Mary Balogh - Someone to Cherish

When Harry Westcott lost the title Earl of Riverdale after the discovery of his father's bigamy, he shipped off to fight in the Napoleonic Wars, where he was near-fatally wounded. After a harrowing recovery, the once cheery, light-hearted boy has become a reclusive, somber man. Though Harry insists he enjoys the solitude, he does wonder sometimes if he is lonely.
Lydia Tavernor, recently widowed, dreams of taking a lover. Her marriage to Reverend Isaiah Tavernor was one of service and obedience, and she has secretly enjoyed her freedom since his death. She doesn't want to shackle herself to another man in marriage, but sometimes, she wonders if she is lonely.
Both are unwilling to face the truth until they find themselves alone together one night, and Lydia surprises even herself with a simple "Are you ever lonely?" Harry's answer leads them down a path neither could ever have imagined...

Comment: This is the 8th installment in the Westcott series by Mary Balogh, following the lives of the Westcott family after it became known that the earl of Riverdale had a bigamous marriage, making his three children illegitimate. This is Harry's story, the son who no longer inherited the title.

Harry Westcott has had a very challenging past years, with the whole family situation thing and then his years in the Peninsular war, which were a new set of worry for him and for his family. He is now living in an estate in the countryside and things have been stable and quiet, all he ever wanted. He is almost 30 though, and his family is going to want to celebrate with him but he has not replied to invitations nor planning something. At the same time, one of his neighbors, mrs Tavernor, has become someone he enjoys talking with and it seems the feeling is mutual.

Lydia Tavernor is a young widow whose pastor husband is still seen as martyr, after having died saving a little boy. Lydia has loved him but she knows their relationship wasn't as wonderful as others believe it to have been... she feels lonely now, and wonders if major Wescott might feel the same... but can they really be that kind of friends?

As I expected, this was yet another satisfying novel by this author, with an enjoyable plot and character interactions that kept making me interested in seeing what would happen next, even though some situations were quite predictable for anyone who has read as many historical romances as I have (so far).

I was actually quite eager to read Harry's story because it did feel he was the character that was more affected by the family situation and between the first book, where the big thing happened, and this 8th one, we got to see others change, move on and Harry was always mentioned or was part of the story in a limited way and the sensation was that Harry wasn't in a good place, mentally. I've figured this would be a key point in "his" novel, but it turns out that Harry has had an understandably evolution since then and he felt like a much more balanced person that what I thought he would be in a book focused on him.

Things were actually a lot easier in terms of romance for him, and his love interest, Lydia, a much more sympathetic character than what it felt like at first. Still, I must confess I wasn't too keen in the way they become closer, and in how she kind of approached him because of loneliness... my romantic preferences would have liked something different, a more engaging trope to bring them together instead of how it was... still, after that first contact, their story developed in a much ore recognizable way. Predictable, in fact, but in the usual polished style this author is known for.

Reading these books nowadays is more about the comfort of knowing what to expect and the familiarity of having certain situations happening. Obviously, the fact Harry is going t turn 30 won't be forgotten by his family and seeing so many of them being part of the story was a plus for me. Still, I can see how it might be a little too much for a new reader, so much about so many characters that don't really interfere with the main plot but of whom we have so many scenes anyway.

I liked the romance between Harry and Lydia as soon as they went past the initial stage of the relationship. There is a certain detail about how this plays out, namely related to Lydia's marriage and how it still affects her now that seemed highly unlikely, but apart from this, what I liked the best about this couple was how friendly they seemed to be and how easily it was to establish such a connection. I would not say this was as romantic as in other stories by the author, but... satisfying enough.

Until the end, several little things happen that sort of tidy up small loose threads, which is meaningful considering there is only one book left in the series. Harry and Lydia probably won't be my favorite couple by this author but their story was good enough.

Grade: 7/10

Lauren Gilley - Blood of Wolves

Lord Oliver and King Erik’s party survived capture with the help of some unlikely allies, and now hurry back through treacherous mountain paths to the site of the Midwinter Festival, where Northern celebration turned to bloodshed. From Dreki Hörgr, the ancestral seat of the North, the lords of Aeretoll will march back across the kingdom, wounded, exhausted, and waiting for Ragnar’s next strike.
All save Oliver, who will take to the skies – with the help of a rather petulant Corpse Lord.
In the city of Aeres, Tessa has made her choice of husband, but a wedding will have to wait because the Sels have set anchor in the harbor, and a siege is imminent. Being a Northern princess, she quickly learns, involves a fair bit of swordplay.
In the third installment of the Drake Chronicles, it’s a race for home, a prayer for strength in battle, and the magical truth behind what it means to have the Blood of Wolves.

Comment: This is the third installment in the Drake Chronicles by Lauren Gilley, following the adventures of the Drake family members as they go through alliances and war to defend their kingdom.

Now that Oliver is able to bond with the recently found dragons, just like his ancestors, things surely will change for the better in the attempt to fight the enemies that are about to reach the different strategic vulnerable points, already hit by several attacks. In three main regions, the different Drakes help those they care about, and who will help them in turn, but perhaps the price is too high when a certain type of magic is unleashed...

I can suppose that a new reader to this series might be able to understand the basics of what the story is about but I really can't see how most things would make sense or why would they matter in the big scheme of things. This is certainly one of those series that has to be read in order, and not only because it is necessary to get the chronology of events; without the previous books, nothing here really makes that much sense.

I'd say, by now, that the first book was truly quite tame and made the whole thing seem to be about romance, or that this would be the key element, but it isn't so. The overall story is a lot more complex and not as centered in romance as it might seem at first. Personally, this impressed me in a way I didn't expect, but I think it added a lot more layers to something that I imagined would not be so.

This book is very focused on action. The main characters are always doing something or getting ready to do something and this makes the story feel fast paced. At the same time, it is why I sometimes felt rather "lost" in what was happening where, since the action keeps changing from spot to spot, even when it obvious where something is going on. There were times I just got confused with the battle ongoing and who was doing what where. It isn't a big problem, honestly, but this division in focus made me, sometimes, eager for more steadiness.

There isn't much I can say about specific plot points without having to add spoilers or avoiding a lengthy explanation. Let me just say that things have really progressed in this story when it comes to world building. The magic which was hinted at in the first book and clearly demonstrated in the second has become a lot more obvious in this book. In fact, some things related to magical aspects have been given some attention here and they will have to be developed in the next story. I'm quite eager to see how.

In regards to the romances, Oliver and Erik are as just in love as before and it was very good to see Oliver becoming more assertive in how he sees his role as consort. Then, we have Tessa and Rune who are clearly meant for each other. There is also the (almost) secondary romance between Revna and Bjorn, but since they are more mature it seems to me that things are supposed to be less detailed. Then, the obvious connection between Nalli and his main guard, although things aren't as easy for them, for several reasons, which I can bet will have a twist in the next book.

There was also a key situation regarding another important character and I cannot wait to see what the author plans to do about it in the remaining two books. This said, my reading experience was good enough, yes, and engaging for the most part, except some passages about the battle strategies which kind of passed me by... still, I'm expectant to see what happens next.

Grade: 7/10

Mini - Comments

I do feel lazy by coming up with these mini comment posts but it is a fact as well that sometimes I just don't have a lot to say. Or what I have to say isn't as easy to articulate in my usual long post style. 

This time I've grouped two books by Portuguese authors, both these books have a similar theme, life in a small countryside village in Portugal, although the writing style is quite different. I was interested in these books because I have been trying to read more by authors of my nationality but mainly due to the theme. The thing is, I also live in a village in the countryside, in the south of the country, just like the plots in these books. I was very curious to see how the authors would present things that I assumed would be very easily recognizable to me.

A Cinco Palmos dos Olhos by Carlos Campaniço could be translated as "right in front of one's eyes" and it is the story of several people who live in a village and how their lives are affected by the social and political events during a certain period of time. The story is mostly focused on a few elements, each one kind of embodying a trait or an idea of an inhabitant in villages such as these (the busybody, the jealous man, the model housewife, the rebellious young woman, etc) and how their lives change. 
I liked this book but it did feel the author - unknown to me - wanted to show his vocabulary proficiency, and sometimes I think some ideas were over the top. I do think a lot of the examples of behavior and mentality was portrayed in a realistic way and I can attest that in real life, I know many people who act and think just like these characters. Some things were clearly fantasized but it was interesting too, because a good part of the novel is set in previous decades (70s, 80s) and many things were seen a certain way then that are not now. I might try something else by this author.
Grade: 6/10

Um Dia a Aldeia Acabou by Nuno Franco Pires could be translated as "one day the village ended" and is the story of a village in the south of Portugal, from when it was alive with people and traditions until it was only a small group of abandoned houses.
I liked this one more than the other book, in terms of writing. For me, it was more poetic and seemingly effortless in how I was able to feel sympathy and empathy towards most of the characters. The narrative starts in the beginning of the 20th century and follows a few families until the contemporary times. We don't get to spend too long in each decade, let's say, but I was still emotional over a few situations depicted.
The evolution seen in this village is the exact same thing I have seen (in my obviously short life, by comparison) in many rural places around me, and from what my family members have told me about their lives and what really was like in past decades. The model is always the same: as time goes by, less people mean less things such a doctor, a post office, a bank, and without these things no reason for young people to stay because no jobs, and along with a few other things, this means the desertification of the rural areas. Nowadays, rich city people buy places, estates, whatever and they have amazing holidays but...not the same for locals. 
This book  was quite emotional and made me think about a lot. It really worked out for me at several levels.
Grade: 9/10

Louise Penny - The Brutal Telling

When Chief Inspector Gamache arrives in picturesque Three Pines, he steps into a village in chaos. A man has been found bludgeoned to death, and there is no sign of a weapon, a motive or even the dead man's name.
As Gamache and his colleagues start to dig under the skin of this peaceful haven for clues, they uncover a trail of stolen treasure, mysterious codes and a shameful history that begins to shed light on the victim's identity - and points to a terrifying killer...

Comment: This is the 5th installment in the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny, following the investigations of the police team led by Gamache.

Things seem to be peaceful enough in the cozy village of Three Pines but everything changes when a body is found at the bistro. No one knows the dead man nor why was he left there for it is clear that it wasn't there the man was killed. When the police arrives and inspector Gamache once more looks into the lives of the inhabitants, it seems the culprit should be one of the Gilberts, who have renovated the old Hadley place and turned it into a fancy hotel and spa. However, as the clues start to fit, a terrible scenario seems to take form but... how, and why? And what repercussions to the village?

In this story the action goes back to Three Pines and it is a shocking start since a dead body is found at Olivier and Gabri's bistro, which everyone knows is one of the most welcoming places in the village. From then on, we get to see how one step at a time, the investigation reaches everyone who could be linked to the place and the possible reason why that place was chosen to leave the body.

I will confess that there were times in which things seemed to drag. Just like many other readers, I do love the author's writing style, enriching the apparent murder investigation with so many interesting themes, this time with so much from poetry to Canadian heritage history, from Indian ashram's to architecture, but since the investigation process takes its time, it can also seem to take longer than necessary with all the extras. I like this, to be clear, but it can be a little tiring at times.

The story is very complex and for those who like a real puzzle, these books really work out. Each little thing has a lot more to it than what it might seem at first. Of course, there are details that just cannot be overlooked, and I could see why it would matter for a certain information to be part of the story, if not how. I was still amazed by everything anyway, when the puzzle is finished...

The title is very suitable to what happens int his story. Well, all of them are, but this time it seems the author took the effort of slowly unraveling things that are brutal to the characters to know but, I'd say, even worse to the reader. I think the past books made the reader feel comfortable in two elements: that inspector Gamache is considerate even as he is a little arrogant in his methods, and that the inhabitants of Three Pines, the ones who have been there since book #1, have to all be the best. Well, no one is good all the time.

Everyone, especially in "real life" has layers, has hidden things. One can be the best person ever and still hide something terrible, even if it is only a feeling or a thought. The author really took the time to expose this and I cannot decide if I liked the fact I can be surprised even if negatively, or if this is taking the art of plotting too far into avoidable territory. Is the path taken here the only one that could/should work for this story? Certainly not. So, why? Why in this way? I'll have to conclude that the fascination is precisely in this dichotomy. And since the next book will apparently take this story further ( I tried to avoid spoilers but I did catch this information in a review or two of this Brutal Telling) I will say that I feel like knowing what comes next, so... I guess that is answer enough.

This story is concluded in such a way that I have no way to share more without spoilers or information that would make them obvious. I will simply say that I admire the author's way of presenting things in such a way that it feels raw. I still hope for some redemption, though...

Grade: 8/10

Min Jin Lee - American Hagwon

John and Helen Koh and their three children – Bo, DH and Mido – are building new lives in Korea when they find their worlds upended, first by a terrible betrayal and then by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Striving to regain their footing, the Kohs set out to do whatever it takes to provide for their children’s futures.
They leave Seoul for Sydney and eventually settle in California, where new opportunities open for the Koh children, as the parents, strangers in a strange land, adjust to a difficult existence in which their qualifications mean little. Their way forward is lit by the faith that education will lead the next generation to the success and security that have eluded their parents.
The Kohs, their friends, relatives and even their foes move in and out of each other’s lives as they navigate love, work, fortune and fulfilment across the years. But with each new sacrifice and fresh horizon, larger questions begin to open up before them: what are we willing to give up to secure the happiness of the ones we love? What is the purpose of education? And what is truly important for a good life?

Comment: This is a very recent release but I was lucky enough to have a good friend who gifted it to me and I just could not wait so, here it is.

The Koh family is back to Seoul due to John's work but things aren't easy for all the family members, in particular to Mido, the youngest child and only daughter. Still, everyone adjusts and things seem to go well enough, in spite of the financial restrictions every family member has to adapt to. However, the Asian crisis an a few other issues force the family to leave once more, this time to Australia and later on California. But throughout all change and adaptation the family remains close, even when faced with some adversity or another because, after all, the sacrifices to be made will help the children have the education and the opportunities their parents could not have, right?

This is yet another epic tale from the author who marveled so many readers with Pachinko. I knew this book would not be similar in terms of content, but I totally expected to be impressed as I had been with that other book. In a way, this story was not as passionately delivered but somehow it marveled me more.

The story seems to be based on a very simple and almost bland premise: the Koh family faces conquests and adversity in their lives during the years between 1992 and 2007. Of course, nothing is this simple and we see them going through many ups and downs and I will confess, having read Pachinko before and remembering all the sadness there, even among the good things, made me wary of what this story would offer but, thankfully to me, nothing terrible happens. Or, better, nothing that devastates me to the point of despair. There were sad situations and I did cry sometimes, but it was an endurable thing, just seeing life moving on for these characters...

The big theme is education. The author took years of research about how education is perceived in Korea, Australia and the US, having acknowledged in a note at the end of the book the huge amount of sources and people she spoke with. The thing is, all this is inserted in this fictional story in such a way that rarely did I think about the most non fictional information. Still, after a book with 640 pages, can I summarize all the ideas/methods presented and say one is better? Social and cultural context is everything...and I think the author did a good job giving the information.

Obviously, the story isn't only about this, and there are plenty of layers into several things, regarding every character, whether they are in a specific country. I felt immersed in the lives of these people and in seeing them succeeding, even when ill intended people did things that caused the Kohs difficulties and when wronged. At the same time, I feel very glad the author never did anything to them in terms of personal disgraces. The Khos remain good people, close and always looking for to one another.

I know this sounds boring to some readers, that at least one of the five main family members should have had a more impactful personality/situation ongoing but I actually loved they are not corruptible in any way. This, however, doesn't mean they are just bland people because each one has flaws and while reading these flaws were always rather simple to watch, But they remain good people, someone one can root for and I liked it that even when things didn't go well, they remained faithful to their family and to their values.

The author was terribly good in conveying a huge range of emotions throughout the novel, even when seemingly unimportant situations were going on. I felt emotional about several things, about several discussions and point of view presented. Perhaps the lives of these characters might seem superficial for some readers, but to me the complexity of what was being said and how the characters dealt with things was pure gold. I feel nostalgic already, simply on thinking about the events in this book and how they affected everyone. Elements in close families aren't islands.... the victory and the misery of one can affect all of them....

This is a very rich story, at so many elements, mainly culturally and socially, but there's something about the whole that worked out for me well. Yes, I would adjust one or two elements to better suit me, but this will remain a memorable read, for certain.

Grade: 9/10

Debra Webb - The Last Lie Told

Legal investigator Finley O’Sullivan searches for evidence the police overlooked, wading through secrets, lies, and betrayal to find answers. With the unsolved murder of her husband still very much on her mind, Finley must confront her own personal trauma on a daily basis. Lies are part of her livelihood, but they’re also the reason she can’t get justice for the man she loved.
When a man imprisoned for murder recants his confession, claiming he cleaned up the mess for his girlfriend—the victim’s own daughter—Finley takes on the case. She discovers the victim had identical twin daughters…and the sisters have very different accounts of the crime.
As she dives headlong into the twins’ traumatic past, Finley will have to contend with her own demons to get to the truth—before it’s too late.

Comment: I decided to get this book because I saw it in a list of other recommendations for titles which would include some kind of legal trial. Somehow, this is a theme that catches my eye!

Finlay is a lawyer in probation and after an unexpected meltdown during a trial she is now working as an investigator for a new firm, led by her mentor Jack. When her boss accepts to represent Sophia and her twin daughters in a very complex case, Finley is eager to look for the answers necessary. At the same time, she is also having to look into the death of her husband, murdered in their house, because she is finally told some things that she unaware of in regards to his past. However, her being a known person in the area along with a sensationalist case might not help.... will Finley be able to connect the dots in time?

I will say that I didn't have many expectations about this book but while in the process of reading, I realized that this is a very prolific author, with many books published and, according to some readers, this might mean something in regards to writing consistency. I cannot compare, for this is the first book I try by the author, but I think I can understand this idea because while the story has some good elements, the big picture just didn't fully work for me.

I was interested in this book due to the legal content and I thought this would include a courtroom trial being part of the plot, but things didn't happen as I pictured. In a way, this means I was a little disappointed over some plot choices, but my biggest issue ended up being the confusion of situations depicted and the reason is simple, I just didn't feel the writing grabbed me, everything was a little superficial and cliched at times.

Finley seemed to be a likable character for the most part and I think the author managed to keep the mystery in regards to her and how many layers we could peel off as the story developed, especially when her marriage was not as plain as it looked like, and that her professional meltdown wasn't described with detail. It was also intriguing that she didn't have a good relationship with her mother and the fact she is a judge, thus is part of the professional sphere Finely belongs to as well seemed another good detail.

The plot started of well, the case about the mother and the twins and all the secondary characters Finley had to interview and investigate seemed interesting. However, as things progressed, I started noticing that some elements were there mostly for suitability and drama factor, and not a real organic need for the story to go in that direction. I started feeling less interested as things moved on and it finally got the a point I was just reading to finish and to know who the villain was, not because I really interested in the story in general.

Reading some reviews has alerted me to some inconsistencies in the legality of some situations, in how how certain things should really work and happen if it was real life. Usually, I don't mind these things unless it's something terribly glaring, but this time a few details were very obvious and then I thought if I really cared that much and I must say that no, not always. Also, all characters, Finley somehow included, started to loose likability the more I read about them. These things together made for a slightly poor novel I'm afraid.

I wasn't dazzled by the writing but the plot did have a few interesting situations... until the end. I stuck to this because I wanted to know who was the bad guy but the explanation was very badly done and extremely predictable because of how the story was written. Unrealistic ending. Then, it became obvious this was part of a series (a trilogy in fact) when the situation about her dead husband wasn't solved, and other little things were left up in the air. Sadly, I don't plan on reading more to know what happened, so I've read a few reviews of the second and third books and that is enough.

Grade: 5/10

Cole Mccade - Over and Over Again

When Luca Ward was five years old, he swore he would love Imre Claybourne forever. Years later, that promise holds true--and when Luca finds himself shipped off to Imre's North Yorkshire goat farm in disgrace, long-buried feelings flare back to life. The lines around Imre's eyes may be deeper, the once-black night of his hair silvered to steel and stone . . . but he's still the same slow-moving mountain of a man whose quiet-spoken warmth, gentle hands, and deep ties to his Roma heritage have always, to Luca, meant home. The problem? Imre is more than twice Luca's age. And Luca's father's best friend. Yet if Imre is everything Luca remembered, for Imre this hot-eyed, fey young man is nothing of the boy he knew. Gone is the child, replaced by a vivid man whose fettered spirit is spinning, searching for north, his heart a thing of wild sweet pure emotion that draws Imre into the compelling fire of Luca's frustrated passions. That fragile heart means everything to Imre--and he'll do anything to protect it. But can he resist the allure in cat-green eyes when Luca places his trembling heart in Imre's hands . . . and begs for his love, over and over again?

Comment: I had added this book years ago after seeing a positive recommendation somewhere. In spite of it, something made me put off reading and I've decided it was finally time to see if the wait had been worth it or not.

Luca Ward is adrift, not really knowing what he wants to do with his life and the situation at home isn't the best either. His parents decide to send him to the countryside, where they used to live, to stay with Imre for a while. Imre is the best friend of Luca's father and Luca has always liked him, having fond memories of his childhood at this "uncle's" house. But while Imre hasn't changed and he is still the friendly and dedicated famer Luca remembers, he is also a very attractive man and Luca knows he is gay as well. At first he feels some reluctance to stay at his house, as if he is an unwanted child, but as the days go by, the closer he feels to Imre. But there is a considerable age gap between them... will Imre ever see him as who he is now? Is a relationship between them ever feel balanced?

This is a long book, and what I remember the most while reading is that it wouldn't be necessary. Yes, the main goal I'd say it that this is meant to be a slow burn and that the protagonists had to take time to develop a believable relationship in these circumstances, but there were also some moments in which everything felt a little repetitive and not as exciting as I suppose the author intended.

The setup isn't hard to imagine nor is the fact these two could feel attraction to one another. I also accept the way they (very) slowly talked and let the other understand what was on their mind, which led to a more or less believable relationship. I also liked the fact that Luca acted young as he is and that arriving at the farm calmed him down but did not give him the answers right away. I also could easily see how someone with Imre's personality and lifestyle - he is rather zen and has love and peace vibes - would want to have time to help Luca.

The romance between them is certainly different and not as common as that. I think that, to me, the most complicated idea to go through wasn't the age gap, which is considerable and includes all the big things that go into it, namely maturity levels and usually divergence in points of interest. To me, the most unlikely factor was that Luca as child had been so innocently in love with Imre and now, as a 19 year old, or 20, these feelings simply changed this easily. I mean, there are many TV shows out there with people telling about their weird obsessions and stuff, but... there were parts in this story that didn't always feel easy to see as plausible.

Then, of course, there's the issue of them being able to acknowledge their relationship. This never seemed to be a concern but in my opinion, it should be so, especially in such a small community as the one we see being described. Luca's father and his reactions also should have had more attention than just what happened and the expected worry while Luca and Imre were still debating if they could be a couple. I think Imre's personality was the main element that made me accept this whole thing as possible but, honestly, I also didn't really feel the romance was that believable.

In the end, this was a good story in some parts, a little boring in others, but I never thought of these characters as being larger than life or in such a way that I felt really invested in them or in their future. When I got to the end, it was mostly nice to have finished, rather than sad it was so.

Grade: 6/10

Nalini Singh - Atonement Sky

Justice-Psy Eleri Dias knows the end is near for her, her mind one step away from fatal psychic exposure. In the short time that remains, she is determined to atone for an act of omission that has haunted her for a long, cruel decade. But that decision not only means facing a powerful changeling wing leader, but also putting herself in the path of a serial killer.
Falcon wing leader Adam Garrett is fiercely protective of his family and his clan. After losing his parents as a teenager in a shocking act of malice, Adam has no forgiveness in him for the J-Psy who betrayed him, betrayed them, at the most painful moment of his life. But the evil that stalks his territory will allow him no respite, forcing him once more into contact with the J he has never been able to forget.
Everything that could've been between Eleri and Adam was lost years ago, a shimmering promise crushed. As they work to uncover a monster, the moment of reckoning looms ever closer. Soon, there may be no more time left for either atonement...or love...

Comment: This is the 9th installment in the Psy Changeling Trinity series or, if one wants to look at the broader side of things, the ongoing continuation of the original Psy Changeling series.

In this story Eleri Dias is back to Arizona, the place where WindHaven has their home, to hunt for a serial killer. As a J who is on the verge of Exposure, meaning her brain will fail, she is doing her best to atone for past mistakes, and to hunt killers is the way her small family of Js decides to end their lives.

Adam Garrett is the wing leader of his clan and he has lived all his life in prol of their well being, even with the heartbreak of losing his parents to an apparent accidental killing. He has both admired and loathed the J Psy who failed to stick to the justice demands their role implies. But now she is back and Adam thinks it's more than time to finally get what he wants. But will the killer prove to be smarter than they ever thought?

After so many years following the series, it is a given to say I'm a fan of this world and will likely read all the full length books the author releases. I cannot say this will be at the top of my favorites but it ended up being better than what it looked like in the beginning.

As often happens, this book can be read as a standalone, the structure and development allow for this to happen, but there some things that while not linearly or chronologically sequenced from previous books, only have importance in this context with the reader having read other books in this world. It's not required information, but some things only seem to matter if one knows why and that might not be gained totally from just reading this book.

Nevertheless, the plot works and is seemingly simple. Eleri is reaching the end of her life and she wants to atone for things she didn't have the power to do avoid before, when she was starting her career. The fall of Silence managed to help many Psy but it also accelerated the negative aspects for many, Js included. I could see her side of things and see why she would make such a choice with the options left for her.

Of course, this being a romance and in a fantasy world, there is a solution for her problem, one that seemed to have been a long time coming, in the big scheme of this world. I think that, in a way, this did tidy up some loose threads. If the author wanted to finish the series in, say two or three books, I think this one would have answered some doubts. Well, I hope that isn't the case but it's good to see some advance, especially after so many books.

Adam was actually a harder character to root for, even though he is changeling and these are usually the more expressive and expansive characters in this world. Yes, I feel sad for his losses and the weight on his shoulders but his personality wasn't particularly memorable. Perhaps this has something to do with the clan's minimal descriptions... we would need more books featuring this clan for their personalities to shine more, i'd say. I wish we had more about them and less serial killer hunting but...

Anyway, this did meet all the criteria for a good story and from half way everything seemed more interesting, there were more decisive situations and more interactions between characters, especially the changelings and Eleri and one of her J friends, Bram. In a way, this kind of settled this group of characters, in the sense I feel if no more stories featuring them were to happen, I feel happy enough with how things ended up there. But, of course, it would be nice to expand this clan and those who interact with them.

The romance between Eleri and Adam was very basic, for me. After past books where the Psy and Changeling differences were so well meshed, this time it felt like just one more example. It was still sweet yes, but not memorable level. Still, I feel glad for them.

The next book will feature an interesting couple. I hope the author really shows them in such a redeeming way that the romance feels perfect. I hope.

Grade: 7/10

Ellie Macdonald - Louisa

Louisa Brockhurst is on the run—from her friends, from her family, even from her dream of independence through the Governess Club. But sometimes it's easier for her to hide from those she loves in order to escape the secrets of her past.Handsome but menacing John Taylor is a prizefighter-turned-innkeeper who is trying to make his way in society. When Louisa shows up at his doorstep, he's quick to accept her offer to help—at a price. He knows that she's hiding something, and he can't help his protective instincts toward the beautiful woman.Their attraction grows, but will headstrong, fiery Louisa ever trust the surprisingly kind John enough to tell him the dangerous secrets from her past that keep her running? Or will the power of her feelings scare her into running yet again?

Comment: This is the last installment in the Governess Club series by Ellie Macdonald, featuring four friends who were governesses when they started the club.

Louisa is on the run again and seeing one more governess friend about to be married was the last straw for she knows the club won't last. After some weeks, she finds a new inn and offers to help cleaning in exchange of board and meals, which the owner John accepts. John used to be a fighter and has won many matches due to his size and build and it's because of his efforts he now is the owner of this inn, but he knows it does need a woman touch. At first he thinks Louisa isn't the most congenial of females but as the days go by, he finds her more and more intriguing. It also seems the feeling is mutual, but is Louisa ready to be honest and share her story with him?

Unfortunately, this ended up being my least favorite installment in the series. The books are novella sized, with all the restrictions that implies, but this time, more than the limit of characterization and plot brought the grade down. The thing is, I really disliked Louisa and that colored everything else.

It seemed to me that Louisa was very selfish in leaving her friends so suddenly and without any type of explanation, right at the end of the third book, and while her reasoning is based on something in her past which she feels was extremely grave - and it was, the way she saw it - I still think that by this time she had known her friends enough for their reaction to be something she could trust. This did paint her personality in such a way that I simply could not care much for her from then on.

The idea of her helping at the inn and than slowly but progressively become more and more a part of it was actually intriguing and a very clever way to allow her to find "peace", but between her attitude and the rather quick way John started having feelings for her, the whole thing felt a little unbalanced. Then, and call me a prude, her way of seeing John as someone ideal to have an easy affair with, no matter any conversation about feminine power and disregard for social norms, just made me see her in an even lower way. I would have preferred their romance to be set on a more traditional way, considering this is an historical setting.

Then, at some point of course she is finally in a situation in which she needs to be honest and her past catches up to her. Unsurprisingly, her past deeds aren't as terrible as she made them to seem and she is somewhat redeemed. However, I still didn't like her personality and attitude and even when the HEA happens, my main thought was that the story was over.

In general, I don't think I'll remember this series that fondly in the future and will likely not re-read, even if it were to be just favorite scenes (of which I have none). There were positive elements, some hopeful ones, but as a whole, not as much.

Grade: 4/10

CS Harris - Why Mermaids Sing

In 1811, murder has jarred London's elite. The sons of prominent families have been found at dawn in public places, their bodies mutilated and strange objects stuffed into their mouths. Although Sebastian St. Cyr is distracted by his seemingly doomed relationship with actress Kat Boleyn, the oddness of these murders nags at him-and he becomes determined to track down the assassin, even at the risk of his own life.

Comment: This is the third installment in the Sebastian St Cyr series by CS Harris, a series I'm following.

In this story Sebastian is investigating the deaths of , now, two young men, all sharing some sort of body interference, but it doesn't seem there isn't any particular connection between except in the way of their deaths. However, as he investigates, and as the police learns new information, it seems there is a connection after all. But why these men as targets is the question, and it seems as if others might be in danger as well, if the killer isn't caught. Sebastian keeps investigating, although he also has some personal issues to deal with, but will he identify the culprit in time?

Someone told me that these books get better after a while, because I didn't find the first one to be as wonderful as I thought it would be. Now, I suppose this might be correct after all, because this one was a little more captivating to me, and the plot way more intense, even a little creepier I'd say.

The case being investigated seems simple at first, in the sense that the young men who were killed didn't have any link, so the killer might have been someone preying on random but convenient victims. The issue is that they were killed and then something was done to their bodies. It turns out that another young man had already been killed in a similar way but only now did the police link the several cases. But why targeting them when they didn't even know each other... of course the police and Sebastian quickly learn their fathers had shared a very specific event in the past, when a ship had a mutiny on board...

From this information on, the investigation became a lot more interesting but I admit that it also took quite a turn into something a little creepy (to me) and I was both eager to know what had really happened and dreading confirming it. What a way for the author to develop this story... one really needs to acknowledge authors' skill in planning and writing something with so much detail and elements that have to fit.

It turns out that the identity of the killer and finding that person isn't really the most intriguing element in this book, although that is the supposed end goal. To me, the most interesting element here is do learn if certain events actually happened and how that affected the main characters involved. In this regard, this story was definitely a lot more fascinating that the previous ones had been.

The accumulation of  information and the tension it originated were well done in this book, because at the same time things intensify for the case, the more things become known, the higher the tension in regards to Sebastian and Kat, the woman he is in love with and whom he plans to marry, if only she were to accept. Personally, I would prefer a different direction to this element and the way things play out might be easier to solve than what I imagined but... but then something major happens pertaining this and I really hope Sebastian can overcome its consequences (because I bet one day, who knows how many books later, he will learn the truth) without too much damage.

I'd still do some things differently, though, and I still wish the personal relationships didn't have to be so complicated and, mostly, negative/challenging as they are presented. I would prefer the family relationships, at least, to be a steadier point in Sebastian's life... will this ever happen, considering what his father and sister aren't telling him? Not to speak of his missing mother...

As a whole, this was a really engaging book and I'm looking for to read the next one.

Grade: 7/10

Susan Meissner - A Fall of Marigolds

September 1911. On Ellis Island in New York Harbor, nurse Clara Wood cannot face returning to Manhattan, where the man she loved fell to his death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Then, while caring for a fevered immigrant whose own loss mirrors hers, she becomes intrigued by a name embroidered onto the scarf he carries…and finds herself caught in a dilemma that compels her to confront the truth about the assumptions she’s made. Will what she learns devastate her or free her?
September 2011. On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, widow Taryn Michaels has convinced herself that she is living fully, working in a charming specialty fabric store and raising her daughter alone. Then a long-lost photograph appears in a national magazine, and she is forced to relive the terrible day her husband died in the collapse of the World Trade Towers…the same day a stranger reached out and saved her. Will a chance reconnection and a century-old scarf open Taryn’s eyes to the larger forces at work in her life?

Comment: Four years ago, I had read another book by this author which wasn't as great as I had hoped for, but I wondered if it had been a bad first pick. Now, I've finally decided to give another go at her writing and started this one, but I've finished with similar thoughts.

It's 1911 and emigrants arrive daily at Ellis Island. Clara Wood is a nurse there and it is her job to help with the process of them, for many might arrive ill or had been in ships where others had been ill. Clara loves her job and she feels she is being useful, especially because she is still mourning the what if after the death of a man she was sweet on and whom she believed felt the same way towards her. Things start to change when a new batch of patients arrive, in particular Andrew Gwynn, a Welsh man whose wife died on the ship. While trying to help him recovering something from his trunk, she becomes aware of a secret his wife kept from him, but should she tell him about it?

In 2011 widow Taryn still feels the loss of her husband but a recent picture in the newspaper brings attention to her and to what really happened in the day he died...

I chose this book to read rather randomly, and mostly due to the cover, for it suited a topic in a challenge I'm doing. I had read another book by the author which had been praised by many readers but that to me wasn't as marvelous. I hoped a different book might impress me more, but it really seems that the author's style doesn't change from book to book, independently of the story being told.

Comparing the two books now, I can say the writing style is concise and fluid but without matching emotional punch. Things are well written, the characters say and think things that are meant to be emotionally strong but I didn't really feel it. I will say what I said about the other book too, that the author doesn't rick enough in her writing to accentuate passion and intensity in what is happening. Everything ends up being quite bland and one could see how it might be more.

This book follows two narratives, which are connected through a scarf with marigolds, a belonging of Lily, Andrew's wife, and which Taryn in 2011 recovers. The point of the story is for us to see exactly how the scarf went from one place in 1911 to another in 2011. The whole plot and the main connections between the two narratives seemed good enough for me.

My favorite part was the historical one, focused on Clara,which clearly is what the author felt like too, since this is the part that takes longer to be developed. I liked Clara and her sense of duty in the island, doing her part to help these people who come for their dream. I admit I was quite taken by her story and her attempt to help Andrew and what that meant for her interactions with those who worked with her. It was also interesting to see the personal weight the death of her sweetheart had on her, to the point it felt she could not leave the island on her own,such was the trauma.

All the elements connected to Clara and what she does as the new situations pile up felt interesting and did motivate me to keep reading, but I must say that the end was a little convoluted and things didn't exactly go the way I imagined. I don't dislike the end, but,again, I think the author could have been more daring instead of just doing what was easier.

The connection to the contemporary 2011 narrative wasn't that much of a deal, it turns out, and I think this section with Taryn was actually unnecessary. Nothing really important happens in this section to validate/reinforce what we learned in the past and regarding the importance of the scarf. I mean... sadly, I think this 2011 section was only convenient to highlight one more sad event about Taryn and how she lost her husband.

All things considered, this was a good story but didn't go beyond that and it totally could have. Perhaps I'll read more by the author but now my expectations are going to be more specific.

Grade: 6/10