I finally finished this 20 hour audiobook. I listened at 1.5 speed so it didn’t actually take that long but on reaching the end I found out this is boI finally finished this 20 hour audiobook. I listened at 1.5 speed so it didn’t actually take that long but on reaching the end I found out this is book one of two!! This one ends when she becomes queen. The next 20 hour audiobook picks up from there. Phew!!
Even though it was drawn out and tedious at times i couldn’t stop listening. I really like Alison Weir’s writing!...more
Daughter of Ruins has an intriguing storyline! Three women beginning life at a disadvantage and bravely struggling to accept or ho3.5 rounded up to 4.
Daughter of Ruins has an intriguing storyline! Three women beginning life at a disadvantage and bravely struggling to accept or hopefully reach beyond their situations.
I don’t know much about Greek Gods/Goddesses so it was eye opening to me. I found it interesting that both the belief in Greek mythology and the Greek Orthodox Church could blend together so easily.
Reading this book reminded me of how blessed I am to live when I do and not in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s when these women did. They had no rights and were treated as possessions. Their suffering was mainly due to being women. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I’ll just say that wealth and class only had a bit to do with their misfortunes.
I liked Demitra’s a character the most. I was invested in her story and was eager to find out what her future would bring.
There were only two things that kept me from giving it 5 stars. One was that each character was super emotional. I found myself longing for their dialogue to be over. Some of this could be due to the audio narrator I was listening to. She was highly emotional and I felt she overdid the voices. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I would have read it instead of listening.
I also found some of the plot unbelievable, to me, and wanted to roll my eyes when I saw things coming that the characters should have but didn’t.
Overall, I liked the story. I found myself looking up the places and landmarks that were found in the story. There was plenty of rich history involved and now I want to learn more!
Many thanks to Yvette Manessis Corporon and HarperCollins focus/Harper Muse for the ARC vía NetGalley!!!...more
I am glad I chose to read this book. I knew little about the government coup in 1978 Kabul. I learned about the Russian/American fight for AfghanistanI am glad I chose to read this book. I knew little about the government coup in 1978 Kabul. I learned about the Russian/American fight for Afghanistan and how it affected the country.
I enjoyed how Hashimi told the story through Sitara’s eyes. She experienced the coup firsthand and escaped keeping her knowledge locked deep inside.
After finishing this book I am interested in reading Hashimi’s other books and following the subject up with her further references. ...more
Silence is a moving, beautifully written book. I just loved this book! It’s a wonderful way to start the new year.
Julia Park Tracey has elegantly usedSilence is a moving, beautifully written book. I just loved this book! It’s a wonderful way to start the new year.
Julia Park Tracey has elegantly used words to portray what silence feels like to one bright, lovely woman. Silence Marsh.
Her story is one of perseverance under great emotional and mental abuse. She grows up in New England shortly after the Salem Witch Trials ended. Her Puritan pastor sentences her to a year of silence after she questions God due to grief.
I was shocked to learn of the inhumane ways people, almost exclusively women, were treated. And all because they dared to question the men that led their church.
I love that Tracey wrote this book using her real life ancestor as inspiration. She made Silence March come alive for me. I could imagine what she saw and felt and was overcome by emotion as I contemplated her life experiences. Having lived in Ipswich,Massachusetts and having read the poetry of Anne Bradstreet I was delighted to have that connection.
I am so glad that I won this book as a giveaway from the Historical Fictionistas Group! If you like historical fiction full of emotion that truly brings the past alive, I think you will enjoy this book!...more
I got lost in this book! I had planned on reading all Alison Weir’s books but I had taken a break from because I got tired of the same narrator. InnocI got lost in this book! I had planned on reading all Alison Weir’s books but I had taken a break from because I got tired of the same narrator. Innocent Traitor has a cast of narrators and is written as diary entries. I like how well researched Weir’s books are.
What a sad, short life Lady Jane Grey lived. TW: rape...more
Charming middle grade book coauthored by Ruta Sepeteys, one of my favorite authors.
It is full of mystery and clever plans. Lizzy is a spunky no nonseCharming middle grade book coauthored by Ruta Sepeteys, one of my favorite authors.
It is full of mystery and clever plans. Lizzy is a spunky no nonsense teen who wants to know the answer to her mother’s sudden disappearance. Her older brother Jakob is determined to keep her safe while working to solve his own riddles.
Both of them try to do this while involved in the highly secret government program at Bletchley Park.
I have read a few books about Bletchley Park and find it amazing. While this one is geared toward the younger readers, I found it addictive and fast paced while introducing the subject in an easy engaging way.
Some of the happenings are highly questionable but it was a fun read all the same!...more
After reading Tea Cooper’s book The Butterfly Collector, I knew I had to read The Naturalist’s Daughter when I saw it!!
I really enjoy Cooper’s voice After reading Tea Cooper’s book The Butterfly Collector, I knew I had to read The Naturalist’s Daughter when I saw it!!
I really enjoy Cooper’s voice but when I realized the book what about the discovery of the platypus I laughed. But after reading about it I learned that the platypus wasn’t just a straight forward discovery of an animal. The platypus actually brought distrust and disbelief in the world of science throughout the world.
I love the opening character’s personality. She has a great love of the nature in Australia. She has a strong bond with her father, the naturalist Charles Winton. She loves to accompany him as he documents his discoveries. When he becomes ill and isn’t able to travel to England, Rose is determined to make sure his work is represented in England so she goes on his behalf. When she arrives she is disrespected and ignored. I felt bad for Rose and was angered at the way she was treated. 1808 England was definitely a man’s world.
Fast forward to 1908 Australia. Tamsin Alleyn works at a library and is ecstatic to be in charge of collecting a sketchbook that’s been donated to the library. It may be Charles Winton’s! But as she arrives she finds out that it’s not that easy. Others are hoping to collect the sketch book as well. Including a very handsome man she is drawn to named Shaw Everdene.
What started as a straightforward book about proving the attributes of the platypus slowly turns into a dark, deep mystery! I was enthralled! It gave me Jamaica Inn ( Daphne Du Maurier) mixed with Wuthering Heights ( Emily Brontë )vibes.
Many thanks to Tea Cooper and Harper Collin’s Focus/Harper Muse for the ARC via NetGalley!!...more
5 Stunning Stars!! I am from Utah and my husband’s family descendants of the Parker family so I was interested to see which way this story was going t5 Stunning Stars!! I am from Utah and my husband’s family descendants of the Parker family so I was interested to see which way this story was going to go. There are conflicting views to whether or not Butch was killed in South America or escaped with an unknown identity.
Amy Harmon’s book is filled with both a wonderful Tall Tale and hard facts. There was plenty of drama and suspense to keep me listening to keep me captivated! It was a wonderful love story with a fabulous ending!
Trigger warnings: Rape and some partially open bedroom scenes.