Heir to Sevenwaters - Juliet Marillier

Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was not quite as good as the books of the original trilogy, but that's such a high standard to meet. I still couldn't put it down. Sevenwaters is the same magical place, but this time a new foe appears, and another daughter of Sevenwaters rises to the challenge of defending her family and loves. I can't wait to see where the next one takes it all.

4.5 stars?

A Breath of Frost - Alyxandra Harvey

A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Fantasy of Manners, that sub-genre that blends Jane Austen-ish social settings and romance with a magical version of the 19th Century. A Breath of Frost introduces a Regency world with a magical society hidden beneath the surface of all the polite society balls and soirees. Three cousins, debutantes, discover that magic is part of their heritage, and begin to learn about this world. And it's kind of strange.

Familiars that jump out of their witch's chests, gargoyles that animate to protect (or attack), portals to the underworld, earthy magic made with rowan berries, protections of salt and iron, stags in the forest, shifters, blood magic and evil warlocks back from the dead. This is not your average magical London. Or YA novel.

It did take me a while to get used to the strange assortment of magic and to the rules of the hidden society. But once I got into it and understood how things worked, I was intrigued, and I enjoyed the next book more.

Unfortunately, the publisher decided not to publish the third book, but the author kindly wrote a novella to bring closure to the series so don't let that stop you. There aren't enough of these types of stories out there, so if you enjoy Fantasy of Manners like I do, at least give this a try.

In A House Made of Bones and Teeth - Alyxandra Harvey

In A House Made of Bones and Teeth by Alyxandra Harvey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm so thankful to the author for wrapping up the Lovegrove Legacy. Since the publisher dropped the series, this novella resolves the cliffhanger at the end of book 2 very nicely. It really reads like an extended ending for that one, the action and intensity continuing without pause. I'm mostly satisfied, but I wish there were more!

I find myself wondering what we're missing since we didn't get a full length novel. What was Penelope's story going to be? There are a couple of characters that have slightly loose ends, too, even though the main story is all there.

I do also wish there were at least one more chapter in the aftermath of the battle. I needed to see everyone dealing with what happened and finding each other. In the turn of a page, it went from intense and desperate end of the world to the distance of an epilogue showing years in the future. My emotions are still trying to find their way back down!

I'm really bummed that the publisher didn't give us a chance to get a full book 3, but since the main story is wrapped up in this novella, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the series to anyone who enjoys Regency-era novels tossed with Fantasy. This Fantasy is full of strange magic of salt, earth and metal, and is centered on three fierce cousins, debutantes who - you guessed it - defy convention, but with a unique set of talents that made it seem fresh. I wish I could read more.

Vicious - V.E. Schwab

Vicious by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There was a point when I almost turned away from Vicious. Given the title and what had happened so far, I had a sickening feeling that it was about to devolve into a grimdark-style, twisted killing spree. Don't get me wrong, there's a high body count. But it didn't end up being hollow and bleak as I feared. Somehow there's enough humor and good that I felt there was hope - not a grimdark feature at all. The side characters and the cool powers really made the book, even though they didn't show up until about half way through. With a nail-biting showdown, in the end I actually enjoyed it. Perseverance can have its rewards sometimes!

The Red Lily Crown - Elizabeth Loupas

The Red Lily Crown: A Novel of Medici Florence by Elizabeth Loupas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There are some parts of this that I enjoyed - the alchemy, the dogs, the relationship between the two main characters. But, it's a very brutal book. So many deaths. The sadistic prince's viewpoint was especially disturbing, and any revenge or happiness that is achieved comes at a very high cost. I'm afraid the brutality overshadows the book for me.

An Officer and a Spy - Robert Harris

An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An Officer and a Spy is a nail-biting espionage/legal thriller set in France at the turn of the 19th Century, and is slightly outside my comfort zone. I love Historical Fiction, but thrillers are... uncomfortable. They make me tense. I spend a lot of effort trying not to be anxious in real life, so to chase that feeling purposely is maybe a bit silly. I have to knock off a star because "enjoyment" isn't a word I can use in relation to such emotions.

That said, this is a fantastically written story that probably actually deserves 5 stars if I could get beyond my emotional response to it. What horrifies me the most is that it's a true story. Reality can truly be more cruel than fiction. I felt the despair, the sense of being stamped out by a government for knowing the wrong information, and the outrage at crimes uncovered and injustices committed. Great stuff. I recommend it if historical spy thrillers are your thing. And even if they're not.

Child of Flame - Kate Elliott

Child of Flame by Kate Elliott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A rich and vibrant world, fascinating peoples, creatures, histories, religions, magics, and wonderfully nuanced characters... I'm loving this series, even as I'm wishing for a faster pace. It's truly epic and detailed in its sprawl, which at times means it drags.

I'm realizing that I have to take breaks in my reading so I can continue to enjoy the world without growing too impatient. When I start willing it to go faster, I take a break and read something else. Then at other times, I fail to notice the hours flying by.

This is really a series to be savored. With its scope and the weight of each installment, it simply won't allow you to rush through. So far, the end of each book has been rewarding, and I miss the world and characters once I'm done. I guess I'm just going to be living there for a while.

The Zig Zag Girl - Elly Griffiths

The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the setting of this historical mystery. It's set in the British seaside town of Brighton in post World War II, and the main characters are a policeman and his wartime friend, a performing magician. We get a fascinating glimpse of the variety show world in the times when TV was just about to take over entertainment. That's what really helped to set this apart from other historical mysteries.

I did have my suspicions about the murderer quite early on, but there was plenty of doubt to keep me questioning, so the mystery was satisfying enough.

I always find that it's being able to invest in the characters that really makes a mystery for me, and that was definitely the case here. I found myself growing quite attached to the policeman and his magician friend. Ultimately, I cared what was going to happen to them, and that's what will bring me back to the series again in the future.

Murder for Greenhorns - Robert Kresge

Murder for Greenhorns by Robert Kresge
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I loved the idea of a historical mystery in the old West, but it's clumsily executed, and boring to boot. A lot of detailed descriptions could be trimmed. I really don't need to know the exact steps a character takes to get dressed.

I'm also just not buying the premise, and the characters don't appeal, or even ring true to me. I don't think I have the gumption to finish this one. It's not one-star bad, but I'm just not interested enough.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall - Julie Klassen

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this one much more than the last couple of Julie Klassen novels I've read. It may be because the heroine wasn't being punished for being a "fallen woman." Thankfully, this one was much less heavy and preachy, not so full of judgment and condemnation. At the most, some Bible verses and a few quick prayers were all that reminded me that this was a Christian romance, thank God. I do like to read a good romance that focuses more on the emotional aspect of love rather than sex scenes, but also doesn't preach at me. Believe it or not, that's hard to find.

Mainly, this was a story of a selfish, proud woman who finds herself in the position of a servant and learns what it's like to be on the other side. The upstairs-downstairs aspect was interesting. I do tend to enjoy how Klassen's romances explore aspects of the time period that you don't often get in a romance, making them closer to the Historical Fiction end of the spectrum. Although some of it might have been a bit far-fetched, that's often true of Regency romances.

I was able to sit back and enjoy this one. I'm glad I decided to pick it up. I almost didn't after the bitter taste the last couple books had left me.

Restoration - Carol Berg

Restoration by Carol Berg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy! From almost the first page, I was holding my breath. There was no slow build here. It just jumped right in and punched me in the gut, then ran away. Seyonne goes through so much. More than ever before. Aleksander too. The empire undergoes some upheavals that bring him into his own transformation. I loved that he is much more prominent than he was in the second book. Seyonne and Aleksander's friendship... just wow. Heartwrenching at times, but also so worth it.

This book built on both the first and the second of the series, but wasn't just a continuation. It was a synthesis of everything that came before, and a new height of revelation. Each part of the trilogy stood so well on its own, but together they're so much more. And just in case you're reading the description for the first book and thinking it's all about demons, it's really not. Not even close. Nothing is ever quite as it seems.

I feel as if I've been hollowed out and filled back up. Fantastic.

River God - Wilbur Smith

River God by Wilbur Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

River God is one of those historical novels that broke open a whole new world to me. I have been to Ancient Egypt, lived, lost and triumphed there, and then resurfaced in my own time as if coming out of a vivid dream. The images are still with me, but what makes it truly wonderful is the main character, Taita. He is the star of this book, not the two star-crossed lovers who dominate the book description.

Taita is a slave, a eunuch, but a highly educated and privileged one. He's an artist, an inventor, a scholar, a physician, a strategist, and more. He's a genius at the middle of everything important, driving it all from the humble position of a trusted, good-natured slave. Taita can do almost anything, think a way out of most situations and turn them somehow to advantage. But there's a sense of tongue-in-cheek to his abilities at times that makes me think he's laughing at himself just a little even though his attitude is one of natural superiority. He thinks the world of himself, but is also compassionate and selfless.

What a great character. I loved seeing events through his eyes, seeing his curiosity and his innovations and ideas, and what fruit they bore. I loved the steadfastness and depth of emotion that he felt for those he loved, and those relationships made the history much more poignant in the end.

Yes, Taita's pretty much perfect, and Tanus and Lostra are also beautiful, godlike, and amazingly talented and well-loved. Readers who prefer their characters to have many shades of gray might have some qualms. This is not full of gritty realism, but is more akin to a heroic epic with characters that are larger than life. In a time when heroes could be elevated to god status in the eyes of the people, I didn't find this to be out of place.

I almost forgot to mention the adventure, the machinations, the betrayals, the hunts and the battles. Life on the Nile is wrapped all around it, teeming with life yet unmarred by humans. There are many opportunities for barbarism and civilization to clash and mingle. There are gruesome deaths aplenty that don't allow you to forget the savageness of the times (including many animals). Just in case you think it might be boring following the life of a noble slave-genius. I was mesmerized.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my second time reading The Goblet of Fire, and I still (mostly) loved it. The Weasleys' house, the Quidditch World Cup, being at Hogwarts, the tournament, and seeing Harry actually struggle to learn charms and curses - these were all so fun. I love this world, and loved seeing new parts of it.

BUT, it's getting dark. I found myself dreading certain parts, knowing what was coming. And with prior knowledge, events seemed even more sinister than before. (view spoiler)[I enjoyed Mad-Eye Moody the first time around, but this time I saw his actions in a completely different light. (hide spoiler)] People are betraying and cursing each other left and right, and even good wizards and witches are just generally being ugly people. Not to mention the killings. This is not a children's adventure story anymore.

Honestly, this is where I begin to miss the wonder and charm of the wizarding world that balanced the dark in the first three books. Now everything starts to become tainted by realistic meanness, adolescent angst, real violence and death. So sad. But of course, there's still so much that's wonderful and new too. I love the story, but hate some of the things that happen in it. I'm so conflicted!

Agnes and the Hitman - Jennifer Crusie

Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a pleasant surprise. It's a great mix of chick lit and suspense. Full of murders, cooking, mobsters, and wedding prep - a combo that worked, believe it or not, and gave me plenty to chew on, keeping track of it all. It even earned a few chuckles from me - which is not easy, since I hardly ever get things that are supposed to be funny.

Cast In Secret - Michelle Sagara

Cast In Secret by Michelle Sagara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These books read like police procedurals with a smart-mouthed officer with a blinding weakness for children, but in a world overflowing with mysterious magic and cool species. So not really action-oriented, but gripping if you enjoy investigations that involve talking to witnesses and putting the pieces together. All of that builds to the end, when I find myself reading so fast I forget to blink. All without swords! (However, there are knives.)

The investigations are centered on crimes, but the more fascinating mysteries are the magic and world with its multiple species, and these really take center stage. Each book so far has illuminated a new aspect of the world and magic, becoming more intriguing as the picture clears. I don't always understand everything at first, but I get a general idea and carry on, and it becomes more clear as it goes. I love that it feels like there's so much left to learn in future books, too.

This book in particular illuminates the Tha'alani, one of the mortal races. I really enjoyed them much more than I expected!

Kaylin is still impulsive and driven mostly by instinct when it comes to magic, but she's learning. She's also learning to keep her mouth shut occasionally. To say anymore than that would be to spoil it, so I won't. Enjoy.

For the King's Favor - Elizabeth Chadwick

For the King's Favor by Elizabeth Chadwick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For the King's Favor is a worthy companion novel to The Greatest Knight. It takes place during the same time (during the reign of Richard II), and overlaps with William Marshal's story at a few points, so definitely read that book, and probably also its sequel, first.

It's great to see glimpses of William again from another perspective, but it's also great to learn more about the Bigods. William and Roger struggle in parallel to build their houses, but their obstacles are very different, and Roger's honor is just as fine as William's in his own way. We also get Ida's full perspective in this book - she is not just a prize to be won or given, but a woman doing her best to make a life in a world where she has no power and few choices.

This is written in the same style as the Marshal books, covering many years in a way that is somehow not boring. I love how Chadwick shows the capriciousness of kings and how it could make and break people's lives, sometimes more than once. I feel like I know the people who lived in those times, their ambitions, heartaches, successes through luck or hard work and loyalty, or their failures in spite of them. Chadwick makes the history come alive.

The Tea Rose - Jennifer Donnelly

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Tea Rose was a really good book, and I'm so glad I persevered past the absolutely devastating first 200-300-odd pages. It's one of those books that starts off with everything going so well that you know it's not going to last long. I had a sense of foreboding, but the amount of tragedy and pain was really too much. It just kept coming in wave after wave. It wasn't just a bit dark or a bit tragic. It was crushing, suffocating loss and pain. That's going to stick with me for a while. I'm really proud of myself for pushing through it, because I usually hate reading books full of tragedy, and this was darker than I can usually tolerate.

I'm fairly certain I stuck with it partly because of the tea. I love tea. I drink it all day long. And I love Victorian stories, and this one was refreshingly focused on industry and shops, and factories - not something I've seen very often since packaging and selling tea is not as glamorous as taking tea in the parlor. The sense of place was very vivid, and it kept me reading, along with the hope that such tragedy couldn't continue for 700 pages without reprieve.

I was totally ready to walk away if Part 2 didn't start turning things around. But luckily it did. From that point on, even though there are still sad parts, the overall tone is more hopeful, and things start to go right. I was finally able to settle down into an enjoyable historical tale with more regular ups and downs. The strength of love and friendships and resilience of spirit began to shine through, and the memory of those will stick with me for a while too.

Then, for the last part of the book, I suddenly found myself glued to the pages. I couldn't read fast enough to see how everything would play out. I wasn't completely sure I could trust everything to work out how I wanted it to, but in the end, all of the resolutions were so completely satisfying. I can't believe I'm saying it, but it was worth it to persevere. What a roller coaster ride.

The Burning Stone - Kate Elliott

The Burning Stone by Kate Elliott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This started out as a 5-star, couldn't put it down, book. It gave me just what I had been looking for in book 2. Then... well, sprawl set in. Plot threads multiplied, and complications began breeding. This is good. This is complex. But as the sprawl unfolded before me, I found myself wishing for a tighter focus on the characters that I care about.

All of the characters, even minor ones, are so well-drawn and nuanced, and they change realistically with events. I dislike so many of them, and the ones I like aren't perfect, but are subject to their own flaws as well as to drastically changing fates. It almost made me dizzy how quickly tides could turn. It makes me impatient to see where it's all going.

I do appreciate the textures of the world-building that all these characters bring, but I really just want more of Liath, Alain, Hanna and Rosvita (I love that old woman!). I don't care much for Ivar's story (I don't like him or his group of friends), or for the visions of the Eika chief (although I know it will be important at some point). There are so many tantalizing hints about important things, I am impatient to solve it all. But, it seems I will have to bide my time because this is going to take a while.

Since it was just a bit too slow in parts and spreading out a bit too much, it ended up not being that 5 star read after all. It's such a hardship to settle for 4, but it was still very good.

A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this is not YA. First of all, the heroine is 19. Second, it is lacking the cliches that I've come to dread when picking up a YA book - at least aside from the immature stupidity of the heroine, who insists on doing things she's been counseled / asked / told not to, seemingly oblivious to the danger. Also, the romance is quite adult, so let's at least go with New Adult if we have to label it anything.

This is an engrossing fairy tale retelling that turns into something much more. It's Beauty and the Beast, so the romance is predictable, but it's also about the Fae, whose world is beautiful, magical, wild and violent. The world and its conflicts are revealed at just the right pace to bring it alive. Then the ugly violence of the conflict overtakes the pleasant little romance with a brutality that I found a bit of a shock.

It's a solid start to a series that has me wanting to know more about the world and the Fae, both hopeful and afraid of what will happen to them.

Calamity - Brandon Sanderson

Calamity by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was another entertaining, fast-paced read. I enjoyed it all the way, and had a hard time putting it down. I liked the concept for the new city, and am still amazed at Sanderson's imagination.

Warning: unmarked spoilers for previous books after this point.

On finishing, I do wish there had been more character interaction. There's a lot of fighting and reacting, and not enough of the team putting their strengths together to solve it. I also wish that dealing with Prof had taken less time.

I'm also not sure about how it wrapped up. Did it fulfill its promise? Am I satisfied? I'm still mulling that one over.

Some of the cleverness was sacrificed for action scenes, the same kind that I grow bored of when superheroes throw each other around endlessly in movies. What I enjoyed so much about Firefight was the mystery of the weaknesses and how to use them strategically. There wasn't as much of that here, and not as satisfying a 'clicking together' when all was revealed. [Actually, not all was really revealed - so many questions left! (hide spoiler)]

I guess this is where the 'young adult' aspect of the series really came through. The complexity of the ending was a bit lacking. I do think I wanted something more once I turned the final page. I expect a bit more payoff from Sanderson, honestly. I probably wouldn't hold anyone else to such a high standard and am being stingy.

That said, this was still very entertaining. I loved this series much more than I expected to when I heard what it was about. I recommend it!

Season of Storms - Susanna Kearsley

Season of Storms by Susanna Kearsley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a bit different from Kearsley's other books, but I still enjoyed it once it got going. I could tell it's one of her earlier works. The past timeline doesn't mesh with the modern one very much. It's not well developed at all, but is presented just through occasional flashbacks. These answer questions for the reader rather than driving towards something that needs to be discovered in the present.

The mystery and all the drama are in the modern time, so this reads more like a contemporary romance (but light on the romance) with a bit of a ghost story. It doesn't really seem to matter what happened to the other actress 70 years ago. It seems like just a backdrop or a side note.

Fans looking for Kearsley's distinctive flavor may find yourselves disappointed unless you alter your expectations beforehand.

The Death of Dulgath - Michael J. Sullivan

The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is another fun adventure with Royce and Hadrian! I enjoy seeing how their friendship develops over time, especially how Royce comes to trust Hadrian, and how Hadrian learns to be more cautious from Royce. I can't help missing some of the other cast from Riyria Revelations, but we do meet some interesting new characters, the court artist being my favorite here.

This tale also reveals more about elves, something I always wondered about in the original series. I hope we get to learn even more in the future. The extra background made this more than just another job for the boys, filling out the world and giving it a paranormal element that I really liked. It's definitely a worthwhile addition to the Chronicles for any Riyria fan.

There were a couple of tidbits about myths from the past, which I have a sneaking suspicion are relevant to the new series coming out soon. I'm looking forward to getting to know a whole new era and new characters in this world.

The Tapestry - Nancy Bilyeau

The Tapestry by Nancy Bilyeau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy, and I'm going to miss Joanna's reluctant adventures, as well as her stubborn strength and her compassionate spirit. She's a type of heroine that you don't see very often.

Each book in the trilogy has such a great combination of elements while not being a repetition of the same old story. There's Historical Fiction with a touch of mysticism and suspense, and a mild bit of romance. The focus is on a former novice during and after the dissolution of the priories, one who can't seem to manage the quiet, contemplative life that she longs for. And on top of that, we have the dizzying conflicts and moral struggles of people in the midst of religious upheaval, against the backdrop of a treacherous political scene that causes fear both high and low. (Not to mention beheadings.)

But all that aside, I just really like Joanna and several of the side characters as well. I am happy to report that there's more of both Geoffrey and Edmund in this book than there was in the previous one. I also really enjoyed the addition of the German court artist. And there's no lack of villains either, some not as black and white as they were when we met them before.

Much of this installment takes place in the court of Henry VIII during the time of his marriages to Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard (the 4th and 5th of his wives). One thing I really liked about the first two books was that they were about Tudor times without being centered on the court or the monarch. That changes in this book, but at least it's not focused on Anne Boleyn (which has been done so many times before). It didn't stop me from enjoying this one, but I was glad when the focus shifted away from the court.

Looking back, I believe it's possible some readers could find some lack of focus in the plot, not that it stopped me from eating it all up as fast as possible. Joanna is much less proactive in this one, mainly driven by King Henry's whims. Although there isn't a driving prophecy like in The Chalice, or a murder mystery like in The Crown, there was enough intrigue and danger to keep me turning the pages. It's really about Joanna's small life being caught up in the schemes of the powerful, and how she and a few other insignificant people manage to eke out an existence they can be satisfied with in that toxic environment. Managing to stay alive is always a plus. Anything more than that is a bonus.

I'm so happy with how it ended. It could easily have ended badly, but it was the perfect ending as far as I'm concerned. I have to say I wasn't the biggest fan of the love triangle (a relatively small, well-balanced aspect of the trilogy), but it ended well, and I am satisfied. I'll be eagerly looking for more from this author. This is Historical Fiction how I like it. Not so epic that you can't feel the lives of the individuals. And not at all dull.

The Lake House - Kate Morton

The Lake House by Kate Morton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So when is she writing another one?

Kate Morton is one of those authors whose settings are so vivid, they make you nostalgic for a similar time or place even when you've never been there. She also draws fully dimensional characters, and along with that comes sadness and failing, and reality of life. Normally I don't enjoy books that drag me into acknowledging harsh realities, but Morton is one author who does it in such a way that I can't help admiring it. This is another wonderfully written book, a joy to read even with the pain that is uncovered along the way.

The atmosphere in The Lake House is warm and nostalgic on the one hand, and full of overgrowth and decay on the other. As the story switches back and forth from the 1930s to modern day, you get such a sense of innocence and paradise lost, and can't help but fear knowing how the tragedy happened.

The mystery is explored in the modern timeline, with character perspectives from the past interspersed. The past timelines bring the tragedy alive so that it's not just a distant memory being uncovered.

The discoveries kept me involved, but I guessed some of the big twists before the characters did. Probably because I had extra information from seeing the past firsthand. But there were a couple of surprises in there for me still. I'm still not sure what I think about the final surprise. It was almost one coincidence too many. That's just a minor point, however, and the pieces do fit.

I also didn't hate the book once I knew everything, which can happen when the ending is too disturbing or senselessly tragic (I'm looking at you, The House at Riverton!). Thankfully, I was satisfied with this conclusion. Every tiny clue and action was accounted for. My only complaint is that I didn't get more of the characters. I wanted to follow them further, away from the Lake House. That's never a bad feeling to have at the end of a book.

Fox's Bride - A.E. Marling

Fox's Bride by A.E. Marling
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Fox's Bride is unusual, at times bordering on bizarre. Just the title gives that away. Yes, a woman is really supposed to marry a fox - the fox is an incarnation of one of the gods, but for all other purposes, it's a fox.

Then we have an enchantress (the bride) who can only work magic in her sleep, and spends much of the time struggling to stay awake. She infuses jewels with various purposes while asleep, and these jewels can be used in the waking world to protect, etc. The magic system is kind of interesting, and the story gets there too, when the enchantress uncovers an ancient evil that she has to deal with in order to free herself.

The story takes place in an Egyptian-like city, with pyramids that are the tombs of gods. I think. The city and world is still fuzzy to me. Some of the imagery was difficult to decipher, and I felt like I needed to turn upside down to get it. Like I said, it borders on bizarre!

I found the first half of the book hard to get into, especially because the world-building was so off-the-wall. It was also difficult to relate to a somnolent main character who was mostly passive at first. But sometime during the second half, I finally got into the story and stopped being confused. I believe that happened right around the time that the enchantress began to take action and throw a lot of jewels around. I quite enjoyed the tomb-raiding scenes.

If you're looking for a fantasy that's different, this could be for you. I don't think the writing style is for me, though. I prefer to see a world clearly, with all its detail, and that never happened here. After finishing the book, I still find it confused and hazy, like I never saw it come into focus. I still have questions about some loose ends as well, argh. Still, I'm glad I persevered to the end, and that I care enough to wonder about those loose ends.

A Lady of Spirit - Shelley Adina

A Lady of Spirit: A steampunk adventure novel by Shelley Adina
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is another installment that's missing the energy of the initial series with Claire as the main character. I honestly wish we just had more of Claire's adventures instead of jumping to Lizzie and Maggie. The portions that show her point of view are still my favorites, and there aren't enough of them.

There was so much setup to this one, much more to do with Maggie trying to fit into her determined place in society than anything else. With a couple of grandparents refusing to acknowledge her because she wasn't legitimate, this was a drag. There was also a distinct lack of adventure or steampunk until at least 60%. (Reference title.) Not cool. Luckily it did kick in, though, and when it did, it was fun, reminding me of why I am reading the series in the first place. It was enough to salvage a 3 star rating. Now if only it had started out that way.

The Golem and the Jinni - Helene Wecker

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Golem and the Jinni is a slow builder, that's for sure. I was never bored, but there were a couple times when I wondered what it was building towards and when it was going to step it up. It's not action-driven whatsoever, so I'd only recommend this if you enjoy 19th Century historical fiction that is character-driven.

The fantasy element is there, a fine thread woven throughout that adds an exotic touch. But it doesn't play a large role until near the end of the book. And by the way, I really liked how that aspect came together.

I also liked how the details of day-to-day living allowed me to savor the particular flavor of the immigrant experience in New York, and how it subtly built into something much more. By about 60% I didn't want to put it down because I was so invested in the characters and had to see what would happen to them.

The ending was not a perfectly neat bow, but not a cliffhanger, either. I'm glad to discover there will be a sequel, although it's jumping time periods to WWI, so I'm not sure what to think about that. A large part of what I enjoyed about this book was the setting, so we'll see. I'll definitely check it out.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Agatha Christie

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I very much enjoyed my first Agatha Christie experience. Poirot is a fun character, and I'm looking forward to reading more mysteries featuring him. I enjoyed how the narrator kept doubting Poirot and jumping at the same conclusions that I wanted to jump at, which told me how much I was missing. It turns out all the pieces were there, I just forgot about some of them, or didn't see how they fit together. It's always fun to read a mystery where I don't guess correctly, but it all clicks at the end.

The Blight of Muirwood - Jeff Wheeler

The Blight of Muirwood by Jeff Wheeler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I remember enjoying the first book of Legends of Muirwood but not being blown away by it. It was entertaining, and I thought I'd most likely get to the sequel at some point. I'm glad that I finally did, because this second book really stepped it up, both in world and in characters. I finished it quickly, and moved onto the last book right away. It is overall a solidly enjoyable medieval fantasy series, even though it's not so detailed and highly developed as the best of the best are. I was pleasantly surprised to be sucked into it so much.

Just One Damned Thing After Another - Jodi Taylor

Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this time travel adventure, and that's in spite of the high body count. Who knew that being a historian could be so hazardous? Many of the deaths are sudden and meaningless. I'm a little nervous at what that means for characters in future installments, but for now I'm happy that the ones I actually cared about made it.

The book was not without issues, but I found them easy to overlook and just went along for the ride. For example, there is a period of four years that pass at one point, and it wasn't completely clear at first that so much time had gone by since Maxwell's training. That means character and relationship development during those four years were skipped and just told about later on. I missed getting a real feel for the dynamics that developed over time. It also made it difficult to understand why some characters acted the way they did.

But, as I said, I didn't really have a problem with this while reading because I was swept along by the action. It was a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to the next book with some trepidation.

Revelation - Carol Berg

Revelation by Carol Berg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been terrible about writing reviews lately, so I'm going to do a quick summary of thoughts instead. It's better than nothing, right?

I enjoyed this quite a bit less than the first book, which wasn't hard since that one was amazing. This is the second book in a trilogy, so everything had to get all messed up. It was dark. Seyonne pretty much could do nothing right, alienated everyone possible, went through immense pain, doubt, and hell, and I felt terrible for him most of the time. I could have used a bit more hope, or at least one source of light in the darkness, but we really didn't get anything to lighten it up at all.

I also felt like the middle part of the book dragged on a bit too long. It was dark and bleak, and I wanted it to move on. Once it did, it was so good! The last third of the book was very difficult to stop reading, and I ended up loving how it all came together. Everything Seyonne went through did have a purpose. I can't wait to see how it all gets resolved in the final book. I'm just hoping it won't be as dark as this one was.

Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds - David C. Pollock

Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds, Revised Edition by David C. Pollock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been an Adult-TCK for almost 20 years now, and only wish I'd found this book years ago! If you are a TCK (child or adult), or a parent, significant other, or even the confused friend of one, you should read this book instead of just stumbling around in the dark. We have very specific identity and relational challenges because we went through developmental stages differently, and this book helps it all make sense.

If you've not heard the term before (which is likely), a TCK is someone who spends any of their developmental years living in another country besides their passport country, or in a different culture/country than that of their parents. This most often includes kids whose parents are involved in international missions, military, or business, but there could be other reasons they became expats.

One immediately useful part of the book is on figuring out a strategy to answer the dreaded "where are you from?" question, which still freezes me almost every time (it turns out that's not the best time to have an identity crisis). I'm still working on that one!

Beyond those basics, I have finally begun to to understand how I am and why, and to get better at explaining that to other people. This is huge. I had given up trying to explain myself to others within a year of trying to integrate into 'normal' life. Sad, but it's true.

I now understand how my patterns of developing relationships differ from people who grew up monoculturally. It's a big help for me to be mindful of that when interacting with people that I don't know very well. I'm learning to strike that balance between engaging with people and not scaring them off (well, trying anyway). It's not easy, but now at least I know why and I'm more determined to keep trying.

I highly recommend this to any TCK, especially those now living back 'at home' or about to do so. I'd also recommend it for parents of TCKs so they can understand what their kids will be going through and how it will affect them later in life. I've given a copy to my brother, sister, and parents because it's still so relevant for all of us.