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Marylegs (44 KP) rated Dark Aemilia (UK Edition) in Books

Aug 14, 2019  
Dark Aemilia (UK Edition)
Dark Aemilia (UK Edition)
Sally O'Reilly | 2014
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
So I received Dark Aemilia from a Goodreads give away. All I can say is how lucky I was to receive such a good book, that otherwise I likely would not have taken a second glance at. This is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction. Which at its core, is a love story, between Aemilia Bassano and William Shakespeare. How their love blossomed and through many external factors was pulled apart. The book is laid out in acts and scenes like a play and tells the story from Aemilia point of view. I enjoyed being submerged in the Tudor London at the end of Elizabeth I reign. This book completely grabbed me from the start and had I had more free time I am sure I would have read this book in a day or two.

Unfortunately as I haven’t ever read historical fiction before I don’t really have any point of reference for comparison. But what I will say is that I thoroughly enjoyed how realistic this book felt, but still was able to bring in completely fictitious elements of magic and witchcraft. Sam O’Reilly has managed to bring in these elements, which appealed to my love of fantasy, without being over the top. I particularly enjoyed the time when London was under the grips of the plague and thought it was just so well written and explained. At no point did I feel lost in descriptions, I was there, with Aemilia and that poor woman just couldn’t catch a break.

There is ‘mature content’ it is an adult story of love, so yes there is sex. I personally have no issue with this and believe it to be an integral addition to this story. It is done well and doesn’t feel forced or overdone. I am struggling to put into words how much I enjoyed this book, I will read it again and I would recommend it. I will now even consider reading other historical fiction that I had not thought I would enjoy.
  
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Hazel (1853 KP) rated The Cure for Dreaming in Books

Dec 7, 2018  
TC
The Cure for Dreaming
Cat Winters | 2014
8
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.</i>

On her seventeenth birthday 1900, Olivia Meade gets invited onto a stage to be hypnotized by the young Monsieur Henri Reverie in this historical, paranormal novel. In Oregon at this period of time women were not allowed to vote in presidential elections and Olivia’s father is determined that she does not get influenced by the campaigning suffragists. On hearing about the hypnotist, Dr. Meade hires him with the job of removing the “selfish” and “unladylike dreams” from his daughter’s head. However this causes Olivia more problems than expected. She begins to see horrible images but are these as a result of Henri telling her “you will see the world the way it truly is”, or is she hallucinating as a result of reading Dracula more times than necessary?

<i>The Cure For Dreaming</i> contains a mix of historical references and paranormal ideas as both Henri and Olivia struggle to find a successful way of reversing the effects of the hypnosis as well as involving themselves in the women’s suffrage movement.

Cat Winters, despite the added fantasy elements, has kept the book historically accurate. A typical novel about women’s equality would result in life changing successes, however as Oregon did not did not gain full suffrage until 1912 this of course was not impossible to include in <i>The Cure For Dreaming</i>. Ultimately it is a novel about growing up to be who you want to be and knowing your own mind rather than succumbing to the “natural” views of society.

The writing is contemporary and easy to understand which makes it suitable for ages twelve and older. The downside to this is that it detracts from the historical setting, making Olivia appear a lot more modern than she actually is. Apart from mimicking a classic novel type style, which would make it less suitable for its target audience, there is not a lot that can be done about that.

Between chapters of the book are relevant photographs or images from the appropriate time period, which help to illustrate the events in the plot. There are also quotes from authors such as Kate Chopin and Mark Twain as well as more political lines from various speeches. These also help to provide an understanding of the historical setting.

Overall <i>The Cure For Dreaming</i> is a great book for teenagers. There may be paranormal themes but it is not a horror novel, in fact there is just as much romance as anything else.
  
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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Wizard's chance ( The Realm book 1) in Books

Apr 10, 2020  
Wizard&#039;s chance ( The Realm book 1)
Wizard's chance ( The Realm book 1)
Eve Langlais | 2020
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A romance set in a fantasy world with a modern day heroine.

Curvy, with glasses, and her nose always buried in a book. That's Samantha, a dreamer waiting for her happily ever after and looking for her prince charming.

Her whole life changes the day she walks into the oddest bookshop and finds a magical book that transports her to a tropical island with a hunk who thinks he's a wizard.

And that's not the strangest thing about her sudden arrival in paradise. Try little green people who can breath underwater and an evil sorceress intent on killing Samantha. But the most astonishing thing of all? The slow seduction by a wizard who thinks she's his best chance for breaking his curse.



This book mixed magic and historical romance. It was fun ,quirky and so pleasant to read! Yes some bits a bit cringy but I found it added something to the story. How many of us that read both genres or a good romance and wish to fall into the book? Me for one!!! I'm really looking forward to book 2!!