happiness.
The title and the cover attracted my attention. Dystopian isn’t my genre, but I’m glad I requested this one. The story starts almost straight away and goes on to share details in bits and pieces. That prevented information dump and kept me interested.
The narration jumps from the second person to the third person to omnipresent. Luckily, the chapters are titled (Listen/ Watch/ Chronicles) to alert readers to this fact. The story walks a fine line between dystopian and philosophical. Things are different yet the same.
The characters are flawed, but most of them don’t appear silly or stupid. Leila, Selma's teenage daughter, was a typical teen, which meant some of her actions don’t make sense unless there’s a proper backstory and complete arc.
The theme of the book hinged on what happiness is and how one should find it. As with the dystopian trope, the government has a role to play in most decisions. It isn’t anything new, to be honest. The author makes it interesting to a major extent by using the setting to her advantage.
However, I felt she hasn’t delved deep into the concept. It could be because she didn’t want to risk being preachy. Lord knows how hard it is to maintain balance. Still, the characters needed more exploration. Some of the scenes feel disjointed, as if there’s a missing link. This link doesn’t appear elsewhere to complete the connection. Nor do we find answers to certain questions about why the Rules were established that way. (It sounds vague because I’m trying to avoid spoilers).
The premise is excellent, and the use of the bluebird is worth mentioning. The characters needed more effort. They are good, but they had to be better to elevate the story. Some of the scenes felt too distanced to feel for the characters. I don’t usually relate to most characters, so that’s not an issue. But I do like to feel for them.
Spoiler
It would sound better to call the swastika a Hindu symbol rather than a Sanskrit symbol. Sanskrit is our ancient language with a script and symbols of its own. There is no difference per se, but it’s important to us. It is a part of our culture; we like to not be disassociated from the sacred symbol or our sacred language the way it is being done with yoga.
That said, the presence of swastika adds no value to the story. It was used more of a prop to show that the character knew the difference between the Hindu swastika to the Nazi symbol and maybe to bring a sort of inclusivity in the book. After that, there’s no mention of it again. It doesn’t feature anywhere else in the book. I don’t think the book would be the least affected if that scene mentioning the swastika tattoo was removed.
And Eve could have been the reader. In fact, I preferred it that way. The last chapter could have been better without Eve being a victim of a car accident or losing her memory.
Also, the ending wasn’t too great. It sort of diminished the emotions evoked until then.
To sum up, How Icasia Bloom Touched Happiness is a decent novel with multiple aspects to ponder about. The book is fast-paced and worth a read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Vine Leaves Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#HowIcasiaBloomTouchedHappiness #NetGalley
3.5 Stars
The story is about an old man living in a small house as the city grew around him. He misses the old days when life was simpler and closer to Nature. It’s Christmas time, but he has none to talk to. He makes golden stars from old paper and goes out to decorate a tree on a hilltop. Others from the city soon join him, and he feels the Christmas spirit from the past.
The illustrations are soft and roughish. Almost like the author wanted the drawing to not have sharp edges. The theme of the story is lovely. However, the writing seemed too pale in comparison. I couldn’t feel that level of connection despite the theme. And the text in the ARC copy was way too tiny for a comfortable read.
Overall, it’s a warm book that could have been better.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story is about an old man living in a small house as the city grew around him. He misses the old days when life was simpler and closer to Nature. It’s Christmas time, but he has none to talk to. He makes golden stars from old paper and goes out to decorate a tree on a hilltop. Others from the city soon join him, and he feels the Christmas spirit from the past.
The illustrations are soft and roughish. Almost like the author wanted the drawing to not have sharp edges. The theme of the story is lovely. However, the writing seemed too pale in comparison. I couldn’t feel that level of connection despite the theme. And the text in the ARC copy was way too tiny for a comfortable read.
Overall, it’s a warm book that could have been better.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Great War has wreaked havoc in Russia as the Bolsheviks swore to get rid of the aristocrats from the land. Svetlana escapes to Paris with her younger sister and mother in an attempt to stay alive. Life is tough for the princess as she has to come to terms with the lack of food and proper accommodations. Her mother’s aristocratic extravagance seems to be causing more harm.
Wynn MacCallan is a Marquis, the second son of a Scotland Duke, and a surgeon working long hours treating the war patients and making giant leaps in the medical world.
Wynn and Svetlana don’t have a smooth start. The situation is grim, and the ice princess needs no one to help. But life doesn’t work according to her wishes. Svetlana gets into a marriage of convenience with Wynn when he offers a way out of the mounting troubles.
The Great War appears to have ended but is the threat really gone, or are the Bolsheviks still crossing borders to hunt Svetlana and her family? Can the couple find love for each other and save their marriage and lives?
The Ice Swan is an apt title for the book. We see Svetlana as the ice princess who is not easily charmed by anyone. Even as she feels a connection with Wynn, she keeps him at a distance.
The book is 400 pages long and takes quite some time to finish. The beginning is a bit slow (expected, though), but it picks up a moderate pace afterward.
The first half of the book takes place in Paris, where Wynn meets Svetlana, her family, and Leonard’s powerful father. The second half moves to Scotland as the princess tries to adapt to her new life and takes more interest in social causes.
From being a bored princess to become a responsible and capable duchess, Svetlana’s progress seems steady enough. Her relationship with Wynn is another matter, though. The second half focuses on their marriage, and things do get a little predictable from here.
We know things will happen, and the couple will have to go apart before they can confess their love and unite again. Luckily, the pace picks up at this stage, and the author doesn’t throw in too many twists. Wynn is a steadfast character and remains so for most of the book.
The epilogue neatly ties up all knots and eases the wrinkles to give us a happy ever after. As other reviewers have mentioned, I’d love to see two side characters from the book have their own books and (love interests). They are rather cute and heartwarming people with good intentions. Not revealing the names, but will say that they are both males.
Overall, The Ice Swan is a good book with elements of war, history, and romance. The elements have been balanced well, so the book makes a good read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheIceSwan #NetGalley
Wynn MacCallan is a Marquis, the second son of a Scotland Duke, and a surgeon working long hours treating the war patients and making giant leaps in the medical world.
Wynn and Svetlana don’t have a smooth start. The situation is grim, and the ice princess needs no one to help. But life doesn’t work according to her wishes. Svetlana gets into a marriage of convenience with Wynn when he offers a way out of the mounting troubles.
The Great War appears to have ended but is the threat really gone, or are the Bolsheviks still crossing borders to hunt Svetlana and her family? Can the couple find love for each other and save their marriage and lives?
The Ice Swan is an apt title for the book. We see Svetlana as the ice princess who is not easily charmed by anyone. Even as she feels a connection with Wynn, she keeps him at a distance.
The book is 400 pages long and takes quite some time to finish. The beginning is a bit slow (expected, though), but it picks up a moderate pace afterward.
The first half of the book takes place in Paris, where Wynn meets Svetlana, her family, and Leonard’s powerful father. The second half moves to Scotland as the princess tries to adapt to her new life and takes more interest in social causes.
From being a bored princess to become a responsible and capable duchess, Svetlana’s progress seems steady enough. Her relationship with Wynn is another matter, though. The second half focuses on their marriage, and things do get a little predictable from here.
We know things will happen, and the couple will have to go apart before they can confess their love and unite again. Luckily, the pace picks up at this stage, and the author doesn’t throw in too many twists. Wynn is a steadfast character and remains so for most of the book.
The epilogue neatly ties up all knots and eases the wrinkles to give us a happy ever after. As other reviewers have mentioned, I’d love to see two side characters from the book have their own books and (love interests). They are rather cute and heartwarming people with good intentions. Not revealing the names, but will say that they are both males.
Overall, The Ice Swan is a good book with elements of war, history, and romance. The elements have been balanced well, so the book makes a good read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheIceSwan #NetGalley
3.7 Stars
Hogarth Street has pretty houses with happy families, or so it seems. The West family with John, Katherine, and their five-year-old twins is one example.
Gladys and her husband Lou live in the neighboring house. Despite her worry about Lou’s health, Gladys is eager to know her neighbors and misses the good old friendship people used to have with others in their street.
Life goes on until it doesn’t on a hot sultry summer day. Is it the heat making Gladys jumpy, or are her instincts about the West’s family correct?
Do people know each other, or do they prefer not to? How do we draw a line between a helpful neighbor and a nosy one?
Burdened by his past, Logan knows he needs to stay away from anything that could risk his future. But can he stop himself knowing that a woman and two kids, even if they are strangers, are at risk? How will his decision cost him?
This is my first book by the author, and I must admit I’m impressed by her writing. The story has multiple POVs with Logan's, Gladys and Katherine’s are in the limited third person and one in the first person.
The chapters are medium to short and give us more information about the characters. Some of it makes us wonder why it’s needed, but we can see things come together towards the end. The constant struggle Logan and Gladys experience about their instincts was great to read. It’s so easy to get blamed and called names for trying to help. But what if the other person is really in trouble? Their doubts and concerns are relatable.
The pace is decent, though there’s this constant itch of wanting to skip a couple of chapters and read what happens next. Some events seem a bit too coincidental, and there are a couple of things I find a bit unconvincing.
I did guess what the twist could be, though I was trying to connect the dots in the right order. The twist was neither unbelievable nor bland. The hints are there and fit rather well once the major reveal is over.
I like how the book ended with a decent-sized epilogue. Things get better for most characters and end on a positive note. The book also highlights how people with similar abusive backgrounds can grow up to be two different people. It’s not the circumstances that change a person, but their attitude and approach to the situation.
To sum up, The Family Across the Street uses the same tropes of a traumatic childhood but uses them well to create a 250-page story full of suspense, tension, fear, determination, and hope.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#HomeSweetHome #NetGalley
Hogarth Street has pretty houses with happy families, or so it seems. The West family with John, Katherine, and their five-year-old twins is one example.
Gladys and her husband Lou live in the neighboring house. Despite her worry about Lou’s health, Gladys is eager to know her neighbors and misses the good old friendship people used to have with others in their street.
Life goes on until it doesn’t on a hot sultry summer day. Is it the heat making Gladys jumpy, or are her instincts about the West’s family correct?
Do people know each other, or do they prefer not to? How do we draw a line between a helpful neighbor and a nosy one?
Burdened by his past, Logan knows he needs to stay away from anything that could risk his future. But can he stop himself knowing that a woman and two kids, even if they are strangers, are at risk? How will his decision cost him?
This is my first book by the author, and I must admit I’m impressed by her writing. The story has multiple POVs with Logan's, Gladys and Katherine’s are in the limited third person and one in the first person.
The chapters are medium to short and give us more information about the characters. Some of it makes us wonder why it’s needed, but we can see things come together towards the end. The constant struggle Logan and Gladys experience about their instincts was great to read. It’s so easy to get blamed and called names for trying to help. But what if the other person is really in trouble? Their doubts and concerns are relatable.
The pace is decent, though there’s this constant itch of wanting to skip a couple of chapters and read what happens next. Some events seem a bit too coincidental, and there are a couple of things I find a bit unconvincing.
I did guess what the twist could be, though I was trying to connect the dots in the right order. The twist was neither unbelievable nor bland. The hints are there and fit rather well once the major reveal is over.
I like how the book ended with a decent-sized epilogue. Things get better for most characters and end on a positive note. The book also highlights how people with similar abusive backgrounds can grow up to be two different people. It’s not the circumstances that change a person, but their attitude and approach to the situation.
To sum up, The Family Across the Street uses the same tropes of a traumatic childhood but uses them well to create a 250-page story full of suspense, tension, fear, determination, and hope.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#HomeSweetHome #NetGalley
2.7 Stars
Detective Charlie McClung moves to a small town, looking for a less complicated life. However, his very first case has all elements that make him wonder how a town is any different from a city.
A young wife, Dianne, is found shot dead. Before McClung can investigate, the Chief arrives and takes over the case. McClung meets a distraught neighbor, Marian, who swears that Dianne was murdered.
The Chief closes the case in quick time, declaring it a suicide. But Marian is insistent, and McClung finds too many clues to counter her. Can he solve the case before more lives are in danger? Is Marian at risk for actively working on the case with him?
What will happen to the budding relationship between McClung and Marian?
*Unpopular opinion*
The premise was intriguing, and the reviews were just as good. Categorized as thriller and women’s fiction, I hoped the book would have some strong elements of both genres.
What I got instead were a mediocre thriller and a surreal heroine. Or maybe it was just the writing that made Marian surreal.
She’s a 47-year-old widow with a fixed schedule that includes community service, helping others, baking, and spending time with her two friends, Dianne and Joan. Joan seemed to have a steady character that’s not confusing the readers.
Marian goes this way and that, and while I don’t mind it, none of it seems touching (at least to me). Her character had all elements of sadness. She lost her parents when young. Then she lost her husband to a flight crash. She’s been a childless widow more as long as she’s been married.
Yet, it just didn’t work for me. Her mercurial behavior has been attributed to menopause. Though it makes sense, it doesn’t give the story the required meat. Not when some of the other characters are two-dimensional.
That aside, the mystery is barely a mystery. I could figure out the murderer quite early. The red herrings did nothing to change my guess. Yes, I don’t mind guessing the killer right. But when I do it before completing 35% of the book, well, not much of a thriller then, is it? Even a cozy mystery can be complex.
I was willing to let it go if the rest lived up to the expectations. Sadly, it didn’t. We get a couple of chapters with the limited POV of other vital characters, and that’s it. We don’t almost see them again.
Imagine the dead woman’s husband, who was at home when the incident happened, not having any role after 60-65% of the book. To say that their child got more space than Dan would be correct. Kate was an interesting kid, a gray character. If only the reader wasn’t repeatedly told that she was a bully; she hated her mother, and blah blah.
I am ranting here and can’t seem to help it. The case is more or less solved by Marian, that too by chance. McClung shows promise, but the case doesn’t give him enough to prove his worth. He is the one who guides and steers Marian's ideas, and she's the one who discovers the killer could be so and so.
Two more characters from the police station waltz in and out. It only establishes what the reader knows by then.
To sum up, the book is neither a mystery nor a thriller. It could be a cozy mystery but not that interesting either. I still don’t know why the book is titled Brilliant Disguise. I can’t remotely connect it to the story. Or maybe it’s just me. It's clear that most people loved the book, and I'm a minority here.
The book does have a few good things. The pace is steady, and there is some action towards the end. I like Marian’s relationship with Joan and others. She’s sweet and loved by all, and of course, a terrific cook and baker.
Go with the least expectations and consider this a cozy mystery for beginners. You might enjoy it more than I did.
I received a digital review copy from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#BrilliantDisguise #NetGalley
Detective Charlie McClung moves to a small town, looking for a less complicated life. However, his very first case has all elements that make him wonder how a town is any different from a city.
A young wife, Dianne, is found shot dead. Before McClung can investigate, the Chief arrives and takes over the case. McClung meets a distraught neighbor, Marian, who swears that Dianne was murdered.
The Chief closes the case in quick time, declaring it a suicide. But Marian is insistent, and McClung finds too many clues to counter her. Can he solve the case before more lives are in danger? Is Marian at risk for actively working on the case with him?
What will happen to the budding relationship between McClung and Marian?
*Unpopular opinion*
The premise was intriguing, and the reviews were just as good. Categorized as thriller and women’s fiction, I hoped the book would have some strong elements of both genres.
What I got instead were a mediocre thriller and a surreal heroine. Or maybe it was just the writing that made Marian surreal.
Spoiler
She’s a 47-year-old widow with a fixed schedule that includes community service, helping others, baking, and spending time with her two friends, Dianne and Joan. Joan seemed to have a steady character that’s not confusing the readers.
Marian goes this way and that, and while I don’t mind it, none of it seems touching (at least to me). Her character had all elements of sadness. She lost her parents when young. Then she lost her husband to a flight crash. She’s been a childless widow more as long as she’s been married.
Yet, it just didn’t work for me. Her mercurial behavior has been attributed to menopause. Though it makes sense, it doesn’t give the story the required meat. Not when some of the other characters are two-dimensional.
That aside, the mystery is barely a mystery. I could figure out the murderer quite early. The red herrings did nothing to change my guess. Yes, I don’t mind guessing the killer right. But when I do it before completing 35% of the book, well, not much of a thriller then, is it? Even a cozy mystery can be complex.
I was willing to let it go if the rest lived up to the expectations. Sadly, it didn’t. We get a couple of chapters with the limited POV of other vital characters, and that’s it. We don’t almost see them again.
Imagine the dead woman’s husband, who was at home when the incident happened, not having any role after 60-65% of the book. To say that their child got more space than Dan would be correct. Kate was an interesting kid, a gray character. If only the reader wasn’t repeatedly told that she was a bully; she hated her mother, and blah blah.
I am ranting here and can’t seem to help it. The case is more or less solved by Marian, that too by chance. McClung shows promise, but the case doesn’t give him enough to prove his worth. He is the one who guides and steers Marian's ideas, and she's the one who discovers the killer could be so and so.
Two more characters from the police station waltz in and out. It only establishes what the reader knows by then.
To sum up, the book is neither a mystery nor a thriller. It could be a cozy mystery but not that interesting either. I still don’t know why the book is titled Brilliant Disguise. I can’t remotely connect it to the story. Or maybe it’s just me. It's clear that most people loved the book, and I'm a minority here.
The book does have a few good things. The pace is steady, and there is some action towards the end. I like Marian’s relationship with Joan and others. She’s sweet and loved by all, and of course, a terrific cook and baker.
Go with the least expectations and consider this a cozy mystery for beginners. You might enjoy it more than I did.
I received a digital review copy from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#BrilliantDisguise #NetGalley
4 Stars
I fell in love with the cute cover, and the book turned out to be just as cute. Gilbert is a pink ghost who doesn’t like to yell ‘bhooo!’ and scare people. When he’s sent to the Abandoned Tower, he meets a little black cat and transforms the tower into a cozy and loving home.
Now, I have a special love for cute ghosts, and Gilbert is a sweetie pie. If you are looking for a scary story for kids, this isn’t one. It’s warm and cuddly. The illustrations are simple yet lively.
I enjoyed the book but wished it was a bit longer.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#ClavisPublishing #NetGalley
I fell in love with the cute cover, and the book turned out to be just as cute. Gilbert is a pink ghost who doesn’t like to yell ‘bhooo!’ and scare people. When he’s sent to the Abandoned Tower, he meets a little black cat and transforms the tower into a cozy and loving home.
Now, I have a special love for cute ghosts, and Gilbert is a sweetie pie. If you are looking for a scary story for kids, this isn’t one. It’s warm and cuddly. The illustrations are simple yet lively.
I enjoyed the book but wished it was a bit longer.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#ClavisPublishing #NetGalley