Category: Book Reviews
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Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2)
Better than Book One. Far more compelling, and I was interested to know what happened to the characters. Overall, I find the book still too choppy with writing not rich enough to really convey what is happening in the characters internal worlds and external environment. Almost as if the author is writing in a language…
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A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1)
If I could give this a 2.5, I would, because it is just below average, but not by much. After consideration, I can’t give it a three though, because of the ending. The end of the book is a blatant, unapologetic cliffhanger. Not even a pretense that this could be a stand alone book, which…
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The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, by Michael Chabon
My introduction to Chabon was the Yiddish Policeman’s Union, and I fell in love with his rich and savory writing style. This book is not for the average reader interested in love triangles, motorcycle chases, or jewel thieves, but it does have all of those things. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is a coming of age…
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Without a Summer (Glamourist Histories #3)
Reviewing a single book in a series is often difficult. As a “series addict,” I believe books should both ‘stand on their own merits’ and ‘be read in context.’ In the spirit of full disclosure, I sometimes choose to only read a series-author’s books if there IS a series, and if it is (mostly) DONE.…
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Shades of Milk and Honey, by Mary Robinette Kowal
This book has 302 pages and took me four hours. They were four WONDERFUL hours. I love Jane Austen, but more than that, I love Fantasy. SOMEONE WROTE BOTH!!!! This book is a perfect example of what it is, and a perfect thing I never knew existed. I am so excited that there are 3 more…
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Jane and the Madness of Lord Byron (Jane Austen Mysteries #10), by Stephanie Barron
This installation of a series beloved to me seems to have less “Jane” and more madness. While I am glad that Jane and Henry get to enjoy each other’s company, the other characters, and even the settings of this book, feel less solid than I have come to expect. Perhaps as there is more fiction…
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Northern Exposed, by Darren Burrows
This book is worth five stars for fans, but only two stars as a book. It has great background info if you loved Northern Exposure, but it is not well written. It is repetitive. It is dry. I laughed twice in 225 pages, and only once seriously (evil bear cub). Burrows alludes to issues with…
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Diary of a Provincial Lady (The Provincial Lady #1)
This book had funny moments but in thinking about it overall, can only be recorded as an obligation. I am saddened because it was gifted to me by a Dear Friend who enjoyed it enough to purchase a copy for me, which I AM very grateful for. Despite the fact that I could not like…