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.