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The Nightingale
The Nightingale
Kristin Hannah | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.9 (61 Ratings)
Book Rating
A touching portrayal of family and love during wartime
In 1930s France, Vianne says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he leaves to fight in the War. She's left behind to care for their daughter Sophie. Her younger sister, Isabelle, is in Paris with their father when the war starts. Reckless and impulsive, Isabelle wants to fight for her country, but their father sends her to stay with Vianne. But soon, after being betrayed by the young man who helped her find her way to Vianne's home, Isabelle is fighting for the Resistance. As for Vianne, she finds herself forced to house Nazi soldiers and make horrible sacrifices to protect her family.

This was an excellent and informational portrayal of World War II. It's haunting and heartbreaking and hopeful all together. Hannah tells the story of the War through our two sisters--looking at how they approach the war, along with their father. Vianne is the practical older sister, who worries for her safety and that of her daughter. Meanwhile, Isabelle has felt betrayed most of her life after the death of their mother and perceived abandonment by her older sister and father. This feeling spurs her to join the Resistance. Following their different paths allows us to see many varied sides of this awful and terrifying War. As you form attachments to the characters, the snatching of Jewish families and children and the concentration camps become even more stark and brutal--it's horrifying.

While I cannot really know what happened during this time period, this book seemed realistic and authentic to me. It made me cry. It's sad and yet somehow sweet at times. It's a vivid look at loss and love--for sisters, family, and your country.

I read this book as part of my new reading project--choosing books off my shelves based on their Goodreads rankings. This is my first book of the project, forcing me out of my comfort zone and to try books in genres I don't usually read!
  
Mice and Mystics
Mice and Mystics
2012 | Adventure, Exploration, Fantasy, Fighting, Miniatures
Co-op taking away tension of competitive (3 more)
Fun for all ages after a few rule adjustments
The story its self is a rich, beautiful tale of adventure
Combat is simple
For people new to the genre, reading all the rules including those for new tile spaces could be cumbersome (0 more)
Mice and Mystics is a great story telling boardgame in a series by Jerry Hawthorne. The game follows Prince Collin and his court of advisors who turn themselves to mice to escape certain death at the hands of an evil witch.

The whole game plays out by reading the story that accompanies the box and then playing out scenarios depicted by board pieces and using beautifully sculpted miniatures to navigate and fight the queens rat forces, spiders and more.
Its a game for the whole family which is brilliant, although to keep things moving smoothly for younger kids some rules can be stripped back for sure. This game is imaginative, difficulty can ramp up quickly making it challenging for all level of players and even though its co-op you can always just compete for kills......Centipedes only count as one.
  
RO
Rose of Sarajevo
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
I received, Rose of Sarajevo by Ayse Kulin, for free in exchange for a review from goodreads. I knew very little about the Balkans crisis prior to reading this book but now I feel that I understand some of what the people experienced and how families were torn apart for a crisis that is deep within the roots of the people. For the first part of the book the story appeared to creep along the pages as the author explained the reason for the war and give the backstory. Once the necessary explanation was completed the story took off and captivated me as the reader. Violence occurs. A town is destroyed. Heartbreak. Death. And finally, family members leaving to fight a war that so many see as senseless.
At the beginning Nimeta (the main characters) appears to be a woman is strong, dedicated, journalist whose a mother, a daughter, and a wife. She has done everything correct just as is expected of her until she meets Stefan who she unexpectedly fall in love with. She has to make the decision of doing what is right and doing what her heart says.
As a person who loves historical novels, this book was perfect. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about history, especially a part of history that is not discussed much.
  
Isla Emerged
Isla Emerged
Deidre Sequeira | 2019 | Young Adult (YA)
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
95 of 200
Kindle
Isla Emerged (Isla Emerged book 1)
By Deidre Sequeira

Anger. Betrayal. Exile.Isla always knew she would be queen. One day. But after the death of her mother, matriarch of the Southern Pacific merfolk kingdom, that day grew much closer than she was prepared for. Worse, to become a mermaid queen, she must marry. It is the only way to protect her kingdom.Forcibly betrothed to her childhood friend and father's fiercest warrior, Isla is desperate for an escape--no matter the cost. But until she marries, her father is filled with a power his body cannot handle, and his control is steadily slipping.After an explosive fight with her father, Isla flees to the surface, only to find herself in the middle of a violent storm with two choices: swim to safety or save the human man she sees drowning in the tumultuous waves.Her decision will change her life, as well as her kingdom, forever.A story inspired by "The Little Mermaid" like you've never seen before.





I am usually weary of classic stories being retold but I really enjoyed this one. Loosely based on The Little Mermaid it’s full of action! Decent characters and a well written story! I'm looking forward to more from this author