February Wrap Up and March TBR

Read in February: Historical Fiction

My blogging slump is still basically hanging around but I have gotten much better this month. I am posting more regularly and even sometimes posting in advance, which is really good. I am still a little behind on posts and don't have much motivation to write reviews, but we are getting there. As for reading, it wasn't a great month but seeing as it is the shortest of the year, I think I did okay. I read a total of 11 books this month. Okay, well I really only read 10 but I'm saying I finished Courting Darkness even though I didn't because I will over the weekend.

For challenges, I am once again low key doing challenges. The only one I am legit doing is how many books in a year. I set a Goodreads goal of reading 150 books in a year. My original goal last year was 150 but I had to lower it so I want to make that happen this year. Adding these 11 to last month brings my total to 27 for the year which is on track for this goal. For the rest of the challenges I only low key set them. I want to read 20 debuts this year and I read 2 again this month which is 4 for the year and on track. I haven't really been reading e-books lately but I did get approved for a good amount on Netgalley so I need to hold myself accountable. I want to read 15 books this year. I read 1 this month which is a total of 3 for 2019. I also want to read 20 backlist books. This month I read 2 backlist books which is 5 for the year. I am on track for all of these goals but it is kind of too early to tell

The Books

1.) Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullogh Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
2.)  King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
3.) Saga Vol. 8 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples Rating: 8 out of 10
4.) Saga Vol. 9 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples Rating: 9.5 out of 10
5.) On the Come Up by Angie Thomas Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
6.) Spectacle by Jodi Lynn Zdork Rating: 8 out of 10 stars [My Review]
7.) Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars [My Review]
8.) The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry Rating: 8 out of 10 stars [My Review]

9.) The Wicked and the Divine Vol. 1: The Faust Act by Kieron Gillen 
and Jamie McKelvie Rating: 9 out of 10
10.) Immortal Code by Lillian Clark Rating: 7 out of 10 [Review to Come]
11.) Courting Darkness by Robin LeFevers Rating: 9 out of 10 [Review to Come]

To Be Read in March: 

And here is hoping that I can continue the strong reading month. It is the time of year where exciting new books continue to come out, including a few I have been waiting on for years. I am hoping to read at least a dozen books this month but I am honestly not sure which books I want to read. I have a busy month with travel for work and to visit family and friends so we shall see.

Books for Review

Enchantee by Gita Trelease - Add to Goodreads
I wanted to read this last month but I didn't get the chance with the other books I was hoping to read. But honestly this month I don't have many plans of what to read so hopefully I will have time for this one finally.

The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees - Add to Goodreads
I received an advance copy of this from the publisher a while ago and it is finally time to read it. I love low fantasy dealing with forests. They always feel like modern fairy tales and this one sounds great.

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan - Add to Goodreads
I am super excited to read this book. I am on the blog tour for early April and I am planning to read this next month in order to prepare for the tour.

The Fever King by Victoria Lee - Add to Goodreads

This is technically a March release but it is one of the Kindle First Reads this month and there is almost never one of those I want to read so when I saw this I snatched it up.

New Releases

Slayer by Kiersten White - Add to Goodreads
I have been wanting to read this one and a few friends and I decided to buddy read it. One of them is a huge Buffy fan and so I am excited to discuss with her.

The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton - Add to Goodreads

I loved The Belles. I was late to the party on that book but for this one I have a copy already ordered and I am so pumped to start it.

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Schotle - Add to Goodreads
I have a copy of this reserved from the library. If things go well then I should be able to read it this month. Maybe bring it with me to read on my trip.

Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon - Add to Goodreads
I love Samantha Shannon's writing and I am super excited to read her take on dragons. But this book is a total beast. I am thinking about listening to the audiobook but it's 25 hours long. I'm not sure if I have to time to finish it.

Backlist Books

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green - Add to Goodreads

I have the unpopular opinion that John Green is overrated but I think is because I have always liked his brother Hank more. I'm excited to read his novel. It sounds really good.

Other than that, I have no plans. A few other books I reserved from the library that might come in but I am not sure which and I don't know if I will be able to read them and when.

There you have it. Some of the books I hope to read in March. As always, these are subject to change. I may read all of these or I may only read a few and then read a bunch of different ones. But honestly I think this list I can stick to. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Review: The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry

Title: The Passion of Dolssa Written by: Julie Berry Published: April 12, 2016 by Viking Books for Young Readers (Penguin Group) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Dolssa is a young gentlewoman with uncanny gifts, on the run from an obsessed friar determined to burn her as a heretic for the passion she refuses to tame.  Botille is a wily and charismatic peasant, a matchmaker running a tavern with her two sisters in a tiny seaside town.  The year is 1241; the place, Provensa, what we now call Provence, France—a land still reeling from the bloody crusades waged there by the Catholic Church and its northern French armies.  When the matchmaker finds the mystic near death by a riverside, Botille takes Dolssa in and discovers the girl’s extraordinary healing power. But as the vengeful Friar Lucien hunts down his heretic, the two girls find themselves putting an entire village at the mercy of murderers.

The Passion of Dolssa has been on my list since before it came out. I read a lot of historical fiction and I am looking for books that have unique settings and stories and this absolutely fit the build. I tried to read it a few times but after those false starts I was nervous about reading it this month. But my themes is historical France so I took the time and I am glad that I did. It is not my typical read but very interesting.

This book is beautifully written. I listened to the audiobook and I am surprised by how much it pulled me in. The writing had the kind of prose that translates so well to the audio format. I do think it did have a bit of a slow start. As I said before, I tried reading it a few times and it took me until now until I finally finished it. I think it is just one of those slower books that you have to take your time with. It did built to an exciting conclusion that had me so concerned about what was going to happen, it just took it's time to hook me. Although when it did, it didn't let me go.

One of the things that surprised me most about this book is how it combined history and religion. I usually don't read a lot of books with religious content, although it is something I enjoy in high fantasy. But I feel like this book did a really good job of handling the religion. This was a period of time with a lot of religious unrest, especially with the Catholic Church, between the Crusades and the Inquisition. This book did not shy away from these more unsavory activities of the church, but it also didn't portray the church as all bad. There was a lot of grey areas when it came to not only organized religion itself but the people who practiced it. I appreciated that from both a narrative perspective and real life perspective. It made you think and that is all you can really ask for with any book, especially a historical fiction novel.

However, I would have appreciated this book to have established the physical setting. This is really important to me in historical fiction. This is one of those books where it felt like it could have happened anywhere. It could have been any place in Medieval Europe. This might not be that be an issue for many readers but for me I was missing something. I have been to Provence, it's a beautiful place and has a rich history especially in reference to religion and the Catholic Church. But for me the setting didn't really come alive and I had hoped it would.

One thing I did love however is the characters. The author did a really good job in making the reader connect with the characters, especially the women. While Dolssa is the titular character, it is Botille who is really the one who moves the plot along. In the beginning I thought I would be more interested in Dolssa's perspectives but very quickly I found that I enjoyed Botille. She is kind and caring, but also smart and resourceful. She's one of those women who is slightly ahead of her time and therefore is in a kind of precarious position. All of this made me like her and root for her. Dolssa is the character who is easy to root for, however. She is the one who is taken advantage of by society because of her position as a woman. We are not in her head as much as I expected but the times we did gave her a lot of depth. Being in Lucien's head also gave his character depth. He wasn't a totally terrible antagonist which can often happen in these kinds of stories. Now don't get me wrong, he was vile and loathsome but he felt more like of those people who is completely misguided in that he thinks he is in the right, and that made him a much more engaging character.

All in all, The Passion of Dolssa was a complex and engaging read that made me think. It's a good historical fiction novel that handled religion in a really great way and complex characters that I connected with more than I would expect.

I give The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry 8 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. If you haven't read this book and you are looking for a unique historical fiction novel then check this book out. What I am curious about is what people who are more religious think about it.

Have you read The Passion of Dolssa? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough

Title: Blood Water {aint Written by: Mimi Yu Published: March 6, 2018 by Dutton Books for Young Readers (Penguin Group) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: A debut novel based on the true story of the iconic painter, Artemisia Gentileschi.  Her mother died when she was twelve, and suddenly Artemisia Gentileschi had a stark choice: a life as a nun in a convent or a life grinding pigment for her father's paint.   She chose paint.  By the time she was seventeen, Artemisia did more than grind pigment. She was one of Rome's most talented painters, even if no one knew her name. But Rome in 1610 was a city where men took what they wanted from women, and in the aftermath of rape Artemisia faced another terrible choice: a life of silence or a life of truth, no matter the cost.  He will not consume  my every thought.  I am a painter.  I will paint.  I will show you  what a woman can do.

I was very interested in reading his book when it came out last year but I shy away from novels in verse so I didn’t read it. But I needed a new audiobook and when I saw this from the library, I am glad I picked it up because it wasn’t an easy read but it was a really good read.

Wow, this book did not shy away from some of the worst aspects of what it meant to be a woman during this period of history. It really goes there when it comes to abuse and sexual assault. One of the more interesting things is that it not only showed the actual sexual assault but the lead up to it and the impact it had on the character's life. And the saddest thing is that it is based on a real person and the main plot points actually happened to her. It was tough to read at times, but also still very empowering.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book was the agency she gave her main character. Artemisia is a historical figure I knew very little about and now I am really glad to know her. She is the kind of female character I always enjoy because she showed tremendous strength in the face of some of the worst possible adversity. It was easy to root for Artemisia and to want her to triumph over the men who mistreated her in the worst possible way.

But the author’s gorgeous writing was a much needed contrast with the brutal subject matter. This my first novel in verse and I honestly don't know what my hang up with the format was before. Now, I did listen to this as an audiobook so I don't know what it would be like in a written format but this definitely worked. At times I often found myself forgetting it wasn't a traditional novel. It just gave the book a poetic flow that added some needed beauty and depth to the more difficult subject matter.

This book is not for the faint of heart but it is a great read and one that I wish didn’t feel so current. It is a feminist and empowering piece of historical fiction perfect for the MeToo era.

I give Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. If you like historical fiction or are looking for an issue book, I would definitely recommend this one. It doesn't sugar coat some serious things women experienced throughout history and are still experiencing today.

Have you read Blood Water Paint? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

January Wrap Up and February TBR

Read in January: Science Fiction

I have been going through a pretty serious blogging slump lately and it has made me super behind on basically everything including reviews and my monthly wrap up. But I wanted to start the year off with a little bit more accountability and responsibility. Plus, I wanted to brag a little bit because I have not been going through a reading slump this month. December was rough but I am definitely back on track. Because, you guys, I read 16 books this month. SIX-TEEN! And only a quarter of them were comics. I am completely back on track with my reading and hoping to continue that in February.

For challenges, this year I'm low key doing challenges. The only one I am legit doing is how many books in a year. I set a Goodreads goal of reading 150 books in a year. My original goal last year was 150 but I had to lower it so I want to make that happen this year.  For the rest of the challenges I only low key set them. I want to read 20 debuts this year and I read 2 this month which is on track for the year. I haven't really been reading e-books lately but I did get approved for a good amount on Netgalley so I need to hold myself accountable. I want to read 15 books this year. I read two this month so I might be able to do better with this in 2019. I also want to read 20 backlist books. This month I read 3 backlist books which means that I am on track for this one as well.

The Books

1.) Runaways Vol. 2: Best Friends Forever by Rainbow Rowell and Kris Anka 
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
2.) Ski Weekend by R.L. Stine Rating: 6 out of 10 [Podcast Review]
3.)  White Stag by Kara Barbieri Rating: 7 out of 10 [My Review]
4.) Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers Rating: 9 out of 10 [Review to Come]
5.) In An Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [My Review]
6.) The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi Rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars [My Review]
7.) Saga Vol. 5 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples Rating: 9.5 out of 10
8.) From Twinkle, with Love by Sandhya Menon Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
9.) Giant Days: Early Registration by John Allison Rating: 8.5 out of 10
10.) Sage Vol. 6 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples Rating: 9.5 out of 10
11.) Skyward by Brandon Sanderson Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
12.) Saga Vol. 7 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples Rating: 9 out of 10
13.) Undying by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [My Review]
 14.) The Girl King by Mimi Yu Rating: 8 out of 10 [Review to Come]
15.) Double Date by R.L. Stine Rating 5 out of 10 [Podcast Website]
16.) Space Opera by Cathrynne M. Valente Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [Review to Come]

To Be Read in February: Historical Fiction/FRANCE!

And here is hoping that I can continue the strong reading month. A ton of really great books are coming our this month, including a few I have been waiting on for years. I am hoping to read at least a dozen books this month. And I am also bringing back the monthly themes. I looked at the books I read last month and I basically did a sci-fi month and then realized I was planning on reading mostly historical fiction and even a few set in France.

Books for Review

Dark of the West by Joanna Hathway - Add to Goodreads
I received an advance copy of this from the publisher and I started reading it but put it down because King of Scars came out and I'm sorry all other books, Nikolai comes first. But I do want to finish it.

Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers - Add to Goodreads
I read the first book in this series ages ago because I heard good things and I was not disappointed. But I didn't complete the series until last month in preparation for this book.

Enchantee by Gita Trelease - Add to Goodreads
I am so excited that Paris is having a moment in YA literature because I have been wanting more Parisian historical fiction for years now. And this is a magical version of the French Revolution. GIMME!

Spectacle by Jodie Lynn Zdrok - Add to Goodreads
Another historical Paris, this time the Belle Epoque and a murder mystery with a magical element. Like seriously, it's the most Cassi book.

Immoral Code by Lilian Clark - Add to Goodreads
In case I need a break from the historical fantasy and high fantasy, I have this YA mystery/thriller to break up the monotony.

The Fever King by Victoria Lee - Add to Goodreads

This is technically a March release but it is one of the Kindle First Reads this month and there is almost never one of those I want to read so when I saw this I snatched it up.

New Releases

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo - Add to Goodreads

New Grishverse book... THIS IS NOT A DRILL! I got this book last week when I went to Leigh's signing in Boston and I have been reading it all weekend!

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas - Add to Goodreads
I plan to listen to this audiobook (it's narrated by Bahni Turpin who is amazing and narrated The Hate U Give). It comes out tomorrow and I plan to get it then.

Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard - Add to Goodreads
I have been waiting for this book to come out for two years and it is almost here! Susan is coming t Boston in a few weeks and I am planning on being at here event to meet her and get all my books signed.

Backlist Books

Blood Water Paint by Jody McCullough - Add to Goodreads

I have wanted to read this book for awhile but then I heard it is a novel in verse and lost some interest. But I saw the audiobook from the library and decided to take a chance. I'm glad I did because I am actually enjoying it.

The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry - Add to Goodreads
This is another book I have been wanting to read for ages and even tried once but I never did. But I want to make a concerted effort this month.

There you have it. Some of the books I hope to read in January. As always, these are subject to change. I may read all of these or I may only read a few and then read a bunch of different ones. But honestly I think this list I can stick to. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Review: Pulp by Robin Talley

Title: Pulp Written by: Robin Talley Published: November 13, 2018 by Harlequin Teen (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: In 1955, eighteen-year-old Janet Jones keeps the love she shares with her best friend Marie a secret. It’s not easy being gay in Washington, DC, in the age of McCarthyism, but when she discovers a series of books about women falling in love with other women, it awakens something in Janet. As she juggles a romance she must keep hidden and a newfound ambition to write and publish her own story, she risks exposing herself—and Marie—to a danger all too real. Sixty-two years later, Abby Zimet can’t stop thinking about her senior project and its subject—classic 1950s lesbian pulp fiction. Between the pages of her favorite book, the stresses of Abby’s own life are lost to the fictional hopes, desires and tragedies of the characters she’s reading about. She feels especially connected to one author, a woman who wrote under the pseudonym “Marian Love,” and becomes determined to track her down and discover her true identity. In this novel told in dual narratives, New York Times bestselling author Robin Talley weaves together the lives of two young women connected across generations through the power of words. A stunning story of bravery, love, how far we’ve come and how much farther we have to go.

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

I've read a few of Robin Talley's books and I really enjoyed them so when I saw she was coming out a new book that historical fiction elements I was really excited to read it. And it was a really interesting and engaging read with more layers than I was expecting.

One of the most interesting things about this book for me is the fact that it read like a historical mystery. Historical mysteries are one of my favorite subgenres and I have enjoyed both Robin's historical fiction and her mysteries so I knew this book was in good hands. This was one of those stories where a modern character finds something from the historical character who she has to learn more about. Their stories are linked and often mirror each other. That is exactly what happened in Pulp. Despite how different their lives were, in so many ways Abby and Janet's lives mirrored one another as they dealt with their feelings of attraction to their best friends, found a book that spoke deep into their soul, and their desire to write the perfect story.

My favorite part about this book was the subtle themes in the plot. Books about books is not rare by any means but Pulp handled it so well and in a way that was much more subtle. Pulp is very much a book for fans of reading and writing. It perfectly expresses how you feel when you find that perfect book with that character and experiences so much like your own that you relate to it so completely it overtakes you. It also communicates the idea of writing an own voices book. A book that captures your story in that cathartic way that you not only get it out of your head but out in the world. Despite my massive failure of NaNoWriMo this was the perfect book to read for this month because it is so much about writing.

I also really enjoyed the historical aspect of this book. Robin Talley is a master of write not only the LGBT experience in a historical perspective but what it was like in the mid-20th Century. This book took some of the more unspoken and undiscussed aspects of the 1950's and early-60's and brought them into the light, well as light as possible with such dark and difficult topics. She really showed the pressure and anxiety caused by McCarthyism and the witch hunt not only for Communists but anyone who was different including homosexuals. I love exploring not only this time period but some of the aspects that don't often get the attention they deserve so I really enjoyed this book for that reason.

As far as the characters go, I felt like the author did a great job in balancing the two perspectives. The story alternated between Janet and Abby and they both had interesting stories but if I am being completely honest I enjoyed Janet's story a bit more. Abby was super relateable and the way she was dealing with her writing and the anxiety of how she was handling the forthcoming change felt so genuine and real. However, I found myself wanting to learn more about Janet and how her story unfolded. In her chapters there was drama and tension. For a plot-driven reader, Janet's story was the more engaging. I also think I just liked Janet a bit more. She had a lot going against her but she knew who she and stayed fiercely herself despite the adversity. I had a lot of respect for her because of that.

I really enjoyed Pulp a lot. It was a fast and interesting book and I devoured it. I read it so much faster than I expected because I was invested in the stories of both Janet and Abby. It was a subtle historical mystery with great themes and engaging characters.

I give Pulp by Robin Talley 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. If you are a fan of historical fiction, especially historical mysteries, then I would recommend reading this book. It's also a great read for people who like books about books and writing. I thoroughly enjoyed it for that aspect.

Have you read Pulp? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Review: Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

Title: Manhattan Beach Written by: Jennifer Egan Published: October 3, 2017 by Scribner (Simon and Schuster) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: The daring and magnificent novel from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of A Visit from the Goon Squad.  Anna Kerrigan, nearly twelve years old, accompanies her father to visit Dexter Styles, a man who, she gleans, is crucial to the survival of her father and her family. She is mesmerized by the sea beyond the house and by some charged mystery between the two men.  ‎ Years later, her father has disappeared and the country is at war. Anna works at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, where women are allowed to hold jobs that once belonged to men, now soldiers abroad. She becomes the first female diver, the most dangerous and exclusive of occupations, repairing the ships that will help America win the war. One evening at a nightclub, she meets Dexter Styles again, and begins to understand the complexity of her father’s life, the reasons he might have vanished.  With the atmosphere of a noir thriller, Egan’s first historical novel follows Anna and Styles into a world populated by gangsters, sailors, divers, bankers, and union men. Manhattan Beach is a deft, dazzling, propulsive exploration of a transformative moment in the lives and identities of women and men, of America and the world. It is a magnificent novel by the author of A Visit from the Goon Squad, one of the great writers of our time.

I read A Visit from the Good Squad years ago, before I really started blogging and was reading a lot more literary fiction. I really enjoyed it so when I saw Egan was coming out with a new book last year I had wanted to read it but never did. So when I saw the audiobook for download from the library I snagged it and I am so glad I did because this was just what I was interested in reading.

Lately I have been really enjoying historical fiction and this book was a great example of the genre. I know I've said this before but I like historical fiction which takes a lesser known event from a period of time and explores it with fictional characters. That's exactly what this book did. The book took place in the late 1930's and early 1940's in New York City. It explored many different aspects of the period including gangsters, the Great Depression, and World War II. I liked the portions about WWII the most as we got to see life on the homefront, particularly women working in factories and other jobs in which the men had left to go fight. Seeing Anna becoming a diver for the Navy was incredibly interesting and I enjoyed seeing her overcome the assumptions people have over her strength do to her sex. But there were also more interesting layers to this story of the war that I think fans of historical fiction, particularly those who like books about WWII, will enjoy.

But I think the heart of this story was the characters. Like A Visit from the Good Squad this book is about multiple people and how their lives intertwine and overlap. The main character here is arguably Anna. When we first meet her she is twelve and following her father around on his jobs for local gangsters. We see what family life is like for her through both her eyes and her fathers which adds to the story even more. You can feel their love for one another and know how much it is reciprocated. Then as Anna grows up we follow her working at the Navy Yard and making some not great decisions. But she is seriously so sympathetic so when she is faced with the consequences you are invested. The final perspective is Dexter Stiles, a gangster who Eddie works for who Anna ends up meeting again years later after her father disappears. While Dexter's perspectives didn't have the same emotional resonance they still drew me in and added to the overall story.

Speaking of the story, this was a much slower narrative than I usually enjoy. It wasn't all action and adventure with high stakes although there were definitely aspects of that in this story. One of the storylines in particular had an extreme survival component and I really enjoyed that. For the most part these were really three, maybe even four, very different stories that only seem to connect because the characters were connected. Narratively speaking they were all very different but in the end I think they came together in a way that was interesting and engaging. Oddly enough, this book read like a historical mystery even though there wasn't really a mystery. It just had those vobes and as a fan of that genre I appreciated that.

As I mentioned, i listened to the audiobook of this one and I am really glad that I did. Each perspective had a different narrator. and they all did a fantastic job of developing the characters and setting the tone of the story. Both Eddie and Dexter were narrated by actors and they did a fantastic job. One of the reasons I wanted to read this is that Eddie is narrated by Norbert Leo Butz who I love. He really should narrate more audios because he did an amazing job. Over time I found myself forgetting it was him and falling into the story and the characters he was creating. But all the narrators did a great job and I loved the way that they would switch mid-chapter when the perspective would change. I usually hate that when I'm reading but with an audiobook with more than one narrator it works really well.

On the whole, I really enjoyed Manhattan Beach. It's not my usual read so it was a nice palatte cleanser which is just what I needed. It has a good historical setting, engaging characters, and an interweaving plot that pulls you in a takes you on a surprisingly emotional journey.

I give Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. If you are a fan of historical fiction and have not read this yet I recommend picking it up wither next time you are at the library or if you are in a bookstore and looking for something to read. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Have you read Manhattan Beach? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Review: Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

Title: Outrun the Moon Written by: Stacey Lee Published: May 24, 2016 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (Penguin) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: San Francisco, 1906: Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty in Chinatown, and an education at St. Clare’s School for Girls is her best hope. Although St. Clare’s is off-limits to all but the wealthiest white girls, Mercy gains admittance through a mix of cunning and a little bribery, only to discover that getting in was the easiest part. Not to be undone by a bunch of spoiled heiresses, Mercy stands strong—until disaster strikes.  On April 18, a historic earthquake rocks San Francisco, destroying Mercy’s home and school. With martial law in effect, she is forced to wait with her classmates for their families in a temporary park encampment. Though fires might rage, and the city may be in shambles, Mercy can’t sit by while they wait for the army to bring help—she still has the “bossy” cheeks that mark her as someone who gets things done. But what can one teenage girl do to heal so many suffering in her broken city?

If you saw my Top Ten Tuesday post last week you know that this book was a backlist book I own but hadn't read. So as I was looking for an audiobook to listen to for two really long trips I had last week I saw this one and had to download it.

This book really solidified the fact that Stacey Lee is a fantastic author of historical fiction. I usually prefer my historical fiction to take a well-known or even lesser known event in history and then add fiction characters to explain and expand on the world. That is what this book did. It took the 1906 earthquake of San Francisco and told the story of it from the perspective of a young Chinese American girl. Stacey's writing really brought the even to life. You could feel the tremors along with the characters and the uncertainty of what was next after most of the city was leveled or in flames. It made for a very interesting and engaging read that had me worried for the characters and the city of San Francisco. You can tell that Stacey did her research into what happened during the earthquake. It felt interesting and like I was learning something at the same time.

And while that was the backdrop, there was so much more to this book than just the earthquake. It also showed the reader what it would have been like for a Chinese American with not only what it was like to grow up in Chinatown but the oppression that she experienced because of her race. And while it's easy for something like that to feel over-wrought this wasn't. It served to add drama to the narrative and to establish the historical time period. It also gave the story a timely quality as well. The heart of this story was really a young woman who is the child of immigrants trying to overcome her circumstances and thrive. And that will always be an engaging and inspiring story.

But maybe I enjoyed that so much because I really liked the characters on this book. Mercy Wong is a fantastic main character. Her voice really comes through in throughout the narrative. I felt like I knew who Mercy was, where she came from, where she wanted to go, and what she was going to do to get there. What I think I liked most about her is that she's equal parts tough street kid and vulnerable young woman. She's ballsy and abrasive sometimes but she's also kind and caring. She was a really complex character and I enjoyed her a lot. The secondary characters in this book were also really great. There was a great theme about family and loss, but also a running thread of found family and friendship. There were also really complex characters who had great development like Elodie and Headmistress Crouch. The characterization was one of the best parts of this book.

Finally, I couldn't conclude this review without mentioning San Francisco because the city itself was as much a character as anyone else. San Francisco is a place I have only been to once but but it is also a city that I loved. It has beautiful architecture, a gorgeous landscape, and an interesting history. All of that came alive in this book. I think Stacey Lee is from the Bay Area and she obviously has a lot of love for the city. But what I especially loved is the idea that she really considered what the city was like over 100 years ago. I am always someone who thinks about those things and wonders what a city and building was like when it was first built and if you are like me then you will really enjoy this book.

All in all., I really loved this book. It's a fantastic historical fiction novel with an engaging plot that explores a historical event from a unique perspective, amazing complex characters, and a great setting that really comes to life. I'm so glad I took the time to read it and I wish I hadn't waited so long.

I give Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you like historical fiction then I would definitely recommend this book. But even if you don't it has great characters and a fantastic storyline that I think everyone would enjoy.

Have you read Outrun the Moon? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Review: Witch Born by Nicholas Bowling

Title: Witch Born Written by: Nicholas Bowling Published: September 25, 2018 by Scholastic (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Alyce's mother has just been burnt at the stake for practicing witchcraft. With only a thin set of instructions and a witch's mommet for guidance, Alyce must face the world that she's been sealed off from -- a world of fear and superstition. With a witch hunter fast on her trail, she'll need the help of an innkeeper and a boy looking to discover the truth behind his own mother's past.  But as her journey continues, another war rages: a hidden war of the supernatural, of the living and the dead. Good and evil are blurred, and nobody's motives can be trusted. And Alyce finds herself thrown unwillingly into the conflict. Struggling to understand her own powers, she is quickly drawn into a web of secret, lies, and dark magic that could change the fate of the world she is just coming to know.  This dark, twisty, and thrillingly original debut will leave readers entranced in its suspenseful plot and rich prose.

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

I first learned about this book at ALA and it sounded like a total me book, historical fantasy with witched and political intrigue, sign me up. I wasn't able to get a copy there but I requested one from the publisher afterwards and they were nice enough to send me a copy. And I am so glad, because this really was a fantastic read.

One of the things that I liked most about this book is the setting. Historical fantasy is one of my favorite subgeneres. I find it so entertaining for the author to take something that from history that I know well, or even a little bit, and make it their own with fantastical elements. That is exactly what Nicholas Bowling did with this book. He took the Elizabethan era and the battle for the throne between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen and Scots. That in and of itself is an interesting enough full of political intrigue and then Bowling did a great job with establishing the time and place. The 16th Century streets of London come to life along with the witch histeria, the dirty streets, and the distrust of women. I do wish that the figures of Queen Elizabeth I and Marry Queen of Scots had been given a little more attention, but it did make me want to learn more about them which a lot of historical fiction does.

But I think I enjoyed the world of this book so much because of the atmosphere. I love an atmospheric fantasy, especially in the fall, and this book had total fall vibes. I'm not really sure I would call it a dark fantasy but it was full of magic and mystery. What I liked about the magical system is that it seemed to be rooted in historical activities that got women accused of being witches like potion-making and being an apothecary. Then it took things further with magic I like alchemy and necromancy. I wish this magic got a little more explanation because it was really interesting and it felt a little basic.

But there was a lot of this book that was pretty basic, including the plot. Now don't get me wrong, the plot of this book was engaging. I was invested in what was happening and was curious from beginning to end, but the problem is I'm not sure if this was supposed to be a plot-driven narrative or a character-driven one. Is it about Alyce's development as she figures out who she is and her place in the world, or is it about the power struggle between two queens and their witch hunters? Unfortunately I think that the book wasn't quite sure either and that was to its detriment. It had decent character development with some twists along the way, and it had okay plot with the plot intrigue but I think the plot would have been better if it had committed to one or the other. It made for a fast read, an interesting read, but it made for a basic read.

 The characters too were a bit on the simple side, and just like the plot they were engaging but basic. Alyce was a good main character. She was one of those characters who was easy to root for. From the very beginning, things were not easy for Alyce. Society took her mother from her and threw her into an asylum. But despite all that she is strong and determined. The interesting thing too is that throughout the book I spent a lot of time trying to decide which characters were supposed to be the protagonists and which were supposed to be the antagonists. They all felt very dubious and those are the kind of characters I like best. That being said, a book full of those kinds of characters often means I keep them at arms length and never fully connect with them. It made them interesting characters but not particularly likable ones.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't perfect but it was a thoroughly entertaining read perfect for fall. It had an atmospheric setting that blended history and magic in a way that drew me in, an engaging plot that had me wanting more when it was over, and dubious characters.

I give Witch Born by Nicholas Bowling 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fantasy. If you are looking for a YA that blends the two in an engaging way then this is a good read. If you like stories about historical witches this is also a good choice.

Have you read Witch Born? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Review: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

Title: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein Written by: Kiersten White Published: September 25, 2018 by Delacorte (Random House) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything--except a friend.  Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable--and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.  But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.

I was really looking forward to reading this book. Not only did I love Kiersten’s series about a genderbent Vlad the Impaler, but I usually love Frankenstein retellings. And while I liked this book, I wasn’t completely blown away by it.

One thing I will say is that I thought it was a really good retelling. It’s sometimes hard to do retellings that are close to the original and still different enough to feel new and creative but this book managed to do that. It’s been awhile since I read Frankenstein but after a quick refresher I really like the way Kiersten spun the book. I liked being able to see the book from Elizabeth’s perspective because we get to see a perspective that we don’t get in the original novel. But I also really liked the spin on the themes of the original. It also addressed the idea of science playing god and who really is a monster. I love those themes in my books and enjoyed it here.

The other thing that I really think this book did well is the characters. If you are going to take a book about monsters and what makes a monster obviously you are going to have some odious and complex characters. So many of the characters were vicious and terrible people win self-centered motives. If you like unlikable characters then Kiersten White is the author for you. The thing is however she makes them sympathetic. I really loved what she did with Elizabeth. She makes some pretty awful decisions throughout the book and it leads some pretty serious consequences but you still root for her. That to me is the mark of a good character.

As far as the setting, it had a good historical fiction feel to it but it was subtle. It is one of those books that shows you the inequality that women were faced with at the time but it didn’t don’t with beating its message over your head. You can tell that Kiersten did her research on some of the ways women were treated and oppressed in and out of marriage but that wasn’t really what the book was about. It was just one thing that added to the setting and tone of the book.

The only thing I didn’t totally love was the plot development and pacing. Now I’m not saying that it was uninteresting, it was just kind of slow for me. This is not a very long book but it still took me about five days to read it. It stuck pretty closely to the original novel and then towards the end it veered off on it’s own direction which is totally fine. It was just a much more character-driven read than I usually prefer. It’s not a fault of the book, just not something that I typically enjoy.

All in all this was a really good read. It was a creative retelling, complex and sympathetic unlikable character, and an interesting historical setting. In enjoyed it but it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for.

I give The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White 8 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. I think fans of retellings would probably like this one especially if you like Frankenstein or are looking a character-driven retelling check this out.

Have you read The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!