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stuckinthebook's Reviews (248)
This book is classed a thriller, and we discussed in the book club meeting whether we were ‘thrilled’ by this book. I guess I was? To be honest, I spent the majority of the book wanting to find out what was going on, hence why I managed to finish this in just over a day.
There are two stories at play and I found it hard to understand which was the main story. Is it the murder trail that our narrator Alison has been trusted to work on? Or is it Alison’s story and her relationships? If it is the latter, I don’t know if the murder trial had any relevance to the story. I didn’t feel like it added anything to Alison’s character perhaps until the very end.
I’m sounding really critical about this book but I promise you I did enjoy it. It’s one that keeps you reading on, as the chapters are short and something is revealed at the end of nearly every one. Of course, this just leaves you wanting more and more, so as far as thrillers are concerned, Blood Orange has all the right ingredients.
Once I finished this book, I was straight on my phone to text my best friend and tell her what I thought. She had already read this book and was impatiently waiting for my verdict. She told me that this book was unique in the fact that she disliked all the main characters and yet loved the story. And I felt exactly the same. I disliked Alison, our narrator, all the way through, perhaps only warming to her towards the end. She seemed to surround herself with controlling and manipulative men and that just didn’t wash with me.
Harriet Tyce really explores some really intense discussions surrounding domestic and emotional abuse, love, family and adultery. I think I did feel sorry for some of the characters as different events took place, but then I was back to disliking them when they, by their own accord, made matters worse for themselves. It was a mental battle!
All in all, I did enjoy this book and the twist at the end is incredible. Yet I’m wary of the fact that perhaps the only reason I enjoyed this book is because the ending had such a shocking impact; that all I can remember when I look back on this is the ending. Am I being too critical here, maybe, I’ll leave that one for you to decide on your own.
Oh, and when you do finish this book…don’t forget to re-read the prologue. It will all make sense then
There are two stories at play and I found it hard to understand which was the main story. Is it the murder trail that our narrator Alison has been trusted to work on? Or is it Alison’s story and her relationships? If it is the latter, I don’t know if the murder trial had any relevance to the story. I didn’t feel like it added anything to Alison’s character perhaps until the very end.
I’m sounding really critical about this book but I promise you I did enjoy it. It’s one that keeps you reading on, as the chapters are short and something is revealed at the end of nearly every one. Of course, this just leaves you wanting more and more, so as far as thrillers are concerned, Blood Orange has all the right ingredients.
Once I finished this book, I was straight on my phone to text my best friend and tell her what I thought. She had already read this book and was impatiently waiting for my verdict. She told me that this book was unique in the fact that she disliked all the main characters and yet loved the story. And I felt exactly the same. I disliked Alison, our narrator, all the way through, perhaps only warming to her towards the end. She seemed to surround herself with controlling and manipulative men and that just didn’t wash with me.
Harriet Tyce really explores some really intense discussions surrounding domestic and emotional abuse, love, family and adultery. I think I did feel sorry for some of the characters as different events took place, but then I was back to disliking them when they, by their own accord, made matters worse for themselves. It was a mental battle!
All in all, I did enjoy this book and the twist at the end is incredible. Yet I’m wary of the fact that perhaps the only reason I enjoyed this book is because the ending had such a shocking impact; that all I can remember when I look back on this is the ending. Am I being too critical here, maybe, I’ll leave that one for you to decide on your own.
Oh, and when you do finish this book…don’t forget to re-read the prologue. It will all make sense then
I think what I liked the most about this book is how personal Michelle is. She doesn’t hold back on the raw truths of growing up, falling in love, studying hard, working hard, and being the First Lady of America. She is also very honest about her marriage with Barack and how their relationship was often tested by other commitments, politics and the heavy load that being a black woman in the spotlight comes hand in hand with.
I remember Barack being voted in as President of America. I remember listening to his inauguration on the radio. Seeing the pictures in the newspaper, and on TV. I remember when Osama Bin Laden was captured and how Barack was held as a hero. The first black President of the United States. Obviously being British, I have no idea what it was like to live under Obama’s presidency, but I think as a bystander from across the water, a lot of people are huge fans of Barack and how he seemed to stay very down to Earth and somewhat normal and personable.
It is no surprise then that Michelle’s account of her relationship with Obama confirms just how normal and dedicated Barack was. He wanted to make change in the world from a young age, working as a lawyer to be able to know first hand how he can use/change the law to help others.
However, enough about Barack. As I listened to the audiobook, I just loved Michelle’s voice. You could really tell how passionate she was at times, really getting her point across. You felt the emotion in her words. When she speaks of her family and Barack, you can feel just how much she loves them. You can hear the smile on her face.
There are some really touching moments in this book that have stuck with me. How she was so passionate about school and so dedicated to achieving the best. So scared of failure, I saw myself in her in some ways. When she failed her law bar exam, I felt her disappointment. Like Michelle, I’m absolutely terrified of failing anything and will do absolutely everything to make sure I don’t fail.
I also loved when she went to Nairobi with Barack and her experience of being an African American in Africa. She was constantly asked which of her parents were white, showing us how she felt alienated in a place where her ancestors had originated.
When Michelle and Barack are desperately trying to get pregnant, you can feel her disappointment when another test comes back negative. You feel her frustration at having to struggle between wanting a child, but not wanting to let it affect her work. She talks about the battle that women go through, inevitably having to sacrifice work and other commitments/passions, whilst ensuring they make the most of the most fertile days in the cycle, whilst men can go about their daily business.
She frequently discusses how annoying it was when she was going to give public speeches and all reporters cared about was where her shoes were from or who designed her outfit. The constant struggle she went through to get her voice and more importantly, her message heard was a recurring battle throughout the book and you could sense her irritation when she was recapping her experiences. But like most women in the public eye, their opinions and voice are constantly outshone by their appearance.
I really enjoyed listening to Michelle talk about her life, from childhood right through to sitting in a car with Ivanka Trump before her husband’s inauguration. She offers some really honest and real insights into the life of a politician and their families. I struggled to pick the best quotes from this book because there are so many. Every other sentence, I was like ‘Oh, that’s such a good quote.’
Definitely worth a listen/read.
I remember Barack being voted in as President of America. I remember listening to his inauguration on the radio. Seeing the pictures in the newspaper, and on TV. I remember when Osama Bin Laden was captured and how Barack was held as a hero. The first black President of the United States. Obviously being British, I have no idea what it was like to live under Obama’s presidency, but I think as a bystander from across the water, a lot of people are huge fans of Barack and how he seemed to stay very down to Earth and somewhat normal and personable.
It is no surprise then that Michelle’s account of her relationship with Obama confirms just how normal and dedicated Barack was. He wanted to make change in the world from a young age, working as a lawyer to be able to know first hand how he can use/change the law to help others.
However, enough about Barack. As I listened to the audiobook, I just loved Michelle’s voice. You could really tell how passionate she was at times, really getting her point across. You felt the emotion in her words. When she speaks of her family and Barack, you can feel just how much she loves them. You can hear the smile on her face.
There are some really touching moments in this book that have stuck with me. How she was so passionate about school and so dedicated to achieving the best. So scared of failure, I saw myself in her in some ways. When she failed her law bar exam, I felt her disappointment. Like Michelle, I’m absolutely terrified of failing anything and will do absolutely everything to make sure I don’t fail.
I also loved when she went to Nairobi with Barack and her experience of being an African American in Africa. She was constantly asked which of her parents were white, showing us how she felt alienated in a place where her ancestors had originated.
When Michelle and Barack are desperately trying to get pregnant, you can feel her disappointment when another test comes back negative. You feel her frustration at having to struggle between wanting a child, but not wanting to let it affect her work. She talks about the battle that women go through, inevitably having to sacrifice work and other commitments/passions, whilst ensuring they make the most of the most fertile days in the cycle, whilst men can go about their daily business.
She frequently discusses how annoying it was when she was going to give public speeches and all reporters cared about was where her shoes were from or who designed her outfit. The constant struggle she went through to get her voice and more importantly, her message heard was a recurring battle throughout the book and you could sense her irritation when she was recapping her experiences. But like most women in the public eye, their opinions and voice are constantly outshone by their appearance.
I really enjoyed listening to Michelle talk about her life, from childhood right through to sitting in a car with Ivanka Trump before her husband’s inauguration. She offers some really honest and real insights into the life of a politician and their families. I struggled to pick the best quotes from this book because there are so many. Every other sentence, I was like ‘Oh, that’s such a good quote.’
Definitely worth a listen/read.
Why Did I Read This Book?
I cannot tell you how many people have recommended this book to me. To complement the beautiful book cover, the list of awards and nominations are as long as my arm. So when I found a copy in my local supermarket, I just had to bring it home with me.
What Did I Think?
This is a story that follows a ‘Marsh Girl’ who has been outcast by society and deserted by her family. We follow her journey from childhood to maturity, experiencing with her the implications of growing up in the middle of a swamp. Her behaviour is considered ‘strange’ by those living in the local town, which puts her at the top of the suspects list when a ‘well-loved’ citizen is found dead at the edges of the marsh.
Delia Owens is an American wildlife scientist turned author which is why the description of the marsh is so descriptive and accurate. Her depiction of the habitat is so magical, and its role of protecting our protagonist, Kya is profoundly heartwarming. Kya learns so much from the wildlife in the marsh, watching and taking notes on camouflage, survival and relationships to help her understand events in her life.
I fell in love with Kya. She is so resourceful and resilient, my heart aches for her when things don’t go according to plan. I love how she always makes the best of a bad situation, finding both education and solace in nature. Her love of poetry is also admiring, with Delia Owens showing her array of talents by incorporating beautiful poetry into the text to help us see how Kya processes events and feelings.
Where The Crawdads Sing is set during the 1950s and 60s so it is important that themes of racial and social division are addressed. These themes will undoubtedly reach a wide audience and are perhaps still relevant in today’s society. That is why this book is so unique in its portrayal of love, crime, racism and social division, combining and connecting all the themes into one beautiful debut novel.
With the story apparently being developed into a film starring Reese Witherspoon, now is a better time than ever to get your hands on a copy of this bestseller!
I cannot tell you how many people have recommended this book to me. To complement the beautiful book cover, the list of awards and nominations are as long as my arm. So when I found a copy in my local supermarket, I just had to bring it home with me.
What Did I Think?
This is a story that follows a ‘Marsh Girl’ who has been outcast by society and deserted by her family. We follow her journey from childhood to maturity, experiencing with her the implications of growing up in the middle of a swamp. Her behaviour is considered ‘strange’ by those living in the local town, which puts her at the top of the suspects list when a ‘well-loved’ citizen is found dead at the edges of the marsh.
Delia Owens is an American wildlife scientist turned author which is why the description of the marsh is so descriptive and accurate. Her depiction of the habitat is so magical, and its role of protecting our protagonist, Kya is profoundly heartwarming. Kya learns so much from the wildlife in the marsh, watching and taking notes on camouflage, survival and relationships to help her understand events in her life.
I fell in love with Kya. She is so resourceful and resilient, my heart aches for her when things don’t go according to plan. I love how she always makes the best of a bad situation, finding both education and solace in nature. Her love of poetry is also admiring, with Delia Owens showing her array of talents by incorporating beautiful poetry into the text to help us see how Kya processes events and feelings.
Where The Crawdads Sing is set during the 1950s and 60s so it is important that themes of racial and social division are addressed. These themes will undoubtedly reach a wide audience and are perhaps still relevant in today’s society. That is why this book is so unique in its portrayal of love, crime, racism and social division, combining and connecting all the themes into one beautiful debut novel.
With the story apparently being developed into a film starring Reese Witherspoon, now is a better time than ever to get your hands on a copy of this bestseller!
I fell in love with all the characters, especially Minnie. I thought each of them had their own little quirks, but Minnie especially is who I felt closest too. She made me laugh, and she reminded me of myself in the way that she panics about everything. When even the slightest thing goes wrong, I can often find myself thinking that the whole world is against me, much like Minnie.
What I enjoyed most about This Time Next Year was that it isn’t just a love story. It explores other important topics such as controlling relationships, anxiety, environmental issues, and also soul-searching. However, this book is VERY cheesy in some parts, so if you love a good cheesy rom-com, this is the book for you!
What I enjoyed most about This Time Next Year was that it isn’t just a love story. It explores other important topics such as controlling relationships, anxiety, environmental issues, and also soul-searching. However, this book is VERY cheesy in some parts, so if you love a good cheesy rom-com, this is the book for you!
The book has a nice pace, with short chapters and each chapter revealing something new about one of the characters. In my notes I’ve asked myself whether I like Fleetwood’s husband, Richard. In some parts of the story I admire how much he evidently loves and adores his wife but in other parts, I find myself disliking him. He is often too quick to disapprove of Fleetwood’s actions, even though she is doing her best to keep her, her baby and her friends safe.
We are introduced to a character called Alice later on in the book who helps Fleetwood back to health and gives Fleetwood the strength she needs to carry on. Yet you will have to decide for yourself whether she is a witch or not.
Although The Familiars is a fictional story, the character of Alice was actually a real woman who was arrested and held in prison as a suspected witch. What I love most about this story is that it is not centered around the witch hunts themselves. We only hear about recent progress in the hunts and trials through conversations with friends that visit Fleetwood. I thought that that was a nice added touch by Stacey Halls, as it makes us understand what the general thinking was of the public when it came to witches. I loved finding out that Alice was in fact a real person, making the factual history of this local story feel closer to home than ever before.
I would highly recommend this book, it is a bit longer than I would have hoped for but Stacey Halls does a good job of keeping you interested. Her other book, The Foundling is out now and I for one cannot wait to read it. I’ve heard good things and bad. Some prefer The Foundling to The Familiars. Some people prefer The Familiars. I guess I’ll have to read it and let you know.
We are introduced to a character called Alice later on in the book who helps Fleetwood back to health and gives Fleetwood the strength she needs to carry on. Yet you will have to decide for yourself whether she is a witch or not.
Although The Familiars is a fictional story, the character of Alice was actually a real woman who was arrested and held in prison as a suspected witch. What I love most about this story is that it is not centered around the witch hunts themselves. We only hear about recent progress in the hunts and trials through conversations with friends that visit Fleetwood. I thought that that was a nice added touch by Stacey Halls, as it makes us understand what the general thinking was of the public when it came to witches. I loved finding out that Alice was in fact a real person, making the factual history of this local story feel closer to home than ever before.
I would highly recommend this book, it is a bit longer than I would have hoped for but Stacey Halls does a good job of keeping you interested. Her other book, The Foundling is out now and I for one cannot wait to read it. I’ve heard good things and bad. Some prefer The Foundling to The Familiars. Some people prefer The Familiars. I guess I’ll have to read it and let you know.
The book is beautifully paced; the chapters are short and there’s always some sort of cliffhanger that leads you on to the next, the characters develop just right so the book doesn’t progress too quickly or too slowly, and lastly, I think the story is wonderful and Jeanine Cummins does a brilliant job of highlighting the dangers and sacrifices that migrants endure on their journeys to ‘freedom’. I think the ending was really touching in the way it highlighted that their lives were still in danger.
First of all, I don’t think this book would have been half as good if Laura Shepherd Robinson (LSR) hadn’t have done all the tireless research into the gruesome history of the Deptford Docks. She said that she spent many endless days in the Museum of London Docklands (somewhere definitely on my list to go to once this whole lockdown is over) and that is probably why her debut novel Blood & Sugar is so enthralling.
The book starts with the murder of pro-abolitionist Thaddeus Archer. His friend and narrator, Captain Harry Corsham, sets off to unveil his murderer and the secrets of Deptford Docks. This historical fiction crime thriller (all of my favourite things combined into one) had me hooked on every page and my opinion on who the murder was changed with every chapter. I guess that was why I was so hooked.
I hadn’t known before reading this book that Deptford was one of the key ports for the Atlantic slave trade and LSR does a fantastic job of depicting slavery as it was understood in those times; a vital trade. There were only a few known abolitionists back then and they were very much considered ‘extremists’ by society. Perhaps understandable then why all the pro-abolitionists in this story are beaten up or killed.
I think what is even more important is that LSR gives 18th century black Londoners a voice in this book and highlights their role in society, especially those considered to be ‘free’. The historical note at the back of the book really sheds light on the historical context of the book and some of the underlying stories featured inside its pages. One story that runs alongside the murder mystery is the story about three hundred slaves tragically murdered on a ship called The Dark Angel during its journey across the Middle Passage. It was a really shocking story and one I found hard to read. But it was in fact based on a true story and one that should never be forgotten. LSR talks about the fact that one of the greatest achievements of the abolitionist movement was the act of publicizing slave horror stories like these to shock the British public and to make them aware of the barbarity behind the trade.
The ending. Well, I’m not sure if I liked it or not. Some days I’m like yes, I get why LSR did that but then other days I’m like no, I wish it wasn’t who it was. I’ll leave you to decide on what you thought, but I don’t know if I agree with who she decided to go with.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and it differed from the historical fiction I had read before and I love how the author depicted the scenery. The way she writes about Deptford in 1781 is honestly so gruesome and encapsulating, next time I’m down in London, I’ll definitely be able to picture what it was like.
The book starts with the murder of pro-abolitionist Thaddeus Archer. His friend and narrator, Captain Harry Corsham, sets off to unveil his murderer and the secrets of Deptford Docks. This historical fiction crime thriller (all of my favourite things combined into one) had me hooked on every page and my opinion on who the murder was changed with every chapter. I guess that was why I was so hooked.
I hadn’t known before reading this book that Deptford was one of the key ports for the Atlantic slave trade and LSR does a fantastic job of depicting slavery as it was understood in those times; a vital trade. There were only a few known abolitionists back then and they were very much considered ‘extremists’ by society. Perhaps understandable then why all the pro-abolitionists in this story are beaten up or killed.
I think what is even more important is that LSR gives 18th century black Londoners a voice in this book and highlights their role in society, especially those considered to be ‘free’. The historical note at the back of the book really sheds light on the historical context of the book and some of the underlying stories featured inside its pages. One story that runs alongside the murder mystery is the story about three hundred slaves tragically murdered on a ship called The Dark Angel during its journey across the Middle Passage. It was a really shocking story and one I found hard to read. But it was in fact based on a true story and one that should never be forgotten. LSR talks about the fact that one of the greatest achievements of the abolitionist movement was the act of publicizing slave horror stories like these to shock the British public and to make them aware of the barbarity behind the trade.
The ending. Well, I’m not sure if I liked it or not. Some days I’m like yes, I get why LSR did that but then other days I’m like no, I wish it wasn’t who it was. I’ll leave you to decide on what you thought, but I don’t know if I agree with who she decided to go with.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and it differed from the historical fiction I had read before and I love how the author depicted the scenery. The way she writes about Deptford in 1781 is honestly so gruesome and encapsulating, next time I’m down in London, I’ll definitely be able to picture what it was like.
I enjoyed this but felt like it was rushed at times. Some of the scenes would have been perhaps more powerful if they were drawn out and we were given more of an insight into how the main character was feeling. I still enjoyed it though and definitely one that looks into the different types of relationships that may look 'perfect' on the outside but in reality, is far from it. I would love to see it as a mini TV series.
I read this after reading another thriller. Probably not advisable but I was just desperate to read this one because I had heard such good reviews. And it didn’t disappoint.
The story is told from the main character’s, Ellie’s perspective. It follows her and her family who have allowed a man, who is apparently her husband’s cousin’s friend, to stay with them whilst he finds his feet in a new neighbourhood. I know what you’re thinking, who just allows a random man to stay with them and their family? I thought exactly the same. Is it believable? If I’m honest, although it doesn’t sound too believable, it actually worked for this story.
I really enjoy thrillers that offer a prologue and epilogue. I think they really add something extra to the story and the whole ‘thrill’ of the book. In this book, the epilogue is quite shocking and makes everything in the book make sense. Once you’ve read the epilogue, everything Ellie did, makes sense and adds a bitter after taste to the book.
I still can’t decide whether I liked Ellie or not. She was extremely judgemental, very anxious about everyone and everything, as well as a little controlling when it came to her family. She took control of nearly all the family routines and I question whether that is because she had to or she preferred to.
I never liked her husband. I got bad vibes from the start. Yet some characters aren’t all who they are made out to be, and once you finish this book you may see him in a different light.
I really enjoyed this book but I feel like towards the end, the book did become slightly rushed and I had to reread a few sentences to make sure I knew what was happening and how. I tend to write notes whilst I’m reading because when it comes to writing my review, I can sense how my thoughts and feelings changed (or didn’t change) throughout. I wrote early on in my notes that the fact that Seth (Ellie’s husband) is her children’s step-father isn’t very well-explained, and we are left in the dark about her children’s father. Little did I know what Cathryn Grant had up her sleeve, and this added surprise at the end of the novel, is the reason I am rating this book so highly. For that, you will have to wait and see yourselves.
Available to buy in the UK from 24th May, this is surely a thriller that will be read by most, if not every book club out there.
The story is told from the main character’s, Ellie’s perspective. It follows her and her family who have allowed a man, who is apparently her husband’s cousin’s friend, to stay with them whilst he finds his feet in a new neighbourhood. I know what you’re thinking, who just allows a random man to stay with them and their family? I thought exactly the same. Is it believable? If I’m honest, although it doesn’t sound too believable, it actually worked for this story.
I really enjoy thrillers that offer a prologue and epilogue. I think they really add something extra to the story and the whole ‘thrill’ of the book. In this book, the epilogue is quite shocking and makes everything in the book make sense. Once you’ve read the epilogue, everything Ellie did, makes sense and adds a bitter after taste to the book.
I still can’t decide whether I liked Ellie or not. She was extremely judgemental, very anxious about everyone and everything, as well as a little controlling when it came to her family. She took control of nearly all the family routines and I question whether that is because she had to or she preferred to.
I never liked her husband. I got bad vibes from the start. Yet some characters aren’t all who they are made out to be, and once you finish this book you may see him in a different light.
I really enjoyed this book but I feel like towards the end, the book did become slightly rushed and I had to reread a few sentences to make sure I knew what was happening and how. I tend to write notes whilst I’m reading because when it comes to writing my review, I can sense how my thoughts and feelings changed (or didn’t change) throughout. I wrote early on in my notes that the fact that Seth (Ellie’s husband) is her children’s step-father isn’t very well-explained, and we are left in the dark about her children’s father. Little did I know what Cathryn Grant had up her sleeve, and this added surprise at the end of the novel, is the reason I am rating this book so highly. For that, you will have to wait and see yourselves.
Available to buy in the UK from 24th May, this is surely a thriller that will be read by most, if not every book club out there.