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The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson is a “bookstagram made me do it” read. I saw it being posted everywhere before it’s release. The day it released I went to go buy it because I just could not wait.
The book introduces a land called Bethel. Bethel is a religious land with strict practices. They follow the Prophet…blindly. (For lack of a better word.) There are stories that a Prophet from the beginning had hunted down and killed 4 witches, which the community celebrates. Immanuelle was born a disgrace. Her mother had an affair and Immanuelle is the product of that relationship. Now as a young woman, she does her best to conform with her society and tends to her flock as a shepherdess. One day, she finds herself lost in the Darkwood and is approached by the witches of the old tales. She is given a diary written by her mother. This diary will open her eyes to the society in which she lives and the Church that they follow.
“Good people don’t bow their heads and bite their tongues while other good people suffer. Good people are not complicit.”
THE YEAR OF THE WITCHING
We do not deserve the author, Alexis Henderson. This masterpiece is her debut?! This book is everything I wanted to read this Fall season. It is The Handmaid’s Tale meets Witches and I am here for every moment. The story really grabs religious extremism and blind faith concepts. She takes this horror fantasy story and weaves real-life issues such as racism, corruption, and oppression.
The characters are also phenomenal. Immanuelle’s development is just perfect. In the beginning, she conforms to the society, but by the end, she is determined to find herself and her family. Ezra is also perfect. He lifts Immanuelle up and treats her like the goddess she is. This book is easily one of my favorite books this year! I rate it 5 out of 5 stars!
The book introduces a land called Bethel. Bethel is a religious land with strict practices. They follow the Prophet…blindly. (For lack of a better word.) There are stories that a Prophet from the beginning had hunted down and killed 4 witches, which the community celebrates. Immanuelle was born a disgrace. Her mother had an affair and Immanuelle is the product of that relationship. Now as a young woman, she does her best to conform with her society and tends to her flock as a shepherdess. One day, she finds herself lost in the Darkwood and is approached by the witches of the old tales. She is given a diary written by her mother. This diary will open her eyes to the society in which she lives and the Church that they follow.
“Good people don’t bow their heads and bite their tongues while other good people suffer. Good people are not complicit.”
THE YEAR OF THE WITCHING
We do not deserve the author, Alexis Henderson. This masterpiece is her debut?! This book is everything I wanted to read this Fall season. It is The Handmaid’s Tale meets Witches and I am here for every moment. The story really grabs religious extremism and blind faith concepts. She takes this horror fantasy story and weaves real-life issues such as racism, corruption, and oppression.
The characters are also phenomenal. Immanuelle’s development is just perfect. In the beginning, she conforms to the society, but by the end, she is determined to find herself and her family. Ezra is also perfect. He lifts Immanuelle up and treats her like the goddess she is. This book is easily one of my favorite books this year! I rate it 5 out of 5 stars!
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is one of the books that I think of when I think of Classic-Horror. Dr. Montegue, Theodora, Eleanor, and Luke are unlikely companions but come together to investigate Hill House. Rumors and legend surround the house. So the four newcomers await what the house has in store for them. At first, it seems like it is just minor coincidences and none are too concerned. Soon, they will have wished they had never set foot in the dreaded home…
Again, like Amityville Horror, I wasn’t scared out of my wits or struggling to sleep after reading the book. However, this novel is way more gripping than The Amityville Horror. There is so much more depth to the characters. In fact, I think this is where my love for this book resides. There are these completely different characters, all with different motives coming together. At first, everything goes swimmingly but then their true natures start to emerge–ESPECIALLY when the hauntings begin.
The hauntings in itself are meant to frighten but they are really in the background, as the true evil is embedded itself in the characters. The pace does move relatively slow. I would have liked the hauntings to begin a little quicker. Dr. Montegue seemed to take an awfully long time to get to the history of hill house. He drew that out as long as he possibly could. The ending is also a little abrupt. I would have liked to know a little more after THAT conclusion, but I shall not say anymore, because that would spoil the ending. Anyway, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Again, like Amityville Horror, I wasn’t scared out of my wits or struggling to sleep after reading the book. However, this novel is way more gripping than The Amityville Horror. There is so much more depth to the characters. In fact, I think this is where my love for this book resides. There are these completely different characters, all with different motives coming together. At first, everything goes swimmingly but then their true natures start to emerge–ESPECIALLY when the hauntings begin.
The hauntings in itself are meant to frighten but they are really in the background, as the true evil is embedded itself in the characters. The pace does move relatively slow. I would have liked the hauntings to begin a little quicker. Dr. Montegue seemed to take an awfully long time to get to the history of hill house. He drew that out as long as he possibly could. The ending is also a little abrupt. I would have liked to know a little more after THAT conclusion, but I shall not say anymore, because that would spoil the ending. Anyway, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Thank you Philippa Gregory, Netgalley, and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book!
It has been a while since I have read anything by Philippa Gregory. I read most of her Tudor related stories–there were some that I loved and some not so much but when I saw the synopsis for Tidelands, I was definitely intrigued! The story begins in England in 1648, the English Civil War has ravaged the country and Charles I is imprisoned on an island. Alinor is a fisherman’s wife, whose husband has gone missing. She has two children, Alys and Rob who depend on her. She makes her living as an herbalist and a midwife. But she is a woman and she is poor–every decision could lead to dangerous consequences. When she comes across a priest and gets him to safety, that is the first of many decisions that will bring danger to her and her family.
I just finished this book moments ago. So my emotions are a little raw. God, I love Alinor. She is caught in a world where she has to watch every move that she makes but craves safety, financial security, and love for herself and her kids. She is so strong in the face of hatred and poverty. The men in this book…suck. But that isn’t surprising in the year 1648. However, this book touches on so many aspects like hysteria, that are still relatable.
There are certain aspects of the book that are slow. Especially, scenes when the priest named James, is doing his spy networking. That part should have been thrilling but it felt dull. And just when the moment of the trial comes to pass, it gets skipped over and just becomes a part of a conversation. I wanted to be in that moment and I was waiting for the detail of the trial and execution. (This isn’t a spoiler, this is history, folks.)
BUT THAT ENDING!!! Talk about a cliffhanger!!!! Now, tread carefully SPOILERS AHEAD. This is what I am hoping for in the next book: I hope Alinor and Alys channel their inner witches and curse all these idiot men. Just saying. I want them to SMASH the patriarchy. I want revenge.
With the slow pacing, I was dancing between a 3-star rating and a 4-star rating–but that ending certified a 4-star rating. I do recommend that you have book 2, Dark Tides on preorder before picking up this book.
It has been a while since I have read anything by Philippa Gregory. I read most of her Tudor related stories–there were some that I loved and some not so much but when I saw the synopsis for Tidelands, I was definitely intrigued! The story begins in England in 1648, the English Civil War has ravaged the country and Charles I is imprisoned on an island. Alinor is a fisherman’s wife, whose husband has gone missing. She has two children, Alys and Rob who depend on her. She makes her living as an herbalist and a midwife. But she is a woman and she is poor–every decision could lead to dangerous consequences. When she comes across a priest and gets him to safety, that is the first of many decisions that will bring danger to her and her family.
I just finished this book moments ago. So my emotions are a little raw. God, I love Alinor. She is caught in a world where she has to watch every move that she makes but craves safety, financial security, and love for herself and her kids. She is so strong in the face of hatred and poverty. The men in this book…suck. But that isn’t surprising in the year 1648. However, this book touches on so many aspects like hysteria, that are still relatable.
There are certain aspects of the book that are slow. Especially, scenes when the priest named James, is doing his spy networking. That part should have been thrilling but it felt dull. And just when the moment of the trial comes to pass, it gets skipped over and just becomes a part of a conversation. I wanted to be in that moment and I was waiting for the detail of the trial and execution. (This isn’t a spoiler, this is history, folks.)
BUT THAT ENDING!!! Talk about a cliffhanger!!!! Now, tread carefully SPOILERS AHEAD. This is what I am hoping for in the next book: I hope Alinor and Alys channel their inner witches and curse all these idiot men. Just saying. I want them to SMASH the patriarchy. I want revenge.
With the slow pacing, I was dancing between a 3-star rating and a 4-star rating–but that ending certified a 4-star rating. I do recommend that you have book 2, Dark Tides on preorder before picking up this book.
I saw Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff at Barnes and Noble and I was intrigued when I saw the cover. I found it on Libby and decided to try the audiobook which is narrated by Kevin Kenerly. I love the lore behind HP Lovecraft’s work but HP Lovecraft is racist, so it is very difficult to read. In fact, I couldn’t even finish it. I ended up just researching the lore instead. This book addresses the racism embedded in Lovecraft’s work and I was immediately hooked.
The book is broken up into different stories but are all linked. The book takes place in Jim Crow America. Readers are introduced to Atticus Turner. He is an army veteran and traveling back home. When he gets there, he finds that his father is gone. With the help of his uncle, George, and friend, Letitia—they go on a journey to find him. George is the publisher of The Safe Negro Travel Guide. It isn’t safe for Black men and women to travel at will in Jim Crow America. So this guide is critical for their safety. When they discover where Montrose has gone, they will need it just to get to their destination safely.
This book is everything. It channeled everything I love about the LORE of HP Lovecraft’s work and the terrorism that white America inflicted on Black Americans. This pulp fiction novel really asks the question of who is the real monster? I think it is quite wonderful that this book is named after Lovecraft, the lore is inspired by Lovecraft, but it is Black men and women who are the REAL heroes in this story. The characters are fantastic—and when I say fantastic, I mean they are some of the best characters I have read this year.
I also love how the book is broken up into different stories but they are linked together. I am really looking forward to watching the HBO series. I rate this audiobook 5 stars!
The book is broken up into different stories but are all linked. The book takes place in Jim Crow America. Readers are introduced to Atticus Turner. He is an army veteran and traveling back home. When he gets there, he finds that his father is gone. With the help of his uncle, George, and friend, Letitia—they go on a journey to find him. George is the publisher of The Safe Negro Travel Guide. It isn’t safe for Black men and women to travel at will in Jim Crow America. So this guide is critical for their safety. When they discover where Montrose has gone, they will need it just to get to their destination safely.
This book is everything. It channeled everything I love about the LORE of HP Lovecraft’s work and the terrorism that white America inflicted on Black Americans. This pulp fiction novel really asks the question of who is the real monster? I think it is quite wonderful that this book is named after Lovecraft, the lore is inspired by Lovecraft, but it is Black men and women who are the REAL heroes in this story. The characters are fantastic—and when I say fantastic, I mean they are some of the best characters I have read this year.
I also love how the book is broken up into different stories but they are linked together. I am really looking forward to watching the HBO series. I rate this audiobook 5 stars!
Thank you NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and E. Elizabeth Watson for the opportunity to read this book!
The holiday season is right around the corner and I have a weakness for romance novels that take place in Scotland and a Christmas Historical Romance? –SIGN ME UP! Twelfth Knight’s Bride by E. Elizabeth Watson brings together two warring clans, both suffering tragedy at the hands of the other. Lady Aileana is a fearsome thing to behold. Almost feral. Dressed as a lad, she sneaks off to the MacDonald lands to steal some food so her people don’t starve. The laird, James MacDonald manages to track her and in order to forgive her for her crime, he requests that she is given to him in a handfast marriage. This is merely supposed to be a punishment befitting the crime, but it turns out to be quite a bit more…
What a perfect book to kick off my holiday reading. I am having difficulty getting into the holiday spirit but this has helped. Aileana is a wild spirit and I adored her. She is naive but has some wonderful development. Even though she is fierce and doesn’t hold back there is a kindness in her that is just captivating. Then there is James. His development is the best. He has a tragic past that he must work through. Normally, it is the female heroine that helps the hero through that. But what I loved is that he had to work through it himself. Yes, Aileana inspired the work. But he is the one who transformed. And may I just say…that chemistry is FIRE. *fans self*
The major theme of this book is forgiveness. (Que Hamilton lyric: “forgiveness can you imagine…”) The clans have a history of vicious war and revenge on each other. Each is blinded to the other’s suffering. True peace comes when one acknowledges their part in such atrocities. I love how coming to peace in this book is very complex and forgiveness takes time.
Overall, this book is utterly charming and was able to grant me a little Christmas spirit. I will definitely be checking out more books by this author! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars and it is available TODAY!!
The holiday season is right around the corner and I have a weakness for romance novels that take place in Scotland and a Christmas Historical Romance? –SIGN ME UP! Twelfth Knight’s Bride by E. Elizabeth Watson brings together two warring clans, both suffering tragedy at the hands of the other. Lady Aileana is a fearsome thing to behold. Almost feral. Dressed as a lad, she sneaks off to the MacDonald lands to steal some food so her people don’t starve. The laird, James MacDonald manages to track her and in order to forgive her for her crime, he requests that she is given to him in a handfast marriage. This is merely supposed to be a punishment befitting the crime, but it turns out to be quite a bit more…
What a perfect book to kick off my holiday reading. I am having difficulty getting into the holiday spirit but this has helped. Aileana is a wild spirit and I adored her. She is naive but has some wonderful development. Even though she is fierce and doesn’t hold back there is a kindness in her that is just captivating. Then there is James. His development is the best. He has a tragic past that he must work through. Normally, it is the female heroine that helps the hero through that. But what I loved is that he had to work through it himself. Yes, Aileana inspired the work. But he is the one who transformed. And may I just say…that chemistry is FIRE. *fans self*
The major theme of this book is forgiveness. (Que Hamilton lyric: “forgiveness can you imagine…”) The clans have a history of vicious war and revenge on each other. Each is blinded to the other’s suffering. True peace comes when one acknowledges their part in such atrocities. I love how coming to peace in this book is very complex and forgiveness takes time.
Overall, this book is utterly charming and was able to grant me a little Christmas spirit. I will definitely be checking out more books by this author! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars and it is available TODAY!!
You all know how much I love retellings! A Tale of Beauty and the Beast by Melanie Cellier is the 2nd book in the Beyond the Four Kingdoms series. In the first book, A Dance of Silver and Shadow, the princess tourney is over and Princess Sophie is the winner–which means she must journey to Palinar to meet her betrothed. Prince Dominic is said to be a beast and his country cursed. However, she isn’t too worried. She and her sister Lily have a special connection and can speak to each other through their minds. They are twins and have never been alone. When she crosses the Palinar border her connection to her sister is severed. She is alone for the first time in a cursed place. She will need to figure out a way to destroy the curse to free Palinar and be reunited with her sister.
I absolutely adored this retelling! This retelling has more similarities with the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, rather than the classic fairytale. There are servants but she can’t see them, but because of her unique gift, she can hear them. It reminded me of the scene when Belle walks into the castle for the first time and she can hear Lumiere and Cogsworth but she doesn’t realize what they are. I also love that her gift helps her communicate with Dominic. He cannot speak in his beast form. So if it were anyone else who won the tourney communication would have been impossible. Their communication leads to them being able to connect.
I loved how this book talks about loneliness. Sophie has never been alone. There are moments where she is utterly distraught. The book moves at a pretty good pace and has some great twists and turns. There came a point where I could not stop listening to the book. I think I listened to it for 4 hours nonstop. The narrator Esther Wane does a phenomenal job as always. Her beast voice is a little awkward at times but I can’t imagine it was easy to portray. Overall, I rate this audiobook 5 out of 5 stars!
I absolutely adored this retelling! This retelling has more similarities with the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, rather than the classic fairytale. There are servants but she can’t see them, but because of her unique gift, she can hear them. It reminded me of the scene when Belle walks into the castle for the first time and she can hear Lumiere and Cogsworth but she doesn’t realize what they are. I also love that her gift helps her communicate with Dominic. He cannot speak in his beast form. So if it were anyone else who won the tourney communication would have been impossible. Their communication leads to them being able to connect.
I loved how this book talks about loneliness. Sophie has never been alone. There are moments where she is utterly distraught. The book moves at a pretty good pace and has some great twists and turns. There came a point where I could not stop listening to the book. I think I listened to it for 4 hours nonstop. The narrator Esther Wane does a phenomenal job as always. Her beast voice is a little awkward at times but I can’t imagine it was easy to portray. Overall, I rate this audiobook 5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you, Bernard Cornwell, HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!
I am not okay. This is the definition of bittersweet. I love the Saxon Stories series more than words can say and War Lord by Bernard Cornwell is the 13th and final book. POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD if you have not read the previous books! Uhtred is an old man now, but he has reclaimed his home and just wants to live his days at Bebbanburg and not be bothered by kings, earls, and lords. Aethelstan is King over Mercia, East Anglia, and Wessex but wants what his grandfather, Alfred the Great wanted: a united Britain–And King Aethelstan would be, Monarchus Totius Brittaniae. That presents trouble. King Constantine of Scotland has allies and they ride from the North. Uhtred must now be dragged into another decisive war to protect his family and his home. The Battle of Brunanburh is inevitable…
“Wyrd bið ful aræd”
My emotions were slaughtered before I even started the book. Bernard Cornwell dedicated the book to Alexander Dreymon, the actor who portrays Uhtred in The Last Kingdom. It is not often that an author portrays that kind of appreciation to those involved in their adaptations.
As for the book itself, it could not have had a more perfect conclusion. This series is about the making of a United Britain and it concludes with the decisive Battle of Brunanburh. There are poems and legends of this battle and I love that Bernard Cornwell’s intense historical research brought it to life. The battle itself is a quarter of the book… WHICH IS FANTASTIC. So many historical fictions give a brief description of the battle then move onto the political aspects. Not this book. This book shows all the terror, the courage, the blood, and the death that occurred. It will make you feel as if you are there. It is impossible to stop reading during the last 75% of the book because no one is safe.
Once again, the characters are just masterful. Bernard Cornwell knows how to bring historical figures to life while making fictional characters as real as possible. I love that Egill Skallagrimsson is a huge presence in this book because it is well-documented that he fought alongside Aethelstan. As always Uhtred and Finan are favorites. They are old men now and get reminded that they are no longer in their prime, which is difficult for warriors. (Does that stop them? Of course not.) But I can’t write this review without discussing Benedetta, Uhtred’s partner. She is perfect for Uhtred and after his heart was broken after the death of Gisela…he deserves a good woman. Plus, SHE IS FIERCE. I wish I could get a spinoff story of Benedetta!
This will be a series I revisit over and over. I am not ready to let it go. This series finale gets ALL THE STARS. Thank you, Bernard Cornwell, for a wonderful series! This book is available on November 24th!
I am not okay. This is the definition of bittersweet. I love the Saxon Stories series more than words can say and War Lord by Bernard Cornwell is the 13th and final book. POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD if you have not read the previous books! Uhtred is an old man now, but he has reclaimed his home and just wants to live his days at Bebbanburg and not be bothered by kings, earls, and lords. Aethelstan is King over Mercia, East Anglia, and Wessex but wants what his grandfather, Alfred the Great wanted: a united Britain–And King Aethelstan would be, Monarchus Totius Brittaniae. That presents trouble. King Constantine of Scotland has allies and they ride from the North. Uhtred must now be dragged into another decisive war to protect his family and his home. The Battle of Brunanburh is inevitable…
“Wyrd bið ful aræd”
My emotions were slaughtered before I even started the book. Bernard Cornwell dedicated the book to Alexander Dreymon, the actor who portrays Uhtred in The Last Kingdom. It is not often that an author portrays that kind of appreciation to those involved in their adaptations.
As for the book itself, it could not have had a more perfect conclusion. This series is about the making of a United Britain and it concludes with the decisive Battle of Brunanburh. There are poems and legends of this battle and I love that Bernard Cornwell’s intense historical research brought it to life. The battle itself is a quarter of the book… WHICH IS FANTASTIC. So many historical fictions give a brief description of the battle then move onto the political aspects. Not this book. This book shows all the terror, the courage, the blood, and the death that occurred. It will make you feel as if you are there. It is impossible to stop reading during the last 75% of the book because no one is safe.
Once again, the characters are just masterful. Bernard Cornwell knows how to bring historical figures to life while making fictional characters as real as possible. I love that Egill Skallagrimsson is a huge presence in this book because it is well-documented that he fought alongside Aethelstan. As always Uhtred and Finan are favorites. They are old men now and get reminded that they are no longer in their prime, which is difficult for warriors. (Does that stop them? Of course not.) But I can’t write this review without discussing Benedetta, Uhtred’s partner. She is perfect for Uhtred and after his heart was broken after the death of Gisela…he deserves a good woman. Plus, SHE IS FIERCE. I wish I could get a spinoff story of Benedetta!
This will be a series I revisit over and over. I am not ready to let it go. This series finale gets ALL THE STARS. Thank you, Bernard Cornwell, for a wonderful series! This book is available on November 24th!
Thank you NetGalley, Jane Isaac, and Trafalgar Square Publishing for the opportunity to read this book, albeit a little late…
Confession time! The Lies Within by Jane Isaac was one of the first books that I was approved for through NetGalley a few years ago. Me, being a newbie did not download the book in time before it was archived. I spent the last three years starring at the book and being so disappointed that I didn’t get to read it. Well, I happened to stumble across the book on Amazon and I just couldn’t pass it up. I ended up reading it in ONE night!
The book begins when the body of a woman is found and has eerily similar injuries to previous cases, giving the detectives reason to believe that this is a part of an unsolved serial. The young woman is a college student and daughter to Grace Daniels. It is unimaginable to deal with the death of your child but even more painful to discover the secrets that they hid from you. While DI Will Jackman tries to put the pieces together, Grace withdraws further from her family and friends. That is until an old school mate shows up and Faye is just the person to help her through her grief. Jackman will discover that not all is what it seems and all will lead to another murder as secrets are exposed.
This book is so fast-paced! I am so glad I finally got the chance to read it. I think the book is roughly 360 pages and I finished it within a few hours. I was absolutely hooked! The book has two points of view: one of DI Will Jackman and the other Grace Daniels. Jackman’s point of view is so realistic, it felt as if I were watching a real investigation unfold. He is fascinating in the sense, that he sees the investigations as a puzzle. He brings a fresh look to cases that seem impossible to solve. Grace’s point of view is utterly heartbreaking. She deals with her grief in a number of ways but mainly, she is anxious to find out what happened to her daughter and begins an investigation of her own. Many might see her character and think her naive and oblivious but I think those stemmed from the grief.
I do want to know more about the main cast of characters, so I do plan to get the first and third books in the series. Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you are interested in criminal investigations and crime thrillers, this book is for you!
Confession time! The Lies Within by Jane Isaac was one of the first books that I was approved for through NetGalley a few years ago. Me, being a newbie did not download the book in time before it was archived. I spent the last three years starring at the book and being so disappointed that I didn’t get to read it. Well, I happened to stumble across the book on Amazon and I just couldn’t pass it up. I ended up reading it in ONE night!
The book begins when the body of a woman is found and has eerily similar injuries to previous cases, giving the detectives reason to believe that this is a part of an unsolved serial. The young woman is a college student and daughter to Grace Daniels. It is unimaginable to deal with the death of your child but even more painful to discover the secrets that they hid from you. While DI Will Jackman tries to put the pieces together, Grace withdraws further from her family and friends. That is until an old school mate shows up and Faye is just the person to help her through her grief. Jackman will discover that not all is what it seems and all will lead to another murder as secrets are exposed.
This book is so fast-paced! I am so glad I finally got the chance to read it. I think the book is roughly 360 pages and I finished it within a few hours. I was absolutely hooked! The book has two points of view: one of DI Will Jackman and the other Grace Daniels. Jackman’s point of view is so realistic, it felt as if I were watching a real investigation unfold. He is fascinating in the sense, that he sees the investigations as a puzzle. He brings a fresh look to cases that seem impossible to solve. Grace’s point of view is utterly heartbreaking. She deals with her grief in a number of ways but mainly, she is anxious to find out what happened to her daughter and begins an investigation of her own. Many might see her character and think her naive and oblivious but I think those stemmed from the grief.
I do want to know more about the main cast of characters, so I do plan to get the first and third books in the series. Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you are interested in criminal investigations and crime thrillers, this book is for you!
Thank you, Atria Books, Philippa Gregory, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!
Dark Tides by Philippa Gregory is book two in the Fairmile Series. Possible Spoilers Ahead if you have not read book one, Tidelands. Twenty-one years after the events in Tidelands, Alys and Alinor are set up at a wharf along the river. James Avery has had his lands returned to him after the restoration of the King, and now he needs his heir–an heir that he believes the Alinor carried all those years before. But James Avery isn’t the only visitor. Livia is the grieving widow of Alinor’s son, Rob. Alinor cannot believe her son is gone, but that would mean Livia is betraying them. However, she has always had the sight and she must trust it now more than ever.
I had such high hopes for this book. The first book was good, slow but good. But it was the ending that made me desperate to read this book. Unfortunately, it failed. It is hard to imagine but it is even slower than the first book. It also lacks the historical detail and aesthetic that the first one. I was hoping for Alys and Alinor to be fierce women who survived the garbage men of their past. Sure, they survived but they are still idiots. Good god. My 5 year old wouldn’t believe Livia for a hot second. It was PAINFULLY obvious from the first moment she arrived. There was absolutely no mystery to her, she isn’t clever…everyone around her is just an idiot. So I spent most of the book just angry at the stupidity. Oh, and also how unbelievable this plot actually is, it did not feel realistic to the time period in the slightest.
Then don’t get me started on the random Ned storyline that takes place in the Colonies. While I did appreciate the plot of how the Colonies took over the Indigenous Peoples land and how cruel the Colonists were to them. The problem is that it did not fit in with this story in the slightest. It would have made a phenomenal spinoff story and I would have much preferred it as its own story.
Needless to say, this book just didn’t work for me, which is a shame because I was really looking forward to it. I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.
This book will be released tomorrow (11/24) if you are a Philippa Gregory fan!!
Dark Tides by Philippa Gregory is book two in the Fairmile Series. Possible Spoilers Ahead if you have not read book one, Tidelands. Twenty-one years after the events in Tidelands, Alys and Alinor are set up at a wharf along the river. James Avery has had his lands returned to him after the restoration of the King, and now he needs his heir–an heir that he believes the Alinor carried all those years before. But James Avery isn’t the only visitor. Livia is the grieving widow of Alinor’s son, Rob. Alinor cannot believe her son is gone, but that would mean Livia is betraying them. However, she has always had the sight and she must trust it now more than ever.
I had such high hopes for this book. The first book was good, slow but good. But it was the ending that made me desperate to read this book. Unfortunately, it failed. It is hard to imagine but it is even slower than the first book. It also lacks the historical detail and aesthetic that the first one. I was hoping for Alys and Alinor to be fierce women who survived the garbage men of their past. Sure, they survived but they are still idiots. Good god. My 5 year old wouldn’t believe Livia for a hot second. It was PAINFULLY obvious from the first moment she arrived. There was absolutely no mystery to her, she isn’t clever…everyone around her is just an idiot. So I spent most of the book just angry at the stupidity. Oh, and also how unbelievable this plot actually is, it did not feel realistic to the time period in the slightest.
Then don’t get me started on the random Ned storyline that takes place in the Colonies. While I did appreciate the plot of how the Colonies took over the Indigenous Peoples land and how cruel the Colonists were to them. The problem is that it did not fit in with this story in the slightest. It would have made a phenomenal spinoff story and I would have much preferred it as its own story.
Needless to say, this book just didn’t work for me, which is a shame because I was really looking forward to it. I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.
This book will be released tomorrow (11/24) if you are a Philippa Gregory fan!!
A Crown of Snow and Ice by Melanie Cellier is the third book in the Beyond the Four Kingdoms series and is a retelling of The Snow Queen. Celine is off to visit the kingdom of Eldon after the Princess Tourney that occurred in the first book, A Dance of Silver and Shadow. Celine is used to a warmer climate but is always up for a challenge. But something is off about Eldon. Not only is the kingdom frozen, but it seems like the people are too. They can move but they have no emotion. Celine and Prince Oliver must find a way to release the curse that has taken hold of the kingdom. Thankfully, Celine discovers a gift within herself that just may do the trick.
Out of all the books in this series, this one is my least favorite. It just moves so much slower than the other books in the series. There were moments where I was bored and just wanted to story to keep moving forward. However, I did appreciate the dark tones of the plot. The Snow Queen’s character was really well done and is extremely creepy! This is definitely more of a retelling of the original Snow Queen and not Disney’s Frozen.
The one plus about this book is the characters! Celine is spunky and not one to follow the rules. But she is loyal and always willing to help. She can be a little sure of herself, which is why I really appreciated her struggling with her gift. (You will have to read it to find out what her gift is!) She has to find the strength within to be able to control it.
As always, Esther Wane does a fantastic job at narrating. I wouldn’t have anyone else! I rate this audiobook 3 out of 5 stars.
Out of all the books in this series, this one is my least favorite. It just moves so much slower than the other books in the series. There were moments where I was bored and just wanted to story to keep moving forward. However, I did appreciate the dark tones of the plot. The Snow Queen’s character was really well done and is extremely creepy! This is definitely more of a retelling of the original Snow Queen and not Disney’s Frozen.
The one plus about this book is the characters! Celine is spunky and not one to follow the rules. But she is loyal and always willing to help. She can be a little sure of herself, which is why I really appreciated her struggling with her gift. (You will have to read it to find out what her gift is!) She has to find the strength within to be able to control it.
As always, Esther Wane does a fantastic job at narrating. I wouldn’t have anyone else! I rate this audiobook 3 out of 5 stars.