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Rachel King (13 KP) rated The Thirteenth Tale in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This book is like several stories woven together - Margaret's story, Vida Winter's story, and the story that Vida tells to Margaret. There was so much to keep track of that I really took my time reading and digesting the book.
Before Margaret meets Vida, the reader learns about Margaret's childhood filled with books, growing up in an antique bookstore with a book trader for a father - so many things for a bookworm to envy! Her love of nineteenth century literature seeps through the pages of the book in subtle ways, and I doubt I picked up on all of the hints.
Vida draws Margaret into her world through secrets, ghosts, and promises of some greater truth. Margaret is suspicious enough of Vida's story to do her own investigative work into Vida's past, which reveals more secrets and ghosts, as she is also battling with her own personal ghost.
The "thirteenth tale" is the big mystery and hook for Margaret, and very little of the book is predictable, so I was just as surprised by how it all ends as Margaret is. Margaret's dedication to Vida' story and her past goes way beyond that of a simple biographer, and I can't help but root all her varied efforts in tying up all the loose ends before Vida expires.
The over-riding theme of the book is the duality of twins, which makes for a very interesting concept and plays into so many sub-plots throughout the book. Without giving it away, uncovering the big revelation is worth the 400-plus page read!
Before Margaret meets Vida, the reader learns about Margaret's childhood filled with books, growing up in an antique bookstore with a book trader for a father - so many things for a bookworm to envy! Her love of nineteenth century literature seeps through the pages of the book in subtle ways, and I doubt I picked up on all of the hints.
Vida draws Margaret into her world through secrets, ghosts, and promises of some greater truth. Margaret is suspicious enough of Vida's story to do her own investigative work into Vida's past, which reveals more secrets and ghosts, as she is also battling with her own personal ghost.
The "thirteenth tale" is the big mystery and hook for Margaret, and very little of the book is predictable, so I was just as surprised by how it all ends as Margaret is. Margaret's dedication to Vida' story and her past goes way beyond that of a simple biographer, and I can't help but root all her varied efforts in tying up all the loose ends before Vida expires.
The over-riding theme of the book is the duality of twins, which makes for a very interesting concept and plays into so many sub-plots throughout the book. Without giving it away, uncovering the big revelation is worth the 400-plus page read!
ClareR (5911 KP) rated The Lost Man in Books
Mar 2, 2019
An atmospheric, addictive mystery.
A man's body is found in the Outback near what is locally known as 'The Stockman's Grave'. He had been out in the open and died of dehydration. His brothers are called to identify his body, and the family are then thrown in to the process of organising a funeral for him on Christmas Eve.
This is a family with many secrets - a family who have had hard lives and upbringings - and these secrets are ready to come out into the open.
The eldest brother, Nathan, can't believe that his brother died in the way that he did. They were all born and raised in the Outback, and wouldn't make the mistakes that led to the death of his brother, so he wants to try and find out exactly why and how he died.
I really enjoyed this book - they're a complicated family with a difficult past. I loved the way we are drip fed the stories of their lives, and the circumstances that made them who they are.
I love the Jane Harper books that I've read so far - she is so good at writing an uncomfortable atmosphere, and I really felt for the characters. The descriptions of the Outback, the bleakness and the heat, are so graphic that I feel like I could be there too (and with that heat, I'm glad I'm not!). I have Force of Nature sat on my bookshelf, and I'm really looking forward to reading it next!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this really fabulous book!
This is a family with many secrets - a family who have had hard lives and upbringings - and these secrets are ready to come out into the open.
The eldest brother, Nathan, can't believe that his brother died in the way that he did. They were all born and raised in the Outback, and wouldn't make the mistakes that led to the death of his brother, so he wants to try and find out exactly why and how he died.
I really enjoyed this book - they're a complicated family with a difficult past. I loved the way we are drip fed the stories of their lives, and the circumstances that made them who they are.
I love the Jane Harper books that I've read so far - she is so good at writing an uncomfortable atmosphere, and I really felt for the characters. The descriptions of the Outback, the bleakness and the heat, are so graphic that I feel like I could be there too (and with that heat, I'm glad I'm not!). I have Force of Nature sat on my bookshelf, and I'm really looking forward to reading it next!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this really fabulous book!
The Reluctant Psychic
Book
We all, as children, saw imaginary friends and heard monsters in the closet. But for Suzan Saxman,...
Cocoa Beach (A Certain Age #2)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Burdened by a dark family secret, Virginia Fortescue flees her oppressive home in New York City for...
Sunburn: A Novel
Book
"Lippman is a natural storyteller at the height of her powers." - Lee Child, #1 New York Times...
The Moth Catcher
9.0
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Book
The Moth Catcher is the seventh book in Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope series - now the major ITV...
Underground Airlines
Book
"The most timely of alternate history novels. Ben Winters has created a spellbinding world that...
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Vacation in Books
Jul 22, 2020 (Updated Jul 22, 2020)
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
T. M. Logan will probably never realize it, but he changed my life. Tim's first novel, Lies, was the first book I was given to review. You can guess that he has a special place in my heart, but I will still provide an honest review.
The Vacation, his third book, introduces us to Kate and her 3 BFFs. After college, they drifted apart but made time for the yearly vacation. That is until kids and life get in the way. After several years, they are getting the gang back together to celebrate their 40th birthdays, and they are inviting their husbands and kids too. Kate is looking forward to it until she realizes one of them is having an affair with her husband.
If that were the full story, I would not have enjoyed it. However, secrets come out. Secrets from, the past, the couples, and from friends. Is anyone who Kate thought they were?
I had difficulty getting into the book, but once the rest of the story opened up, I was hooked. I tried to think of what I would cut from the beginning but found nothing. It is necessary to set up the events that follow.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/21/20.
T. M. Logan will probably never realize it, but he changed my life. Tim's first novel, Lies, was the first book I was given to review. You can guess that he has a special place in my heart, but I will still provide an honest review.
The Vacation, his third book, introduces us to Kate and her 3 BFFs. After college, they drifted apart but made time for the yearly vacation. That is until kids and life get in the way. After several years, they are getting the gang back together to celebrate their 40th birthdays, and they are inviting their husbands and kids too. Kate is looking forward to it until she realizes one of them is having an affair with her husband.
If that were the full story, I would not have enjoyed it. However, secrets come out. Secrets from, the past, the couples, and from friends. Is anyone who Kate thought they were?
I had difficulty getting into the book, but once the rest of the story opened up, I was hooked. I tried to think of what I would cut from the beginning but found nothing. It is necessary to set up the events that follow.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/21/20.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Delayed Admission (Shadow Veil Academy #1) in Books
May 14, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
65 of 250
Kindle
Delayed Admission ( Shadow Veil Academy book 1)
By Heather Renee
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Some secrets are better kept.
To Raegan Keyes, she's the only one of her kind, but has no idea what she is. Until, one night, she finds out her unexplainable abilities aren't the only thing she needs to worry about. Suddenly, her world becomes much bigger than she ever could have dreamed.
When a mysterious man named Enzo arrives, too striking to be human, Raegan learns she's not as alone as she believed. As more secrets are revealed, she's swept off to an academy for others like her, thousands of miles away from home, by a complete stranger whom she'd rather stab than travel with.
As tension builds between Raegan and Enzo, she begins to find her purpose as she settles into her new existence, alongside elves, witches, vampires, and shifters. With a group of new friends, she's finally feeling alive again. That is, until something sinister comes along, once more throwing her life into mayhem.
I didn’t really know what to expect but I really ended up enjoying it! I love that Reagan is a dragon with Elf and witch magic it’s something for everyone. I wondered if it would be to YA and it is in parts but still a decent adult read too especially if you’re looking for something light!
Looking forward to more from Heather Renee.
Kindle
Delayed Admission ( Shadow Veil Academy book 1)
By Heather Renee
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Some secrets are better kept.
To Raegan Keyes, she's the only one of her kind, but has no idea what she is. Until, one night, she finds out her unexplainable abilities aren't the only thing she needs to worry about. Suddenly, her world becomes much bigger than she ever could have dreamed.
When a mysterious man named Enzo arrives, too striking to be human, Raegan learns she's not as alone as she believed. As more secrets are revealed, she's swept off to an academy for others like her, thousands of miles away from home, by a complete stranger whom she'd rather stab than travel with.
As tension builds between Raegan and Enzo, she begins to find her purpose as she settles into her new existence, alongside elves, witches, vampires, and shifters. With a group of new friends, she's finally feeling alive again. That is, until something sinister comes along, once more throwing her life into mayhem.
I didn’t really know what to expect but I really ended up enjoying it! I love that Reagan is a dragon with Elf and witch magic it’s something for everyone. I wondered if it would be to YA and it is in parts but still a decent adult read too especially if you’re looking for something light!
Looking forward to more from Heather Renee.