Interesting read that ‘puts a face’ on the grisly impact that battle could do to the body and the ingenious solutions to repairing the damage, in partInteresting read that ‘puts a face’ on the grisly impact that battle could do to the body and the ingenious solutions to repairing the damage, in particular, to the face. The narrative is most focused on the pioneering plastic surgeon, Harold Gillies but also follows a few others. The narrative sometimes took liberties that I myself am not a fan of in nonfiction, such as trying to write the man as a character, describing feelings and sensations as one would in a fictional account. For me, that takes away from the factual aspect to a nonfiction and I don’t care for it. There was a lot of digressions about the war and battles which did give context and was interesting but also contributed to a lack of focus on the topic covered. Some people would be followed, such as Percy Clare, sent back to the front before his treatment was complete, who’s story was left unfinished until the epilogue, after having followed it closely for a full chapter. It left a nagging thought - what happened? It was odd to me. The epilogue felt like an afterthought. But the material covered was very interesting and accessible. This came to my attention because of my husband. We have been together for nearly 47 years and in all of that time, with the exception of this last year, he has been a nonreader. But, with recovering from carpal tunnel surgery that went from a 4-6 week recovery to a full year, he’s been discovering the joy of book shopping and reading and this was one of those books that he just couldn’t put down. So of course I had to read it too. It’s a delight to finally share a book passion together, and to be able to borrow from his library which he is proudly collecting. I really love that for us. Still not budging on developing a love for old cars though…...more
Glad to have finished up my years reading with another T. kingfisher book. Newly discovered author to me this year and so far I’ve enjoyed them all. TGlad to have finished up my years reading with another T. kingfisher book. Newly discovered author to me this year and so far I’ve enjoyed them all. This was a little more traditional romancy fairytale retelling, or rather reworking, of the Beauty and the beast. But, she switched it up, put her own twist upon it and had had characters that I enjoyed. Of course there was still the amazing library. Cannot have a beauty and beast retelling without that. It was fun and a nice light, entertaining and quick read to finish off the year. Definitely will be reading more from this author in the coming year, which is about a half hour away. Any one kind enough to be reading this, Happy New Year friend. May it be full of good things for you❤️...more
Very eye rollery. So over the top that when I was’t rolling my eyes I was snickering and out right laughing at the ridiculousness of the thing. I was Very eye rollery. So over the top that when I was’t rolling my eyes I was snickering and out right laughing at the ridiculousness of the thing. I was entertained when I wasn’t horrified at some of the plot turns. Don’t recommend. At all. Seriously. Having said that though I pretty much read the duology in one day ...more
3.5 wtf was that and why was I so hooked on it? I’m shook and seriously appalled because I am absolutely reading book 2. I don’t think I even liked it3.5 wtf was that and why was I so hooked on it? I’m shook and seriously appalled because I am absolutely reading book 2. I don’t think I even liked it. My face had this contorted wtf am I reading kind of expression on it. How did I even hear about this? It’s the mystery. Gotta know what’s going on and why....more
3.5 I enjoyed this despite having a bit of a wobbly start to it. What changed it for me was Phoebe’s curiosity. How would things turn out for the brid3.5 I enjoyed this despite having a bit of a wobbly start to it. What changed it for me was Phoebe’s curiosity. How would things turn out for the bride? It got my curiosity piqued as well. As the book progresses Phoebe becomes a warmer more engaging character and I enjoyed reading that arc develop for her as she finds herself pulled into a wedding of a very take charge bride. I enjoyed the aggressively assertive bride as well though that is probably because Phoebe did. There’s a nice romance that wasn’t too romancy or angsty. Overall, despite some of the themes this was a nice light read. The right book at the right time....more
Damn. Wrote a review and lost it. I really hate when that happens. ☹️So clearly I wasn’t impressed with this. It started as a solid 4 star read but asDamn. Wrote a review and lost it. I really hate when that happens. ☹️So clearly I wasn’t impressed with this. It started as a solid 4 star read but as the novel progressed it lost the charm that was nicely developed with the main characters growing attraction. Unfortunately it relied on the miscommunication plot device that I’m not a fan of. It’s impossible not to find the characters ridiculous, especially with how repetitive some of the elements of the story became. When the characters start to look like idiots because they don’t just speak their minds despite multiple opportunities to do so, the story and it’s characters lose credibility. The drama towards the end was over the top as was the epilogue. What I liked…the first half of the book as the relationship developed was charming and the characters likeable, though I did think that their was some serious co-dependency issues that would not lead to a happy ever after. The letters between them were also charming and how his anxiety disorder was treated was well done, though it too became very repetitive and having the main character always caretaking it was problematic. But the book did get me through a rough, long night of no sleep when my usual reads were too much for my tired brain. ...more
Don’t think this added to the overall story and so far has been my least favourite of the short stories. I found it dull and while I’m not a fan of beDon’t think this added to the overall story and so far has been my least favourite of the short stories. I found it dull and while I’m not a fan of being in the head of whiny teenaged girls while reading, I like being in a whiny teenaged boy’s even less which reflects why I found this not as engaging as the others I’ve read. I could have passed on this and not missed all that much.
Merged review:
Don’t think this added to the overall story and so far has been my least favourite of the short stories. I found it dull and while I’m not a fan of being in the head of whiny teenaged girls while reading, I like being in a whiny teenaged boy’s even less which reflects why I found this not as engaging as the others I’ve read. I could have passed on this and not missed all that much....more
Omg! I have never wanted the power to reach in and hug a character like I did with this book. Written in the first person pov, with a voice so honest Omg! I have never wanted the power to reach in and hug a character like I did with this book. Written in the first person pov, with a voice so honest and brave after a good deal of trauma, yet not self pitying or in a way that is clearly written to manipulate the reader into pity. I really appreciated that with this book because that can be a fine line. The bookish love and vibes were solid and I was definitely rooting for the character to have her happy ending. This had a lot more depth in its content then the cover implies. As it happens, that’s perfect for me as a reader but there are tw for domestic abuse. It was very well treated though and again I thought the author balanced a good deal of the trauma the character went through with the character herself, who won me over with her love of books, her resiliency and her ability to take a fairly objective view to events in her life. Just the right balance of strength and vulnerability that is like gold for me as the character driven reader that I am. However, the plot was good too, and I liked the two timelines the story was written in. Just about a perfect read for me. ...more
Hmmm…read this a week ago and failed to write a review immediately so now I remember hardly anything. That is a pretty good indicator that this was onHmmm…read this a week ago and failed to write a review immediately so now I remember hardly anything. That is a pretty good indicator that this was only just ok for me, which puts the rating at 3.5. Entertaining but not memorable if it can’t even stick past a week. I liked Alwyn but he never gained much depth of character over the course of the trilogy. Neither did his relationship with Evadine. I didn’t feel overly invested in their ‘love’ because Evadine never had much depth either. Being a character driven reader, that detracted from my engagement with the book. Had their characters and relationship had more depth, I’d have liked the book and the series much more. The world building was not hard to imagine. It was very close to medieval time and I rather enjoyed that aspect. The plot and political maneuvering was engaging enough and made for an improved reading experience, compared to book 2. Though I enjoyed this book of the trilogy more than the second, it didn’t quite measure up to the first for me. I enjoyed Alwyn as a young man and it had had Robin Hood vibes that were engaging and as Alwyn matures and becomes a soldier, the book, and the series, lost a lot of it’s charm for me. Nonetheless, a solid read and I’m not sorry to have spent my time with it. I’d give the overall reading experience of the series 3.5...more
I enjoyed my time with this. It was fun to catch up with Anna and the Walsh clan. Anyone Out There was my all time favourite of the Walsh sister storiI enjoyed my time with this. It was fun to catch up with Anna and the Walsh clan. Anyone Out There was my all time favourite of the Walsh sister stories and it was nice to see her have a happily ever after. I appreciated that Anna is in her late 40’s and having to deal with all that comes with a woman aging. It was handled with humour but a good dose of reality as well. I’d have liked it better if there had been a little less going on and a little less characters but loved that it was still packed with Keyes trademark humour and charm. ...more
Reads like Cormac McCarthy lite. Literary, with beautiful descriptions of the eastern landscape and interior reflections while coming to terms with loReads like Cormac McCarthy lite. Literary, with beautiful descriptions of the eastern landscape and interior reflections while coming to terms with loss. A dystopian theme, told from the perspective of one of two men, friends since childhood, who have been in the woods on a hunting trip, coming out to find that things are terribly awry. The prose was beautiful. The story, thoroughly engaging. The characters fully fleshed out and a pleasure to read. I always enjoy a good story of manly men who are decent, sensitive and literary. Perfect. ...more
Excellent finish to the series. Everything comes together brilliantly. I found each book got progressively better and I enjoyed the world, the dynamicExcellent finish to the series. Everything comes together brilliantly. I found each book got progressively better and I enjoyed the world, the dynamics within the world, the characters and the conflict. Overall, the series was 4.5 for me, which is a very good outcome considering initially, on my first read of book one, I was not enthusiastic and didn’t think I’d carry on. It’s a good reminder for me to hang on to those 3 star books because there’s the possibility that at another time, I may just love them. ...more
This is a generous 3 stars because for the most part I didn’t enjoy it. What I didn’t enjoy was how confusing it seemed with all the different charactThis is a generous 3 stars because for the most part I didn’t enjoy it. What I didn’t enjoy was how confusing it seemed with all the different characters. Partly that’s my bad because I’ve only just realized I didn’t actually read the first 2 books in the series. Oops. But I did read 3 and 4 without finding them confusing so, something was off with this one. I found the narrator with this sounded like a much older person than the character was supposed to be so it just didn’t jive for me and lastly, until the last few chapters it was not very engaging. If this had been my first by the author, I may not have read anymore from her. Luckily I had so I may try to go back and read the first 2 but I must say, given my experience with the last 2, the characters don’t seem to have much growth in their arcs. Also, didn’t love the ending with this. And no book 6 to clear it up. Not cool. ...more
**spoiler alert** Glad to have reread this. Found it on sale on the Libro app and remembering that I enjoyed it and didn’t own a copy I happily grabbe**spoiler alert** Glad to have reread this. Found it on sale on the Libro app and remembering that I enjoyed it and didn’t own a copy I happily grabbed it up. With the reread I was struck with how perfect the book is. It’s quietly oppressive and has a little Christmas Carol vibe without the happy ending. I will say that I loved that Bill followed his conscious, understanding that to not do so would bring him more suffering. He knows his life is going to be very difficult for doing the right thing, but nonetheless deems that better than to do nothing. When I first read this in April, I had read Foster by the author right before it and I had been so moved that I hadn’t been as enamoured with this as it deserved. Perfection and I’m sure I’ll be revisiting.
This started well. The first chapter was well written and engaged my interest. I cared about the characters. First chapter solid 4 star. But with eachThis started well. The first chapter was well written and engaged my interest. I cared about the characters. First chapter solid 4 star. But with each chapter the book just got stupid. That’s unkind but it was so stupid that I feel my head will pop if I don’t say it. It was obvious where the story was going but it was completely implausible and the more it went on the more implausible it became. Plot holes a huge truck could be driven through. And the author really did not understand women and certainly couldn’t write them. Not one believable female character. Certainly not one likeable one. I should have dnffed, especially when it hit my 3 eyeroll limit but I was so close to finished and I kept expecting this big twist that reviewers said was going to happen, which was actually completely obvious from early on, so no big twist for me. And don’t even get me started with the prose. So badly overwritten that I’m shocked this was even published. Do not understand why this book is so well reviewed. Completely understand why M. night Shyamalan made a movie of it and I don’t mean that in a complimentary way. Definitely do not recommend. ...more