My Thoughts: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Audiobook)

Mexican Gothic
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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Publication Date: June 30th 2020
Publisher: Del Ray
Pages: 301
ISBN: 9780525620785
Genre: Adult | Horror | Historical Fiction
Source: Own

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An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. . . .

From the author of Gods of Jade and Shadow comes a novel set in glamorous 1950s Mexico.

After receiving a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find - her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.

Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind. (Goodreads)

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was one of my Halloween reads for October, and I am so glad that I read this book! I didn’t initially have the book on my TBR, even though I definitely wanted to read it, but after seeing so much love for the book on Instagram, I decided to give it a shot. I am SO glad I did!

Let me get this started by telling you that Mexican Gothic was not at all what I was expecting. I don’t think I have ever read a book with a storyline like this before, but I very much enjoyed it, and definitely want more! The book was mysterious, and very creepy, which is not usually my kind of read, but it felt like the perfect book to read this season.

I was pretty much fascinated by everything in this novel. Noemí was such an interesting character, and was probably my favorite in the whole book. The storyline for how she goes to find her cousin had me hooked, as did the setting for the book. As I said above, it was very creepy, and left me wanting to read more gothic stories.

I also want to add that while I own a copy of the book, I opted to listen to the audiobook after listening to a sample of it. I am so glad I did! Frankie Corzo was the narrator, and she did a wonderful job of telling me the story. I definitely want to check out more books narrated by her soon!

Overall; Mexican Gothic was not at all what I expected, and not my usual kind of read, but I really, really enjoyed the book! SO much more than I expected to. I definitely need more books like this in my life, and I am now super excited to check out more books by this author!

My Thoughts: The Grace Kelly Dress by Brenda Janowitz (Audiobook)

The Grace Kelly Dress
by Brenda Janowitz
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Publication Date: March 3rd 2020
Publisher: Graydon House Books
Pages: 336
ISBN: 9781525804595)
Genre: Adult Fiction | Contemporary | Historical
Source: Netgalley Review Copy

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Two years after Grace Kelly’s royal wedding, her iconic dress is still all the rage in Paris—and one replica, and the secrets it carries, will inspire three generations of women to forge their own paths in life and in love in this beguiling new novel from Brenda Janowitz.

“Exactly the type of book I love: charming, smart, and brimming with heart.”—EMILY GIFFIN, #1 New York Times bestselling author of All We Ever Wanted

Paris, 1958: Rose, a seamstress at a fashionable atelier, has been entrusted with sewing a Grace Kelly-lookalike gown for a wealthy bride-to-be. But when, against better judgment, she finds herself falling in love with the bride's handsome brother, Rose must make an impossible choice—one that could put all she's worked for at risk: love, security, and of course, the dress.

Sixty years later, tech CEO Rachel, who goes by the childhood nickname "Rocky," has inherited the dress for her upcoming wedding in New York City. But there's just one problem: Rocky doesn't want to wear it. A family heirloom dating back to the 1950s, the dress just isn't her. Rocky knows this admission will break her mother Joan's heart. But what she doesn't know is why Joan insists on the dress—or the heartbreaking secret that changed her mother's life decades before, as she herself prepared to wear it.

As the lives of these three women come together in surprising ways, the revelation of the dress's history collides with long-buried family heartaches. And in the lead-up to Rocky's wedding, they'll have to confront the past before they can embrace the beautiful possibilities of the future.

“Not everything is right the first time,” her mother said carefully. “Take Grace Kelly’s wedding dress. Do you think that was the first design Helen Rose came up with?” -THE GRACE KELLY DRESS

"A charming, heartfelt novel about three generations of women who are connected by the gorgeous gown that each wears on her wedding day. Fast paced and entertaining from beginning to end." -Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone

"Brenda Janowitz's gift is understanding and revealing the nuances of complicated families, of love embraced, love lost and love reclaimed. With The Grace Kelly Dress she has stitched together a seamless intergenerational modern-day fairy tale, with a very contemporary twist." -Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of The High Tide Club

"Brenda Janowitz writes with extraordinary humor and heart, her writing growing in beauty and maturity with every book. This is a book that has to be added to your nightstand immediately." -Jane Green, bestselling author of The Friends We Keep (Goodreads)

The Grace Kelly Dress by Brenda Janowitz is only the second book that I have read so far about Grace Kelly, and I am HOOKED! I am so happy to see these books coming out that have Grace in the story, as I find myself want to read more and more. (And soon I plan to watch all of her movies as well!)

But enough about Grace, let’s talk about The Grace Kelly Dress, the book!

The Grace Kelly Dress is the story about a wedding dress, a replica of the one worn by Grace Kelly herself, and the three generations of women that it inspires. First, I have to say that the characters in the book were great. Though they are years apart from each other in age, I managed to relate to them all in some form or another, which was awesome. I very much enjoyed reading each of their stories, and I also enjoyed that each of the chapters were alternately told through each of these ladies.

Second, I absolutely loved the settings for the book as well. While the story doesn’t go too in depth on the settings, I still managed to feel like I was both in Paris and New York with these women. (One day I will actually visit these places, but until then, I am more than happy to visit via the written word.) I also really enjoyed the storyline for this book as well. It was fascinating and engaging, and kept me hooked right up until the end.

I also want to add that while I had a print version on the book, I opted to listen to the audiobook instead, and I’m really glad that I did. Cassandra Campbell did an excellent job of narrating the story, and I enjoyed all of her different voices as well. I definitely plan to listen to more audiobooks that are narrated by her soon!

Overall; In case you can't tell by this quick review, I very much enjoyed The Grace Kelly Dress! The story was absolutely fascinating, and I loved the characters as well. The story definitely made me want to find all the movies that Grace Kelly was in, and I am hoping to watch them as soon as possible. And I will DEFINITELY be checking out more books by Brenda Janowitz soon as well!

My Thoughts: The Diviners by Libba Bray (Audiobook)

The Diviners
(The Diviners #1)
by Libba Bray
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Publication Date: September 18th 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 578
ISBN: 9780316126113
Genre: YA | Historical | Paranormal | Fantasy
Source: Own

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Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened. (Goodreads)

The Diviners by Libba Bray is one of those books that has been on my TBR list for FOREVER, but for some reason or another I never read it, even though I have been trying to for the longest. Well, that finally changed and I’m thrilled to have absolutely devoured the book. I’m totally wishing that I would have read it sooner!

So, wow, there was a LOT going on in this book and it was all very interesting. I really enjoyed the time period and setting of the book, I haven’t read nearly enough books set in the 20’s, and it’s absolutely fascinating to read about. And while the book was set in New York City, (for the most part), it felt both familiar, yet kind of eerie as well, which was pretty cool. The storyline for the book, however, was insane. This storyline was one wild ride after another, and I never knew what to expect as I turned the pages. It was great!

There are also SOOOO many characters in the book to love! (And a few to not so much, but let’s skip over them.) I love Evie, and Jericho, and Theta, and Memphis, and so many more! I really hope we will see all of these characters in the next book, because I seem to have become really, really attached to them. *grin*

I also want to add that while I have both the ebook and print copies of this book, I opted to listen to the audiobook, (yes, I now have the book in all the different formats), and I’m so glad that I did! The narrator, January LaVoy, did an amazing job narrating all the different voices in the book, and kept me thoroughly entertained as I listened to the story. I was beyond thrilled to discover that she narrates the audiobooks for ALL the books in this series!

Overall; I really don’t know why I waited so long to read The Diviners, but I am SO glad I finally did so! I am definitely excited to read the rest of the books in the series now, and I have Lair of Dreams on my TBR for next month! I am hoping to be completely caught up on the series before the newest book, King of Crows, is released in February 2020!

My Thoughts: The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett

The Lady Rogue
by Jenn Bennett
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Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 372
ISBN: 9781534431997
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Historical Fiction
Source: Netgalley Review Copy | Own

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The Last Magician meets A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue in this thrilling tale filled with magic and set in the mysterious Carpathian Mountains where a girl must hunt down Vlad the Impaler’s cursed ring in order to save her father.

Some legends never die…

Traveling with her treasure-hunting father has always been a dream for Theodora. She’s read every book in his library, has an impressive knowledge of the world’s most sought-after relics, and has all the ambition in the world. What she doesn’t have is her father’s permission. That honor goes to her father’s nineteen-year-old protégé—and once-upon-a-time love of Theodora’s life—Huck Gallagher, while Theodora is left to sit alone in her hotel in Istanbul.

Until Huck arrives from an expedition without her father and enlists Theodora’s help in rescuing him. Armed with her father’s travel journal, the reluctant duo learns that her father had been digging up information on a legendary and magical ring that once belonged to Vlad the Impaler—more widely known as Dracula—and that it just might be the key to finding him.

Journeying into Romania, Theodora and Huck embark on a captivating adventure through Gothic villages and dark castles in the misty Carpathian Mountains to recover the notorious ring. But they aren’t the only ones who are searching for it. A secretive and dangerous occult society with a powerful link to Vlad the Impaler himself is hunting for it, too. And they will go to any lengths—including murder—to possess it. (Goodreads)

I am a huge fan of Jenn Bennett’s contemporary novels, so of course I was excited to check out this new historical fantasy by her, The Lady Rogue! At first, I was intrigued by the books cover, and then I read the summary, and KNEW I would have to check out the book. I am so glad that I did!!

There were so many things that I enjoyed about this book, and one of my MOST favorite things were the characters! The main character, Theodora, is pretty great, and is obviously more than capable of taking care of herself during a time when women normally aren’t allowed to do so. I love her curiosity and ambition. When her father goes missing and she’s reunited with his long-lost protégé, Huck, adventures ensue.

Theodora and Huck are probably my most favorite part of this book. They are SO cute together, and their relationship is so well written. I love them both! There are a few interesting secondary characters in the story as well, but, Theodora and Huck are my favorites, obviously!

I very much enjoyed the storyline for the book, especially the journey to find Theodora’s father. While I’m not the biggest fan of Vlad the Impaler, or reading anything about him, (so cruel), it did make for an interesting story. And if there’s one thing that I’m pretty bummed about with this book is that it’s a standalone novel. Normally this doesn’t bother me, but I would love to follow Theodora and Huck on even more adventures. Who knows, maybe a sequel will pop up one day in the future. (We can hope, right?!)

Overall; The Lady Rogue is the first fantasy book that I’ve read so far by Jenn Bennett, but it definitely wont be the last! I enjoyed both the storyline and the characters, (the characters were seriously the best), and I wish this book had a sequel so I could read more! I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Jenn in the future, and I will most definitely be checking out the books that I haven’t yet read by her!

My Thoughts: The Huntress by Kate Quinn

The Huntress
by Kate Quinn
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Publication Date: February 26th 2019
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Pages: 530
ISBN: 9780062740373
Genre: Adult Fiction | Historical Fiction | WWII
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy / Own

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From the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel, The Alice Network, comes another fascinating historical novel about a battle-haunted English journalist and a Russian female bomber pilot who join forces to track the Huntress, a Nazi war criminal gone to ground in America.

In the aftermath of war, the hunter becomes the hunted…

Bold, reckless Nina Markova grows up on the icy edge of Soviet Russia, dreaming of flight and fearing nothing. When the tide of war sweeps over her homeland, she gambles everything to join the infamous Night Witches, an all-female night bomber regiment wreaking havoc on Hitler’s eastern front. But when she is downed behind enemy lines and thrown across the path of a lethal Nazi murderess known as the Huntress, Nina must use all her wits to survive.

British war correspondent Ian Graham has witnessed the horrors of war from Omaha Beach to the Nuremberg Trials. He abandons journalism after the war to become a Nazi hunter, yet one target eludes him: the Huntress. Fierce, disciplined Ian must join forces with brazen, cocksure Nina, the only witness to escape the Huntress alive. But a shared secret could derail their mission, unless Ian and Nina force themselves to confront it.

Seventeen-year-old Jordan McBride grows up in post WWII Boston, determined despite family opposition to become a photographer. At first delighted when her long-widowed father brings home a fiancée, Jordan grows increasingly disquieted by the soft-spoken German widow who seems to be hiding something. Armed only with her camera and her wits, Jordan delves into her new stepmother’s past and slowly realizes there are mysteries buried deep in her family. But Jordan’s search for the truth may threaten all she holds dear. (Goodreads)

I was super excited to pick up The Huntress by Kate Quinn, as I have had her book The Alice Network on my TBR since I first discovered it, and I was determined to finally read something by her. The Huntress sounded super intriguing, so I decided to go with it first. Now that I have read one of Kate’s books, I am HOOKED!

The Huntress is a fictional novel, but it’s based on real events that happened during WWII. Some of the things in the story actually happened, (a few names and events, etc), and the character of the actual huntress was loosely based off two real people as well. I especially enjoyed learning about the female Russian fighter pilots, called the Night Witches, and of course I had to do as much reading up on them as I possibly could while reading the book. It was absolutely fascinating!

The story is told from three different narrator's viewpoints, and I found each of the characters to be super interesting in their own ways. I do think Nina’s story was my favorite, because, WOW, what a life she had. Her stories of being a pilot had me hooked as I turned the pages, and she quickly became a favorite character in the book.

I can’t compare this book to many other historical fiction books set during the time period, because I haven’t read that many, yet, but reading this book definitely makes me want to read more like it. I’m fascinated, (and often times horrified), at the things that happened during the war. I feel like there is SO much information out there that I don’t know about, and these books are definitely enlightening.

Overall; I did not know what to expect when I started reading The Huntress, but I definitely found this book to be fascinating, and it makes me want to read more, especially more from Kate Quinn! I have a copy of The Alice Network sitting on my shelf, and I am very much looking forward to starting it soon. I will also be keeping my eye out for more books by Kate in the future!

My Thoughts: Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly

Lost Roses
(Lilac Girls #2 Prequel)
by Martha Hall Kelly
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Publication Date: April 9th 2019
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages: 448
ISBN: 9781524796372
Genre: Adult Fiction | Historical
Source: Netgalley Review Copy

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The runaway bestseller Lilac Girls introduced the real-life heroine Caroline Ferriday. This sweeping new novel, set a generation earlier and also inspired by true events, features Caroline's mother, Eliza, and follows three equally indomitable women from St. Petersburg to Paris under the shadow of World War I.

It is 1914 and the world has been on the brink of war so many times, many New Yorker's treat the subject with only passing interest. Eliza Ferriday is thrilled to be traveling to St. Petersburg with Sofya Streshnayva, a cousin of the Romanov's. The two met years ago one summer in Paris and became close confidantes. Now Eliza embarks on the trip of a lifetime, home with Sofya to see the splendors of Russia. But when Austria declares war on Serbia and Russia's Imperial dynasty begins to fall, Eliza escapes back to America, while Sofya and her family flee to their country estate. In need of domestic help, they hire the local fortuneteller's daughter, Varinka, unknowingly bringing intense danger into their household. On the other side of the Atlantic, Eliza is doing her part to help the White Russian families find safety as they escape the revolution. But when Sofya's letters suddenly stop coming she fears the worst for her best friend.

From the turbulent streets of St. Petersburg to the avenues of Paris and the society of fallen Russian emigre's who live there, the lives of Eliza, Sofya, and Varinka will intersect in profound ways, taking readers on a breathtaking ride through a momentous time in history. (Goodreads)

I have had a copy of Lilac Girls by Martha Kelly Hall sitting on my bookshelf for the longest, but have not yet had the opportunity to pick up the book. When I discovered Lost Roses, I knew I wanted to read both books as soon as possible. I had hoped to read Lilac Girls first, but then I discovered that Lost Roses was a prequel, so I decided to start with it. (I’m not sure if everyone should read the books this way, that is just the way that I decided to read them.) I am just thrilled to have finally read something by Martha, and I can’t wait to read more!

As I mentioned above, Lost Roses is the prequel to Lilac Girls, even though the story was written after Lilac Girls was published. I have to be completely honest and tell you that I have not read very many books set during World War I, and I actually have very little knowledge on anything other than the US parts of it. Lost Roses was set during that time period, and focuses mainly on the Russian aspects of the war. That made the storyline for this book very interesting for me, as I love learning something new, even when it is super hard to read about, (and some parts of this book were definitely hard to read). I had no idea that any of the stuff in this story had actually happened, and about it was definitely an eye-opening experience for me.

The story is told from three different viewpoints, by Eliza, Sofya, and Varinka. I’m not going to go into too many details about these women, but I will say that each one is fascinating in their own way, and each of them has an interesting story to tell. Sofya’s story is definitely the most heartbreaking to read, while Varinka’s story often frustrated me to no end. Eliza’s story felt completely different, yet still so relatable, and I do love her and her mother and daughter as well. (Her daughter, Caroline, is one of the main characters in Lilac Girls!)

Overall; I am so thrilled to have read Lost Roses, as I have wanted to read something by Martha Hall Kelly for the longest! I am now even more excited to read Lilac Girls, which I am hoping to get to as soon as I possibly can. I will also be on the lookout for more books by Martha in the future!

My Thoughts: Sherwood by Meagan Spooner

Sherwood
by Meagan Spooner
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Publication Date: March 19th 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 467
ISBN: 9780062422316
Genre: Young Adult | Retelling | Historical Fiction
Source: Edelweiss / Copy from Publisher

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Robin of Locksley is dead.

Maid Marian doesn’t know how she’ll go on, but the people of Locksley town, persecuted by the Sheriff of Nottingham, need a protector. And the dreadful Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff’s right hand, wishes to step into Robin’s shoes as Lord of Locksley and Marian’s fiancé.

Who is there to stop them?

Marian never meant to tread in Robin’s footsteps—never intended to stand as a beacon of hope to those awaiting his triumphant return. But with a sweep of his green cloak and the flash of her sword, Marian makes the choice to become her own hero: Robin Hood. (Goodreads)

I was super excited when a copy of Sherwood by Meagan Spooner arrived on my doorstep a few weeks back, and I absolutely couldn’t wait to devour this book! I am a big fan of Meagan’s writing, and I really enjoyed the last book I read by her, Hunted, which was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I couldn’t wait to get started on Sherwood to see what Meagan had in store for us in this new book!

I am a pretty huge fan of fairytale retellings, as I love when an author takes an old story, puts their own twist on it, and makes it something completely new. I always find these stories familiar, yet unique, and I am always looking for new ones to read. Sherwood is a retelling of Robin Hood, and a really enjoyed Meagan’s version of this classic story. Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood, I know I read the children’s version of the story a million times growing up, and I appreciated the familiarity in this book. That being said, I really loved the twist in the story as well!

First off, the main character, Maid Marian, is the hero in the story, and I really love the it’s a girl that saves the day. Though I can’t even imagine living in this time period, and trying to do the things that she did throughout the story. (This time period was not kind to women.) But good for Marian for taking charge! I love that! (I’m not going to say much more on that, so read the book if you want to know more!) Just rest assured, she is awesome. Also, there are also a lot of other familiar characters in the book that you’ll remember from the original story as well!

I have to say that the storyline for the book kind of caught me by surprise! Obviously I knew it was a retelling, but it went in a completely different direction from what I was expecting. The first chapter was a bit of a shocker, and was not at all what I expected. While I enjoyed reading this book, I did have a few small issues with it, two being that it was a bit slow at times, and it seemed to end a bit abruptly as well. I also didn’t really buy the relationship between Marian and Guy, despite how hard I tried to like it. Otherwise, this was a really interesting read.

Overall; If you’re a fan of retellings, especially those of Robin Hood, you should definitely add Sherwood to your TBR! I’m really glad to have read the book, and it’s a welcome addition to my shelf along with Hunted, which is also by Meagan Spooner! Check them out, and I hope you love them!

My Thoughts: The Light Over London by Julie Kelly

The Light Over London
by Julia Kelly
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Publication Date: January 8th 2019
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9781501196416
Genre: Adult Fiction | Historical Fiction
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy

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Reminiscent of Martha Hall Kelly's Lilac Girls and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, this sweeping, entrancing story is a must-read for fans of remarkable women rising to challenges they could never have predicted.

It’s always been easier for Cara Hargraves to bury herself in the past than confront the present, which is why working with a gruff but brilliant antiques dealer is perfect. While clearing out an estate, she pries open an old tin that holds the relics of a lost relationship: among the treasures, a World War II-era diary and a photograph of a young woman in uniform. Eager to find the author of the hauntingly beautiful, unfinished diary, Cara digs into this soldier’s life, but soon realizes she may not have been ready for the stark reality of wartime London she finds within the pages.

In 1941, nineteen-year-old Louise Keene’s life had been decided for her—she’ll wait at home in her Cornish village until her wealthy suitor returns from war to ask for her hand. But when Louise unexpectedly meets Flight Lieutenant Paul Bolton, a dashing RAF pilot stationed at a local base, everything changes. And changes again when Paul’s unit is deployed without warning.

Desperate for a larger life, Louise joins the women’s branch of the British Army in the anti-aircraft gun unit as a Gunner Girl. As bombs fall on London, she and the other Gunner Girls relish in their duties to be exact in their calculations, and quick in their identification of enemy planes during air raids. The only thing that gets Louise through those dark, bullet-filled nights is knowing she and Paul will be together when the war is over. But when a bundle of her letters to him are returned unanswered, she learns that wartime romance can have a much darker side.

Illuminating the story of these two women separated by generations and experience, Julia Kelly transports us to World War II London in this heartbreakingly beautiful novel through forgotten antique treasures, remembered triumphs, and fierce family ties. (Goodreads)

This year I am on a mission to read more historical fiction novels, and The Light Over London by Julia Kelly was one of books I was most excited to check out this season. This is the very first book I’ve read by this author, and I was super curious to check it out. It did not disappoint!!

I have to say that the storyline for this book was very interesting. The story is set during World War II, and is told in both past and present narrative. The past parts of the book are told via an old World War II diary that the main character, Cara, discovers while working her job as an antiques dealer. The more she reads the diary, the more curious she becomes about its author, Louise, and the life that she had lead. Determined to find the author of the diary, Cara sets out with the help of her new neighbor, in hopes of returning it to its original owner once again.

I haven’t read very many historical fiction novels set in WWII, but I’m definitely trying to read more, and the more I read them, the more I want to read MORE of them. Of the ones I have read so far, this book is definitely one of the lighter reads. While it did talk about things that happened during the war, that wasn’t the main focus of the book. (That did not make the story any less enjoyable, I should add.) I loved reading the historical parts of the story, (I seriously can’t get enough of them), and reading about all the things Louise went through during her time in the women’s branch of the army was really interesting. I can't imagine doing all the things that she did, but it was definitely fascinating to read about. And, oh did she definitely have an interesting story to tell.

I also enjoyed Cara’s part of the story as well, including her discovery of the diary, and all that she had been through as well. The relationship growth between her and her new neighbor was super cute, and I really enjoyed those parts of the story as well.

Overall; The Light Over London was a quick, interesting World War II era read! I really enjoyed the lightness of the story, and I flew through the pages faster than I expected to. I definitely need more books like this in my collection, and I’m hoping to read more soon! I will definitely keep my eye out for more books by this author as well.

My Thoughts: Courting Darkness by Robin LaFever

Courting Darkness
(Courting Darkness Duology #1)
by Robin LaFevers
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Publication Date: February 5th 2019
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 512
ISBN: 9780544991194
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Historical Fiction
Source: Own

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Death wasn’t the end, it was only the beginning…

Sybella has always been the darkest of Death’s daughters, trained at the convent of Saint Mortain to serve as his justice. But she has a new mission now. In a desperate bid to keep her two youngest sisters safe from the family that nearly destroyed them all, she agrees to accompany the duchess to France, where they quickly find themselves surrounded by enemies. Their one ray of hope is Sybella’s fellow novitiates, disguised and hidden deep in the French court years ago by the convent—provided Sybella can find them.

Genevieve has been undercover for so many years, she struggles to remember who she is or what she’s supposed to be fighting for. Her only solace is a hidden prisoner who appears all but forgotten by his guards. When tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to take matters into her own hands—even if it means ignoring the long awaited orders from the convent.

As Sybella and Gen’s paths draw ever closer, the fate of everything they hold sacred rests on a knife’s edge. Will they find each other in time, or will their worlds collide, destroying everything they care about? (Goodreads)

Courting Darkness is the very first book in the brand new Courting Darkness duology by Robin LaFevers, and is also the very first book I have ever read by Robin as well! I have had her His Fair Assassin series on my TBR for the longest, but I have not yet had the pleasure of reading it. I am beyond thrilled to have finally read something by her, and now I can’t wait to read more!!

Courting Darkness has both a very interesting storyline, and a great cast of characters. The story is told from two main characters’ viewpoints, and I definitely enjoyed reading both of their stories. Genevieve and Sybella are both daughters of Death, and the whole idea of this being a thing was completely fascinating. Both girls lead completely different lives, yet also have entwining storylines, and I was completely awed by them both. I’m super curious to see what their futures hold in the next book. There are also a lot of interesting secondary characters to meet in the story as well.

The storyline for this book was very interesting, and while it got off to a bit of a slow start, (for me, anyways), it picked up pretty quickly and I devoured it as sooner than I expected to. I really wish that I would have read the His Fair Assassin trilogy before starting this new series, as I feel like there were a lot of things referenced from that series in this new book that I didn’t understand. However, most things were pretty well explained, and I was only confused a few times. (I will, however, most definitely check out that first series asap!)

Overall; My first experience with a book by Robin LaFevers was definitely a success, and I absolutely can’t wait to read more to see where this Courting Darkness duology will go. I am also super excited to check out the His Fair Assassin series as well, and since I just recently added the first book from that series to my collection, I am hoping to get to it soon!

My Thoughts: The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy
(Montague Siblings #2)
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Publication Date: October 2nd 2018
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 450
ISBN: 9780062795328
Genre: Young Adult | Historical
Source: Own

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In this highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, Felicity Montague must use all her womanly wits and wiles to achieve her dreams of becoming a doctor—even if she has to scheme her way across Europe to do it. A must-have for fans of Mackenzi Lee’s extraordinary and Stonewall Honor-winning novel.

A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.

But then a window of opportunity opens—a doctor she idolizes is marrying an old friend of hers in Germany. Felicity believes if she could meet this man he could change her future, but she has no money of her own to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid.

In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that leads them from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic. (Goodreads)

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is the second book in the Montague Siblings series by Mackenzi Lee was probably one of my most anticipated new books for this month, and I absolutely couldn’t wait to get started on the story. I read the first book in the series, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, back in it was first released, and I couldn’t wait to get started on this sequel to see what would happen next in the story. I definitely was not disappointed!!

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is Felicity’s story, and picks up about a year after where The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue leaves off. I loved Felicity in the first book, and I was super excited to read her story to get to know more about her. She’s such an interesting character, and I enjoyed following her on her adventure. I also love that a lot of the characters that I loved from the first book make appearances in this story as well, and are included just enough to satisfy your curiosity and make you glad to see them, but not so much as to take over Felicity’s story completely. It was nice to ‘see’ them all again though!

I love that the storyline for this book is historical, but also has just a small tough of fantasy in it as well! It definitely kept me curious as I turned the pages. But, while I really enjoyed the storyline, there were also a few things in it that made me angry as well. A lot of it was the from the treatment of women and people of color, which was definitely relevant to the time period in which this book was set. These are just some of the parts of history that I hate reading about, yet I’m glad it was included in the story, because it is a great reminder of how far we have come, and how far we still need to go.

Overall; The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy was an excellent sequel to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue! I really enjoyed the story so much, but I also hate to see the series end. If Makenzi wanted to write more books with these characters, I would totally read them. If you’re looking for a quick, fun series to read that includes diversity and eye-opening historical issues that are still somewhat relevant today, do check out The Montague Siblings series by Mackenzi Lee!!

My Thoughts: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Audiobook)

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
(Montague Siblings #1)
by Mackenzi Lee
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Publication Date: June 27th 2017
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 513
ISBN: 9780062382801
(Audiobook ISBN: 9780062743114)
Genre: Young Adult | Historical | LGBT | Romance
Source: Own

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Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores. (Goodreads)

I originally read The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee back when it was first set to release, and for some reason forgot to review the book for my blog. With the book’s sequel, The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy coming out soon, (October!), I thought it would the perfect time to re-read the book to refresh my brain before starting the sequel. I have to say, I think I enjoyed this book even more the second time than I did the first time I read it!

Let’s first talk about the characters in the book. The main character in the story is Henry “Monty” Montague, who was born a gentleman, but is a rogue by nature. If I had to describe Henry in one word, the first word that comes to mind is ‘rascal’. Reading the story from his point of view was interesting, to say the least, and I found myself laughing out loud and rolling my eyes at all the things he, his best friend, Percy, and his sister, Felicity, go through throughout the book. You couldn’t help but love them all, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them in the next book.

The storyline for this book was definitely fast-paced, and full of action. Just when I thought Monty and his crew couldn’t get into any more trouble, they did, and I literally flew through the pages to see what was going to happen to them next. I also really enjoyed the setting for the book. The idea of traveling Europe is awesome, and I really enjoyed the descriptions of it throughout the book.

I also want to add that I opted to listen to the audiobook for my second read of this book, and it was absolutely fantastic! I had to stop just a few chapters into the book to look up the narrator, because he was doing such a wonderful job with the story, and I wanted to know who was reading the story. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that this book is narrated by Christian Coulson, who happens to be the actor who played Tom Riddle in the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie.  Seriously, he did an excellent job narrating this story, and if you have the opportunity to check the book out in audiobook format, I highly recommend you do so!

Overall; The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue has it all... An awesome, diverse cast, a fast-paced and addictive storyline, and a main character who lands himself into more trouble than you’d think would be possible. This was a very enjoyable read, and I can’t wait to get started on the second book, The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, which is all about Felicity and her dreams of becoming a doctor. I’m super excited to get started on it! If you’re looking for a fun series, do check out the Montague Siblings series by Mackenzi Lee!!

My Thoughts: Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

Fawkes
by Nadine Brands
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Publication Date: July 10th 2018
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 448
ISBN: 9780785217145
Genre: Young Adult | Historical Fiction | Fantasy
Source: Review Copy

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Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared, but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.

The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back. (Goodreads)

I first discovered Nadine Brand on Instagram, and when I realized that she was the author of Fawkes, I was instantly curious! So much about this book drew me in, including the absolutely stunning book cover, (I can’t resist a gorgeous cover, don’t judge me), as well as by the summary for the book. When a review copy arrived on my doorstep, I absolutely couldn’t wait to check the book out. This book was definitely an interesting read!!

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

If that first line of the summary doesn’t pique your interest, I don’t know what will. Imagine a world where there is a plague that will literally turn you to stone. That is the world in which the main character, Thomas, lives. It’s a brutal world, one filled with hatred and violence, as well as prejudice and intolerance, which felt so relevant to the world today. But in between all of that, there is hope as well.

There are some interesting characters in this story, and though I didn’t really get attached to any of them, I quickly found Emma becoming a favorite, and I would love to know more of her story. The setting for this book was very well described, and I enjoyed the historical feel to both it and the storyline. The fantasy aspects of the book were interesting as well. I’m not sure I completely understand how the ‘color power’ works, but it was interesting to read about.

Overall; Though I had some issues connecting to the main character of the story, I did find Fawkes to be a creative and unique read! I can’t say that I’ve read any book like this before now, and I enjoyed the parts that made it different. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Nadine in the future!