3 stars
This was a fairly good Mystery/Thriller book about a nanny left to care for 4 children in a remote Scottish Highlands “smart” house that is reportedly “haunted”. The author did an ok job of building tension, but overall, the story was a little blah. Continue reading “The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware”
2 stars
Let me first say that I loved Marie Lu’s Legend and Warcross book series. I’ve met her several times at San Diego Comic Con and she’s a total sweetheart. So it pains me to say this. Seriously. But I did not enjoy this YA Historical Fiction about the sister of Wolfgang Mozart. Continue reading “The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu”
3 stars
I was really looking forward to reading this follow-up to The Handmaid’s Tale, but I sadly have to agree with a lot of reviewers that felt this book was not necessary. There were certainly sparks of greatness in this book, unfortunately just not enough of them. Continue reading “The Testaments (The Handmaid’s Tale #2) by Margaret Atwood”
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I really enjoyed this YA Fantasy book about a low-born girl with a gift for battle strategy that propels herself and her twin brother into a better life and better roles in the kingdom. Continue reading “Marilia, the Warlord by Morgan Cole”
2 stars
This is a well-researched historical fiction book about the supposed affair between the mistress of a home and Branwell Bronte, the brother of the daughters’ governess Anne Bronte, and the other famous Bronte sisters. Continue reading “Bronte’s Mistress by Finola Austin”
4.5 stars
This was the July book for my book club. I’ve never read this author before, but I really enjoyed his writing and will definitely read more of his books. This book is written about one fateful summer in the life of 13 year old Frank Drum who lived in New Bremen, MN in 1961. The book is told from his perspective 40 years after the events. Continue reading “Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger”
4 stars (release date August 4, 2020)
This is a quick and enjoyable mystery/thriller that has a story within a story. Rachel has a true crime podcast (think “Serial”) that grew in popularity after her first season when she investigated a murder trial and found evidence that set the defendant free. Now in her third season, she is following a rape trial in real-time in the small town of Neapolis. The town is being torn apart by the rape trial of a young teenage girl by a popular teenage boy training for the Olympics. Continue reading “The Night Swim by Megan Goldin”
3 stars
This was an interesting nonfiction book about life in the Court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. I learned quite a bit about her life, her behavior and the pressures she was under as a young Queen. Before reading this book, I’ll admit that I had a pretty harsh opinion of Marie Antoinette. While I still think she was a terrible queen, I do have a bit more empathy for what she went through in her short life. Continue reading “Marie Antoinette’s World: Intrigue, Infidelity, and Adultery in Versailles by Will Bashor”
4 stars
This is a fantastic second book in the Firemane Saga. There is everything you want and need in an epic fantasy book – non-stop action, betrayals, twists and turns, new alliances, intense fighting, horrific devastation, high-sea drama, and much, much more. Continue reading “Queen of Storms (The Firemane Saga #2) by Raymond E. Feist”
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