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The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think this series has achieved an almost cult-like status on social media and I got curious as to why.
Pumpkin Spice Café is a sweet contemporary romance with a teeny amount of spice between our leading couple farmer Logan, and new arrival and café owner, Jeannie. Reading it as the autumn rain came down and winds blew had me feeling that same contentment you get with a Hallmark movie. You know without a doubt the two are going to be a 'happy ever after', but there's that journey you have to go on with them that have you swept away into the picturesque New England town of Dream Harbour.
I would happily live there given the dreamy (excuse the pun) sounding stores, nosy neighbours and community spirit. It sounds like every small town where everyone knows everyone and there are little problems and who wouldn't welcome that these days?
This is a perfect book for the lover of boy meets girl, and they're the missing pieces to one another. I understand just why romance readers seem to love it because it's got everything to sweep you away from the cold nights and stormy skies.
Pumpkin Spice Café is a sweet contemporary romance with a teeny amount of spice between our leading couple farmer Logan, and new arrival and café owner, Jeannie. Reading it as the autumn rain came down and winds blew had me feeling that same contentment you get with a Hallmark movie. You know without a doubt the two are going to be a 'happy ever after', but there's that journey you have to go on with them that have you swept away into the picturesque New England town of Dream Harbour.
I would happily live there given the dreamy (excuse the pun) sounding stores, nosy neighbours and community spirit. It sounds like every small town where everyone knows everyone and there are little problems and who wouldn't welcome that these days?
This is a perfect book for the lover of boy meets girl, and they're the missing pieces to one another. I understand just why romance readers seem to love it because it's got everything to sweep you away from the cold nights and stormy skies.
All The Gear, No Idea! Book Two by Allison Lee
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Book two brings us pretty much up to date with a new house that's well, 333 years old? There's problems ahead here too - and I loved how honest Lee was with the realities faced with a full renovation on their hands along with new animals and their needs.
Allison Lee has shared her journey in both of these books with a frankness that is to be admired. I felt her joys and her sorrows. Admired her strengths and weaknesses too as she and her husband navigate the life they want when so much is thrust against them. I have a feeling book three will be the same testament to the strength of their love, commitment and desire to see their beloved animals safe.
I just hope not to cry as much as I did on the third chapter, as that pain is one which is hard to recover from.
Allison Lee has shared her journey in both of these books with a frankness that is to be admired. I felt her joys and her sorrows. Admired her strengths and weaknesses too as she and her husband navigate the life they want when so much is thrust against them. I have a feeling book three will be the same testament to the strength of their love, commitment and desire to see their beloved animals safe.
I just hope not to cry as much as I did on the third chapter, as that pain is one which is hard to recover from.
All The Gear, No Idea!: Book One by Allison Lee
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Lee doesn't hold back from the realities of their decision to live the dream many would like to do but the realities can often be so overwhelming to begin with. I was in awe of their joint strength to handle such an acclimatisation to rural and somewhat isolated life as their dream coincided with the world-wide arrival of Covid-19. Although admittedly, I would have welcomed acres of land when facing 24 hours a day with two children who were bored out of their wits!
The journey of the last few years is one to commend them both for, and I love how Lee shared the good, bad and often ugly realities of smallholding. Her love for animals from beloved pets, to overly eager equines and fluffy and adorable sheep shines through from the page, as was her desire to learn to care for those animals whose lives she was entrusted to care for.
Book one has them leaving the familiar and facing the harsh realities of having one's heart outweigh one's mind as mistakes a-plenty unfold. With dreams of barn renovations and animals to care for, I found Allison's exuberance for life one to admire and I couldn't help but smile at Mark's contentment to just see his wife happy along with the no doubt childhood dream of owning a tractor being realised!
There's many battles for the couple as dream versus reality are faced. From council's being stubborn, trespassers being unruly with yoga proving it really isn't living up to expectations and animals being well… animals? All The Gear, No Idea!: Book One had me wondering how patient this couple could be. I'd have curled up by the log fire and cried - all forced trespassers back out to retrieve their bottles and wrappers!
The journey of the last few years is one to commend them both for, and I love how Lee shared the good, bad and often ugly realities of smallholding. Her love for animals from beloved pets, to overly eager equines and fluffy and adorable sheep shines through from the page, as was her desire to learn to care for those animals whose lives she was entrusted to care for.
Book one has them leaving the familiar and facing the harsh realities of having one's heart outweigh one's mind as mistakes a-plenty unfold. With dreams of barn renovations and animals to care for, I found Allison's exuberance for life one to admire and I couldn't help but smile at Mark's contentment to just see his wife happy along with the no doubt childhood dream of owning a tractor being realised!
There's many battles for the couple as dream versus reality are faced. From council's being stubborn, trespassers being unruly with yoga proving it really isn't living up to expectations and animals being well… animals? All The Gear, No Idea!: Book One had me wondering how patient this couple could be. I'd have curled up by the log fire and cried - all forced trespassers back out to retrieve their bottles and wrappers!
Logan by Karin Winter
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Logan is book one in Karin Winter's The Valeur Billionaires series which is a contemporary billionaire series focusing on the Valeur brothers.
I loved this book, especially Sloane Harris. She's our talented genius which I love and found her whole personality and ability to be strong and also vulnerable at times. She's the opposite in so many ways to the first Valeur brother who's our leading man; Logan. He is very similar to Sloane because they're both so very focused on their work, but he's also extremely introverted and withdrawn whilst Sloane comes across as being a lot more social. I wanted to reach into the page and give Logan a hug and perhaps pep talk, though he'd no doubt hate every second of it. Then again, he's known as The Dark Lord so there's that.
Their chemistry is off the scale, and Karin Winter's writing has these two unwitting lovebirds and the spice is strong. However, it feels natural and real from the page… I do love the fake dating that the two engage it, and there's moments that had me giggling just as often as there might be a blush to my cheeks.
If you're after a new spicy romance, with a strong female lead and a gentleman who can forget his manners when confronted with temptation? Then I'd suggest The Valeur Billionaires.
I loved this book, especially Sloane Harris. She's our talented genius which I love and found her whole personality and ability to be strong and also vulnerable at times. She's the opposite in so many ways to the first Valeur brother who's our leading man; Logan. He is very similar to Sloane because they're both so very focused on their work, but he's also extremely introverted and withdrawn whilst Sloane comes across as being a lot more social. I wanted to reach into the page and give Logan a hug and perhaps pep talk, though he'd no doubt hate every second of it. Then again, he's known as The Dark Lord so there's that.
Their chemistry is off the scale, and Karin Winter's writing has these two unwitting lovebirds and the spice is strong. However, it feels natural and real from the page… I do love the fake dating that the two engage it, and there's moments that had me giggling just as often as there might be a blush to my cheeks.
If you're after a new spicy romance, with a strong female lead and a gentleman who can forget his manners when confronted with temptation? Then I'd suggest The Valeur Billionaires.
The Society for Soulless Girls by Laura Steven
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'd seen The Society for Soulless Girls be described as a Jekyll and Hyde retelling so I was immediately curious. That book has had a hold on me since I was a pre-teen and I've always hoped for something to have that same grass on me. With the promise that there would be the gothic elements that come from books of that era, alongside supernatural? I curled up with a steaming cuppa and dove in.
Carvell Academy is wonderfully described and there's a sinister feeling that is both alluring and unsettling about the school that will indeed draw the reader in as we alongside our main protagonist Lottie seek out the truth amongst the secrets and lies that surround the reasoning for the school's closure. Lottie is a breath of fresh air in the unsettling darkness of the world we're in and I do like how resilient she is in the face of so much adversity and how she's the polar opposite to Alice, her roommate and resident goth of the school. Both girls have a history that has them both victims in different ways and their desire to survive all that's thrust upon them and it's what also keeps them going. I think many readers will be split in their loyalty to one or another but I confess to loving them both, but Alice does seem like she'd be quite at home as a member of The Addams Family.
The atmospherics throughout the book will keep you on edge, and there's that feeling you get watching horror movies that have you feeling very unsettled as you wait for something else to go wrong Laura Steven successfully keeps the suspense going throughout The Society for Soulless Girls. (Something that often has me very anxious as I'm not happy to be frightened and despise horror movies!)
What unfortunately let the book down to me is despite excellent characters and the wonderful, vivid and classically gothic setting. Was the plot of the mystery itself, not the way it was woven but how the pacing went. At times I felt as if it was dragging on too long and I was becoming disenchanted at other times; then as it was brought together it made me feel a little frustrated and wanting… more. (Not quite sure what it would be but that unsettled feeling you get when you know something isn't right but the why isn't evident.)
I still think this is a really good book, and I love how descriptive and beautifully written this book was. I think my issue was how excited I was at the prospect of a firm favourite getting a new look and it didn't quite match my somewhat high expectations.
Carvell Academy is wonderfully described and there's a sinister feeling that is both alluring and unsettling about the school that will indeed draw the reader in as we alongside our main protagonist Lottie seek out the truth amongst the secrets and lies that surround the reasoning for the school's closure. Lottie is a breath of fresh air in the unsettling darkness of the world we're in and I do like how resilient she is in the face of so much adversity and how she's the polar opposite to Alice, her roommate and resident goth of the school. Both girls have a history that has them both victims in different ways and their desire to survive all that's thrust upon them and it's what also keeps them going. I think many readers will be split in their loyalty to one or another but I confess to loving them both, but Alice does seem like she'd be quite at home as a member of The Addams Family.
The atmospherics throughout the book will keep you on edge, and there's that feeling you get watching horror movies that have you feeling very unsettled as you wait for something else to go wrong Laura Steven successfully keeps the suspense going throughout The Society for Soulless Girls. (Something that often has me very anxious as I'm not happy to be frightened and despise horror movies!)
What unfortunately let the book down to me is despite excellent characters and the wonderful, vivid and classically gothic setting. Was the plot of the mystery itself, not the way it was woven but how the pacing went. At times I felt as if it was dragging on too long and I was becoming disenchanted at other times; then as it was brought together it made me feel a little frustrated and wanting… more. (Not quite sure what it would be but that unsettled feeling you get when you know something isn't right but the why isn't evident.)
I still think this is a really good book, and I love how descriptive and beautifully written this book was. I think my issue was how excited I was at the prospect of a firm favourite getting a new look and it didn't quite match my somewhat high expectations.
A Monsoon Rising: A Novel by Thea Guanzon
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I read Hurricane Wars, I knew that Thea Guanzon would become a firm favourite and auto-buy author because their wiring was simply that good. Creating not only a new fantasy world but the mechanisms that go along with it is no mean feat.
When I read Hurricane Wars, I knew that Thea Guanzon would become a firm favourite and auto-buy author because their wiring was simply that good. Creating not only a new fantasy world but the mechanisms that go along with it is no mean feat.
A Monsoon Rising is the second electrifying book in the series and is another masterpiece. This is a tale filled with political intrigue, breathtaking magic and the romantic tension between our dark prince and master of the Shadowforged Legion in Alaric and our wary princess, and Lightweaver, Talasyn.
The way we are brought back to the world is so organically done that you are thrust back into the political turmoil and aftermath of Talasyn and Alaric’s alliance with their forced marriage and the long-lasting hatred and distrust between their respective nations all against the backdrop of an impending magical catastrophe.
☆☆☆
“Will you stand with me against my enemies and help me build my empire?” “I will,” Talasyn said over a racing heartbeat, through the chill of the knowledge that she was lying.
He placed the crown upon her head.
☆☆☆
Until I was lost to the book, I had forgotten just how much I had loved the way Alaric and Talasyn. They're both struggling with the weight upon their shoulders from their respective families and nations, alongside the way the two attempt to fight the chemistry that was there in The Hurricane Wars. From pawns to two dynasties to them finding a connection and chemistry that compliments their growing respect feels so real and I loved watching the two develop a natural, strong partnership.
What shines throughout A Monsoon Rising is not only the characters and their many stories but the phenomenal world-building and attention to detail that Thea Guanzon brings to the page. The love that the author has for her country of the Philippines and South Asia is evident from the vibrant description of the world we're in throughout the series, but also how the mythology and culture from her heritage play a part in A Monsoon Rising. The storytelling would falter greatly without this attention to detail and obvious love for the story.
This is a sequel that adds to The Hurricane Wars, it has drama and tension rippling throughout the pages and I loved every moment of it. Even those that stole my breath.. I haven't loved a book as much as I have A Monsoon Rising in a while and it had me wondering as each page came to an end what else Alaric and Talasyn could experience and endure. I really enjoyed how much character development there is - especially Talasyn who is the resident sceptic. Thea Guanzon has given us a book that will be loved, and have us craving the third because just like a Monsoon and a Hurricane? Devastation comes out of nowhere and recovery takes time to be completed properly.
When I read Hurricane Wars, I knew that Thea Guanzon would become a firm favourite and auto-buy author because their wiring was simply that good. Creating not only a new fantasy world but the mechanisms that go along with it is no mean feat.
A Monsoon Rising is the second electrifying book in the series and is another masterpiece. This is a tale filled with political intrigue, breathtaking magic and the romantic tension between our dark prince and master of the Shadowforged Legion in Alaric and our wary princess, and Lightweaver, Talasyn.
The way we are brought back to the world is so organically done that you are thrust back into the political turmoil and aftermath of Talasyn and Alaric’s alliance with their forced marriage and the long-lasting hatred and distrust between their respective nations all against the backdrop of an impending magical catastrophe.
☆☆☆
“Will you stand with me against my enemies and help me build my empire?” “I will,” Talasyn said over a racing heartbeat, through the chill of the knowledge that she was lying.
He placed the crown upon her head.
☆☆☆
Until I was lost to the book, I had forgotten just how much I had loved the way Alaric and Talasyn. They're both struggling with the weight upon their shoulders from their respective families and nations, alongside the way the two attempt to fight the chemistry that was there in The Hurricane Wars. From pawns to two dynasties to them finding a connection and chemistry that compliments their growing respect feels so real and I loved watching the two develop a natural, strong partnership.
What shines throughout A Monsoon Rising is not only the characters and their many stories but the phenomenal world-building and attention to detail that Thea Guanzon brings to the page. The love that the author has for her country of the Philippines and South Asia is evident from the vibrant description of the world we're in throughout the series, but also how the mythology and culture from her heritage play a part in A Monsoon Rising. The storytelling would falter greatly without this attention to detail and obvious love for the story.
This is a sequel that adds to The Hurricane Wars, it has drama and tension rippling throughout the pages and I loved every moment of it. Even those that stole my breath.. I haven't loved a book as much as I have A Monsoon Rising in a while and it had me wondering as each page came to an end what else Alaric and Talasyn could experience and endure. I really enjoyed how much character development there is - especially Talasyn who is the resident sceptic. Thea Guanzon has given us a book that will be loved, and have us craving the third because just like a Monsoon and a Hurricane? Devastation comes out of nowhere and recovery takes time to be completed properly.
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The sequel to Better Than the Movies is upon us and I'm left feeling like I've been forced to watch Ghost on repeat.
Take that as you wish, but if Lynn Painter can bring in quotes from movies throughout the decades; I can mention the one that broke me. Because that's exactly what happened to me when I was reading Nothing Like the Movies. I knew from the synopsis this was going to be a lot harder on my heart but Oh My God, I was hurting so much.
We're in LA for book two, as Wes and Liz have made it to UCLA and we've jumped forward a couple of years which did throw me at first but it does make sense for what will unfold - namely Liz and Wes have broken up (I promise it's not a spoiler.) I like seeing how Liz especially, has grown as a person over our absence from her life and we witness how there's a conflict between the lover of love Little Liz and the realities of growing up. Something we all go through if we've found ourselves swept away by the romance of the movies.
Wes too has changed dramatically - but I'm sworn to secrecy because I'm not confessing spoilers to you. Just be warned, our sunshine isn't so bright and carefree anymore.
For the lover of tropes, Painter has given us many in Nothing Like the Movies, with fake dating, second chance romance, and miscommunication so be warned lover of love that you may be? You're going for be screaming at the page just like you did when watching Notting Hill and you wanted Hugh Grant to open his bloody eyes when Julia Roberts uttered those wonderful lines of being Just A Girl…
I devoured this book, and cried several times, as well as laughed along the way. Liz and Wes are adorable, they don't deserve Painter's playing with their happiness in book two, however it does bring the drama every movie from Hallmark to MGM brings us.
I do need to raise one thing that lets this book down for me - there's an incredible lack of insight into the need for support for someone struggling with their mental health and addiction. Yes, this gets a lot darker than BTTM, and this needs highlighting.. I got extremely frustrated that you see a teen really struggle with no one there to just listen for starters. Painter had an opportunity for highlighting the necessity of healing with help and recognising that mental health is an issue for men as well as other genders as it is still frowned upon to ask for help if you're a guy.
(Also ouch to how bright the cover is - I love purple but Lordy that's as blinding as the yellow of book one.)
Take that as you wish, but if Lynn Painter can bring in quotes from movies throughout the decades; I can mention the one that broke me. Because that's exactly what happened to me when I was reading Nothing Like the Movies. I knew from the synopsis this was going to be a lot harder on my heart but Oh My God, I was hurting so much.
We're in LA for book two, as Wes and Liz have made it to UCLA and we've jumped forward a couple of years which did throw me at first but it does make sense for what will unfold - namely Liz and Wes have broken up (I promise it's not a spoiler.) I like seeing how Liz especially, has grown as a person over our absence from her life and we witness how there's a conflict between the lover of love Little Liz and the realities of growing up. Something we all go through if we've found ourselves swept away by the romance of the movies.
Wes too has changed dramatically - but I'm sworn to secrecy because I'm not confessing spoilers to you. Just be warned, our sunshine isn't so bright and carefree anymore.
For the lover of tropes, Painter has given us many in Nothing Like the Movies, with fake dating, second chance romance, and miscommunication so be warned lover of love that you may be? You're going for be screaming at the page just like you did when watching Notting Hill and you wanted Hugh Grant to open his bloody eyes when Julia Roberts uttered those wonderful lines of being Just A Girl…
I devoured this book, and cried several times, as well as laughed along the way. Liz and Wes are adorable, they don't deserve Painter's playing with their happiness in book two, however it does bring the drama every movie from Hallmark to MGM brings us.
I do need to raise one thing that lets this book down for me - there's an incredible lack of insight into the need for support for someone struggling with their mental health and addiction. Yes, this gets a lot darker than BTTM, and this needs highlighting.. I got extremely frustrated that you see a teen really struggle with no one there to just listen for starters. Painter had an opportunity for highlighting the necessity of healing with help and recognising that mental health is an issue for men as well as other genders as it is still frowned upon to ask for help if you're a guy.
(Also ouch to how bright the cover is - I love purple but Lordy that's as blinding as the yellow of book one.)
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After I had finally got around to binge-reading the STEM romance books by Ali Hazelwood, I was of course curious about Not in Love.
This is a step up in the spice element and a little less of the romance we've come to expect from Ali Hazelwood. However, I'm starting to notice that the leading man are very similar in their looks and personalities. However, I'm not complaining because I couldn't help but love Eli Kilgore and his fierce loyalty to those around him.
I do love that we're back in the STEM world, and there's an incredible backstory for our female protagonist, Rue. She's extremely different to the ladies we’ve encountered before, but she's wonderful nonetheless. Everything about her makes her unique and I loved her from our first encounter on the page. Hazelwood has the ability to bring her world of science and all that it involves to live without making it overwhelming for all those who like myself are utterly useless at science. There's also a brilliance to how Rue's past and her purpose come together that brings so much to the story and it along with the romance side had me unable to put Not In Love down.
Rue is our magician with science, Eli a money man and everything is against them and their chemistry is off the charts regardless of what the rules are. Prepare for steamy moments, an adorable dog that thinks he's the size of a pug and a whole lot of drama.
This is a step up in the spice element and a little less of the romance we've come to expect from Ali Hazelwood. However, I'm starting to notice that the leading man are very similar in their looks and personalities. However, I'm not complaining because I couldn't help but love Eli Kilgore and his fierce loyalty to those around him.
I do love that we're back in the STEM world, and there's an incredible backstory for our female protagonist, Rue. She's extremely different to the ladies we’ve encountered before, but she's wonderful nonetheless. Everything about her makes her unique and I loved her from our first encounter on the page. Hazelwood has the ability to bring her world of science and all that it involves to live without making it overwhelming for all those who like myself are utterly useless at science. There's also a brilliance to how Rue's past and her purpose come together that brings so much to the story and it along with the romance side had me unable to put Not In Love down.
Rue is our magician with science, Eli a money man and everything is against them and their chemistry is off the charts regardless of what the rules are. Prepare for steamy moments, an adorable dog that thinks he's the size of a pug and a whole lot of drama.
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Better Than the Movies is the YA novel for anyone who can't help but love cheesy rom-coms and always swoons at the end when there's a Happy Ever After no matter how that romance begins.
It's everything you could want in a romance, with the warm fuzziness of will they - won't they romance. Liz, our protagonist, who loves to create soundtracks to her life both the ups and the downs and her school friends who we meet in the lead-up to Prom.
Lynn Painter's love of romance is evident throughout the book, and she brings together not just the teens and their various hopes and dreams, along with the realities of being on the cusp of adulthood but also the world around them. I loved reading this for a relaxing read on a cool Autumn day and it's got me wanting to dig out some of my favourite movies - again.
I love how Liz's love of romance and movie soundtracks has her wanting the big romance that she has seen play out on movie screens growing up or after school at home. She's someone every reader, regardless of age, will relate to both for her dreams and her rose-tinted way of seeing some of her world.
There are beautiful moments throughout the book with a nod to the loss of a parent which is handled with care and the necessary compassion. It reminded me of a few teen movies I watched growing up such as She's All That. Whilst handled well, I would caution against reading this if you've recently lost a parent or loved one.
It's everything you could want in a romance, with the warm fuzziness of will they - won't they romance. Liz, our protagonist, who loves to create soundtracks to her life both the ups and the downs and her school friends who we meet in the lead-up to Prom.
Lynn Painter's love of romance is evident throughout the book, and she brings together not just the teens and their various hopes and dreams, along with the realities of being on the cusp of adulthood but also the world around them. I loved reading this for a relaxing read on a cool Autumn day and it's got me wanting to dig out some of my favourite movies - again.
I love how Liz's love of romance and movie soundtracks has her wanting the big romance that she has seen play out on movie screens growing up or after school at home. She's someone every reader, regardless of age, will relate to both for her dreams and her rose-tinted way of seeing some of her world.
There are beautiful moments throughout the book with a nod to the loss of a parent which is handled with care and the necessary compassion. It reminded me of a few teen movies I watched growing up such as She's All That. Whilst handled well, I would caution against reading this if you've recently lost a parent or loved one.
Sister Spirit by Efua Traoré
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sister Spirit is a story of self-discovery and finding one's true identity with Tara our protagonist wanting to know more about where she came from.
We travel alongside Tara to Nigeria as she wishes to study abroad which admittedly did have me as a parent wondering just how her parents can just accept it without question. There's not a chance my child would have been allowed to be left on the other side of the world - fiction or not. (Yes, I'm aware it's a silly thing to be stuck on when this is a book with a heavy focus on magic and the supernatural but there we go. It just niggled the Mum brain too much of the big no in my head.)
I do love how Efua Traoré writes about Olumo Rock, which is located in Abeokuta, Ogun State. For anyone such as myself who hadn't ever heard of this mythical place in Nigerian history? Traoré not only makes it feel as though the reader is facing this vast natural edifice but under the all-knowing gaze of those who protect it from damage. Thanks to Sister Spirit I found myself reading and learning not only about the stone itself but Iya Orissa the Priestess of the rock.
But I digress.
Sister Spirit is a consuming narrative that had me unable to put the book down once the story got going. (It did feel a little slow at first but then wow!) I thought that Tara was a realistic main character in as much as she's very determined and assured in what she needs to do, she also is all top aware once she's in Nigeria that she's suddenly out of her comfort zone and in dire need of support from those around her. With some stereotyping of boarding schools and crushes on the boys in the school across the way as a contrast to the supernatural and darker elements to the story; Sister Spirit will have you on the edge of your seat both literal or metaphorical as the realities of Tara's decisions unfold.
Recommended for 12 and up, I would suggest it's perhaps a little more suited for 14 onwards due to the darker and more elemental parts of the story as it may make a younger reader feel a little unsettled.
I hope that there's more about Tara and her companions both in Nigeria and London as there's so much more I would love to know.
We travel alongside Tara to Nigeria as she wishes to study abroad which admittedly did have me as a parent wondering just how her parents can just accept it without question. There's not a chance my child would have been allowed to be left on the other side of the world - fiction or not. (Yes, I'm aware it's a silly thing to be stuck on when this is a book with a heavy focus on magic and the supernatural but there we go. It just niggled the Mum brain too much of the big no in my head.)
I do love how Efua Traoré writes about Olumo Rock, which is located in Abeokuta, Ogun State. For anyone such as myself who hadn't ever heard of this mythical place in Nigerian history? Traoré not only makes it feel as though the reader is facing this vast natural edifice but under the all-knowing gaze of those who protect it from damage. Thanks to Sister Spirit I found myself reading and learning not only about the stone itself but Iya Orissa the Priestess of the rock.
But I digress.
Sister Spirit is a consuming narrative that had me unable to put the book down once the story got going. (It did feel a little slow at first but then wow!) I thought that Tara was a realistic main character in as much as she's very determined and assured in what she needs to do, she also is all top aware once she's in Nigeria that she's suddenly out of her comfort zone and in dire need of support from those around her. With some stereotyping of boarding schools and crushes on the boys in the school across the way as a contrast to the supernatural and darker elements to the story; Sister Spirit will have you on the edge of your seat both literal or metaphorical as the realities of Tara's decisions unfold.
Recommended for 12 and up, I would suggest it's perhaps a little more suited for 14 onwards due to the darker and more elemental parts of the story as it may make a younger reader feel a little unsettled.
I hope that there's more about Tara and her companions both in Nigeria and London as there's so much more I would love to know.