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Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated 11 Missed Calls in Books
Jun 5, 2019
11 Missed Calls by is a cleverly told story written from several points of view, with two different timelines. We see what happens before Debbie disappears leaving her two young children behind, we also see her grownup children Anna and Robert 30 years later, as they are still struggling to come to terms with the reason their mother would just walk away from them whilst they’re away on holiday in Tenerife. During this time, Anna has become increasingly worried that there is something her family is not telling her, and she begins to do some digging around and finds a private detective to help her.
Is their mother dead, or is there another reason she walked out of their lives for good? Would you forgive your mother if she did that to YOU?
OMG! If you love books about dysfunctional families and all the drama that attracts, you should really enjoy this one. Honestly, if you think your family were crazy, try this one; They’ll suddenly look like saints and you’ll feel so much better about your life for reading this!
Carpenter captured both Debbie’s and Anna’s characters (and what they each went through), very well. I totally did not see that ending coming and I was convinced I had all the answers, right up until the very end. I also got really involved for Anna’s plight for answers, and felt for how lonely she was when she finds her husband’s love letter from another woman, which ingeniously added another twist to this family drama. Despite the holiday in Spain’s Canary Islands, this book has a very British feel to it, which stands to reason as both the author and setting are based in the north of England and it can be quite grim (weather-wise) up North! Overall this was an entertaining read, rife with family secrets, lies and surprises!
And a touch of bad weather, too.
Is their mother dead, or is there another reason she walked out of their lives for good? Would you forgive your mother if she did that to YOU?
OMG! If you love books about dysfunctional families and all the drama that attracts, you should really enjoy this one. Honestly, if you think your family were crazy, try this one; They’ll suddenly look like saints and you’ll feel so much better about your life for reading this!
Carpenter captured both Debbie’s and Anna’s characters (and what they each went through), very well. I totally did not see that ending coming and I was convinced I had all the answers, right up until the very end. I also got really involved for Anna’s plight for answers, and felt for how lonely she was when she finds her husband’s love letter from another woman, which ingeniously added another twist to this family drama. Despite the holiday in Spain’s Canary Islands, this book has a very British feel to it, which stands to reason as both the author and setting are based in the north of England and it can be quite grim (weather-wise) up North! Overall this was an entertaining read, rife with family secrets, lies and surprises!
And a touch of bad weather, too.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Five Seasons Of Jam in Books
Jun 5, 2019
In Five Seasons of Jam by Lillie O’Brien shares a variety of different jam recipes of which she has discovered over the years during her travels. Many have unusual and quirky ingredients, although that may not be the case depending where abouts in the world you live.
Lillie offers lots of tips and ideas about not just the cooking of the jams, but how to access them if you don’t grown your own, or cannot find them in local shops. Some ingredients the author admits are hard to find, for example, the mulberries. If you can find a farm that sells them, great! If you happen to have a mulberry tree in your garden, or know someone who has, even better!
Why include hard to find ingredients? Well, for some they may not actually be that hard to find. Plus, much of what makes this book a little different from just a normal recipe book, is hearing Lillie’s story’s about her travels and how through families and friends she has discovered these fruits. And now, because she is more famous, she also get’s invites from helpful people who offer the chance to come and pick the harder-to-find fruits.
The hardback book is rather a good looking one, and inside there are many full page, colourful pictures. Each section is separated into seasons:
ALIVE- mid to late spring.
HOT – summer
BLUSH – early autumn
BARB – late autumn
FROST – winter to early spring
Overall this is a well thought out book, which is ideal for jam makers who want to go one step further and try the more different recipes. I particularly liked the ideas O’Brien shared for the Christmas recipes. I don’t know why it is, but I do tend to get more adventurous with my cooking around this seasonal period. I’m sure I’m not the only one! Would make a great gift for any jam making fiends.
Lillie offers lots of tips and ideas about not just the cooking of the jams, but how to access them if you don’t grown your own, or cannot find them in local shops. Some ingredients the author admits are hard to find, for example, the mulberries. If you can find a farm that sells them, great! If you happen to have a mulberry tree in your garden, or know someone who has, even better!
Why include hard to find ingredients? Well, for some they may not actually be that hard to find. Plus, much of what makes this book a little different from just a normal recipe book, is hearing Lillie’s story’s about her travels and how through families and friends she has discovered these fruits. And now, because she is more famous, she also get’s invites from helpful people who offer the chance to come and pick the harder-to-find fruits.
The hardback book is rather a good looking one, and inside there are many full page, colourful pictures. Each section is separated into seasons:
ALIVE- mid to late spring.
HOT – summer
BLUSH – early autumn
BARB – late autumn
FROST – winter to early spring
Overall this is a well thought out book, which is ideal for jam makers who want to go one step further and try the more different recipes. I particularly liked the ideas O’Brien shared for the Christmas recipes. I don’t know why it is, but I do tend to get more adventurous with my cooking around this seasonal period. I’m sure I’m not the only one! Would make a great gift for any jam making fiends.
Kyera (8 KP) rated The Last of August (Charlotte Holmes #2) in Books
Jan 31, 2018
The Last of August introduces us to even more members of the Holmes and Moriarty families. After being framed for murder, what other trouble could Charlotte and Jamie possibly get themselves into? You’d be surprised. Charlotte and Jamie decide to spend Christmas break together in Europe. First, they visit Jamie’s mom where Charlotte gets to experience a more normal family life. Then, they travel to the Holmes manor in Sussex which is much less welcoming and far more confusing. Charlotte’s father, Alistair is imposing, her mother Emma questions Jamie’s motives, and her brother Milo rarely leaves his flat in Berlin. Charlotte’s family is not particularly warm and friendly, so it’s a welcome change when Jamie meets his father’s best friend and Charlotte’s Uncle Leander Holmes. Leander is sociable and kind, more comfortable at parties than the other members of his family and frequently hired to discover art crime/forgeries.
Their uneventful break ends suddenly when Leander disappears mysteriously and Charlotte’s mother is poisoned. These events set Charlotte and Jamie on a whirlwind adventure across Europe to discover the truth. They are joined by August Moriarty, to Jamie’s dismay and a contingent of Milo’s hired grunts. August is likable even though he is a Moriarty and we’re not always sure if we can trust him. We are introduced to his brother Hadrian and his sister Philippa, but not the more ruthless Lucien. I expect he will be the “big bad” for the third book, if not his parents so the reveal and development of their characters will wait until then.
Overall, the mystery and plot of this book were just as interested as the first in the series. There isn’t much else to add without spoilers, so just go read it. Highly recommended to young adult/teen fans of mystery, contemporary, or the classic Sherlock Holmes novels. I fell in love with this series and can’t wait to see how the series is concluded.
Their uneventful break ends suddenly when Leander disappears mysteriously and Charlotte’s mother is poisoned. These events set Charlotte and Jamie on a whirlwind adventure across Europe to discover the truth. They are joined by August Moriarty, to Jamie’s dismay and a contingent of Milo’s hired grunts. August is likable even though he is a Moriarty and we’re not always sure if we can trust him. We are introduced to his brother Hadrian and his sister Philippa, but not the more ruthless Lucien. I expect he will be the “big bad” for the third book, if not his parents so the reveal and development of their characters will wait until then.
Overall, the mystery and plot of this book were just as interested as the first in the series. There isn’t much else to add without spoilers, so just go read it. Highly recommended to young adult/teen fans of mystery, contemporary, or the classic Sherlock Holmes novels. I fell in love with this series and can’t wait to see how the series is concluded.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated You Will Know Me in Books
Feb 8, 2018
Katie Knox's life basically revolves around her teenage daughter, Devon, an extremely talented gymnast who is on a path to the Olympics. Katie and her husband, Eric, have given up their lives, their time, and their money for Devon's dream. But when a sudden death hits their close gymnastic community a few weeks before an important competition, this dream suddenly seems in jeopardy. Devon's fellow gymnasts and their families are awash in gossip as their beloved coach and his family deal with an unexpected loss. Katie wants only to focus on healing and moving on, but she finds her family drawn into the swirl, as each day reveals more surprises about her daughter and husband.
This novel was a very realistic look at the gymnastics world. You could easily picture Devon's gym and the cutthroat parents who populated it, forcing the weight of the world on Devon's shoulders, as they believed the gym's success rides on her shoulders. She captured their gossip and competition quite well. It also did an excellent job of portraying the lengths parents will go to support and protect their children. I guessed the outcome of this one fairly early on, but still found it fairly tense and suspenseful. In fact, this novel is almost too tense at times to be enjoyable, even though it's rather well-written and quite compelling. It's a trainwreck; you can't walk away, even though you know how it will end.
The book is intriguing in that it's written from Katie's perspective, despite the fact that it's basically all about Devon. This adds to the suspense -- how reliable is Katie, and how much does she truly know about Devon, her husband, and her younger son? There are times when you'd really love to key in on what Devon is thinking (and what she knows), which just adds to the tantalizingly frustrating element of this novel.
Overall, I enjoyed this one, though it wasn't one of my all-time favorite thrillers. Still, it's a quick, compelling read. 3.5 stars.
This novel was a very realistic look at the gymnastics world. You could easily picture Devon's gym and the cutthroat parents who populated it, forcing the weight of the world on Devon's shoulders, as they believed the gym's success rides on her shoulders. She captured their gossip and competition quite well. It also did an excellent job of portraying the lengths parents will go to support and protect their children. I guessed the outcome of this one fairly early on, but still found it fairly tense and suspenseful. In fact, this novel is almost too tense at times to be enjoyable, even though it's rather well-written and quite compelling. It's a trainwreck; you can't walk away, even though you know how it will end.
The book is intriguing in that it's written from Katie's perspective, despite the fact that it's basically all about Devon. This adds to the suspense -- how reliable is Katie, and how much does she truly know about Devon, her husband, and her younger son? There are times when you'd really love to key in on what Devon is thinking (and what she knows), which just adds to the tantalizingly frustrating element of this novel.
Overall, I enjoyed this one, though it wasn't one of my all-time favorite thrillers. Still, it's a quick, compelling read. 3.5 stars.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Move It, Miss Macintosh! in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Move It, Miss Macintosh! by Peggy Robbins Janousky is the story how Miss Macintosh, the kindergarten teacher, does NOT want to go to school on the first day; she's just too nervous. But the principal and other teachers show up to give her the encouragement she needs...and when she finally makes it to school, she finds maybe her class will be fun after all.
The principal and other teachers from the school show up at Miss Macintosh's house anticipating that she will be reluctant to go to school on her first day of teaching kindergarten. They all try to help her in various ways. I loved the names of the teachers from Mrs. Burger the lunchlady to Miss Melody the music teacher and Miss Patience the guidance counselor. The other silly thing as that they all rode to school on the bus, even the principal. When Miss Macintosh arrives in her classroom she sees that all the kids are nervous and she starts to sing, making up silly words about her morning. The kids love it, start giggling and they all have a great day. The illustrations are very silly, but bright and colourful so that kids will love them. I recommend this book to kindergarten or pre-kindergarten classes to read while trying to make them little ones feel comfortable. Families could also read this to their young ones before they actually start school so that they can see everyone, even the teacher is nervous at the beginning of a new school year.
This book was great! It's such a fun twist on the first-day-of-school-jitters to have the teacher be the nervous one. Kids will relate to how Miss Macintosh feels--but also get a kick out of the fact that it's the adult who is so worried. Really cute illustrations, engaging text, and fantastic concept for a book.
I received this advanced readers copy from Annick Press Ltd. and Annick Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The principal and other teachers from the school show up at Miss Macintosh's house anticipating that she will be reluctant to go to school on her first day of teaching kindergarten. They all try to help her in various ways. I loved the names of the teachers from Mrs. Burger the lunchlady to Miss Melody the music teacher and Miss Patience the guidance counselor. The other silly thing as that they all rode to school on the bus, even the principal. When Miss Macintosh arrives in her classroom she sees that all the kids are nervous and she starts to sing, making up silly words about her morning. The kids love it, start giggling and they all have a great day. The illustrations are very silly, but bright and colourful so that kids will love them. I recommend this book to kindergarten or pre-kindergarten classes to read while trying to make them little ones feel comfortable. Families could also read this to their young ones before they actually start school so that they can see everyone, even the teacher is nervous at the beginning of a new school year.
This book was great! It's such a fun twist on the first-day-of-school-jitters to have the teacher be the nervous one. Kids will relate to how Miss Macintosh feels--but also get a kick out of the fact that it's the adult who is so worried. Really cute illustrations, engaging text, and fantastic concept for a book.
I received this advanced readers copy from Annick Press Ltd. and Annick Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Christina Haynes (148 KP) rated The Book Jumper in Books
Sep 18, 2018
The Book Jumper
Amy Lennox is a book jumper, only she doesn't know this until she arrives in Scotland with her mother Alexis. There she finds out she comes from a long line of Book Jumpers along with another family. Now a book jumper is exactly what it sounds like. You have the ability to jump into any book you like by sliding it over your face and bamn your inside. Name your favourite book and your there, in the pages of the book. Your not just in the book living the lives of the characters, your in the book able to talk to whoever you like and go wherever you like. Only you can't interfere with the story itself, but your able to go among the pages as you please. The purpose of a Book Jumper is to protect literature and keep things safe, so that the stories don't change.
Amy learns how to be one through lessons with the other students who to can Book Jump. She learns the history of the two families and how a manuscript 100's of years ago was destroyed. She is then given her first book to jump into and protect - The Jungle Book.
Whilst Amy is in the world of books she meets some great allies and experiences some great stories. But whilst she is in one book with a friend of hers, she hears that someone or something has been stealing ideas from the stories. They are stealing the thing that makes that story, the thing that starts that story off...
But who is stealing these ideas, on the island she lives there is only around 6 people. But is the thief from the island or is there more to who is stealing and why?
This book was so good and I loved every moment of it.
☕☕☕☕ 4 – I REALLY LIKED IT
Love,
Christina xx
Amy learns how to be one through lessons with the other students who to can Book Jump. She learns the history of the two families and how a manuscript 100's of years ago was destroyed. She is then given her first book to jump into and protect - The Jungle Book.
Whilst Amy is in the world of books she meets some great allies and experiences some great stories. But whilst she is in one book with a friend of hers, she hears that someone or something has been stealing ideas from the stories. They are stealing the thing that makes that story, the thing that starts that story off...
But who is stealing these ideas, on the island she lives there is only around 6 people. But is the thief from the island or is there more to who is stealing and why?
This book was so good and I loved every moment of it.
☕☕☕☕ 4 – I REALLY LIKED IT
Love,
Christina xx
Carma (21 KP) rated Good Time Cowboy (Gold Valley, #3) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Another 5 star read from Maisey Yates, I wanna move to Gold Valley.
Lindy Parker is a strong woman. She wants what she wants when she wants it. She does NOT want Wyatt Dodge. Yet the same man occupies her every waking thought, her dreams and everything in between. She cant believe she is attracted to a bull rider.
Wyatt Dodge has been attracted to Lindy Parker for 5 years. Since the first day he saw her walking toward him only to kiss his friend Damien and get introduced as his wife. He cant do anything about said attraction with his ranch on the line. He has to find a way to work with her on the upcoming grand opening of his dude ranch or it will all be for nothing.
Lindy likes to be in charge, she likes order and structure. Everything Wyatt is not. Working with him is going to test her patience in more ways than one. Now if she can only stop thinking about ripping his clothes off thatd be great.
Wyatt treats Lindy like a kid with a crush, teasing her and proverbially pulling her pigtails. He makes and effort to call her Melinda, because no one else does. He finds the verbal sparring keeps his mind off of wanting to kiss her senseless. He has to stay focused on saving the ranch.
Lindy and Wyatt dance around their attraction like a Friday night hoedown but will they find out they work better as a team, in all areas of their relationship?
As with most of the books Ive read by Maisey Yates, Good Time Cowboy makes me want to move to Gold Valley and find these families. Ms. Yates writes such realistic characters that you cant help but feel every part of the story as if you were side by side in the thick of things. I received a copy of this story without expectation for review. Any and all opinions expressed are my own.
Lindy Parker is a strong woman. She wants what she wants when she wants it. She does NOT want Wyatt Dodge. Yet the same man occupies her every waking thought, her dreams and everything in between. She cant believe she is attracted to a bull rider.
Wyatt Dodge has been attracted to Lindy Parker for 5 years. Since the first day he saw her walking toward him only to kiss his friend Damien and get introduced as his wife. He cant do anything about said attraction with his ranch on the line. He has to find a way to work with her on the upcoming grand opening of his dude ranch or it will all be for nothing.
Lindy likes to be in charge, she likes order and structure. Everything Wyatt is not. Working with him is going to test her patience in more ways than one. Now if she can only stop thinking about ripping his clothes off thatd be great.
Wyatt treats Lindy like a kid with a crush, teasing her and proverbially pulling her pigtails. He makes and effort to call her Melinda, because no one else does. He finds the verbal sparring keeps his mind off of wanting to kiss her senseless. He has to stay focused on saving the ranch.
Lindy and Wyatt dance around their attraction like a Friday night hoedown but will they find out they work better as a team, in all areas of their relationship?
As with most of the books Ive read by Maisey Yates, Good Time Cowboy makes me want to move to Gold Valley and find these families. Ms. Yates writes such realistic characters that you cant help but feel every part of the story as if you were side by side in the thick of things. I received a copy of this story without expectation for review. Any and all opinions expressed are my own.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Suffragette (2015) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
I have read reviews before, that use the words “riveting” and “captivating” and “compelling”…. And usually I sort of just roll my eyes and hope that the movie is as good as the review says, because “usually” I find that the movie doesn’t actually match those words.
Suffragette, on the other hand, is all that, and more.
The movie has Meryl Streep in it, but she doesn’t have very much screen time. As much as I like Meryl Streep, this movie does just fine, all on its own, even with Streep only having a presence on its fringes.
I have not seen any other movies with the actress starring in the film, Carey Mulligan, but based on her performance in this movie, I would definitely be willing to see another.
Suffragette centers around the fight of women in London to be allowed the right to vote. Even trying to write this review, remembering the movie and trying to pull the words out, I get chills and tear up.
It was emotional, and angry, and incredibly sad. Brave and wild, sneaky and smart. Cruel and dangerous.
All of that, in one movie. I spent the last half, crying my eyes out. Quite literally, sobbing in the theatre, trying to not be obvious. The struggles those women faced, were REAL. They sacrificed their ability to work, their families, and their very LIVES to the cause of being treated equally to men, and having equal rights to vote, and equal pay as well.
Suffragette is a movie that everyone should see.
Men, women, children old enough to understand the implications of a struggle that spanned many years, and even today isn’t fully finished. The list at the end, of the countries in the world and when women got the right to vote, and the countries where women are STILL NOT ALLOWED to vote, was breathtaking…. And utterly heartbreaking.
Suffragette shows us how far we have come, and how very far we have yet to go, worldwide.
http://sknr.net/2015/11/06/suffragette/
Suffragette, on the other hand, is all that, and more.
The movie has Meryl Streep in it, but she doesn’t have very much screen time. As much as I like Meryl Streep, this movie does just fine, all on its own, even with Streep only having a presence on its fringes.
I have not seen any other movies with the actress starring in the film, Carey Mulligan, but based on her performance in this movie, I would definitely be willing to see another.
Suffragette centers around the fight of women in London to be allowed the right to vote. Even trying to write this review, remembering the movie and trying to pull the words out, I get chills and tear up.
It was emotional, and angry, and incredibly sad. Brave and wild, sneaky and smart. Cruel and dangerous.
All of that, in one movie. I spent the last half, crying my eyes out. Quite literally, sobbing in the theatre, trying to not be obvious. The struggles those women faced, were REAL. They sacrificed their ability to work, their families, and their very LIVES to the cause of being treated equally to men, and having equal rights to vote, and equal pay as well.
Suffragette is a movie that everyone should see.
Men, women, children old enough to understand the implications of a struggle that spanned many years, and even today isn’t fully finished. The list at the end, of the countries in the world and when women got the right to vote, and the countries where women are STILL NOT ALLOWED to vote, was breathtaking…. And utterly heartbreaking.
Suffragette shows us how far we have come, and how very far we have yet to go, worldwide.
http://sknr.net/2015/11/06/suffragette/
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Tune In: The Beatles: All These Years in Books
Jan 2, 2019
If you don't know by now, I am a huge fan of the Beatles. Both of my children have their own Beatles song (Hey Jude and Help), however my general knowledge of their history is not so great. So when I saw Tune In, I didn't hesitate at the opportunity to read it. Being born in the late 80s I can only imagine what it was like to live in the world of Beatlemania, endure the sorrow of their breakup, and all the years in between. Which is why I am so excited about this book. Something else about me, is that I value history, learning the facts and details about people and time periods. Tune In is an extremely in depth look at the men that changed music forever.
Beginning with their family histories, we learn everything there is to know about the background, the life, the creation of the Beatles. Each chapter covers a few years to a few months, and a single day in some cases, beginning in 1845-1945 with the histories of their families, going through their childhood years in the next chapter (1945-1954), and taking us through to the end of 1962.
I have only begun to scratch the surface of this book and I think it is safe to say...Mind...Blown. So much detail, so much history. I love it! With about 80 pages of Notes and another 10 for Credits Mark Lewisohn has definitely done his research to give us such an in depth account of Beatles history. If you are a fan of the Beatles, you are sure to love reading Tune In. Now to wait for volume two...
I received a free copy of Tune In (The Beatles: All These Years) Volume 1, from the publisher through Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Beginning with their family histories, we learn everything there is to know about the background, the life, the creation of the Beatles. Each chapter covers a few years to a few months, and a single day in some cases, beginning in 1845-1945 with the histories of their families, going through their childhood years in the next chapter (1945-1954), and taking us through to the end of 1962.
I have only begun to scratch the surface of this book and I think it is safe to say...Mind...Blown. So much detail, so much history. I love it! With about 80 pages of Notes and another 10 for Credits Mark Lewisohn has definitely done his research to give us such an in depth account of Beatles history. If you are a fan of the Beatles, you are sure to love reading Tune In. Now to wait for volume two...
I received a free copy of Tune In (The Beatles: All These Years) Volume 1, from the publisher through Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.</i>
<i>The Winner’s Curse</i> is the first book in the <i>Winner’s Trilogy</i> by American author Marie Rutkoski. It is a novel that mixes together rumours, lies, love and warfare to create an incredible new story for young adults.
It is set in a similar society to that of the 18th century or earlier (in Europe at least) except that for women there are only two lifestyles. By the age of twenty they must decide whether to marry or join the military. By women, that means Valorian women. Ever since the defeat of the Herrani during the Herran war many years ago, the Valorian have made them slaves and looked down on them, whilst seizing their lavish properties and enforcing Valorian customs.
The title, <i>The Winner’s Curse</i>, is a concept that relates to the winner of an auction. Whilst they have won the item they have also lost by paying out more money than other bidders felt it was worth. This is what happens to seventeen-year-old Lady Kestrel, a Valorian, when, with an unexplainable impulse, she hires Arin, a Herrani slave, for an extortionate amount of money. Put to work as a blacksmith, Arin becomes intrigued with Kestrel, and she with him, and they soon start to form a friendship – although rumours suggest something more.
It is not, however, simply the cost of a slave that <i>The Winner’s Curse</i> refers to. The Herrani are planning an attack on the Valorian Empire, and Kestrel being a General’s daughter could unknowingly reveal vital information. The emergence of a second Herran war is imminent, but Kestrel and Arin’s relationship complicate things further.
Whilst similar to other novels with lovers belonging to opposing families, it is more original regarding the circumstances, secrets and lies, which makes, not just the characters, but the reader question what their true feelings and intentions are.
It is an excellent, fast paced read, and definitely recommended.
<i>The Winner’s Curse</i> is the first book in the <i>Winner’s Trilogy</i> by American author Marie Rutkoski. It is a novel that mixes together rumours, lies, love and warfare to create an incredible new story for young adults.
It is set in a similar society to that of the 18th century or earlier (in Europe at least) except that for women there are only two lifestyles. By the age of twenty they must decide whether to marry or join the military. By women, that means Valorian women. Ever since the defeat of the Herrani during the Herran war many years ago, the Valorian have made them slaves and looked down on them, whilst seizing their lavish properties and enforcing Valorian customs.
The title, <i>The Winner’s Curse</i>, is a concept that relates to the winner of an auction. Whilst they have won the item they have also lost by paying out more money than other bidders felt it was worth. This is what happens to seventeen-year-old Lady Kestrel, a Valorian, when, with an unexplainable impulse, she hires Arin, a Herrani slave, for an extortionate amount of money. Put to work as a blacksmith, Arin becomes intrigued with Kestrel, and she with him, and they soon start to form a friendship – although rumours suggest something more.
It is not, however, simply the cost of a slave that <i>The Winner’s Curse</i> refers to. The Herrani are planning an attack on the Valorian Empire, and Kestrel being a General’s daughter could unknowingly reveal vital information. The emergence of a second Herran war is imminent, but Kestrel and Arin’s relationship complicate things further.
Whilst similar to other novels with lovers belonging to opposing families, it is more original regarding the circumstances, secrets and lies, which makes, not just the characters, but the reader question what their true feelings and intentions are.
It is an excellent, fast paced read, and definitely recommended.