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motaki's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Cannibalism
entazis's review
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fast, well written, and a fun read, perfect for the summer vacation. It's a story about lost amnesiac woman, trying to find out who is she and, at the same time, survive the harsh conditions of a tropical desert island. It starts in medias res, with a very dramatic scene, and it doesn't lose it's energy.
It's also a sapphic romance story, with very hot (huh, pun!) scenes. I loved the way relationship was developed, the simmering lust, the yearning, the companionship.
For a short story that has so little words, this novella opens up a lot of interesting topics for discussion like: identity, personal history, destructive loneliness, and most importantly, when a person is stripped of everything, including memory, displaced from what we percieve as civilization, what stays behind? What makes someone a person? What's truly important, and what's expendable? What's crucial to the life worth living?
In the Palm had gut-wrenching moments as much as comedic, and even some unexpectedly dark. It was all wrapped up rather nicely, and I loved the ending especially, even when it felt a bit rushed.
It's also a sapphic romance story, with very hot (huh, pun!) scenes. I loved the way relationship was developed, the simmering lust, the yearning, the companionship.
For a short story that has so little words, this novella opens up a lot of interesting topics for discussion like: identity, personal history, destructive loneliness, and most importantly, when a person is stripped of everything, including memory, displaced from what we percieve as civilization, what stays behind? What makes someone a person? What's truly important, and what's expendable? What's crucial to the life worth living?
In the Palm had gut-wrenching moments as much as comedic, and even some unexpectedly dark. It was all wrapped up rather nicely, and I loved the ending especially, even when it felt a bit rushed.
rogue_lurker's review
4.0
And now for something completely different - I had no idea what to expect and really enjoyed the way the story unfolded. The story is told from the perspective of a woman washes up on a deserted island with no memory of who she is or how she got there. Obviously a doctor, she proceeds to cut off her infected hand (omigod ... what a way to start the book) with only a couple of airplane bottles of booze to dull the pain. Sounds odd? Well that's the first couple of pages ... it gets odder and I loved the fact that I had no freaking clue what was going to happen next.
This is a novella, so its short - but the story is pretty tight and the mystery of who the woman is and what unfolds keeps you glued to the pages.
Definitely recommend.
This is a novella, so its short - but the story is pretty tight and the mystery of who the woman is and what unfolds keeps you glued to the pages.
Definitely recommend.
lezreviewbooks's review
5.0
This story got me in the palm of its hand from the start (yes, bad pun intended).
I've absolutely loved this book, it's got everything in one very well-written package: adventure, mystery, and romance. The story is a very loose retelling of Robinson Crusoe, starting with a punch. A woman is stranded in an isolated island with no recollection of who she is and how she got there and with the only certainty that, if she wants to survive, she needs to amputate one of her hands.
As the story develops, the main character and the reader are slowly clued on the real identity and the mystery surrounding her. Getting into more detail will only spoil it for others so I'm only going to say that this journey of discovery is very entertaining and packed with action, romance and hotness and it finishes with a great twist at the end.
Overall, a very well written romance/adventure novel that makes an entertaining read. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
I've absolutely loved this book, it's got everything in one very well-written package: adventure, mystery, and romance. The story is a very loose retelling of Robinson Crusoe, starting with a punch. A woman is stranded in an isolated island with no recollection of who she is and how she got there and with the only certainty that, if she wants to survive, she needs to amputate one of her hands.
As the story develops, the main character and the reader are slowly clued on the real identity and the mystery surrounding her. Getting into more detail will only spoil it for others so I'm only going to say that this journey of discovery is very entertaining and packed with action, romance and hotness and it finishes with a great twist at the end.
Overall, a very well written romance/adventure novel that makes an entertaining read. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
corrie's review
5.0
In the Palm is my second Elna Holst. After reading Lucas I needed to read another one of her books straight away. I already thought this author would be one of those who can write in any genre she choses, and this novella proved my right.
And it was a total gem. An awesome first line (“I am drunk and about to chop my hand off.”) and we are thrown right in the deep end. Dr No-Name - stranded on a desert island – wakes up with total amnesia and has to survive the trauma of amputating her own left hand with only her wits and the meager contents of her handbag.
This is a very intimate story of one woman against the elements. I love how Holst writes her. No-Name has a wonderful inner dialogue - both sarcastic and humorous – as she is trying to adjust to her new reality. Her mind seems to feed her little tidbits of her old life.
Things become very interesting when it turns out No-Name is not alone on the island. That scene where she first meets Ren (in possession of her severed hand) is priceless. There are many precious scenes in fact, but I can’t say too much about it because it is best experienced while reading.
No-Name becomes Ren’s girl Friday, only Ren calls her Dimanche. They become each other’s world. She gets to meet Maman (another bitter-sweet but also hilarious scene) and will find out more about Ren’s past through Maman’s diary. We also get a sweet and unforgettable love story with an interesting little twist in the end. I so recommend you read this. It's brilliant!
f/f explicit
Themes: desert island, memory loss, trauma, survival, French, Chien, Dimanche, meet mother, utterly heartwarming.
4.8 Stars
And it was a total gem. An awesome first line (“I am drunk and about to chop my hand off.”) and we are thrown right in the deep end. Dr No-Name - stranded on a desert island – wakes up with total amnesia and has to survive the trauma of amputating her own left hand with only her wits and the meager contents of her handbag.
This is a very intimate story of one woman against the elements. I love how Holst writes her. No-Name has a wonderful inner dialogue - both sarcastic and humorous – as she is trying to adjust to her new reality. Her mind seems to feed her little tidbits of her old life.
Things become very interesting when it turns out No-Name is not alone on the island. That scene where she first meets Ren (in possession of her severed hand) is priceless. There are many precious scenes in fact, but I can’t say too much about it because it is best experienced while reading.
No-Name becomes Ren’s girl Friday, only Ren calls her Dimanche. They become each other’s world. She gets to meet Maman (another bitter-sweet but also hilarious scene) and will find out more about Ren’s past through Maman’s diary. We also get a sweet and unforgettable love story with an interesting little twist in the end. I so recommend you read this. It's brilliant!
f/f explicit
Themes: desert island, memory loss, trauma, survival, French, Chien, Dimanche, meet mother, utterly heartwarming.
4.8 Stars
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