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When I saw the cover and the blurb, I knew I had to read it. The book is 204 pages long but feels even smaller. I could finish it in 2 hours (though it was divided into two days) and must say I'm impressed by the author's voice.
The story is written in the first-person narrative, with Medusa tells us her version of history. The Stream of Consciousness worked very well as the story progressed. It made the narrator's voice stronger and clear.
We've seen and read different versions about Medusa, and all of them show her as a monster who went on a killing spree. She has been a fascinating part of mythology for centuries.
In fact, when my writer friends and I were planning our first horror anthology, we decided to use powerful mythological characters to represent each of us. A friend shared an amazing picture of Medusa (she found it on the internet) for me, and I decided I would be Medusa. I loved her power and liked to imagine her backstory.
This book ticked almost all boxes and provided me with an intriguing version of Medusa. Retellings are always tricky. There's a thin line between a hit and a miss. This one is a hit because the narration held my attention from start to finish. I enjoyed the growth in the relationship between Medusa and her sister. The underlying introspective tone was another plus.
Yes, I do wish there was more depth to the details. But guess the author would have had to tinker too much with the original. And research is never easy with topics like this. Also, there's the risk of turning the book into an emotional drama rather than the assertive version of what it is now.
For a debut author, this is an impressive work, and I look forward to reading more from her.
Maybe she could cut down a few adverbs in the next book. I do like the strength of the narrative.
Overall, Medusa has been a lovely retelling, a feminist version with a controlled voice (not something I see in all feminist works).
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Silver Wood Books and am leaving a voluntary review.
The story is written in the first-person narrative, with Medusa tells us her version of history. The Stream of Consciousness worked very well as the story progressed. It made the narrator's voice stronger and clear.
We've seen and read different versions about Medusa, and all of them show her as a monster who went on a killing spree. She has been a fascinating part of mythology for centuries.
In fact, when my writer friends and I were planning our first horror anthology, we decided to use powerful mythological characters to represent each of us. A friend shared an amazing picture of Medusa (she found it on the internet) for me, and I decided I would be Medusa. I loved her power and liked to imagine her backstory.
This book ticked almost all boxes and provided me with an intriguing version of Medusa. Retellings are always tricky. There's a thin line between a hit and a miss. This one is a hit because the narration held my attention from start to finish. I enjoyed the growth in the relationship between Medusa and her sister. The underlying introspective tone was another plus.
Yes, I do wish there was more depth to the details. But guess the author would have had to tinker too much with the original. And research is never easy with topics like this. Also, there's the risk of turning the book into an emotional drama rather than the assertive version of what it is now.
For a debut author, this is an impressive work, and I look forward to reading more from her.
Maybe she could cut down a few adverbs in the next book. I do like the strength of the narrative.
Overall, Medusa has been a lovely retelling, a feminist version with a controlled voice (not something I see in all feminist works).
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Silver Wood Books and am leaving a voluntary review.
**Happy Publication Day**
*****
4 Stars
One Liner: Quick, Focused, and Intriguing
Alessia has a loving husband, Carl, and a cute little son, Jacob. Her life appears wonderful, and it was until it isn’t anymore.
Alessia has a past. She and her friend Sarah have done something they shouldn’t have. The news became public, and somehow it was only Alessia who stood the trial.
Twenty years have gone by, and some of her fears have subsided. But then, there’s someone intent on digging up the past and ruining her life again.
People didn’t believe her when she said she didn’t commit the crime. Alessia knows they won’t believe her now either. Her family, her life, and her future are at stake. Can she face the past to save her family?
What will happen when the truth comes out? And… what is the actual truth?
The story goes back and forth (now and then, written under the chapter head for convenience). The narration is in the limited third person and gives us insights into the characters’ minds.
Plus Points
• Short chapters and lots of tell (works for the story)
• Good pace throughout
• Focus on what’s necessary for the plot
• No unnecessary twists or subplots (there were many instances to complicate the story and extend it by another 50-70 pages. Thank you for not doing that.)
• Clearly defined characters (not deep but easy to predict their actions)
• Harriet is a sensible cop. I wish she has a book of her own (or even a series)
• No rambling (most of the time. The rest was necessary to provide more information)
• Deals with topics like child abuse, trauma, and mental health without overemphasizing anything
• Sustains interest almost from first to last (I had to rearrange my ideas more than once)
• It's a small book (less than 300 pages) and a quick read
Things That Didn’t Work Me
• Some strange use of adverbs (ref: robotically. I'll never forget this word now. Ugh!). It seemed like an attempt to shorten sentences to increase the pace. Doesn’t always work.
• The first chapter! I can’t put my finger on it, but the first chapter just wasn’t right in there for me. It’s perfect bait (something I've done myself). Yet, something felt off. If the book didn’t come with recco, I’d have been wary of the rest.
• The scene in the climax felt a wee bit unrealistic. I see why it was done. Just wished it was a bit more ‘in there’ with the rest of it.
To sum up, I’ll Never Tell is a quick thriller dealing with important social issues. The overall result is more than satisfactory.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#IllNeverTell #NetGalley
*****
4 Stars
One Liner: Quick, Focused, and Intriguing
Alessia has a loving husband, Carl, and a cute little son, Jacob. Her life appears wonderful, and it was until it isn’t anymore.
Alessia has a past. She and her friend Sarah have done something they shouldn’t have. The news became public, and somehow it was only Alessia who stood the trial.
Twenty years have gone by, and some of her fears have subsided. But then, there’s someone intent on digging up the past and ruining her life again.
People didn’t believe her when she said she didn’t commit the crime. Alessia knows they won’t believe her now either. Her family, her life, and her future are at stake. Can she face the past to save her family?
What will happen when the truth comes out? And… what is the actual truth?
The story goes back and forth (now and then, written under the chapter head for convenience). The narration is in the limited third person and gives us insights into the characters’ minds.
Plus Points
• Short chapters and lots of tell (works for the story)
• Good pace throughout
• Focus on what’s necessary for the plot
• No unnecessary twists or subplots (there were many instances to complicate the story and extend it by another 50-70 pages. Thank you for not doing that.)
• Clearly defined characters (not deep but easy to predict their actions)
• Harriet is a sensible cop. I wish she has a book of her own (or even a series)
• No rambling (most of the time. The rest was necessary to provide more information)
• Deals with topics like child abuse, trauma, and mental health without overemphasizing anything
• Sustains interest almost from first to last (I had to rearrange my ideas more than once)
• It's a small book (less than 300 pages) and a quick read
Things That Didn’t Work Me
• Some strange use of adverbs (ref: robotically. I'll never forget this word now. Ugh!). It seemed like an attempt to shorten sentences to increase the pace. Doesn’t always work.
• The first chapter! I can’t put my finger on it, but the first chapter just wasn’t right in there for me. It’s perfect bait (something I've done myself). Yet, something felt off. If the book didn’t come with recco, I’d have been wary of the rest.
• The scene in the climax felt a wee bit unrealistic. I see why it was done. Just wished it was a bit more ‘in there’ with the rest of it.
To sum up, I’ll Never Tell is a quick thriller dealing with important social issues. The overall result is more than satisfactory.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#IllNeverTell #NetGalley
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Interesting, but nothing new to offer
The Drayton family is enjoying dinner with close friends on a cold night. Libby is a 17-yo and the perfect daughter of Evie and Tom Drayton. Brandon, Evie’s stepson, doesn’t enjoy the same adoration.
Una and Jim are Evie’s college friends. Jim is a GP and a docile middle-aged man, while Una is the life of the party. When Libby goes out for an event and doesn’t respond to Evie’s messages or calls, Evie starts to panic. When the girl doesn’t come home, Evie knows something is wrong.
Dan Riley is assigned to find Evie and soon discovers that the girl was neither perfect nor as innocent as Evie believed. Soon enough, Libby’s body is found, and thus begins a murder investigation. As secrets are uncovered, we realize that no one is who they seem to be.
What made Libby turn into a manipulative daughter? Can Dan find out who the killer is?
The story is revealed in multiple perspectives, with Dan’s voice in the first person and the rest in the limited third person. This gives us all the necessary information to solve the case ourselves even before Dan does. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Plus Points:
• I got to know after reading the book that it is a part of a series of cases solved by DI Dan Riley. Makes sense that his voice is the first person. It worked so well as a standalone! I wondered why there was a chapter at the end with more details about Dan. Now I understand.
• The main characters are all flawed, some more than others. The side characters are decent, though.
• The story moves more like a show on the telly. Given the characters, this approach worked well. I could read the book without being involved and still enjoy it.
Not-so-Plus Points:
• There isn’t anything new in the book. Story-wise or character-wise, we don’t have much to look forward to.
• The twists are super easy to guess (especially for a thriller reader). That does make the book slightly dull. Since there wasn’t any action, the story felt bland towards the end.
• Readers following the Dam Riley series might connect more and like it better than I did. For me, it was just another regular thriller.
To sum up, The Night of the Party is a decent thriller with a fast-paced narration. Non-thriller readers might find it more entertaining.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheNightoftheParty #NetGalley
One Liner: Interesting, but nothing new to offer
The Drayton family is enjoying dinner with close friends on a cold night. Libby is a 17-yo and the perfect daughter of Evie and Tom Drayton. Brandon, Evie’s stepson, doesn’t enjoy the same adoration.
Una and Jim are Evie’s college friends. Jim is a GP and a docile middle-aged man, while Una is the life of the party. When Libby goes out for an event and doesn’t respond to Evie’s messages or calls, Evie starts to panic. When the girl doesn’t come home, Evie knows something is wrong.
Dan Riley is assigned to find Evie and soon discovers that the girl was neither perfect nor as innocent as Evie believed. Soon enough, Libby’s body is found, and thus begins a murder investigation. As secrets are uncovered, we realize that no one is who they seem to be.
What made Libby turn into a manipulative daughter? Can Dan find out who the killer is?
The story is revealed in multiple perspectives, with Dan’s voice in the first person and the rest in the limited third person. This gives us all the necessary information to solve the case ourselves even before Dan does. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Plus Points:
• I got to know after reading the book that it is a part of a series of cases solved by DI Dan Riley. Makes sense that his voice is the first person. It worked so well as a standalone! I wondered why there was a chapter at the end with more details about Dan. Now I understand.
• The main characters are all flawed, some more than others. The side characters are decent, though.
• The story moves more like a show on the telly. Given the characters, this approach worked well. I could read the book without being involved and still enjoy it.
Not-so-Plus Points:
• There isn’t anything new in the book. Story-wise or character-wise, we don’t have much to look forward to.
• The twists are super easy to guess (especially for a thriller reader). That does make the book slightly dull. Since there wasn’t any action, the story felt bland towards the end.
• Readers following the Dam Riley series might connect more and like it better than I did. For me, it was just another regular thriller.
To sum up, The Night of the Party is a decent thriller with a fast-paced narration. Non-thriller readers might find it more entertaining.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheNightoftheParty #NetGalley
3 Stars
One-Liner: Some great side characters, but not enough.
*Minority Opinion*
Merrin was in love and excited to marry her beau, Digby. She could see her entire future with her family and Digby in Port Charles, Cornwall. It was her home, after all. But the day of the wedding leaves her shattered and vulnerable. Merrin leaves her home in the fishing village to rebuild her life.
Six years have passed, and Merrin has a life of her own away from home. She doesn’t want to go back but has no choice when a tragedy strikes. Merrin realizes what she missed by leaving her community and dear ones and changing into someone she isn’t. Back home, Merrin has to decide who she is and what she wants from life. What does her future hold? Is she willing to move on and be truly happy?
I’ve had some of the author’s previous books on my TBR list for a while. When this one showed up in the Read Now section on NetGalley, I decided to go ahead and give it a shot.
Plus Points:
• Ruby (Merrin’s older sister) and Bella (Merrin’s bestie) are two fab characters in the book. Merrin’s mother was just as good.
• The tension between Ruby and Merrin is a highlight of the book.
• Women have a larger role to play (as expected) throughout. They are the decision-makers.
• Beautiful descriptions of Cornwall. Something different from the city/ small town descriptions I usually read.
Not-so Plus Points:
• The narration is too slow. I understand slow beginnings, but this one is slow from start to finish. At no point did I want to read fast to know what happened next. The story went its own sweet way.
• Despite Ruby being painted as the insecure sister, Merrin seemed self-absorbed in many scenes. It was about her most of the time. Even when I understood what she went through, I couldn’t continue feeling sad for her for the rest of the book.
• Multiple POVs (in the limited third person) but none for Ruby. I wanted to know her more. She seemed more real and vulnerable than many others.
• No clear indication for time leaps. We won’t know that a few months/ years have passed until we read the first 2-4 paragraphs in a chapter. Makes it a little hard to track the timeline.
• The happy ending was good, but bringing a new love interest in the last chapter somehow didn’t work for me. Given what Merrin repeats in the book, it felt surreal.
• Some weird adverbs (I forgot to note them but I remember wondering why they had to be used).
To sum up, To Love and Be Loved has its merits but hasn’t been a noteworthy read for me. Pick it up if you want something slow and sedate with bursts of emotions sprinkled throughout.
Thank you, NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#ToLoveandBeLoved #NetGalley
One-Liner: Some great side characters, but not enough.
*Minority Opinion*
Merrin was in love and excited to marry her beau, Digby. She could see her entire future with her family and Digby in Port Charles, Cornwall. It was her home, after all. But the day of the wedding leaves her shattered and vulnerable. Merrin leaves her home in the fishing village to rebuild her life.
Six years have passed, and Merrin has a life of her own away from home. She doesn’t want to go back but has no choice when a tragedy strikes. Merrin realizes what she missed by leaving her community and dear ones and changing into someone she isn’t. Back home, Merrin has to decide who she is and what she wants from life. What does her future hold? Is she willing to move on and be truly happy?
I’ve had some of the author’s previous books on my TBR list for a while. When this one showed up in the Read Now section on NetGalley, I decided to go ahead and give it a shot.
Plus Points:
• Ruby (Merrin’s older sister) and Bella (Merrin’s bestie) are two fab characters in the book. Merrin’s mother was just as good.
• The tension between Ruby and Merrin is a highlight of the book.
• Women have a larger role to play (as expected) throughout. They are the decision-makers.
• Beautiful descriptions of Cornwall. Something different from the city/ small town descriptions I usually read.
Not-so Plus Points:
• The narration is too slow. I understand slow beginnings, but this one is slow from start to finish. At no point did I want to read fast to know what happened next. The story went its own sweet way.
• Despite Ruby being painted as the insecure sister, Merrin seemed self-absorbed in many scenes. It was about her most of the time. Even when I understood what she went through, I couldn’t continue feeling sad for her for the rest of the book.
• Multiple POVs (in the limited third person) but none for Ruby. I wanted to know her more. She seemed more real and vulnerable than many others.
• No clear indication for time leaps. We won’t know that a few months/ years have passed until we read the first 2-4 paragraphs in a chapter. Makes it a little hard to track the timeline.
• The happy ending was good, but bringing a new love interest in the last chapter somehow didn’t work for me. Given what Merrin repeats in the book, it felt surreal.
• Some weird adverbs (I forgot to note them but I remember wondering why they had to be used).
To sum up, To Love and Be Loved has its merits but hasn’t been a noteworthy read for me. Pick it up if you want something slow and sedate with bursts of emotions sprinkled throughout.
Thank you, NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#ToLoveandBeLoved #NetGalley
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Promising start to a new series
London, 1923: Saffron Everleigh is a botanist and the only female assistant on the campus and works with Professor Dr. Maxwell. The man is her mentor, guide, and murder suspect. He has been arrested on the suspicion of murdering Mrs. Cynthia Henry, the wife of Dr. Henry. Dr. Maxwell had a row with Dr. Henry a few days ago bout a Brazilian expedition.
The toxin that killed Mrs. Henry is unknown, and the case is getting stronger against Dr. Maxwell. Saffron knows that he would never be capable of such a crime, and it’s up to her to prove his innocence.
Dr. Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, reluctantly helps her uncover the truth and get to the bottom of the matter. Dr. Ashton has demons of his own but cannot resist helping Saffron. Can the duo use their expertise in botany to identify the killer before it’s too late? Given the secrets surrounding them, can they come out alive?
The requested the book for three reasons:
The title
The cover
The alliteration in the author’s name
My Observations:
• The narration is slow almost throughout the book. The saving grace is that the story kept me hooked enough to read more. The book is the first in the series, which explains the ‘slowness’.
• There are no cliffhangers (the case is solved) though there is enough to start the next in the series. The mix of mystery, suspense, romance, and light action works well for the plot.
• The characters are well-etched, though I’m in half a mind to knock sense into Saffron. Alexander has lots of promise and is an intriguing character. Inspector Green and Elizabeth are promising.
• Saffron is fiery and has a tendency to act first and think later, which doesn’t do well to keep her out of trouble. She’s strong, kind, funny, and talented in her field (and yet to attain that level of expertise in investigating crimes).
• The book is well-researched and yet doesn’t feel heavy or dense. We can follow the investigation even if we aren’t botanists and scientists. Still, I wished there were a couple of illustrations of the plants.
• The book shows how women had to deal with assumptions and indecent proposals to make a career in the field. Sadly, things haven’t changed a lot in this aspect. Women still need to prove their worth time and again.
• Some of it seems a little too farfetched towards the end, but then it’s a work of fiction. I can let it go (and roll my eyes, of course, ).
• Quite a lot of adverbs to read, and I tried my best to ignore them. :/
To sum up, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is a promising first book in the series. It’s a decent historical cozy mystery and keeps you interested most of the time. It’s a tad predictable, but that’s fine too. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#ABotanistsGuidetoPartiesandPoisons #NetGalley
One Liner: Promising start to a new series
London, 1923: Saffron Everleigh is a botanist and the only female assistant on the campus and works with Professor Dr. Maxwell. The man is her mentor, guide, and murder suspect. He has been arrested on the suspicion of murdering Mrs. Cynthia Henry, the wife of Dr. Henry. Dr. Maxwell had a row with Dr. Henry a few days ago bout a Brazilian expedition.
The toxin that killed Mrs. Henry is unknown, and the case is getting stronger against Dr. Maxwell. Saffron knows that he would never be capable of such a crime, and it’s up to her to prove his innocence.
Dr. Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, reluctantly helps her uncover the truth and get to the bottom of the matter. Dr. Ashton has demons of his own but cannot resist helping Saffron. Can the duo use their expertise in botany to identify the killer before it’s too late? Given the secrets surrounding them, can they come out alive?
The requested the book for three reasons:
The title
The cover
The alliteration in the author’s name
My Observations:
• The narration is slow almost throughout the book. The saving grace is that the story kept me hooked enough to read more. The book is the first in the series, which explains the ‘slowness’.
• There are no cliffhangers (the case is solved) though there is enough to start the next in the series. The mix of mystery, suspense, romance, and light action works well for the plot.
• The characters are well-etched, though I’m in half a mind to knock sense into Saffron. Alexander has lots of promise and is an intriguing character. Inspector Green and Elizabeth are promising.
• Saffron is fiery and has a tendency to act first and think later, which doesn’t do well to keep her out of trouble. She’s strong, kind, funny, and talented in her field (and yet to attain that level of expertise in investigating crimes).
• The book is well-researched and yet doesn’t feel heavy or dense. We can follow the investigation even if we aren’t botanists and scientists. Still, I wished there were a couple of illustrations of the plants.
• The book shows how women had to deal with assumptions and indecent proposals to make a career in the field. Sadly, things haven’t changed a lot in this aspect. Women still need to prove their worth time and again.
• Some of it seems a little too farfetched towards the end, but then it’s a work of fiction. I can let it go (and roll my eyes, of course, ).
• Quite a lot of adverbs to read, and I tried my best to ignore them. :/
To sum up, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is a promising first book in the series. It’s a decent historical cozy mystery and keeps you interested most of the time. It’s a tad predictable, but that’s fine too. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#ABotanistsGuidetoPartiesandPoisons #NetGalley
The book has been on my TBR list for more than a year, and I picked it up to tick off a reading challenge.
The Seven Sisters is both an introduction to the strange family of Pa Salt and six adopted girls and the story of Maia, the eldest. The book starts with Pa Salt's death and moves on to give us a glimpse of the sisters before focusing on Maia's past. The book has a dual timeline, one with Izabel in the 1920s and another with Maia in 2007.
I knew there would be suspended belief, with Pa Salt having a larger-than-life persona. I was prepared for it. My issue was Maia herself. It's clear that I fall close to the minority gang here, but Maia didn't feel like the kind of heroine to pull off the book on her shoulders. No wonder Izabel had to do the job. I haven't got any problem with flawed characters. Izabel was one such lead. But she was strong enough to carry the book even when she felt desolate and dejected.
When Maia is compared to Izabel, the difference is just too clear. Having the male lead constantly remind her to be brave and not feel defeated when faced with dead ends wasn't something I enjoyed. I mean, it's her past. She's got to decide if she wants to know and stick to her decision. If she's going to give up at the slightest hurdle, might as well leave it alone.
Some of the character development in the past track felt forced. It seemed like there was a sudden realization to do something to justify Izabel's actions. Nothing wrong with that. However, it would've felt more in sync with the rest if there were hints from the first. It would've made Izabel dearer to the readers.
To sum up, The Seven Sisters was decent enough for me. The slow pace didn't help either. I'm intrigued enough to read about Star and Electra, so I'll jump directly to their stories and get back to the rest, depending on how these two go. Not anytime soon, though.
The Seven Sisters is both an introduction to the strange family of Pa Salt and six adopted girls and the story of Maia, the eldest. The book starts with Pa Salt's death and moves on to give us a glimpse of the sisters before focusing on Maia's past. The book has a dual timeline, one with Izabel in the 1920s and another with Maia in 2007.
I knew there would be suspended belief, with Pa Salt having a larger-than-life persona. I was prepared for it. My issue was Maia herself. It's clear that I fall close to the minority gang here, but Maia didn't feel like the kind of heroine to pull off the book on her shoulders. No wonder Izabel had to do the job. I haven't got any problem with flawed characters. Izabel was one such lead. But she was strong enough to carry the book even when she felt desolate and dejected.
When Maia is compared to Izabel, the difference is just too clear. Having the male lead constantly remind her to be brave and not feel defeated when faced with dead ends wasn't something I enjoyed. I mean, it's her past. She's got to decide if she wants to know and stick to her decision. If she's going to give up at the slightest hurdle, might as well leave it alone.
Some of the character development in the past track felt forced. It seemed like there was a sudden realization to do something to justify Izabel's actions. Nothing wrong with that. However, it would've felt more in sync with the rest if there were hints from the first. It would've made Izabel dearer to the readers.
To sum up, The Seven Sisters was decent enough for me. The slow pace didn't help either. I'm intrigued enough to read about Star and Electra, so I'll jump directly to their stories and get back to the rest, depending on how these two go. Not anytime soon, though.
3 Stars
One Liner: A social drama with a bit of mystery
2010: Kayla’s Carter lost her husband in an accident when building their dream house in Round Hill. The house is now complete and ready for Kayla and her four-year-old daughter to move in.
However, a strange woman walks into the office and tells her not to move in. The meeting leaves Kayla shaken, but she has no choice but to move into the new house.
Kayla soon meets Ellie Hockley, a woman with secrets from her past. Ellie is a lovely lady, but what does Kayla know about her anyway?
1965: Ellie is determined to do something worthy in her life. Marrying her boyfriend and having kids isn’t on her list. When Prez Johnson announces a change in voting registration, the civil rights activities plan SCOPE, a program to convince black voters to register and vote for their rights.
Ellie knows she needs to be a part of the program even if her family and friends don’t see the reason. But life is hardly easy when a revolution is brimming. Ellie’s decision changes many lives, including her own. What had happened back then that Ellie still holds resentment in her heart and maybe even desire for justice?
How do Ellie’s and Kayla’s lives converge with so many decades between them? Why is the house on the hit list? What will happen when the secrets come out in the open?
What Worked for Me:
• The second half of the book, or rather the last 100 pages or so.
• Side characters seemed more defined (with their flaws) and real than the main leads.
• Rounded ending with no loose ends.
• Not a happy ever after but hopeful and assuring.
• The portrayal of racism, KKK, and bigotry.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The first 65% of the book is slow and left me wondering what the mystery was and when it’ll be solved.
• Kayla paled when compared to Ellie. Her track didn’t feel emotional or touching despite her apparent sorrow and fear.
• Ellie’s track was the primary focus of the book, and that affected the mystery angle as well as the modern-day Kayla’s story. What saved the story was how the two came together at the end.
• Ellie fights for the cause, against racism, and for black rights. All good. She has better character development than Kayla. But she appears too good, too innocent, and unwilling to believe the worst of those she loves.
Even after almost five decades, she was ready to blame Reed rather than rethink what had happened that night and who all were involved. A classic case of selective blaming and unwillingness to see people for who they are. Being an ostrich when it comes to dear ones doesn’t make her an ally.
Ellie finds solace in yoga after whatever happens in her life and is a yoga teacher in the present track. She is also vegan and loves Middle Eastern cuisine. Of course, she couldn’t find solace in any other profession (despite being a pharmacologist) or fall in love with another cuisine. Talk of irony! Racism is much more than abusing a race/ culture or burning crosses.
To sum up, The Last House on the Street deals with poignant issues and is more of a social drama than a mystery. Many people loved the book, but some elements didn’t work for me.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley
One Liner: A social drama with a bit of mystery
2010: Kayla’s Carter lost her husband in an accident when building their dream house in Round Hill. The house is now complete and ready for Kayla and her four-year-old daughter to move in.
However, a strange woman walks into the office and tells her not to move in. The meeting leaves Kayla shaken, but she has no choice but to move into the new house.
Kayla soon meets Ellie Hockley, a woman with secrets from her past. Ellie is a lovely lady, but what does Kayla know about her anyway?
1965: Ellie is determined to do something worthy in her life. Marrying her boyfriend and having kids isn’t on her list. When Prez Johnson announces a change in voting registration, the civil rights activities plan SCOPE, a program to convince black voters to register and vote for their rights.
Ellie knows she needs to be a part of the program even if her family and friends don’t see the reason. But life is hardly easy when a revolution is brimming. Ellie’s decision changes many lives, including her own. What had happened back then that Ellie still holds resentment in her heart and maybe even desire for justice?
How do Ellie’s and Kayla’s lives converge with so many decades between them? Why is the house on the hit list? What will happen when the secrets come out in the open?
What Worked for Me:
• The second half of the book, or rather the last 100 pages or so.
• Side characters seemed more defined (with their flaws) and real than the main leads.
• Rounded ending with no loose ends.
• Not a happy ever after but hopeful and assuring.
• The portrayal of racism, KKK, and bigotry.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The first 65% of the book is slow and left me wondering what the mystery was and when it’ll be solved.
• Kayla paled when compared to Ellie. Her track didn’t feel emotional or touching despite her apparent sorrow and fear.
• Ellie’s track was the primary focus of the book, and that affected the mystery angle as well as the modern-day Kayla’s story. What saved the story was how the two came together at the end.
• Ellie fights for the cause, against racism, and for black rights. All good. She has better character development than Kayla. But she appears too good, too innocent, and unwilling to believe the worst of those she loves.
Spoiler
Ellie was more than ready to blame Reed for the attack on Win, saying he was jealous when he was supportive and understanding (as much as he could in the circumstances). However, when it came to her parents and even Brenda, who openly showed their disgust and hatred, she wasn’t willing to consider them guilty.Even after almost five decades, she was ready to blame Reed rather than rethink what had happened that night and who all were involved. A classic case of selective blaming and unwillingness to see people for who they are. Being an ostrich when it comes to dear ones doesn’t make her an ally.
Ellie finds solace in yoga after whatever happens in her life and is a yoga teacher in the present track. She is also vegan and loves Middle Eastern cuisine. Of course, she couldn’t find solace in any other profession (despite being a pharmacologist) or fall in love with another cuisine. Talk of irony! Racism is much more than abusing a race/ culture or burning crosses.
To sum up, The Last House on the Street deals with poignant issues and is more of a social drama than a mystery. Many people loved the book, but some elements didn’t work for me.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley
4 Stars
Mommy, Look At Me! is a cute book about a little girl who wants to do different things on different days. She wants to be a princess, teacher, vet, grown-up, and so on. Her mother encourages her while also giving well-directed advice as a reply.
The story is very simple and yet shows that kids can be whoever they want to be as long as it brings them happiness. It’s up to parents to gently nudge kids to identify life lessons in everything they do.
The illustrations resemble an online gaming interface (not sure what that style is called). But they are bright and cheerful. What I rather liked was the inclusion of two languages in the same book.
The first half has the story in English, and the second half has it in Spanish. A great idea, especially if the parents or kids are learning Spanish. Makes it easy to understand the words and sentences.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Indigo River Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#MommyLookAtMe #NetGalley
Mommy, Look At Me! is a cute book about a little girl who wants to do different things on different days. She wants to be a princess, teacher, vet, grown-up, and so on. Her mother encourages her while also giving well-directed advice as a reply.
The story is very simple and yet shows that kids can be whoever they want to be as long as it brings them happiness. It’s up to parents to gently nudge kids to identify life lessons in everything they do.
The illustrations resemble an online gaming interface (not sure what that style is called). But they are bright and cheerful. What I rather liked was the inclusion of two languages in the same book.
The first half has the story in English, and the second half has it in Spanish. A great idea, especially if the parents or kids are learning Spanish. Makes it easy to understand the words and sentences.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Indigo River Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#MommyLookAtMe #NetGalley
3.5 Stars
Umm… okay! As the title says, Meow is not a cat but a kid. He’s active, energetic, and a wee bit different. He likes to ask questions and wonder why we should stay quiet when the sign says walk left or why the monkeys get all the bananas while the kids end up with none. Naturally, his antics get him into trouble. But he manages to save the day by coming up with a unique idea.
The illustrations are cute and funny. The book is lighthearted and entertaining. Just that I’m not sure what it teaches the kids. Of course, it does show that asking questions and thinking differently from others is not wrong. Guess that is the moral of the book. Though, maybe kids should also be taught about being careful as they could end up hurting themselves and others.
Oh, wait! The book talks of sharing. That could also be the lesson. I prefer my interpretation, though.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, FDI Publishing, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#MeowIsNotaCat #NetGalley
Umm… okay! As the title says, Meow is not a cat but a kid. He’s active, energetic, and a wee bit different. He likes to ask questions and wonder why we should stay quiet when the sign says walk left or why the monkeys get all the bananas while the kids end up with none. Naturally, his antics get him into trouble. But he manages to save the day by coming up with a unique idea.
The illustrations are cute and funny. The book is lighthearted and entertaining. Just that I’m not sure what it teaches the kids. Of course, it does show that asking questions and thinking differently from others is not wrong. Guess that is the moral of the book. Though, maybe kids should also be taught about being careful as they could end up hurting themselves and others.
Oh, wait! The book talks of sharing. That could also be the lesson. I prefer my interpretation, though.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, FDI Publishing, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#MeowIsNotaCat #NetGalley
4 Stars
Oh, the illustrations are warm and delightful! They indeed light up the book while still being soft enough for a bedtime read. The story is about a little kid who tries to find the light within him. He listens to his heartbeat and lets the light seep out of him. It’s in his smile, and the more he smiles, the brighter he gets.
Some of the lines rhyme, but I didn’t pay attention to it. I read it more like prose than verse and that helped ignore the uneven meter. Grab this book for the illustrations. I’m sure kids will love them.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheLightWithin #NetGalley
Oh, the illustrations are warm and delightful! They indeed light up the book while still being soft enough for a bedtime read. The story is about a little kid who tries to find the light within him. He listens to his heartbeat and lets the light seep out of him. It’s in his smile, and the more he smiles, the brighter he gets.
Some of the lines rhyme, but I didn’t pay attention to it. I read it more like prose than verse and that helped ignore the uneven meter. Grab this book for the illustrations. I’m sure kids will love them.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheLightWithin #NetGalley