“The Last Story of Mina Lee” by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book tells the story of Mina, a South Korean immigrant to the United States and her daughter Margot. The story is told from two different viewpoints, Mina in the past and Margot in the present day. The story chronicles Mina’s life as an immigrant and Margot’s journey to find out the cause of her mother’s unexpected death.
Mina’s story is definitely the stronger of the two, but I enjoyed Margot’s too. The narrative explores the dark side of the American dream and the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants and the Korean diaspora in the United States which makes for some tough reading at some points. The novel also delves into the enduring effects of past trauma, grief and loss and was often desperately sad.
“The Devil and the Dark Water” by Stuart Turton
Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking forward to reading this book based on the positive feedback I had heard regarding Sturton’s previous book. I wouldn’t say that I’m normally a huge fan of mystery/detective type books but to my pleasant surprise, this was something a little different. There are the usual twists and turns you would expect in a novel of this type but the story and characters elevated it above the norm.
Continue reading ““The Devil and the Dark Water” by Stuart Turton”“Twelve” by Andrea Blythe
Thanks to Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
I am not really sure that I would describe these little vignettes as poems, but they certainly have a poetic quality to them.
“The Harpy” by Megan Hunter
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll admit it, I requested this book because of the title – even the most tenuous Classics reference is enough to suck me in. I have been fascinated with Harpies ever since I was young. I don’t know if it’s because they are part bird or if it’s their sheer unadulterated, irrational feminine rage, but I’ve always thought they were really cool. Maybe that’s really strange but I’m guessing I’m not completely alone because Lucy, the main character in this story also shares this fascination.
“A Tomb With a View” by Peter Ross
Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to read this book after hearing about it on social media. I’m really interested in graveyards and burial spaces. I don’t care if that sounds weird because it’s actually not. We are all going to die and it’s something we need to face and think about.
“Monogamy” by Sue Miller
Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been sitting on this review for a few weeks as I wanted to think a bit more about whether I actually liked this book so I’m going to break it down simply.
“Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I adored Gods of Jade and Shadow, so I was looking forward to reading this book. This book is touted as a “feminist re-imagining of Gothic fantasy” which sounded like it would be a great book to lose myself in and give myself some fun heebie-jeebies.
“Here is the Beehive” by Sarah Crossan
Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Usually, before I write up my review I have noted down my thoughts and rating and have a quick eyeball of other reviews to see if anyone else is on the same page. Having seen a huge list of 5-star reviews and nothing else I think it is safe to say I may have missed something here.
“Cinderella is Dead” by Kalynn Bayron
Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Warning – mild spoilers in review.
“Girls Made of Snow and Glass” by Melissa Bashardoust
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sometimes writers try so hard to do something different with their riffs on existing stories that they become achingly obvious and contrived. That was ultimately the feeling I was left with after reading this book.
Continue reading ““Girls Made of Snow and Glass” by Melissa Bashardoust”
