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ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna in Books
Aug 26, 2019
This is the family saga of the Fortuna’s, and follows their lives from poverty in Calabria to the USA. It follows Stella from the birth and death of her older sister (also called Mariastella), her siblings, parents and her life in Connecticut - covering 100 years. I still can’t quite believe that the author managed to fit so much into 460+ pages without it feeling rushed or shoe-horned in, it she did it!
As you can probably guess from the title, Stella’s 7 or 8 deaths feature quite prominently in this, as does her close relationships with her mother and sister. Her father as good as abandons them for the first part of her life, and then demands that his wife and children sell everything and join him in the US where he has been working. Stella hates her controlling, abusive father, but is very much restricted by tradition and religion. So, she lives under his despotic rule. There is quite a bit of abuse - both physical and mental - in this, but what is most admirable is Stella’s unbroken spirit. And she has spirit in spades.
I loved the style in which this was told: a family member researching and telling the story of her relatives, and trying to work out why Stella in her last 30 years refuses to have anything to do with the sister that she loved so much. I had to keep reminding myself that it was in fact fiction. There was a great balance of modern thinking (from the narrator) and the traditions of the older members of the family, complete with curses and spells to avoid the evil eye.
I’ll be honest, I thought I’d made a mistake by choosing this book. I really didn’t think I’d like it. I’m so relieved that I took a chance on this though, because I loved it, and I’d say that it’s well worth a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
As you can probably guess from the title, Stella’s 7 or 8 deaths feature quite prominently in this, as does her close relationships with her mother and sister. Her father as good as abandons them for the first part of her life, and then demands that his wife and children sell everything and join him in the US where he has been working. Stella hates her controlling, abusive father, but is very much restricted by tradition and religion. So, she lives under his despotic rule. There is quite a bit of abuse - both physical and mental - in this, but what is most admirable is Stella’s unbroken spirit. And she has spirit in spades.
I loved the style in which this was told: a family member researching and telling the story of her relatives, and trying to work out why Stella in her last 30 years refuses to have anything to do with the sister that she loved so much. I had to keep reminding myself that it was in fact fiction. There was a great balance of modern thinking (from the narrator) and the traditions of the older members of the family, complete with curses and spells to avoid the evil eye.
I’ll be honest, I thought I’d made a mistake by choosing this book. I really didn’t think I’d like it. I’m so relieved that I took a chance on this though, because I loved it, and I’d say that it’s well worth a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Too Late to Say Goodbye
5.0
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Jenn Corbin, a lovely, slim, brown-eyed blonde, appeared to have it all: two dear little boys, a...
Lenin: The Man, the Dictator, and the Master of Terror
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Victor Sebestyen's riveting biography of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin--the first major biography in English...
history politics
Every Last Fear
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“They found the bodies on a Tuesday.” So begins this twisty and breathtaking novel that traces...
Bonnie and Clyde: Dam Nation
Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall
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THE REDEMPTION OF BONNIE AND CLYDE Saving the working class from a river of greed. The year is...
series fiction alternative history Bonnie & Clyde Bonnie and Clyde
Accidentally Vacationed with an Incubus (Briar Coven, #2)
8.0
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Book
He wants a connection. She wants him gone. A steamy bargain changes everything. When 27-year-old...
Romance Urban Fantasy Witches Monster Romance
ClareR (6256 KP) rated Creature: A Novel of Mary Shelley and Frankenstein in Books
Aug 27, 2025
This book tells the story of Mary Shelley, how she ran away with the poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, in order to live the life that she wanted to live, free of the constraints of society and hopefully live up to her perception of her mother’s standards. Instead, it felt as though she was dragged around Europe by her (eventual) husband, everything at his whim, paying for freedom from society with the deaths of 4 of her 5 children.
Ok, I may be a little harsh here. Mortality rates in infants were abysmal at this point in history, but I’m. Still not a Shelley/ Byron fan 🤷🏼♀️
If it sounds as though I’m being negative, I actually loved this book. The writing is wonderfully descriptive, the perspectives swapping between Mary and (and this is what really makes this novel stand out)the Creature from the novel, Frankenstein. His life plays out at the same time as Mary’s, he grows up with her from childhood, always nearby, I’m sure she could have seen him from the corner of her eye. His life is as tragic as hers.
Reading this novel, I was standing beside Mary and her Creature, experiencing their lives with them, which was pretty hard-going at times. To experience such loss and keep going really shows Mary’s strength of character.
Mary’s life was adventurous, uncertain, unconventional, rich in experience, and pretty frustrating at times - thanks to Shelley and Byron!
This took me longer than it possibly could have to read. I kept going through the footnotes, googling, reading some of Shelley’s and Byron’s poetry - this book took over my reading entirely!
Now, where did I put my copy of Frankenstein? I might just have to reread…
I received an ARC of this book for free, and I’m reading this review voluntarily (and why wouldn’t I?!). Many thanks to the publishers, BookSirens and Amy Weldon.
Ok, I may be a little harsh here. Mortality rates in infants were abysmal at this point in history, but I’m. Still not a Shelley/ Byron fan 🤷🏼♀️
If it sounds as though I’m being negative, I actually loved this book. The writing is wonderfully descriptive, the perspectives swapping between Mary and (and this is what really makes this novel stand out)the Creature from the novel, Frankenstein. His life plays out at the same time as Mary’s, he grows up with her from childhood, always nearby, I’m sure she could have seen him from the corner of her eye. His life is as tragic as hers.
Reading this novel, I was standing beside Mary and her Creature, experiencing their lives with them, which was pretty hard-going at times. To experience such loss and keep going really shows Mary’s strength of character.
Mary’s life was adventurous, uncertain, unconventional, rich in experience, and pretty frustrating at times - thanks to Shelley and Byron!
This took me longer than it possibly could have to read. I kept going through the footnotes, googling, reading some of Shelley’s and Byron’s poetry - this book took over my reading entirely!
Now, where did I put my copy of Frankenstein? I might just have to reread…
I received an ARC of this book for free, and I’m reading this review voluntarily (and why wouldn’t I?!). Many thanks to the publishers, BookSirens and Amy Weldon.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Scream 6 (2023) in Movies
Mar 8, 2023
Following the events of “Scream” which not only served as a soft reboot
and the fifth film in the series; “Scream VI” has arrived a year later and
picks up shortly where the last film ended. The survivors have now moved
to New York to attend college and are eager to put the horror of the
massacres behind them.
Sam (Melissa Barrera), has started dating in secret and is overly
protective of her sister Tara (Jenna Ortega), to the point where Tara has
started to lash out. When a murder is reported that has evidence of
Ghostface influence, Sam desires to leave the city with Tara but again
finds her sister reluctant and the sister find themselves suspects under
Detective Bailey (Dermot Mulroney). The fact that Tara is rooming with
Bailey’s daughter does not help as many online conspiracy nuts think that
Sam is behind the recent and new killings based on her lineage and has
gotten away with it once again.
As the threatening calls, attacks, and body count start to rise; Gail
Weathers (Courtney Cox), arrives much to the chagrin of the survivors who
believe that she is there simply to fein friendship and support all the
while looking for material for another book.
The arrival of now FBI agent Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere), moves things
into overdrive as the attacks, deaths, and danger become more frequent and
brutal and the investigation leads to even more questions and mysteries as
the characters struggle to survive.
While like the prior films I was able to figure out who was responsible
very early as well as all but one of the twists, the film still
entertained and in a era where many franchises are going through the
motions, “Scream VI” shows that there is still plenty of life left thanks
to an enjoyable cast, some creative and intense scenes, and a formula that
fans should enjoy.
3.5 stars out of 5
and the fifth film in the series; “Scream VI” has arrived a year later and
picks up shortly where the last film ended. The survivors have now moved
to New York to attend college and are eager to put the horror of the
massacres behind them.
Sam (Melissa Barrera), has started dating in secret and is overly
protective of her sister Tara (Jenna Ortega), to the point where Tara has
started to lash out. When a murder is reported that has evidence of
Ghostface influence, Sam desires to leave the city with Tara but again
finds her sister reluctant and the sister find themselves suspects under
Detective Bailey (Dermot Mulroney). The fact that Tara is rooming with
Bailey’s daughter does not help as many online conspiracy nuts think that
Sam is behind the recent and new killings based on her lineage and has
gotten away with it once again.
As the threatening calls, attacks, and body count start to rise; Gail
Weathers (Courtney Cox), arrives much to the chagrin of the survivors who
believe that she is there simply to fein friendship and support all the
while looking for material for another book.
The arrival of now FBI agent Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere), moves things
into overdrive as the attacks, deaths, and danger become more frequent and
brutal and the investigation leads to even more questions and mysteries as
the characters struggle to survive.
While like the prior films I was able to figure out who was responsible
very early as well as all but one of the twists, the film still
entertained and in a era where many franchises are going through the
motions, “Scream VI” shows that there is still plenty of life left thanks
to an enjoyable cast, some creative and intense scenes, and a formula that
fans should enjoy.
3.5 stars out of 5
Merissa (14214 KP) rated Pestilence (The Four Horsemen #1) in Books
Apr 25, 2023
This book starts with Aldo 'waking up' after a successful attempt at killing himself, so to say he was a bit confused should be taken as given. He finds out that he is now Pestilence, the White Horseman. It is his job to go where he is sent and spread epidemics in order to keep the balance between Heaven and Hell. He was a doctor in his life, so it is both ironic and heartbreaking for him to now be spreading disease. In an effort to distance himself from the human population, he lives in the middle of the Amazon jungle. So you can imagine his surprise when he sees a man stumble into his clearing, full of fever and virus.
Bart was left in the middle of the jungle by his lover and the rest of the research team. He doesn't know how he has made it to the clearing, but he is glad that he did when Pestilence looks after him and helps him to make a long and slow recovery. Pestilence is riddled with guilt over the deaths of his wife and son due to the Bubonic Plague, and his 'job'. Bart comes into his life like a dervish and Pestilence starts to question if he can actually have a relationship.
I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building and characters in this book. It is the first of a new series, and I am looking forward to reading the others. Although I really liked Pestilence and Bart, I personally loved the scenes with Death, as I really enjoyed his dry wit and personality.
With a relationship that grows and develops, as well as forgiveness, guilt, love, and disease, this book is certainly worth the read. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 10, 2015
Bart was left in the middle of the jungle by his lover and the rest of the research team. He doesn't know how he has made it to the clearing, but he is glad that he did when Pestilence looks after him and helps him to make a long and slow recovery. Pestilence is riddled with guilt over the deaths of his wife and son due to the Bubonic Plague, and his 'job'. Bart comes into his life like a dervish and Pestilence starts to question if he can actually have a relationship.
I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building and characters in this book. It is the first of a new series, and I am looking forward to reading the others. Although I really liked Pestilence and Bart, I personally loved the scenes with Death, as I really enjoyed his dry wit and personality.
With a relationship that grows and develops, as well as forgiveness, guilt, love, and disease, this book is certainly worth the read. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 10, 2015
ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Figurine in Books
Nov 20, 2023
I do love Victoria Hislop books, and in The Figurine I was transported back to Greece in the 1960’s with dictators ruling and a young girl, Helena, visiting her affluent grandparents on her own. Her grandfather is authoritarian, aloof, and never really connects with his granddaughter, but her grandmother clearly adores her. Through these summer visits, Helena grows to love Greece, even if she never manages to form a relationship with her grandfather.
As she gets older, Helena goes to university, meets a man who convinces her to go on archaeological digs on Greek Islands, and she then discovers antiques in her grandparents flat after their deaths - antiques that should not be owned by a private collector at all. These antiques are not acquired under legitimate means, and just how they were acquired soon becomes very clear to Helena. With the help of some Greek friends she is able to start the process of returning the valuable antiques to their rightful owners - the Greek people.
There is still the matter of a dodgy, antique smuggling boyfriend to deal with, and to do so involves the help of friends in London. So this story goes between London and Greece - and believe me when I say that Greece is painted in a much more favourable light than London. Everything seems grey and cold in London, and Greece is all sunshine and warmth. I know where I would rather be.
I love how Hislop writes about Greece: she’s clearly a Hellenophile, and why wouldn’t she be?! It’s a beautiful country. And when the matter of an ancient figurine comes up (that of the title of the book), we see how important even the smallest piece of Greece’s history is to the country as a whole.
Another gorgeous book from Victoria Hislop - a good one to read during the dull winter months that we have coming our way!
Read on The Pigeonhole.
As she gets older, Helena goes to university, meets a man who convinces her to go on archaeological digs on Greek Islands, and she then discovers antiques in her grandparents flat after their deaths - antiques that should not be owned by a private collector at all. These antiques are not acquired under legitimate means, and just how they were acquired soon becomes very clear to Helena. With the help of some Greek friends she is able to start the process of returning the valuable antiques to their rightful owners - the Greek people.
There is still the matter of a dodgy, antique smuggling boyfriend to deal with, and to do so involves the help of friends in London. So this story goes between London and Greece - and believe me when I say that Greece is painted in a much more favourable light than London. Everything seems grey and cold in London, and Greece is all sunshine and warmth. I know where I would rather be.
I love how Hislop writes about Greece: she’s clearly a Hellenophile, and why wouldn’t she be?! It’s a beautiful country. And when the matter of an ancient figurine comes up (that of the title of the book), we see how important even the smallest piece of Greece’s history is to the country as a whole.
Another gorgeous book from Victoria Hislop - a good one to read during the dull winter months that we have coming our way!
Read on The Pigeonhole.