Testimony – Anita Shreve Review

Rating: ★★★

This book was a rogue choice for me. I’ve never read any Anita Shreve and I hadn’t heard of this book before, but I was looking or an audiobook to rent on my Libby app for a long journey, and this one caught my eye. Thankfully, it was quite an engaging storyline and I found the narration interesting, although I felt like the characterisation was lacking and I could have done with some more focus on elements of the novel.

This book begins with a sex scandal at a private boarding school involving three students over the age of 18 and one 14 year old girl. The book follows several people who were involved in the scandal, whether directly or indirectly, including the four students involved, their relatives, friends, teachers who responded to the scandal, journalists who covered the scandal, and police officers who were involved in the subsequent events.

One thing I liked about the book was how the wide range of narrators make us realise how far the effects of a single decision can be felt, even beyond the people directly involved in the relevant event. We see in this book how the decisions of the students on one night affect their entire communities for years to come. However, I generally felt like this book’s approach looked too much at exploring the breadth of an event’s impact rather than depth, and this showed. Most of the characters had only a few chapters exploring their stories, and this meant that their parts of the story felt undercooked. Having such a wide range of characters telling their stories also meant that I felt that I was listening to the same story a million times without going into enough depth.

By the end of the book, I appreciated the purpose of this book in showing the “ripple effect” of decisions, but also felt like the book didn’t tread over any new ground or reveal anything particularly new to me. The book was interesting and engaging while it lasted, but it did not stand out and I don’t think it is very memorable. Especially considering the subject being such a sensitive one, I would have really appreciated this book exploring the issue of sexual assault in more depth rather than taking what, at times, felt like a superficial look at how people’s lives unfolded following the relevant event.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Mrs England – Stacey Halls Review

Rating: ★★★★

When Ruby May takes a job as a nanny for a wealthy Yorkshire family, she knows that life in Hardcastle House will be isolating, but she can’t expect the mysteries that unfold within the West Yorkshire home. This book is a really engaging story that will hook you from the first page.

This book checked a lot of boxes for me: a tense, atmospheric mystery following a nanny in a Victorian-era, Yorkshire castle? Yes, yes, and yes. Thankfully, it was a really engaging story that hooked me from the first page. The atmosphere of this book was what grabbed me, I loved the tension and mystery of the book, and the way that the setting of West Yorkshire, the mill, and Hardcastle House, with its quiet and distant residents and staff, all really added to this.

To be honest, the tense atmosphere of this book came in very handy in helping me to not realise that the plot of this book was quite slow at times. I absolutely raced through this book, but once I got to the end, I realised that not much happened for most of the book. Even when the book did reach its climax near the end of the book, it was then followed by a number of follow-up chapters winding up the story. While it is sometimes nice to have a story “tied up” properly at the end, this really made the book feel like it was being dragged out unnecessarily.

Overall, I can’t criticise this book too much because I did really enjoy the process of reading it, but this was definitely propelled by me expecting more to happen, and once I reached the end, I realised that I was slightly unsatisfied. However, all in all, this was a fun book that I would (and have) recommended.

Have you read this? What did you think?

A Curse So Dark and Lonely – Brigid Kemmerer Review

Source:@Inkdropsbook instagram

Rating: ★★★★

I’ll be honest in saying that I did not expect much from this book. I thought, “It’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, it can’t be anything new.” Well, I was wrong about that. This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with some grit.

Our protagonist, Harper, isn’t having a great time of it when we meet her at the beginning of the book. Her father has left, her mother is dying, and her brother has gotten caught in some trouble. All this means that she has learned to fight, and fight is exactly what she does when she finds herself whisked away to a magical world and imprisoned. Rhyn, the “beast” of this story, was hoping for a woman to easily fall in love with him in order to break the curse on him, but finds a bigger challenge in Harper than he was expecting.

I really enjoyed the characters in the book. Harper is our Belle, but she is not a cookie cutter princess character. I loved that there was disability representation in Harper, but that this was never presented in a way to make us pity Harper. I liked how Rhyn’s character really developed throughout the book, and I loved that they both had their own relationships and bonds outside of the romance – such as their respective friendships with Grey and Harper’s with her brother. Personally, I have thing for sibling relationships in books, and Harper’s relationship with her brother really pulled on my heartstrings.

Kemmerer also did a great job at developing a really exciting and fast-paced book where I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Lilith, our villain, is a brilliant antagonist and the action of the book was definitely exciting enough to bring me back for more in book 2.

Have you read A Curse So Dark and Lonely? What did you think?

The Mermaid of Black Conch – Monique Roffey

Rating: ★★★★

I dove into this book, as I often do, without any knowledge of the plot going into it (apart from a sneaky suspicion that it had something to do with a mermaid). The book was everywhere for a while back when it was published in 2020, and when I finally read it I understood what the fuss was about.

The Mermaid of Black Conch begins with a fisherman, David, who rescues Aycayia, a woman who was cursed to live as a mermaid for hundreds of years, when she is captured. David takes her to his home, where the woman begins to transform back into a woman. Miss Rain, a local white woman whose ancestors settled on the island, helps David with Aycayia, as he tries to protect her from people who seek to re-capture the mermaid and put her on display, whilst also hoping to keep the curse against Aycayia at bay.

What really captured me when reading this book was the way that Black Conch really came to life, and the depth and authenticity of the characters. The way that Roffey wrote dialogue in particular really made me feel like I was on the island and helped me to understand who the characters were. The physical setting of the island really worked with the magical realism of the storyline, as the two elements really bounced off of each other to heighten the sense of atmosphere. I also really appreciated how Roffey touches upon issues such as gender, race and colonialism in a way that felt so natural and intertwined with the plot.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Mermaid of Black Conch. It is always amazing to feel like you can dive head first into a book, and this was definitely one where I dived all the way in – almost like a mermaid.

The Essex Serpent – Sarah Perry Review

Source: @inkdropsbooks instagram

Rating: ★★★

I remember clearly when this book was released because it was absolutely everywhere. It caught my eye from the very beginning, with its striking cover and rave reviews, but it wasn’t until I heard about the series adaptation of it that I finally picked up my copy and read it. I was super excited to delve into Victorian England and a tale of mystery and suspense, but unfortunately this just didn’t blow me away as much as I was hoping it would.

This book follows Cora Seaborne, a wealthy widow with an interest in palaeontology, who heads from London to Essex following tales of a sea serpent haunting the village of Aldwinter, taking with her her young son and his nanny. At Aldwinter, she finds a clash of the minds: the villagers believe that strange occurrences around the village are due to a magical creature being sent to punish them for their sins; local vicar Will Ransome believes that they have nothing to fear, and that the events are nothing but coincidence; meanwhile Cora believes there is a perfectly reasonable and scientific reason behind them: a real life creature.

To be honest, I think my slight disappointment with the book came from the fact that I went into it expecting a bit more of an adventure vibe to the novel. Instead, this is much more an internal drama, exploring the different ways that characters deal with crises and fear, as opposed to an actual hunt for the cause of the strange events around town. The book did handle these topics well and it was an interesting book to read, but in terms of feeling excited at the plot, this book didn’t quite do it for me.

I did enjoy the wide range of characters in this book, and the fact that the book is split between Essex and London. As can sometimes happen with this type of book however, I found myself more interested by the secondary characters than the primary characters. This isn’t necessary a problem, as it more goes to show how well Sarah Perry fleshes out her characters, but at times the book felt like it was stretched too thin, trying to follow too many storylines and none of them in enough depth. As much as I enjoyed the character of Cora’s son’s nanny and her involvement in politics, for example, in hindsight, I would have rather developed the storylines in the village, and explored some of the more gothic elements to the plot.

All in all, this book was neither fantastic nor terrible, but it was a bit of a let down. There were many elements of this book that I liked but I feel like they didn’t quite mesh well, and as a result, the slow-ish plot felt like a struggle at times.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

These Feathered Flames – Alexandra Overy Review

Source: @inkdropsbooks Instagram

Rating: ★★★★★

Thank you to Harper360 for sending me a copy of this in exchange for a review.

I have been bursting for a brilliant and exciting YA fantasy novel for so long, and this book ticked all of my boxes. I loved everything from the unique and novel magic system and world building, the complicated family dynamics and sisterhood at the centre of the story, the f/f enemies-to-lovers romance and so much more. If you are looking for a riveting fantasy read, this one might just be for you!

Asya and Izaveta are twins trapped by their destiny. Born heirs to the throne of Tourin, the gods decide that Izaveta will be queen, while Asya will take on the role of the magical Firebird, who keeps magic alive in Tourin. When their fates were decided years before, the sisters were separated, and whilst Asya has been learning the ways of the Firebird in seclusion under the tuition of the current Firebird, her great-aunt, her sister has been learning the ways of political scheming and royal manipulation at the palace. When their mother dies, Izaveta becomes the queen and Asya becomes the Firebird. Not only are the pair thrust into new roles overnight, but there are plots against them in the palace, and they must figure them out if they are to survive.

I found each of the characters in this novel so compelling, and both sisters were strong enough to really carry the story from beginning to end. I loved how they were both such different characters, who make mistakes and do morally questionable things, and yet I was on their side the whole way through. Overy really perfected the morally grey characters in this book and that made this book so interesting to read. I also really enjoyed the romantic subplots in this book, particularly the F/F enemies-to-lovers romance, which pleasantly surprised me. The other romantic plot was somewhat more predictable but still enjoyable.

Another equally strong area of this book was the magic system. I was fascinated by Overy’s magic system, its rules and its traditions. The concept of people having to pay for magic fascinated me, and Asya’s struggle in accepting her role in maintaining the balance by charging the “price” for magic really wove the world into the plot and the characters, rather than just making the setting a backdrop for the story. It made the plot itself, which was mysterious, exciting and constantly moving forward, a really interesting one to follow and brought it to life.

Overall, this is definitely one of my favourite reads of this year so far and I can’t wait to read the sequel which comes out next year. This book has everything I love from a novel, and I’m so happy and grateful to Harper360 for the chance to read it.

Finale – Stephanie Garber Review

Source: @inkdropsbooks Instagram

Rating: ★

Unfortunately the finale to the Caraval trilogy was less legendary and more “meh”. I was so gutted by how little I enjoyed this book considering how much I enjoyed the series to start with. The book starts off where the second finished, and Scarlett and Tella spend it trying to stop the Fates, but this book just fell completely flat for me.

I usually find Garber’s writing as exciting and fun as Caraval sounds, but this book was honesty a total bore, and where her plots are usually tightly written, I kept finding plot holes, such as characters knowing things that happened to others without being told, which really bugged me.

The characters in this trilogy also began to really grate on me in this book. I found supposed love triangle which Tella struggled with ridiculous (both choices were awful), and Scarlett has no real defining characteristic other than that she has a dress that reflects her mood. In my view, neither of the two were strong enough to carry the trilogy, and even together, they faltered.

Overall, this book totally bored me, and as a trilogy, this series did not feel very cohesive and each book seemed to go off on a tangent. I’m gutted at how little I enjoyed it after the first book, which I LOVED, but maybe I will just treat Caraval as a stand-alone 🥴

Pandora (Extract) – Susan Stokes-Chapman Review

Source: Goodreads

Rating: ★★★★★

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for sending me a copy of this in exchange for a review.

This weekend, I had the absolute pleasure to get a sneak peek at the new novel by Susan Stokes-Chapman, to be released in January next year, and WOW did it impress! The first thirteen chapters of this novel gripped me absolutely, and I know I will be eagerly snatching this book up the moment it hits the shelves.

Pandora Blake, or ‘Dora’, is a twenty-one year old orphan, the daughter of antiquarians whose once famous shop of antiquities has been driven to the ground by her uncle, who has taken to selling fakes instead of pursuing the family business. She is biding her time until she can find a way to make her own dream come true: designing jewellery. However, as a woman in 1799 London, this is easier said than done, and even though her designs and skills are not bad, nobody will take her on.

Edward Lawrence is a young man seeking acceptance into the Society of Antiquaries, but his third attempt at impressing the stalwarts of the profession has failed. He has all but given up when someone gives him a hint, and directs him to Pandora, whose family history of antiquities may be able to help.

Meanwhile, Dora’s uncle has brought something mysterious back to the shop which is kept under lock and key in the shop’s basement. Dora doesn’t know what it is, but there is something otherworldly about it. Not only does it seem to call to her, but it appears to create chaos.

Like any great teaser, this extract stopped just where the story was picking up, and I am absolutely dying to read more. The characters grabbed me from the start, and I loved how Dora and Edward are so alike in their dreams even though they are from different backgrounds. The setting was also fascinating, not only in the general sense of loving historical novels set in London, but the antiques shop itself, which is alive with mystery and secrets. Stokes-Chapman has done a marvellous job and I cannot wait to read the rest of this novel. I just know I will love it!

The Witch’s Heart – Genevieve Gornichec Review

Source: @inkdropsbooks Instagram

Rating: ★★★

Angrboda is a banished witch, punished by Odin for refusing to share her knowledge of the future with him. She has been burned and her heart cut out, but is surprised when Loki returns it to her. The pair fall in love and have three unusual children, each with their own destiny. However these destinies draw the attention of the gods back to them, and Angrboda must leave her hiding place to protect her children.

I was really excited for this book because I love mythology retellings and I really don’t know much about Norse mythology. My favourite parts were the stories of the three children and how these turn out, and Angrboda herself is a strong and complex character whose love for her children drives the story. It was a really cool insight into Norse mythology and made me want to learn more.

I absolutely loved the first half of this book. It was interesting, informative and Angrboda’s relationships with Loki and her family were fascinating to read about. However the second half of this really dragged on for me, and it began to feel like it would never end (not a good feeling). I did not enjoy how different the two halves felt – almost like different books – because everything about the book changed completely. The pace, the mood, the tone all changed in one second.Although Angrboda is a strong character, I began to tire of her tone and voice as a narrator, and found that this second half of the book was repetitive and slow.

Overall, this definitely sparked my interest in Norse mythology, which I can’t wait to read more about, but didn’t keep me entertained from start to finish.

Last Chance Books – Kelsey Rodkey Review

Rating: ★★★★

Thank you to Harper360 for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Madeline loves working at her family’s bookshop, Books & More, and can’t wait to take it over once she is done with college. The only problem is Prologue, the chain bookshop which has opened across the street, and the gorgeous Jasper, whose family own the store. Convinced that Prologue is to blame for her own shop’s financial struggles, Madeline declares war on Jasper and Prologue, and is determined to save Books & More before it is too late.

Spoiler: this is an enemies to lover romance. And it’s a great one. I loved that the “enemies” stage between Madeline and Jasper never went into the toxic realm that this trope sometimes falls into, and was always sprinkled with banter and flirting. I also loved the bookshop setting, which definitely gave me You’ve Got Mail vibes.

The writing style of Last Chance Books is really easy to get into, and Madeline is a great protagonist to follow. Even though she has major tunnel vision and loses her temper, she is never annoying and you are always rooting for her. I also enjoyed the stories relating to her family, in particular her mother and her aunt, although I wish we could have seen some more of Jasper’s own family and culture who only made a few brief appearances.

Overall this was a really enjoyable read which I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance and enemies-to-lovers romances! Finally, a huge thank you to @harper360ya for sending me this lovely arc!