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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
I'm finding it a little difficult to put my thoughts together coherently for a review and keep it spoiler-free and this book needs to be read with as little insider info as possible. This is a book bathed in emotions, bubbling in chemistry both platonic and more. It's about confusion and acceptance as much as it's about finding fulfilment and yet not.
AN EXALTATION OF LARKS is an emotional read from the offset but what wowed me the most was the unpredictable nature of how the book played out. I never once knew what was around the corner and often my suspicions were inaccurate; this is a plot of plots. It is a book full of depth, focused on families, with characters that plead for you to invest in them, and you do. Jav was my prime focus, the man I was championing for; a complex man but his journey over a number of years was addictive reading. Alex was such a solid, dependable character who surprised himself and me. Val was a character I didn't really take to and I suspect that may be purposeful writing. Ari was just such a compelling read and the twist involving him was mighty.
This book has left me agog at the writing and story development. I truly rate Suanne Laqueur as a special piece of talent, I hear her other work is also wonderful so I have a need to devour the rest over the coming months.
I know this is the vaguest review but I recommend this to anyone and everyone as a absorbing, out-of-the-box read; it will refresh your palate and leave a mark. Biggest thanks to Melissa for the best recommendation I have had in some time.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
AN EXALTATION OF LARKS is an emotional read from the offset but what wowed me the most was the unpredictable nature of how the book played out. I never once knew what was around the corner and often my suspicions were inaccurate; this is a plot of plots. It is a book full of depth, focused on families, with characters that plead for you to invest in them, and you do. Jav was my prime focus, the man I was championing for; a complex man but his journey over a number of years was addictive reading. Alex was such a solid, dependable character who surprised himself and me. Val was a character I didn't really take to and I suspect that may be purposeful writing. Ari was just such a compelling read and the twist involving him was mighty.
This book has left me agog at the writing and story development. I truly rate Suanne Laqueur as a special piece of talent, I hear her other work is also wonderful so I have a need to devour the rest over the coming months.
I know this is the vaguest review but I recommend this to anyone and everyone as a absorbing, out-of-the-box read; it will refresh your palate and leave a mark. Biggest thanks to Melissa for the best recommendation I have had in some time.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
Where was this book my whole life?
color me stunned because this book was everything. Such a beautiful tale of love, heartbreak, grief, loss and many other things. The writing style is very accessible and enjoyable. I really got attached to the characters and felt for them. This story made me sob several times and touched me deeply.
It is my first time reading a book by this author and it most certainly won't be my last.
I HIGHLY recommend.
*copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
color me stunned because this book was everything. Such a beautiful tale of love, heartbreak, grief, loss and many other things. The writing style is very accessible and enjoyable. I really got attached to the characters and felt for them. This story made me sob several times and touched me deeply.
It is my first time reading a book by this author and it most certainly won't be my last.
I HIGHLY recommend.
*copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
An Exaltation of Larks is Suanne’s Laqueur new, stand-alone novel, following the terrific Fish Series books, which I absolutely adored.
This novel begins in Santiago de Chile, with the eleven years old Alejandro, who’s hiding in his parents’ closest and waits for many days for their return. It’s 1973 and Chile has undergone a coup’d’état. This chapter was awfully emotional. You can feel the tension, the apprehension and the agonizing wait. Luckily, via the American Embassy, Alejandro is able to make his way to his uncle, who lives in the United States of America, in the quaint town of Gueslisten. Here, he befriends Lark kids, Val and her brother, and finds a second home with the Larks. Eventually, Alejandro, now Alex, becomes one of the Larks. I loved the Larks.
In another part of New York, the teenager Javier deSoto is shunned by his family for something that the Dominican community finds abhorrent. Javier has to find his way by himself. Survival kicks in. Given his extremely good looks, he becomes a high-class male escort. He gets to meet both Alex and Valerie Lark who were studying and working in New York.
Many years later, Javier, now known as Javier Landes, becomes the legal guardian of his teenage nephew he never knew he had. When he moves to Gueslisten to look after him, he reacquaints himself with both Alex and Val, who are now married and the parents of a teenage daughter.
Jav, Alex and Val make a formidable threesome, as they enjoy each other’s company, while their teenagers form a special bond. But life is never that easy. A secret threatens Val and Alex’s rock solid marriage. Also, Javier has certain feelings that, if divulged, could break the strong bond of their friendship. All this tension had me on the edge, (virtually) biting my nails. And the sexual tension … oh my … Is it hot in here? More like … caliente!!!!
I'm trying not to say too much.
So if you’re after a sweeping emotional, family saga, filled with passion and some tragedy, but also full of tenderness and lightheartedness, this novel will more than deliver. If you’ve read anything else by Laqueur, then I don’t need to tell you much more, except: enjoy the ride.
I’ve received this novel from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Cover: 5 stars
This novel begins in Santiago de Chile, with the eleven years old Alejandro, who’s hiding in his parents’ closest and waits for many days for their return. It’s 1973 and Chile has undergone a coup’d’état. This chapter was awfully emotional. You can feel the tension, the apprehension and the agonizing wait. Luckily, via the American Embassy, Alejandro is able to make his way to his uncle, who lives in the United States of America, in the quaint town of Gueslisten. Here, he befriends Lark kids, Val and her brother, and finds a second home with the Larks. Eventually, Alejandro, now Alex, becomes one of the Larks. I loved the Larks.
In another part of New York, the teenager Javier deSoto is shunned by his family for something that the Dominican community finds abhorrent. Javier has to find his way by himself. Survival kicks in. Given his extremely good looks, he becomes a high-class male escort. He gets to meet both Alex and Valerie Lark who were studying and working in New York.
Many years later, Javier, now known as Javier Landes, becomes the legal guardian of his teenage nephew he never knew he had. When he moves to Gueslisten to look after him, he reacquaints himself with both Alex and Val, who are now married and the parents of a teenage daughter.
Jav, Alex and Val make a formidable threesome, as they enjoy each other’s company, while their teenagers form a special bond. But life is never that easy. A secret threatens Val and Alex’s rock solid marriage. Also, Javier has certain feelings that, if divulged, could break the strong bond of their friendship. All this tension had me on the edge, (virtually) biting my nails. And the sexual tension … oh my … Is it hot in here? More like … caliente!!!!
I'm trying not to say too much.
So if you’re after a sweeping emotional, family saga, filled with passion and some tragedy, but also full of tenderness and lightheartedness, this novel will more than deliver. If you’ve read anything else by Laqueur, then I don’t need to tell you much more, except: enjoy the ride.
I’ve received this novel from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Cover: 5 stars
4.5 stars
“Keep the memory, let go of the thing.”
This book was EVERYTHING! It flows so well that you don’t want to put it down. The author has a gift with that. There’s love, tragedy, love, longing, love, heartbreak, love, family, love, marriage and a huge what if. My heart was really torn... Life is complicated, marriage isn’t always easy and we are all flawed.
There was one part at the end that just was too muchI can’t believe she VC Andrew’ed Deane and Ari! and imo unnecessary drama. But that is the only thing I didn’t like.
“Keep the memory, let go of the thing.”
This book was EVERYTHING! It flows so well that you don’t want to put it down. The author has a gift with that. There’s love, tragedy, love, longing, love, heartbreak, love, family, love, marriage and a huge what if. My heart was really torn... Life is complicated, marriage isn’t always easy and we are all flawed.
There was one part at the end that just was too much
An Exaltation of Larks is a stunning story of love, loss, pain and grief. Laqueur has written compelling characters exploring the whole spectrum of human life and emotion. This story will undoubtedly stay with you and should absolutely be read by everyone.
*I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
All The Stars in the Universe!
5 "Fucky" Stars
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
This book. OH THIS BOOK! I have never read anything like it.
I have made a new shelf and tag this year and called it "All The Stars In The Universe". It is reserved for books which even stand out among the 5 stars. Only very special stories go on that shelf. I knew when I was halfway through the book that it would get this tag.
The plot is way too complex to recount or explain. All you need to know is the blurb. Imagine a complicated braid and each strand of the braid is a story arc. Now and then they touch each other but never come together...until they do. This is how this wonderful story presented itself to me. And once the strands come together the real magic starts.
I loved Jav, Alex and Val from the start. They are amazing characters with so much pure and profound love in their hearts. Jav and Alex broke my heart a thousand times over. Javito because of the tragedies in his life and his fierce yearning for love but not allowing it into his life.
Alejo because of the tragedies in HIS life and the conflict of being attracted to a man. For his loyalty and him being a rock when everything seems to be falling apart. For his own struggles with the events that shaped his life.
I loved Val for her strength and her confidence in herself and her love. For her open mind although her house was standing in flames.
I fell in love with each and everyone of the main characters and I adored the side cast just as much. They felt real with all their struggles and heartbreaks. The pull they feel towards each other is irresistible, every single time, and with their attraction you are pulled into the circle, too. The tenderness and fierce love they feel for one another simply makes sense on an almost ethereal level.
The details are extremely well researched and I appreciate the historical facts which only highlight the atrocities we all don't know about unless somebody shines them into our faces like a torch. It is thought provoking and induces curiosity to find out more.
This story packs an emotional 1-2 punch (or several) you didn't see coming. It breaks you and puts you back together. It is full of twists you never guessed at. The love Suanne Laqueur has for her main characters jumps at you from every page and leaves an imprint on you.
Suanne Laqueur's voice is powerful and magnificent, her writing style is nothing short of gorgeous. While you might feel there is a lot of information along the way you will see farther in the story that every single detail is necessary to the development of the characters and the plot. It must have been a bit of a nightmare to plot this story out so I'm in utter awe of this author's talent to write a compelling, emotional story and keeping me interested throughout all of the 550+ pages. This author will be one to watch out in the future. I will definitely read her backlist but I'm also looking forward to "A Charm of Finches."
5 "Fucky" Stars
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
"I'd like to be faithful to you for another year. (It's hard this year.)"
This book. OH THIS BOOK! I have never read anything like it.
I have made a new shelf and tag this year and called it "All The Stars In The Universe". It is reserved for books which even stand out among the 5 stars. Only very special stories go on that shelf. I knew when I was halfway through the book that it would get this tag.
The plot is way too complex to recount or explain. All you need to know is the blurb. Imagine a complicated braid and each strand of the braid is a story arc. Now and then they touch each other but never come together...until they do. This is how this wonderful story presented itself to me. And once the strands come together the real magic starts.
I loved Jav, Alex and Val from the start. They are amazing characters with so much pure and profound love in their hearts. Jav and Alex broke my heart a thousand times over. Javito because of the tragedies in his life and his fierce yearning for love but not allowing it into his life.
"I'll pay you," he said in a desperate impulse. "Another three hours, buy the time back and it's a wash."
Her fingers run through his hair. "What's the matter?" she whispered. "This isn't you."
"I know," he said, setting his forehead on hers. "I don't know what it is, I only know I don't want to leave. I want to stay and sleep with you."
Alejo because of the tragedies in HIS life and the conflict of being attracted to a man. For his loyalty and him being a rock when everything seems to be falling apart. For his own struggles with the events that shaped his life.
"He's simple, but he's finely made. His experiences have crafted him. He has a moral compass that only points one way." Her laugh was soft in the dark. "He is a lousy liar. No pokerface whatsoever. But he's good to have in a crisis. He does we."
"We?"
"He always says things like 'We'll get through it.' Even if he knows he can't do a damn thing, he's there at your side. 'We'll work it out.'"
I loved Val for her strength and her confidence in herself and her love. For her open mind although her house was standing in flames.
I fell in love with each and everyone of the main characters and I adored the side cast just as much. They felt real with all their struggles and heartbreaks. The pull they feel towards each other is irresistible, every single time, and with their attraction you are pulled into the circle, too. The tenderness and fierce love they feel for one another simply makes sense on an almost ethereal level.
The details are extremely well researched and I appreciate the historical facts which only highlight the atrocities we all don't know about unless somebody shines them into our faces like a torch. It is thought provoking and induces curiosity to find out more.
This story packs an emotional 1-2 punch (or several) you didn't see coming. It breaks you and puts you back together. It is full of twists you never guessed at. The love Suanne Laqueur has for her main characters jumps at you from every page and leaves an imprint on you.
Suanne Laqueur's voice is powerful and magnificent, her writing style is nothing short of gorgeous. While you might feel there is a lot of information along the way you will see farther in the story that every single detail is necessary to the development of the characters and the plot. It must have been a bit of a nightmare to plot this story out so I'm in utter awe of this author's talent to write a compelling, emotional story and keeping me interested throughout all of the 550+ pages. This author will be one to watch out in the future. I will definitely read her backlist but I'm also looking forward to "A Charm of Finches."
"You and I," he said after a minute. "We're so alike. It's no wonder."
"No wonder what?"
"That we kept finding each other. I'm having a hard time thinking was coincidence. Cachai?"
"Cachai."
WOWWWW.... !!!! What do I say about a book that swept me off my feet and also threw me down mercilessly multiple times. The author weaves a beautiful narrative around these people and her magical words are just so unforgettable.
Alex comes to America as a refugee after Pinochet's coup in Chile but leaves behind his parents. He lives with his Uncle but also becomes a defacto member of the Lark family. Val Lark's connection to him is instantaneous and though they grow up together after his Uncle's death, and go separate ways for college, their thoughts are never far from each other. An innocent drunken mistake leads to Jav being kicked out and abandoned by his family, except when they want to beat him up or collect money. But he picks himself up and does whatever he can to survive, ultimately becoming one of the highest paid male escorts of New York city.
This is the story of their lives through more than three decades. Fate keeps throwing in each other's paths in very unexpected ways and it was fascinating to travel with them on their journeys. Every character in this story has experienced profound loss but they survive, they find love and friends and family, they never let go of hope. I fell in love with everyone - with all their flaws and anxieties and strengths - they all just felt so real to me. But Jav was my instant favorite and I can't articulate properly why. He loses everything but still survives - over and over again. Anyone else would have broken irrevocably but his strength is remarkable. I cried so many times for him and I just wanted him to find someone he could be himself with.
The writing in this book is nothing less than enchanting. The author brings these characters, their happiness and pain to life using her words. The beauty of love, the power of found family, the horrifying effects that events like the coup in Chile and 9/11 have on the survivors for decades to come - the author captures all these emotions so effectively that we can't help but feel all of it.
I can try but I will never be able to do justice to the awesomeness of this book through my review. Don't read the reviews, don't read the blurb, just go for this one. It's a beautiful exploration of life and you will not regret reading it.
Alex comes to America as a refugee after Pinochet's coup in Chile but leaves behind his parents. He lives with his Uncle but also becomes a defacto member of the Lark family. Val Lark's connection to him is instantaneous and though they grow up together after his Uncle's death, and go separate ways for college, their thoughts are never far from each other. An innocent drunken mistake leads to Jav being kicked out and abandoned by his family, except when they want to beat him up or collect money. But he picks himself up and does whatever he can to survive, ultimately becoming one of the highest paid male escorts of New York city.
This is the story of their lives through more than three decades. Fate keeps throwing in each other's paths in very unexpected ways and it was fascinating to travel with them on their journeys. Every character in this story has experienced profound loss but they survive, they find love and friends and family, they never let go of hope. I fell in love with everyone - with all their flaws and anxieties and strengths - they all just felt so real to me. But Jav was my instant favorite and I can't articulate properly why. He loses everything but still survives - over and over again. Anyone else would have broken irrevocably but his strength is remarkable. I cried so many times for him and I just wanted him to find someone he could be himself with.
The writing in this book is nothing less than enchanting. The author brings these characters, their happiness and pain to life using her words. The beauty of love, the power of found family, the horrifying effects that events like the coup in Chile and 9/11 have on the survivors for decades to come - the author captures all these emotions so effectively that we can't help but feel all of it.
I can try but I will never be able to do justice to the awesomeness of this book through my review. Don't read the reviews, don't read the blurb, just go for this one. It's a beautiful exploration of life and you will not regret reading it.
So much going on. A story so intricately woven. I don't quite know what to say yet. I need to chew on this for a while...I shall come back and review this properly after I've had time to think about it some more. More to come...
Ok so I'm back and I am torn. This book was a 5 or maybe 5+++ until the last maybe 25%. So while I thought this was an excellent book. The writing was superb. The way she so intricately wove the characters lives together was beyond amazing, somewhere in the last 25% I felt like ok now you over wove. I really don't want to say why that last 25% didn't ring as plausible for me because I feel like I would be giving away a huge part of the story so, I just have to leave it at where some of the relationships went didn't seem like something I felt would have actually happened. At least not for one of the parties involved. As well as the last major twist of fate I sort of thought ugh it didn't have to go that route. Yeah so sorry for the vagueness but I have to be vague or I'm a spoiler.
That said I still thought it was an amazing book particularly for me the the first 75%.
Ok so I'm back and I am torn. This book was a 5 or maybe 5+++ until the last maybe 25%. So while I thought this was an excellent book. The writing was superb. The way she so intricately wove the characters lives together was beyond amazing, somewhere in the last 25% I felt like ok now you over wove. I really don't want to say why that last 25% didn't ring as plausible for me because I feel like I would be giving away a huge part of the story so, I just have to leave it at where some of the relationships went didn't seem like something I felt would have actually happened. At least not for one of the parties involved. As well as the last major twist of fate I sort of thought ugh it didn't have to go that route. Yeah so sorry for the vagueness but I have to be vague or I'm a spoiler.
That said I still thought it was an amazing book particularly for me the the first 75%.