Title: Seraphina
Author: Rachel Hartman
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: The MindHut
Rating: 4/5

There is an uneasy peace between dragons and humans; dragons are forbidden to take their natural form and instead appear as humans in the kingdom of Goredd. Seraphina is a gifted musician living at court. When a member of the royal family is murdered and it looks as though it was committed by a dragon, Seraphina is drawn into a difficult and murky investigation. Rachel Hartman does a great job creating a unique and interesting world in Seraphina. Her worldbuilding is among the best I’ve seen in YA fantasy. If you’re looking for a new, creative series with a unique fantasy premise, this is a great book to consider.

Read my full review at The MindHut

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3/5

I’m not really going to summarize this book because, if you’re at all familiar with the world of YA, you’ve probably heard what it’s about by now. And I will say that, despite all the amazing, glowing, positive reviews I read about The Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I didn’t enjoy it. It just wasn’t for me. It’s really creative and different, which is great, but the overwrought, angsty teen love story just ruined it for me. As well, the second half of the book is very different from the first, and I just didn’t love it. Most people did (if you doubt it, check out the first comment in my review on The MindHut - wow, was that person pissed at me! But be warned, it has a major spoiler in it), but it just didn’t work for me.

Read my full review at The MindHut

Title: Wake
Author: Amanda Hocking
Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5/5

Gemma is a down-to-earth sixteen year old girl living in a seaside town. She absolutely loves being in the water; swimming in the ocean at night is one of her greatest pleasures in life. But with the arrival of three beautiful, mysterious girls, Gemma’s nighttime swims become much more dangerous, especially after it becomes clear they’ve set their sights on her. This start of a trilogy is a bit on the fluff side, but it’s well-paced and interesting. Hocking makes some surprising creative decisions, and while this isn’t necessarily the best YA book I’ve read recently, it certainly kept my interest from beginning to end.

Read my full review at The MindHut

Title: The Darkness Gathers / Twice
Author: Lisa Unger
ISBN: 9780307953117 / 9780307953179
Pages: 336 / 432
Release Date: November 1, 2011 / February 7, 2012
Publisher: Broadway
Genre: Mystery
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

True crime author Lydia Strong is back in the second and third books of the Lydia Strong series. In The Darkness Gathers, Lydia receives a note asking for her help finding kidnapping victim Tatiana Quinn and intimating that there are many other girls in Tatiana’s situation in need of assistance. In Twice, a man is murdered and his wife, Julian, claims to know nothing about how he was killed. Julian’s mother approaches Lydia, saying that the women in her family are cursed and that Julian is innocent. Her curiosity provoked, Lydia takes the case.

Review:

In books two and three of the Lydia Strong series, the main character sees her life change before her eyes. In the first book of the series, Angel Fire, Lydia was headstrong and a risktaker. She continues that trend in The Darkness Gathers and Twice, but over the course of these books, readers can see her grow up and mature. She has new responsibilities, new obligations, and she can no longer take her life into her own hands whenever she sees fit. It’s great character growth for Lydia as she really learns what it is to be an adult. As in all of Lisa Unger’s books, the characters are incredibly realistic and well-written; it’s a treat to get to know her characters.

The main storylines of The Darkness Gathers and Smoke are interesting and engaging. Lydia pours herself into uncovering these mysteries, trying to determine what is really happening behind each of these. Lisa Unger is a creative writer, and it shows through in these unique storylines. Unger also makes sure to also have secondary storylines running through both of these books involving the murderer of Lydia’s mother, and it makes for two exciting and gripping novels.

The Lydia Strong series has proven to be an exciting, interesting set of novels, and I’m certainly glad that Unger’s publisher chose to reissue them. They have a sympathetic, strong (no pun intended) main character and diverse storylines that make for entertaining mysteries. This quartet is a one to pick up if you’re looking for some solid reads; I’m looking forward to devouring the last in this series, Smoke, soon.

Other books by Lisa Unger:

Angel Fire
Darkness, My Old Friend
Die for You
Fragile
Heartbroken

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Title: One Last Thing Before I Go
Author: Jonathan Tropper
ISBN: 9780525952367
Pages: 336
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Publisher: Dutton
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Silver is a washed-up, middle-aged, formerly famous drummer for a formerly famous band. His ex-wife is getting remarried and his daughter, who really wants nothing to do with him, is pregnant. He can’t blame them; after all, it’s not like he was a great husband and father. So Silver does what he does best: he causes drama. Not by being the bad guy this time, but by deciding he has nothing left to live for. When Silver’s diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, he opts not to have the surgery that could save him, instead deciding to change what’s left of his pathetic life before he goes.

Review:

One Last Thing Before I Go is a bittersweet novel about the lives we live. Silver doesn’t feel like the life he has is worth saving. He’s failed at being a husband and father, the only things that are truly important, and he thinks he’s completely alone. Why prolong his miserable life? It’s interesting to watch Silver develop over the course of the novel, to understand that no matter how lonely he feels, that there are people in his life who care about him. Even though he feels like he’s failed as a husband, a brother, a father, and a son, it doesn’t change the fact that his family loves him and wants him to live.

Jonathan Tropper is an expert at delivering sharp dialogue, a skill he uses quite often in One Last Thing Before I Go. The novel is witty and there are moments the reader will laugh out loud. But it’s simultaneously sad and bittersweet, which is quite impressive. He is amazing at ferreting out life’s truths and phrasing them in memorable ways. If you enjoy smart writing, Tropper is an absolute must-read.

The novel is emotionally manipulative at times, but the question of whether Silver will choose to save himself or not will keep readers interested from beginning to end. The author doesn’t provide any tidy endings or easy decisions; the reader can’t just assume that things will turn out happily. It doesn’t quite have the same lighthearted tone as Tropper’s previous books. It’s a little more serious and digs a little further under the surface.

If you’re looking for a smart read with interesting, well-developed characters, One Last Thing Before I Go is a great choice. Tropper spends time and effort making sure every person in this book has a memorable personality. The characters will stick with you long after the last pages are turned, and you’ll find yourself wanting to quote Tropper’s writing over and over again.

Other books by Jonathan Tropper:

This is Where I Leave You

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Title: Kept in the Dark
Author: Penny Hancock
ISBN: 9780452298330
Pages: 352
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Plume
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Sonia is lonely, living inside her large, beloved home, The River House. Her husband travels a lot and her adult daughter rarely comes home. And since her daughter and husband have ganged up on Sonia to try and bully her into selling her beloved family home, she has grown distant from them. When Jez, a fifteen-year-old boy, comes to her house to borrow a record of her husband’s, all of a sudden, Sonia is no longer lonely. But what she doesn’t realize is the extent she’ll go to in order to make sure Jez stays hers and to keep him from leaving.

Review:

Kept in the Dark is a novel about an abduction, except it’s told from a unique viewpoint. Rather than being the terrifying story of the abductee, struggling to stay alive and trying to find a way to escape, it’s told from the viewpoint of the abductor. At the beginning, Sonia seems relatively normal. Lonely, yes, and definitely unusually attached to her house, but just like any other woman you might come across. It’s only once Jez appears that her compulsion, her madness, begins to surface.

What drives a seemingly ordinary person to kidnap a teenage boy? That’s the question that underlies Kept in the Dark. The scariest part of the book is how Sonia rationalizes her actions. “He wants to stay. I’m not doing anything wrong,” she tells herself, despite the fact that she can clearly see that Jez is terrified. She worries about what others might think it if the story got out, how they’d misinterpret her actions. These aren’t the thoughts of a crazy woman. Unhinged, maybe, but it’s difficult to blame her actions on any sort of mental illness.

Hancock keeps Kept in the Dark moving at a slow but steady pace. She lets readers wonder if Sonia is ever going to go completely off the deep end (or has she already? I mean, she kidnapped a teenage boy!) As readers delve deeper into Sonia’s psyche, they realize she is still suffering from a past trauma, and that has woven its way into her present and affected her delusional perception of her relationship with Jez.

But Sonia doesn’t make up all of Kept in the Dark; all of the characters from Jez to Helen, Jez’s alcoholic aunt who was supposed to be watching him when he disappeared, are well-written and engaging. It’s clear that Hancock spent time crafting each of her characters meticulously. As a result, they leap off the page and draw the reader into this complex, disturbing narrative.

If you are looking for a quiet yet horrifying psychological thriller, Kept in the Dark is absolutely where you should look. Sonia’s ability to rationalize insane actions is frightening, yet also incredibly interesting. Though the book moves slowly, building up suspense, it will keep readers interested from beginning to end, as they try to puzzle out how Jez will escape from Sonia’s clutches, or whether, in order to keep him forever, Sonia is willing to kill him.

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Title: Paris in Love
Author: Eloisa James
ISBN: 9781400069569
Pages: 272
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Random House (Print) / Random House Audio (Audio)
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Travel
Source: Library
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

In 2009, Eloisa James and her husband moved themselves and their two children to Paris for one year. Eloisa took a sabbatical from her job, and thus she finds the time to engage in ordinary, leisurely pursuits: taking walks, cooking, and eating, just to name a few. This book is James’ chronicle of the magical year her family spent in Paris.

Review:

I love travel memoirs, so though I’d never read any of Eloisa James’ other work (she’s quite a prolific romance author), I knew I wanted to read Paris in Love. It’s not a straight, cohesive memoir, as it’s mostly a book of anecdotes and memories, but neither is it a work of essays. It’s just James’ random thoughts and experiences during the one amazing year she and her family spent in Paris.

There’s a lot of stories about James’ family in this book. Her daughter’s troubles fitting in at her new school, her son’s struggles with French; it makes for an incredibly personal narrative. At the same time, though, the book is full of atmosphere and stuffed to the brim with Paris. It’s a great mixture, though armchair travelers should be warned: Though this is a great novel about experiences in a beautiful city, it’s not about Paris itself. It’s about the changes Paris wreaks on the lives of the author and her family.

I chose to consume Paris in Love in audio, and it was a good choice. The different stories came together quite well in the audiobook. Eloisa James herself is the narrator, and I’ll admit I didn’t love her narration in the beginning. She sounded stiff, as if she were reading from the book (of course, any narrator reads from the book, but the great ones make you forget they aren’t just telling you a story). But slowly, as the book progressed, either she relaxed into it or I did, but either way, I didn’t feel that way by the end of the audio production. The book runs almost seven hours and is unabridged.

Whether you’ll enjoy Paris in Love depends on what you’re looking for in a travel memoir. If you want the vivid descriptions of the famous sights, this isn’t necessarily a book that’s going to satisfy you. But if you’re looking for a quieter read about how one family adjusts to life in Paris, the funny stories and crazy arguments, then this is a great choice. Despite being hesitant about the audiobook at first, the anecdotal nature of the book makes it a great choice for consumption in that format.

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Title: The Baker Street Letters
Author: Michael Robertson
ISBN: 9780312650643
Pages: 288
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:

Reggie Heath has just rented the building at 221 Baker Street for his offices. To his surprise, he discovers that his brother Nigel has been handling mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes that has been arriving at their doorstep daily. Apparently, it’s in his lease agreement that he handle the mail addressed to the fictional detective. But when Nigel goes missing, Reggie can’t help but believe he’s tracked down the sender of one of these letters to help her solve a mystery.

Review:

The Baker Street Letters is a book with an interesting premise: people all over the world write to the fictional Sherlock Holmes, begging for his help with their latest predicament. Someone must answer these letters, and in this book, it’s Nigel Heath. The Heath brothers are both engaging, well-written characters. Nigel is a bit shaky, having experienced some setbacks in both his personal and professional life. He’s looking to build himself up again, so it’s understandable why he gets lost in these letters.

Reggie’s a little more stolid, a little less emotional, really what you’d expect of an older brother. It’s touching, though, that he stops at nothing to help and protect his little brother. Through his search for Nigel, Reggie comes to understand his brother a little more, even as Nigel takes frustrating and unnecessary risks. It’s solid character development, especially for the first book in a series. Readers will definitely want to spend more time with these characters after they finish The Baker Street Letters.

Unfortunately, the mystery in The Baker Street Letters leaves something to be desired. While it starts off interesting, the story quickly becomes bogged down. The twists and turns don’t come across as suspenseful, and it becomes a bit of a chore to slog through the storyline. It seems to go off on a tangent, drifting further and further away from the creative premise that most likely attracted readers to the story in the first place. In the end, though I loved the Sherlock Holmes connection, I can’t say for certain whether I’ll be seeking out the next book in this series.

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Title: Enchanting Lily
Author: Anjali Banerjee
ISBN: 9780425245309
Pages: 320
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Lily Byrne is a young widow who still hasn’t quite recovered from her husband’s unexpected death. Attempting to start over, she arrives on Shelter Island with the idea of opening a vintage clothing shop. But things are more difficult than she expects - she doesn’t have many customers and she’s lonely. But as word gets around about Lily’s boutique, things begin to look up, and when a beautiful white cat with a penchant for mischief ingratiates itself into Lily’s life, Lily begins to find a sense of peace.

Review:

Enchanting Lily is a fun read that is perfect for when your brain is tired and you need something effortless. Lily’s a sympathetic character, though it’s clear she has no real idea how to run a store. Her husband took care of things for her when he was living, so now, on top of mourning him, she must also learn how to do things all over again. It’s gratifying to watch her move forward on her journey, and though there are unexpected obstacles, the reader knows that somehow, everything will work out for Lily and she will find happiness.

The novel also features a white, fluffy cat named Bella Luna as a main character. Indeed, the reader is even treated to the story from the cat’s point of view a few times. It can be a bit overly cute, but it’s entertaining to watch the cat wreak havoc on Lily’s life. It’s also a testament to how pets can change our lives, whether we want them to or not.

The setting of Enchanting Lily is Shelter Island, and Banerjee writes it well. She really fosters a sense of a close island community. Readers will want to take their next vacation on Shelter Island, as Banerjee’s descriptions really bring the locale to life. It’s also the setting of Banerjee’s previous book, Haunting Jasmine, and it’s fun to visit with some old familiar characters. However, this is by no means a sequel and functions as a standalone novel.

Full of charming characters and a lovely story of regaining hope, Enchanting Lily is a restful read that is perfect for after a long day. If you’re looking for a story of healing, one complete with a mysterious cat who can see more than the average person, you should definitely put Enchanting Lily on your list.

Other books by Anjali Banerjee:

Haunting Jasmine

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Title: Broken Harbor
Author: Tana French
ISBN: 9780670023653
Pages: 464
Release Date: July 24, 2012
Publisher: Viking
Genre: Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Mick Kennedy, nicknamed “Scorcher”, is one of the top detectives on Dublin’s murder squad. That’s why he’s assigned the case out at Broken Harbor - a family is found dead out in a stalled, crumbling development. Only the mother appears to have survived, and she’s in critical condition. It seems straightforward, until Scorcher arrives at the house and finds random holes in the walls with baby monitors pointed at them. As he delves deeper into the case, he realizes that nothing is as it seems.

Review:

Broken Harbor is a riveting mix of crime fiction and psychological thriller, told through the eyes of a seasoned cop living in Dublin. Mick Kennedy is rough around the edges, but it’s clear from the beginning he’s a good cop. He’s earned his stellar reputation; he isn’t afraid to take risks, but he knows when to draw the line. He can be frustrating at times, a bit intense, but he’s also easy to like. His relationship with his sister, Dina, who is unstable (at best) is touching; most people wouldn’t have reserves for that kind of patience.

Mick can be single-minded about his cases, which is why the events of Broken Harbor are such a challenge for him. Every new piece of information adds a different facet to the case. What may seem straightforward at one moment can turn into a bottomless puzzle at the next. Each answer seems to provoke more questions. While the reader keeps an open mind about the identity of the killer, Mick seems to fixate on people. Though he isn’t afraid to change his mind to accommodate new evidence, this single-mindedness doesn’t work well in these circumstances.

Despite the difficulty they present for Mick and the other detectives in the novel, the twists and turns of Broken Harbor provide an absolutely delightful (if disturbing) reading experience. This book is anything but straightforward. It’s incredibly intense and layered. It moves forward at a fast pace, never letting up, and continually building suspense. It’s awe-inspiring how French’s mind works, as she sets up trap after trap for the reader to fall into.

Broken Harbor is a novel you’ll want to make time for; once you start it, you’ll want to read it through to the end. It’s wonderfully written and completely gripping. French provides a compelling backstory for Scorcher, fleshing out his character well, but it doesn’t overtake the main storyline. If you’re looking for a book to lose yourself in, this is absolutely a novel you’ll want to pick up.

Other books by Tana French:

Faithful Place
In the Woods
The Likeness

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Title: Playing Dead
Author: Julia Heaberlin
ISBN: 9780345527011
Pages: 352
Release Date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

When Tommie McCloud’s father dies, she is bereft. But the letter she receives just a few days after her father’s death shakes her to the core. In it, a woman claims that Tommie is her baby, and that she was kidnapped over thirty years ago. Tommie wants to dismiss the woman as crazy, but as she digs into her past, she begins to find that things aren’t supporting her version of events. Desperate to understand the truth, Tommie must figure out what happened to her as a child and what secrets her parents hid from her.

Review:

Playing Dead is a story about a woman whose world is turned completely upside down. Tommie thought she knew everything there was to know about her life. She had parents who loved her and a simple life growing up in Texas. But if this woman is right, she’s linked to the Chicago Mob, to an infinitely more complicated existence, and what’s more, her life is in danger. It’s interesting to watch Tommie navigate this novel, not sure of what to think or what to believe. She’s brave, asking difficult questions that she doesn’t necessarily want the answers to, and she’s not afraid to take her destiny in her own hands.

Much of Playing Dead is set in Texas, and the book is seething with atmosphere. It’s clear that Heaberlin spent some significant time in the small towns of Texas, as she captured them perfectly. This book will transport readers from their homes to Tommie’s small town of Ponder, Texas. The attention paid to the setting and the intricate details used to build it up are wonderful. If you’re in the mood for a book that has an exciting plot and will take you to another place, this is it.

The mystery in Playing Dead is a good one. Readers will be hooked by the premise, and the intensity doesn’t let up from beginning to end. It’s a book full of secrets, and Heaberlin paces it well, revealing information at opportune times in order to increase the suspense. As the novel progresses, admittedly some of the twists and turns verge on being silly, but Heaberlin keeps the reader completely engaged nonetheless. You may have to suspend your sense of disbelief for this book, but if you can, you’ll be completely entertained.

If you’re looking for a family mystery full of secrets and lies, Playing Dead is a good choice. Book clubs might also be interested in this book, as it’s full of players with different motives that readers will want to dissect. It’s a fun read from beginning to end, and won’t have trouble keeping readers interested.

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Title: The Kingmaker’s Daughter
Author: Philippa Gregory
ISBN: 9781451626070
Pages: 432
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Touchstone
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Anne Neville is the daughter of the Kingmaker, the Earl of Warwick, who put Edward IV on the throne of England. But after Edward marries a common woman, Elizabeth Woodville, without the Kingmaker’s permission and her family begins to rule his court, the Kingmaker turns to others in order to fulfill his ambitions. He uses his daughters Anne and Isabel as pawns to achieve whatever ends he wants.

Review:

Anne Neville lived a fascinating life, to be sure. She’s not one of the mainstream players you often hear about in historical fiction, so the fact that Gregory gave her a voice and brought her story into the mainstream is great. She played a very important role in the Wars of the Roses, or The Cousins’ War (as Gregory chooses to call it). The Kingmaker’s Daughter is the fourth book in her series, though these books don’t need to be read in order.

Anne’s life was a sad one. She found little happiness over the course of her life because of how her father used her. She provokes the reader’s pity, to be sure, but whether she has their sympathy is a harder question. She’s a difficult character to like, not because she’s difficult, but because she’s a bit bland. She allows those around her to control her life, without much of a personality or spirit of her own. Even when she feels as though she’s taking her destiny into her own hands, she’s still being manipulated by those around her. While she’s to be pitied, for sure, it’s hard to really care for or be inspired by her.

It’s also interesting to compare Anne in The Kingmaker’s Daughter to the other women that Gregory has written about in her Cousin’s War series - Elizabeth Woodville, Jacquetta Woodville, and Margaret Beaufort. These women weren’t all necessary likeable, but they were feisty and fiery. They had an innate intelligence and a ruthlessness about them. Anne Neville pales in comparison. Though her life was interesting, she was a victim to the times she lived in and the men around her.

As with all of Gregory’s books, The Kingmaker’s Daughter is rich with historical details. Gregory does her best to bring the time period to life and teach the reader about history. The Kingmaker’s Daughter is the first book in this series, however, that I feel a reader would not be able to approach as a standalone. Much of the history behind this book is covered in The Lady of the Rivers, and Gregory doesn’t review the events behind the book very much. Indeed, Anne refers to Henry IV and Margaret of Anjou as “the sleeping king and the bad queen” which not only is incredibly unhelpful in understanding the history, but also is indicative of Anne’s immaturity into adulthood.

Despite my issues with Anne Neville, The Kingmaker’s Daughter is still worth reading. As I’ve said, Anne led a fascinating life, and though she will never be one of my favorite Gregory protagonists, it’s definitely worth reading her story to understand her role in the events of her time. One thing that Gregory excels at is to take the same events and write them from opposing viewpoints; it’s amazing to see her interpretations of motives and it makes for a gripping read. Gregory will be writing about Elizabeth of York in her next novel, and you can be sure I’ll be clamoring to read that book, to understand the story from this important woman’s point of view.

Other books by Philippa Gregory:

The Lady of the Rivers
The Other Queen
The Red Queen
The White Queen

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It’s been awhile since I’ve checked in with a Sunday Salon post, for a very good reason: things have been very busy! It’s been a great summer with lots of visitors, both family and friends, which is always great. It’s hard to believe we’re approaching the end of August. I’m looking forward to cooler weather and all that comes with it, but I can’t help but feel that 2012 is going by much too fast!

This weekend has been laid back - we had brunch with some friends yesterday, but other than that, we’ve just been catching up around the house. We haven’t had one of these weekends in awhile, and it’s been nice. Today, I’m hoping to catch up on reviews and get at least a week’s worth written. If I have time after that, I definitely will try to get some reading in before we watch The Hunger Games tonight (which we still haven’t seen!)

As far as reading, work has been crazy these past few weeks. I’ve been working late, which means I’ve been able to do less reading than I’d like! I’m still okay in terms of reviews and being able to keep up with my blog, but as things get busier this year, another hiatus might be in order (or at least a “post when I can” period). Right now, I’m reading Broken Harbor by Tana French, and I’m absolutely loving it.

Reviews posted this week:

Title: A Storm of Swords
Author: George R. R. Martin
ISBN: 9780553573428
Pages: 1216
Release Date: March 4, 2003
Publisher: Bantam
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5 out of 5

Warning: This review may contain spoilers for the first two books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings.

Summary:

The war for the throne of the Seven Kingdoms continues in the third book in George R.R. Martin’s epic A Song of Ice and Fire series. Prince Joffrey is still on the throne in King’s Landing, while Stannis Baratheon has fled back to his sorceress after a crippling defeat. Robb Stark has won every battle he’s engaged in, but somehow he isn’t managing to win the war. And Daenerys Targaryen continues her trek, accompanied by the last three dragons in the world, intent on recapturing her family’s lost throne.

Review:

When a series is as hyped as George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, it’s easy to think that each book will decline in quality. After all, these books are the size of rather large doorstops, and they could easily have too many characters and be overly complex. So, imagine my surprise when I sat down with A Storm of Swords, and not only was it the only thing I wanted to read for all of its 1000+ pages, but it turned out to be my favorite book so far in the series.

George R. R. Martin shakes up his series completely with A Storm of Swords. The entire series thus far has been about the war for the throne. While that’s still a central part of the books, the characters are becoming weary of treachery and bloodshed. What’s the point of fighting if you don’t seem to be able to win? It’s becoming increasingly clear to these characters that simple battle isn’t going to achieve their ends. It’s difficult to discuss it much more without getting into details, so I’ll just say that Martin took an incredible risk with this novel, gambling with the lives and deaths of characters the reader has become attached to, and it paid off completely.

Though I’ve said it in previous reviews, I have to say it again: Martin’s character development and complexity of worldbuilding is absolutely unmatched in almost any book I’ve ever read, fantasy or not. It’s hard to believe that these characters aren’t real. Their stories are so detailed, and Martin gets the reader so far into their heads. I am absolutely and completely in awe of the author’s imagination, his writing ability, and his ability to create nuanced, realistic characters that leap off the page.

Weeks after finishing A Storm of Swords, I’m still reeling from the events depicted in it. Readers will be shocked at who they’re rooting for in this book, as the characters that they want to hate turn out to be the most appealing. What’s more, readers will be left in the ashes of Martin’s imagination, as he takes swipes left and right, cutting down characters that readers thought were indispensible to his story. Martin proves that taking risks can pay off tenfold; I’m already counting down the days before I allow myself to start the next book in this series.

Other books by George R. R. Martin:

A Game of Thrones
A Clash of Kings

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Title: Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah J. Maas
ISBN: 9781599906959
Pages: 416
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Genre: Fantasy, Teen/YA
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:

Celaena Sardothien is eighteen years old, and she's already been serving in the salt mines of Endovier for a year. Celaena was an assassin, the best in the kingdom, but she was caught and sentenced for her crimes. But now, the crown prince has offered her a tantalizing proposal - if Celaena competes in (and wins) a competition held by the king to find the new royal assassin, she will go free after three years. Celaena is determined to win, but she can't help but catch the eye of the prince and his handsome captain of the guard, Westfall.

Review:

Throne of Glass is a fantasy novel set in a magical world, with a palace of glass and a beautiful assassin who is just eighteen years old. It's clear that Maas loves the world she has set her novel in, and she takes her time to build it up. There are a few mysteries about the world, and while there isn't overwhelming detail about it, readers won't be left wanting. Maas makes it obvious that she will continue exploring this world in future books, as it is vast, and most of this first book takes place within the palace walls.

This is a book that was hyped long before its publication date, billed as A Game of Thrones for teenage readers. As a result, my expectations were high going in and, unsurprisingly, I found myself a bit disappointed by Throne of Glass. Let's start with the characters. Celaena's story is a fascinating one, to be sure; how does an eighteen year old become the best assassin in the kingdom? Her background is worth exploring. However, Celaena herself was a bit more difficult. She came across as incredibly arrogant and it was difficult to like or care about her. I found that I wasn't really emotionally invested in her journey, as she turned me off time and again with her brash personality. She just struck me as immature (but keep in mind I'm not the target audience for this book). Additionally, though readers are told again and again that Celaena was the best assassin, they never really get to see that in the novel. It's a classic example of telling, rather than showing.

The storyline is certainly interesting. In order to determine who is the best assassin, the king devises a series of tests. But this plot drops off about two thirds of the way through the book. All of a sudden, things shift gears and Maas isn't even telling the reader about the tasks anymore. It's not a dropped plotline, but because this was one of the main hooks of the story, the fact that it becomes so unimportant is disappointing, especially considering what takes its place isn't that difficult of a puzzle.

This being a YA novel, there is, of course, a love triangle, and it's one I didn't understand. I honestly didn't see why Celaena would be interested in either of the men in the book, nor why they liked her. Of course, this is related to my distaste with Celaeana as a person, but needless to say, the love triangle portion of the novel did not entice me.

I found Throne of Glass disappointing overall. While there were elements I enjoyed, I didn't love the way the book was executed. It didn't have the beauty, complexity of plot, or character development of A Game of Thrones, which is what I was expected, given the comparison. It's not a bad book, and I'm curious to see what Maas does with the world going forward, but if you're looking for some solid fantasy, I'd choose a different read.

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Title: Keepsake
Author: Kristina Riggle
ISBN: 9780062003072
Pages: 384
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Trish likes keeping things, but that doesn’t mean she has a problem. She just has trouble parting with her stuff; she might need all the things she has at some point. Plus, she’s a single mom with two kids. Of course things around the house are messy. But when a pile of stuff falls on her son, Jack, injuring him, Child Protective Services gets involved. Their message is clear: clean up the house or we’ll take your children away. Trish’s older son informs Trish’s sister, Mary, of the ultimatum, and despite their differences, Mary is determined to help her sister clean up.

Review:

Keepsake is about hoarding, plain and simple. Except for the fact that there’s nothing plain or simple about hoarding, as Kristina Riggle makes clear. It’s hard to imagine how someone who has that much stuff around the house doesn’t realize that she has a problem, yet Trish does just that. She justifies her hoarding by telling herself that she’s not perfect, and that she doesn’t keep food around. Just paper and other objects. Riggle’s descriptions are pretty horrifying; anyone clean-inclined will be shuddering while reading this book.

Trish is a difficult character to sympathize with in Keepsake. It’s not easy for Mary to reach out to her and help, yet she does just that. But Trish pushes everyone away, feeling sorry for herself. She feels persecuted and refuses to admit that there’s a problem with the way she lives. She gets better over the course of the novel, but her bemoaning is difficult to swallow. At the same time, though, Riggle does an exceptional job with Trish. She’s not supposed to be easy. What the author really does is get under the skin of a hoarder. The reader begins to understand the mentality behind such a proclivity, what might drive someone to start hoarding.

The most tragic aspect of Keepsake is what Trish’s hoarding has done to those around her. She’s isolated herself completely from her family. Once Trish started hoarding like their mother, Mary wanted nothing else to do with her. Her older son also can’t handle his mother’s tendencies and has fled the house. She has little to do with her father. Through her hoarding, Trish has completely isolated herself. All she has left is her son, Jack, and it’s really sad to see the damage she’s done to him. Not the physical (though that is awful), but the mental. Jack has learned how to be a hoarder from his mother, and it’s sad to think about the long-term damage that will result.

Keepsake is definitely a thought-provoking novel that will have readers thinking about it long after the last pages are turned. Riggle writes realistic, three-dimensional characters that have serious issues. Though Mary swoops in to help Trish, she’s not perfect either. It’s nice to see the two sisters work through their differences. Riggle’s portrayal of hoarding is very realistic; Trish doesn’t change overnight, but it’s nice to see her take the first steps towards letting go.

Other books by Kristina Riggle:

The Life You’ve Imagined – Kristina Riggle
Real Life and Liars – Kristina Riggle
Things We Didn’t Say - Kristina Riggle

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Title: City of Women
Author: David R. Gillham
ISBN: 9780399157769
Pages: 400
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Putnam/Amy Einhorn Books
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Sigrid Schroder is living with her mother-in-law in Berlin during World War II. Her husband, Kaspar, is away at the front, and Sigrid tries to project the image of a model German citizen. But Sigrid has a desperate secret, one that could ruin everything if it emerged: her secret lover, the man she still can’t stop thinking about, was a Jew. As Sigrid lives her life, she’s pulled into a cause larger than herself and risks everything to make a difference.

Review:

The premise of a German hiding Jews during World War II isn’t a new one, so it’s always interesting to see how each author who tackles the topic makes the subject matter their own. In Gillham’s case, he approaches City of Women from a female perspective. The main character, Sigrid, is a liberated, bold woman, but more than that, her entire world is made up of women. The people she meets in the streets, on the stairs of her building, in the movie theater—they’re all women. The men are away, fighting the war, so it’s the women that run the households and make the decisions.

Sigrid is an interesting character, to say the least. She’s very modern for her times; she isn’t intimidated by sexuality and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. But at the same time, she’s reluctant to get involved in anything dangerous. It’s interesting to see how much the reader sympathizes with Sigrid, how much they understand why she resists getting involved with the Jewish cause. Though readers hope that Sigrid will stick her neck out for those being persecuted by the Nazi regime, it’s easy to understand her anguish, and it’s refreshing that Gillham doesn’t write it off as selfishness. Sigrid’s a complex, layered character. Clichés simply don’t work for her.

City of Women is a slow-burning novel of suspense. It’s definitely very literary; readers looking for a fast-paced thriller (as it’s been called in some reviews, which I find baffling) will not find what they’re looking for in this book. Instead, City of Women is a thoughtful, steadily-paced read. Gillham takes his time setting up his characters, making sure the reader knows Sigrid intimately. There is a level of suspense, simply because the reader knows the book is building to an inevitable climax, but it’s about the reading experience, rather than racing through to find out what happens at the end.

If you’re looking for a beautifully written, thoughtful, character driven read, City of Women is a good choice. Gillham’s prose is lyrical and inviting. He populates the book with many different characters, each unique in his or her own way. His historical details are vivid and bring the time period to life for the reader. Book clubs should definitely take note of this title, as readers will want to dissect the motives of each character long after the last pages are turned.

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Title: The Song of Achilles
Author: Madeline Miller
ISBN: 9780062060617
Pages: 384
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: Ecco
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Patroclus is the son of a king in ancient Greece, but his father despises him because he thinks Patroclus is weak. After a tragic incident, Patroclus is stripped of his inheritance and exiled to Phthia, where King Peleus has agreed to raise the boy. Patroclus befriends Peleus’ son, Achilles, whose mother is a goddess. As Patroclus finally finds happiness, he knows it cannot last, for Achilles has a great destiny to lay claim to.

Review:

The Song of Achilles is a beautifully written, lyrical retelling of the story of The Iliad. This book goes beyond the story of that classic poem, though. It starts with Patroclus, the famed companion of Achilles, as a boy, overshadowed by everything around him. He’s a sympathetic character, but not a strong one. It isn’t until he finds his place with Achilles that Patroclus comes into his own. He finds the courage to be his own person, to live the life he chooses. It’s wonderful to watch his character grow and progress, especially as he’s juxtaposed against Achilles.

Most people are aware of the story of Achilles, so it’s interesting to see how Miller makes the story her own. She fleshes out Achilles’ childhood and intertwines Patroclus’ tale with the legend we’ve come to know. Miller’s descriptions are vivid and she creates amazing atmosphere from beginning to end. Readers know very well how the story will end, but Miller still keeps the reader hooked. It’s a retelling of the best sort: it stays true to the spirit of the original story, but helps the reader understand more about the characters and situations. Indeed, the familiar story of the Trojan War and the feud between Agamemnon and Achilles that starts The Iliad doesn’t come until at least two-thirds of the way through the book.

Rather than being friends or companions, The Song of Achilles portrays Achilles and Patroclus as lovers. This is actually a traditional interpretation; Miller doesn’t do anything new or radical with this relationship. The love story is incredibly well told. Readers can really feel the mutual love and respect between these two men. It also helps to explain and flesh out Achilles’ drastic actions and motivations during the Trojan War.

If you’re at all interested in historical fiction or ancient Greece, The Song of Achilles is a must-read. The Iliad is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was delighted with how well Miller retold the story. Miller tells the story in such a breathtakingly beautiful, literary way, but she doesn’t let her writing style get in the way of the story. It’s a gripping read from beginning to end, which is no small feat considering the story is incredibly well known. I’ll be waiting in breathless anticipation for Miller’s next book.

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Title: And When She Was Good
Author: Laura Lippman
ISBN: 9780061706875
Pages: 320
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Heloise is a master at not attracting attention, which has led to her success as one of DC’s premier madams. She runs a discreet, high class escort service that her one-time protector helped her set up from prison. But things are starting to collapse around Heloise; her protector doesn’t know the part Heloise played in putting him in prison, and he might be getting out sooner than she expected. And people are starting to ask questions about Heloise’s business; it may be time for her to disappear. But that’s easier said than done, and Heloise must figure out how to close one chapter of her life and begin a new one.

Review:

And When She Was Good isn’t a traditional mystery novel. Instead, it’s a slow-simmering novel of suspense. At the beginning, all is well in Heloise’s world. She has her day-to-day problems, but nothing that could threaten her livelihood or lifestyle. But slowly, the dominoes start falling, and Heloise realizes the trouble she’s in. Lippman does a great job setting up her premise and fleshing out Heloise’s backstory. The reader really comes to know Heloise, to understand her, and that’s critical for this character-driven novel.

The story of And When She Was Good moves slowly, but steadily. It’s not a plodding or boring novel by any means; it’s just quiet, a book about one woman making her way in the world the best way she knows how. Heloise’s story is heartbreaking at times; she was taken advantage of again and again by the men in her life. It’s no wonder she set herself up in a business where she would have full control and power over men. That’s not to say this novel is anti-men; it’s just that Heloise does her best to ensure she doesn’t have to rely on anyone except herself and those she trusts implicitly.

The subject matter of And When She Was Good is definitely worth discussing. Prostitution can be a hot button issue; some say it degrades women, forcing them to be seen as objects. Others say it empowers them, giving them an option to make a living when they have no other means available. Lippman presents one aspect of prostitution in this novel: it was the key to Heloise’s freedom. But it doesn’t come without its downsides. Heloise is responsible for the health and well-being of her girls, not to mention she takes on a significant legal risk. It’s interesting to think about as you’re reading the novel, and it would make a great discussion subject for a book club.

Laura Lippman has an impressive ability to write multiple genres. Sometimes she writes straightforward mysteries, but other times, her novels lean more towards contemporary fiction with an element of suspense. It’s difficult to predict what you’ll get when you pick up one of her books; happily, And When She Was Good did not disappoint. It’s an absorbing read, and though it does move at a slower pace than a traditional suspense novel, the character development is more than worth sitting through. Heloise becomes more than just words on a page to the reader; the reader becomes invested in her future, frantic to help her find a way out of the quagmire she’s found herself in. It’s an absorbing read, to be sure, and it makes me look forward to what Lippman does next.

Other books by Laura Lippman:

Another Thing to Fall
Baltimore Blues
Butchers Hill
By a Spider’s Thread
Charm City
The Girl in the Green Raincoat
I’d Know You Anywhere
In a Strange City
The Last Place
Life Sentences
The Most Dangerous Thing
No Good Deeds
The Sugar House

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Title: Full Body Burden: Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats 
Author: Kristen Iversen
ISBN: 9780307955630
Pages: 416
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Crown
Genre: Non-Fiction, History, Memoir
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Kristen Iversen grew up near Rocky Flats, the site of the secret factory where plutonium triggers were made for America’s nuclear weapons stockpile. Most of the locals had no idea what was happening right next door, but as Rocky Flats gained more notoriety, Kristen and the others around her began to realize what it really meant to live next to “the most contaminated site in America.”

Review:

Full Body Burden is a mix of memoir and narrative non-fiction. Iversen intwines her own life story, growing up with an alcoholic father, with that of the goings on at Rocky Flats. Admittedly, most readers will likely be more interested in the overall picture than Iversen’s personal story, but it’s interesting to see how she combined the two. Rocky Flats is such an integral part of Iversen’s personal history that it’s difficult for her to separate the plant from her own life, and it makes for an interesting narrative.

Iversen approaches Rocky Flats with the keen eye of an investigative journalist. What she finds out is shocking, to say the least. The negligence that went on at the plant, the requirement to put production over the health and safety of the workers, to say nothing of those who lived around the plant, is all incredibly dejecting, but also eye-opening. It’s surprising that there was never a major incident at Rocky Flats, judging from how poorly everything was maintained. It’s also scary how close Rocky Flats came to being another Chernobyl.

But there’s also another story of Rocky Flats; that of the people who worked there and also those who lived in surrounding areas. Iversen makes sure to put a human face on her story in Full Body Burden. The number of people who are diagnosed with cancer is staggering, but what’s even worse is the continuous denial by the government that Rocky Flats was unsafe (which continues to this day). It’s easy to say that the story of Rocky Flats took place a long time ago, during the Cold War, but it’s also worth remembering that the lawsuits and hasty cleanup continued into the early 2000’s.

It’s hard to describe Full Body Burden without really discussing its finer points, so I’ll just say that it’s an incredibly interesting read. Iversen’s narrative style ensures that the story is easily consumed, and readers will be left with a sense of outrage after the book is over. Where is the justice for all those who lived around Rocky Flats? It’s a sad tale, but one that is well worth reading.

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Title: The Things I Do For You
Author: Mary Carter
ISBN: 9780758253378
Pages: 352
Release Date: July 31, 2012
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Bailey Jordan is enjoying her new venture as a real estate agent in pricey Manhattan, but when her husband, Brad, is in an accident, she puts her life on hold. Bailey was ready to settle down and start a family with Brad, and though he’s never been able to commit to a singular job or career, always drifting, she thought the time was right. But now, after the accident, Brad is different. He was dead for thirteen minutes after the accident, and somehow that time away has changed him. He begins making decisions without consulting Bailey, deciding to buy a lighthouse on the Hudson River and turning into a B&B. Bailey wants to be supportive, but when is it just too much?

Review:

The Things I Do For You is a book about a marriage on the rocks. Bailey and Brad didn’t see eye to eye, even before his accident. They didn’t communicate well, but after his near-death experience, their communication is almost nonexistent. Brad has his own ideas of what his life should be, and doesn’t bother consulting Bailey. He simply expects her to give up the life she’s worked for and dreamed of in order to go along with what he wants. It’s frustrating, to be sure; readers will admire Bailey for putting up with as much as she does.

The most interesting part of The Things I Do For You is Brad’s motives for his decisionmaking. Time and time again, as Brad becomes increasingly erratic, Bailey must question whether he suffered some sort of brain damage during his episode. After all, his brain wasn’t receiving oxygen for thirteen minutes. Though he seems like the same person he was before the accident, it’s also clear that much has changed. Was a part of him injured during that episode? Is that why he’s acting so strange? This line of thought gives the book some depth, and it’s interesting to ponder.

Carter does a great job with her characters, both primary and secondary, in The Things I Do For You. It’s easy to get emotionally invested in Bailey’s story, to feel just as wronged as she does by Brad’s impulse decisions. There are a lot of characters that populate this novel, and Carter makes sure they are each distinct. She gives them their own personalities and ensures that readers know each one of them intimately. The characters are really what make the book, so it’s great to see how much care Carter took with each of them.

If you’re looking for a quick, satisfying read that will have you emotionally involved, The Things I Do For You is a great choice. At times, readers may want to reach into the book and shake some sense into Brad, but it’s great to see how the novel unfolds. There are also some interesting details about lighthouses; anyone interested in learning a little bit while settling into an effortless read should definitely consider this book.

Other books by Mary Carter:

The Pub Across the Pond

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Title: Another Thing to Fall & The Girl in the Green Raincoat
Author: Laura Lippman
ISBN: 9780061128882 / 9780061938368
Pages: 352 / 176
Release Date: February 24, 2009 / January 18, 2011
Publisher: Harper / William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Crime Fiction
Source: Personal Copy / Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

In Another Thing to Fall, the tenth book in the Tess Monaghan series, Tess is hired to babysit the star of a new TV show filming in Baltimore. But when someone starts sabotaging the production, Tess must discover if someone has a grudge against the show or if someone on the inside doesn’t want it to get made.

In The Girl in the Green Raincoat, Tess is pregnant and is suffering from preeclampsia, so she is confined to bed rest. She sees a woman in a green raincoat walking outside her window with a dog and later sees the dog running away without the woman. Obsessed with who this woman was and what might have happened to her, Tess investigates the maybe-case from her bed and sofa.

Review:

Another Thing to Fall is just another case in Tess’s busy life as a private investigator. This novel differs from many of the previous Tess Monaghan novels, as there’s only one case running through the book. Usually in these novels, Tess is juggling multiple cases at once, but she’s had a dry spell when the novel begins. So it’s just the one case with the bratty TV star; in other words, if you aren’t a fan of the storyline, there’s no secondary ones to entertain you.

Happily, though, Lippman (as always) does a solid job with Another Thing to Fall. It wasn’t my favorite of the series, but it was an entertaining read, to be sure. One complaint readers of the series might have is that it actually doesn’t include most of the secondary characters developed over the course of the series. Even Crow only makes a minor appearance at the beginning of the novel. Still, it’s enjoyable, and the mystery is intriguing and well-paced.

The Girl in the Green Raincoat is a novella in which Tess finds herself in an entirely unexpected situation: she’s pregnant and bedridden. It’s an amusing novel just for the situation - Tess does not like to be confined to her house. But things get more serious as Tess begins investigating the strange woman who was outside her house. It’s definitely an homage to the classic movie Rear Window; readers (and Tess’s friends and loved ones) will wonder if she’s creating a crime in her head, or if something sinister really occurred. It’s also entertaining to see Tess in the throes of pregnancy hormones, as she’s much less emotionally stable than usual. The Girl in the Green Raincoat is a pleasant, quick read with all the juiciness of a full novel.

With these two books, I have caught up on the Tess Monaghan series. It’s unclear whether Lippman will continue to write about Tess, as she’s been focusing on standalone novels lately, but I certainly hope she’ll keep writing about her. Tess is a great character, and I’ve been surprised how consistently good each of Lippman’s novels about her are. I’ve enjoyed getting to know her and look forward to what comes next.

Other books by Laura Lippman:

Baltimore Blues
Butchers Hill
By a Spider’s Thread
Charm City
I’d Know You Anywhere
In a Strange City
The Last Place
Life Sentences
The Most Dangerous Thing
No Good Deeds
The Sugar House

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Title: Some Kind of Peace
Author: Camilla Grebe & Asa Traff
ISBN: 9781451654592
Pages: 336
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Free Press
Genre: Crime Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Siri Bergman is a psychologist who hasn’t quite recovered from her husband’s death. She’s still seeing patients, though, and copes with her grief through the numbing effects of alcohol. But when one of Siri’s patients is found dead on her property, a remote house on a lake outside of Stockholm, the police wonder what role Siri might have played in her death.

Review:

Some Kind of Peace is another in the wave of Scandinavian crime thrillers, and it’s definitely one to watch. Siri’s an interesting character, though it’s funny to consider her profession. Despite the fact that she helps others with their mental health, she doesn’t seem all that stable. The constant presence of alcohol exacerbates Siri’s issues. It’s interesting, though sad, to watch Siri descend into alcoholism and it provokes questions about where that invisible line is between abuse and just having a few too many drinks.

The mystery in Some Kind of Peace is appropriately twisty and difficult to figure out. There are times it seems very straightforward, and while the reader might congratulate his or herself for figuring it out, it’s a little disappointing. But Grebe and Traff don’t make it that easy on the reader. Just when things seem like they’re going to settle out nice and neat, there’s some sort of twist thrown into the plot to mix everything up again. It makes for a gripping read, from beginning to end.

Some Kind of Peace also brings up difficult questions about psychology. When you are dealing with disturbed, depressed people, it’s hard to stay positive and maintain focus. How do you help people who may be beyond saving? It’s the situation that Siri must deal with every day, and she does it with compassion and grace. Because of the numerous issues the book brings up, it would make a great book club pick if your group was open to crime fiction.

Overall, Some Kind of Peace is an enjoyable thriller. It’s got some great psychological twists, and the character exploration is really top notch. If you’re tired of second-rate crime fiction, give this book a try. Siri is an appealing, if flawed, character, and you won’t even be halfway through before you start hoping there’s a sequel.

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Title: Hell or High Water
Author: Joy Castro
ISBN: 9781250004574
Pages: 352
Release Date: July 17, 2012
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Nola Cespedes is a reporter for the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, and she wants to stop reporting on fluff. The only way she can do that? Take on a piece examining pedophiles and rapists. The article doesn’t sit well with Nola, as just talking to some of these offenders on the phone creeps her out, but she’s determined to do it. As Nola begins immersing herself in the story, she wonders if there’s a connection between the men she’s interviewing and the recent kidnapping of a tourist.

Review:

Castro brings present day, post-Katrina New Orleans to life for the reader in Hell or High Water. From the continuing, molasses-slow recovery to the skyrocketing crime rate, Castro tells it like it is, with the knowledge of an insider. Nola muses often on the racial divide in New Orleans and discusses the politics of different communities. It’s very interesting commentary and provides a rich, complex background for the story.

Nola’s not your typical main character. She talks tough, but she’s unsure of herself on the inside. She has commitment issues, to the point where she’d rather have a quickie than try out any real relationship. She doesn’t open up to those around her because her life experiences have damaged her, left her empty inside. She finds the investigation into sex offenders incredibly disturbing and feels personally affected by what she discovers. Nola’s opinionated and quick to judge (harshly), but readers will appreciate her, for both her strengths and her flaws.

Through Nola, Castro provides very interesting commentary on the class divide. Though Nola’s friends claim they have much in common, she can’t help but remember she’s a poor kid from the projects, while they are all upper-middle-class to plain old upper-class. While some of Nola’s sensitivity stems from an inferiority complex, to be sure, she does make some very good points about how they know little of the grittier parts of New Orleans, sheltered by their parents’ money and their privileged upbringing.

It’s hard to classify Hell or High Water. It’s not really a mystery, though it does have some of those elements. What is for certain, though, is that it’s an absolutely gripping read. Readers will plow through the novel and will regret turning the last pages. The humid, dripping atmosphere of New Orleans only enhances the novel. Castro is a talented writer, and she makes sure her setting becomes an integral part of the story. It’s difficult to describe how truly wonderful Hell or High Water is, nor how well Castro captures her setting and characters.

Hell or High Water is one of those books where you are learning something new with every page turn - whether it’s about race relations, the dynamics of post-Katrina New Orleans, the city’s sordid history, or the profile of a sex offender, this book is teeming with interesting details and thoughtful commentary. Here’s hoping that Castro intends to turn this novel into a series, as Nola is just too great of a character for only one outing.

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Title: The Vanishers
Author: Heidi Julavits
ISBN: 9780385523813
Pages: 304
Release Date: March 13, 2012
Publisher: Doubleday
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Julia is a psychic working for Madame Ackerman at the Institute of Integrated Parapsychology, but when she’s let go, she’s bewildered. She wanders aimlessly for some time, dealing with her unexplainable physical ailments. It’s only later that she is told that Madame Ackerman was threatened by Julia’s psychic abilities and is now attacking her psychically. Julia must discover how to cope with these attacks and fight back, while also paying back those who are helping her recover.

Review:

If I had to choose one word to sum up The Vanishers, “weird” would be it. This is a kooky book, full of surprises and confusing twists. It’s also not what it appears; on the surface, it seems to be about a psychic war between a mentor and mentee, fought on the astral plane. But in reality, it’s a novel about the complicated relationships between women, especially focusing in on mothers and daughters.

Julia’s mother committed suicide when she was young, and in many ways, this book is about Julia’s quest to find her. How does this factor into the overall plot about psychics? Well, it’s convoluted and strange, and only partially makes sense. If you’re a person who needs your books clear and straightforward, then The Vanishers isn’t for you. But there’s a certain beauty in the vague nature of the novel, and it’s an adventure to figure out what each of the characters in the book are fighting for and why. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Julavits turns everything upside down.

Julavits’ writing ability is really the hook for The Vanishers. She writes with a sharp wit; the dialogue in the novel is absolutely wonderful. What’s more, she paces it incredibly well. The plot is strange, to be sure, but Julavits makes sure there’s enough suspense to keep the reader invested in the novel. Even when it seems as though things are too convoluted to ever really be fully understood, Julavits’ sparkling prose ties everything together.

It’s hard to really write a review of The Vanishers just because it’s so different. If you enjoy different and weird, especially books that take chances and require large leaps of faith, picking up this book is definitely a no-brainer. If you’re more cautious though, it’s difficult to say. It was definitely an interesting read, but in the end, I can’t say I’m sure I fully understood it. I’m glad I read it, though, if only because I’d love to seek out more of Julavits’ novels if only for her great writing.

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Title: The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc
Author: Nancy Goldstone
ISBN: 9780670023332
Pages: 320
Release Date: March 29, 2012
Publisher: Viking Adult
Genre: Non-Fiction, History, Biography
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Though the story of Joan of Arc is well known, it’s less clear how an uneducated peasant woman in the 15th century could lead an army, guided by the divine voices in her head. Nancy Goldstone attempts to answer that complicated question by presenting a part-biography, part-history featuring Yolande of Aragon, queen of Sicily and champion of the Dauphin.

Review:

Yolande of Aragon has become a footnote in history books, it seems. Though Joan of Arc is still very well known, Yolande’s role in history has been lost. It’s a shame, because this smart and capable leader was one of the most powerful women of her time. Not only that, but without Yolande of Aragon, Goldstone argues, Joan of Arc never would have been able to ascend through the French ranks as she did. Therefore, Goldstone begins her history with this fascinating woman, to help the reader understand the groundwork that is in place before Joan.

Goldstone does an excellent job establishing the history behind Joan in The Maid and the Queen. The first third of the book barely mentions the nineteen-year-old girl as, instead, Goldstone focuses on Yolande and the political tensions simmering in Europe. She explains the situation in France in detail, as well as the war between France and England. Readers come to understand who the Dauphin was, how he was displaced, and exactly how the cause Joan was fighting for came to be. It’s very well done, and with this background, the reader is able to understand exactly how Joan came to be so powerful.

Joan’s story is well-known, so those very familiar with her story might skim the sections of The Maid and the Queen outlining her life and her rise to power (though the role Yolande of Aragon played in that is very interesting). But where Goldstone excels is in the third section, after Joan’s capture by the English. Goldstone provides actual documentation from Joan’s trial in order to support her claims, and it’s incredibly convincing. She does an excellent job making her case over and over again over the course of the book.

Though The Maid and the Queen can be dry at times, it’s still a fascinating read. It’s really interesting to see the unique circumstances that allowed Joan to become larger than life; it’s arguable that without the historical backdrop and Yolande of Aragon, Joan would have died a natural death, a forgotten peasant woman of the fifteenth century. Whether you’re interested in history or just intrigued by the woman who was Joan of Arc, this is definitely a solid historical read.

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Title: Unholy Night
Author: Seth Grahame-Smith
Source: The MindHut
Rating: 4/5 stars

A retelling of the Nativity, of the tale of the three wisemen who went to see Jesus after his birth? Really?? Yes, really. Grahame-Smith takes this classic story and turns it upside down on its head. It’s full of humor, but also surprising character development and a deep sadness running through the novel. One of the best features of Unholy Night, though, is the respect it shows for the traditional religious beliefs underlying the story. It’s not likely to offend (unless you think retellings/reinterpretations are sacrilegious, in which case you should stay away), but it is definitely entertaining.

See my full review of Unholy Night at The MindHut

Title: Partials
Author: Dan Wells
Source: The MindHut
Rating: 4/5 stars

It’s the future, and there are less than 50,000 humans left after a war with our robotic progeny, called Partials. Now, the human race is slowly dying out, unable to reproduce after being infected with a virus called RM by the Partials. Kira is a medic determined to cure RM, whatever the cost may be. Though Partials has much in common with its fellow post-apocalytpic/dystopian YA novels, a few things set it apart. It’s not overly concerned with romance, which is refreshing, and the story has some great (and some predictable) twists and turns. Kira is an appealing character, and though the story suffers from some clunky writing and dialogue, overall, it’s a book you should seek out if you enjoy the YA dystopian trend.

See my full review of Partials at The MindHut

Title: Shadow and Bone
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Source: The MindHut
Rating: 4/5 stars

Yet another first book in a YA trilogy, Shadow and Bone is set in a fantasy world called Ravka, which is culturally similar to Russia. Alina is a mapmaker with the army and they are mapping the Fold, a dark, impenetrable area that slices Ravka in two and is full of monsters. When Alina’s company is attacked, she unwillingly unleashes a power that brings her to the attention of the royal court. Shadow and Bone is full of mysteries, and readers will be clamoring to know more as they devour this book. Alina’s a great character, and her growth is enjoyable to witness over the course of the book. Overall, this is one of the better new YA fantasy trilogies out there, so if you’re looking for something new in that vein, you should check Shadow and Bone out.

See my full review of Shadow and Bone at The MindHut