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winecellarlibrary's Reviews (657)
The illustrations are the best part of this book. The first time I read it, I read it silently. I struggled with the cadence, or honestly, the lack thereof. The second time I read it, I read it aloud to my daughter. The variation in syllables made it difficult to read smoothly. Sometimes the rhyming words are close together, and sometimes there are long sentences separating them. There doesn't appear to be any structure to the rhyming. The book is a little too specific about the bad behaviors the children in the story have. When reading a book to children about behaving, you want to focus on the positive rather than naming several bad things that the characters do, such as cussing and hitting your sibling with a broom. Lastly, the ending is very abrupt.
I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and DartFrog Books.
I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and DartFrog Books.
The first time I started this audiobook., I was intimidated by the very deep voice at the beginning and had to set the book aside for later. It was hard for me to understand at first. When I came back to the book, of course I learned that this character is using a voice changer to conceal their identity, and the voice only appears on occasion in the audiobook. Other than my initial apprehension about this particular voice, I feel that the narrators did a good job.
This is one of those thrillers where no one is innocent and everyone has something to hide. When women connected to Anna start dying in brutal ways, it is quickly apparent that there is a serial killer. What frustrated me about this premise was that the detective was not proactive at all. When two friends are killed and similar artifacts are left at the scene, you would think that there would be protective measures enacted to ensure no one else in that friend group was in danger. Aside from this, the story was well-constructed. Each time you think the identity of the murderer has been revealed, something happens to prove you wrong. Multiple people have motive, but which one of them acted on that motive?
There are some scenes that warrant a trigger warning for murder, rape, sexual assault, and animal cruelty.
I received a digital ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.
This is one of those thrillers where no one is innocent and everyone has something to hide. When women connected to Anna start dying in brutal ways, it is quickly apparent that there is a serial killer. What frustrated me about this premise was that the detective was not proactive at all. When two friends are killed and similar artifacts are left at the scene, you would think that there would be protective measures enacted to ensure no one else in that friend group was in danger. Aside from this, the story was well-constructed. Each time you think the identity of the murderer has been revealed, something happens to prove you wrong. Multiple people have motive, but which one of them acted on that motive?
There are some scenes that warrant a trigger warning for murder, rape, sexual assault, and animal cruelty.
I received a digital ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.
After everything that happened in this book, the lack of a definite resolution at the end is extremely agitating. I’m highly considering removing a star based on this, but I’ll have to think about it.
Formal review to follow.
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I've taken a few days to ponder everything that happened in this book. It is a saga spanning many years in the life of the sculptress, so there is much to consider. Some of the events are rather unbelievable, especially for the time, such as when she goes to the front in disguise. The lack of definite resolution at the end still frustrates me. But, overall, I have continued to think about this book and miss reading it. I grew to care for Emma and what would become of her. For that reason, I have decided to keep the rating at four stars rather than reducing it to three. The narrator did a fantastic job. The book felt much longer than it was, perhaps due to the many years covered, but it kept up an appropriate pace.
I will include trigger warnings for explicit sexual content, abortion, death, and graphic descriptions of facial disfigurement.
I received a digital ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio.
Formal review to follow.
--------------------
I've taken a few days to ponder everything that happened in this book. It is a saga spanning many years in the life of the sculptress, so there is much to consider. Some of the events are rather unbelievable, especially for the time, such as when she goes to the front in disguise. The lack of definite resolution at the end still frustrates me. But, overall, I have continued to think about this book and miss reading it. I grew to care for Emma and what would become of her. For that reason, I have decided to keep the rating at four stars rather than reducing it to three. The narrator did a fantastic job. The book felt much longer than it was, perhaps due to the many years covered, but it kept up an appropriate pace.
I will include trigger warnings for explicit sexual content, abortion, death, and graphic descriptions of facial disfigurement.
I received a digital ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio.
This book launched Jennifer McMahon to the top of my must-read authors list. It's atmospheric and haunting. It's a book that I plan to read again someday in the future, just to savor it once again.
I went into this book blind, and I highly recommend that other readers do the same. If paranormal thrillers, split timelines, and family bonds that cross generations intrigue you, you'll devour this book.
I received a digital ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio.
I went into this book blind, and I highly recommend that other readers do the same. If paranormal thrillers, split timelines, and family bonds that cross generations intrigue you, you'll devour this book.
I received a digital ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio.
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
First, I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Publishing for providing me with a free digital audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Looking at all the rave reviews on this book, I appear to be in the minority. This book just was middle-of-the-road for me. I read the synopsis immediately upon finishing the book (I like to go into a book with as little information as possible) and was shocked to see that it was billed as a regency romance. While there is a hint of second-chance romance in this book, it is certainly not the focal point. This is much more of a historical mystery than anything else. I believe I would have enjoyed this book much more if the romance had been even marginally more involved in the story.
The narration was also middle-of-the-road. I was not able to distinguish one character from another based on her narration. All older characters sounded old, and all the younger characters sounded alike in their respective genders. The only person truly given a distinct voice was Mrs. Cavanagh.
As for the mystery aspect, I felt no spark of intrigue as clues were revealed. When the final twist emerged, what should have been a shocking realization just fell flat.
I read most books on audio, so I do not believe that the format had anything to do with my average rating. This book unfortunately just did not work for me.
First, I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Publishing for providing me with a free digital audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Looking at all the rave reviews on this book, I appear to be in the minority. This book just was middle-of-the-road for me. I read the synopsis immediately upon finishing the book (I like to go into a book with as little information as possible) and was shocked to see that it was billed as a regency romance. While there is a hint of second-chance romance in this book, it is certainly not the focal point. This is much more of a historical mystery than anything else. I believe I would have enjoyed this book much more if the romance had been even marginally more involved in the story.
The narration was also middle-of-the-road. I was not able to distinguish one character from another based on her narration. All older characters sounded old, and all the younger characters sounded alike in their respective genders. The only person truly given a distinct voice was Mrs. Cavanagh.
As for the mystery aspect, I felt no spark of intrigue as clues were revealed. When the final twist emerged, what should have been a shocking realization just fell flat.
I read most books on audio, so I do not believe that the format had anything to do with my average rating. This book unfortunately just did not work for me.
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
My official review for Online Book Club can be found here.*
Amulet's Rapture is the third book in Linnea Tanner's award-winning Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. Although the author provides a short summary of the events that have transpired in the first two books—located prior to the Table of Contents—I strongly recommend that you do not read this book as a stand-alone. So much happens in the first two books that a short summary is not sufficient to prepare you for this epic saga! At this time, two more books are promised in the series, so there is so much of this story left to be revealed!
If you have not yet read the first two books in the series, please do not read the rest of this review. Although I guarantee no spoilers from this book, I am unable to review Amulet's Rapture without revealing some spoilers of events that occurred [b:Apollo's Raven|41130674|Apollo's Raven (Curse of Clansmen and Kings #1)|Linnea Tanner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534115438l/41130674._SY75_.jpg|55424344] and [b:Dagger's Destiny|41048184|Dagger's Destiny (Curse of Clansmen and Kings, #2)|Linnea Tanner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1533455703l/41048184._SY75_.jpg|64092290].
While the events in Apollo's Raven and Dagger's Destiny had spanned only a few months, Amulet's Rapture covers a period of three years. Although there is less action in this installment, there is a greater focus on character development. After the brutal conclusion to Dagger's Destiny, Catrin has been enslaved by the Roman Decimus, who believes her to be an oracle of Apollo. He disguises her as a male so that her true identity will not be discovered and so that the soldiers will not defile her, since he believes her prophetic abilities require her to be chaste. The more Catrin suffers, the further she strays from her love for Marcellus, turning instead toward hate and vengeance. Meanwhile, Marcellus, whose memory was erased by Rhan and Marrock, is struggling internally, feeling as though he has lost his identity. He returns to Eliana, the married older woman who had taken his virginity in his youth, and due to Catrin's mystical powers, Catrin bears witness to his infidelity. In the events that follow, Marcellus experiences personal growth relating to duty, honor, and loyalty.
Some of the dialogue in the series has felt a bit forced, but this issue was especially prominent in Amulet's Rapture. Additionally, there were numerous errors in the text. Although I received two review copies of this book from two different sources, I had actually purchased a copy as well, and the errors are present in both editions. While I felt that the story was stimulating and engaging, I was frequently distracted by the dialogue and errors. Another round of editing would greatly improve the quality of the book.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and I am really looking forward to the author publishing the next installment!
I would like to thank Online Book Club and NetGalley for providing me with review copies of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #AmuletsRapture
*The content of the Online Book Club review is slightly different as my official review is the property of OBC.
My official review for Online Book Club can be found here.*
Amulet's Rapture is the third book in Linnea Tanner's award-winning Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. Although the author provides a short summary of the events that have transpired in the first two books—located prior to the Table of Contents—I strongly recommend that you do not read this book as a stand-alone. So much happens in the first two books that a short summary is not sufficient to prepare you for this epic saga! At this time, two more books are promised in the series, so there is so much of this story left to be revealed!
If you have not yet read the first two books in the series, please do not read the rest of this review. Although I guarantee no spoilers from this book, I am unable to review Amulet's Rapture without revealing some spoilers of events that occurred [b:Apollo's Raven|41130674|Apollo's Raven (Curse of Clansmen and Kings #1)|Linnea Tanner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534115438l/41130674._SY75_.jpg|55424344] and [b:Dagger's Destiny|41048184|Dagger's Destiny (Curse of Clansmen and Kings, #2)|Linnea Tanner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1533455703l/41048184._SY75_.jpg|64092290].
While the events in Apollo's Raven and Dagger's Destiny had spanned only a few months, Amulet's Rapture covers a period of three years. Although there is less action in this installment, there is a greater focus on character development. After the brutal conclusion to Dagger's Destiny, Catrin has been enslaved by the Roman Decimus, who believes her to be an oracle of Apollo. He disguises her as a male so that her true identity will not be discovered and so that the soldiers will not defile her, since he believes her prophetic abilities require her to be chaste. The more Catrin suffers, the further she strays from her love for Marcellus, turning instead toward hate and vengeance. Meanwhile, Marcellus, whose memory was erased by Rhan and Marrock, is struggling internally, feeling as though he has lost his identity. He returns to Eliana, the married older woman who had taken his virginity in his youth, and due to Catrin's mystical powers, Catrin bears witness to his infidelity. In the events that follow, Marcellus experiences personal growth relating to duty, honor, and loyalty.
Some of the dialogue in the series has felt a bit forced, but this issue was especially prominent in Amulet's Rapture. Additionally, there were numerous errors in the text. Although I received two review copies of this book from two different sources, I had actually purchased a copy as well, and the errors are present in both editions. While I felt that the story was stimulating and engaging, I was frequently distracted by the dialogue and errors. Another round of editing would greatly improve the quality of the book.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and I am really looking forward to the author publishing the next installment!
I would like to thank Online Book Club and NetGalley for providing me with review copies of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #AmuletsRapture
*The content of the Online Book Club review is slightly different as my official review is the property of OBC.
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
I own every book that Julia Kelly has ever published, including those she has published under the name [a:Julia Blake|16458318|Julia Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1503493728p2/16458318.jpg]. I am very excited to have been added to Julia's ARC team!
The Whispers of War is a World War II historical fiction novel that examines the impact of the war on a group rarely discussed in history: German immigrants living in Allied nations. As Germany was the aggressor in the conflict and responsible for heinous crimes against humanity, especially the Jewish population, few have endeavored to write a novel with a German protagonist. Julia Kelly does so in a sensitive and eloquent manner.
Marie, a German immigrant living in London, England, has lived in London since childhood. Sent away to an English boarding school by her parents, Marie decided to remain in the country with her aunt and uncle, even after graduating. When Germany invades Poland, starting the war, Marie fears for her safety and her freedom. She abhors Germany's actions and fears the Nazi regime. In World War I, the English had rounded up all German immigrants and put them into internment camps, and Marie fears that the government may decide it is necessary to do so again with the current conflict.
The story is told in parts from four different viewpoints. I felt that this structure was effective and easy to follow. At the very beginning, we read from Samantha's point of view in the present day. Samantha is Marie's granddaughter, who has traveled to London to visit Marie's dear friend Nora a year after Marie has passed away. We will hear from Samantha intermittently as Nora imparts Marie's history, preceding each new section of the book. The first section is told from Marie's point of view in autumn of 1939. The second section is told from Marie and Nora's friend Hazel's point of view, covering the winter of 1939 to 1940, and the third is told from Nora's point of view in the spring of 1940. Experiencing Marie's strife through each of these close friends' points of views establishes their unwavering bond and their dedication to Marie's safety and freedom.
I have a minor in history with a focus on World War II history, and I was never aware of the conditions that German immigrants faced living in the internment camps. In America, we hear much about the Japanese internment camps in the United States. Any mention of Germans being rounded up into camps was in passing, never being thoroughly examined. Julia Kelly shines light on a part of history that has not been widely acknowledged or taught.
For those who have read Julia Kelly/Julia Blake's other titles, this story has minimal romance. Romance is a minor element in the book, despite Hazel's occupation as a matchmaker. The story is more about the bond of friendship, the emerging empowerment of women of the era, and revealing the impact of this little-known historical event. Elements of xenophobia, misogyny, discrimination, and abuse of authority are powerfully yet gracefully portrayed.
My favorite sections were those of Marie, Hazel, and Nora. I felt that Samantha’s chapters could have been given a bit more attention. Things seem to move very quickly in her chapters, especially with David. Other than that, The Whispers of War was a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction or women’s fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and Julia Kelly for providing me with a free digital review copy in exchange for an honest review. Additionally, thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with a free hardcover edition, which will look absolutely stunning on my bookshelf.
#thewhispersofwar #juliakelly #netgalley #gallerybooks
I own every book that Julia Kelly has ever published, including those she has published under the name [a:Julia Blake|16458318|Julia Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1503493728p2/16458318.jpg]. I am very excited to have been added to Julia's ARC team!
The Whispers of War is a World War II historical fiction novel that examines the impact of the war on a group rarely discussed in history: German immigrants living in Allied nations. As Germany was the aggressor in the conflict and responsible for heinous crimes against humanity, especially the Jewish population, few have endeavored to write a novel with a German protagonist. Julia Kelly does so in a sensitive and eloquent manner.
Marie, a German immigrant living in London, England, has lived in London since childhood. Sent away to an English boarding school by her parents, Marie decided to remain in the country with her aunt and uncle, even after graduating. When Germany invades Poland, starting the war, Marie fears for her safety and her freedom. She abhors Germany's actions and fears the Nazi regime. In World War I, the English had rounded up all German immigrants and put them into internment camps, and Marie fears that the government may decide it is necessary to do so again with the current conflict.
The story is told in parts from four different viewpoints. I felt that this structure was effective and easy to follow. At the very beginning, we read from Samantha's point of view in the present day. Samantha is Marie's granddaughter, who has traveled to London to visit Marie's dear friend Nora a year after Marie has passed away. We will hear from Samantha intermittently as Nora imparts Marie's history, preceding each new section of the book. The first section is told from Marie's point of view in autumn of 1939. The second section is told from Marie and Nora's friend Hazel's point of view, covering the winter of 1939 to 1940, and the third is told from Nora's point of view in the spring of 1940. Experiencing Marie's strife through each of these close friends' points of views establishes their unwavering bond and their dedication to Marie's safety and freedom.
I have a minor in history with a focus on World War II history, and I was never aware of the conditions that German immigrants faced living in the internment camps. In America, we hear much about the Japanese internment camps in the United States. Any mention of Germans being rounded up into camps was in passing, never being thoroughly examined. Julia Kelly shines light on a part of history that has not been widely acknowledged or taught.
For those who have read Julia Kelly/Julia Blake's other titles, this story has minimal romance. Romance is a minor element in the book, despite Hazel's occupation as a matchmaker. The story is more about the bond of friendship, the emerging empowerment of women of the era, and revealing the impact of this little-known historical event. Elements of xenophobia, misogyny, discrimination, and abuse of authority are powerfully yet gracefully portrayed.
My favorite sections were those of Marie, Hazel, and Nora. I felt that Samantha’s chapters could have been given a bit more attention. Things seem to move very quickly in her chapters, especially with David. Other than that, The Whispers of War was a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction or women’s fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and Julia Kelly for providing me with a free digital review copy in exchange for an honest review. Additionally, thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with a free hardcover edition, which will look absolutely stunning on my bookshelf.
#thewhispersofwar #juliakelly #netgalley #gallerybooks
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
Dagger's Destiny is the second book in Linnea Tanner's remarkable Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. It is imperative that you read [b:Apollo's Raven|41130674|Apollo's Raven (Curse of Clansmen and Kings #1)|Linnea Tanner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534115438l/41130674._SY75_.jpg|55424344] prior to embarking on this novel. Not only does Dagger's Destiny pick up right where Apollo's Raven ended, but only minimal summary is provided of the events that occurred in the first book. There are numerous conflicts at play in this series, and I do not expect the majority of them to be resolved until the series concludes. At the time of this review, five books have been promised by the author for this series!
In comparison to the first book, Dagger's Destiny is overflowing with action sequences. I was really impressed by the ruthlessness of the author in the narrative. It was reminiscent of scenes from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. The brutality may be difficult for some readers, but it gives the book a realistic quality. Whereas most fantasy novels try to give every character a "happily ever after," this author will not spare your feelings. Consider yourself warned!
Like the first book, this book ends abruptly. It ends so suddenly, in fact, that I did not realize it had even ended until I reached the endnotes! This may be something that turns off some readers, but I quite enjoy it. It can become irritating when every book in a series spends time winding down at the end of one book and then reiterating events for several pages at the beginning of the next book. In contrast, this series reads like one large epic saga broken into several parts.
If you enjoy historical fantasy, Roman history, Celtic history, and/or epic sagas, you will treasure this series!
Dagger's Destiny is the second book in Linnea Tanner's remarkable Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. It is imperative that you read [b:Apollo's Raven|41130674|Apollo's Raven (Curse of Clansmen and Kings #1)|Linnea Tanner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534115438l/41130674._SY75_.jpg|55424344] prior to embarking on this novel. Not only does Dagger's Destiny pick up right where Apollo's Raven ended, but only minimal summary is provided of the events that occurred in the first book. There are numerous conflicts at play in this series, and I do not expect the majority of them to be resolved until the series concludes. At the time of this review, five books have been promised by the author for this series!
In comparison to the first book, Dagger's Destiny is overflowing with action sequences. I was really impressed by the ruthlessness of the author in the narrative. It was reminiscent of scenes from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. The brutality may be difficult for some readers, but it gives the book a realistic quality. Whereas most fantasy novels try to give every character a "happily ever after," this author will not spare your feelings. Consider yourself warned!
Like the first book, this book ends abruptly. It ends so suddenly, in fact, that I did not realize it had even ended until I reached the endnotes! This may be something that turns off some readers, but I quite enjoy it. It can become irritating when every book in a series spends time winding down at the end of one book and then reiterating events for several pages at the beginning of the next book. In contrast, this series reads like one large epic saga broken into several parts.
If you enjoy historical fantasy, Roman history, Celtic history, and/or epic sagas, you will treasure this series!