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elh1985's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
Wow this book took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Maya has moved ro the Artic with her boyfriend Ryan. Stricken with Anxiety and little knowledge of her past in India. The more Indian food she eats she gets flashes of memories. Most if her mum whome she was told died in a car crash..... not revealing anymore as would be a spoiler. I had so much hope and confidence that Maya would find what she needed along the way. And boy! She did just that. Great book Dani Redd!
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Grief, Suicide, and Sexual assault
chalkletters's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I picked up The Arctic Curry Club because my dad’s street has a ‘curry club’ and I was amused by the coincidence. From the blurb, I wasn’t entirely sure what kind of book I would be getting, or whether I would like it, but the snowy arctic setting of Longyearbyen in Norway made it seem like an appropriately wintery read for this time of year.
It took some time for me to get invested in Maya. At first, her negativity created a barrier, making it difficult to sympathise with the hardships she was going through. The sudden journey to India, taking us away from the main plot and into a family mystery subplot that I could probably have done without was also pretty jarring.
But then Maya returned to the arctic and her life started to change in really compelling ways. I love character development, and Maya’s really kicked off around this point. Suddenly, I was reading chapter after chapter, ignoring my page goal for the day to keep uncovering Maya’s story. Dani Redd continued to include the history subplot, which never fully engaged my interest, but it did tie up with the main plot at the end in a way I could appreciate.
I thought about sending this to my dad, purely because of the coincidence with the name, but in the end I decided it wasn’t really his kind of book. Besides, I wasn’t willing to part with it, which is surely an indication of just how Dani Redd managed to turn things around.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Addiction, Car accident, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Suicide
tigerlilliereads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.75
I revived this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
Going to be honest the title drew me to this book straight away, plus the front cover gave me all the wintery vibes I love.
I didn’t know what I was getting in for with this book but I very quickly fell in love. The story is really gripping and transports you completely into the setting and landscapes featured in the book. I don’t think I wanted to put it down! The characters are realistic and relatable with the story and characters constantly developing.
The book focus on Naya who has just moved to the Artic due to her boyfriend, Ryan, doing some work studying Polar Bears. But despite the beauty that the setting holds, it’s winter and dark 24/7 with blizzards and bitterly cold weather. With her boyfriend working all the time she begins to struggle and starts to feel lost.
The story does cover some really heavy topics, but it does so well. I loved the cooking element and how the writer describes the food, the main character creates, with such passion and creativity. The fusion and stark contrast between India and the Artic are such an asset to the story and vital in the development of our main character. The characters are so loveable… apart from one but you will know who I mean you read it…
I enjoyed this ever so much, I am almost sad that it’s over as I was completely transported into the story line and environments!
Such a fantastic story!
Going to be honest the title drew me to this book straight away, plus the front cover gave me all the wintery vibes I love.
I didn’t know what I was getting in for with this book but I very quickly fell in love. The story is really gripping and transports you completely into the setting and landscapes featured in the book. I don’t think I wanted to put it down! The characters are realistic and relatable with the story and characters constantly developing.
The book focus on Naya who has just moved to the Artic due to her boyfriend, Ryan, doing some work studying Polar Bears. But despite the beauty that the setting holds, it’s winter and dark 24/7 with blizzards and bitterly cold weather. With her boyfriend working all the time she begins to struggle and starts to feel lost.
The story does cover some really heavy topics, but it does so well. I loved the cooking element and how the writer describes the food, the main character creates, with such passion and creativity. The fusion and stark contrast between India and the Artic are such an asset to the story and vital in the development of our main character. The characters are so loveable… apart from one but you will know who I mean you read it…
I enjoyed this ever so much, I am almost sad that it’s over as I was completely transported into the story line and environments!
Such a fantastic story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Drug use, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
what_heather_loves's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
"'I wanted a name that conveyed the warmth of spice and the cold of the Arctic. 'What about The Arctic Curry Club?'...I felt a rush of pride. Naming things brought them to life."
Early thirties, mixed-race Maya lost her Indian mum when she was eight and moved, with her white, British father to the UK. She has no memories of her childhood in Bangalore, assuming losing her mum was traumatic. She is beginning the adventure of a lifetime, moving to Longyearbyen in the Arctic with boyfriend Ryan, who has a job there. Maya is a planner and a list-maker, but suffers terribly with anxiety. Whilst outgoing Ryan settles in quickly, Maya struggles with the climate and the culture, feeling lonely.
A visit to Bangalore for her dad's wedding to family friend Uma, results in Maya being given her mum's recipe book. A local tour company seeking a cook, back in the Arctic, gives her the courage to try the recipes; each taste causes childhood memories to coming flooding back, some good and some difficult. Will Maya make a success of her new role, will she discover more about her childhood and will she find her way in the world?
Told from likeable but vulnerable, Maya's perspective makes for an engaging read. Split into four parts, it's dominated by both the harsh Arctic winter and Maya's vulnerabilities (relying on Ryan and dealing with the impacts of her childhood memories returning). The cast of characters she encounters, both in the Arctic and in India, add to the atmosphere and as Maya's confidence grows she is able to make better decisions for herself.
Drawn from the author's experiences of the Artic and of Indian cuisine, this is more than heartwarming uplit, it also feels realistic and emotive, about community and belonging. Perfect for chilly days and nights, for fans of Libby Page and Ericka Waller.
Thank you Avon Books for my ARC and for the recipe and rice.
Early thirties, mixed-race Maya lost her Indian mum when she was eight and moved, with her white, British father to the UK. She has no memories of her childhood in Bangalore, assuming losing her mum was traumatic. She is beginning the adventure of a lifetime, moving to Longyearbyen in the Arctic with boyfriend Ryan, who has a job there. Maya is a planner and a list-maker, but suffers terribly with anxiety. Whilst outgoing Ryan settles in quickly, Maya struggles with the climate and the culture, feeling lonely.
A visit to Bangalore for her dad's wedding to family friend Uma, results in Maya being given her mum's recipe book. A local tour company seeking a cook, back in the Arctic, gives her the courage to try the recipes; each taste causes childhood memories to coming flooding back, some good and some difficult. Will Maya make a success of her new role, will she discover more about her childhood and will she find her way in the world?
Told from likeable but vulnerable, Maya's perspective makes for an engaging read. Split into four parts, it's dominated by both the harsh Arctic winter and Maya's vulnerabilities (relying on Ryan and dealing with the impacts of her childhood memories returning). The cast of characters she encounters, both in the Arctic and in India, add to the atmosphere and as Maya's confidence grows she is able to make better decisions for herself.
Drawn from the author's experiences of the Artic and of Indian cuisine, this is more than heartwarming uplit, it also feels realistic and emotive, about community and belonging. Perfect for chilly days and nights, for fans of Libby Page and Ericka Waller.
Thank you Avon Books for my ARC and for the recipe and rice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual assault
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