⚠️DNF⚠️
The problems started with the narrator pronouncing the MC’s name like the word “urine”. 🤣 Then a colonel somehow had a four poster bed in her tent on the battlefield?! I couldn’t. I just could not.
⚠️DNF⚠️
I made it through 75% of the book hoping it would get better. I can’t put my finger on why, but this book was too YA for me. The narrator seemed very young (I think she’s supposed to be about 12). I think part of it is that the MC is so determined for so long to adhere to the tenets of a religion that is actively harming her. I finally couldn’t put up with it any longer.
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One of my least favorite books in my favorite series of all time, the Deverry saga. Whenever I read this one I’m always tempted to skip the sections set in the past. Thankfully narrator #ruthurquhart made listening to those parts less of a slog. I’m looking forward to the next book!
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I picked up Powerless for a book club. It’s a YA romantasy that explores what would happen if it was illegal to not have superpowers; in other words, to be powerless. And what happens when you fall for one of the princes whose father has killed your father and made your existence illegal? Oh, and who you’re supposed to fight in a series of deadly trials? This was a little too YA and contrived for me, but I was rooting for the main romance, so I might continue the series anyway.
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The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith was a pick for my friend AdventuRyn‘s Botany Book Club. It’s about Elena, who is a vine witch—a witch that specializes in caring for vineyards and making remarkable wine. When we first met Elena she has been cursed to live in a bog as a toad. She manages to break the curse and return to her vineyard seeking revenge, only to find that it’s no longer hers and is under attack by dark magic. I only gave this book 3 stars because the plot was fairly predictable, the romance lacked chemistry, and I kept imagining much more interesting plot twists the author could have done. I enjoyed it enough despite that to finish it but will not be continuing with the series.
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The Last Camel Died at Noon is probably my favorite book by Elizabeth Peters. We get to visit a lost oasis where ancient Egyptian culture still lives. Elizabeth Peters uses all of her extensive expertise on the subject to bring it to life. And it’s just plain fun!
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I enjoyed Yellowface better than Babel, I think because R. F. Kuang was less heavy handed with the points she wanted to make. Perhaps strangely, considering this book is about some pitfalls of publishing and deciding where the line of plagiarism is, it made me want to start writing again. I think that’s because the passion and love for writing really stand out. I was concerned going into this book because I heard the author wanted it to feel like an anxiety attack, but that thankfully wasn’t my experience. If you’re on the fence about R. F. Kuang, I recommend giving Yellowface a try.
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The Woman in Me by Britney Spears starts out slow, but around a third of the way in it picks up with Justin Timberlake’s betrayal. Life falls apart for Britney after that as she is used and abused by those who saw dollar signs instead of a person when they looked at her. I cried when Britney thanked her fans for helping free her from the conservatorship. I hope now she gets to have peace surrounded by those who truly love her.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ This one is a bit of a throwback. While it’s a decent read and I’ll continue the series, I don’t think Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell aged well. The ending is rushed and focused on SQL knowledge. It feels like the MC’s niece’s computer skills were the star instead of the MC’s forensic investigative skills.
Swan Dive by Georgina Pazcoguin is a rollicking behind the scenes look at the world of ballet, including one of the top ballet companies in the world, and what it takes to become a soloist there. Georgina includes all the messy details from the injuries to the pranks to the shouting matches, making this autobiography difficult to put down. I came away from this book with massive respect for Georgina’s grit, spunk, and ability to set boundaries. Read by the author, who does an excellent job narrating. A four star read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Honeycomb's Hive 