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Debbiereadsbook (1788 KP) rated Whichever Way The Road Leads (The Eastman Saga #1) in Books

Aug 4, 2024

loved them both, together and apart!

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I should say, I'm UK based, so the 1812 war between Canada and the US is not really one I know anything about. Therefore, I cannot comment on the accuracy of the details in this book.

What I can comment on, though, is the story between Zee and Jesse and their struggle to cope during this war. I loved them both, together and apart. They are both strong people, emotionally, do deal with such a difficult time, and to come out the other side.

It's beautifully written, from both Zee and Jesse's POV. There are wonderful descriptions of the scenery in that part of the world. I really enjoyed trying to picture them.

It has some lighter moments, but some darker ones too. There was much that made me cry.

I haven't read anything by this author before, A quick look shows her books seem to be about couples in settings with a war backdrop. I'd like to read more from this author.

4 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere

Kudos

Young Lawrence: A Portrait of the Legend as a Young Man

Anthony Sattin

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T. E. Lawrence was one of the most charismatic characters of the First World War; a young...

Michael Foreman: An Illustrated Life

Michael Foreman

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"One of my earliest memories is lying on the floor in front of the kitchen fire, drawing..." Michael...

ClareR (6256 KP) rated Songlight in Books

May 13, 2026

Songlight

Moira Buffini | 2024 | Dystopia, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

10.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

This book is so underrated - I hadn’t heard of it before I chanced upon it. And it’s supposed to be YA? There are parts that I would think were most certainly not YA - but then I think it’s a term thrown about far too much. In my opinion, this is an excellent book that I listened to compulsively! As a multi-book reader, I actually put the others to one side for the duration of Songlight.

Songlight is set in a dystopian world ravaged by war, and a country under the dictatorial control of a regime that decides whether you deserve to live or die based on whether you possess a telepathic gift. They decide to go to war with a neighbouring country in order to take their land (their own having been destroyed, pretty much, by climate change and a war sometime in the past that we don’t learn that much about), and destroy their telepaths. Telepaths are sent to something called a Chrysalis House, where they’re more or less lobotomised and turned into slaves to the state.

Women are subservient (not my favourite trope, it has to be said), but are learning to be quietly rebellious. They still must live in a world where they become first, second or third wives. Third wives are prostitutes in brothels. Again, women are the ones most affected by war and dictatorial regimes. I hate this idea, but it’s so well dealt with in this.

I adored this, and immediately went back over to Xigxag to buy the second book. I haven’t listened to it yet, but it’s on my TBR!!