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amandasbookreview's reviews
966 reviews
The Witch's Knight by Paula Brackston, Trevor Brackston
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
I absolutely adore Paula Brackston’s novels. I have read almost all of them. The Witch’s Daughter series and the Found Things Series are some of my favorite witchy reads. I am always looking forward to her new releases and then she made an announcement. She collaborated with her brother, Trevor Brackston. Together, they are writing a whole new series called The White Shadow Trilogy. The first book in the series is called The Witch’s Knight. The book has a dual timeline. The first is 11th century Wales where Gwen, the daughter of a Lord discovers her destiny. After her village is attacked, she realizes she has a power that is unexplainable. She meets a knight named Tudor and they fall in love. Meanwhile, it is present-day London a man named Tudor is a very dedicated security detail, but a series of violent deaths have him worried about his daughter. He does not know that he has a connection to one of the most powerful witches of our time and it proves that love can transcend time.
WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS!
Once again, this novel is filled with a magical atmosphere. The characters are phenomenal. Gwen’s journey to becoming Rhiannon and Queen Witch is exciting. I did have trouble making the connection between the dual timelines. I understood that Tudor is the same person,—well the reincarnation of the same person, but the explanation of that is not explained until more than halfway through the novel. I was constantly going back and forth to see when the stories would come together. Unfortunately, it comes a little too late for me in this story, but now I have high hopes for book two! It became evident that this novel is a precursor to the intense part of the story that will take place in book two.
Although, I did enjoy both timelines immensely! I loved seeing Emily (Tudor’s teen daughter) take down bad guys and Tudor’s adoration of her. There is also an emotional pull when it comes to Rhiannon and Tudor. Rhiannon makes a sacrifice. She will live on and must watch Tudor go through each life. What a heartbreaking fate to watch your loved one die over and over again.
Overall, there are some points that were a little rough, but I am sold on the story and I was distraught when I got to the end. I just can’t handle cliffhangers, but I will be waiting for book two! I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS!
Once again, this novel is filled with a magical atmosphere. The characters are phenomenal. Gwen’s journey to becoming Rhiannon and Queen Witch is exciting. I did have trouble making the connection between the dual timelines. I understood that Tudor is the same person,—well the reincarnation of the same person, but the explanation of that is not explained until more than halfway through the novel. I was constantly going back and forth to see when the stories would come together. Unfortunately, it comes a little too late for me in this story, but now I have high hopes for book two! It became evident that this novel is a precursor to the intense part of the story that will take place in book two.
Although, I did enjoy both timelines immensely! I loved seeing Emily (Tudor’s teen daughter) take down bad guys and Tudor’s adoration of her. There is also an emotional pull when it comes to Rhiannon and Tudor. Rhiannon makes a sacrifice. She will live on and must watch Tudor go through each life. What a heartbreaking fate to watch your loved one die over and over again.
Overall, there are some points that were a little rough, but I am sold on the story and I was distraught when I got to the end. I just can’t handle cliffhangers, but I will be waiting for book two! I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“If all else fails, proceed with unbending civility.”
MORTAL ARTS
Ok. I am obsessed with the Lady Darby Mystery series now. I was definitely interested in reading more after the first book, The Anatomist’s Wife, but it is really Mortal Arts that drew me into the series a bit more. In this 2nd installment, Lady Kiera Darby is traveling with her sister and brother-in-law to Edinburgh and stops to visit their friend Michael Dalmay along the way. Michael Dalmay’s older brother, William was Kiera’s former drawing master and has been missing and presumed dead for the last 10 years. Much to everyone’s shock, William is very much alive and was just rescued from an asylum by his brother. His father locked him up after he had trouble dealing with his mental state after all the battles he fought. When a local woman goes missing, all suspicion falls on William. So it is up to Kiera and her fellow investigator, Sebastion Gabe to clear his name and find the person responsible for her disappearance.
This book keeps up that gothic atmosphere that I fell in love with in the first book. This time we are dealing with mysterious disappearances and sketchy insane asylums that prey on the vulnerable. At this time in history, mental health is nonexistent. There are things called battle exhaustion. But anyone suffering from any sort of mental illness or trauma is branded mad and locked away to be tortured and forgotten. Lady Kiera approaches this case with grace, kindness, and gentleness. She knows her friend William’s soul is troubled because she has been in that state herself. She must convince those around her that there are complexities around this type of situation and that William would not harm anyone. She must even convince Gage who is trying to approach the case from a more standard point. Lady Kiera’s relationship with William tore my heart out. It is such a beautiful friendship…and yet so tragic. Tissues are definitely required for this book.
There are several trigger warnings for this book: mention of rape, mental illness, depression, PTSD, torture, etc…
Once again, we have the buildup of chemistry between Gage and Kiera. Gage has developed so much from the first book. His roguish appearance is starting to falter as Kiera discovers that it is all a facade for society’s benefit. He hasn’t exposed much of himself yet, but the wall is starting to come down and I can’t wait to see their relationship blossom. Overall, this is my favorite book so far! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
This book keeps up that gothic atmosphere that I fell in love with in the first book. This time we are dealing with mysterious disappearances and sketchy insane asylums that prey on the vulnerable. At this time in history, mental health is nonexistent. There are things called battle exhaustion. But anyone suffering from any sort of mental illness or trauma is branded mad and locked away to be tortured and forgotten. Lady Kiera approaches this case with grace, kindness, and gentleness. She knows her friend William’s soul is troubled because she has been in that state herself. She must convince those around her that there are complexities around this type of situation and that William would not harm anyone. She must even convince Gage who is trying to approach the case from a more standard point. Lady Kiera’s relationship with William tore my heart out. It is such a beautiful friendship…and yet so tragic. Tissues are definitely required for this book.
There are several trigger warnings for this book: mention of rape, mental illness, depression, PTSD, torture, etc…
Once again, we have the buildup of chemistry between Gage and Kiera. Gage has developed so much from the first book. His roguish appearance is starting to falter as Kiera discovers that it is all a facade for society’s benefit. He hasn’t exposed much of himself yet, but the wall is starting to come down and I can’t wait to see their relationship blossom. Overall, this is my favorite book so far! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you, NetGalley, Sally Hepworth, and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book. It was released on April 5th, 2022!
“It was amazing how she could suddently breathe when surrounded by butter, sugar, and eggs. The methodical nature of baking provided an equilibrium of sorts, an opportunity to process her feelings. And lately, she had a lot of feelings.”
THE YOUNGER WIFE
Boy, do I love a good Sally Hepworth novel. I have read, The Mother-in-Law, The Mother’s Promise, The Good Sister, and now The Younger Wife! The book begins with a wedding and an unknown narrator. The groom is older, the bride a bit younger, the ex-wife is present and has dementia, and the groom’s adult daughters are not happy about their father marrying a woman their age. What could go wrong? Then, the scream. Someone is hurt. But who?– and more importantly, who is the perpetrator? Then novel flashes back to Tully and Rachel meeting their father’s new girlfriend, Heather. She has secrets of her own, but not as many as her new boyfriend, Stephen. His daughters are nice but not exactly accepting of her. Both daughters have severe anxiety. Tully can’t help but shoplift and with all the stress, it is getting out of control. Rachel has been through some traumatic events and stress eats when her world spins out of control. Everyone’s secrets start coming out but only ones are darker and more dangerous…
One thing that Sally Hepworth just excels at is characters. Her books are always filled with dynamic and complex characters. And the wit!! There could be a serious scene and one character will drop the wittiest comment and while I should be concerned, instead I am laughing. —which is totally ok! And I think I need to talk about Darcy and the unlimited cake-related puns he used. When I say unlimited, I mean they just kept coming and now I plan to use them at my earliest convenience! Darcy is definitely my favorite character in this whole book. So I suggest a spin-off about him and Rachel. Pretty please?!
So there is one thing that people don’t fully grasp when it comes to Sally Hepworth novels. They can have moments of suspense, but mostly, revolve around family drama. A lot of the scenarios are really realistic as well as the character’s reactions to those scenarios. In this book, there are several trigger warnings: rape, domestic abuse, gaslighting, eating disorder, OCD, and anxiety. While this is a slow-burn storyline, it is worth it for the amazing characters. I got to admit, the ending wasn’t the strongest, but it makes for some good book discussions. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
One thing that Sally Hepworth just excels at is characters. Her books are always filled with dynamic and complex characters. And the wit!! There could be a serious scene and one character will drop the wittiest comment and while I should be concerned, instead I am laughing. —which is totally ok! And I think I need to talk about Darcy and the unlimited cake-related puns he used. When I say unlimited, I mean they just kept coming and now I plan to use them at my earliest convenience! Darcy is definitely my favorite character in this whole book. So I suggest a spin-off about him and Rachel. Pretty please?!
So there is one thing that people don’t fully grasp when it comes to Sally Hepworth novels. They can have moments of suspense, but mostly, revolve around family drama. A lot of the scenarios are really realistic as well as the character’s reactions to those scenarios. In this book, there are several trigger warnings: rape, domestic abuse, gaslighting, eating disorder, OCD, and anxiety. While this is a slow-burn storyline, it is worth it for the amazing characters. I got to admit, the ending wasn’t the strongest, but it makes for some good book discussions. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Dementia, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Serenade: A Balanchine Story by Toni Bentley
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Thank you so much, Pantheon Books and Toni Bentley for the opportunity to read this book!
“Ballet, you see, provides the most fantastic future for every devotee, something far beyond the promise of public acknowledgment or the flicker of fame. It provides the prospect of conquering one’s own self to find, possibly transcendence.”
Serenade by Toni Bentley is a walkthrough of the ballet but also a mix of history, biography, and memoir. Serenade is the first ballet choreographed by George Balanchine to Tchaikovsky. George Balanchine co-founded the New York City Ballet. The book begins with Toni Bentley, who was a former ballerina, visiting Balanchine on his deathbed. She then goes into the history of ballet, like how Louis XIV established the first National Ballet School in history. The book dives into Balanchine as a child. He was born in 1904 in Russia. This was a very tumultuous time for Russia, as the revolution was not that far away. Balanchine revered Tchaikovksy and it shows with the choreography of his famous pieces. But mainly, we get to see the effects that this ballet had on one of its very own ballerinas.
This book is definitely for those with knowledge of the Ballet company, interest in its history, or interest in ballet in general. It is very obvious from the very beginning that the author is very passionate. There is even a dramatic way to the writing as if there is no way she can convey how much ballet means to her. There are some slow parts. For example, there is an entire two pages dedicated to describing Bentley and Balanchine holding hands while on his death bed. Not conversation, just holding hands. But there are so many interesting facts about Serenade. For instance, the blue tutus used during the production inspired the name of the crater on Mercury, named Serenade.
There are lots of pose-by-pose descriptions of the ballet that I could not really grasp or picture because I am not a dancer. But it has always been a dream of mine to go to the ballet, so when I finally do, I will be able to appreciate it all the more. It is obvious that the author has great respect for Balanchine but also is aware of his faults, but didn’t give much credence to rumors. Overall, for me, it was very educational, so I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book is definitely for those with knowledge of the Ballet company, interest in its history, or interest in ballet in general. It is very obvious from the very beginning that the author is very passionate. There is even a dramatic way to the writing as if there is no way she can convey how much ballet means to her. There are some slow parts. For example, there is an entire two pages dedicated to describing Bentley and Balanchine holding hands while on his death bed. Not conversation, just holding hands. But there are so many interesting facts about Serenade. For instance, the blue tutus used during the production inspired the name of the crater on Mercury, named Serenade.
There are lots of pose-by-pose descriptions of the ballet that I could not really grasp or picture because I am not a dancer. But it has always been a dream of mine to go to the ballet, so when I finally do, I will be able to appreciate it all the more. It is obvious that the author has great respect for Balanchine but also is aware of his faults, but didn’t give much credence to rumors. Overall, for me, it was very educational, so I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
The Resting Place by Camilla Sten
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Camilla Sten for the opportunity to read this book! It was released on March 29th, 2022.
“We perceive women suffering from mental illness with a sort of paradoxical double-sidedness; both victims and monsters. simultaneously infantilized and feared.”
THE RESTING PLACE
I absolutely enjoyed Camilla Sten’s previous novel, The Invited, and could not wait to pick up The Resting Place. Eleanor has prosopagnosia which is also called facial blindness. So it would be difficult for her to identify her grandmother’s murderer. She and her grandmother, Vivianne had a strained relationship. Viviane wasn’t the most maternal. But after a phone call from the lawyer: Eleanor, her boyfriend Sebastian, her aunt Veronika, and the lawyer all head to the family estate called Solhoga. Once they get there, family secrets become exposed and then the attacks begin…
I absolutely love Camilla Sten’s writing. She really nails the eerie atmospheric tension. Her story building is very slow-burn and I can understand how some people may not appreciate it. But just stay the course, because each reveal throughout the book really packs a punch. There is a lot happening in this book though. Trigger warnings: murder, child abuse, gaslighting, miscarriage, mental illness, suicide.
The book does jump back and forth between the present and 1965. There are 4 names that start with “V” and it did take a while to get used to and put all the pieces together. At every plot twist, the lies come to light and readers will be working to piece everything together. By the end of the novel, I knew who the perpetrator was. I was a little disappointed with the ending but I actually loved everything leading up to it. It was very creepy and I often wondered if we were dealing with something more paranormal rather than a long-lost family secret. –And that is how a good author keeps readers on their toes.
The characters are complex and have their faults. There are a few characters…like Vivianne who are completely toxic and I did not quite understand the hold she had on those around her. BUT, it made sense in the end. Overall, I will always read Camilla Sten’s works, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I absolutely love Camilla Sten’s writing. She really nails the eerie atmospheric tension. Her story building is very slow-burn and I can understand how some people may not appreciate it. But just stay the course, because each reveal throughout the book really packs a punch. There is a lot happening in this book though. Trigger warnings: murder, child abuse, gaslighting, miscarriage, mental illness, suicide.
The book does jump back and forth between the present and 1965. There are 4 names that start with “V” and it did take a while to get used to and put all the pieces together. At every plot twist, the lies come to light and readers will be working to piece everything together. By the end of the novel, I knew who the perpetrator was. I was a little disappointed with the ending but I actually loved everything leading up to it. It was very creepy and I often wondered if we were dealing with something more paranormal rather than a long-lost family secret. –And that is how a good author keeps readers on their toes.
The characters are complex and have their faults. There are a few characters…like Vivianne who are completely toxic and I did not quite understand the hold she had on those around her. BUT, it made sense in the end. Overall, I will always read Camilla Sten’s works, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“We all must deal with our shadows the best we can. No one can conquer them for us.”
THE ANATOMIST’S WIFE
The Anatomist’s Wife by Anna Lee Huber is the first book in the Lady Darby Mystery Series and is narrated by Heather Wilds. Kiera Darby was married to an anatomist who only married her because of her artistic abilities. He forced her to draw his human dissections for his books. After he died, she was charged with unnatural behaviors. The charges were dropped and she fled society to live with her sister and brother-in-law. However, they soon decide to throw a house party and one of the house guests is murdered. Kiera Darby’s expertise with the human body is requested by the investigating agent, Sebastian Gage. Because of her past, the guests automatically suspect Kiera and she receives threats. They must find the murderer before she also becomes a victim.
This book checks all the boxes for me. I am becoming quite addicted to female-led, historical, mystery books. This book has quite a compelling mystery. And I can honestly say that I have never read a book that references an anatomist. The book is from Kiera’s point of view and readers get to read about her raw emotion from being traumatized by her husband and even by society.
I saw a lot of people complain that it is more romance than mystery. I can see how that might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I loved it! Gage and Kiera have wonderful chemistry and there is even a bit of enemies-to-lovers trope. However, the author does keep it from being a happily-ever-after type ending. The ending concludes all the plot points and leads readers to pick up book two!
I loved the historical detail, the characters, the romance, the mystery, and of course all of the Gothic detail. Heather Wilds is a wonderful narrator! The dialogue is a little stilted but I noticed that it improved by the end of the book and I now have high hopes for book two! I rate this audiobook 4 out of 5 stars!
This book checks all the boxes for me. I am becoming quite addicted to female-led, historical, mystery books. This book has quite a compelling mystery. And I can honestly say that I have never read a book that references an anatomist. The book is from Kiera’s point of view and readers get to read about her raw emotion from being traumatized by her husband and even by society.
I saw a lot of people complain that it is more romance than mystery. I can see how that might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I loved it! Gage and Kiera have wonderful chemistry and there is even a bit of enemies-to-lovers trope. However, the author does keep it from being a happily-ever-after type ending. The ending concludes all the plot points and leads readers to pick up book two!
I loved the historical detail, the characters, the romance, the mystery, and of course all of the Gothic detail. Heather Wilds is a wonderful narrator! The dialogue is a little stilted but I noticed that it improved by the end of the book and I now have high hopes for book two! I rate this audiobook 4 out of 5 stars!
The Might of the Coming Vril-Ya by R.R. Pearl
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
"This steamy occultist novella is a whirlwind of suspense and danger that could be read in just a few hours."
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
The Sea Rover's Curse by Katherine Bone
adventurous
medium-paced
"Hoist the sails for a whirlwind adventure and an unexpected romance."
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
Julian Fellowes's Belgravia by Julian Fellowes
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“Lies are so complicated, she thought. And not for the first time.”
BELGRAVIA
We all know why I picked up Belgravia—it is because Julian Fellowes is the author and he wrote Downton Abbey, so ’nuff said. This story begins just before the Battle of Waterloo. Sophia Trenchard has fallen in love. The night does not end as planned and will have repercussions for the next twenty-five years. Tragedy after tragedy has fallen on Sophia’s parents, but her father James Trenchard has had a lot of success in the trading industry. They are now rubbing elbows with the elite. The only problem is there is a secret that will shock the community if it is ever revealed and the Trenchards have people who will stop at nothing just to see them fall.
I fully intend to watch the show after reading this book, even though this book felt like a script word for word. Am I mad? No. But normally books provide more depth than the adaptation because there are just some things that adaptations will never be able to provide. I didn’t feel that depth in this book. There was just something missing.
This is also not one of those books where you’re going to fall in love with all the characters. Many of them will piss you off. Kind of like Downton Abbey. But there are always those two matriarchs who will win your heart and you really don’t care what happens to everyone else. Again, kind of like Downton Abbey.
I really enjoyed the ending. Everything came together perfectly. And I can’t forget about the narrator! Juliet Stevenson absolutely knocked it out of the park! I may be looking at a list of everything she has narrated and adding them to my TBR because she is that good! Overall, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars!
I fully intend to watch the show after reading this book, even though this book felt like a script word for word. Am I mad? No. But normally books provide more depth than the adaptation because there are just some things that adaptations will never be able to provide. I didn’t feel that depth in this book. There was just something missing.
This is also not one of those books where you’re going to fall in love with all the characters. Many of them will piss you off. Kind of like Downton Abbey. But there are always those two matriarchs who will win your heart and you really don’t care what happens to everyone else. Again, kind of like Downton Abbey.
I really enjoyed the ending. Everything came together perfectly. And I can’t forget about the narrator! Juliet Stevenson absolutely knocked it out of the park! I may be looking at a list of everything she has narrated and adding them to my TBR because she is that good! Overall, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars!
A Rogue's Autumn Bride by Lana Williams
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
"This is one of those rare historical romances that shows the characters falling in love and truly supporting each other."
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2022/april/viewer/desktop/#page/58
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2022/april/viewer/desktop/#page/58