December, 2020

"Complex" by A.D. Enderly         

Set in a dystopic future, with a huge cast of characters, this book outlines the struggle between Legacy, and the Complex. In Legacy, Val and her sister are barely surviving on government rations and government housing. In the Complex, life is secure, people are fed and housed, but they must give up their very lives to the system. When Val's sister is kidnapped, she is forced to dig through a wide-spread Complex conspiracy.          

With the huge cast of characters, this book was a bit slow to start. That being said, the world was extremely well crafted, detailed, and believable. Once I figured out how all of the characters were connected, I had a hard time putting the book down. Overall, well worth picking up.

"The Prison Healer" by Lynette Noni         

At the age of seven, Kiva and her father were sent to Zalindov, a death prison. Although her father did not survive, Kiva found a place working as the prison healer. When the Rebel Queen is captured, Kiva is sent a message - "Don't let her die." With the Rebel Queen slated to undergo the Trial by Ordeal, Kiva must make the decision to step into her place and undergo challenges of air, fire, water and earth.         

This book was engaging and dynamic. It was extremely well written. The characters felt very realistic. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series. Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.

"Find Me in Havana" by Serena Burdick         

This book alternates between Estelita beginning in the late 1930's, and her daughter Nina, in the mid 1960's. In Estelita's timeline, as her family struggles to find footing after the Cuban Revolution, Estelita finds a career singing. Her and her mother move to America, where she finds a career in Hollywood. In Nina's timeline, her mother has just passed away, and she is trying to come to terms with her childhood.          

The back and forth between the mother and daughter's timelines worked really well. It flowed smoothly, and was well paced. The book was very well written and engaging. The characters were dynamic and well rounded. I look forward to reading more from this author!

"The Children's Blizzard" by Melanie Benjamin         

On January 12, 1888, the schoolchildren and families of the Dakota Territory were treated to an unusually mild winter day. Excited to leave their houses, the children reported to school in light coats. After lunchtime, a sudden blizzard struck across the Territory. With little fuel and ramshackle buildings, young, inexperienced school teachers had to decide what to do.        

This was a well written and engaging story. Based on true stories and eye-witness accounts, this was a heartbreaking piece of history that needed to be told. Overall, well worth reading.

"The Fountains of Silence" by Ruta Sepetys         

Daniel Matheson and his family travel to Madrid in 1957. While his parents rub shoulders with the rich and elite, Daniel takes his camera and tries to find an authentic picture of Spain. Ana, a young woman working at the hotel, meets Daniel and begins to fall for him. Trying to keep a balance between family loyalties and her heart, Ana slowly begins to let Daniel into her life.          

This was an engaging, and dynamic book. The characters felt very realistic, and the tension between real life in Spain and the superficial version presented to outsiders was fascinating. My biggest criticisms is that the time jump was very jolting. It did not feel as if the second half of the book was as well done as the first. The book also abruptly ended. It definitely needed a few more chapters or an epilogue. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"The Last Cherry Blossom" by Kathleen Burkinshaw         

Set a year before the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, this book follows Yuriko, a twelve year old Japanese girl. Yuriko seems much like any other twelve year old. She worries about her widowed father, grumbles about her controlling Aunt and avoids her annoying little cousin.         

After hearing the author speak, I rushed out and bought this book. I was not disappointed. The book was extremely well written, and presents a point of view that is rarely heard from. I would love to read a sequel to this book, and look forward to reading more from this author.

"The Rose Code" by Kate Quinn         

In 1940's England, three women have stepped up to work in Bletchley Park - Osla, a pretty debutante, Mab, a hard working east-end woman, and Beth, a brilliant local girl who lives with her oppressive mother. Osla seems to have everything, wealth, intelligence, and is dating Prince Philip of Greece. Mab, a flirtatious girl, is determined to find a husband, while she still can. Beth flings herself into her work as one of the secretive exclusive code breakers. Alternating with their work at Bletchley Park, is their story set in 1947, days before Princess Elizabeth is set to marry Prince Philip.

     I really enjoyed reading this book. I've read other books about Bletchley Park, but they seemed to either give vague information about the secretive work, or too many details for an interesting story. The shifting dynamic between the three heroines was fascinating, and really drove the story. I look forward to reading more from this author!