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Noonday
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In Noonday, Pat Barker - the Man Booker-winning author of the definitive WWI trilogy, Regeneration -...
Tom Turner (388 KP) rated The Magician's Apprentice (Black Magician, #0.5) in Books
Apr 30, 2021
I would like to say I loved this book, but there is part of me resisting that solely because I didn't feel satisfied by its ending. It felt to me that it wasn't tied up properly. It kind of felt there should have been a couple more pages. I also thought that seeing as Tessia is the title and main character of the book that it was a shame the final scene (though mentioning her) doesn't feature her.
I have picked up copies of Trudi Canavan's books in shops a number of times over the years, but I never bought one because I didn't want to invest in a trilogy if I wasn't completely "with it". So when I realised that this book was a stand-alone novel, but was set in the world (albeit a few hundred years before!) some of her other books I jumped at the chance of reading it.
From my first paragraph you'll probably think I ended up disappointed, but you'd be wrong. Until the very end I really really enjoyed this. The characters were well formed and it was lovely to have a story of war where you see both sides of said war, and the juxtaposition of Stara and Tessia's stories was intriguing but perhaps not played to its full potential. The two different cultures were very well constructed, and by having the Stara strand meant you never fully demonised the Sachakans, making them a more fully constructed culture - one that is eerily familiar.
My mind keeps wondering while I felt disappointed, and I guess I felt I needed more, and maybe this is because Canavan is more used to writing trilogies, maybe this is what is needed, I'd love to read a story of Tessia and Jayan as they built the Guild with the others. I feel there could be a whole book in that alone. It would have been nice to have at least got a glimpse of it. Given that it is a central part of the Black Magician trilogy I feel that could have been nice. Maybe all these niggles I'm feeling will be sorted when I read said trilogy, and I certainly will do, and maybe I'd have felt more satisfied if I'd read this in publication order. Who knows I may come back one day and re- review this book after re-reading it following reading the other six book set in this world.
I'm glad to have read this book, and I am excited to read more Trudi Canavan. I guess me saying that when I don't have the butterflies in the stomach I get at the end of reading a book is something in itself.
I have picked up copies of Trudi Canavan's books in shops a number of times over the years, but I never bought one because I didn't want to invest in a trilogy if I wasn't completely "with it". So when I realised that this book was a stand-alone novel, but was set in the world (albeit a few hundred years before!) some of her other books I jumped at the chance of reading it.
From my first paragraph you'll probably think I ended up disappointed, but you'd be wrong. Until the very end I really really enjoyed this. The characters were well formed and it was lovely to have a story of war where you see both sides of said war, and the juxtaposition of Stara and Tessia's stories was intriguing but perhaps not played to its full potential. The two different cultures were very well constructed, and by having the Stara strand meant you never fully demonised the Sachakans, making them a more fully constructed culture - one that is eerily familiar.
My mind keeps wondering while I felt disappointed, and I guess I felt I needed more, and maybe this is because Canavan is more used to writing trilogies, maybe this is what is needed, I'd love to read a story of Tessia and Jayan as they built the Guild with the others. I feel there could be a whole book in that alone. It would have been nice to have at least got a glimpse of it. Given that it is a central part of the Black Magician trilogy I feel that could have been nice. Maybe all these niggles I'm feeling will be sorted when I read said trilogy, and I certainly will do, and maybe I'd have felt more satisfied if I'd read this in publication order. Who knows I may come back one day and re- review this book after re-reading it following reading the other six book set in this world.
I'm glad to have read this book, and I am excited to read more Trudi Canavan. I guess me saying that when I don't have the butterflies in the stomach I get at the end of reading a book is something in itself.
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Imperfectly Criminal (Imperfect, #2) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
I am a <em>huge </em>fan of Mary Frames <i><a href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-imperfect-chemistry-by-mary-frame"; target=" rel=">Imperfect Chemistry</a></i>. I love the book to pieces and praise/recommend it while running left and right and kindly shoving it down everyones throats while humbly reminding them that this is indeed New Adult.
<i>Imperfectly Criminal</i> is the sequel to <i>Imperfect Chemistry</i> and the second book in Mary Frames <i>Imperfect </i>series. The best part is? Its a stand alone! With the kicker being ending spoilers from <i>Imperfect Chemistry</i> (of course, my English teachers are cringing because saying imperfect a million times in a paragraph is very... repetitve). This book features Freya, who Frame first introduces us back in the first novel as one of Lucys newest friends.
In terms of favorite character in the series Lucy still takes the crown, but Freya is a close second now that Ive gotten the chance to know her as a character. (Shes not as cute as Lucy! Plus the family dynamic in the first novel is like the Weasleys...) She adores food, Lucys quirks, and shes hilarious. Have a quote about how unstereotypical cliches get in this adorable series.
<blockquote class="tr_bq">...hes got me all flabbergasted with the skin and the muscle and the a mini George Takei is oh mying in my head.</blockquote>
Or two.
<blockquote class="tr_bq">This is where I should probably wax on and on about how sweet and handsome he looks while hes sleeping, but really he looks like a slack-jawed yokel.</blockquote>
Hilarious character aside though, <i>Imperfectly Criminal</i> deals with a much more serious problem its predecessor. For those whove read <i>Imperfect Chemistry </i>and met Freya in the first book, Frame mentions a bad relationship Freya gets out of but doesnt go into much detail (after all, Lucy is the main character). We get more intel on what happened to Freya in book two as she helps the guy she originally hired to beat up her ex prove he was innocent when two of the boys he beat up end up dead. While shes doing all of that, shes also struggling with her attraction to Dean and the after effects of her relationship with her ex.
<i>
</i> <i>Imperfectly Criminal</i> has laugh out loud moments for a light read while also dealing with serious, darker issues, and I cant wait to see how Frame will take the rest of the series.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-imperfectly-criminal-by-mary-frame/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
<i>Imperfectly Criminal</i> is the sequel to <i>Imperfect Chemistry</i> and the second book in Mary Frames <i>Imperfect </i>series. The best part is? Its a stand alone! With the kicker being ending spoilers from <i>Imperfect Chemistry</i> (of course, my English teachers are cringing because saying imperfect a million times in a paragraph is very... repetitve). This book features Freya, who Frame first introduces us back in the first novel as one of Lucys newest friends.
In terms of favorite character in the series Lucy still takes the crown, but Freya is a close second now that Ive gotten the chance to know her as a character. (Shes not as cute as Lucy! Plus the family dynamic in the first novel is like the Weasleys...) She adores food, Lucys quirks, and shes hilarious. Have a quote about how unstereotypical cliches get in this adorable series.
<blockquote class="tr_bq">...hes got me all flabbergasted with the skin and the muscle and the a mini George Takei is oh mying in my head.</blockquote>
Or two.
<blockquote class="tr_bq">This is where I should probably wax on and on about how sweet and handsome he looks while hes sleeping, but really he looks like a slack-jawed yokel.</blockquote>
Hilarious character aside though, <i>Imperfectly Criminal</i> deals with a much more serious problem its predecessor. For those whove read <i>Imperfect Chemistry </i>and met Freya in the first book, Frame mentions a bad relationship Freya gets out of but doesnt go into much detail (after all, Lucy is the main character). We get more intel on what happened to Freya in book two as she helps the guy she originally hired to beat up her ex prove he was innocent when two of the boys he beat up end up dead. While shes doing all of that, shes also struggling with her attraction to Dean and the after effects of her relationship with her ex.
<i>
</i> <i>Imperfectly Criminal</i> has laugh out loud moments for a light read while also dealing with serious, darker issues, and I cant wait to see how Frame will take the rest of the series.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-imperfectly-criminal-by-mary-frame/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated I Know You Know in Books
Mar 12, 2019
Fascinating and compelling mystery
For twenty years, Sidney Noyce has claimed his innocence for the murders of Charlie Paige and Scott Ashby. In 1996, their bodies were found dumped by a dog track near the estate where they lived. Their friend, Cody Swift, who was ten like Charlie, lived, and now, twenty years later, is reviving the case via a podcast, It's Time to Tell. He too has his doubts about Sidney's guilt. He returns home to Bristol to start investigating. But not everyone wants this case reopened, including Charlie's mother, Jessica, who has started a new life, with a new family. And then there's the investigating detective, John Fletcher, who found the boys. Charlie died in his arms; you don't forget a case like that. Now, he's investigating another body--found buried in a location near where the boys died. Are the two cases related? Is there a murderer still out there?
I still remember the moment I discovered Gilly Macmillan, and her books are such a treat. This one was no exception. This is a stand-alone novel, or at least not one of her Jim Clemo novels, and I found it to be a highly enjoyable and compelling mystery. When I first realized that part of the book was being told via the podcast format, I felt a bit of deja-vu, as I had just recently finished another book in that structure (Sadie), but have no fear: the organization of this one is fresh and flawless.
The book is told via the podcast; Jessica's point of view; and Fletcher's perspective--both now and back then, when he was a rookie cop, investigating the boys' death. You have to get used to the book swinging back and forth in time with Fletcher, but it doesn't take much, and it's worth it, because Macmillan parallels things so well in time. The juxtaposition of the past and present with the two cases (current body, the boys' case - plus Cody's podcast) is really brilliant. Plus, we get to see the trajectory of Fletcher's life and the many decisions that have led him to where he his today. His character, for me, was fascinating and one of the best surprises of the book.
One of my favorite aspects of any Macmillan novel is her characters. They are always so detailed and fully fleshed out. That is the case here: you will find yourself transported back to the estate twenty years ago, with Charlie, Scott, and Cody running around, and then to the present, with Cody and his podcast, Jessica struggling to keep her new life afloat, and Fletcher, unraveling the details on a new--potentially related--case.
There are multiple mystery threads to keep any detective fan happy: what happened to Charlie and Scott all those years ago? Was it really Sidney Noyce? How about the body Fletcher just discovered nearby? Just a coincidence? I loved the way Macmillan weaved the pieces of all these stories together. There are some wonderful and unexpected turns here. I adore a book that surprises me, and it was great to have some twists and turns that shocked me.
Overall, this is a fascinating and compelling mystery that expertly weaves together the thread of two cases separated by twenty years. The characters are well-detailed and the book is beautifully plotted. It's hard to go wrong with a Macmillan mystery, and this one is no exception.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
I still remember the moment I discovered Gilly Macmillan, and her books are such a treat. This one was no exception. This is a stand-alone novel, or at least not one of her Jim Clemo novels, and I found it to be a highly enjoyable and compelling mystery. When I first realized that part of the book was being told via the podcast format, I felt a bit of deja-vu, as I had just recently finished another book in that structure (Sadie), but have no fear: the organization of this one is fresh and flawless.
The book is told via the podcast; Jessica's point of view; and Fletcher's perspective--both now and back then, when he was a rookie cop, investigating the boys' death. You have to get used to the book swinging back and forth in time with Fletcher, but it doesn't take much, and it's worth it, because Macmillan parallels things so well in time. The juxtaposition of the past and present with the two cases (current body, the boys' case - plus Cody's podcast) is really brilliant. Plus, we get to see the trajectory of Fletcher's life and the many decisions that have led him to where he his today. His character, for me, was fascinating and one of the best surprises of the book.
One of my favorite aspects of any Macmillan novel is her characters. They are always so detailed and fully fleshed out. That is the case here: you will find yourself transported back to the estate twenty years ago, with Charlie, Scott, and Cody running around, and then to the present, with Cody and his podcast, Jessica struggling to keep her new life afloat, and Fletcher, unraveling the details on a new--potentially related--case.
There are multiple mystery threads to keep any detective fan happy: what happened to Charlie and Scott all those years ago? Was it really Sidney Noyce? How about the body Fletcher just discovered nearby? Just a coincidence? I loved the way Macmillan weaved the pieces of all these stories together. There are some wonderful and unexpected turns here. I adore a book that surprises me, and it was great to have some twists and turns that shocked me.
Overall, this is a fascinating and compelling mystery that expertly weaves together the thread of two cases separated by twenty years. The characters are well-detailed and the book is beautifully plotted. It's hard to go wrong with a Macmillan mystery, and this one is no exception.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Woman in Blue (Ruth Galloway, #8) in Books
Feb 8, 2018
The eighth book in Elly Griffths' Ruth Galloway series finds much of the action taking place in Walsingham, an English town famous for its religion. Cathbad, Ruth's druid friend, is in town housesitting for a friend, when he sees a lovely woman in a dress and cloak in the nearby cemetery. Cathbad believes he's had a vision of the Virgin Mary, but something doesn't seem right about the whole episode. In the morning, a young woman is found dead in Walsingham - wrapped in blue cloth. At the same time, Ruth is receiving emails from an old friend, Hilary, now a priest. She's receiving threatening letters from someone who clearly isn't happy about women in the priesthood and wants Ruth's help. Are the letters and the death connected? When Hilary comes to Walsingham to attend a conference for women priests, Ruth finds herself in the middle of it all. As does DCI Harry Nelson, of course, who is tracking not only the woman's killer, but Hilary's letter writer. A religious zealot? An angry misogynist? What really is happening in Walsingham?
I've made it clear by now that I'm a huge fan of Griffths' Galloway series. I think of Ruth as an old friend. Curling up with one of these books is like going home, or talking to a familiar and beloved friend. The characters' quirks make you laugh simply because you know them so well. Crazy Cathbad, Nelson and his mannerisms (and uptight ways), and, of course, Ruth's wit and sarcastic observances. A simple mention of Ruth being unable to find anything in her pocketbook, or how shared food doesn't have calories - somehow Griffiths can make straightforward sentences like these only add to Ruth's lovable character. She's created a cast of characters who are so well-done, so simply "them," that you look forward to returning to their world. (That's not to say you couldn't pick up this book first, without reading the others in the series. They do stand alone. You'd just be missing out, in my opinion, on lots of wonderful earlier Ruth and Nelson.)
The eight installment differed a bit, to me, as it focused a bit more on the personal side of things, mainly the Ruth and Nelson story (or, truly, the Ruth, Nelson, and Michelle triangle). This was certainly good, albeit stressful, as it's difficult when you're favorite characters aren't getting along. Still, the developments in this novel are necessary in the trajectory to move all three characters forward. The religious plot was a little confusing for me, at times - between a lot of British references I don't always quite get (I wasn't reading this one in my Nook, so it was harder to look things up) and just my overall lack of religious knowledge - but the mystery was still enjoyable and plotted well. The supporting cast of characters introduced in this tale rounded out the story well, and I was truly left wondering until nearly the end about "whodunit."
All in all, another great Ruth tale, which made me laugh out loud several times (I still wish Ruth could just be my friend, and my twins could play with Kate). Combined with a strong mystery, it's hard to go wrong here.
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available for publication on 02/04. You can check out a review of this novel and many others on my <a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">blog</a>;.
I've made it clear by now that I'm a huge fan of Griffths' Galloway series. I think of Ruth as an old friend. Curling up with one of these books is like going home, or talking to a familiar and beloved friend. The characters' quirks make you laugh simply because you know them so well. Crazy Cathbad, Nelson and his mannerisms (and uptight ways), and, of course, Ruth's wit and sarcastic observances. A simple mention of Ruth being unable to find anything in her pocketbook, or how shared food doesn't have calories - somehow Griffiths can make straightforward sentences like these only add to Ruth's lovable character. She's created a cast of characters who are so well-done, so simply "them," that you look forward to returning to their world. (That's not to say you couldn't pick up this book first, without reading the others in the series. They do stand alone. You'd just be missing out, in my opinion, on lots of wonderful earlier Ruth and Nelson.)
The eight installment differed a bit, to me, as it focused a bit more on the personal side of things, mainly the Ruth and Nelson story (or, truly, the Ruth, Nelson, and Michelle triangle). This was certainly good, albeit stressful, as it's difficult when you're favorite characters aren't getting along. Still, the developments in this novel are necessary in the trajectory to move all three characters forward. The religious plot was a little confusing for me, at times - between a lot of British references I don't always quite get (I wasn't reading this one in my Nook, so it was harder to look things up) and just my overall lack of religious knowledge - but the mystery was still enjoyable and plotted well. The supporting cast of characters introduced in this tale rounded out the story well, and I was truly left wondering until nearly the end about "whodunit."
All in all, another great Ruth tale, which made me laugh out loud several times (I still wish Ruth could just be my friend, and my twins could play with Kate). Combined with a strong mystery, it's hard to go wrong here.
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available for publication on 02/04. You can check out a review of this novel and many others on my <a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">blog</a>;.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Breathe, Annie, Breathe in Books
Feb 13, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I picked it up on a total whim (having received an ARC) and really enjoyed it. First, I have to state that apparently this is part of Kenneally's "Hundred Oaks" YA series, which I didn't know. It definitely can stand alone, however.
Annie is finishing up high school and training for a marathon. She's never been a runner - in fact, she hates it. However, Annie is running in honor of her late boyfriend Kyle, who never had a chance to run the marathon for which he was training.
Annie is a very mature kid, which took a bit of getting used to. She was definitely in a very developed relationship early in life and she came across older than her years. However, we learn that she's been on her own a bit - her dad was never around and her Mom has been busy working multiple jobs to keep the family afloat. So her maturity works, overall.
Annie is struggling with guilt over Kyle's death. She starts to find relief in her marathon training. She also starts to find relief in Jeremiah, the brother of her training coach. Jeremiah is unlike anyone Annie has ever known.
This was a simple, YA love story. You pretty much know where it's going to go. But it was surprisingly sweet and touching and well-done. Annie is an extremely likable character. Her maturity lends her some credence not always found in YA characters. I also found myself quite swept up in Jeremiah (not unlike Annie), who was also different from the typical YA beau.
Finally, the running element was a fun add to the book. As someone training for a 5K (nowhere near a marathon, but I like to pretend, ha), it was enjoyable to watch Annie progress toward her goal.
Overall, this is probably really a 3.5 star novel, but I just enjoyed the story so much, I bumped it up to 4.
<i>(Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)</i>
Annie is finishing up high school and training for a marathon. She's never been a runner - in fact, she hates it. However, Annie is running in honor of her late boyfriend Kyle, who never had a chance to run the marathon for which he was training.
Annie is a very mature kid, which took a bit of getting used to. She was definitely in a very developed relationship early in life and she came across older than her years. However, we learn that she's been on her own a bit - her dad was never around and her Mom has been busy working multiple jobs to keep the family afloat. So her maturity works, overall.
Annie is struggling with guilt over Kyle's death. She starts to find relief in her marathon training. She also starts to find relief in Jeremiah, the brother of her training coach. Jeremiah is unlike anyone Annie has ever known.
This was a simple, YA love story. You pretty much know where it's going to go. But it was surprisingly sweet and touching and well-done. Annie is an extremely likable character. Her maturity lends her some credence not always found in YA characters. I also found myself quite swept up in Jeremiah (not unlike Annie), who was also different from the typical YA beau.
Finally, the running element was a fun add to the book. As someone training for a 5K (nowhere near a marathon, but I like to pretend, ha), it was enjoyable to watch Annie progress toward her goal.
Overall, this is probably really a 3.5 star novel, but I just enjoyed the story so much, I bumped it up to 4.
<i>(Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)</i>
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