Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 69
January 19, 2022
A Letter to Three Witches by Elizabeth Bass - Book Review
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance 4 Stars One Liner: Entertaining, light-hearted, and fun.
*****Gwen comes from a family of witches. However, her family is forbidden from dabbling in magic and witchcraft. More than a century ago, her ancestor’s witchcraft created a catastrophic mess. The Grand Council of Witches punished the family by preventing them to perform magic for the next 150 years. Gwen, Turdy, and Milo are more or less settled their relationships (or so they think). They are content to not attract the Watchers or the Council by publicly using magic for personal gain. All is well… until it isn’t.
What’s life without some magic, even if it causes more headache than relief? How can things be well with Tannith, the self-declared princess of Zenobia and the mean-spirited cousin of the family?
When Gwen receives Tannith’s letter about leaving Zenobia and moving to New York (but with a guy she charmed from one of the cousins), she begins to doubt if her relationship had survived or if her man, Daniel met the same fate as her previous dates (by succumbing to Tannith’s charm).
She meets Turdy and Milo to realize that things aren’t better for them. Turdy is evasive about Lardy, her husband. Milo isn’t too sure about Bert’s intentions either. Moreover, it appears that Turdy managed to unleash the inner witch in her and has no idea how to control it.
The appearance of Jeremy and his presence make Gwen wary for multiple reasons. He could be a Watcher, after all. Her sudden feelings for him don’t make sense either. She’s happy with Daniel, isn’t she?
What follows next is as messy as leaving a bunch of novice students in a chemistry lab. Can the cousins save the day and streamline their lives in the process?
The book turned out to be exactly what I wanted. It’s silly, crazy, quirky, and even a little absurd. But it’s fast-paced and super fun. I like contemporary witchy books that are light on the mind and don’t demand too much attention. Gwen has many shades of the typical millennial and annoyed me at times. But since the story moves fast, she had no choice but to go with the flow and make faster decisions. The family dynamics were warm and cozy. Aunt Esme’s sharp sentences were a good contrast o balance the excess warmth of Gwen’s parents. (I’m looking forward to reading more about Aunt Esme).My favorite characters, of course, are Tannith and Griz (the black cat). That’s because these two have loads of potential with multiple layers. But I wasn’t looking for character development in this one, so I enjoyed the story without feeling a connection to any character. The romantic tracks also progressed too fast, but hey, we need a happy ever after. The book’s ending is just right for a sequel. I hope the author is drafting it already. My only rouse is that magic didn’t play as big a role as expected. I wanted more spells, more magic, and more witchcraft.To sum up, A Letter to Three Witches is a light-hearted and entertaining read. Don’t look for logic or multilayered characters. Go with the flow and enjoy the funny moments.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#ALettertoThreeWitches #NetGalley
January 15, 2022
Eight by Poornima Manco - Book Review
*****Eight is a collection of eight stories with hints of magic, the afterlife, and otherworldly presence in each story. The non-human characters steer the stories in one way or another and create a beautiful reading experience.
Here’s a quote I loved before we see a glimpse of the stories. It aligns with what I believe about the present and the future.
“Look at the future with one eye firmly fixed on the past. Everything is cyclical. It comes around again and again, and if you are perceptive enough, you will recognize the patterns.”
*****
Stories Listed as Per the Order of the Book
The Invisible Suitcase (France): Similar to dark chocolate- bittersweet and soulful.
Osterhase (Germany): Stefan’s life journey from being a boy to a man (it sure wasn’t easy for him).
The Butterfly Effect (Argentina): Mariposa cannot run away from Tango, no matter how much she hates it.
New Year, New You (Egypt): A soul that transcends over generations and decides to share his story at last.
Idol (South Korea): The world of K-Pop is much more than the fans and aspirants see. The best in the book.
The Perfect Wife (Hong Kong): A 50+ billionaire quest for the perfect woman gives him more than he bargained for.
Lala Lakshmi (India): This Diwali will change Lakshmi Chand forever, and he knows to be grateful for it.
A Thank You Would Be Nice (USA): Elaine, a 60-something flight purser knows how to deal with rude and thankless passengers, and it’s not what you think.
The stories are diverse enough to keep us interested from start to finish. The book has a few misses, too but gives a good impression overall. The cover is fondant on the cake (pun intended); perfect for the book.
P.S: Can’t help but wonder about the choice of countries. A majority of them stand out for being ‘exotic’. ;)
I received a complimentary copy of the book from BookSirens.
January 13, 2022
The Dust Bowl Orphans by Suzette D. Harrison - Book Review
Oklahoma, 1935: A fifteen-year-old Faith and her five-year-old sister Hope are on their way to California with their parents and brother. However, a black blizzard separates them from the parents. They somehow manage to reach California but realize that things have taken a turn for worse. Being black in a white country is always a risk.
After countless adventures, tricky situations, and nights with empty stomachs, the sisters seem to have found hope. But can they trust the woman to help them? Does she have a sinister plan for the sisters?
California, Present Time: Zoe has been a museum and art curator for almost all her life. She is no stranger to racism and prejudice. It’s no wonder that she plans an art exhibition to promote black and marginalized artists.
When her work brings her in touch with someone who shares an old picture, Zoe feels her world spinning beyond control. Grieving the loss of her child and marriage are no match for the sudden urge that fills her to trace her roots. Why did a child from the old photograph look exactly like her? How are the two of them related across generations?
With almost no trial to follow, Zoe stumbles ahead, guided by her determination and maybe a little help from the other world. Can Zoe find the truth of what happened all those decades ago? How will her discovery change her future?
What I Like:
• Faith and Zoe are strong in their own way. That made both tracks equally good, though I liked the historical one a tad more.
• Family plays a vital role throughout the book. It's the central theme.
• The characters are quite realistic with strengths and weaknesses. I could understand their decisions to a great extent.
• The story deals with racism without being preachy or over the top. Not surprising since the book is by an African-American woman. Doesn’t get authentic than this.
• Religion plays multiple roles in the book. One, as a way to expose the ultra-orthodox rigidities, and another to support the lead characters when things go wrong.
• There’s some otherworldly stuff in the book. I wasn’t sure how it would work. However, it came together better than I expected. (Still, it’s not for everyone.)
• The second half of the epilogue was a pleasant surprise.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The writing was heavy and slow in the first half. Even if it sets the stage, some adjectives and adverbs could go from the historical track.
• A few things seemed too coincidental towards the end. But I was ready to wrap up by then and didn’t mind the ease with which everything was streamlined and presented.
To sum up, The Dust Bowl Orphans is a poignant book with strong women whose love for their families is their biggest asset.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #TheDustBowl
January 10, 2022
Blogchatter Reading Challenge
Umm... Hi,
So I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter this year. This is a mandatory post announcing the same.
Wish me luck, and good luck to all readers with toppling TBRs.
PC: Pixabay/ YlaniteJanuary 8, 2022
Lost Graves by S.A. Dunphy - Book Review
*****When Rufus, the pet dog of a Traveller father and son, digs up what looks like a burial site, it ends up opening the Pandora box of deaths and mysteries unsolved for years.
Jessie Boyle and Seamus Keneally visit the village and learn that things are as dangerous as they can get. With no clues, DNA results, or any information to keep them going, Jessie knows it’ll be another almost-impossible case to tackle.
The slightest of evidence takes them forward only to branch out into mysterious routes, and only one of them leads to the killer. The forest has safeguarded secrets for decades and has no intention of giving them up without a fight. Moreover, the Abhartach (a terror from the Irish legends) seems to have claimed the forests as his own.
With ominous warnings from the local folk and pressure from the government, can Jessie get to the bottom of the case and stay alive?
My Observations:
The book reads well as a standalone despite a few references to the past. The pacing is steady. The story is neither wow nor bland. The characters are cool and distinct. It’s easy to get into the flow and understand their voices. Dawn Wilson is a kickass boss. I hope to see more of her in the coming books.Some of the Irish politics and military references went over my head. However, it didn’t stop me from getting the overall picture. The character descriptions read like a police report. That was cheeky. ;) Good balance between show and tell. Enough action to keep readers interested. No unexpected twists or ‘pull the rug’ moments.Side Note:
The book discusses the legend of Abhartach, a short, dark, and terrifying man who is the earliest vampire in history. The legend claims that death didn’t stop Abhartach, no matter how many times he was killed. It took a Catholic Church priest to put Abhartach on an ash stake and prevent him from rising again.
This caught my interest as I’ve been reading about colonization and conversion of heathens from pagan religions to Abrahamic religions. The legend fit right into the slot. Imagine a dead person who can be stopped only by a Christian priest. Somehow, none of the existing pagan rituals seem to help people.
The book has interesting viewpoints about the legend, and one of them did get my attention. It equates the Abhartach with the Irish to show that no matter how much the Churches tried, the natives (and settlers) could rise and claim their heritage after being almost wiped out of existence.
Since I actually felt sorry for the character equated with Abhartach, I do agree with the analysis. The pagans are rising again (in my country too, though we managed to retain our culture and heritage), and well, it’s time the world respected this.
To sum up, Lost Graves is a steady thriller with a mix of various elements, from folklore to politics. It can be read as a standalone.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. A
#NetGalley #LostGraves
December 28, 2021
Tilottama at a Glance by Sreeparna Sen - Book Review
Tilottama at a Glance is much more than a compilation of information about Kolkata. It’s the heart and soul of a Kolkata girl proclaiming her love for the city, its history, and its people.
It’s a short and sweet book compiled from the A to Z blog posts written for the yearly A to Z Blogging Challenge. From the Addas to street food to Eden Gardens, Chor Bazaar, and Durga Pujo, the book touches on several aspects that are intrinsic to the city.
Some of them reminded me of the beauty of my own city, while the fish festival took me to my native state, where a similar event occurs every year.
I traveled with the author as I flipped the pages, seeing the city with her eyes and listening to the bustling crowd with her ears.
Read Tilottama at a Glance not to know more about Kolkata but to feel it the way the locals do. Every word in the book reflects the author’s love for her beloved city.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author.
Note: A version of the book was previously available under the title, Kolkata Chronicles: An A To Z Guide For The Uninitiated.
December 27, 2021
The Little French Bookshop by Cécile Pivot - Book Review
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Epistolary 3.7 Stars One Liner: Heartwarming but has nothing to do with the title.
*****Esther plans a letter-writing workshop after her father’s death. She and her father loved exchanging letters (handwritten), and Esther wants to experience the same through the workshop. She also plans to offer her copyediting skills to prospective novelists. Imagine her surprise when the applicants are everyone else by aspiring writers! From an elderly lady to an angsty teen and a delusional businessman, a total of five people are a part of her workshop. That makes Esther the sixth participant.
She wants to help them learn how to write better. But what do they want from the workshop? A chance to express themselves? A chance to seek answers? A chance to reconcile and start fresh?
Esther realizes that her workshop is helping the participants and her in a way she didn’t expect. Letter writing isn’t about writing a letter, is it?
My Observations:
The book takes its own sweet time to progress. (it’s a slow read). The book alters between letters and regular narration (that gives the backstories and more insight into the characters). The letters are arranged in a neat order almost until the end. The slight change at the end is mentioned in the first few pages and makes sense once we get there. Various themes, ranging from postpartum depression to loneliness to social activism, etc., are dealt with. While some are more effective, the others pale in comparison. Each character is distinct and can be identified by the tone of the letter. This is very important when six people are writing letters. The ending is happy, hopeful, and touching. It leaves the reader with a satisfied smile. A couple of issues haven’t been resolved. Guess the author left the issues that way to keep things more realistic. It works in the bigger picture, so no complaints. There are a few hiccups in connecting the letters. It doesn’t always feel smooth and effortless. That said, the character arcs are decent and worth mentioning. My favorites are Samuel and Juliette. The concept of opening up to a stranger via letters was well explored. However, I couldn’t feel the magical touch of letter writing. Maybe it’s because I was reading an electronic copy of the book. Or maybe because there weren’t images of handwritten samples or signatures to give the feeling of reading physical letters. Despite dealing with heavy topics, the book is not a heavy read. It’s both a plus and a minus, depending on the reader. For me, it’s a plus.
To sum up, The Little French Bookshop is a heartwarming book that deals with quite a few issues. The epistolary style makes it possible to give the topic decent space. However, the title is rather misleading. This isn’t about a bookshop, except that Esther owns a little bookshop in Lille, France.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheLittleFrenchBookshop #NetGalley
December 21, 2021
The Italian Island by Daniela Sacerdoti - Book Review
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Paranormal 3.7 Stars One Liner: Fast-paced and gripping.
*****Annie, a twenty-year-old, reaches the Sicilian island of Galatea after the death of her beloved father. She is grieving the loss of the only loving person in her life. Annie has always been low on confidence, thanks to her mother’s standards. The trip to Galatea is a way to gain confidence, get her life back on track, and complete her father’s quest for his birth mother.
Meeting Salvo, the local fisherman, gives Annie the support she needs to search for her grandmother’s history. The delicate bracelet on her wrist makes things easier, but only until she realizes what her grandmother had to do to save her loved ones.
Even as Annie gets used to past unfurling in front of her eyes (literally), is she strong enough to handle the truth? Can she find peace and look forward to her life with Salvo, or will she abandon her quest and go back to the safety of her home?
What happened on Galatea that her grandmother was last found in the WWII concentration camp?
What I Like:
It’s a short book (240+ pages) and goes at a steady pace. The combination of show and tell works well to keep me hooked. The touch of paranormal without putting too much emphasis on it makes it alluring. It suits the beauty of the setting and the ancient ties between the people, land, and sea. Mira and Mimi are both strong characters. Annie is, too, without being obvious about it. The shift between the past and present is seamless. The story weaves in and out without jerks. WWII wasn’t the central focus of the story. After reading quite a few of those this year, I’m glad to read something a little different.What didn’t Work for Me:
The rushed ending spoiled the beauty of the story. Sure, the actual issue is solved, but we could’ve gotten a little more information about the characters. I was surprised to see the epilogue when I expected another final chapter to tie the loose ends. The epilogue isn’t as effective as it should be. We get the happy ever after, but something vital felt missing from the end. Also, there is no mention of Annie’s mother or her reaction to the developments. Since Annie’s character arc depended on her mother, it was disappointing to not know. Annie’s character development wasn’t steady. It went up and down to suit the flow of the story rather than being the other way round. She needed more time to establish herself. The past track stole the limelight (as it almost always happens with dual timelines).To sum up, The Italian Island is an intriguing and fast-paced story about women connected across generations and stood up for love. It’s not a heavy read, though it does deal with some complex issues of life and relationships.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #TheItalianIsland
December 19, 2021
The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain - Book Review
Genre: Social Drama, Dual Timeline, Mystery (sort of)3 Stars One Liner: A social drama with a bit of mystery
2010: Kayla’s Carter lost her husband in an accident when building their dream house in Round Hill. The house is now complete and ready for Kayla and her four-year-old daughter to move in. However, a strange woman walks into the office and tells her not to move in. The meeting leaves Kayla shaken, but she has no choice but to move into the new house.
Kayla soon meets Ellie Hockley, a woman with secrets from her past. Ellie is a lovely lady, but what does Kayla know about her anyway?
1965: Ellie is determined to do something worthy in her life. Marrying her boyfriend and having kids isn’t on her list. When Prez Johnson announces a change in voting registration, the civil rights activities plan SCOPE, a program to convince black voters to register and vote for their rights.
Ellie knows she needs to be a part of the program even if her family and friends don’t see the reason. But life is hardly easy when a revolution is brimming. Ellie’s decision changes many lives, including her own. What had happened back then that Ellie still holds resentment in her heart and maybe even desire for justice?
How do Ellie’s and Kayla’s lives converge with so many decades between them? Why is the house on the hit list? What will happen when the secrets come out in the open?
What Worked for Me:
The second half of the book, or rather the last 100 pages or so. Side characters seemed more defined (with their flaws) and real than the main leads. Rounded ending with no loose ends. Not a happy ever after but hopeful and assuring. The portrayal of racism, KKK, and bigotry.What Didn’t Work for Me:
The first 65% of the book is slow and left me wondering what the mystery was and when it’ll be solved. Kayla paled when compared to Ellie. Her track didn’t feel emotional or touching despite her apparent sorrow and fear. Ellie’s track was the primary focus of the book, and that affected the mystery angle as well as the modern-day Kayla’s story. What saved the story was how the two came together at the end. Ellie fights for the cause, against racism, and for black rights. All good. She has better character development than Kayla. But she appears too good, too innocent, and unwilling to believe the worst of those she loves.Ellie finds solace in yoga after whatever happens in her life and is a yoga teacher in the present track. She is also vegan and loves Middle Eastern cuisine. Of course, she couldn’t find solace in any other profession (despite being a pharmacologist) or fall in love with another cuisine. Talk of irony! Racism is much more than abusing a race/ culture or burning crosses.
To sum up, The Last House on the Street deals with poignant issues and is more of a social drama than a mystery. Many people loved the book, but some elements didn’t work for me.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley
December 10, 2021
A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari - Book Review
Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 3.8 Stars One Liner: Promising start to a new series
****London, 1923: Saffron Everleigh is a botanist and the only female assistant on the campus and works with Professor Dr. Maxwell. The man is her mentor, guide, and murder suspect. He has been arrested on the suspicion of murdering Mrs. Cynthia Henry, the wife of Dr. Henry. Dr. Maxwell had a row with Dr. Henry a few days ago bout a Brazilian expedition.
The toxin that killed Mrs. Henry is unknown, and the case is getting stronger against Dr. Maxwell. Saffron knows that he would never be capable of such a crime, and it’s up to her to prove his innocence.
Dr. Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, reluctantly helps her uncover the truth and get to the bottom of the matter. Dr. Ashton has demons of his own but cannot resist helping Saffron. Can the duo use their expertise in botany to identify the killer before it’s too late? Given the secrets surrounding them, can they come out alive?
The requested the book for three reasons:
The titleThe cover The alliteration in the author’s nameMy Observations:
The narration is slow almost throughout the book. The saving grace is that the story kept me hooked enough to read more. The book is the first in the series, which explains the ‘slowness’. There are no cliffhangers (the case is solved) though there is enough to start the next in the series. The mix of mystery, suspense, romance, and light action works well for the plot. The characters are well-etched, though I’m in half a mind to knock sense into Saffron. Alexander has lots of promise and is an intriguing character. Inspector Green and Elizabeth are promising. Saffron is fiery and has a tendency to act first and think later, which doesn’t do well to keep her out of trouble. She’s strong, kind, funny, and talented in her field (and yet to attain that level of expertise in investigating crimes). The book is well-researched and yet doesn’t feel heavy or dense. We can follow the investigation even if we aren’t botanists and scientists. Still, I wished there were a couple of illustrations of the plants. The book shows how women had to deal with assumptions and indecent proposals to make a career in the field. Sadly, things haven’t changed a lot in this aspect. Women still need to prove their worth time and again. Some of it seems a little too farfetched towards the end, but then it’s a work of fiction. I can let it go (and roll my eyes, of course).Quite a lot of adverbs to read, and I tried my best to ignore them. :/To sum up, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is a promising first book in the series. It’s a decent historical cozy mystery and keeps you interested most of the time. It’s a tad predictable, but that’s fine too. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#ABotanistsGuidetoPartiesandPoisons #NetGalley
