Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 19

The Distaste of the Earth by Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih - Book Review

Publication Date: 20th May 2024

Genre: Historical Fantasy

3.5 Stars

One Liner: Informative but missing something vital

A loose retelling of the love story of Manik Raitongand Lieng Makaw acts as the central point to weave a multitude of tales aboutpeople, community, culture, and nature in the Khasi region.

Set in the past, the book brings together varioussocio-cultural, interpersonal, and earthly elements woven with an array ofemotions.

The story comes in the third-person POV.

My Thoughts:

Unfortunately, not many of us know a lot about thecultural history and lore of the Northeastern part of India. So, when I sawthis was based on a real story from the region, I searched for the original(links at the end). The actual story is quite small, so the 400+ page counthere resulted in many questions.

The author’s note at the beginning establishes theexpectations from the book. He mentions that the book is more of a presentationof the ancient Khasi world with people and nature at its center. This helpedadjust my expectations. I realized it would read like a collection ofinterconnected stories that make sense only when together.

The omnipresent third-person POV acts as thestoryteller’s voice, providing information about the local customs, rituals,conditions, etc. For someone who knew almost nothing about the setting (those3-4 episodes of food shows don’t count), this detailing provided a wealth ofknowledge. There are a few triggers, but none of these events are detailed.

There’s a liberal use of local terms and phrases,and translation provided alongside. This may or may not work for everyone. Ilike it since it brings authenticity to the English narrative. (It’s only inrecent times I realized how hard it is to present regional stories in English.The feeling is just not the same without the presence of native words.)

However, the dialogues are a bit jarring. They are astrange combination of modern-day terms, semi-translation, and a sort ofancient vibe. It took more than a while to get used to this blend.

The beginning is slow as expected. There is a lot toknow and new characters are introduced often. Moreover, the main lead isnothing more than a random character until the first 150+ pages (part one). Wespend all our time reading about others.

The setting, Hima Mokkhiew, is a village in Nongbohof Ri Bhoi. The geographical elements are described on the first page. However,a map would have done a better job. All those routes, hills, forest lands, andflat lands in different directions can get confusing without a visualrepresentation. [The Khasi lands are spread over Meghalaya and a part ofAssam as well as Bangladesh (the neighboring country).]

We finally get to our MMC’s story, and it presents arange of social and political situations. However, right when the plotthickens, we end up with ~60 pages of stories about animals by animals. Ididn’t mind the first two or three stories but then my interest level crashedto the lowest. These went on for too long and pulled me out of the mood. I’dhave preferred for the tales to be spread across the book instead of beingdumped together. That way, we would have also seen the MMC’s past in tinyflashbacks.

At last, the core love story begins… but ends up ina few pages! While I appreciate the backstories provided for the characters andthe foundation for their love, I wanted more. We see two or three scenes of thecouple interacting before there’s a time jump and drama begins. The actual partof their ‘love’ is not even shown. If only the other stories were trimmed tomake space for at least another 10 pages of their interactions!

The ending brings the different threads together andprovides the necessary conclusions for each track. A little more about Nemwould have helped.

To summarize, The Distaste of the Earth has much toteach about the ancient Khasi culture while exploring the basic human traitsand the power of love. However, I cannot help but wish for a better focus onthe true and tragic love story that inspired this book.

Thank you, Blogchatter and Penguin, for a copy ofthe book. This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book ReviewProgram and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

You can buy the paperback of TheDistaste of the Earth from Amazon.

***

More about the Original:

The love story of Manik and Lieng is famous in theKhasi Lands even today. A movie was made on this (Manik Raitong,1984) and was the first color film in Khasi. Speak Your Roots has shared a postabout the original story with pictures of the book (Ka Liengmakaw da Jespil Syiem).

***

TW: Battle, plague,death, mentions of rape, beheadings, and alcoholism 

The Secret of Helmersbruck Manor by Eva Frantz, Annie Prime (translator) - Book Review

Publication Date: 24th Sep 2024 

Genre: Middle-Grade Mystery 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: A nice story for kids 

December 1975

Flora Winter and her mother travel to a small seaside town, Helmersbruk, to spend the month of Christmas away from the city. Twelve-year-old Flora is in two minds about this move. Her mother is determined to make the most of this time to write and earn some living to support them. 

Soon, Flora falls in love with their temporary residence and explores the grounds. The massive Helmersbruk Manor has been abandoned for decades and catches Flora's attention. She also hears whispers, sees strange animals, and meets a shy boy some years her senior. 

When Flora realizes a mystery surrounding the Manor, she is determined to dig deeper. But does the house want her to solve it? 

The story comes in Flora’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

After loving The Raspberry Hill by the author, I was excited about this. Originally, this book was published first in the author’s native native language Finnish. The translations are in the reverse order. (The books are standalone) 

This one blends many genres like mystery, paranormal, family drama, etc. It is almost historical in terms of timeline though not quite. However, the vibes are very much historical. 

The description of the setting – the manor, the extensive lands, the gatekeeper’s cottage, the labyrinth, the orangery, etc., is easy to visualize. The black and white pencil sketches by Elin Sandström (one at the beginning of each chapter) enhance the visual appeal. 

The darkness of the place and the grief in the story align well. Flora and her mother are grieving the death of Flora’s father. The manor is grieving the loss of laughter within its walls. Fridolf is grieving the loss of his family. 

That said, there are a few light moments to bring some smiles. Flora is an enthusiastic and curious girl. Her inner monologues can be fun at times. Of course, she also likes to make up stories. 

However, the mystery and the paranormal elements are not strong enough. They may work for young readers, though I cannot be sure. I wouldn’t have minded a little more spookiness to the atmosphere. The reveals and twists are a bit too convenient, which dilutes the intensity. Still, kids may enjoy it for what it is. There is a treasure hunt to keep them hooked. 

Apart from grief, the book explores bullying, class differences, family secrets, and guilt. These are pretty much surface-level, and some don’t get a resolution. 

The past is presented in the form of a letter. This letter has a grayish tinge to differentiate it from the rest of the contents. However, you can see the color change only on the computer (PDF on the desktop/ laptop). The print version should be much better than Kindle if you want to notice these details. 

The prologue is balanced by an epilogue and both come in the POV of the manor. We get a nice HEA, so everything ends well! 

To summarize, The Secret of Helmersbruck Manor is a cozy paranormal mystery for middle graders. Give it a try if you like old houses and strange events, and a protag is determined to solve the mystery. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Press (Pushkin’s Children’s Books), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheSecretofHelmersbruckManor

***

This is the second book in July with a house that speaks and a recipe for potato pancakes. Is the universe trying to tell me something? *ha…ha…ha…*

Falling for Provence by Alison Roberts - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: A Year in France #1

Publication Date: 21st Sep 2024

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/fallingprovencesocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213705768-falling-for-provence

Genre: Romance

3.5 Stars

One Liner: Nice… has some loose ends (first in theseries)

Book Blurb:

She came toProvence in the hope of a fresh start, she never expected she would fall inlove in and find herself along the way.

Inheriting anold stone house in Provence, along with her sisters is the catalyst EllieGilchrist needs to put some distance between her and her grief. But when shearrives at the run down ‘La Masionette’ hidden amongst overgrown Lavender andIvy, she wonders if she’s made a mistake?

That is untilshe meets her guarded neighbour Julien and his adorable little boy, and she’ssurprised by the flutters of excitement she never thought she’d feel again. Addin rescuing a stray dog and she has the much needed distraction she needs.Ellie decides to stay temporarily and work on bringing the little house back tolife again. If only she can ignore the fireworks that explode every time she’saround Julien. They both have hearts they want to protect, but a little temporaryaffaire can’t be too dangerous,especially when Ellie has stated she will be leaving after the last summermarket of the season. But something in the alchemy of what she discovers inthis part of France seems to be casting an irresistible spell making itdifficult to walk away.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Ellie and Julien’s third-personPOVs.

The plot development stays true to the genre butmanages to throw in a couple of twists. Of course, I didn’t take this hopingfor an intricate plot.

For me, the setting is the focus. The book scoreswell in this aspect. The beauty of Provence comes alive on the pages withoutdistracting from the plot. Ellie’s artistic talent (painting), her gradualgrowth, and the beauty of the setting blend seamlessly.

The dual POV, though we get fewer scenes from theMMC, makes it easy to see his thought process and feelings. I liked how much heloved his little son (even if the kiddo doesn’t get a lot of space due to validreasons).

Animal lovers will be delighted to find two donkeysand a cute doggy in this one. They have names too!

If I had known earlier about the series part (it wasn't updated when I read the book), I’dhave gone in prepared for the family track to stay in the background withoutresolution. Since I didn’t, I was annoyed to see the book end with manyunanswered questions. At least now I know these are likely to be answered inthe next two books (Ellie has two sisters – Laura and Fiona).

Quite a few elements are convenient and happeneasily but that’s expected of the genre, so I didn’t mind. However, the aspectsabout grief, loss, moving on, second chances, etc., are done well (check TW atthe end). At the same time, the writing is not so heavy that it feelsoverwhelming again and again but does enough to make you feel something.

To summarize, Falling for Provence is a steady-pacedand touching story about loss, hope, and finding love (and inspiration) in abeautiful location.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources andBoldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honestopinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

TW: death of achild (off-page), injury to a child (quickly healed), infidelity, past trauma,mention of alcoholic and violent father  

***

About the Author – Alison Roberts

Alison Robertsis the author of over one hundred romance novels, joining Boldwood to write‘wish you were here’ fiction set in the South of France.

Follow the Author:

Twitter: https://x.com/RobertsAli54060

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlisonRobertsNews

***

This has been a stop on the #FallingForProvence blogtour by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources)Thanks for stopping by!

Starspill by Catherine Fisher - Book Review

Publication Date: 05th Sep 2024/ 14thJan 2025 

Genre: Middle-Grade Adventure Fantasy 

4 Stars 

One Liner: A slow start but a worthy read 

The town of Starspill had been in Fog for over 140 years, ever since the Wolf ate the Sun. But why are the cats now intent on making Zac steal one of the three Embers of the Sun from the Museum? What will the cats gain from it? Why did they steal Zac's old Map to make him do the job? 

The story comes in the third-person POV (Zac’s). 

My Thoughts: 

This is more of a tween book than MG fiction but it is clean (despite the darkness). 

The premise and the cover made me request a copy right away. It has fantasy, cats, atmosphere, and kids who need to be brave.  What’s not to like? 

The book has a slow start which makes sense we need some would-building and meet the characters. Right away, we can see cats will have a major role in the plot (yay!). 

The concept is terrific – a city named Starspill that has been enveloped by the Fog for centuries, ever since the Wolf ate the Sun. The residents get light from star-powered lamps made by Startsmiths (Zac’s family) or candles (Alys’s family). 

Zac and Alys should be around thirteen (I don’t remember reading their ages). While the boy is an introvert, Alys is a firebrand (the kind who will hit first and talk later). They make an interesting team. 

The atmosphere gets full marks from me. I love how real the Fog feels as if it seeps out of the pages and envelopes the reader. 

The main characters are well done but the side ones don’t get the same attention. This is a common concern in MG fiction. I’m still not sure what to think about Martha’s character. It seems to change as required for the story. 

The cats in the book can talk. Jinx is a little black kitten with high aspirations and self-confidence a thousand times its size! 

The stakes get higher as the story progresses. There’s enough danger and adventure for kids to stay hooked and turn the pages. However, I felt the conclusion in the climax needed a little more explanation. (Also, I needed more about the green star). 

The ending is satisfactory and heartwarming. The book is a standalone but it could very well become a series with the same setting and more adventures. 

The pacing is uneven but somehow works for the plot. As we get to the last quarter, it really ups the momentum. Yet, it doesn’t feel rushed or messy. There’s tension, danger, action, courage, and empathy. Loved that little moment in the climax which showed Zac’s character. Beautiful!  

To summarize, Starspill is a delightful middle-grade (and younger YA) fantasy with an atmospheric setting and an adventure of a lifetime. I wish it had some illustrations too! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Firefly Press, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #Starspill 

Not Mine to Keep by Brittney Sahin - Book Review

Series: The Costa Family #2 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 24th Sep 2024

Genre: Romantic Suspense (Mafia)

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: I liked it more than I expected

Calliope (Callie) wants nothing to do with the DiMaggio surname but her father, a mafia royalty proud of his family heritage, intends to ensure the legacy continues. This means Callie has to marry a man of his choice and produce an heir. All she wants is to teach history to the school kids and sing in side gigs. When her father fixes her wedding with a ruthless man, Callie needs to find a way out. 

Alessandro Costa is happy with the playboy millionaire tag, juggling different businesses and loving his family. However, he is asked to repay a debt and save the princess aka Calliope from her impending wedding disaster. This also gives him a chance to settle scores with many people. Alessandro and Callie agree to a temporary marriage of convenience. However, the stakes get higher as they develop feelings for each other. 

The story comes in the first-person POVs of Alessandro and Calliope. 

My Thoughts: 

This is my first read by the author and won’t be the last. Boy, she sure can write an angsty romance with flawed characters. 

I’m relieved to note that the book works well as a standalone. Though it had characters from other series and book one of this series, we can enjoy the story without wondering about the whats and whos. 

The dual first-person POV was well done and is useful in learning more about both the characters’ thoughts, feelings, backstories, etc. Callie can be a little childish at times but she didn’t mess up when it mattered, so all good. 

I know mafia romances are supposed to be dark. While I don’t mind the spice and explicit scenes, I was worried about just how dark it would get. Luckily, it’s the right amount, as if testing the waters but staying on the borderline (most of the time). There’s a lot of talk but not much action (which was a relief). 

Naturally, the book had other types of action – fighting, killing, escaping, etc. These scenes were steady-paced even if the rest of the content was slow (slower than I expected). 

The side characters are an assortment of personalities. I quite liked Izzy (can’t wait to read her book whenever it is ready), Mr. Costa, and Hudson. The villain did feel a little flat but didn’t take up a lot of space, so that wasn’t a big issue. 

The book was 4+ stars but I felt the reason for the MMC’s commitment issues was too light. The guy was almost forty and had been in therapy for years. Could you give him a better reason? 

There’s no miscommunication or third-act breakup. While the couple did get separated, it wasn’t because of a lover’s quarrel (phew!). I also have to admit that the HEA lover in me was delighted with the series of endings. We get two chapters with smaller developments followed by an epilogue. This is how you write it, authors! 

To summarize, Not Mine to Keep is a slow-paced but entertaining read with banter, romance, fake marriage, mafia dons, and ruthless villains. It’s a book you go with the flow and read for what it is. 

(Would ten years qualify for an age-gap romance?) 

Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #NotMineToKeep

TW: mentions of abuse and torture, killings, injuries 

The Worst Duke in London by Amalie Howard - Book Review

Series: Taming of the Dukes #3 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 24th Sep 2024

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency) 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining but a bit OTT 

Lady Evangeline Raine prefers animals to humans, especially the little ones she rescues and cares for in her animal shelter. Her young sister, Viola, wants nothing more than a season in London and marriage. However, the season will happen if Effie (Evangeline) is also willing to attend. 

Duke of Vale, Gage Croft, was happy being a Highlander until his brother’s death made him the duke and dumped a ton load of debts on his head. He needs to settle a debt and agrees to charm Evangeline to bring her to London. However, he soon realizes that the bargain could be costly indeed! 

Can Effie and Gage find what they want, or will the secrets tear them apart? 

The story comes in Effie and Gage’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

The book starts with a short content warning note by the author, mentioning the possible triggers (and their intensity) in the story. 

Right away, we are thrown into the drama around the main characters. Reading the previous book (Never Met a Duke Like You), made it easy to follow the FMC’s character arc. This should still work as a standalone read (the others make an appearance a few times). However, I did find all that talk a bit preachy. We know what the issues are, right? No need to repeat them so often. 

The MMC is quite easy to like even if some of his decisions are bad. But that’s necessary for the plot to progress, so can’t say much. 

This is a steamy romance (4.5ish), and there are a lot of sexual innuendos throughout the book. This may not suit everyone. I didn’t mind most of it. The writing style was fun (when not preaching, so it suited the tone). 

There’s a teeny mystery as well, though it is never the main focus. Acts like seasoning and helps bring things together in the climax. 

And yes, we have a third-act breakup. I knew it would happen very early in the plot (almost after the first chapter). Being prepared helps, folks! 

We have an epilogue (yay!) that not only gives us HEA but also hints at the next book. I am waiting for that, though I suspect the spice will be all-time high, based on what we know about the characters. 

Effie’s sister isn’t easy to like, but she manages to get to the right side and show decent growth. I like that there’s no drastic change, but shows a sign of improvement. I do wish to get to know William a little more. A nice guy! 

The pacing dips in the middle but picks up again in the last quarter. It didn’t really drag or feel boring. However, some scenes are a bit OTT and take to liberty, given the historical setting. While I no longer expect proper historical romances, this one could have toned it down a little.

The author’s note is detailed and informative, providing a glimpse into her research, which supports her plotline and character arcs. 

To summarize, The Worst Duke in London is a fun read with a high dose of spice and many contemporary sensibilities. Read it if you want something light and fluffy. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheWorstDukeInLondon

How to Slay at Work by Sarah Bonner - Book Review

Publication Date: 24th Sep 2024 

Genre: Contemporary Mystery/ Drama 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Nice… but the ending doesn’t hit the mark

Millie knew her boss, Freya was a psycho. How else can she explain the woman’s behavior at work? Nevertheless, even Millie didn’t think the boss could actually be a serial killer. But when people die during Freya’s trips to other cities, all of them can’t be coincidences, right? 

Figuring out the truth might help Millie in more ways than one. Of course, she needs to ensure the target doesn’t end up on her back! 

The story comes in Millie and Freya’s first-person POVs where they also break the fourth wall at times (plus another character’s first-person POV at the end). 

My Thoughts: 

I stopped reading thrillers or domestic/ psychological dramas due to the similar-sounding plotlines and tropes. While this one also leans heavily on the Devil Wears Prada’s evil boss trope, I wanted to give it a try (I didn’t read the mentioned book anyway, so worked in my favor). 

The beginning was great. Millie’s POV is sarcastic but with some rambling and exhaustion. It gives a good idea of her character and sets the stage quickly. Almost right away, we know something is wrong with the boss. Soon, we are rooting for Millie. 

Then, we switch to Freya’s POV, which I liked to an extent. A good thing is that the switch in POVs goes on for a solid set of chapters. A not-so-good thing is that the boss didn’t need as many chapters. Millie should have gotten more since this is supposed to be her book. Also, since both women have snarky voices when they talk to the readers, it is sometimes easy to forget whose POV we are reading. 

Lissa was a decent side character. The guy was making progress but tanked towards the end. Since we don’t know what’s true, we have to accept whatever we read. Don’t know enough about Sam to say anything. 

The reveal and the shift in the story midway through did the necessary job to keep the reader hooked. However, Freya’s POV went a bit too long after that. I wanted to get back to Millie’s and see the story progress from her perspective. 

Despite a few issues, I was quite enjoying this until the twists came one after another in the end. A couple of them were too close with no space for the readers to process it. Regular thriller fans will take it in stride (they are used to unwanted twists) but I feel one of those should have come earlier. With no space for explanation, this could lead to more questions than what we already have. 

Nevertheless, I don’t think this is a complete thriller either. It’s a strange mix of office-based chick-lit and a psychological thriller. 

Also, a couple of scenes (though they depict reality) weren’t related to the plot. I really hoped these would in some way be connected to the central track later, but that didn’t happen. Moreover, with the book being careful not to openly use the abuse trope, that scene in the public transport was off. It didn’t serve any purpose but it should have! 

To summarize, How to Slay at Work is fast-paced and enjoyable but could have had a better ending. I’m almost an outliner, so read other reviews before you decide. Many readers have enjoyed it a lot more. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #HowToSlayAtWork

The Witches of Santo Stefano by Wendy Webb - Book Review

Publication Date: 24th Sep 2024 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: A nice read but something is missing 

Cassie Graves is heartbroken when her marriage of twenty-five years ends with the exposure of her husband’s affair. When her cousin Maria hits a dead-end in her ancestry research, Cassie decides to take it up. As an investigative journalist, she has a nose for stories, and finding the truth of her roots feels important when her future is uncertain. 

In Santo Stefano, Italy, Cassie starts to put together the stories narrated by her grandmother and the random clues provided by strangers. Seems the women in her family had power in their blood. If they were witches, what happened to them? Why did they move across the continents from Europe to the US? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Cassandra (Cassie) and third-person POVs of Fiora, Violetta, and Isabella.  

My Thoughts: 

The book starts with a prologue, showing a glimpse into the major events from the past in Santo Stefano. Then, we move on to the present where Cassie and her cousin discuss their family tee. 

The narrative is slow-paced with chapters alternating in both timelines. While there’s no confusion (thanks to the names mentioned with the chapter head and the difference in POVs), this book needed a graphical representation of the family tree. Quite many characters are mentioned as mother, father, grandparent, niece, sibling, etc., in both timelines. This makes it hard to track who is who. 

Cassie’s POV is done well, with a good blend of determination, maturity, vulnerability, anger, hope, confusion, etc. As a person in her late 40s or early 50s going through major upheavals in her life, she manages to make readers support her. 

There’s subtle magic, just enough to add to the witch vibe. However, the setting and the atmosphere are wonderful. I loved the changing weather in Stefano and how it felt as if the place belonged to the past era. 

There are animals too! Street cats, a large and fluffy herding dog, and two donkeys (my second book this month with donkeys in it). 

In a way, the blurb reveals too much. The spell book doesn’t even appear until the last quarter. Moreover, it acts as a diary to help Cassie fill the gaps. This feels like wasted potential for such a powerful book. 

The ending is rushed and weak as if we needed to wrap up everything in less than five pages. What was close to four stars until then crashed to 3.5 with the abrupt ending. A few things have been left hanging as well. Sustaining the momentum and adding another ten to fifteen pages would have elevated the story much more. 

This is my second book by the author and somehow doesn’t feel as good as the one I read. While it had a few flaws, the narrative was compelling, and the atmosphere was more tangible than this one. It could be my expectations too, which were quite high. 

To summarize, The Witches of Santo Stefano has a great premise and some good moments. However, it doesn’t reach its full potential, especially towards the end. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheWitchesOfSantoStefano

Bhima’s Ladle by Supriya Bansal - Book Review

Publication Date: 14th March 2024

Genre: Children’s Comic 

4 Stars

One Liner: Lovely! 

Thirteen-year-old Aru lives with his father, Jagdish, and aspires to become a great wrestler like Pandava Bhima from the Mahabharata. However, when his father is suddenly hospitalized and Aru needs to finish a food catering order, the boy is worried. Turns out, the mystic ladle he bought earlier that day could save him. Can Aru prove himself as a worthy chef like his idol? 

My Thoughts: 

Disclaimer: The author is a fellow writer and a friend. 

This is a short book (34 pages) with full-length illustrations. I quite like the vibes of the cover design and the color composition inside. The white text on a black background for the voiceover aligns with the tone of the illustrations. 

The story is quite straightforward and inspiring. Despite the length, it manages to blend themes like family, ambitions, confidence, ithihasas, and a bit of magic. The focus remains firmly on Aru and his life while the other elements like the archeological site, the catering service, wrestling competition, etc., play supportive roles. 

The writing suits the age group (7+) and should keep them invested in the plot. The font size is decent and shouldn’t be hard to read. 

Aru somehow ends up having a similar expression of ‘flustered exclamation’ in many scenes. However, these seem to suit his character arc. The expressions don’t always match the text for other characters, which can be a bit confusing.  

The book has an interesting end. I like it, though I cannot say if all kids will have the same opinion as mine. Still, it should encourage them to discuss the elements and maybe even come up with their ideas.

To summarize, Bhima’s Ladle is a quick and easy comic for all age groups. It won’t take more than ten minutes to read the book. Carry it wherever you want! 

Thank you, Penmancy and the author, for the book. 

The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond by Christyne E. Morrell - Book Review

Publication Date: 17th Sep 2024 

Genre: Middle-Grade Paranormal Adventure 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: A quick read 

Twelve-year-old Charlie (Charlotte) moves to Florida with her dad and hates that she has to leave their little New York home. The Winklevoss Manor might be huge but is filled with dirt, unwanted items, and ghosts. Soon, Charlie finds out the house is cursed as well. 

Ada, Arthur, and Gruff are three ghosts living in the Manor (and not by choice). They are stuck inside for stealing a dead man’s diamond which is still somewhere in the house. 

Charlie, struggling to settle in a place and dealing with bullies, tries to find the diamond. Selling it would allow them to move back to NY. However, things are hardly that simple. 

The story comes from Charlie’s first-person POV and third-person POVs of the ghosts (Ada, Arthur, and Guff). 

My Thoughts: 

This is a fast-paced book that combines many elements like ghosts, greed, bullying, loss, regret, mourning, etc. I think it would have benefitted from some illustrations of the interiors of the house, the diamond, Charlie, and a couple of important scenes. 

Charlie is a flawed character with typical thoughts and actions of a pre-teen. She is not easy to like but we also cannot help but feel sad for her. Her arc is quite decent and realistic. 

The father is present but doesn’t really make an impact (this seems to be a common element in MG books). Surprisingly, another older character does better despite having only four scenes or so.  

The chapters alternate between the MC’s POV (present) and the ghosts’ POVs (present and past) which provide the backstory and their thoughts about the current developments. 

While Ada and Arthur are easy enough to read, Guff is exactly the kind of ghost you want to avoid. His antics induce laughs and frowns. An annoying ghost but very much true to the character. 

The mystery isn’t that well-developed but should work for the kids. A few reveals come together in the climax. I’d have it if these were spaced out a little more. 

The difficulties of relocating to a new place, making new friends, being guilty, etc., are well done. The bullying track is decent too but we don’t have a definite ending. In fact, the ending is not neatly tied up and leaves space for interpretation or a sequel (not sure we need one but let’s see). 

Florida is known for being a vibrant setting. However, since the MC hates the place, we don’t get much of the good stuff. 

The ghostly aspects and the explanations are well done. I enjoyed these details (and would have liked to know more about the whys and hows of the curse). 

To summarize, The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond is a quick entertainer with ghosts, a secret diamond, and a girl determined to go back to her home no matter what. It’s a decent read but doesn’t exactly stand out (the cover and title are fab though). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Children's (Delacorte Press), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheCurseOfTheDeadMansDiamond