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medium-paced
3 Stars
One Liner: Great premise and potential; Average output
Jai Gill is a yogi and a yoga trainer raised by a trio of witches. He captures and slays demons on the side, thanks to his family’s magical legacy. He falls in love with Vir, the boy who moves next door with his rich and influential family.
However, the trouble is that Vir’s life is steeped in evil, and it could bring a lot more than heartbreak for Jai. It’s time for Jai to fully explore his magical powers and do what he must.
The story comes from Jai’s first-person POV.
What I Like:
The premise is too good to resist. I loved the idea of a desi-witchy story with LGBTQ+ central characters. Fortunately, the book delivers on certain elements and makes it a worthy read.
Jai’s voice is authentic and very well done. It aligns with his upbringing and age, making it easy to listen to his narration and empathize with him. The pop culture references and the allure of social media add depth to the MC. Jai’s character flaws (he’s quite judgmental) act in his favor and portray him as a realistic person. Jai is the book’s biggest strength (not a surprise as this seems to be a #OwnVoices book).
Some side characters are well-developed and support the MC. They have to be strong since they train Jai to understand life and his quest. Even though Vir’s arc is much more limited, the other important characters establish themselves.
The details about yoga are the real deal. After reading so many fake and diluted versions of what yoga is supposed to mean, it’s a relief to see the truer interpretations in this book. In fact, the author’s knowledge of the subjects is evident in many parts of the book (if only…).
The pacing is slow in the beginning but picks up after the first 50-60 pages. The writing is easy enough to read and follow. I did enjoy some of the concepts and the interpretations. The overall plotting is pretty solid, even if the route is winded and long.
What Could Have Been Better for Me:
The story comes in two timelines. Jai begins at the present time (when he is almost twenty-one years old) and goes to share detailed information about his childhood and events leading to his current situation. However, there is no clear marking between time jumps when they happen within the same chapter. This makes it hard to follow when the story is in the present and in the past.
A lot of crucial information is revealed through dialogues. Despite the dialogue size being moderated with enough tags, it’s still like reading pages of conversation to stay up to date. This info dump is due to the single first-person POV, which makes it impossible for others to reveal their backstories in other ways (at least, we don’t have diary entries, so that’s a relief).
One of the reasons for my interest in the book is the possibility of having an all-Indian witchy novel. I sure didn’t read one till now. However, given Jai’s parentage and his family’s lineage, most scenes in their house read like Western witchy cozy reads with itsy bitsy pieces of colonized gyan from Hindu scriptures.
This book suffers from what I call the Excessive Knowledge Syndrome. The author has years of experience in Tarot, Kabbalah, Eastern and Western Schools of Mythology and Mysticism, and is a certified Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Yin Yoga teacher. This means the book has information about all of it. We have an entire chapter dedicated to Major Arcana in Tarot (Hero’s Journey) and its comparison with the Super Mario game. Let’s say it adds nothing to the plot.
There are several fillers throughout the book. Some are interesting, and some are not. Even with immense interest in the subjects, I found the added details tiresome. Not sure how the general readers will feel. I won’t be surprised if they zoned out. I’d have preferred a toned-down version (and a larger font size in the print copy).
As much as I love mysticism and et al, I don’t want my fiction to take a philosophical tone- definitely not on the first page. The prologue should have begun with the action and moved on to introspection about the spiritual & real world, Delhi, and stuff instead of a page and a half of theory. Luckily for me, the book improved to have enough action later on.
There’s a lot of descriptive writing, which works for some scenes. However, it gets excessive in some places and weighs down the narration. Not sure who the target audiences are, but all that overall explanation makes me wonder if the global market is the aim.
The climax started great, giving me high expectations for a wow scene. Of course, I jinxed myself and ended up with average stuff. There’s great potential. No denying that. It blends entities from different mythologies and creates a fab fight scene. However, the execution dampens the appeal. Also, one bit is directly borrowed from how Kali and Chandikaa kill Raktabija. Other readers may think it’s a sort of ode (didn’t work for me).
What Didn’t Work for Me:
(this section contains the elachis no one wants to bite into when enjoying their biryani)
(this section contains the elachis no one wants to bite into when enjoying their biryani)
There’s a conversation in the book about how even excess of anything is not good. Then, there’s another about intentions. Ironically, both these aspects seem to have slipped through the cracks in certain aspects.
First, stop using stories about gods to justify personal food choices. God Shiva accepting beef as nivedam (offering) doesn’t mean he wants us to eat the same. It means he will accept anything you give him with true devotion. There’s a story in Mahabharatha where a rishi eats bull’s dung on orders. It gives him temporary immortality and keeps him alive in a dangerous situation. Does it mean we bring dung to the dining table? Also, avoiding silk for silkworms when you want to enjoy meat doesn't look good. Animals surely don't volunteer to become human food! Do what you want, but don’t give unwanted gyan.
Second, stop justifying religious conversions in the name of love. How is it that love doesn’t have religion, but nikah does? Why it’s patriarchal for women to change their surname post-marriage but absolutely okay to change their name, religion, and entire identity in ‘inter-faith’ relationships? Where is inter-faith when one party converts to the other’s religion?
Third, trick-and-treat cannot be really compared to the tarpanam (black sesame seeds released with water in a ritual) given to ancestors during Pitru Paksha (we don’t offer the sesame seeds to living beings or share them with neighbors). It has similarities with Samhain (both are pagan practices), which has been misappropriated multiple times to become something it wasn’t (modern-day Halloween).
Fourth, based on what I’ve read and enquired from others well-versed in history, the Hakenkreuz was already used in Germany before Hitler. It's there in the ancient Germanic heraldry with different names. So even though they know the swastika was used in India and Japan, they took it from what they thought was Pangermanism. (And what on earth is Indian mysticism even?)
But why are we even discussing all these elements in this book? Well, refer to the point about excessive knowledge syndrome. These add almost nothing to the central plot but somehow had to be there.
To summarize, The Yogi Witch is a decent work of desi fantasy with quite a bit of introspection, information, and some action. The queer voice is the highlight of the book.
Looks like this could be a duology or a trilogy, so I hope the subsequent books have fewer fillers and more core action.
Thank you, Blogchatter, author Zorian Cross, and publisher HarperCollins India, for a copy of the book. This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***
P.S.: Though the character falls in the YA-NA (young adult & new adult) category, the book is marked adult due to sexual content. A couple of scenes are gross. Steam level – 2.5.
***
TW: Male rape (off-page), homophobia, abuse, and sex rituals (including necrophilia).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.3 Stars
One Liner: Character-driven and a slice-of-life novel (a worthy debut)
Grand Life Apartments is a middle-class apartment block in Chennai. With its beautiful gardens and open space, it is home to different people navigating various stages of their lives.
Kamala is a widowed dentist and a typical middle-aged conservative woman whose daughter is studying at Oxford. She and her friend Sundu share a wonderful relationship. Revathi is a thirty-two-year-old working professional living on her own and dealing with her mother’s non-stop calls about getting married. Jason, the British chef, moved to India after a breakup with his girlfriend and hopes to restart his life in a new country. Mani is the owner of the apartments, an old man writing a book about the city.
The residents lead parallel lives, which get entwined over time. And when a construction company threatens to tear apart their home, they may have to do more than passively move on from one day to another.
The story comes from the limited third-person POV of Kamala, Revathi, and Jason, with a couple of chapters from Mani.
My Thoughts:
As always, I was hesitant and curious when I requested the book. (My reviews for India-based books begin with the same disclaimer). However, this one proved to be a good choice in many ways.
This is a character-driven novel with no specific ending. It’s not something I like in my novels, but this book is an exception. The characters are based on their stereotypes but are rounded and complete. Their emotions, feelings, vulnerabilities, fears, decisions, etc., are realistic and align with their arcs.
The exact period of the setting is not mentioned (trust me to read such books back-to-back). It seems to be around the early 2000s at the most (and definitely not after 2010). Fortunately, I could relate to it, given my nationality.
The characters are your average people with personal issues trying to find ways to make their lives better, handle the changes around them, and still be hopeful about the future. These are the kind we see around. They could be us and our friends!
The writing is easy to read and has some quirky metaphors. I’m not sure how the pacing will work for others, but for me, it went well. I could read at a steady pace and didn’t feel bored even when the plot was slow to progress.
As such, there isn’t any plot. The central premise of the threat from the construction company is more of a subplot and is established only at the midway point. Even then, there is no action. We don’t see any drastic change in personalities or social activism. There’s more passivity than action. While it keeps the story realistic and true to life, it can also disappoint readers expecting something dramatic. My only issue was that the case gets resolved too easily (we know how the courts work). (Rewording the blurb to remove the focus from the threat would set better expectations.)
The setting, Chennai, comes alive on the pages. Though I haven’t been there, I know enough (and many Indian cities are similar, sans the beaches) about the buildings, weather, Saravana Bhavan, and food!
Oh, man, the food in this one made me so hungry! I read after dinner, but the descriptions of my South Indian dishes made my tummy rumble in approval. Here, I’ll have to mention a scene where Jason makes jackfruit short beard and offers them to young Salim. The kiddo says, “Of all the things you can make with jackfruit, you choose to make biscuits?” (paraphrased), and I was like hi-fi dude, couldn’t have said it better.
The side characters, Sundu (Soundavalli), Salim (this kid is going places, I tell you!), Mani, Reva’s mother, Karthik, and Lakshmi are also well-etched. Even though Reva’s mother is the most stereotypical character, there’s no exaggeration as such. That’s the only way she knows to express her concerns (generational conditioning, you could say).
“…As she (Reva) brought up this reference with ease, she realised how much she knew about life in the UK from just reading the books that had filled the library in her school. She had pieced together clues along with Enid Blyton's intrepid investigators as a child, swooned in the countryside in the arms of Georgette Heyer as a teenager and, as recent as the month before, had inhabited the world woven by Zadie Smith for an entire weekend. She was certain that Jason would not have encountered as many stories from India and wondered, in a slightly alarmed manner, if his entire frame of reference for the country came from watching Slumdog Millionaire.”
Of course, Jason is an absolute sweetheart. He was neither an ‘eww… dirty Indians’ tourist nor an ‘oh, such potential for activism’ foreigner.
I love that we don’t have any unwanted romance or love blooming between the characters. There is a possibility of it but things may or may not happen. There’s no attempt to force connections. Rather, how the characters come to know each other and become friends (despite their differences) feels very organic (and much like how things work in real life).
To summarize, Minor Disturbances at Grand Life Apartments is a quiet and gentle book that celebrates middle-class Indians and their lives. If you want a book that shows a more human (and realistic) side of India, pick this one and go with the flow.
Thank you, NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and Coronet, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MinorDisturbancesatGrandLifeApartments
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P.S.: I admit I didn’t pay much attention to the cover until I finished the book. The details reflect the characters and the premise without being in the face. I love how artfully this is done.
mysterious
slow-paced
3.3 Stars
One Liner: A mixed read
Maisie Cooper left her village and her brother many years ago. She had been in Paris, enjoying life as a tourist guide. But when she receives a message from her brother Stephen, Maisie decides to come down for a holiday. However, she is shocked to find out that Stephen had died before she reached the village.
With the local police and the Special Branch interested in her brother, Maisie realizes she should find out the truth. People don’t want to tell her things (or those who do leave a lot of gaps), and soon a second death crooks the village.
Maisie will not stop until she knows what happened.
The story comes mainly from the third-person POV of Maisie, with a few scenes from Sergeant Jack’s Wingard POV.
My Thoughts:
The premise and cover were enough for me to request this book right away. I loved the dark-ish vibes of the plot while knowing it will still be a small-town cozy mystery set in a village in England.
The prologue is intriguing and sets the stage for the plot to develop. Stephen has many faults and is in no way a likable character. However, we see that he had a few redeeming qualities, which weren’t enough to save his life.
Maisie is intriguing enough, though it’s hard to relate to her. I blame this more on the narration than the characterization. The writing doesn’t do justice to the character.
My biggest issue is the lack of clear information about the period the story is set in. I thought it was a contemporary cozy in the present time. But soon, I realized it was from when we had no mobile phones or internet. Then at 47%, we see the year 1972 mentioned in the newspaper. This may not be an issue for UK readers as they can guess the timeline based on the references to power cuts and the oil crisis. However, it isn’t a period I’m familiar with, and the references were lost on me. I could only guess it to be after WWII.
The pacing is slow and detailed, a little too detailed with a lot of 'tell'. While some red herrings are good, the plot, as such, feels unnecessarily convoluted. There’s a lot of information, investigation, and guesswork to fit into a single week.
Sergeant Jack Wingard’s POV was a bore. I should have empathized a little with him, but the way it’s written makes it hard to take his side. He sounds whiny whenever he thinks of Maisie. Not just his POV, even the scenes with Maisie sound odd and off. The side characters are interesting enough, but none of them stand out. They do their bit to keep the plot going.
Furthermore, there isn’t enough chemistry between Maisie and Jack. I know this is the first book in the series, but the subplot can’t be so slow. At the least, the conversation should have happened before the book ended. And I can only hope there won’t be a love triangle.
The action scenes were well done. Maisie is no damsel in distress. She can save herself and even attack if required. At the same time, she is not fearless or ready to handle any situation. The combination of vulnerability and self-defense skills work well together.
To summarize, Murder at Church Lodge is a decent start to a new cozy mystery series. It’s promising but falls short (mainly due to the writing style). The blurb for book two is interesting, so I’ll check it out when the copies are available.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#MurderatChurchLodge #NetGalley
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Child abuse
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4 Stars
One Liner: An entertaining collection
Grimm Machinations is a collection of fairytale retellings with a steampunk/ gaslamp twist to the original. Each story is written by a different author, offering varied styles and themes.
Those who enjoy this subgenre will find the stories more appealing. Though I haven’t read Steampunk, I do like the concept and enjoy new takes on well-known fairytales.
As with every anthology, some stories are wonderful, while some are good, and some are okayish. Here’s a brief review of each retelling.
The Souls of Misbehaved Boys by James Chambers – 3.5 Stars
This is a retelling of Pinocchio. The atmosphere is spot on. The storyline has merit but feels rushed, with a few missing links. This could be because I barely remember the original, but even a retelling has to stand on its own. Maybe a slightly longer version would have helped. The steampunk twist, blending machines and magic is very well done. I enjoyed those bits.
The Fox and the Clockwork Bird by Jeff Young – 4 Stars
This is a retelling of The Wonderful Bird (adding a link as I read three versions before finding the actual one). This one is deftly done and reads exactly like a fairytale. It has a fox addressed as ‘they’, a kingdom in an industrial era where everyone wears masks, and a clever queen ruling the land. The story length is just right, provides the necessary information without going overboard, and has a smooth ending.
Three Days of the Cuckoo by Bernie Mojzes – 4 Stars
This story is a retelling of The Elves and the Shoemaker and combines steampunk, Elves, social commentary, etc. The storyline is strong and reads great until the last part. Then, it feels a little rushed, as if the ending needs to fit within a word limit. Yet, I love Lucia’s arc and the hopeful ending, different from how fairytales normally conclude. I’d have liked a little more description, but the writing is easy to follow.
The Porcelain Princess by David Lee Summers – 4 Stars
This story is based on Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. With the Snow White automation (that has a real heart), the dwarves as engineers, and the queen as an alchemist, the retelling is near perfect in presenting the original in a steampunk setting. The plot is elaborate but compact and has all the crucial elements with enough freshness to make for an entertaining read.
The Pipes Are Calling by Patrick Thomas – 4 Stars
As you might have guessed, this is a retelling of the Pied Piper. However, it comes from the POV of Spellpunk Grimstone, an earthling kidnapped and carried to a steampunk planet with airships and cool devices. But the sadistic Baron Rory was a pain. The plot blends the original with an innovative extension full of adventures and wit. I like the premise and the execution, even if the world-building is lacking.
The Binding Clause by Cynthia Radthorne – 4.5 Stars
This story is loosely based on Rumpelstiltskin. We have Emily, the only woman engineer in the steampunk city, working a boring and dangerous job for peanuts. She is excited when she gets an offer worth her caliber, but the warning bells in her head when signing the contract ring for a reason. So how does Emily outwit the other person? The setting is well-described without going overboard. The pacing is steady, and the ending is perfect.
The Six Clockwork Swans by Christine Norris – 4.5 Stars
This retelling of The Six Swans uses the original premise and recreates it in the steampunk setting. Kadie has to make six music box machinations to free her six older brothers of their curse. Her husband, Daniel, is a duke, and his mom is an evil mother-in-law. The story has a lot of ‘tell’ but combines it with enough descriptions to make the setting and characters come alive. The fairytale feel is intact and creates a great atmosphere.
Daniel becomes David at one point (I hope the error will be corrected in the final version).
Dress for the Occasion by Gordon Linzner – 3 Stars
This is a gender-reversed retelling of Emperor’s New Clothes. Maxine Minuchi takes over after her father’s death but is a terror to deal with. Rosa and Blanche are tailors who promise her the best dress ever seen in the history of the world. You can guess how it goes! I loved the idea of the gender reversal for the main characters. However, the plot doesn’t really offer anything else. The steampunk setting is a bare minimum and doesn’t even register its presence.
Ala al-Din and the Cave of Wonders by Danielle Ackley-McPhail – 3 Stars
This is a retelling of the Aladdin and the Lamp. Ala al-Din has a physical disability (his right hand is cut off at the wrist), which puts him at a disadvantage until a man claiming to be his uncle comes to bring a drastic change. The plot is true to the original and tries to recreate the same magic with mechanical birds and artful clocks. However, it doesn’t fully succeed in its attempt. It was interesting but not enough to wow me. (Also, I zoned out thrice in the beginning, which is never a good sign.)
Heart of Stone by Michelle D. Sonnier – 4 Stars
This is a retelling of the Stone Soup set in France in 1872. Lyse de Montre is a technomancer, an earth witch, without riches or backing. The Council provided her with basic skill training, but she needed to pay back the debt. Lyse took jobs, traveling from one town to another and completing her mission to earn a living. She needs to succeed in the Dambach-la-Ville mission or risk her life. The story is creative and provides a detailed backstory for the MC. I like how it uses the theme of Stone Soup in the steampunk setting. However, the climax feels rushed. Though it is heartwarming, the buildup is more than the main element.
As you can see, 7 out of 10 stories get a 4(+) rating. The collection can be read over a few days or at a time as they don’t feel repetitive. The author’s bios are at the end of the book. I wish there was an editor/ compiler’s note too.
To summarize, Grim Machinations is entertaining, creative, and fun take on fairytales. Most stories stay true to the original (which is mentioned right under the title) in some way or another. Grab this if you enjoy retelling with a good dose of gears, bolts, and machinations. ;)
Thank you, NetGalley and eSpec Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #GrimMachinations
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming (but with a few bumps)
34-year-old Brit Phoebe Chapman visits her older sister Suzanne in LA. She is dazzled by her sister’s mansion and decides the makes the best of her two-week holiday. When Suzanne has to leave for Seattle to avert a crisis at work, Phoebe is left to her own devices in the city.
Soon, Phoebe meets a handsome next-door neighbor, Ren, and her sister’s physical trainer, Bel. She also meets an 82-year-old faded movie star and learns more about life and relationships.
When Bel confesses her crush on Ren, Phoebe decides to play matchmaker. After what had happened in her love life, she hopes to help others find happiness. However, matters of the heart are hardly straightforward.
What will Phoebe gain and lose in this short holiday?
The story comes from Phoebe’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
I knew I had to request this when I saw the author’s name. I enjoy her writing style and how seamlessly she blends humor into the narrative. This one is no exception and has many lighthearted and funny moments alongside serious topics.
The city, Los Angeles, is another character in the book. It gets a lot of space, which adds to the local flavor. And no, this is not a tourist list despite the trip to Disneyland. The setting comes alive in its hidden beaches, unexplored natural ponds, and old-fashioned homes with more personality than some celebs.
The book has some strong side characters. We don’t have a female villain, either. There’s a bad dude, who thankfully stays in the past (and is passive throughout). The vibes are pretty much happy, introspective, and positive.
Myrna is the best character in the book. If you ever have to meet a faded movie star, make sure it’s someone like Myrna. You can’t settle for anything else! I’d have loved it if she had more space instead of Bel. While Bel is a bumbling dear girl, I don’t need so much of her.
The relationship between the sisters is realistic and relatable. You can see their love but also the distance they try to reduce. Even with Suzanne being active only in the beginning and the last part of the book, she is there with her little sister Phoebe.
The main plot starts after 35%. From her previous works, I know this is how the author writes. I didn’t mind the slow start in those books. However, it feels stretched here. And with Bel being a constant presence, the scenes between Ren and Phoebe are not enough. I wanted more of their conversations.
Ren also doesn’t get enough chances to prove his true potential. Of course, I don’t really like that they think it’s okay to make decisions on his behalf, and he forgives a little too easily. At least there are no miscommunication or evil intentions to create unwanted complexities. Phoebe's natural talent to complicate things is more than enough for the plot.
The last 15% of the book has a lot of action. This should have come earlier and at a slower pace for their relationship to have a more natural arc. And there’s no epilogue, either! (Readers who don’t like it can skip it. Authors shouldn’t stop writing prologues and epilogues because some readers don’t like them. Some stories require one.)
The ending is sweet (and expected). I’ve debated a lot between 3 and 4 stars. I liked One Night Like This and The Christmas Wish a lot more. But this has its merits too. Phoebe’s growth feels realistic, and I like how she finds closure with her past. So, 4 stars it is!
To summarize, Love Me Do is a heartwarming and sweet read with some laugh-out-loud moments and introspective times. I wouldn’t call it one of the best, but it’s a good read.
Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and HarperFiction, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
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P.S: Many reviewers compared the book to the movie The Holiday. As usual, I haven’t seen it, so no idea about it.
fast-paced
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Fast-paced but predictable (not a mystery)
Sicily, 1968
A devastating earthquake has affected the mountain town of Gibellina. Enzo and his wife Irene Borgata are driving back home to their Villa Alba del Ciliegio through the bumpy roads across the ghosted town and its ruins. When the car breaks down, Enzo sets home on foot, promising to bring help. A few hours later, he arrives on the scene to find Irene missing. No one has seen or heard of her ever since.
Sicily, Present Day
Milo Conti is a TV showman known for his love for true crime (and drama). He enjoys playing with the audiences’ minds and people’s lives by ‘solving’ cold cases and delivering verdicts on air. When Enzo becomes Milo’s next target, Maddalena, Enzo’s daughter, contacts her childhood friend for help.
Retired detective April Cobain flies to Sicily to help her friend. As she digs deeper into the case, family secrets are revealed, resulting in more confusion and chaos. With the clock ticking away, can April find out what had happened that fateful evening all those years ago?
The story comes from April’s third-person POV and Irene’s first-person POV (addressing another character in the second person).
What I Like:
When the ToC (table of contents) showed 120 chapters, I had a mini heart attack. Fortunately, the chapters are short and crisp. They result in a fast-paced narration that alters between the past and present.
The chapter placement is done very well. As April explores the Villa and learns about the Borgata family members, we see Irene’s life progressing in parallel. Though it causes some repetition, it works in the plot’s favor to help readers connect the past and present.
Irene’s POV is wonderfully done. I wasn’t sure how I’d like the second-person address, but it makes things realistic from her side. She is not a vague entity but a person full of secrets, emotions, fears, doubts, etc. The writing presents her state of mind- frantic, messy, torn, and agitated, allowing readers to see her side of the story.
The setting comes alive without slowing down the narrative. The summer heat in Sicily, the architecture, food, people, and especially Villa Alba (a symbol of wealth and power but, in reality, a house barely holding together) are easy to visualize.
What Could Have Been Better for Me:
I was happy almost until the last quarter that we don’t see any ‘love track’ than what’s already there. But no! It comes when I didn’t want and least expected it. Thankfully, it’s not detailed and doesn’t distract the reader from the core plot, but it is not necessary.
Though I like paranormal elements, I want them to be more than just ‘feelings’. We have quite a few references to ghosts and stuff, which go nowhere in the plot. This seems more like an attempt to create an atmosphere. It’s not necessary and only causes a distraction (I kept wondering if something will come out of it).
With the focus on the case, there isn’t much space for anything else. I couldn’t connect with April at any point. The book totally belongs to the Borgata family and their secrets. There are a lot of secrets, too (some unnecessary and abruptly rounded off at the end).
The ending is a letdown. I knew what would happen in the climax. Heck, I saw it all around 30% of the book and was prepared for it. The lack of surprise wasn’t much of an issue. But the events afterward were summed up around 5 pages and felt totally rushed. It was almost like the book had no energy left after the reveal and wanted to wrap it up as soon as possible.
Given April’s role in the book, the reveal should have come from her. What’s the use of having a detective working with another local detective if someone else takes over the climax? While April does connect a few dots, her standing on the sidelines during a crucial scene doesn’t give a good impression.
To summarize, The Secret of Villa Alba is a fast-paced novel with tried and tested plot seen in multiple books, movies, and shows. What sets it apart is Irene’s POV and the execution (until the last section). Pick it up if you want something familiar and quick.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheSecretofVillaAlba
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P.S.: The book is listed as general fiction on NetGalley. This is the right tag, though I’d call it a family drama. Reading this as a mystery (even a cozy mystery) will result in disappointment. There isn’t any police procedural here despite April’s former profession. Once I realized this, I could adjust my expectations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
3 Stars
One Liner: Good atmosphere, great premise; choppy execution
Anna has been running away, living in remote towns and villages where no one knows her. She has also been exploring the regions to find out more about the local folklore and supernatural beings. She lands in Whisperwood, a town with too many secrets, mysteries, and deaths- a place where a person can enter but not leave of their own accord.
Anna’s arrival escalates dangers and death (or so it seems), and soon, she’s right in the middle of chaos and fear. With her natural inclination to help and be useful, Anna decides to work with some of the townsfolk to find answers to their questions. But can they come out alive after going deep into the Whisperwood forest?
The story comes from Anna’s first-person POV.
What I Like:
Folk horror is my favorite, as it relies on setting, atmosphere, and folklore rather than excessive gore. The descriptions of the woods, the mythical creatures (from Romanian folklore and author-created), and the creepy vibes are spot on.
The descriptions of the creatures are detailed enough to easily visualize them. I like how I didn’t have to wonder about their appearances or stop reading to Google them. This made them more real and integral to the setting.
The narrator’s voice has a good dose of dark humor that’s snarky, self-deprecating, and the kind you see when someone’s trying to stay sane (coping mechanism). This perfectly suits Anna’s backstory and her arc.
The dialogue can be a hit or a miss. They are choppy and come with random jokes that will not make you laugh. I like this because the dialogues seem to fit whatever little we understand about the town and its people.
The prose has quality without feeling heavy-handed or dense. It imagery of the setting is strong but doesn’t go overboard. A few alliterations (violent violet) made me smile.
The ending feels gentler than it could have been. I think it’s intentional and eases the reader out of the setting rather than shoving them out. Also, there’s no attempt to add a ‘twist’ at the end or shock the readers. I appreciate this and like the ending (even if all questions aren’t answered).
What Could Have Been Better for Me:
The book is slow and fast at the same time. The narration is super slow, and it feels like we are going in circles at times. However, the events happen so fast (literally in a couple of days) that it’s amazing how people form and break bonds in minutes.
The book has a strong beginning and establishes a sense of eeriness. However, it fails to sustain the intensity over time, especially with the villagers. They turn into regular superstitious witch-hunting folk but still don’t feel dangerous. Also, the period is vague. The dialogues read modern, but the costumes and stuff feel historical. Maybe it’s set somewhere in between.
It’s common for people to die in horror books. However, that doesn’t mean they will not be fully developed. Many side characters are vague and don’t have enough depth. Even Anna despite her tragic past is blurry. Since I couldn’t empathize with her character (despite all the hardships), it’s harder for me to see her growth as organic. That impact just isn’t there.
Furthermore, I’m not entirely sure how Anna’s past plays into the core plot. While we see some moments linking to it, those could have been done through means too. Though it shows there are different kinds of horrors, the concept needs to be more cohesive.
This book should either have been a novella (by removing unwanted parts) or a longer novel (with another 50-70 pages) that elaborates on the setting, characters, their pasts and motivations. Right now, it’s stuck in the middle, exactly where it should not be.
To summarize, Whisperwood is a decent debut combining Romanian folklore and creativity to present an atmospheric story. However, it needed more structuring to deliver the intended. The author is definitely talented, and I’d be happy to read more books by her.
Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #Whisperwood
****
****
This has been a pitstop on the #Whisperwood blog tour conducted by Random Things Tours. (@RandomTTours on Twitter).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Physical abuse
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Cute and sweet (but not wow)
Sadie Montgomery finally gets a chance to prove her worth and earn loads of money. She is a finalist in the North American Portrait Society competition after years of being an unsuccessful artist. One minute she is celebrating it, and the next, she’s on the hospital bed. After mandatory brain surgery, Sadie ends up with Face Blindness, a possible temporary condition that blurs faces into a messy blob.
As a portrait artist, Sadie is devastated by the development. What if the condition is not temporary? And what about the competition she needs to win? With her family issues, monetary troubles, and her dog Peanut’s health condition, Sadie has more than her hands full. However, she finds a ray of hope or two.
While daydreaming about her future with Dr. Addison and getting to know her neighbor Joe, Sadie goes from finding potential love in two men. But things will have to wait until she can see their faces. After all, surprises come in the most unexpected forms.
The story comes from Sadie’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
With a premise like that and a cover just as attractive, I expected a cute and heartwarming romcom with two endearing characters (and a dog). I got some of it, but…
There are enough laughs and awkward scenes to keep the story light and cater to the ‘com’ of rom-com. There’s some ‘rom’ too, though it gets lost in ramblings and redeems only the last 15%. Peanut is a saving grace in many scenes.
I understand the struggling artist trope, and combined with Sadie’s past, it should make me sympathetic toward her. However, a majority of the time, Sadie sounds whiny and immature. Her determination to not rely on others is admirable, but she never seems to care enough about anyone except herself (and, thankfully, Peanut), even when she is being helped by others. I didn’t find her sweet, TBH.
No denying how hard it’s for Sadie to come to terms with her newly acquired Face Blindness. I mean, who’d want their lives to be filled with a blur of faceless people? It’s even worse with her profession and career at stake. I tried my best to empathize with her and did to an extent. I even understand why she doesn’t want to share it with others (never mind that the plot wouldn’t exist if she did). Still, the FMC makes it hard to take her side.
The book pretty much hinges on suspended belief. I don’t mind that in this genre. (As the author says in her note, it’s the anticipation that counts, and I agree). Yet, things are contradictory in many instances, though they make sense given Sadie’s characterization (this, sadly, is not positive).
Joe is a decent guy- good enough and sweet, but he doesn’t reach the book-boyfriend level. The poor guy has little to no space for character development since the book is from Sadie’s POV.
Sue reminds me of an easily distracted, energetic pup. She could have been more, but again her role is limited for the plot to work. Lucinda, Parker, and Sadie’s dad are restricted and uni-dimensional. Devices used to mess up the FMC’s life and possibly strengthen her.
The pacing wasn’t great, either. The narration starts slow and feels slow almost throughout, even as the days go by. Again, I blame it on the ramblings (which I began to skim after a point).
The last 20% is the best part of the book. However, it comes a little too late, and one thing happens after another to tie up the loose ends. There isn’t enough time to let Sadie’s reasons for her current attitude sink in and justify her actions. I don’t mind the detailed explanation as it is done well.
I’m a fan of epilogues. The one in the book starts great but drifts into a philosophical tone that takes us away from the story. It will work for some, but I’m not looking for the MC to give me any lessons at that point. I just want them to be happy and show me their happiness.
As many other reviewers said, the author’s note is detailed and beautiful to read. Since I’ve never been the type to rank literary fiction higher (doesn’t help that my experience with the genre makes me shudder), I understood her points. Also, romance is one of my favorite genres (I read for enjoyment).
To summarize, Hello Stranger is a cute book with some noteworthy themes and a few laughs. Pick it up if you want something breezy and light (though I cannot help but say- it could have been better).
Looks like this is not the author’s best work (not surprising since I tend to pick up such reads whenever I try a new author). I’ve got more of hers on my list, so hopeful I’ll find better books and enjoy them more.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3 Stars
One Liner: Good premise but needs better execution
Jane Hunter, a sixty-year-old retired university librarian, finds a job as an archivist in a nearby small town. With forced retirement, little pension, and no social security, Jane is hopeful that the temporary job will last long enough for her to stabilize her finances.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe is a thirty-three-year-old collector, scholar, and businessman (who hired Jane). He loves solving mysteries and puzzles but has severe anxiety issues and agoraphobia (and is possibly neurodivergent), which makes him sound rude and arrogant.
Jane decides she can get on with her job, no matter Cam’s attitude. However, she discovers a dead body on the first day of her job. When Cam is the primary suspect, the best option for them is to team up and solve the case before Cam is arrested by the police.
The story comes from Jane Hunter’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
As a fan of cozy mysteries, I’m always happy to try new books in the genre (especially series). The intriguing premise and the cover (which somehow doesn’t exactly fit the book) pulled me in.
The book has a decent pace and moves fast for me (though it drags in the middle). Being the first in the series, it introduces the main characters and sets the stage for readers to know them better.
Apart from the central mystery, there are a few other threads (past mysteries) that will possibly be solved in the coming books. There’s no major cliffhanger in this one. The case is solved, and there’s a lead for the next.
Jane and Cam are the main characters, though I see Lauren soon joining the list. It’s interesting to have 60 yo and 33 yo employee-employer duo as amateur sleuths. It’s a refreshing change from common tropes. The characters also have intriguing backstories, and we get enough hints to understand their behavior.
However, I’m not sure Jane’s first-person POV was the right choice for the story. Sure, it gives us her thoughts, ideas, opinions, feelings, etc. But it’s still hard to connect with her or the other characters. A third-person POV would have worked better, with a few chapters focusing on Cam. Writing a neurodivergent character is hard, and without enough material, it becomes difficult to not let Jane’s impression become the reader’s impression.
The book also suffers from over-explanation in quite a few instances. People (suspects) simply share loads of information with little prompting. This, combined with very few details about the actual job of cataloging and archiving, creates an imbalance in the narrative.
Also, the police are hardly there. They seem more like ghosts, hovering around passively while the duo solves the case. I’d have liked a more active role from the police. Heck, I don’t even know the name of the detective assigned to the case.
The climax and reveal are underwhelming. There are a few twists, red herrings, and attacks that make the plot feel dangerous, but it is quite low-key. Though I guessed the killer, the reasons weren’t clear. I hoped the reveal would help, but it fell flat. All I could do was sigh and wish it was better. The ending is quite good by comparison.
To summarize, A Cryptic Clue is a decent start to a new cozy mystery series with an unlikely sleuthing duo. I might read the second book if it deals with the cold case.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #ACrypticClue
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.7 Stars
One Liner: A fast-paced entertainer
Tahzeeb Hasan lives in Jasmine Villa (a small, old house) with her widowed and retired father and two younger sisters (Ana and Athiya). She is working at an NGO and loves her job (and freedom). They may not be rich but are a fairly happy family, dodging the various marriage proposals relatives love to dump on her. But things change when she meets Ayub Ahmed.
Ayub is a successful architect from a ‘well-settled’ aka, rich family with carpeted rooms and luxury cars. He isn’t interested in marriage until he meets Tahzeeb. The duo is smitten with each other and agrees to their wedding. However, the stark differences in their social status and living standards are a cause of concern for Tahzeeb.
When she’s pushed into a world of dressing up and going to parties, Tahzeeb is determined to retain her freedom and identity as an individual. Can the young couple balance their chemistry, love, individuality, and family expectations without losing each other?
The story comes from the third-person POV of Tahzeeb and Ayub, with a couple of chapters from Ana’s POV (also in the third-person).
My Thoughts:
So… before we dive into the review, I recommend you read the official blurb. It uses the word ‘sizzle’ and ‘irresistible romance’. This book is predominantly romance and reads a lot like M&B (Mills & Boon) from the early 90s. It has good steam (2.5 ish), so go in prepared.
The setting, family relationships, dialogues, expressions, emotions, fears, etc., are easy for Indian readers to relate to. These are seen pretty much across the country, irrespective of our religions. The middle-class vs. rich plot is familiar to most readers and easy to follow.
Social and family drama is seamlessly woven into the plot. Yet, it doesn’t go overboard or preachy. In fact, this book is meant for entertainment. It still has enough depth to allow readers to think about themes like love, parental and family expectations, bonding between sisters, finding love in an arranged marriage, life with in-laws, compromise, etc.
I love the bits where we see the difference in perspectives between generations and, of course, social classes. Whether it is the girls being wary of red flags while the father is more than happy to consider only the positive aspects of marriage proposals or the wannabe influencer Maria with all of 800 Instagram followers spending her day making makeup videos and posting photos, the events and reactions are totally relatable.
The writing is easy to follow. There’s a lot of 'tell', which sustains the pace throughout. Events happen one after another, and the time jumps are highlighted at the beginning of the chapter. While it works as an advantage to a great extent, it does affect character development. I also wish the other characters have a wee bit more depth.
For example, we are ‘shown’ the couple’s insta-lust and their sizzling chemistry. However, we are ‘told’ about how their relationship grows beyond desire and lust. Though we know they have a few common tastes, we don’t see what these are or have the time to watch them fall in love. It just happens (a little too quick). I wish this aspect was better balanced to let their relationship have an organic arc.
Tahzeeb and Ayub are cool, but they aren’t compelling. That stops the book at good instead of being a great read. Nevertheless, I’m intrigued by Ana’s character. She seems to have more depth compared to her older sister. In fact, I decided to read her book (Loving You Twice) as soon as I can. There’s something about Ana that allows her to shine even when Tahzeeb is the FMC.
There are a few Hindi words (un-translated) but easy enough to understand. Jungli, nautanki, etc., sound the best in the native language. Of course, I’d have loved it if ginger tea was adrak wali chai. It’s an emotion, like extra strong filter coffee, and a must whenever a person needs to make life-changing decisions.
To summarize, One Way to Love is a delightful entertainer and a typical romance book you can finish in a couple of days (or 3+ hours). It’s breezy but with enough emotions to make you connect to the characters and want to know more about them. If you’re looking for a desi-style contemporary romance, grab this one and enjoy the ride.
Thank you, Blogchatter, author Andaleeb Wajid, and publisher Westland, for a copy of the book.