Month: February 2023

Recent Reads: The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley by Sean Lusk

Posted on by Pam

My review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley by Sean Lusk is a historical story, with automata, travel to the Ottoman Empire, and all set in the 18th century.

This is a mystery story with a fantastical element as Zachary can see into people’s hearts and minds.

I enjoyed the story, and the adventures.  It has sweet moments, and some danger. It was also interesting to look at automata from such a long time ago!

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Random House.

 

Recent Reads: The Girl In The Red Coat by Kate Hamer

Posted on by Pam

My review:⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Girl In The Red Coat by Kate Hamer is a thriller dealing with the disappearance of an 8 year old girl.

There is a light fantasy aspect to this as she might have healing powers. 

I enjoyed the story, and the two points of view, the girl and her mother.  The mother’s point of view always starts with the days since her daughter disappeared, and I thought that was a good way of immediately setting the scene.

I read this quite quickly as I was drawn into the story, and kept turning pages to see what was going to happen next.

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Faber and Faber.

Recent Reads: The Year Without Summer by Guinevere Glasfurd

Posted on by Pam

My review:⭐⭐⭐

The Year Without Summer by Guinevere Glasford is set in 1816 when a volcano erupted and the aftereffects caused world wide weather issues, and this follows six different people.

I liked the idea of this book, but I found that jumping around the different points of view to be a little confusing. It has some famous characters in it, like Mary Shelley, and I found that it assumed some prior knowledge about them and what has happened before the book starts.

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to John Murray Press.

Recent Reads: Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor

Posted on by Pam

My review:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor is set in India about people in the criminal underworld, and their servants.

I found it to be a fast paced story.  It has different points of view which are explored as the story continues. I found this enhanced the story, and the tension.

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Little, Brown Book Group.

 

Recent Reads: Part Of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Posted on by Pam

My review:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez is the 4th book, with some of the same characters popping up.  I have loved every book, and I’m looking forward to her next book due out later this year!

These are contemporary romances, written with humour and empathy.  I found the characters to be well rounded, and very believable.  I was interested in their lives and I was cheering them on. 

It’s a fun, easy read, and would be perfect on holiday!

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Little, Brown Book Group.

Recent Reads: Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen

Posted on by Pam

My review:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen is a fantasy story, with Violet, a prophetess who is willing to lie for what she wants.

I do enjoy court intrigue, and I liked this take with morally neutral characters.

It’s an entertaining story, with politics, romance and intrigue!

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Hodder & Stoughton.

Recent Reads: Miss Aldridge Regrets by Louise Hare

Posted on by Pam

My review:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Miss Aldridge Regrets by Louise Hare is a cosy crime set in 1936 with characters going from London to New York on a ship!

It was a good story, and made the time come alive! 

I enjoyed the storyline, the murder mystery, and I was kept guessing the whole way, which is always a good sign to me!

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to HQ.

Recent Reads: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Posted on by Pam

My review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna is a contemporary fantasy. It’s a heartwarming story, and is one that I really enjoyed.

A witch is hired to be the tutor to 2 young charges, and the fun goes from there!

I found the characters to be good, the setting to be evocative, and the storyline to be entertai

I’ll be on the lookout for more books by this author!

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Hodder & Stoughton.

Recent Reads: The Christmas Holiday by Phillipa Ashley

Posted on by Pam

My review:⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Christmas Holiday by Phillipa Ashley is a seasonal romance set in the Lake District.

I really enjoyed this story. I found it to be cosy, sweet and evocative! The descriptions of the Lake District and the community this is set in was great!

All in all, this is a great Christmas read, and one I recommend!

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Avon Books.

Recent Reads: VAMPS: Fresh Blood by Nicole Arend

Posted on by Pam

My review:⭐⭐⭐

VAMPS: Fresh Blood by Nicole Arend is the first in a planned series set at a vampire finishing school. 

This is a fantasy story complete with a character who didn’t know he was a vampire, those who have been brought up knowing, some with ancient vampire pedigrees, and as you can tell, lots of tropes!

It felt a bit confusing with some of the characters at the beginning, and it has dramatic teenage vampires.

I found it to be an entertaining read, but I don’t plan to read any more of the series.

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster.