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egbella's reviews
212 reviews
Safe in His Arms by Colleen Coble
3.0
This was a step outside my usual genres, and I have mixed feelings. It was a compelling story that had a sweet romance, interesting characters, and a true to the time period setting (as far as I can tell). I appreciated the Christian elements and discussions of God inside, including the main character wrestling with how to accept God's unconditional love. Thanks to the Christian elements, there was also no content I was uncomfortable with. The story kept me interested enough, and I'd say it was well-written.
It just wasn't my cup of tea. Many of the plot elements felt forced or didn't make sense to me, and I felt that some of the themes were contrived. The romance also bothered me a bit, but I'm pretty sure that that's just me not usually reading romances. It seemed like a typical romance story, where a bit more communication would have solved so many issues, and it resolved easier than in real life. The second half of the book in particular kept me very interested, but at the same time, the number of crazy events happening all at once was hard to believe, and not realistic.
So definitely mixed feelings on this one. I have no regrets about reading it and venturing outside my comfort zone, but this also didn't become my new favorite story/genre. Fans of western romances with tension and mystery would probably enjoy this!
It just wasn't my cup of tea. Many of the plot elements felt forced or didn't make sense to me, and I felt that some of the themes were contrived. The romance also bothered me a bit, but I'm pretty sure that that's just me not usually reading romances. It seemed like a typical romance story, where a bit more communication would have solved so many issues, and it resolved easier than in real life. The second half of the book in particular kept me very interested, but at the same time, the number of crazy events happening all at once was hard to believe, and not realistic.
So definitely mixed feelings on this one. I have no regrets about reading it and venturing outside my comfort zone, but this also didn't become my new favorite story/genre. Fans of western romances with tension and mystery would probably enjoy this!
The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon
3.0
Objectively, this was a pretty well-written book, with an intriguing premise, rich setting, and fascinating imaginings into some of history's largest figures. Personally, I couldn't get it into it as much as I'd hoped, due to the - at times very explicit - content, large cast that took me until the end of the book to get a grasp on, the very reflective writing style, and an overall disinterest for the protagonist (from which we witness the entire story).
I was also continuously pulled from the story by the modernizations all throughout. From modern curse words to modern scientific theories being stated by ancient philosophies that wouldn't have known about it yet, it seemed like the story was being pulled in two different directions.
Overall, I wanted to love this book, but it wasn't my favorite. Still, I admire the author's historical research for the most part, and her strong grasp of creating interesting characters and a very well-detailed, rich setting.
CW: Sexual content, strong and frequent language, detailed, slightly gory, and frequent descriptions of surgeries and medical experiments, war, and death.
I was also continuously pulled from the story by the modernizations all throughout. From modern curse words to modern scientific theories being stated by ancient philosophies that wouldn't have known about it yet, it seemed like the story was being pulled in two different directions.
Overall, I wanted to love this book, but it wasn't my favorite. Still, I admire the author's historical research for the most part, and her strong grasp of creating interesting characters and a very well-detailed, rich setting.
CW: Sexual content, strong and frequent language, detailed, slightly gory, and frequent descriptions of surgeries and medical experiments, war, and death.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4.0
It took me a little while to get invested (and an embarrassingly long time to realize Scout was a girl for some reason...), but once I got into it, I couldn't put this down. The characters are so real and interesting, with Atticus being my favorite, and I loved the POV voice. Very innocent and convincingly child-like, but with a lot of perception. The settings were vivid and I really felt like I was in the setting. And that ending! I loved how the timeless themes were woven through the book, and I didn't even realize how powerful they were until they all seamlessly wove together at the end. I'll definitely be rereading this sometime, and would recommend it to fans of historical classics.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
5.0
I couldn't put this one down.
I can't vouch for how accurate the history or geography is, as I don't know much about Afghanistan, but the story was incredibly rich and real. Like The Kite Runner, which I also couldn't put down though I preferred this story by far, I liked how deep and nuanced all of the characters are, and how their stories all wove together at the end. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to live through such horrors, but Hosseini's descriptions of their thoughts, feelings, and actions made me feel as though I was there.
A warning that it is a very bleak story, and Hosseini didn't hold back from hurting his characters at any point, but the not knowing what could happen to them next and realizing that at any time any number of awful things could happen kept me hooked. It made the tension very real.
All in all, the well-described settings, realistic characters, constantly moving plot, and painful but deep themes made for a captivating read.
CW: assault, abuse, death, sparing expletives, mentions of rape, some graphic descriptions, etc. Definitely not a book for young readers, but it was tactful rather than excessive.
I can't vouch for how accurate the history or geography is, as I don't know much about Afghanistan, but the story was incredibly rich and real. Like The Kite Runner, which I also couldn't put down though I preferred this story by far, I liked how deep and nuanced all of the characters are, and how their stories all wove together at the end. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to live through such horrors, but Hosseini's descriptions of their thoughts, feelings, and actions made me feel as though I was there.
A warning that it is a very bleak story, and Hosseini didn't hold back from hurting his characters at any point, but the not knowing what could happen to them next and realizing that at any time any number of awful things could happen kept me hooked. It made the tension very real.
All in all, the well-described settings, realistic characters, constantly moving plot, and painful but deep themes made for a captivating read.
CW: assault, abuse, death, sparing expletives, mentions of rape, some graphic descriptions, etc. Definitely not a book for young readers, but it was tactful rather than excessive.
Seasons of the Storm by Elle Cosimano
4.0
I hadn't heard of this novel prior to reading it, so I didn't know what to expect. But what a pleasant surprise! The premise is super intriguing, and it reminded me of a fantasy/dystopian "Jack Frost" story. I liked all the different characters, although it took me some time to make sense of them all. There was plenty of action and intrigue and I had a hard time putting this down.
I was confused a number of times by all the many things going on, so needed to skim some sections to catch up, but overall, it was an engaging, unique, and intense story. And though I didn't realize it was the first of a duology (I don't have book 2 so kind of bummed, haha), it stands on its own pretty well, and wraps up without leaving many ends to tie up.
The romance seemed a bit too easy at times, but some of that actually ended up being intentional, which I appreciated. Mostly, it was sweet and I could honestly root for the characters to have happy endings.
Content warnings: several "fade to black" sexual scenes (nothing explicit, just implied), violence, mild descriptions of gore and injuries, occasional swearing
I was confused a number of times by all the many things going on, so needed to skim some sections to catch up, but overall, it was an engaging, unique, and intense story. And though I didn't realize it was the first of a duology (I don't have book 2 so kind of bummed, haha), it stands on its own pretty well, and wraps up without leaving many ends to tie up.
The romance seemed a bit too easy at times, but some of that actually ended up being intentional, which I appreciated. Mostly, it was sweet and I could honestly root for the characters to have happy endings.
Content warnings: several "fade to black" sexual scenes (nothing explicit, just implied), violence, mild descriptions of gore and injuries, occasional swearing
Steal Away by Jennifer Armstrong
3.0
Another childhood reread I've been working through lately. This one was never my favorite, and that hasn't changed after reading it again, but it is a solid little story with good moral themes. Overall, I just wish that there was more. More character development, more exploration of the themes, and more character growth shown in the time between the flashbacks and the present time. However, it is a middle-grade book, and for a story meant to be thought-provoking and interesting, it succeeded.
Run Away Home by Patricia C. McKissack
3.0
Yet another childhood reread! I sure did like my historical fiction.
This is a cute little story about a close-knit Southern family in the late 1800's that deals with some heavy topics in an appropriate and mostly hopeful way. As it is a middle-grade novel, the book doesn't go as deep into the plot, themes, or characters as I would have liked, but it was a well-written story for its intended audience. I do admire how much characterization was done with so little time. It's a quick read that ends well (almost "too well", but again, it works in this context).
This is a cute little story about a close-knit Southern family in the late 1800's that deals with some heavy topics in an appropriate and mostly hopeful way. As it is a middle-grade novel, the book doesn't go as deep into the plot, themes, or characters as I would have liked, but it was a well-written story for its intended audience. I do admire how much characterization was done with so little time. It's a quick read that ends well (almost "too well", but again, it works in this context).
Iskold Sommer i Vildmarken by Mary Jane Auch
4.0
Although this is the second book of the trilogy, I've never read any of the other books in the series, and this stands on its own just fine. I read it several times when I was younger, and it held up to what I remembered on this most recent reread.
It's by no means the happiest of stories, but it is well-researched, nuanced, and does a great job showing what life during that time and in that area was like. I appreciate how she showed that the parents of the story were both flawed and that life was hard for them as well. And even though, at times, I felt like Mem was being portrayed as too strong and perfect of a protagonist, I admired her strength, perseverance, and ability to love and respect her parents, despite the issues that arose.
The ending was sad, and not my favorite way to resolve some of the story problems, but overall, it's a memorable, quick, and gripping read.
It's by no means the happiest of stories, but it is well-researched, nuanced, and does a great job showing what life during that time and in that area was like. I appreciate how she showed that the parents of the story were both flawed and that life was hard for them as well. And even though, at times, I felt like Mem was being portrayed as too strong and perfect of a protagonist, I admired her strength, perseverance, and ability to love and respect her parents, despite the issues that arose.
The ending was sad, and not my favorite way to resolve some of the story problems, but overall, it's a memorable, quick, and gripping read.
Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones
3.0
This was a random read, not usually my preferred genre, but I found it extremely interesting.
I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone due to some content (including strong, scattered language, sexual references, and morals I don't agree with), but the concept was fascinating and well-delivered. Though I was disappointed at first by the ending, the author states that her goal in writing it was to spur empathy in readers for people in similar situations in real life. And that I can respect. There are those kinds of situations that people deal with all over the world, and as I empathized with the characters, I could find myself understanding why others may act the way they do. So in that regard, the book was well-written.
Not one I'll re-read, but I do think it was worth my time.
I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone due to some content (including strong, scattered language, sexual references, and morals I don't agree with), but the concept was fascinating and well-delivered. Though I was disappointed at first by the ending, the author states that her goal in writing it was to spur empathy in readers for people in similar situations in real life. And that I can respect. There are those kinds of situations that people deal with all over the world, and as I empathized with the characters, I could find myself understanding why others may act the way they do. So in that regard, the book was well-written.
Not one I'll re-read, but I do think it was worth my time.
The Sacred Search: What If It's Not about Who You Marry, But Why? by Gary L. Thomas
5.0
I highly recommend this book for anyone either in a relationship or looking to be in one some day.
There were so many wonderful insights, conversation-starters, pieces of wisdom, and practical applications of Scripture, and I'm very glad my boyfriend (edit: now husband) and I read through it together. Though naturally any book like this should be read with discretion and plenty of prayer, I didn't come across anything concerning or heretical. Instead, I am very thankful for the lessons learned from this book!
There were so many wonderful insights, conversation-starters, pieces of wisdom, and practical applications of Scripture, and I'm very glad my boyfriend (edit: now husband) and I read through it together. Though naturally any book like this should be read with discretion and plenty of prayer, I didn't come across anything concerning or heretical. Instead, I am very thankful for the lessons learned from this book!