The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Series: Montague Siblings #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, LGBTQI, Romance, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I definitely didn’t enjoy this novel as much as The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. I think there was something about Monty’s chaotic existence and personality that drew me in. I just didn’t quite feel as attached to Felicity. This was still an amazing novel. But just not quite as grabbing as Monty’s story.

One of the aspects of Felicity that I found most difficult to connect to, but, also the most realistic, was how judgemental she was about other women. Its a conversation that is often had – there is no right or wrong way to be a woman. There is no right or wrong in being strong and independent and a feminist. Sometimes we are our harshest critics and its definitely something that needs to be changed. As is pointed out very beautifully in this story.

There is an element of asexuality in this story that I found beautiful. Instead of being a romance and ending with the off kilter couple running off together, there is that sense of me about romance and sexuality. I’m not sure if there was an aim for an asexual character, but it was definitely how I read it.

Lee is able to bring up a lot of very relevant social issues and realities in a seamless manner. It’s a rollicking adventure that had me smiling. One that I would happily read again. But maybe not for a little while…

<- The Gentleman’s Guide to Getting LuckyThe Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks ->

Image source: Goodreads

The White Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon

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Overview

Title: The White Gryphon
Author: Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon
Series: Valdemar #2, The Mage Wars #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Mages, Magic, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 1995

Thoughts

It’s been an age since I read The Black Gryphon. Or really, any Valdemar book. And although this definitely isn’t as fantastic to me as the other Valdemar books, I’m glad I decided to dive back into this world. I love the world building and the action. The fact that there is always a focus on misfits and plenty of emotional tangles to unsnare.

Skan is still a hit of an overwhelming cocky character. A little less painful than in the first book, but still not my favourite of characters. His development did make me like him a whole lot more though. Having a pair of gryphlets alongside definitely helped me warm to him too.

I vaguely (hey, its been a while) remember thoroughly enjoying Amberdrake and Winterheart. There is something fantastically simple about this couple that, whilst it doesn’t inspire fireworks, gives a feeling of comfort and truth. I love the acceptance that shines between them and how it carries throughout this entire story. The fact that they’re the targets of a madman who will make you cringe… well, that makes it all better.

Probably one for the reasons I don’t get as into this as the other Valdemar books is the lore and world building. I get seriously lost I all of the terminologies for the different clans and groups. Not to mention I feel like I’m constantly missing things from the history of the wars… which just inspires me to want to read this all over again.

<- The Black GryphonThe Silver Gryphon ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Care and Feeding of Sprites by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

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Overview

Title: Care and Feeding of Sprites
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Series: The Spiderwick Chronicles Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fae, Fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 2006

Thoughts

I really enjoyed this. It was fun and easy. Cute and quaint. Something that was just a fun diversion for a few moments. The pictures in and of themselves were glorious. And that’s not even taking into account the good writing.

My biggest complaint about this is that there isn’t more specific information on each of the sprites. I love the world that Black and DiTerlizzi have created. And I would have loved to read more about the particulars of the different species that appear in the pages.

This was incredibly short. But also good fun. Mostly I wish this was longer. But I still loved all of the imagery throughout.

<- A Grand Tour of the Enchanted World, Navigate by ThimbletackArthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You ->

Image source: Booktopia

Witch You Well by Colleen Cross

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Overview

Title: Witch You Well
Author: Colleen Cross
Series: Westwick Witches #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Paranormal fantasy, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

When I saw that there was a paranormal cozy mystery series available through kobo plus… my sleep deprived brain went straight to its happy place. And I really wasn’t disappointed. This was fun and light. With just enough mystery and drama to make it incredibly difficult to put down.

Any mystery that has a culprit I didn’t see coming is going to make me happy. There were a few aspects of this story that I DID anticipate. But so much that took me completely by surprise. I loved this balance. And for that alone, not only do I plan to read the rest of this series, but I’ll probably reread this again. Find the clues that I missed before.

I love that this is an incredibly female driven story. Not just in the lead, her mother and aunt, but also the way she lives her life. There’s a fair amount of commentary about the fact that we shouldn’t settle. Her relationship is this perfect example of taking a step back and letting someone just take you for granted. And that is actually not okay.

Aside from all the joys if a fabulous, female driven, cozy mystery; I loved all the magic and mayhem throughout. Mostly the fact that there’s a crazy, witchy aunty making everything incredibly difficult. It had me laughing and cackling all the way through.

<- More Colleen CrossRags to Witches ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Legend of Jane by Jessica Clare

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Overview
Image result for hot summer nights book cover

Title: The Legend of Clare
Author: Jessica Clare
Series: Bluebonnet #2.5
In: Hot Summer Nights (Jaci Burton, Carly Phillips, Erin McCarthy & Jessica Clare)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Year: 2013

Thoughts

This is probably my least favourite of the novellas in the Hot Summer Nights collection. But, that’s not saying saying because so far I’ve loved them all. I think it was just the whole premise of the video blogging that had me feeling a bit “eh”.

The lead male in this, Officer Sharp, was a great and fun lead. He is very serious and straightlaced, so a little different to many of the male leads I normally read. He’s still an alpha, just a little less grey and rebellious than I’m used to. But, I think that’s why I liked him so much… he was so damn different to other characters.

Aside from the fun of the romance, I really liked the setting of this story. I was immediately drawn into the world of Bluebonnet. Putting the first few books of this series on my wishlist was by no means a chore.

<- Perfect StrangerIce Princess ->

Image source: Goodreads

What We Find by Robyn Carr

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: What We Find
Author: Robyn Carr
Series: Sullivan’s Crossing #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

It was incredibly easy to attach to Maggie in this story. She is sweet and kind of innocent / naïve in a lot of ways. But, she’s also got this amazing sense of self and strength that you kind of don’t expect. It makes you pull for her from the very beginning. Makes you want her to have her happily ever after. And, as with many Robyn Carr stories, her tale acts as a fantastic reminder that sometimes the high-powered career and what you think you want… not even remotely the path to your happily ever after.

Most definitely I am currently addicted to Robyn Carr, she is fun and writes the sweetest of books. Plus, my brain is definitely far down the baby brain track, so it’s nice to read something that is a bit easier for me to digest. Maggie and Cal are obviously going to end up together, but they also have a few moments in between that throw a spanner or two into the works.

I liked that Maggie and Cal weren’t the primary focus of this story. Rather, it was about a small community and a whole series of relationships. Particularly I loved the fact that throughout this story, Maggie was able to reconnect with her father. I can’t imagine how difficult her childhood was when different aspects came up in the story, but throughout their trials and tribulations, they’re able to find a new beginning together.

Alongside Maggie’s childhood, there is Cal’s childhood. That is one that is somewhat tragic and made my heart hurt a little bit. Overcoming a difficult past is incredible, but I love the journey that you go through to see how Cal was able to do so. And, there’s not just the tragedy of his childhood and family, but also his own romantic past. Maggie also has a tragic romantic history – both of which are able to structure this amazing relationship and create a life as a healthy, adjusted couple.

All in all, I loved this book. Visiting Sullivan’s Crossing was fun and gave me a feeling of nostalgia for a place that I’ve never actually visited. I can’t wait to go back. Back to the mountains. Back to Sully’s and just back to this wonderful little town that made me feel welcome from the very first page.

<- More Robyn CarrAny Day Now ->

Image source: Booktopia

Silent Blade by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Silent Blade
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kinsmen #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

Ilona Andrews manages to do it yet again. She constructs an amazing world that you can’t turn away from in a matter of words. For such a short novella, a whole, irreplaceable world is formed. One I look forward to visiting again.

This world and story had echoes of the Hidden Legacy series. And I like that although this was set I space, it felt quite familiar. I also loved how the lead female managed to take control of her own life. After all, she got dealt an incredibly shit hand. And then decided to become an assassin.

Petty revenge makes me stupidly happy. I’ll admit, I’m not that bigger person that it isn’t something I’d want to do myself. That the lead I’m this enacts her revenge across two fronts… I’m a little bit in love.

<- More Ilona AndrewsSilver Shark ->

Image source: Ilona Andrews

Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Where’d You Go, Bernadette
Author: Maria Semple
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Humour, Mental health
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

I know that this book has a lot of strong recommendations and reviews. But I honestly wasn’t expecting too much from it. Probably because I don’t often love the books that get such rave reviews. Sometimes I think that people give said reviews because they feel that they SHOULD, not because it was actually enjoyable.

Having said that. I will most definitely rave about this book. It was nothing that I expected and it drew me in from the very first moment. After all, there is a mystery to solve from the very beginning. Combine that with the ways in which Bee is able to structure and tell the story, the larger than life characters… I was completely enmeshed.

I love that this is a story about the love between a mother and daughter. It’s a reminder that real love doesn’t come with conditions, but is about accepting and loving someone for exactly who they are. Or at least, that’s how I took this story. That Bee is able to find out more and more about her mother’s flaws. But still love her.

Underlying all of this is the question of mental health. What makes someone sane? What makes them “normal”? And where is the damn line between the two? I still have no answers, and it seems that Semple doesn’t either. A perfect approach as far as I’m concerned.

<- Today Will be DifferentMore Maria Semple ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Swan Book by Alexis Wright

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: The Swan Book
Author: Alexis Wright
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Dystopia
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 2013

Thoughts

This is one of those books that I’m going to have to reread in the future. It was filled with intensity and symbolism. And set in a world that felt weirdly familiar. But, being 8 months pregnant I’m not entirely convinced that my brain absorbed all of the amazingness that is this story.

So maybe I’ll wait to reread this to write a far better review in the future…

<- More Australian authorsMore dystopia ->

Image source: Hachette UK

On Writing by Stephen King

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Author: Stephen King
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Memoirs, Writing
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 2000

Thoughts

Stephen King fascinates me. And terrifies me. I mean, that is a twisty man who writes the kinds of stories he writes. Which all leads me to be fascinated by the idea of his take on writing and his own writing history. Who wouldn’t be? He’s one of the most famous writers…

I really enjoyed how this book was set out. It starts with a more autobiographical account if King’s life. And then heads towards tales and information on how he actually goes about the writing process. It males a complete logical sense and still provides insights to the man behind the writing.

Personally, although I enjoyed all of the writing on HOW to write. It was the autobiographical aspect of this novel that I loved. And it’s this first half that I would read again.

<- Needful ThingsThe Outsider ->

Image source: Bookdepository