Best Review Contest

[SRC Moderator, Moderator]

This is the thread where you can submit reviews for the Best Review contest. The thread is open for submissions and will close at Midnight EST on May 16, 2020. Voting will start the next day and run until the end of the GR day on May 31. The person whose review gets the most votes will have the opportunity to design a 20 point task for the Summer Challenge.

To be eligible for this task opportunity you must have achieved at least 100 points on the Spring 2020 Challenge Readerboard by midnight Eastern Time on May 15, 2020. Only one task per person per challenge.

Just a reminder that each person can only submit one review - but you can make edits to your review up until the end. The review does not have to be any particular length and doesn't have to be a positive one (i.e. you can choose to review a book you didn't like).
Please include your Readerboard Name.

PLEASE DO NOT comment on people's reviews in this thread - this is for submissions only - you will be able to comment when voting begins.

SPOILER ALERT!- These reviews may include spoilers

[Book Concierge]

Ahab's Wife: or, the Star-Gazer – Sena Jeter Naslund
4****

Opening line: Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last.

Melville’s classic Moby Dick contains perhaps three or four sentences that reference Ahab’s wife – “… not three-voyages wedded – a sweet, resigned girl…” – but those brief references were enough to inspire Naslund to write this tome.

Una is a marvelous character: intelligent, forthright, adventurous, eager to learn, ready to work, open to new ideas, questioning of the status quo, tenacious, principled, loyal and loving. Naslund takes her from her childhood in Kentucky, raised in a remote cabin near the Ohio River, by a God-fearing man who will beat the Lord into his daughter if necessary, and a devoted mother who will ensure her child’s safety, to her later years in Massachusetts. Along the way she encounters a wonderful cast of colorful characters – from her Aunt and Uncle, to the young men she is courted by, to the sailors / whalers she comes to admire, and the neighbors who form her “family” in Nantucket and ‘Sconset (including Mary Starbuck, wife of Ahab’s first mate).

Naslund fills the novel with details of life in 19th century America:. the difficulties of a winter in a small Kentucky cabin, the excitement (and terror) of sailing on a whaling vessel, the tragedy of slavery, the joy of intellectual pursuits, the dangers of childbirth, and the quiet peace of a happy home.

But make no mistake, the story is Una’s, first and foremost.

[Ciprian]

Balthasar's Odyssey by Amin Maalouf
5*****

The unexpected journey around the world in 1665 and 1666 of a reluctant traveler. A very authentic representation of the universal journey of life through the personal journal of this Genoveze wanderer, always chasing what seems like a ghost, and eventually finding the strength to own his decisions and take control of his fate.

[Joanne]

Elephant Company: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in World War II 5*****

This was such a fabulous story!

It's 1920 and Billy Williams, just home from WWI, is restless and without direction. Always the outdoors man, he takes a job in Colonial Burma as a "forest man" in the logging industry. Barely trained, he is sent out into the jungles with a troop of Elephants to supervise the cutting and moving of teak logs. Williams spends his entire adult life working with and training his elephants. His story is inspirational. The author brings you into the world of the elephants and nature and the peoples of Burma.

Do not be put off by the WWII tags on this book. Yes, Billy and his elephants are caught up in the war, but this is not your normal WWII story. I learned so much about a country I knew nothing about, and so much more about the Elephants. Billy's bond with his animals brought absolute joy to my heart.

Highly recommended to all who love a good Biography, a "must read" for those of you who are animal and nature lovers.
4 likes

[Lauren]

LAURENJODI

The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
3 Stars

While this epic fantasy retelling of Snow White has an intriguing premise and some exciting, action-packed moments, there is something missing.

Perhaps it is the world-building, which is not as developed as it could be. Various countries, rulers and peoples are mentioned, but there is actually very little detail about the numerous lands that comprise the world Redwine has created.

The nature of magic is also lacking. There are different magical species - dragons, witches, ogres - yet neither their origin stories nor explanations of powers and abilities are sufficiently provided. The dragons, in particular, are underutilized in the narrative and come across as weak rather than the all powerful beings that they should be.

The relationship between Lorelai and Kol is the highlight of the book as they struggle against the machinations of the wicked queen. They are both likable characters and it is easy to root for their success.

Overall, a solid addition to the YA epic fantasy genre but not as captivating as Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass or ACOTAR series.