Too Many Books, Not Enough Time - Here's The Highlight Reel

 

Yes, yes...I've been away for far too long. That doesn't mean I haven't been reading up a storm though - because I have. For the comeback tour, I thought I'd share a few books which stuck with me since we last spoke. You know, the kinds of books you'll read more than once and recommend to your friends. 

As you know, I am one of the judges for SPFBO8 with BeforeWeGoBookBlog. (Shout out to Beth Tabler for putting together an incredible team!) With more than 300 entries in this year's contest, the judging teams have been reading like crazy to find this season's winner. Let me tell you, the competition has been fierce and I have been immersed in some truly fantastic fantasy fiction. Four of the books pictured above, Thrice, We Break Immortals, Envy, and Miss Percy's Pocket Guide To The Care & Feeding of British Dragons, were contestants this go 'round. One of them is a finalist. (I'll tell you which one in a bit.) You can get up to speed on SPFBO, Mark Lawrence's brainchild, here if you are interested. The other two, The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin and Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh come from wildly different genres and heartstrings.

I won't eat up your blog reading time with long-form reviews for each of these books but rather will tell you why I loved them, and why you might love them too. 

Thrice by Andrew Meredith is a fast paced yet heart-warming work of fantasy centering around Jovan, a needle-maker, and Leaf, a young boy left in Jovan's care, as they run from nefarious parties seeking to control the endless potential of Leaf's magic. Meredith manages to capture the innocence of childhood without being saccharine sweet and weaves a cast of characters which are simultaneously both honest and duplicitous. This book surprised the sh*t out of me and the ending was superb. 

Thomas Howard Riley's chonky book, We Break Immortals, is a wonderful entry into the epic fantasy rolls and takes readers on a whirlwind exploration of dangerous rogue magicians, those who hunt them, and those who hate them both. Circumstances force unlikely alliances as our heroes, Aren, Keluwen, and Corrin, traverse the wilds in search of a serial-killer magician who has discovered the source of unlimited magic and immortality. Dangerous is an understatement. Took me two weeks to read this book because I was hanging on Riley's every word while he spun the tale. If you're settling in for a long winter's hibernation, Immortals is an excellent choice for companionship.

Envy. Tim Beeden's Envy, second book in his Seven Deadly and Four series, absolutely tickled me to death. Seriously, I read it three times! Beeden brushes up against all the standard fantasy tropes in this story of a wise-cracking, young fiddle player, Charlie Lightfoot, from the Backstreets of Calver who wants nothing more than to make a peaceful living making music. Charlie sets off to explore the world outside Calver in the company of a level-headed friend who never does anything daring and a strong-willed heiress running from the suffocating confines of an arranged marriage. Throw in an extremely jealous and wealthy jilted groom in hot pursuit of the trio and adventures ensue. This small-focus, fellowship fantasy is hilarious and hopeful with a generous dash of sass in the mix. I will probably read it again. If for no other reason than to brush up on my witty retorts. 

One of two traditionally published books on the list, The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin brought me back to the world of WWII historical fiction. Martin masterfully tells the tale of two women working against Hitler's European invasion from vastly different perspectives. Ava is a librarian from the Library of Congress sent to Portugal, a neutral country during the war, to help the Allies keep tabs on news from occupied countries. Elaine is part of the French Resistance and working as an apprentice at an absolutely illegal printing press deep in France. When Ava realizes someone is sending coded messages requesting assistance for the most vulnerable people in Europe, she works with the information she receives to help those who need it most. The Librarian Spy is Martin's second historical fiction and I'd say it's her best book yet. 

Miss Percy's Pocket Guide To The Care & Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson is an absolute delight and worthy of it's long, lofty title. This Regency Fantasy work drops readers into the life of Miss Mildred Percy's boring life just in time for things to get exciting. A forty-something year old spinster, Miss Percy has been relegated to the role of unpaid nanny for her overbearing sister's children. She is an unread footnote with a meager room under the eaves of a grand house. And then she inherits a dragon egg from her Great-uncle Forthright. Olson writes in much the same way I think and speak (lots of parentheticals and asides) and it was refreshing to trot happily along with Mildred on her unexpected adventures as she tries to raise and protect her fledgling dragon. Apparently I wasn't the only one who enjoyed this book, Miss Percy earned a well-deserved place among the SPFBO8 finalists! Pick this one up. You'll be glad you did. (The second Miss Percy's Guide just published so you can get them both!)

 And finally, the children's classic Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. Yes, this is a young reader's book. Yes, I read it for the first time a very, very long time ago. But, while on vacation, I was thinking about all the books I have loved over the years and Harriet was on that list. I decided to read it again and see if she still made the grade. When I was young, I adored Harriet and wanted to be like her. I wanted to know everything about everybody all the time. I even took to carrying around a notebook and making notes all the time. Now, I lived way out in the country so, unless school was in session, there was no way I could "spy" on anyone other than my family. Made for some pretty boring notes most of the time. The idea of prowling around on my own in a big city was tantalizing. Now? Eh...Harriet herself got on my nerves. She's a selfish little brat who's friends were right to be mad at her. It all works out in the end for Harriet and I think she learns some humility. Still, I've got a copy on my bookshelf for any grandchildren who may come along (no rush offspring-o-mine - for real, take your time). I'll just be available for discussion should any of them start toting around notebooks.

Anyway, I'm glad to be back and hope to see you again soon! Happy reading folks!

Discovering New Fantasy, New History, and Taking a Break

 

In addition to finishing up coursework for my MFA program, I have been a busy little reading bee!

I'll start with the #SPFBO winner from last season, Reign and Ruin by J.D. Evans. For those of you who don't know, the #SPFBO (Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off) contest is open to self-published authors only. Each year there are more entries for the all-volunteer judges to consider. Reign set itself apart from the field because it is an excellent example of fantasy romance. The stakes are high. The characters are compelling - even if they are predictably attractive. The plot and sub-plots are superbly executed. And like all romances, the chemistry between the protagonists is steamy. There's not a lot of sex in this book but what's there is tastefully done and just enough to elevate your heartrate. If you're into fantasy romance, you'll probably enjoy this one. I'm not a romance reader generally so...eh. It's good but some of the other finalists would have been my #1 pick.

The Living Waters by self-published author, Dan Fitzgerald, blew me away. The first installment in the Weirdwaters Confluence duology, Living Waters is a sword-free fantasy featuring unconventional relationships redolent in lush landscapes and gut-wrenchingly sympathetic characters. I can't even begin to tell you how beautiful this book is. When two painted-faces, prized for the paleness of their skin, embark on a journey of discovery before settling into their "rightful" places in high society, they each get more than they bargained for. Float along the river with them as they discover legendary places and civilizations are very real and accepted perceptions aren't always true. If I ever get to teach a writing class, this book will be on the list of required reading. It is simply stunning. I've never read anything like it.

The first two books in P.L. Stuart's Drowned Kingdom Saga were challenging. Beautifully written with excellent plotting, solid power structures, and convincing world building, both A Drowned Kingdom and The Last of the Atalanteans are well worth your reading time. What challenged me was the protagonist, Prince Othrun of Atalantea. Sure, the dude faces some horrific obstacles with bravery and honor but man alive! I have never enjoyed a book this much while simultaneously wanting to throat punch the MC. I kept having to remind myself, "It's fiction! It's a book! He's not real!" Othrun is an immature, arrogant, bigoted, chauvinistic, religious zealot with few redeeming qualities. His growth is slow but all signs point to fundamental change in subsequent books. (I mean, Othrun is so bleh that P.L. acknowledged his general unlikableness in the forward of Book #2!) I am looking forward to the next installment to see if Othrun pulls his head out of his butt. 

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree is a shining example of the little book that could. Originally a selp-published work, L&L was picked up by a traditional publisher and has been making waves ever since. Seriously, I found it in the wilds of B&N last week. Super satisfying! Almost as satisfying as reading this book. Viv is an orc mercenary who dreams of opening her own coffee shop in a town where folks don't even know what coffee is. She buys a store front and hires help to make her dream come true. Of course, there's drama and sketchiness and betrayal to go along with the heart-melting, deliciousness of new friendships and self-realization. If you've never experienced what it's like to be hugged by a book, you should drop what you're doing and read this one. Have some coffee and a cinnamon roll while you're at it. Hug your imagination and your tastebuds at the same time. 

Oh my. I recently discovered Ruta Sepetys and y'all...her books are so good! I love a good historical fiction and these are it. Centering around and in historically significant places and events, Ruta draws you into the lives of her historically insignificant characters and makes you care about the everyday people swept up in what's happening around them. Out of the Easy is set in mid-twentieth century New Orleans and tells the tale of a girl who dreams of education as her ticket to escape the brothel-and-crime centered life she was born to. I Must Betray You drops readers into communist Romania just after the fall of the Soviet Union at the beginning of the struggle for democracy in the former Soviet block. While the protagonists are all young adults, the subject matter and consequences are not. You can bet I have more of Ruta's books lined up on my TBR list.

History, Fantasy, and Thrilling Romance - OH MY!

After finishing Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar last month, I thought I'd explore a couple more SPFBO nominated works and let me tell you, they did NOT disappoint. HL Tinsley's We Men of Ash and Shadow introduces us to John Vanguard, background fader and assassin extraordinaire with a checkered reputation and a mission to unravel why the last war happened. Vanguard becomes the unlikely mentor to an aspiring assassin and discovers a revolution in the making. Vanguard finds himself pitted against his equally talented former pupil. This SPFBO finalist, adult fiction book is engrossing and serves as the jumping off point for a new series, The Vanguard Chronicles. Adult themes and subject matter included so maybe not the best idea for young or sensitive readers.

If you're hankering for a new epic fantasy with dragons, minotaurs, vampires, demons, good vs. evil, and strange magics, SPFBO nominee The Forever King by Ben Galley will be right up your alley. Weaving bits of Norse mythology into a dense, chonky narrative, the 600+ pages of The Forever King will wear you out, make you laugh, piss you off, give you hope, stomp on that hope, and leave you begging for more. Galley creates a world and power structure which should make Tor Publishing angry and jealous they didn't get the chance to add it to their stable. I have no idea if Galley tried to traditionally publish but if so, the trads missed out by passing on this one. Follow the tale of Mithrid, a teenage refugee in the frozen lands of Scalussen, as she discovers the dangerous and valuable magic which resides within. Rebel king, Farden, hopes Mithrid will use her talents to help him overthrow the greedy and corrupt Emperor Malvus, thus freeing Emaneska from his ever-tightening stranglehold. I suffered from extreme book hangover when I finished this one...even so, I need a few days to recuperate before moving on to the sequels. I'm exhausted.

Unknown Number by Anna Grace steps way outside my comfort zone. I don't usually read romance or thrillers and this one serves up both. Packing a super-satisfying twist at the end, this little book rolls along with predictably attractive characters in relatively unchallenging relationships which often border on the schmaltzy. UNTIL THE TWIST! Here I was just bee-bopping along, not bored but not enthralled either, when BOOM! All of a sudden my heart is racing and I am racing myself to the final page.

I love historical fiction but with the glut of WWII works in the field, I'd become a little "meh" and haven't read much in the genre recently. Still, They Went Left by Monica Hesse, caught my attention. So many works which place themselves in the WWII era focus on stories from during the war and life in the camps. While those stories are compelling and interesting, often highlighting true and incredible events, for me, it just felt like there were pieces of history which were being overlooked. Hesse shines her spotlight on camp survivors as they try to piece together themselves, their psyches, and their families after liberation. The guilt of survival, the foreignness of familiarity, the desperation for hope, the agonizing wait for news. All of these are front and center in They Went Left as it tells us of Zofia's search for the only member of her family she believes might have survived, her younger brother, Abek. Hesse does a wonderful job exposing Zofia's strength and frailty without making her seem superhuman or pitiful. I couldn't walk away from Zofia. You shouldn't either. 

The Witch's Knight - SOON TO BE RELEASED!! - by Paula and Trevor Brackston

 

ARC Review - Scheduled Release Date - April 19, 2022

The Witch's Knight by Paula and Trevor Brackston

“I, Rhiannon, pledge you my allegiance, my dagger hand, my magic, and my life.

You have my oath.”

Do you enjoy stories about witches and knights in armor? You should read this book. Medieval historical fiction? You should read this book. Eternal love? Read this book. Modern suspense thriller? Yep. This book.

The Witch’s Knight, by Paula Brackston and her brother, Trevor, is an exhilarating departure from Paula’s wildly successful Witch’s and Found Things series. This collaborative work adds a thrilling new dimension which Paula’s already dedicated readers will love. (I certainly did!) Trevor’s voice adds a rumbling bass line of suspense and danger in counterpoint to Paula’s soaring sopranos of magic and romance. Dare I say this work is “magical?”

When Gwen’s home in The Black Mountains of Wales is attacked by vicious Norman baron, De Chapelle, in 1094, following William the Conqueror’s invasion of England, she confronts the baron, defending her family and village from further depredation. No match for the villainous Norman, Gwen picks a battle she cannot hope to win. He turns her own knife against her and leaves her for dead.

The few survivors of the attack desperately retreat to a small farming croft high in the mountains and carve out a meager and isolated, yet peaceful, existence. Gwen is nursed back to health and the tiny community – widows, wounded soldiers from her father’s court, orphans – becomes a family. The village grandmother, Mamgi, tutors Gwen in the art of witchcraft, encouraging her to use her abilities to protect the settlement. Gwen protects their crops and livestock from the worst of the weather and lends her skills to healing the sick.

After surviving their first winter tucked away in the Black Valley, the displaced villagers choose a small party to travel to a nearby town for much needed supplies and news. Gwen, now known as Lady Rhiannon, and two of the men track carefully into town, intent on making their trades and leaving as quickly as possible. That plan goes awry when Gwen is recognized by one of de Chappelle’s men. A traveling knight comes to her rescue and is wounded in the melee. One of the men is taken captive while the other narrowly escapes with the supply wagon.

Gwen’s savior is Tudor. While he heals, and as he is slowly accepted by the wary villagers, the two become inseparable. When de Chappelle eventually finds them, Tudor is mortally wounded in defense of the village and Gwen pleads with ancient powers to spare his life. Thus sparking a love which will transcend the limits of time and span centuries.

 

“Tudor watched her go, wondering at the way the world had a habit of spinning like a roulette wheel, snatching you onto familiar numbers at the most unexpected of times.”

 

In modern day London, Rhys Tudor is an ex-military private security contractor responsible for the safety of a nineteen year-old rich kid. When his employers purchase a posh flat in The Aurora, an extremely exclusive building, for their son, Tudor is diligent about protecting his charge. Not long after moving his ward into his new digs, a series of grisly murders take place, annihilating two entire families in the building. Suddenly, Tudor and his daughter, Emily are swept up in a terrifying whirlwind of Slavic gangsters, fighting off assailants and dodging bullets. Despite his connections with the Metropolitan Police, Tudor is unsuccessful at ferreting out the reason why he or his daughter would be targets for the mafia-like Begovich family. His quest for clues and the safety of his daughter, leads him to strange and unusual ends where coincidences and happenings are unnerving, even for a hardened soldier like Tudor.

Told as two seemingly separate stories, through two seemingly unrelated timelines, The Witch’s Knight weaves together disparate characters and incongruous eras in a beautiful dance to the final page when the two worlds eventually, finally, collide. The Brackstons hurtle their readers through time and space, never letting up on the throttle, until the last gasp, quite literally the last four paragraphs of the book. My only complaint with this work is purely selfish. I need Book Two (and Three!) to be ready for consumption. I need to know more!

Perilous Confessions - Carrie Dalby

While browsing The Haunted Bookshop on Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile, AL, I asked the proprietor if they carried local or independent authors. Indeed they do! Imagine my delight as he directed me to an entire section right up in the front of the shop! Perilous Confessions by Carrie Dalby immediately caught my eye. I admit I was intrigued by the Southern Gothic genre classification and that part of my purchase decision was based solely on the gorgeous cover art. I couldn’t help but wonder, “What on earth is Southern Gothic?” Hopping on my googler, I determined that, according to Study.com, Southern Gothic is a genre of Southern writing which often focuses on grotesque themes. It may include supernatural elements but generally focuses on damaged, even delusional, characters. Interesting…

There are no supernatural elements in Perilous Confessions but there are damaged characters a plenty. Set in the very earliest years of the 20th century, Dalby beautifully recreates the rich, and hidden, dramas of Mobile high-society. Our heroine, Lucille Easton is an aspiring novelist and reluctant participant in the approaching Carnival season. Her heart is stolen and her passion ignited when she is pursued by the charismatic, wealthy, notorious bad-boy, Alexander Melling. 

“’All artists need a spectacular love affair – something to power their work for years to come. I want to teach you what you can’t learn from novels, Lucy.’ His mouth hovered over hers as he spoke the tantalizing words. ‘Will you allow me to open you to a world of passion?’”

Lucy’s brother, Edward, and Alexander are members of the same Mardi Gras krewe, the Mystics of Dardenne, a scandalous group of bachelors who wreak havoc everywhere they go. While membership is secret, the krewe’s reputation is less than respectable. Edward does his best to warn her about Alexander and the damage he could do to her reputation. He tries to scare Alexander away, even encouraging another friend to pursue Lucy. But the couple forges on – secretly tempting fate and flouting the strict rules of courtship. Her mother, despairing of Lucy ever finding a husband, is delighted to discover her daughter has a secret suitor. 

However, when her secret love is revealed to be Alexander Melling, Lucy’s family is concerned about her future with Alexander. Alex assures them his intentions towards Lucy are entirely proper and his reveling days are over. When he proposes, they are delighted. She will be marrying into one of the most influential families in the city. Their own status is sure to be elevated. 

Unfortunately, the Mellings have a dark, controlling, and perverse history which rears its ugly head just days before their Valentine’s Day wedding. Suffering under the suffocating thumb of his father, Alexander turns to drinking to exorcise his personal demons, unleashing them on the innocent Lucy.  

“Hot, searing agony radiated from where she used to have a heart. Lucy pondered the words she’d overheard Mr. Melling say: She’s liable to break the first time you drive her. While she didn’t understand the words Saturday, she now knew all too well what he’d meant.”

Her body will mend but all the confessions in the world may not be enough to repair the damage to Lucy’s heart.

I read Perilous Confessions in one glorious afternoon, unable to put it down. Dalby’s love for the city of Mobile is evident and her historical research shines through without overshadowing the story. Dark, impetuous romance at its finest. Attributed to independent publishing house, Bienvenue Press in Youngsville, LA, Dalby is an author Mobile should be proud of.

Totally Traditional This Round - Sorry If I Let You Down

 

Alas dear readers, I have no Indie Authors to review for you this month. And to be quite honest, I feel a bit fraudulent and shamefaced because of it and wondered if you would find me to be isingenuous for even writing this month's "What I'm Reading" section. Nevertheless, I did quite a bit of reading this month and wanted to share my thoughts on the books which occupied much of my free time.

I discovered Angela Duckworth's, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, after watching her TEDtalk for a class assignment. I purchased the Kindle version, realized I was underlining on nearly every page, and promptly ordered a paperback copy for ease of flip-through reference. I even recommended the book to my husband, who is not known for his love of reading. Her insight into the influence of 'grit' on success is fascinating. She effectively and engagingly explains why sometimes lackluster students go on to surprising professional triumphs while students who breeze through school sometimes struggle to find their place in a world which was once their oyster. She offers advice for how to instill 'grittiness' in our children as well as how to be more 'gritty' ourselves. We often tell others to never give up. Grit exposes the characteristics of those who couldn't give up if they wanted to and how we can cultivate those same characteristics to develop our own passions. 

Melanie Karsak dives deep into the legend of Celtic Queen Boudica in her book, Queen of Oak. If you enjoy tales of old magic, druids, priestesses, faeries, family, love, and loss, you're sure to enjoy the quick paced twists and turns as Boudica and her family strive to protect their kingdom from greedy neighbors and worry over rumors of another Roman invasion. Karsak creates a world grounded in reality with a healthy infusion of fantasy as only the ancients could have imagined it. This is no fly by night, read in one sitting tale. At 598 pages, readers are thoroughly immersed in the Celtic Iceni holdings of Britain, now known as Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge and Essex, during the first century AD. History is somewhat sparse for this period, so why not turn our imaginations to what might have been. Fair warning, Queen of Oak is the first in a series and the second isn't due out until March of 2022. If you enjoy it as much as I did, you'll be left dangling by a breathless thread until then.  
 
When two of your FAVORITE authors drop much anticipated, pre-ordered books on the SAME DAY, you are left shaking your fists at the Gods of Publishing and gnashing your teeth in indecision about which to read first. This was the dilemma I faced when Paula Brackston's City of Time and Magic dropped on the same day as Diana Gabaldon's Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. I won't reveal which I read first because it is enough to say that I've now read them both and am happy to pass along my thoughts to you.

In City of Time and Magic, Brackston masterfully manages a lovely bit of crossover between her two very popular book series, Witches and Found Things. When the previous book in the Found Things series, The Garden of Promises and Lies, ended with a heart wrenching, gut punching cliffhanger, I was eager to rejoin Xanthe in her quest to find and rescue her lover, Liam, from her erstwhile Spinning mentor, Lydia Flyte. Although she is understandably nervous about the potential consequences, she decides she may need some 'muscle' on this trip through time and agrees to allow the lovable bear of a barman, Harley, to accompany her on her mission. Brackston graciously spared us from heartache this go around but not from wanting more of Xanthe's time-traveling adventures. I am looking forward to traveling with her. All I can do is hope the Gods of Publishing are more benevolent next time. Oh! And don't worry, if you haven't read the Witches books, you won't be lost or puzzled by the crossover. Brackston's story weaving skills are impeccable. Familiar readers will recognize old friends, new readers will simply make new ones. 

Oh Diana Gabaldon, for some reason, I was under the impression that Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone was going to be the last installment in your addictive Outlander series. When I saw the page count, I thought "Nope. No way she wraps this up in such a short work." Don't laugh. This series routinely tops 1000 pages per installment so I knew 960 pages would never be enough. Indeed, Gabaldon has been doling out massive doses of Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall for thirty years and quite frankly, I will be bereft when she does finish their story. In Bees, Jamie and Claire rebuild their home, welcome Brianna and Roger back to the ridge, argue with tenants as the Revolution creeps further and further south, and of course, make lots of love along the way. I won't spoil the story but I will tell you I was thrilled and breathless when I read the last pages as I realized there absolutely MUST be another book in the offing. Gabaldon works a cliffhanger as deftly as a potter spins clay.

In tribute to my end of year reflections, I thought it would be nice to revisit the book which forever and irrevocably hooked me, heart and imagination, on Historical Fiction. Sharon Kay Penman's, When Christ and His Saints Slept, illuminates the story of Matilda (also known as Maude), Empress of Germany and granddaughter of William the Conqueror, who is forced into a loveless, violent, political marriage to the much younger Count of Anjou, Geoffrey, after her first husband's death. When her father, Henry I, names her as his heir, the English Lords are unsettled. At his death, they swear he made a deathbed proclamation identifying his nephew, Stephen of Blois, as his heir instead. Maude feels robbed and, with her husband, launches a decades long war to reclaim her stolen crown. With more twists and turns than even the best pure fiction novel can provide, Penman's thorough research and recounting of historical events proves the adage, "truth is sometimes stranger than fiction." This epic tale, the first in Penman's Plantagenet series, is spellbinding - every time I dip into its pages. I am in perpetual upside-down debt to Penman for the gift she unknowingly gave me when I stumbled on this book nearly 26 years ago. 

From Yellow Fever to March Madness and Everything in Between

 Madness, by Mike DeLucia, was an immensely satisfying surprise. I haven't enjoyed baskedball this much since before I was kicked off the team in Junior High for popping off at the mouth. At any rate, Madness shines a well-deserved spotlight on the man who single-handedly changed the shape and speed of basketball as we know it. Now virtually unknown, Hank Liusetti overcame obstacles and heartbreak on his journey to revolutionize the sport which gave rise to greats like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, LeBron James, and Magic Johnson. This self-published, creative non-fiction novel had me racing up and down the court alongside Hank and his teammates from page one. With basketball season currently in full swing, I highly recommend picking this one up. Better yet, grab a second copy and gift it to the budding basketball fanatic in your life. They'll thank you for it and you'll have something to talk about when March Madness is over.

Apparently, Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson spurred some middle schools to have "Yellow Fever Days" after it was published in 2011? While I can't speak to that from personal experience, I can see the value in bringing history to life for the YA crowd. I readily admit, I didn't realize Fever was a YA book until after I was invested in the narrative. And by invested, I was hooked. Our young heroine, Mattie, struggles beneath the restrictions of her overprotective mother and seeks shelter in the indulgence of her grandfather as they work to keep the family coffee house afloat in post-colonial Philadelphia. Mattie's journey to independence and discovery of her own personal strength starts when she learns of the untimely death of a friend, Polly. It isn't long before the Yellow Fever is running rampant through the streets of the city, leaving Mattie and her family to make difficult decisions about survival. Worth the read for any American History middle grade students you might know. 
 
I am a long time subscriber to Sean Dietrich's daily essay emails. You might know him as "Sean of the South"? While I was living in Utah, his short stories provided a taste of home and a bit of red clay under my feet. I assumed he made his living as a public speaker and was a bit embarrassed to discover he'd written not one but seven books! Stars of Alabama falls right into my comfortable wheelhouse of southern historical fiction. In the inimitable style of generations of southern story-tellers, Dietrich braids three seemingly unrelated tales, and a wide-ranging cast of characters, into a grand and beautiful coiffure any church lady would be proud to wear to church on Sunday mornings. Set firmly in the years between the Great Depression and the Korean War, Stars is a love story to the families we lose and the families we choose with a generous nod to redemption and grace. Heart-warming is the epitaph I'd put on the marker for Stars of Alabama. 

While searching for comp titles to use for my own work-in-progress, I stumbled upon Family Law by Gin Phillips. In the early 1980's, Lucia Gilbert is an attractive, petite attorney in Montgomery, AL, carving out a space for herself in a traditionally male dominated industry. She fights for the rights of the women and children she represents through divorce and custody proceedings. Though she has no children of her own, she becomes an unlikely mother-figure to Rachel, a teenager and child of divorce. Lucia's advocacy for women settles her and Rachel firmly in the cross-hairs of objectors. Phillips gives us a beautiful story threaded with social commentary. My one and only complaint is the abrupt and unsatisfying ending. I'm not sure, perhaps the ending itself is a sort of uncomfortable commentary on it's own. So, if you choose to add this one to your TBR list, consider yourself warned there's no happily-ever-after, or even a happy-for-now. 

The Ladies Have It

 Gild by Raven Kennedy. 

Hm. I can’t say I loved this book, but, neither can I say I hated it. If I were asked to describe Gild by Raven Kennedy in ten words or less, I would say “BDSM Billionaire Sort-of-Romance Wrapped Loosely in Fantasy.” Let me start by focusing on what I thoroughly enjoyed about this book.

Kennedy does an excellent job building the world of Orea, with its Six, albeit unimaginatively named, Kingdoms. The kingdoms are quite literally named, First, Second, Third, you get the picture. Nevertheless, she imparts each kingdom with defining and distinctive characteristics, cultures, geography. Only those with power can rule. In Orea, rulers must possess magical abilities, and should an heir not possess any special talents, well, the throne is up for grabs by whomever can claim and keep it by virtue of their own magic. The kingdoms are represented as extensions of their rulers. Snowy, perpetually cold Sixth Kingdom, the setting for most of Gild, is insulated from her neighbors. And, by all outward appearances, Sixth Kingdom is wealthy in reflection of Midas’ ability to gold-touch anything. Fourth Kingdom, realm of King Ravinger (or King Rot) is marred by his gift of decay. Fifth Kingdom is ruled by King Fulke, a lecherous and greedy man with the gift of duplication. His prosperity relies on his alliance with Midas. Midas turns items to gold for Fulke; Fulke duplicates those items. As ever in politics, allies are often the other side of an enemy’s coin and fortunes may be decided on the toss.

Kennedy delivers royals with magic abilities, fantastic beasts such as gigantic snow cats with flaming paws, snow pirates who’s ships glide over glistening fields of powder through the harnessed fire claws, pulse-racing plot twists, taut political tensions, heart-breaking humanity, and wretched villains. Her prose is often breathtakingly beautiful. The snowfall hasn’t stopped and continues to drop in a slow, delicate descent, the flakes landing on shaking shoulders. Another burden to carry on our backs.

Auren is the favored “saddle,” (concubine for those with gentler constitutions) of King Midas, the ruler of Sixth Kingdom. He rescued her from poverty and a certain future of slavery during a raid on her village. You’re safe now. Let me help you. I was done being exposed and vulnerable in the world, so he made sure I didn’t have to be anymore. She became his trusted lover before he married Sixth Kingdom’s magic-less princess and ascended to the throne by dint of his magical golden touch. Once Midas became king, he still treasured her as his “favored” but in reality, she is just as much a slave as she’d once feared being. She is the only person he has ever “gold-touched,” and he keeps her locked away in a gilded cage. She is precious and safe and bored out of her mind. Midas may have loved her once, but his love has twisted into a love of novelty.

King Midas is as duplicitous as the Greek mythologies suggest. King Fulke of Fifth Kingdom is his gullible ally in a plot to attack Fourth Kingdom, the domain of King Rot. Midas barters a night with Auren for Fulke’s cooperation in the attack; never intending to deliver his favored to fulfill his end of the bargain. Rather, he uses Auren as bait to lure Fulke’s armies to defeat at the borders of King Rot’s lands and depose Fulke. Thus leaving Fifth Kingdom vulnerable to Midas’s power grab.

Midas sends orders for his harem of “saddles”, including Auren, to join him in Fifth Kingdom’s capital. Their journey is the first time Auren has been outside in more than ten years. Along the way, Auren takes every opportunity to escape the confines of her gilded carriage and breathe freely, befriending one of her guards along the way. When the party is hijacked by the Red Raids, Auren realizes and regrets the danger her status as “Midas’ Favored” has placed upon the others in the caravan. Her despair deepens as she discovers there may have been a spy in the entourage; a spy willing to sell the lot of them to King Rot’s fae warrior, Commander Rip. Action, adventure, espionage! So far, so good!

Now, for what surprised me most about this book. Perhaps I should have read the synopsis more closely, taken it more seriously, something. I love a good sex scene. While there is a lot of sex in Gild, not much of it is very good. I did not anticipate a full-on, graphically described orgy within the first ten pages. I still wonder why this was entirely necessary. I don’t mind coarse language (full disclosure: my own language is often very coarse). However, in a work of fantasy, I was unprepared for modern speech patterns and shock-factor slurs. They feel gratuitous and redundant.

I kept waiting for Auren to NOT be the damsel-in-distress. I kept wanting her to claim her own agency. I kept wanting her to be more than the plaything of a childish king. I wanted her to recognize her own value and stop drinking so much wine. I needed her to not acquiesce so readily. I kept waiting for Midas to redeem himself. I needed him to not be an ass. I don’t regret reading Gild, but I probably won’t be reading further into this series. I didn’t care about the characters enough.

The Lost Queen by Signe Pike

Now this story, I can't say enough good things about it. Based on long-forgotten and dismissed parts of the Arthurian legends, The Lost Queen by Signe Pike centers on the story of Languoreth the alleged twin sister of the man who would become Merlin. 

Like most women of the period, Languoreth knows her options her few and she will have little say in how her life path unfolds before her feet. However, it doesn't mean she meekly accepts her fate or keeps her thoughts to herself. Rather, I found her to be a wholly believable representation of how a woman of noble birth might have actually behaved. She knows her role as the only daughter of a minor king in early Britain/Scotland and plays her part, rebelling in small ways whenever possible. Still, Languoreth generally chooses duty over desire and the consequences of those choices haunt her at every turn. 

The Lost Queen isn't a galloping adventure book. No, you're invited to follow Languoreth from childhood to middle-age at the same pace by which seasons turn. You get to know her and understand her frustrations, foibles, jealousies, mistakes, and triumphs as intimately as you know your own. The men in her life who would become legendary are merely uncles and brothers to this impressive and impressionable young woman. Languoreth shines just as brightly as they do in their armor. She wields her loyalties and loves as fiercely as their swords and spears.

Pike includes just enough romance to add to the humanity of Languoreth and her wanted, but unattainable lover, Maelgwyn. Their impossible, decades long love provides vulnerabilities more potent, more relatable to modern readers than the threat of Angle invasion or political maneuverings. Languoreth's political marriage to Rydderch is not without love but it does lack passion; he is not cruel or unsympathetic. He is as much a pawn of his king as she and together they must navigate intrigues if he is ever to be named heir to his father's throne. 

I love Pike's exploration of the forgotten women in history and legend. So many of our favorite heroes have the women in their lives to thank for their fame; the women who have become footnotes in the heroic tales. Pike refuses to let these women hide in the shadows or be overlooked when creating these works of fiction and I heartily approve.  

Small Dark Wonders

 

It's not unusual for me to plow through 4 or five books a week. However, in recent weeks, due to an increase in reading material for my MFA courses, and in thanks to the heaviness of this post's feature books, I only have 3 to review this time. I know...I'm a slacker. I would also like to apologize, there are no indie books on this list. I'll do better next time. Pinky swear.

That said, shout out to my sister for recommending Jodi Picoult's Small Great Things. Although this book was published in 2016, the uncomfortable subject matter is sadly still all to relevant. Follow Ruth Jefferson, an L&D nurse with twenty years of experience, as she answers the complicated question, Do I help the baby of the white supremacist who specifically said I'm not allowed to touch his child? Or do I uphold my oath as a nurse and defy his wishes and the orders given to me by my supervisors? No one should ever be in this situation but this is exactly where Ruth finds herself and the results of her decision threaten to unmoor the foundations of the life she has worked so hard to build for her and her son. I read this book slowly and carefully, aching for the characters, mourning the fact that these issues are still very real and shamefully still present in our society. I couldn't put this one down. 

Matt Adcock's Complete Darkness just about did me in. I was fascinated and confused from word one. Relying on an unreliable narrator, the sci-fi, future-world of L2 is filled with AI technology, immersive gaming, homogenized religion, mind-altering drugs, secrets, magic, and old-world mythologies. All of those things shouldn't work together, right? But, incredibly, Adcock manages to weave a fraying narrative with characters I couldn't help but care about, even if I did spend the book wondering how on earth all these people and groups would ever resolve themselves in a cohesive ending. This entertaining, and at times disturbing, SFF commentary on theology, social mores, and humanity is well worth the read. 

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks promised a break from both textbooks and heavy social pressures. I can't say this is a light read - because you know, COVID-19 pandemic. A fictionalized version of historical events, Year of Wonders tells the tale of a small English village, engulfed by the Plague in 1665-1666, which voluntarily shuts itself off from the world in order to save the rest of the country from a nationwide outbreak. Our narrator, Anna, loses everything that was once important to her but, in the end, gains a life she can truly call her own. I probably should have been prepared for the unintentional parallels between this story and our own experiences in the past 17 months but I wasn't. Excellent story, told in a voice which evokes the formality of the period, heartbreaking and hopeful all at once, I recommend Year of Wonders wholeheartedly. But, only if you aren't still exhausted by the current world health situation. If you are, I suggest you put this one on the bottom of your TBR stack and read it later. It's been out since 2002 so there's no hurry.

Reading Rainbow - More like READING ROLLERCOASTER!

Okay Folks, strap in - it's a wild ride this month! 

Whenever I have a break between school sessions, I read - a LOT. More than usual because I have more free time! Lucky me, right?

At any rate, I have been all over the genre landscape in the last couple weeks so let's pace ourselves. Anyone who knows me even a little will know that I am an historical fiction junkie. Three excellent entries this time are Gabaldon's Seven Stones to Stand or Fall, Gregory's The Lady of the Rivers, and Riley's Island Queen. 

If you love the Outlander series by Gabaldon, you won't be disappointed with Seven Stones. Okay, maybe a little because some of the stories are just too damn short! Nevertheless, they're all written to the exacting standards we've come to expect from this author and well worth the read. 

The Lady of the Rivers centers on the life of Jaquetta, Duchess of Bedford and eventual mother of Elizabeth Woodville, future Queen of England. Gregory is a master story teller and fans of fiction set in the Plantagenet/Tudor eras will not be disappointed. 

Ah, Island Queen. Because this is already going to be a long blog post, I'll do my best to keep it short. READ THIS BOOK. Focusing on a period of history not currently en vogue and on a little known, but deserving historical figure, Riley sweeps us off on an intensely interesting and harrowing narrative as she explores the life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, slave, free woman, landowner, successful businesswoman of the West Indies. Again, READ THIS BOOK.

Little Universes by Heather Demetrios is a contemporary fiction work which delves deep into the relationship between sisters after the sudden, tragic deaths of their parents. The sisters couldn't be more different in their responses to the tragedy, nor in their outlooks on life in general. Still, they circle back to each other in the little ways only siblings can. 

Completely outside my comfort zone, Evolution of a Monster by J. Steffy, took me completely by surprise. Steffy provides readers with a rare look at the diary of a serial killer. Terrifying stuff. More disturbing is that readers may actually wind up feeling sympathy for the diary's author. Yikes. Feel free to start doubting yourself. And, don't bother expecting a satisfying ending. You won't get one. 

Cats of the Pyramids, by Paul Nelson, is a gem of middle grade writing. Paul draws on his years of experience teaching special needs students and caring for his autistic son to craft this beautiful story which showcases fully developed autistic heroes! Here's a hint...autism isn't a handicap, it's a rare gift, a connection to powers beyond human ken. 10/10 recommend this one for middle grade readers and those wanting an alternative explanation for some very special differences. 

For a completely new twist on Greek mythology and supernatural beings, dig into Emma's Fury by Linda Rainier. Set in modern times, readers learn the old gods aren't dead and are still engaged in universal power struggles. While Rainier's prose occasionally gets a little high falutin' at times, don't let this stop you from engaging in Emma's battle to save the world from the devious Thanatos as he sets his plans in motion to reclaim his 'rightful' place in the pantheon.

And last but certainly not least, Trail Markers by Cym Aros. Full confession, I have read all 5 books in this series but opted to only use the cover of the first book in this post. Beautifully and brutally rendered, Aros tells the story of Jesse Thomson Franklin and his journey to self-acceptance. He is the illegitimate son of wealthy rancher, Pony Express rider, Union Army veteran, POW camp survivor and so much more. His dedication to service and those who love him are both his salvation and his downfall. I promise, if you read the first book, you'll want to read all five. 

Classes started back up for me this week so I'll have to curb my extracurricular reading just a bit. You know, back to 3-4 books a week instead. Thanks for reading and as always, I hope you discovered some new imagination candy.

Find more from me at meanderyme.com

 

Stalin's Door

 Stalin's Door - 6 July 2021

The trend in historical fiction to focus on Western Europe is shown the proverbial door in this outstanding work by author, John St. Clair. Featuring the gripping tale of two women whose lives become inextricably entangled as they are swept up in the machinations of Stalin's Russia and his Great Terror, Zhenya and Lera lean on each other, uncover strengths they didn't realize were possible, and discover that family isn't always related. 

St. Clair's exquisite research lends credibility to his speculation about life during the Stalin regime and, as an added bonus, St. Clair weaves in a bit of the afterlife at the end of his work as he considers what becomes of those who were victimized by the NKVD, banana troikas, and gulag work camps.

Stalin's Door