Our Violent Ends These Violent Delights duet #2 by Chloe Gong Adventure Fantasy Historical Fiction Romance Supernatural Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “Our Violent Ends” is the end to the duology that began with “These Violent Delights”. “Our Violent Ends” is set in 1920s Shanghai, and it picks off where it left off with Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai. They are both heirs to rival gangs—the Scarlet Gang and … Read more
These Violent Delights These Violent Delights duet #1 by Chloe Gong Adventure Fantasy Historical Fiction Mystery Romance Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Based on Shakespeare’s classic, “Romeo and Juliette,” “These Violent Delights” by Chloe Gong is set in Shanghai during the 1920s. The story follows Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov, heirs to rival gangs, the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers. When they were fifteen, they were deeply in … Read more
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) In New York City on September 11, 2001, nine-year-old Brandon is at the World Trade Center with his father when the terrorist attacks begin. He must navigate the chaos and destruction to escape the collapsing towers. Eighteen years later, on September 11, 2019, in Afghanistan, eleven-year-old Reshmina lives in a war-torn village, dreaming of a peaceful future. When a battle … Read more
A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent Lady Trent Memoirs #1 by Marie Brennan Adventure Fantasy Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Growing up in a Victorian-esque era, Isabella Hendemore has a problem. She likes dragons—, no, she loves dragons. However, this is not very ladylike. And, when an incident with a dragon who is most definitely not dead leaves Isabella with several scars across her shoulder, … Read more
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab Fantasy Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Adeline “Addie” LaRue makes a deal with a god to live forever, but she is forgotten by everyone she meets. Here begins her 300-year journey from France to several continents, history, and art, despite never physically making a mark. In 2014 she meets a man in a bookstore who can remember her name. (Published for … Read more
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse Historical Fiction Novel in Verse Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse tells the story of Billie Jo, a young girl growing up in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. Through a series of free-verse poems, Billie Jo narrates her struggles with the harsh environment, the death of her mother, her physical and emotional scars, and rebuilding her life and family back … Read more
Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Named for the sea, since, after all, both of their parents are. Fish (Fisher) Byrne, Dory (Doris) Byrne, and Pike Byrne are siblings living in Manhattan at the time of World War II. This is nothing new, yet there is something very distinct about these siblings. 1) Their father is away, fighting in the war. 2) They are … Read more
Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) It’s at the end of the school year, and all of the exciting events are occurring. There’s the Junior-Senior dance, dresses to be made, the parade, and of course, Commencement day in which orations are given, and the seniors are officially graduated. Emily Webster is a quiet, shy, and socially awkward girl who … Read more
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) “A Very Large Expanse of Sea” tells the story of a teenage Muslim American girl dealing with racism and Islamophobia after 9/11. The story follows the protagonist, Shirin, and takes place in 2002. Shirin is tired of being stereotyped and is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She endures many comments … Read more
Go Set a Watchman sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Historical Fiction Review #1 * Star (A Waste of time) “Go Set a Watchman” is the sequel to the iconic novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee. Featuring many of the same characters from TKaM, this book follows Scout Finch, who is now grown up. It is set in the mid-1950s in Maycomb, Alabama. Jean Louise Finch returns home to Maycomb … Read more