NETGALLEY
THE SHADOW IN THE GLASS BY J.J.A.HARWOOD | BOOK REVIEW
The Shadow In The Glass is a dark, gothic retelling of Cinderella by J.J.A.Harwood. The story is set in Victorian England and takes us through the truly terrible times women had to face on a daily basis. The story takes place in Grandborough House where Mrs. Pembroke took in the recently orphaned Eleanor known as Ella. She is treated like a daughter and grew up with all the privileges that a child would get. Mrs. Pembroke passes away and Ella is forced to earn her keep by the housekeeper. Mr. Pembroke is an alcoholic and is drinking away the wealth and the riches that Mrs. Pembroke had managed wisely. As…
THE FOUR WINDS BY KRISTIN HANNAH | BOOK REVIEW
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a historical, women's fiction that tells the story of a family's fight for survival during the Great Depression era and the Dust Bowl era. This story is set in Texas and we get to see how the drought and lack of rain damages and destroys the crops. On top of that dust storms ravaged the lands leaving more destruction behind. People in these states had to fight for their day-to-day survival against the war mother nature has waged. It's a family story, a woman's story that's going to burrow into your hearts and make you feel their fear, powerlessness, determination, and tenacity as…
WHY COUPLES FIGHT? BY MIRA KIRSHENBAUM | BOOK REVIEW
Why Couples Fight? by Mira Kirshenbaum is a fantastic book for anyone who is looking for a relationship or someone already in a relationship. The author is a relationship expert and she gives us the reasons why couples fight and how to resolve conflicts among couples. If you are looking to add tools to your life kit toolbox, this book will help you do that efficiently. It is accessible and easy to read with practical examples to help us understand the underlying issues that most couples face. I believe the book has accomplished what it had set out to do. Overall, this is a book everyone should read and apply…
- ADULT, ARCS, BOOK REVIEWS, CULTURAL, FICTION, HISTORICAL FICTION, LITERARY FICTION, NETGALLEY, WEST AFRICAN
KOLOLO HILL BY NEEMA SHAH | BOOK REVIEW
Kololo Hill by Neema Shah is the debut Asian Ugandan literature set in 1970's Uganda that will captivate you with its human story of love, loss, and desperation of families who were thrown out of their homes and country. This was such a familiar story, yet so different and important to be read in these times of division, hatred, and otherisms. It is very relevant to the times we live as conversations of race, inequality, oppression, power, and devastation are at the forefront of our lives. Overall, this is a story that sheds light on the expulsion of Asian Ugandans during Idi Amin's oppressive regime. This is a lesser-known history…
DAUGHTERS OF NIGHT BY LAURA SHEPHERD-ROBINSON | BOOK REVIEW
Daughters Of Night by Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a dark historical murder/mystery/thriller set in 1780's England. I recently found out after reading the book, that this actually has characters from her previous book Blood & Sugar. We are following Caroline Corsham, a wealthy woman who is determined to find the identity of the murderer of Lady Lucy Loveless. Initially, upon discovering the brutally attacked woman, Caro realizes the Lady's attack was planned, and before she could get answers, Lucy dies in Caro's arms. The investigation gets picked up by Bow Street Runners and they stop s it when they realize the real identity of the woman who was murdered. The mystery…
HYDE BY CRAIG RUSSELL | BOOK REVIEW
Hyde by Craig Russel is a police procedural style story that follows Captain Hyde who is investigating an unusual murder that resembles the three-fold death from the Celtic tales. The story is an intriguing take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and talks about the duality of the nature of man, the good and the evil, and with RL Stevenson appearing in both the prologue and epilogue was quite interesting to read. Hyde is a gothic horror story that is steeped in Celtic folklore and tales that creates a haunting atmospheric setting and is quite fascinating.
A BEAUTIFUL SPY BY RACHEL HORE | BOOK REVIEW
Rachel Hore's A Beautiful Spy tells us the story of an ordinary young woman from Edgbaston, who changes her destiny by working as a spy for the British Government. Young Minnie is expected to get married, start a family, and live happily in the role of a house-wife. But she has other plans. She doesn't want to live an ordinary life, with no excitement. So when a friend offers the chance to be something more and work for a cause, she jumps at the opportunity. Minnie is recruited by MI5 as a spy to monitor the activities of the communists in London. She works with all of her heart and…
- ADULT, ARCS, BOOK REVIEWS, CHICK-LIT, CONTEMPORARY, FANTASY, FICTION, LITERARY FICTION, MAGICAL REALISM, NETGALLEY, SCIENCE FICTION, WOMEN'S FICTION
SPACE HOPPER / FAYE , FARAWAY BY HELEN FISHER | BOOK REVIEW
Space Hopper by Helen Fisher is her debut book and let me just say, she knocked it out of the park with this one. I love when books can make us think, feel, and at the same get invested in the character's life, so much so that we are cheering them on from the sidelines. This book is no different in that regard. A wonderful and emotional read that will grip you from the very first line and will not leave you adrift. If you love stories of time travel and magical realism, this one is for you. The story is about Faye a 36-year-old woman who has been living…
THE GILDED ONES BY NAMINA FORNA ( DEATHLESS #1) | BOOK REVIEW
The Gilded Ones By Namina Forna is a West African YA fantasy novel that tackles the oppression of women by an extremist religious community. It is the first book in the Deathless series. I remember seeing this cover and being blown by it. It is truly one of the most beautiful covers I have ever seen and the colors just pull you in. This is a story that is unapologetically feminist and female-centric cast takes on us a journey to unravel the secrets of a patriarchal community. The gilded Ones tells the story of Deka, a 16-year-old who is subjected to the deeply abusive blood ritual of their community to…
- ADULT, ARCS, BOOK REVIEWS, CONTEMPORARY, DYSTOPIAN, FICTION, GENERAL, LITERARY FICTION, NETGALLEY, SCIENCE FICTION, WOMEN'S FICTION
THE LAST MIGRATION BY CHARLOTTE MCCONAGHY | BOOK REVIEW
Charlotte McConaghy brings us a beautifully poignant and heart-wrenching story that will grip you and move you beyond your imagination through The Last Migration. I didn't know what to expect when I picked it up. So, imagine my surprise when it managed to exceed my expectations and broke my heart in the process. I am an emotional mess after reading this and still feel the sadness carving deeper into my heart. You need to keep a box of tissues at hand if you are planning to read this one. Now that I have somewhat articulated my feelings toward this book; I feel like I can discuss the book more calmly.…