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moonlightcupofcocoa's Reviews (247)
informative
medium-paced
Thank you so much to Netgalley and W. W. Norton & Company for the advanced copy. As always 100% of the opinions presented in my review are my own.
This is how you write an informative, accessible and fun biography. I really enjoyed this book!
"Angelica" by Molly Beer is not only the story of Angelica Schuyler Church, the Schuyler sisters (I admit I can't help but sing that) and, of course, Alexander Hamilton. This book introduces the readers to the American revolution through the eyes of women. Women who wouldn't have the right to vote in the US till the 1920s (if my memory serves right), but (to the surprise of no one) they played major roles in the establishment of the United States of America from day one as well as helped influence and manage the diplomatic relationships of the budding country with the rest of the Europe, especially England and France.
The author did a fantastic job balancing what could've been a very dense book filled with dates and names with more personal and intimate moments of the titular Angelica. It gives much context to the lives of women living in US, England and France at the time as well as draw comparisons between their societies. This not only helped the book be very accessible but, also, painted a much fuller portrait of her. By the end of the book, I felt like I genuinely got to know her. Not just through her own words, letters and major life events, but also through the eyes of the many people around her.
This was a wonderful read that I recommend for anyone interested in US and Europe history, as well as, of course, women history.
You can also find me on: Instagram
This is how you write an informative, accessible and fun biography. I really enjoyed this book!
"Angelica" by Molly Beer is not only the story of Angelica Schuyler Church, the Schuyler sisters (I admit I can't help but sing that) and, of course, Alexander Hamilton. This book introduces the readers to the American revolution through the eyes of women. Women who wouldn't have the right to vote in the US till the 1920s (if my memory serves right), but (to the surprise of no one) they played major roles in the establishment of the United States of America from day one as well as helped influence and manage the diplomatic relationships of the budding country with the rest of the Europe, especially England and France.
The author did a fantastic job balancing what could've been a very dense book filled with dates and names with more personal and intimate moments of the titular Angelica. It gives much context to the lives of women living in US, England and France at the time as well as draw comparisons between their societies. This not only helped the book be very accessible but, also, painted a much fuller portrait of her. By the end of the book, I felt like I genuinely got to know her. Not just through her own words, letters and major life events, but also through the eyes of the many people around her.
This was a wonderful read that I recommend for anyone interested in US and Europe history, as well as, of course, women history.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, War
adventurous
emotional
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
Review coming very soon
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you to Netgalley and IPG for the advance copy! As always 100% of the thoughts below are my own.
I've always been curious about Irish folklore, but I am embarassed to confess that I don't think I've read any works by Irish authors. "Uncanny Ireland" by Maria Giakaniki is a perfect short story collection for anyone looking for poignant, uncanny tales by Irish authors from 1835 to 1990.
The book features twenty short stories by twenty different authors covering various themes, styles and subjects. What's impressive is, unlike most short story collections I've read, I liked every single included story. They were all beautifully lyrical and gothically dark. While I still enjoyed some more than other, either due to the writing style or the plot itself, all in all I found myself looking forward each night to read one of the stories and was never disappointed.
Since this is a short story collection, I will include brief notes for each of the stories and my rating for that individual story:
Evil Eye: 4
I would describe this more of an article that includes stories from various sources that describes the Evil Eye and its deadly force. It was overall very interesting, especially to someone with Egyptian roots, since I could see the similarities in our folktales and beliefs.
Unquiet Dead: 4
A tapestry of eerie oral tales and dialogue on the tongue of various people. All of them recount tales of those that linger after death. I really enjoyed the writing here despite all stories being around one paragraph or less short.
The Curse of the Fires and Shadows: 3.5
This story is set during the Irish Confederate Wars, which I only know very little about. An abbey set ablaze, brutal murders and a curse make for a grim supernatural story.
A Legend of Barlagh Cave: 3.5
This moody tale draws the readers into a tale of unrequited love and unintended consequences. A story of false hope and shattered dreams that is rich in symbolism and ambience. It continued to haunt me in the days after despite its short length.
The Monks of Saint Bride: 4.5
I was pleasantly surprised with some of the background humour in this one, but the tale itself is about a ruined monastery on All Souls’ Night and the lingering spirits of its long suffering monks. An important theme about redemption, moral reflection and humility.
The Drowned Fisherman: 4
Between the premonitions, the dialogue and the moody atmosphere, I found myself really enjoying this one despite how short it is and seeing how it would end. What starts with a gut feeling and dreams of future husbands takes a chilling turn when tragedy strikes.
A Scrap of Irish Folklore: 4
This was a short ghost story that primarily features Catholic spirituality and Irish superstition with a dose of maternal guilt. The haunting is sentimental and used as a warning against careless cursing. I enjoyed the writing especially and definitely would love to read more by Rose Mulholland.
The Strange Voice: 4
A chilling story about love beyond death and a descent to madness. This has strong gothic vibes. While maybe it doesn't offer much new when it comes to the haunting itself, it delivers it wonderfully and I genuinely enjoyed the lyrical prose and imagery.
The Wee Gray Woman: 4.5
There is something almost poetically beautiful about this tale being published posthumously. This is a tale about loss, loneliness and memory featuring a mysterious small, gray-cloaked visitor. The lyrical prose paints a quiet, almost colourless, atmosphere that potently delivers the sense of isolation. I really enjoyed this one.
Tale of the Piper: 3.5
An uncanny tale about, who else, a mysterious piper. I think it offered strong symbolism for the power of art and music. Ultimately, though, I felt it ended abruptly which, to be fair, I believe was the intention and it added to the strangeness.
The Last of Squire Ennismore: 4
A very atmospheric ghost story about an aging squire who returned to his ancestral home with a mysterious past and hidden secrets before the arrival of mysterious foreign visitors haunt him and his estate. It is hard for me to quite pinpoint the themes, but I got a strong sense of perhaps guilt and payback for one's vice and greed. There is an undercurrent of imbalance or unjust power and wealth decaying with time.
The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh: 4.5
A deliciously eerie gothic tale with strong themes of isolation and tormented souls. How far would one's ambition drive him? It offers accounts of a man that met his death under inexplicable circumstances. The ambiguity fuels the eeriness. I reread it twice because I enjoyed its delivery.
Watcher o' the Dead: 4.5
A haunting, melancholic story set in a remote cottage following a mask tasked with a ritual to watch over the dead through the night. With strong themes of accepting one's fate, keeping promises and facing mortality, this one hit deep for me.
The Sea's Dead: 4
After the death of her beloved husband, Moya Labella, an outcast young woman meets a mysterious fate. Her community believe they have learned her origins. It presents strong themes of nature's duality with a dose of grief and mourning.
Julia Cahill's Curse: 3.5
I am not sure if I can call this a supernatural story per se as it's more of symbolism for prejudices and loneliness. A tale told by a young priest who wishes to convince the priests of nearby parishes to assist him in establishing looms. Instead, he finds himself discovering more about the parish's scandals and a supposed curse.
The Return of Niav: 4.5
If you're familiar and interested with fae folkore, this is perfectly it. A single mother describes an encounter she and her daughter had with Niav, a changeling, that enchanted them both. The execution was wonderful sending a shiver down my spine. If you're looking for unsettling nature and a gothic cottagecore (is that a thing?), this would be perfect for it.
The Back Drawing-Room: 4.5
At an artistocratic party, the guests start to tell ghost stories. An unknown guest relates his own experience in the Irish countryside. I will say that the author mixes social commentary and some humour with the ghost story. The story itself is very short but ambient enough to deliver. The highlight for me was the characterization of the guests. Even though you know very little about them, they felt unique and lively. At least to me, they were memorable.
The Raising of Elvira Tremlett: 4.5
In this slowly unfolding unsettling modern story, a family's long-buried secrets are resurfaced. It's unclear if the haunting is by ghosts or shadows of the family's fears and dark memories. It explores how our imagnation and escapism can both protect and imprison us. I think a good description for this one is it's psychological gothic.
Encounter At Night: 4
A very short moody nighttime story that follows a chance meeting between the main character and a violent stranger. Despite, or perhaps because of, its short length, the story left me feeling uneasy after it was over. Strong themes of isolation and fear are potent in the quiet build up and continue to linger after the last paragraph.
A Ghost Story: 5
This was one of my favourite stories in the collection. Narrated by a newlywed man (a very questionable man, in my opinion) as he reflects on his first home with his wife. As the couple settles in the new home, uncanny events being to unfold. The social commentary intermixes with 'Haunted House' elements which ultimately meant a fun time for me. My only complaint was I wished it was longer.
You can also find me on: Instagram
I've always been curious about Irish folklore, but I am embarassed to confess that I don't think I've read any works by Irish authors. "Uncanny Ireland" by Maria Giakaniki is a perfect short story collection for anyone looking for poignant, uncanny tales by Irish authors from 1835 to 1990.
The book features twenty short stories by twenty different authors covering various themes, styles and subjects. What's impressive is, unlike most short story collections I've read, I liked every single included story. They were all beautifully lyrical and gothically dark. While I still enjoyed some more than other, either due to the writing style or the plot itself, all in all I found myself looking forward each night to read one of the stories and was never disappointed.
Since this is a short story collection, I will include brief notes for each of the stories and my rating for that individual story:
Evil Eye: 4
I would describe this more of an article that includes stories from various sources that describes the Evil Eye and its deadly force. It was overall very interesting, especially to someone with Egyptian roots, since I could see the similarities in our folktales and beliefs.
Unquiet Dead: 4
A tapestry of eerie oral tales and dialogue on the tongue of various people. All of them recount tales of those that linger after death. I really enjoyed the writing here despite all stories being around one paragraph or less short.
The Curse of the Fires and Shadows: 3.5
This story is set during the Irish Confederate Wars, which I only know very little about. An abbey set ablaze, brutal murders and a curse make for a grim supernatural story.
A Legend of Barlagh Cave: 3.5
This moody tale draws the readers into a tale of unrequited love and unintended consequences. A story of false hope and shattered dreams that is rich in symbolism and ambience. It continued to haunt me in the days after despite its short length.
The Monks of Saint Bride: 4.5
I was pleasantly surprised with some of the background humour in this one, but the tale itself is about a ruined monastery on All Souls’ Night and the lingering spirits of its long suffering monks. An important theme about redemption, moral reflection and humility.
The Drowned Fisherman: 4
Between the premonitions, the dialogue and the moody atmosphere, I found myself really enjoying this one despite how short it is and seeing how it would end. What starts with a gut feeling and dreams of future husbands takes a chilling turn when tragedy strikes.
A Scrap of Irish Folklore: 4
This was a short ghost story that primarily features Catholic spirituality and Irish superstition with a dose of maternal guilt. The haunting is sentimental and used as a warning against careless cursing. I enjoyed the writing especially and definitely would love to read more by Rose Mulholland.
The Strange Voice: 4
A chilling story about love beyond death and a descent to madness. This has strong gothic vibes. While maybe it doesn't offer much new when it comes to the haunting itself, it delivers it wonderfully and I genuinely enjoyed the lyrical prose and imagery.
The Wee Gray Woman: 4.5
There is something almost poetically beautiful about this tale being published posthumously. This is a tale about loss, loneliness and memory featuring a mysterious small, gray-cloaked visitor. The lyrical prose paints a quiet, almost colourless, atmosphere that potently delivers the sense of isolation. I really enjoyed this one.
Tale of the Piper: 3.5
An uncanny tale about, who else, a mysterious piper. I think it offered strong symbolism for the power of art and music. Ultimately, though, I felt it ended abruptly which, to be fair, I believe was the intention and it added to the strangeness.
The Last of Squire Ennismore: 4
A very atmospheric ghost story about an aging squire who returned to his ancestral home with a mysterious past and hidden secrets before the arrival of mysterious foreign visitors haunt him and his estate. It is hard for me to quite pinpoint the themes, but I got a strong sense of perhaps guilt and payback for one's vice and greed. There is an undercurrent of imbalance or unjust power and wealth decaying with time.
The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh: 4.5
A deliciously eerie gothic tale with strong themes of isolation and tormented souls. How far would one's ambition drive him? It offers accounts of a man that met his death under inexplicable circumstances. The ambiguity fuels the eeriness. I reread it twice because I enjoyed its delivery.
Watcher o' the Dead: 4.5
A haunting, melancholic story set in a remote cottage following a mask tasked with a ritual to watch over the dead through the night. With strong themes of accepting one's fate, keeping promises and facing mortality, this one hit deep for me.
The Sea's Dead: 4
After the death of her beloved husband, Moya Labella, an outcast young woman meets a mysterious fate. Her community believe they have learned her origins. It presents strong themes of nature's duality with a dose of grief and mourning.
Julia Cahill's Curse: 3.5
I am not sure if I can call this a supernatural story per se as it's more of symbolism for prejudices and loneliness. A tale told by a young priest who wishes to convince the priests of nearby parishes to assist him in establishing looms. Instead, he finds himself discovering more about the parish's scandals and a supposed curse.
The Return of Niav: 4.5
If you're familiar and interested with fae folkore, this is perfectly it. A single mother describes an encounter she and her daughter had with Niav, a changeling, that enchanted them both. The execution was wonderful sending a shiver down my spine. If you're looking for unsettling nature and a gothic cottagecore (is that a thing?), this would be perfect for it.
The Back Drawing-Room: 4.5
At an artistocratic party, the guests start to tell ghost stories. An unknown guest relates his own experience in the Irish countryside. I will say that the author mixes social commentary and some humour with the ghost story. The story itself is very short but ambient enough to deliver. The highlight for me was the characterization of the guests. Even though you know very little about them, they felt unique and lively. At least to me, they were memorable.
The Raising of Elvira Tremlett: 4.5
In this slowly unfolding unsettling modern story, a family's long-buried secrets are resurfaced. It's unclear if the haunting is by ghosts or shadows of the family's fears and dark memories. It explores how our imagnation and escapism can both protect and imprison us. I think a good description for this one is it's psychological gothic.
Encounter At Night: 4
A very short moody nighttime story that follows a chance meeting between the main character and a violent stranger. Despite, or perhaps because of, its short length, the story left me feeling uneasy after it was over. Strong themes of isolation and fear are potent in the quiet build up and continue to linger after the last paragraph.
A Ghost Story: 5
This was one of my favourite stories in the collection. Narrated by a newlywed man (a very questionable man, in my opinion) as he reflects on his first home with his wife. As the couple settles in the new home, uncanny events being to unfold. The social commentary intermixes with 'Haunted House' elements which ultimately meant a fun time for me. My only complaint was I wished it was longer.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent
Minor: Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail
Tudor Princes and Princesses: The Early Lives of the Children of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York
informative
medium-paced
Thank you so much to Pen & Sword and Netgalley for the advanced copy! As always all opinions shared below are 100% my own.
I've only recently started digging into Tudor history so this book had the perfect timing. "Tudor Princes and Princesses" is a well-researched book detailing the lives of each of the children of Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York.
Through the chapters, we're introduced to the world those princes and princesses were brought up in, the influences that shaped their personalities and life decisions as well as what their lives led them to later as adults. The authors does a great job presenting all this information in an organized manner while still being very accessible.
I especially appreciated that the author didn't ignore the 'side' characters in the royal children's lives as these people not only shaped them growing up, but often continued to play important parts in their lives. The book also did a good job providing nuanced explanations to some of Henry Tudor's actions especially which helped paint a more complete picture of him.
All in all, this is a perfect read for someone new to Tudor history like me, but also a fun read for history lovers in general. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
You can also find me on: Instagram
I've only recently started digging into Tudor history so this book had the perfect timing. "Tudor Princes and Princesses" is a well-researched book detailing the lives of each of the children of Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York.
Through the chapters, we're introduced to the world those princes and princesses were brought up in, the influences that shaped their personalities and life decisions as well as what their lives led them to later as adults. The authors does a great job presenting all this information in an organized manner while still being very accessible.
I especially appreciated that the author didn't ignore the 'side' characters in the royal children's lives as these people not only shaped them growing up, but often continued to play important parts in their lives. The book also did a good job providing nuanced explanations to some of Henry Tudor's actions especially which helped paint a more complete picture of him.
All in all, this is a perfect read for someone new to Tudor history like me, but also a fun read for history lovers in general. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Pregnancy, War
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Always a fun time with Percy Jackson. A great introduction to Greek mythology for young teens.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, War
adventurous
dark
funny
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
This book was supposed to be perfect for me. Literary horror set in the Victorian era with social commentary! Yet, somehow, I found myself underwhelmed.
The book features Winifred Notty, the new governess at Ensor House. We quickly realize that she's no ordinary governess and there is something much darker hiding within.
Don't get me wrong. I really liked the witty writing. You will find many quotes that will stick with you. For example:
"'Drusilla's education shall be less rigorous, of course,' says Mr. Pounds. 'She is now of an age when she risks her fertility from the ravages of overeducation. Says so in the Times.'
I interpret this to mean Drusilla will be doing much ornamental needlework."
Unfortunately, the book's portrayal of the mental condition felt exaggerated and unrealistic, possibly due to insufficient research or an attempt to be provocative. The symptoms could be an amalgamation of several conditions mixed up which reads like Hollywood sensationalization. Think American Psycho but make it Victorian.
Characters lacked depth, making them predictable and one-dimensional. Since the book is written in Notty's POV, I couldn't help but wonder if we're supposed to think that, because she's such an unreliable narrator liable to shock the listener, a lot of this is an exaggeration of what happened. But even then, unfortunately we're still left with a reading experience that, to me as I only speak for myself, lacked depth that would have made this much more interesting.
I will say that listening to it as an audiobook added weight to the eeriness. The narrator, Anna Burnett, did such a great job voicing Notty delivering it all perfectly! She was one of the highlights for me.
All in all, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to. But I did enjoy the lyrical writing so I do wish to read more from the author, just not about this subject matter. I would recommend listening to the audiobook for a quick, dark book, keeping in mind the potential lack of accuracy.
The book features Winifred Notty, the new governess at Ensor House. We quickly realize that she's no ordinary governess and there is something much darker hiding within.
Don't get me wrong. I really liked the witty writing. You will find many quotes that will stick with you. For example:
"'Drusilla's education shall be less rigorous, of course,' says Mr. Pounds. 'She is now of an age when she risks her fertility from the ravages of overeducation. Says so in the Times.'
I interpret this to mean Drusilla will be doing much ornamental needlework."
Unfortunately, the book's portrayal of the mental condition felt exaggerated and unrealistic, possibly due to insufficient research or an attempt to be provocative. The symptoms could be an amalgamation of several conditions mixed up which reads like Hollywood sensationalization. Think American Psycho but make it Victorian.
Characters lacked depth, making them predictable and one-dimensional. Since the book is written in Notty's POV, I couldn't help but wonder if we're supposed to think that, because she's such an unreliable narrator liable to shock the listener, a lot of this is an exaggeration of what happened. But even then, unfortunately we're still left with a reading experience that, to me as I only speak for myself, lacked depth that would have made this much more interesting.
I will say that listening to it as an audiobook added weight to the eeriness. The narrator, Anna Burnett, did such a great job voicing Notty delivering it all perfectly! She was one of the highlights for me.
All in all, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to. But I did enjoy the lyrical writing so I do wish to read more from the author, just not about this subject matter. I would recommend listening to the audiobook for a quick, dark book, keeping in mind the potential lack of accuracy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Abandonment
informative
medium-paced
First things first, thank you to Pen and Sword and Netgalley for the advance copy! As usual, all opinions shared are 100% my own.
On my quest to learn more about England's monarchs, I am glad to have come across this book. "Charles II: From the Cradle to the Crown" by Claire Hobson is a well-research, deeply detailed exploration of Charles II's first thirty years. From his birth, passing through his childhood and education and his exile all the way to regaining the crown, the book does a great job at introducing someone like me, who knew very little about the English Civil War, while still maintaining focus of Charles II and his formative years.
While the book covers quite a lot of details, dates and names, it still found the space and time to provide personal moments from Charles II's life that brought him a lot more to life. Things like his favourite piece of wood as a child to him boring listeners with his stories later. Small moments like that spread throughout the book not only made me appreciate the extent of the author's research but also made the read itself more enjoyable.
I admit that I may not have retained all the political details and the battles, but it's just a sign that I must revisit the book later for them to stick. That being said, since I read the book to learn about the influences that shaped the 'Merry Monarch', I will say that the mission was accomplished.
If you're looking for a detailed exploration of the first thirty years of Charles II's life, his mistresses, his exile and the politics of the English Civil War, look no further.
You can also find me on: Instagram
On my quest to learn more about England's monarchs, I am glad to have come across this book. "Charles II: From the Cradle to the Crown" by Claire Hobson is a well-research, deeply detailed exploration of Charles II's first thirty years. From his birth, passing through his childhood and education and his exile all the way to regaining the crown, the book does a great job at introducing someone like me, who knew very little about the English Civil War, while still maintaining focus of Charles II and his formative years.
While the book covers quite a lot of details, dates and names, it still found the space and time to provide personal moments from Charles II's life that brought him a lot more to life. Things like his favourite piece of wood as a child to him boring listeners with his stories later. Small moments like that spread throughout the book not only made me appreciate the extent of the author's research but also made the read itself more enjoyable.
I admit that I may not have retained all the political details and the battles, but it's just a sign that I must revisit the book later for them to stick. That being said, since I read the book to learn about the influences that shaped the 'Merry Monarch', I will say that the mission was accomplished.
If you're looking for a detailed exploration of the first thirty years of Charles II's life, his mistresses, his exile and the politics of the English Civil War, look no further.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, War
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First things first, thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the advance copy! As usual, all opinions shared are 100% my own.
While I love reading about the regency era as well as mystery novels, I often find myself not enjoying most of the regency mystery novels that I read. There is always either too much focus on romance at the expense of the mystery, too little historical accuracy, forgettable characters, etc. Then, I picked up 'A Most Agreeable Murder' last year on a whim. And, it was immediately one of my favourite reads of the year. It was a no brainer, then, that I'd be excited about the sequel.
"A Terribly Nasty Business" by Julia Seales is the perfect sequel to the first book. Beatrice Steele is living her dream life in London after accepting Inspector Vivek Drake's partnership proposal. And, yet, nothing is as she hoped it'd be. They have no meaningful cases to work on, she must still sneak her way around to spend time on the few cases they do have and her family's financial state keeps going from bad to worse. But what happens when they are asked to investigate a case involving the star opera performer? Surely, nothing could go wrong.
This sequel took everything I enjoyed about the first book and made it even better. Higher stakes, entangled secrets, grander settings and even more ridiculously fun details that *still* somehow end up being relevant and useful.
We still get the 'paper clippings' at the end of each chapter. Be it letters, notes exchanged between characters, announcements or newspaper clippings, they are fun to read and actually help move the plot along. I always found myself looking forward to them.
While we still get some appearances from the characters in the first book, we are introduced to new ones that I found equally fun and memorable. There are enough nods throughout the plot to make me recommend reading the first book before digging into the sequel. You'd just have a much more fun experience that way.
Something that I admire about this series is while the book doesn't take itself too seriously, and at times it may break historical accuracy for the sake of fun, the mystery being solved is legit. It does have twists and turns along the way to keep the reader on their toes, but you *can* solve the mystery yourself. The clues make sense. The smallest detail from the beginning of the book could, and often does, become relevant later on. This makes it a very satisfying read.
The mystery is not a prop for the romance. Yes, there is a romance (a slow burn that I am actually enjoying), but while it does give us some swoonworthy moments, it does not steal the spotlight from the mystery. I've always hated it when I pick up a period mystery only to realize every scene is just a vehicle to further the romance, so you have no idea how much I appreciated this.
While I've gone on and on about the things I loved here, and while I know that the humour is subjective and what I enjoy may not be for everyone else, the reason I am giving this book five stars is because I genuinely enjoyed it. I found myself reaching out for it any minute I got. I remembered random funny quotes during work meetings. And I felt somewhat sad when it was over.
Now I will wait patiently for the next one. Especially after that very last letter.
You can also find me on: Instagram
While I love reading about the regency era as well as mystery novels, I often find myself not enjoying most of the regency mystery novels that I read. There is always either too much focus on romance at the expense of the mystery, too little historical accuracy, forgettable characters, etc. Then, I picked up 'A Most Agreeable Murder' last year on a whim. And, it was immediately one of my favourite reads of the year. It was a no brainer, then, that I'd be excited about the sequel.
"A Terribly Nasty Business" by Julia Seales is the perfect sequel to the first book. Beatrice Steele is living her dream life in London after accepting Inspector Vivek Drake's partnership proposal. And, yet, nothing is as she hoped it'd be. They have no meaningful cases to work on, she must still sneak her way around to spend time on the few cases they do have and her family's financial state keeps going from bad to worse. But what happens when they are asked to investigate a case involving the star opera performer? Surely, nothing could go wrong.
This sequel took everything I enjoyed about the first book and made it even better. Higher stakes, entangled secrets, grander settings and even more ridiculously fun details that *still* somehow end up being relevant and useful.
We still get the 'paper clippings' at the end of each chapter. Be it letters, notes exchanged between characters, announcements or newspaper clippings, they are fun to read and actually help move the plot along. I always found myself looking forward to them.
While we still get some appearances from the characters in the first book, we are introduced to new ones that I found equally fun and memorable. There are enough nods throughout the plot to make me recommend reading the first book before digging into the sequel. You'd just have a much more fun experience that way.
Something that I admire about this series is while the book doesn't take itself too seriously, and at times it may break historical accuracy for the sake of fun, the mystery being solved is legit. It does have twists and turns along the way to keep the reader on their toes, but you *can* solve the mystery yourself. The clues make sense. The smallest detail from the beginning of the book could, and often does, become relevant later on. This makes it a very satisfying read.
The mystery is not a prop for the romance. Yes, there is a romance (a slow burn that I am actually enjoying), but while it does give us some swoonworthy moments, it does not steal the spotlight from the mystery. I've always hated it when I pick up a period mystery only to realize every scene is just a vehicle to further the romance, so you have no idea how much I appreciated this.
While I've gone on and on about the things I loved here, and while I know that the humour is subjective and what I enjoy may not be for everyone else, the reason I am giving this book five stars is because I genuinely enjoyed it. I found myself reaching out for it any minute I got. I remembered random funny quotes during work meetings. And I felt somewhat sad when it was over.
Now I will wait patiently for the next one. Especially after that very last letter.
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Blood
informative
medium-paced
Thank you to Pen and Sword and Netgalley for the advance copy! As always all opinions are 100% my own.
I adored "Raising the Tudors" by Stephanie Kline. Its no secret that I love learning about women's history, so obviously this was right up my alley.
The book covers everything, and I mean, everything you may need to know about motherhood in the tudor era. While there are sections about the parenting phase, the book start much earlier and ends well beyond.
We start the journey from the very beginning. No, not the pregnancy. Even before that.
We start with a general understanding of how the tudors approached women health and fertility, then, cover marriage and the marital duties. For pregnancy, the book covers everything from finding out about the little tudor growing in the womb all the way to feeding it 'goats' claws dredged in powder, either crushed into a drink or consumed in pottage'.
Fear not, for the book, then, follows the growing tudor from infancy to adulthood as their mother now turns into a grandmother.
Every time I told myself I would sit down for a page or two, I find myself having read 20 or more. It's very accessible and comprehensive.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for anyone interested in women history or the tudor era!
You can also find me on: Instagram
I adored "Raising the Tudors" by Stephanie Kline. Its no secret that I love learning about women's history, so obviously this was right up my alley.
The book covers everything, and I mean, everything you may need to know about motherhood in the tudor era. While there are sections about the parenting phase, the book start much earlier and ends well beyond.
We start the journey from the very beginning. No, not the pregnancy. Even before that.
We start with a general understanding of how the tudors approached women health and fertility, then, cover marriage and the marital duties. For pregnancy, the book covers everything from finding out about the little tudor growing in the womb all the way to feeding it 'goats' claws dredged in powder, either crushed into a drink or consumed in pottage'.
Fear not, for the book, then, follows the growing tudor from infancy to adulthood as their mother now turns into a grandmother.
Every time I told myself I would sit down for a page or two, I find myself having read 20 or more. It's very accessible and comprehensive.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for anyone interested in women history or the tudor era!
You can also find me on: Instagram
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Special thank you to Abrams Fanfare and Netgalley for the copy! All opinions shared are 100% my own.
I absolutely adored this!
I approached this not having read the original books. Alanna and her adventure were brand new to me and I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that the cover was gorgeous and I was feeling the itch for a new graphic novel. While I have read both graphic novels and mangas all my life, I am very picky. It takes a lot for me to not only enjoy the story and remember it beyond the last page, but also, if I don't enjoy the art, I will quit reading pretty quickly.
Song of the Lioness Graphic Novel has everything. Fun characters with an especially relatable protagonist, great pacing, wonderful art and, all in all, such an overall fun journey for Book One. I admit I was a bit concerned that I'd lose interest during the lull of training, but I was very pleasantly surprised to find out I never hit that lull. The book hit the perfect balance of keeping things moving forward, while exploring the characters and digging deeper into them making the whole experience realistic and believable.
While the original books, and the graphic novel, target younger audiences (I would say YA), as an adult who'd never even read the original series, I found myself looking forward to reading more pages and feeling somewhat sad when I reached the end. I really cannot wait for the next book!
You can also find me on: Instagram
I absolutely adored this!
I approached this not having read the original books. Alanna and her adventure were brand new to me and I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that the cover was gorgeous and I was feeling the itch for a new graphic novel. While I have read both graphic novels and mangas all my life, I am very picky. It takes a lot for me to not only enjoy the story and remember it beyond the last page, but also, if I don't enjoy the art, I will quit reading pretty quickly.
Song of the Lioness Graphic Novel has everything. Fun characters with an especially relatable protagonist, great pacing, wonderful art and, all in all, such an overall fun journey for Book One. I admit I was a bit concerned that I'd lose interest during the lull of training, but I was very pleasantly surprised to find out I never hit that lull. The book hit the perfect balance of keeping things moving forward, while exploring the characters and digging deeper into them making the whole experience realistic and believable.
While the original books, and the graphic novel, target younger audiences (I would say YA), as an adult who'd never even read the original series, I found myself looking forward to reading more pages and feeling somewhat sad when I reached the end. I really cannot wait for the next book!
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Terminal illness