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bmyurs's reviews
289 reviews
The Castle Keepers by Aimie K. Runyan, Rachel McMillan, J'nell Ciesielski
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book.
This book covers three separate women across three different timelines and their interactions with Leedswick castle and the Alnwick family. They each develop into three little novellas about finding love and friendship in difficult times. Good book for anyone who has enjoyed Downton Abbey, or dual timeline historical fiction.
Overall giving this three stars: each of the three parts were their own little novella; there was some interaction with the previous story, but not the fully intertwined plot that you often see with this sort of book. Each of the three stories on their own had good character development and were quick to read. The title does stay true to each story as each one is figuring out a way to keep the castle and their family relevant in modern times.
This book covers three separate women across three different timelines and their interactions with Leedswick castle and the Alnwick family. They each develop into three little novellas about finding love and friendship in difficult times. Good book for anyone who has enjoyed Downton Abbey, or dual timeline historical fiction.
Overall giving this three stars: each of the three parts were their own little novella; there was some interaction with the previous story, but not the fully intertwined plot that you often see with this sort of book. Each of the three stories on their own had good character development and were quick to read. The title does stay true to each story as each one is figuring out a way to keep the castle and their family relevant in modern times.
Queen of Our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II by Robert Hardman
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
The King's Pleasure by Alison Weir
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book!
I've read the wives books written by Weir and this is parallel to those- she has taken a full and dramatic character (Henry VIII) and crafted an easy to read historical novel that hits the political, cultural, and personal aspects of his life. All six wives are included as well as Henry's inner circle of courtiers and advisors.
Great book for anyone with an interest in Tudor life or Henry VIII specifically. What I really liked about it is that it's suitable for both people who little to no background on the Tudors or those who has read other books about the family/period. Weir's writing is easy to follow and approachable, and she keeps you engaged with lots of dialogue. 4.25 stars.
I've read the wives books written by Weir and this is parallel to those- she has taken a full and dramatic character (Henry VIII) and crafted an easy to read historical novel that hits the political, cultural, and personal aspects of his life. All six wives are included as well as Henry's inner circle of courtiers and advisors.
Great book for anyone with an interest in Tudor life or Henry VIII specifically. What I really liked about it is that it's suitable for both people who little to no background on the Tudors or those who has read other books about the family/period. Weir's writing is easy to follow and approachable, and she keeps you engaged with lots of dialogue. 4.25 stars.
The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Forgotten Palace by Alexandra Walsh
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book!
The Forgotten Palace is a dual timeline narrative- between present day and the early 20th century. It's two main women characters are both in search of new beginnings after some pretty awful men in their lives take advantage of them.
Things that I enjoyed: great character development- I especially liked both of the women and how they grew into their own during the story. With that being said, the character development didn't slow down the plot line of the book- it moved at a pretty fast pace. I also liked that this was loosely based on historical events, and while it could have, it didn't get too far into the world of magical realism.
Things I didn't like: I think the ending missed some loose ends (and not in a good way); the end came together too quickly and didn't feel like it was fully thought out. There's no really any big plot twist, I was just expecting the ending to be different and I was disappointed in how it ended so fast and incomplete. Overall though the first 90% of the book is excellent.
The Forgotten Palace is a dual timeline narrative- between present day and the early 20th century. It's two main women characters are both in search of new beginnings after some pretty awful men in their lives take advantage of them.
Things that I enjoyed: great character development- I especially liked both of the women and how they grew into their own during the story. With that being said, the character development didn't slow down the plot line of the book- it moved at a pretty fast pace. I also liked that this was loosely based on historical events, and while it could have, it didn't get too far into the world of magical realism.
Things I didn't like: I think the ending missed some loose ends (and not in a good way); the end came together too quickly and didn't feel like it was fully thought out. There's no really any big plot twist, I was just expecting the ending to be different and I was disappointed in how it ended so fast and incomplete. Overall though the first 90% of the book is excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death and Rape
The Real Bridgerton by Catherine Curzon
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book!
Nice little book that gives an overview of some of the fascinating scandals of upper British society from the 18th and 19th centuries. I liked the overview of each story and how Curzon weaved the web of how all these people are interconnected to one another. It was a very fast read and because the vignettes are shorter, it was easy to read them in smaller sections over the course of a few days.
Nice little book that gives an overview of some of the fascinating scandals of upper British society from the 18th and 19th centuries. I liked the overview of each story and how Curzon weaved the web of how all these people are interconnected to one another. It was a very fast read and because the vignettes are shorter, it was easy to read them in smaller sections over the course of a few days.
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Not my type of book at all. Some plot twists I did not see coming at all- was incredibly dark and not all that well written. Main characters are awful people.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
No One Needs to Know by Lindsay Cameron
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book.
Was a real quick read once you got into it- three women whose children all attend the same UES prep school will do anything to bump their children ahead in life, whether it be college, sports, or popularity. This book gave me major Gossip Girl vibes, which I loved. I was a little confused by all characters and multiple points of view at the beginning of the book, but eventually it settled into a rhythm. The characters were ones you loved to hate, so once the plot got moving I had a hard time putting the book down. Only giving it 4 stars because the end felt a bit rushed to me- I loved the final chapter of the book (and who narrated it), but I think a bit more plot development would have helped bump it up a notch. Recommend for anyone in the mood for a Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girl style book or anyone who likes books by May Cobb.
Was a real quick read once you got into it- three women whose children all attend the same UES prep school will do anything to bump their children ahead in life, whether it be college, sports, or popularity. This book gave me major Gossip Girl vibes, which I loved. I was a little confused by all characters and multiple points of view at the beginning of the book, but eventually it settled into a rhythm. The characters were ones you loved to hate, so once the plot got moving I had a hard time putting the book down. Only giving it 4 stars because the end felt a bit rushed to me- I loved the final chapter of the book (and who narrated it), but I think a bit more plot development would have helped bump it up a notch. Recommend for anyone in the mood for a Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girl style book or anyone who likes books by May Cobb.