Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 37

The Selkie's Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan - Book Review

The Selkie's Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan

Publication Date: 02nd Jan 2024

Genre: Historical Fantasy, Middle Grade/ YA 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: A fast-paced read 

Brigit is half-selkie, half-human. Her mother is a selkie. Everyone in the little village suspects it. Naturally, Brigit has to deal with bullies at school. However, that seems to be the least of her concerns. 

Someone in the village is killing young seals, though they know it’s forbidden. The selkie folk are furious and vow revenge. Brigit and her family are stuck in the middle. She had to find a way to save the young seals, expose the criminals, and face the Great Selkie. But can she succeed? 

The story comes in Brigit’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I knew I had to read this when I saw the title. I recently wrote a short story with a half-selkie girl as the protagonist. I also wrote another story with the Celtic Brigit (goddess) as the main lead. Seeing the book seemed like the universe sending me a message (yet to figure out what it is). 

The book is short, just 200+ pages, and a quick read. Set in Nova Scotia (a Canadian province in the Atlantic), the story takes place over a few days, giving us a glimpse into the lives of locals and Brigit’s family. 

The starting is solid, even if it could be painful/ scary for young readers. There isn’t much character development, and most of them are surface-level. Yet, Margaret and Peter stand out. 

I love how each chapter starts with a verse about traditional Celtic personalities (and sometimes selkies). They help create the mood and the atmosphere. In fact, the atmosphere is spot-on and much better than the characterization. I could visualize every scene and become a part of the landscape. 

The book deals with various themes like family, friendship, community, bullying, greed, sacrifice, choices, etc. None of it is in detail, so it doesn’t overwhelm the readers. However, the contents are darkish and may not suit all young readers (check the trigger warnings at the end).

The fantasy elements are woven into the plot and are present just as much as required. It is seamless and uses the selkie mythology well. That said, I wouldn’t have minded if it was more prominent. 

The climax is also fast-paced, which adds to the tension. However, it is over too soon. We see only a glimpse of Brigit’s bravery. 

This could easily be a bigger book with more detailing and an in-depth character arc. Of course, that might make it suitable for adult readers. The premise calls for some intense darkness and drama. 

To summarize, The Selkie's Daughter is a good attempt at introducing mythical creatures to young readers. It’s an engaging read and should keep them hooked. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Holiday House, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheSelkiesDaughter

***

T.W.: Death of a child due to illness, chopping web skin from hands, and murder of baby seals (these aren’t graphic and written with care, but they are present).

The Lace Widow by Mollie Ann Cox - Book Review

Publication Date: 12th Dec 2023

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery (Political) 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: A decent read inspired by true events (I'm not the target audience)  

1804 New York City 

America’s beloved Alexander Hamilton dies after a duel with Aaron Burr. His son, Alexander Jr., is a suspect in the murder of a witness of the duel. Eliza is grieving but trying her best to get justice for her dead husband and save her eighteen-year-old son from life in prison (or death). She needs to dig out the truth, save the family from debts, and protect the family. 

With eight children to support, Eliza decides to sell homemade lace and is drawn into the mysterious network of widowed lacemakers. She also realizes that the women can help her find the truth about her dead husband. Of course, it’s easier said than done with a killer intent on doing anything to keep secrets safe. 

The book comes in the third-person POV of Eliza Hamilton and Alice Rhodes. 

Disclaimer: I had no idea this was a retelling of a real-life story with famous people when I requested the book. I did wonder if it was inspired by something when I began reading. The author’s note at the end provided more information and mentioned what was fiction and what was real. Then, I read Eliza’s Wikipedia page. The book makes a little more sense now. 

My Thoughts: 

A new window managing her family affairs and investigating her influential husband’s death felt like a great premise to read, especially when set in the early 19th century. We see the constant restriction she has to face for being a woman. The book gets the male condensing tone spot on. 

The women here are quite competent and have the means to gather information and get things done. We also see the differences in lives between the rich and working class. Of course, privilege doesn’t always help, and Eliza learns how to navigate both worlds. 

There are many characters, some mentioned without much information or backstory. The network of widowed women is a great addition. I wouldn’t have minded if they had a bit more focus. 

The pacing is quite slow. I expected it in the beginning but soon realized it would be the same throughout. I also started to lose interest. Eliza, despite everything, didn’t make me root for her. It’s more of an issue with the writing rather than the character (or person). 

Then, I began to speed read, and that did the job. I enjoyed the book a lot more without missing a single clue or development. Either the pacing has to be improved, or the filler has to be trimmed. 

The mystery was okay and kept me interested. The plot development to solving the mystery wasn’t great (not my favorite trope). The resolution happened quite fast and easily, almost like the story needed to end in limited pages afterward. 

To summarize, The Lace Widow is a decent read for me, but I am not the target audience. People who know the Hamiltons and the musical will enjoy this more. The author is a fan of the musical, so the book might appeal to like-minded people. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheLaceWidow

Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm by Alison Sherlock - Book Review

Series: The Railway Lane #3 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 03rd Jan 2024

Genre: Small Town Romance 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: A good read 

Flora Barton is at her wit's end and desperate to save her family farm. Her granny is old, and they need a successful business idea to stay afloat. 

Nico Rossi has always wanted to escape the famous family surname. However, when he has to fulfill his late grandparents' wish by visiting Grams in Cranfield, he cannot help but want to step up and support Flora to find a way to retain Strawberry Hill Farm.  

As the duo put their plans into action, Flora and Nico have a lot more to consider. With some help and nudges from friends and friendly neighbors, they might find success and love in the same place if they are willing to do what it takes. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Flora and Nico. 

My Thoughts: 

After reading the previous two books in the series, I was looking forward to Flora’s story. She and her Grams are struggling to keep the farm going, and they need a miracle to save it. 

The books in the series deal with combining small-town charm with business ventures to generate more money for their livelihood and the town. Here, Flora and Nico work hard to convert a part of the farmland into a Glamping (glamorous camping) site. 

Grams (Helen) is a darling and a delight to read. She is eighty but full of life and ready to take the risk if necessary. She is loving, encouraging, sassy, and thoughtful. Tyson is a sweet little boy. I like how he blooms and grows by the end. 

The setting is, of course, beautiful. How can you not want to visit the pristine hills, gentle slopes, natural lakes, and farms with lavender and strawberries? The community vibe is strong as recurring characters step in and help whenever necessary. Paddington the dog doesn’t get much space, but he does make an appearance. 

Flora takes an instant dislike to Nico. There’s a bit of chemistry between the two as they get to know each other and work together to save Flora’s home. Nico is a sweet guy, the one who reformed himself well before he met a girl, and someone who loves family as much as Flora does. 

The beginning is a bit slow as we get their backstories in the first two chapters (thankfully, these are shorter than the previous books). Once we get into the main plot, the story moves at a steady pace. Though some things happen easily, there are enough hurdles and doubts to keep it (borderline) believable. It’s still a sweet book, so problems are solved without too much stress. 

I didn’t much like what Flora did in the last quarter of the book. Not revealing spoilers, but suffice to say, it’s not good to use another person. 

The ending is, of course, HEA. Everything is sorted and tied up well. I hope the next book will finally deal with Libby. Can’t wait to read that one! 

To summarize, Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm is an entertaining read and a good addition to the series. The book is standalone, though there may be minor spoilers for the previous books. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #SunriseOverStrawberryHillFarm

The Final Curtain by Keigo Higashino - Book Review

The Final Curtain by Keigo Higashino, Giles Murray (Translator)

Series: Kyoichiro Kaga #4

Publication Date: 12th Dec 2023

Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: A good finale 

Tokyo Police Detective Kyoichiro Kaga collected his estranged mother’s remains a decade ago from a lady who had known her for years. Kaga’s mother left him and his father without much explanation. While Kaga got some answers, he is yet to get the rest. 

Now (2012) in Tokyo, the decomposed body of a middle-aged woman has been found in a bare apartment rented by a man. No one knows who the man is. Meanwhile, there has been another death in the vicinity at the same time and looks like the cases may be connected. 

Kaga wonders if both cases are somehow related to his mother’s life after she left the family to live elsewhere. Can he find the answers at last, or will he have to accept things the way they are? 

The story comes in multiple third-person POVs. This is the last book in the series. 

My Thoughts: 

This is the final book in the 4-book series, with Detective Kaga in the lead. He is an ex-school teacher turned police detective with a penchant for solving crimes and enough tenacity to keep going until he succeeds. 

Like book #3, this one also has Kaga’s cousin Matsumiya, a Homicide detective in another district’s team. I like the dynamics between the two. It borders on distant, but the warmth and companionship between the two is easy to feel. It also helps that both use their brains well. The police may grumble but spend hours of their time and resources in solving the crimes. I quite like this part. 

The book is set in 2012 and refers to the then-devastating earthquake and Tsunami and how it changed the lives of the people involved. The translated version is being released over a decade later, so there are bound to be some differences here and there. 

There’s a list of characters at the beginning, which is quite helpful. The names can be confusing, but that’s bound to happen when we read books from other cultures. No big deal. It’s easy to remember the characters even if we forget the names. They are distinct and have definite personalities, no matter how small their roles. 

The mystery is quite layered and has many twists. New information is revealed in stages, allowing the reader to connect the dots and come up with their own conclusions. Quite a lot happens, and though the case takes time, there’s no dull moment.

The pacing is a bit uneven. The book is 400 pages. While the translation is smooth enough, a few sentences sound odd since I don’t have the necessary cultural background. 

I’m in two minds about the ending. In a way, it suits the series (and Kaga) and ends exactly how it should. However, the HEA-lover in me is not satisfied. Why couldn’t we have a more definite conclusion to the series? Does it mean there’s a possibility of continuing the series someday? Because of how it ends, there won’t be any issues in writing another book or more. 

To summarize, The Final Curtain weaves multiple tracks together and brings them to a satisfying end. A well-crafted mystery that keeps you hooked. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s (Minotaur Books), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley

**

TW: Depression, sexual assault, infidelity 

A Death in Tokyo by Keigo Higashino - Book Review

A Death in Tokyo by Keigo Higashino, Giles Murray (Translator)

Series: Kyoichiro Kaga #3

Publication Date: 13th Dec 2022

Genre: Mystery

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: A good mystery 

A mythical Japanese beast, Kirkin, stands guard over the bridge in the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo. A night patrolling officer finds a man staggering on the bridge only to realize he is not drunk but seriously injured and stabbed in the chest. 

The Homicide team jumps into action and soon finds a young man, Yashima, injured in an accident. He has the dead man’s wallet and becomes the prime suspect. Since he was in no position to speak, the detectives began hunting for clues. 

 Detective Kyoichiro Kaga is assigned to the district’s team to aid with the investigation. And thus begins the process of looking for clues and connecting the dots, no matter how unlikely they seem. A picture is forming, but can Kaga get enough evidence to find the killer? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of multiple characters. 

My Thoughts: 

I enjoyed Malice and Devotion of Suspect X by the author. So when this book came up on NetGalley last year, I grabbed it right away. As you can see, it took me more than a year to get to it, and only because the next and last in the series is also on my list. 

The book begins with the list of primary characters and their roles. This makes it easy to mark the characters and follow them throughout the story. 

The narration picks up pace over time and maintains a steady tempo. Detective Kaga is focused on aspects others don’t bother with, and this gives him the results. He is partnered with his cousin, and it’s interesting to see the dynamics between them. 

Though it is a police procedural, it feels more like a puzzle where it is important to know how to fit them correctly to make sense of the final picture. 

The story is set around 2010 (the original version was released in Mar 2011) in Tokyo and deals with social issues as a part of the narrative. Themes like recession, job uncertainties, scapegoating, dysfunctional families, monetary concerns, media-vulturism, etc., are used without much social commentary. 

Being a Japanese book, we also get glimpses into the native culture, religious practices, customs, etc. These make the plot more engaging. 

The reveal reads more like a report, which makes the whole thing sound almost distanced and unemotional. However, the ending is quite emotional and well done. I like where the focus is. It leaves the reader with something to think about. 

To summarize, A Death in Tokyo is a taut mystery despite a few tried and tested tropes found in the genre. I wouldn’t say I liked it as much as Malice, but Kaga’s brain works well, so no complaints! 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s (Minotaur Books), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley

Nandi’s Charge by Arun Krishnan - Book Review

Series: Battle of Vathapi #1 (Trilogy) 

Publication Date: 16th November 2023 (Second Edition)

Genre: Indian Historical Fiction 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: A fast-paced entertainer with twists and action 

7th Century, Bharat 

Narasimhavarman I, the young Pallava king, promises his dying father to avenge the humiliation by the Chalukyas during the Battle of Pullalur in 618. He also promises to complete the construction of the temples along the shore and in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram). 

With the king busy with the construction, the army commander-in-chief and general take the responsibility to set things in motion for revenge. Three trusted and efficient soldiers embark on three journeys, facing a multitude of challenges, finding allies, and making enemies. They have the same aim – to weaken the Chalukya allies before the epic Battle of Vatapi. 

This is easier said than done. What happens as the three soldiers travel across the lands, through enemy territories, and tackle the Pandyas, Gangas, and Lankan forces? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of multiple characters. 

My Thoughts: 

I added the book to my TBR when a couple of Indic friends rated it 5 stars. Now, I got the opportunity to read the second edition, and I'm happy to say that the wait was worth it. 

Nandi’s Charge is the first installment that sets the stage for the Battle of Vatapi. However, the book doesn’t take much time to launch into action. It is packed with action, suspense, intrigue, treachery, politics, and valor. 

I appreciate the list of characters and the detailed maps in the introduction. They make it easy to go back and confirm the details. The prologue leads to the current scenario and gets the ball rolling. 

Multiple tracks and many subplots are running in parallel. This can be overwhelming, but stay patient and go with the flow (high fantasy readers will find it easy to follow the narrative even though this doesn’t have fantasy elements). 

Elango, Muthuvel, and Kanan are the three soldiers with different personalities, making it easy to track who is who. This also allows space to create a detailed character arc without compromising the task at hand. 

Given the context, the book is male-dominated. However, two young ladies, Sangamitra and Indumati, make their presence felt. They start as damsels in distress but become something more. Among other characters, Sadaiyan stands out the best. How can I not like that lad? 

The book balances show and tell, ensuring a steady pace and strong imagery. I love scenes detailing the construction of temples. (Hindu) Temple architecture is mesmerizing and my favorite topic. The kings built amazing temples and developed them as the centers for arts and education. Reading (and writing) about sculptors chiseling a rock to carve a murti brings me immense happiness. 

The book also brings a balance between good and bad, right and wrong. There are good and bad humans, who when they become soldiers, do things that represent their character rather than their leaders or kings. I like how things are presented and left to the reader to decide. No preaching. 

There are Tamil words (with footnotes) that add authenticity to the dialogue. Of course, the writing feels modern at times (the author talks about this), but the writing gives ‘Indian’ vibes, unlike some Indian books that feel like they belong to medieval Europe (you know if you know).

There is some gore (can’t escape it considering the premise) but it is limited and to the point. Descriptions are not stretched beyond what’s necessary for the plot. 

After reading over 500 pages, this one ends with a cliffhanger, which is expected. I hear book #2 will be published in Feb 2024. Needless to say, I’m excited. 

To summarize, Nandi’s Charge is a fast, detailed, twisty, and entertaining story set in 7th-century India with real and fictional characters. I liked it more than I thought I would, so rounding it up to five stars! 

And oh, do read the author’s note at the beginning. 

Thank you, Blogchatter, author Arun Krishnan, and publisher HarperCollins India, for a copy of the book. This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

You can buy the paperback of the Nandi’s Charge: Battle of Vathapi Book 1 on Amazon. 

***

P.S: Despite the font size, this book is best read in the physical format. 

Murder of an Amish Bridegroom by Patricia Johns - Book Review

Series: An Amish Seamstress Mystery #1

Publication Date: 05th Dec 2023

Genre: Amish Cozy Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: A solid start to a series 

Petunia Yoder is the youngest old maid of the Amish community in Blueberry, Pennsylvania. She is 22 and too independent (straightforward, nosy, and opinionated) to find an Amish husband. However, Petunia isn’t worried. She is a seamstress (among other things) and has enough income of her own. Her widowed father runs a tourist agency, and the two have a comfy life. 

One day, Petunia goes to Ike Smoker’s place for ice only to find him dead and murdered. Eden Beiler, her friend and Ike’s girlfriend, is the prime suspect. Petunia knows Eden is not the murderer. When Homicide Detective Asher Nate, a newcomer in the region, asks for her help to interpret the Amish nuances, Petunia agrees to help. After all, she needs to clear her friend’s name. 

Soon, she discovers there’s a lot she didn’t know, and her life could be in danger even if sleuthing is fun. Can Petunia and Asher solve the murder before there’s another death? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Petunia Yoder. 

My Thoughts:

My first introduction to the Amish community was through the Criminal Case game on Facebook. So when I saw this book, I wanted to re-live the experience in another format (and I’m always looking for new cozy mysteries). Let’s say this was a fun ride. 

I don’t know anything about the Amish, so I can’t say how authentic the portrayal is. A few words from Pennsylvanian Dutch are used but are easy enough to understand. 

Petunia sounds and acts older than 22. She has some girly traits but is balanced enough when required. Even Asher, the English detective, though 27, seems stable and reliable. Quite surprising, but nice, too. 

There are bits of humor scattered throughout the book. Be it Petunia’s cooking (no guarantees there) or her father’s confidence that she will enjoy sleuthing way too much. He is a great character. He is protective but also someone who knows his daughter well and gives her the freedom she craves (something the Amish girls don’t always seem to have). 

There are a variety of characters, each doing their part and bringing something to the plot. Some make a stronger impact, and I hope to see them in future books. 

The mystery is well done. Ike Smoker is disliked by just about everyone in the Blueberry Amish community. In fact, he hardly seems to have any Amish traits. This increases the list of suspects, but the plot progression is well done. The reveal comes out with a bit of a surprise yet ties up everything with satisfaction. 

Though the cover looks ordinary at first glance, it is cleverly done. I wish the colors popped out a bit more (or are they deliberately muted to suit the simple Amish lifestyle?). 

At just 272 pages, the pacing is a bit uneven, but that’s expected in the first book of a series. However, there’s no dull moment. The book ends on a hopeful note with a clear indication that Petunia will continue to solve crimes in Blueberry. 

To summarize, Murder of an Amish Bridegroom is a good entertainer and a great start to a new series. It sets the right tone and expectations for the coming books. There will be romance too, and I’m curious to see how it will be handled. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderofanAmish Bridegroom

No. 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer - Book Review

Publication Date: 31st Oct 2023

Genre: Historical (Sliding Door) Fiction, Drama 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining but drags in the middle 

05th Aug 1927

Miss Agnes Humphries, the landlady of No. 23 Burlington Square, has to decide among three prospective tenants for the second floor. It has been empty since the unfortunate death of Mr. Blandford. Agnes has three options – 

• Young Clara, her niece, living the glamorous life of a privileged daughter but with hidden pain deep inside her,

• Stephen, the sensible bank clerk who will surely pay the rent on time and seems a little too good to be true and wants something hidden in the past,

• Mercy, a young war widow down, on her luck and running away from her past and the painful life that made things hell. 

Each choice will lead to different endings – bittersweet resolution, wrong choice for everyone, and a HEA. How will Agnes choose? As each gets a chance to rent the place in alternative timelines, Agnes may realize things she hadn’t considered before. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of the main characters – Agnes, Clara, Stephen, and Mercy. 

My Thoughts: 

When the book title and cover highlight the house, it should have a prominent part in the plot. I’m happy to report the house indeed has a presence. While some of it may be due to Agnes, you can feel the house.  

The house has other tenants- an old Polish musician on the first floor, a mysterious photographer in the attic, and a young and impoverished family with kids in the basement. Each time, the lives of these people are affected differently, though one of them gets a major share. This ensures they don’t remain passive but have an active role in the story. 

I like the choice of beginning with Clara since most readers will inevitably root for Mercy. It’s not easy to like Clara, but she will grow on you to an extent. Stephen’s part falls in the middle. Though it has its merits, it weighs down the pacing and makes the book slow. Mercy comes in the last section, finally promising to reveal the secrets hidden until now. 

Given the structuring, we have to accept repetition in the timelines. However, a few other details are also repeated, slowing the narration even more. The book could have been less than 400 pages with some tightening (mainly in Clara’s section). Moreover, the setting is 1927, but doesn’t feel like it always. 

Despite having specific sections allotted to the three characters, they don’t get in-depth development. This is where you have to go with the flow and not question the convenient changes and coincidences.  

We get a few chapters from Agnes’ POV at random, which gives us a glimpse into her life, past, etc. NGL, if I could kick Daphne on her dainty backside, I would. 

The book also shows us what really happened and concludes it with an epilogue (yay!) set some years later. The epilogue is bittersweet but beautiful and provides a good ending to the book. (Don’t be too particular about things, though). 

To summarize, No. 23 Burlington Square is a heartwarming three-in-one book about how a decision can potentially impact the lives of people belonging to the house. It’s a story of kindness, second chances, and finding one’s tribe. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #No23BurlingtonSquare

***

At one place, Agnes talks about a painting of India and mentions temples with onion-shaped domes. I’m not sure what she means here since our temples don’t have rounded domes. The gopurams are sharper and conical (with pointed or cut-off ends). (This is when Agnes is young, so it would be around 1880-1889.) Akshardham Temple in Delhi has a sort of domes, but it was completed in 2005. 

A Different Kind of Gone by Catherine Ryan Hyde - Book Review

Publication Date: 05th Dec 2023

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Social Drama 

 3 Stars (outliner opinion) 
One Liner: Deals with important themes but gets too preachy
Norma Gallagher is the only woman in the Search and Rescue Team in Sloot, a small town in Utah and Arizona. She prefers to keep to herself and loves her two dogs and the horse the best. 
When Norma finds the nineteen-year-old Jill Moss after she is reported missing, she is forced to do something she would never otherwise do. When Jill is terrified about her boyfriend Jake, Norma helps her go back to her parents in California. 
Five years later, the disappearance of Jill Moss hasn’t died yet and becomes a hot topic when Jake is arrested for another crime and Jill’s murder. The public and media are busy with what they do. Norma has to yet again make a decision that could affect many lives, including her own. 
The story comes in Norma’s third-person POV. My Thoughts:I like how the author deals with different issues in her books and was excited to read this one. The blurb reveals quite a lot (around 40%), though it does manage to keep certain things a secret. 
The pacing is decent, but dips in the middle. The book has some bits of ‘mystery’ but is not a mystery read. It’s a social drama about domestic abuse, repeating toxic cycles, guilt, shame, public judgment, issues in the legal system, trial by media, general bias, et al. 
Norma, Jill, and Wanda are the main characters, while Betty has a great supporting role (she is my favorite). Jill and Wanda are young and act their age. Their portrayal is quite realistic and believable. 
The characters change as the story progresses, though Norma takes the longest time. Despite her annoying me, I am glad she lowers the walls and finds people to call her own. 
Norma is an interesting character. As a woman in her late 50s (and early 60s after the time jump), she is snarky, blunt, and a touch-me-not. Her backstory provides the reason for her attitude and approach to life. However, she is not heartless. In fact, it’s the opposite. Still, I couldn’t always stand her opinions. I’m a minority here, but I don’t particularly like the comparison between bank robbery and domestic abuse. A robber and an abuser are different people. The reasons and goals are different. 
The book deals with important themes, but with Norma coming on too strong about her opinions, the vital messages lose their impact.  There’s a list of book club discussion questions at the end, which I appreciate. As you can see, the book offers a lot to talk about. 
To summarize, A Different Kind of Gone has much to offer about moral issues, justice, and relationships. Like it or not, the content will make you think, and I cannot rate it longer than 3 stars. 
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the eARC. 
#NetGalley #ADifferentKindofGone 

The November Witches by Jennifer Claessen - Book Review

Series: A Month of Magic #2 

Publication Date: 05th Oct 2023

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: An entertaining adventure 

None of the witches are happy about the gloomy magic-free November, except Clemmie (Clem) and her cousin Mirabelle. October was a mess. Everyone is still struggling with what had happened. However, their troubles are far from over when knights from the past come knocking on the door. 

It has been the Merlyns vs. Morgans for decades. However, the knights have only one target – to burn the witches. The two covens have to come together to find a way out and stay alive. Soon, Clem and her cousins realize it’s up to the young hags to save the day. Can they do it? 

The story comes in Clemmie’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

This is the sequel to The October Witches, released last year (2022). It cannot be read as a standalone, as it starts where the previous book ends. 

I confess to not remembering much (almost zero retention), though I could recollect the basic details once I started this book. It didn’t take long to get into the grove and go with the flow. 

This book has a faster pace, which I appreciate. The story keeps moving, which keeps things interesting and entertaining. However, it can also be a disadvantage if the reader doesn’t remember what happened in the previous book, as there are minimum references. 

The aunts are grumpy, and Clem is feeling guilty. However, there’s no time to dwell on this. In fact, even the Morgans have to swallow their pride and be humble. Of course, it’s not easy on the old hags on either side. A clash between the two could erupt at any time, and the young hags have a helluva time trying to soothe things. 

There’s also a glorious magical forest (I love it) where the action occurs in the second half. The setting is beautiful and comes alive on the pages without getting overly descriptive. 

The book truly belongs to the kids- Clem, Mirabella, Kerra, and Senara. There’s another kid, ‘Potboy’, a young wannabe squire longing to prove himself by capturing the witches. We see how they have to be adults (since the adults act childish most of the time, except for one person) while knowing their limitations as children. 

“The deep-down true things are hard to say, but they mean the most.” 

Topics like bullying, family bonding (or the lack of it in one case), parental pressure/ approval, listening to the other person, finding one’s voice, desire to prove one’s worth, etc., are woven into the plot. Since we get the story from Clem’s POV, it has a realistic touch to it with a dash of humor and some lovely observations. Clem finding her voice and pushing beyond the fear of speaking is a recurring theme in the book. I love how it is contrasted (yet aligned) with Kerra’s issues. 

“I thought fixing was the opposite of breaking, but whenever I try, they’re kind of mixed up together. Maybe fixing can’t come without a bit of breaking.” 

Mirabelle’s puns are well… hit or a miss, something even she knows. That’s what makes them funnier than actual, I suppose. Serena is a stable and balanced young hag exploring her strengths and helping her cousins. 

Clem’s mom, Patty, has some great advice. She is the only sane old hag in both the covens. Imagine that! 

The climax isn’t as powerful as in book one, but does the job. The book ends with a cliffhanger and sets the stage for book #3 (this is to be a trilogy). I am already excited about The December Witch (that can be the only possible title). 

To summarize, The November Witches is a great continuation of book one and takes the story to the next level. It is entertaining, steady-paced, and delightful. 

Thank you, NetGalley and UCLan Publishing, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheNovemberWitches

***

The quotes are from an uncorrected proof copy and are subject to change.