Review of “Hurricane Summer” by Asha Bromfield

April 30, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Bromfield, Asha. Hurricane Summer. New York: Wednesday Books, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1250622235 | $18.99 USD | 384 pages | YA Contemporary

Blurb

“This is an excellent examination of the ways wealth, gender, and color can shape and at times create mental and emotional fractures. Verdict: A great title for public and high school libraries looking for books that offer a nuanced look at patriarchy, wealth, and gender dynamics.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“Bromfield may have made a name for herself for her role on Riverdale, but with this debut, about a volatile father-daughter relationship and discovering the ugly truths hidden beneath even the most beautiful facades, she is establishing herself as a promising writer…this is a must.” —Booklist (starred review)

In this sweeping debut, Asha Bromfield takes readers to the heart of Jamaica, and into the soul of a girl coming to terms with her family, and herself, set against the backdrop of a hurricane.

Tilla has spent her entire life trying to make her father love her. But every six months, he leaves their family and returns to his true home: the island of Jamaica.

When Tilla’s mother tells her she’ll be spending the summer on the island, Tilla dreads the idea of seeing him again, but longs to discover what life in Jamaica has always held for him.

In an unexpected turn of events, Tilla is forced to face the storm that unravels in her own life as she learns about the dark secrets that lie beyond the veil of paradise—all in the midst of an impending hurricane.

Hurricane Summer is a powerful coming of age story that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic—and what it means to discover your own voice in the center of complete destruction.

Review

5 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

There are some books that pull you in and refuse to let you go, and Hurricane Summer is one of them. It’s not a light read by any means (it’s the exact opposite), but in spite of the dark nature of the content, I couldn’t bring myself to stop reading.

Having never been to Jamaica and only experienced it on occasion through books, I liked the honest depiction of it here. There’s elements of beauty and the fact that it’s a bit like a paradise, but it’s also deeply nuanced, especially as Tilla goes through dark experiences while there.

Tilla is a beautifully complex character who embraces her flaws, while her deeply conservative family opposes them. She faces a lot of emotional trauma at their hands due to her refusal to conform, and I both admired and felt for her.

One of the pivotal relationships in the story is her relationship with her father, who had always been absent from her life. His attitude toward her wounded me the deepest, and as much as I loved the complexity of their relationship, with her almost simultaneous realization of how little importance he was to her and the fact that he was still her father and that counted for something, I couldn’t help but want her to be more firm in cutting ties after what he’d put her through.

Ultimately, I really loved this book and the exploration of coming of age within such fractured family dynamics. The intensity of the subject matter will mean this book is not for everyone. However, Asha Bromfield wrote in her dedication that she prays “you find healing within these pages, just like I did. I pray this story gives you the courage to confront your own storm, and once there, I pray it inspires you to find radical forgiveness for your parents, your experiences, and most importantly, for yourself.” I echo this sentiment wholeheartedly.

CW: sexual assault (on-page), rape (on-page), physical abuse, slut-shaming, colorism, death

Author Bio

Asha Bromfield is an actress and writer of Afro-Jamaican descent. She is known for her role as Melody Jones, drummer of “Josie and the Pussycats” in CW’s Riverdale. She also stars as Zadie Wells in Netflix’s hit show, Locke and Key. Asha is a proud ambassador for the Dove Self-Esteem Project, and she is pursuing a degree in Communications. She currently lives in Toronto, and her name translates to “Life” in Swahili. In her spare time, she loves studying astrology, wearing crystals, burning sage, baking vegan desserts, and taking walks to the park with her dogs Luka and Kyra. Hurricane Summer is her debut novel.

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Review of “Like Cats and Dogs” (Whitman Street Cat Cafe #1) by Kate McMurray

April 29, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

McMurray, Kate. Like Cats and Dogs. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-172821452 | $14.99 USD | 336 pages | Contemporary Romance

Blurb

Can you fight like cats and dogs, and still be perfect for each other?

Things are getting ruff in this Brooklyn neighborhood when new veterinarian Caleb Fitch moves in next door to the Whitman Street Cat Cafe and gets on the wrong side of cafe owner Lauren Harlow. Lauren has a few things to teach the new vet on the block, and rescuing kittens is only the start…

Lauren can’t ignore the fact that she is instantly attracted to Caleb, but he gets her even more riled up when he argues with her about how best to treat the cats in her care. Determined to smooth things over, Caleb comes to the rescue when a new litter of abandoned kittens is left on Lauren’s doorstep, and they confront the fiery attraction that’s been building between them from the start. But saving the baby kittens is only the first challenge Lauren and Caleb have to face, and when a real estate developer comes sniffing around their block, they’ll have to work together, or risk losing everything…

Review

2 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Like Cats and Dogs caught my attention because of the cute cover and premise. But while it had the right idea, the romance wasn’t well executed.

I really loved the general animal loving vibe. One of the major settings is a cat cafe, something I’ve only heard about in other places around the world, and I really liked that vibe. And the fact that Lauren and the others who work there are dedicated to saving abandoned kittens is really sweet, and in a different type of story, I’d probably have been able to appreciate it all more. As this is the first in a series about the cafe, I’m not against continuing if the other books are more interesting.

But ultimately, the relationship between Lauren and Caleb ruined the reading experience for me. They both like animals, and I appreciate Caleb’s attempts to be open-minded to cats…even if he does overstep in trying to educate Lauren about cat care. But it was like they argued, but then they had sexual tension. If you don’t even like each other, but you’re willing to have sex with them, how can I believe you at the end when you say, “it wasn’t just about sex?”

Judging by some other early reviews, I’m glad to see I’m not alone in disliking this book. It might appeal to someone who loves enemies-to-lovers more, as there are some for whom this has worked.

Author Bio

Kate McMurray writes smart romantic fiction. She likes creating stories that are brainy, funny, and of course sexy, with regular guy characters and urban sensibilities. She advocates for romance stories by and for everyone. When she’s not writing, she edits textbooks, watches baseball, plays violin, crafts things out of yarn, and wears a lot of cute dresses. She’s active in Romance Writers of America, serving for two years on the board of Rainbow Romance Writers, the LGBT romance chapter, and three—including two as president—on the board of the New York City chapter. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with two cats and too many books.

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Review of “The Ones We’re Meant to Find” by Joan He

April 29, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

He, Joan. The Ones We’re Meant to Find. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1250258564 | $18.99 USD | 336 pages | YA Science Fiction

Blurb

Perfect for fans of Marie Lu and E. Lockhart, The Ones We’re Meant to Find is a gripping and heartfelt YA sci-fi with mind-blowing twists. Set in a climate-ravaged future, Joan He’s beautifully written novel follows the story of two sisters, separated by an ocean, desperately trying to find each other.

Cee has been trapped on an abandoned island for three years and seventeen days without any recollection of how she arrived, or memories from her life prior. All she knows is that somewhere out there, beyond the horizon, she has a sister named Kay. Determined to find her, Cee devotes her days to building a boat from junk parts scavenged inland, doing everything in her power to survive until the day she gets off the island and reunites with her sister.

In a world apart, 16-year-old STEM prodigy Kasey Mizuhara is also living a life of isolation. The eco-city she calls home is one of eight levitating around the world, built for people who protected the planet—and now need protecting from it. With natural disasters on the rise due to climate change, eco-cities provide clean air, water, and shelter. Their residents, in exchange, must spend at least a third of their time in stasis pods, conducting business virtually whenever possible to reduce their environmental footprint. While Kasey, an introvert and loner, doesn’t mind the lifestyle, her sister Celia hated it. Popular and lovable, Celia much preferred the outside world. But no one could have predicted that Celia would take a boat out to sea, never to return.

Now it’s been three months since Celia’s disappearance, and Kasey has given up hope. Logic says that her sister must be dead. But as the public decries her stance, she starts to second guess herself and decides to retrace Celia’s last steps. Where they’ll lead her, she does not know. Her sister was full of secrets. But Kasey has a secret of her own.

Review

4 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

After the conflicts with her prior publisher regarding her debut, I was glad to see Joan He was able to find another publisher for her sophomore novel, a sci-fi stand-alone, The Ones We’re Meant to Find. While somewhat stylistically different from her previous book, I enjoyed this one just as much.

The choices regarding the dual POV did take a bit to get into the flow with, as it’s told from the perspectives of the two sisters who are trying to find each other: Cee’s POV is in first person, and Kasey in third. But I think the respective choices suit each of them, as we follow Cee in a more intimate story of survival, and Kasey’s is more technical and she is more detached as a character. As a result, I did feel a bit closer to Cee than Kasey. However, I did ultimately enjoy both perspectives and what they brought to the story.

And He’s attention to detail is immaculate. There’s intricate world-building and a briskly structured plot with compelling plot twists that kept me engaged, culminating in an emotional punch.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and am excited to see what Joan He will write next! Fans of deeply emotional, character-focused sci-fi will love this.

Author Bio

Joan He was born and raised in Philadelphia but still will, on occasion, lose her way. At a young age, she received classical instruction in oil painting before discovering that storytelling was her favorite form of expression. She studied Psychology and East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Pennsylvania and currently writes from a desk overlooking the Delaware River. Descendant of the Crane is her debut young adult fantasy. Her next novel, The Ones We’re Meant to Find, will be forthcoming from Macmillan on May 4th, 2021.

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Review of “The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes” (The Lillys #1) by Xio Axelrod

April 28, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ 1 Comment

Axelrod, Xio. The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1492698760 | $14.99 USD | 464 pages | Contemporary Romance

Blurb

Her name’s Antonia “Toni” Bennette (yeah, she’s heard all the jokes before) and she’s not a rock star. Neither are the Lillys—not yet. But the difference between being famous and being almost famous can be a single wrong note…or the start of something that’ll change your life forever.

Growing up in dive bars up and down the East Coast, Toni Bennette’s guitar was her only companion…until she met Sebastian Quick. Seb was a little older, a lot wiser, and before long he was Toni’s way out, promising they’d escape their stifling small town together. Then Seb turned eighteen and split without looking back.

Now, Toni’s all grown up and making a name for herself in Philadelphia’s indie scene. When a friend suggests she try out for a hot new up-and-coming band, Toni decides to take a chance. Strong, feminist, and fierce as fire, Toni B. and the Lillys are the perfect match…except Seb’s now moonlighting as their manager. Whatever. Toni can handle it. No problem. Or it wouldn’t be if Seb didn’t still hold a piece of her heart…not to mention the key to her future.

Review

3 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

I haven’t read Xio Axelrod before, but I follow her on Twitter and have always been interested in picking up her books, and The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes appealed to me. And while I didn’t love it, there are elements of this book I really enjoyed.

The aesthetics of the music and following a band as they rise from nothing to make it big is absolutely a highlight. Additionally, some of the promotional materials, like the trailer, featuring a soundbite from an actual song from the “band,” further add to the immersive experience. https://twitter.com/xioaxelrod/status/1377312689521893379?s=21

Toni Bennett (and yes, there are several “not that one” jokes in the text) is a wonderful heroine. I loved her ambition and drive, and rooted for her as she got knocked about by others in the industry.

Meanwhile, I struggled to get to know Seb. I never fully understood what he was all about. And this made the romance fall a bit flat. Their lives are also so entrenched in the music scene, I fully expected that to take precedence, with some romance on the side. And given how tepid everything had been for 90% of the book, I definitely was not expecting an out-of-nowhere sex scene.

As it appears this will be the first in a series about each of the band members, I’m definitely intrigued to see how it proceeds going forward, although I do hope the romance is better developed in conjunction with the industry stuff next time around.

In spite of its flaws, this is a delightful contemporary first-in-series that is perfect for music lovers, or just those who love a fun, diverse contemporary.

Author Bio

Xio Axelrod is a USA Today bestselling author of different flavours of contemporary romance. She also writes what she likes to call strange, twisted tales. Xio grew up in the music industry and began recording at a young age. When she isn’t writing stories, she can be found in the studio, writing songs, or performing on international stages (under a different, no-so-secret name). She lives in Philadelphia with one full-time husband and several part-time cats.

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Review of “The Goblin Emperor” by Katherine Addison

April 27, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ 1 Comment

Addison, Katherine. The Goblin Emperor. New York: Tor, 2014.

ISBN-13: 978-0765365682 | $8.99 USD | 502 pages | Fantasy

Blurb

A vividly imagined debut fantasy of court intrigue in a steampunk-inflected magical world from Katherine Addison.

Unbound Worlds 100 Best Fantasy Novels of All Time

The youngest, half-goblin son of the Emperor has lived his entire life in exile, distant from the Imperial Court and the deadly intrigue that suffuses it. But when his father and three sons in line for the throne are killed in an accident, he has no choice but to take his place as the only surviving rightful heir.

Entirely unschooled in the art of court politics, he has no friends, no advisors, and the sure knowledge that whoever assassinated his father and brothers could make an attempt on his life at any moment.

Surrounded by sycophants eager to curry favor with the na ve new emperor, and overwhelmed by the burdens of his new life, he can trust nobody. Amid the swirl of plots to depose him, offers of arranged marriages, and the specter of the unknown conspirators who lurk in the shadows, he must quickly adjust to life as the Goblin Emperor. All the while, he is alone, and trying to find even a single friend . . . and hoping for the possibility of romance, yet also vigilant against the unseen enemies that threaten him, lest he lose his throne-or his life.

Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor is an exciting fantasy novel, set against the pageantry and color of a fascinating, unique world, is a memorable debut for a great new talent.

Review

4.5 stars

I first discovered Katherine Addison’s work last year when I read her 2020 release, and the publisher offered me an opportunity to read her next release, a Goblin Emperor companion novel. However, while both are billed as stand-alones set in the same world, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to familiarize myself with that world a bit, as I’ve found myself a bit at a loss in the past when stepping into “stand-alones” that are part of a wider interconnected universe.

And this book in itself is absolutely enjoyable. While fantasy politics has the potential to either be really exciting or really tedious, I was pleased to find it to be the former. It’s different in the sense that the emphasis is on that and the cultural structures in this world as opposed to the more high-octane fantasy out there, and while that might not work for everyone, it worked for me.

Maia as a protagonist is so interesting and unique. I liked seeing him come into his own as a ruler and learn to stand up for himself, even as he is reminded of his half-goblin (as opposed to pure elf) heritage and faces other types of opposition.

Given the nature of the book, I will say there are a lot of characters with names and titles to keep track of, and that can be a bit much at times. But the Addison does provide a good primer on the basic information about who everyone is and the basic world building at the back of the book to help with the sense of immersion.

I loved this book and I hope the upcoming book has similar vibes. If you’re looking for a more political, character-driven fantasy and haven’t read this book yet, I recommend picking it up.

Author Bio

Katherine Addison is the pen name of Sarah Monette.

She grew up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, one of the three secret cities of the Manhattan Project. She got her B.A. from Case Western Reserve University, her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Despite being summa cum laude, none of her degrees is of the slightest use to her in either her day job or her writing, which she feels is an object lesson for us all.

She currently lives near Madison, Wisconsin.

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Review of “Isabelle and Alexander” by Rebecca Anderson

April 26, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Anderson, Rebecca. Isabelle and Alexander. Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1629728476 | $15.99 USD | 368 pages | Victorian Romance

Blurb

London, 1850

Isabelle Rackham knows she will not marry for love. Though arranged marriages have fallen out of fashion, hers has been settled for some time to combine the upper-middle-class wealth of her father’s coal mines with Alexander Osgood’s prospering Northern country textile mills. Though not a man prone to romantic gestures, Alexander is well-known as an eligible bachelor. His good looks have turned more than one head, so Isabelle is content to think of herself as Alexander’s wife.

However, her marriage is not what she expected. Northern England is nothing like her home farther west in the lake country. Cold, dreary, and dark, the soot from the textile mills creates a gray hue that seems to cling to everything in the city of Manchester. Alexander is distant and aloof, preferring to spend his time at the mill rather than with her at home. Their few conversations are brief, polite, and lacking any emotion, leaving Isabelle lonely and desperately homesick.

Sensing his wife’s unhappiness, Alexander suggests a trip to his country estate. Isabelle hopes this will be an opportunity to get to know her new husband without the distractions of his business. But the change of scenery doesn’t bring them any closer. While riding together on horses, Alexander is thrown from his and becomes paralyzed. Tragedy or destiny? The help and care that Alexander now needs is Isabelle’s opportunity to forge a connection and create a deep and romantic love where nothing else could.

Review

4 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Isabelle and Alexander piqued my interest due to the setting largely in Victorian-era Manchester, with the blurb evoking slight North and South vibes. And it definitely delivered on that count, with descriptions of the advancements of industry and the class warfare in that arena playing roles in the story and in the character motivations.

Isabelle was easy to resonate with, especially as she finds herself in an awkward arranged marriage with someone who remains distant from her. I rooted for her to find her footing in her new situation and navigate her relationship with Alexander.

I had a lot of mixed feelings about Alexander initially, and I struggled to see what made him tick. But I think not getting an insight into his POV allows for the reader to go on an authentic journey with Isabelle as she gets to know her husband better. It feels reminiscent of classic romances (Lizzie and Darcy?) where you discover the hero’s true motivations along with the heroine. While it may not be that fulfilling for everyone, I appreciated that artistic choice.

I enjoyed this book, and while it is a bit of a slow-burn, it does ultimately deliver. If you love a sweet historical romance and don’t mind one that is more heroine-centric, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

Author Bio

Rebecca Anderson is a high school English teacher by day, writer by night (or very early morning), she loves hiking, Broadway shows, food, books, and movies. She is happily married and a mom to four above-average kids.

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Review of “Counting Down With You” by Tashie Bhuiyan

April 25, 2021April 25, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Bhuiyan, Tashie. Counting Down with You. Toronto, Ontario: Inkyard Press, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1335209979 | $18.99 USD | 464 pages | YA Contemporary Romance

Blurb

“A witty, romantic, deeply insightful debut.” —Emma Lord, author of Tweet Cute

In this sparkling and romantic YA debut, a reserved Bangladeshi teenager has twenty-eight days to make the biggest decision of her life after agreeing to fake date her school’s resident bad boy.

How do you make one month last a lifetime?

Karina Ahmed has a plan. Keep her head down, get through high school without a fuss, and follow her parents’ rules—even if it means sacrificing her dreams. When her parents go abroad to Bangladesh for four weeks, Karina expects some peace and quiet. Instead, one simple lie unravels everything.

Karina is my girlfriend.

Tutoring the school’s resident bad boy was already crossing a line. Pretending to date him? Out of the question. But Ace Clyde does everything right—he brings her coffee in the mornings, impresses her friends without trying, and even promises to buy her a dozen books (a week) if she goes along with his fake-dating facade. Though Karina agrees, she can’t help but start counting down the days until her parents come back.

T-minus twenty-eight days until everything returns to normal—but what if Karina no longer wants it to?

“I. Love. This. Book.” —Mark Oshiro, award-winning author of Anger Is a Gift and Each of Us a Desert
“A must-have addition to any YA bookshelf.” —Sabina Khan, author of Zara Hossain Is Here and The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali
“Hand to fans of Netflix hit Never Have I Ever.” —Booklist

Review

3.5 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Upon initially requesting Counting Down with You, I didn’t have a lot of expectations as to what was to come, I was merely excited for an ownvoices Bangladeshi interracial romance. However, upon digging in further after picking up the book, I was concerned to hear about the dialogue around Bangladeshi and Muslim rep, but also encouraged to hear that Tashie Bhuiyan had done some edits, and the publisher released an updated ARC (an update I did receive via Twitter, prior to understanding the full context). https://twitter.com/tashiebhuiyan/status/1364908454557671426?s=21

And while I won’t try to speak for Muslims or Bangladeshi people on who’s right in this situation, I do appreciate Bhuiyan’s care in this situation, doing her best to mitigate the hurt, while also staying true to her own experiences.

That said, I feel like Karina is a well-rounded protagonist. Her love for her culture can exist while also chafing at the restrictions placed on her by her domineering parents, which is characterized as abusive. Her resulting anxiety, and never feeling “enough” resonated in a beautiful way, and I rooted for her to articulate what she wanted, such as to study English in college instead of becoming a doctor.

Thankfully, she does have some other family and friends who are more supportive, such as her brother Samir, who is comparatively spoiled by their parents, but with whom she has a caring relationship. And I just adored Dadu and how he encouraged Karina to follow her dreams.

I was less won over by the love interest, Ace. I mean, he has his moments, like he gives her books? *swoon* And he isn’t bad as a character…he has his own family issues, and he’s a good guy underneath the bad-boy exterior. But I’ve generally been burned out by the “bad boy with a heart of gold” trope.

Bhuiyan balances some of the more weighty topics with sweet, cheesy romance, and while there are some flaws, she executes this concept fairly well. If you like diverse romance, fake dating, and an emphasis on cultural issues, I think this worth giving a try.

Author Bio

Tashie Bhuiyan is a Bangladeshi American writer based in New York City. She recently graduated from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, and is an Author Mentor Match alum. Born and raised in Queens, she’s been a New Yorker her entire life and grew up in the city that never sleeps. As a writer (and avid reader), she’s used to not getting that much sleep anyway.

Since she was in sixth grade, she’s been attempting her hand at telling stories. Her first novel was an outstanding six pages. From the middle grade summers spent in the library, where her mother used to work, to the high school years spent in the hallways of Bronx Science writing thousands and thousands of words that will thankfully never see the light of day, she’s developed an intense passion for the written word.

Nowadays, she can be found in either a bookstore or a Chipotle in midtown rambling about the ten billion book ideas in her head (or the latest meme she happened to come across on Twitter) using a significant amount of hand gestures.

Her debut YA contemporary novel COUNTING DOWN WITH YOU (Inkyard/HarperCollins) releases on May 4th, 2021. She is represented by the lovely JL Stermer at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc.

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Review of “Miss Bennet’s Dragon” (Jane Austen Fantasy #1) by M. Verant

April 25, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Verant, M. Miss Bennet’s Dragon. [Place of publication not identified]: Acerbic Press, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1736662915 | $17.99 USD | 456 pages | Historical Fantasy

Blurb

An unforgettable fantasy retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that is romantic, funny, and more relevant than ever.

Elizabeth Bennet is hiding a forbidden power. She can speak to draca, the fire-breathing creatures kept as status symbols by English gentry. If only Mr. Darcy would stop noticing… and hinting at his own dark secret.

When Elizabeth’s sister falls deathly ill, the cure lies in the mysteries of draca. Elizabeth, aided by her brilliant sister Mary, defies restrictive English society to hunt for lost draca lore. She must hurry. England’s war with France has drawn other hunters, and they have darker goals.

Elizabeth’s search leads her to the fabulous Pemberley estate, home of the entitled and infuriating man whose proposal she scorned. There, Elizabeth’s worlds smash together—protocol against passion, and exultation against the risk of love.

But the stakes are greater than her sister’s life. Elizabeth must test herself against a distant war.

And her enemy is not who she thought.

Review

4 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

The world of fantastical Austen retellings is well-saturated, but Miss Bennet’s Dragon is a welcome addition. While others have deviated into the more fantastical, this book is set firmly in an alternate version of Regency England, with explicit reference to the Napoleonic Wars, but with the dragon (draca) ranks serving as a substitute for the real-life class system of Britain.

The story unfolds fairly close to the original Pride and Prejudice with exceptions made for modifications to suit the inclusion of the draca. Elizabeth remains the compelling protagonist, Darcy the flawed, yet good-hearted hero, and all the rest in their respective supporting roles.

There are some changes, however, some of which I liked, and some I didn’t. I enjoyed seeing Georgiana in a more active role in the story, instead of merely being Darcy’s sister and Wickham’s previous victim. And the way the system of draca-bonding provides an eventual solution to the underlying issue of inheritance that plagues the Bennets is creative and made me happy, given the general unfair situation they faced at points in the original.

However, I was also upset by the vilification of Lydia.Yes, she’s selfish and impulsive, and it’s implied that her marriage to Wickham won’t be happy. But to have her actively working against everyone else with Wickham just seemed to throw away all potential there was for her character. Granted, I may have a bit of a soft spot for her given how a few other adaptations have made her into a better person, but it still seemed very out-of-character.

However, I did enjoy this book overall, and am excited for what’s to come, as this is billed as only the first in a series of Austen fantasy retellings. If you love Jane Austen and dragons, you’ll enjoy this book!

Author Bio

M Verant lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, surrounded by Teslas and wild turkeys. His most recent work is Miss Bennet’s Dragon, a fantasy retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that recasts Austen’s social critique as themes of entitlement and empowerment. He enjoys bagels, mushrooms, and dark chocolate.

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Review of “The Silver Shadow” (True Colors #11) by Liz Tolsma

April 24, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Tolsma, Liz. The Silver Shadow. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Books, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-1643528342 | $12.99 USD | 256 pages | Historical Romance/Romantic Suspense/Christian Fiction

Blurb

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History

True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through a unique stories of historical romantic suspense. Collect them all and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.

Denver of 1900 is still a dangerous place to be following the silver crash of 1893. And of out of the dark comes a shadow intent on harming women. Ambitious young Denver newspaper reporter Polly Blythe is searching for the big story that’s going to launch her career. On Friday evening, August 24, 1900, she gets her break when two women are cracked over the head within a two-minute walk of each other. But policeman Edwin Timmer thwarts Polly’s ideas of a serial criminal. . .until the shadowy figure strikes again. Will the reporter and the policeman team up to find the culprit before he strikes too close for comfort?

In the series

#1 The White City by Grace Hitchcock

#2 The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma

#3 The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken

#4 The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock

#5 The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear

#6 The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma

#7 The Black Midnight by Kathleen Y’ Barbo

#8 The Red Ribbon by Pepper D. Basham

#9 The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma

#10 The Purple Nightgown by A.D. Lawrence

3 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

The Silver Shadow is another installment in the True Colors series, and while it’s probably the weakest thus far, it’s still fairly engaging. This case is the most obscure, with the least information available about it, so I appreciate that Liz Tolsma gleaned what she could from the few sources that do exist to put this story together. It does make for a compelling and, sadly still very relatable, case.

I did like Polly and Edwin, even if I wasn’t entirely won over by either of them. Polly shows a lot of strength and independence, and Edwin and his own passion for getting to the bottom of what happened made him easy to relate to. Each is coming at the case from different angles, her as a reporter and him as a police officer, and it’s fun to see what their respective skills allow them to bring to the table and how they help each other, as well as slowly finding love with each other.

Even if I didn’t love this one as much as the others, I still appreciate the intent to bring to light an obscure event in the history of true crime. If this book piques your interest, I’d encourage you to give it a try.

Author Bio

Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband, their son, and their two daughters. All of their children have been adopted internationally and one has special needs. Her novella, Under His Wings, appeared in the New York Times bestselling collection, A Log Cabin Christmas. Her debut novel, Snow on the Tulips, released in August of 2013. Daisies Are Forever released in May 2014. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. Please visit her blog at www.liztolsma.blogspot.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@LizTolsma). She is also a regular contributor to the Barn Door blog.

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Review of “The Silent Suspect” (Paige Northwood #3) by Nell Pattison

April 23, 2021 ~ courtneytonokawa ~ Leave a comment

Pattison, Nell. The Silent Suspect. London: Avon Books UK, 2021.

ISBN-13: 978-0008418557| $2.99 USD | 384 pages | Mystery

Blurb

On a quiet street, one house is burning to the ground…

By the time sign language interpreter Paige Northwood arrives, flames have engulfed her client’s home. Though Lukas is safe, his wife is still inside. But she was dead before the fire started…

Lukas signs to Paige that he knows who killed his wife. But then he goes silent – even when the police arrest him on suspicion of murder.

Is he guilty, or afraid? Only Paige can help him now…

Review

3.5 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

I picked up The Silent Suspect on the strength of the blurb, without indication it was third in a series. However, it works perfectly well as a standalone, and while I imagine I might have gleaned a little more about the lead and some of the other characters in her life, I wasn’t lost in terms of the general plot and was easily able to ingratiate myself in the story.

I did feel that my connection to Paige as a lead did suffer somewhat due to this being my first entry into the series, and I’m curious to go back to the prior books and weave through those over-arching elements.

One of the elements that drew me in was Paige’s work as a sign language interpreter and how it comes into play as a key suspect in the murder is Deaf. Deaf culture is conveyed compassionately, and how it presents the challenges they face in a hearing and speaking world, especially in the context of an intense crime.

The crime is twisty and engaging, and while I did predict the murderer relatively early on, it is a well paced mystery that ultimately felt rewarding.

This is a compelling mystery that weaves in Deaf culture in a beautiful way while also providing a thrilling mystery that kept me pretty much constantly entertained. If you’re looking for a fun mystery, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

Author Bio

After studying English at university, Nell Pattison became a teacher and specialised in Deaf education.

She has been teaching in the Deaf community for 12 years in both England and Scotland, working with students who use BSL. Nell began losing her hearing in her twenties, and now wears hearing aids.

She lives in North Lincolnshire with her husband and son. The Silent House is her debut novel.

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