January, 2022

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

In "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" a triwizard tournament involving three wizarding schools is planned.  When Harry is selected as the fourth contestant, his friends are jealous, his teachers are worried, and Harry is once again thrust in the spotlight.

  In "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," after Lord Voldemort's return to power, both Harry and Dumbledore are the target of a smear campaign by the Ministry of Magic to discredit them.  Those loyal to Dumbledore reform the Order of the Phoenix, a group dedicated to fighting the Dark Lord.  Harry begins seeing inside of Voldemort's mind, causing great concern for everyone.

  "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" begins with an increased openness between Dumbledore and Harry.  Finally, Dumbledore begins teaching Harry and sharing with him what he has uncovered about Voldemort.  As the book progresses, it becomes clearer and clearer that Harry must be the one to face off against the Dark Lord.

  After the death of Dumbledore, in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" Harry, Ron and Hermione begin searching for horcruxes.  Along the way, they learn of the deathly hallows, three magical items alleged the give the possessor the power of death.  They must choose between horcruxes and hollows in order to face off against, and defeat Voldemort.

  It has been a long time since I've read the entire series.  I was amazed at all of the things that I had forgotten (and all of the things left out of the movies).  It is well worth re-reading the books, they held all of the magic and wonder as they did the first time I read them.  Highly, highly, highly recommended.

"The Lost Girl in Paris" by Jina Bacarr

Journalist Emma seizes the opportunity to travel with and interview famous perfumer Angeline De Cadieux.  In an alternate storyline set during, WWII, Gypsy Tiema is on the run after being attacked by Nazi's.  She falls in with the resistance, and is placed as a perfumer named Angeline, in a company that caters to and serves the Nazi's.  The book alternates between Emma and Angeline's stories, uncovering an amazing connection between the two.

  I'm not sure what to think about this book.  It felt extremely predictable.  The WWII story line was much stronger and interesting than the modern day timeline.  Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend.

"The Last Grand Duchess" by Bryn Turnbull

This book follows Grand Duchess Olga as the Russian revolution imprisons her family.  The book alternates with a younger Olga, who works as a nurse during WWI.  This book was a bit bland.  It seems like every other book that I have read about the grand duchesses.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars. 

"The Fire by Night" by Teresa Messineo

This book follows two nurses on the front lines in WWII.  Jo is on the European front in a field hospital.  During evacuation, Jo is left behind with a single doctor and six patients.  Soon, a stern, officer arrives to tell her that everyone else was killed during evacuation and they are trapped behind enemy lines.  With few supplies and wounded men, Jo is desperate to keep everyone alive.  In the Pacific front, Kay is captured by the Japanese and interned in a civilian POW camp.  Facing starvation, disease, and hopeless circumstances, Kay must decide if she wants to live or die.

  This was a painful, heartbreaking novel.  The characters were extremely realistic, and their stories were crushingly brutal.  I don't think I would be able to re-read this one, but it was particularly moving.  I felt like I was on the front lines with these women.  Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.

"Daughters of War" by Lizzie Page

Trapped in an unhappy marriage, May leaves her husband and two children to volunteer as a nurse in France during WWI.  She is able to travel home during holidays, but her husband has decided to keep the children from her.  Determined to fulfill her duty at the front, May is unsure how to maintain a relationship with her daughters.

I had a hard time with this book.  May didn't feel particularly realistic, her emotions felt one dimensional.  Her romance at the front was also a bit predictable.  Her nursing felt mechanical and her relationships seemed shallow.  Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.

"The Silent Unseen" by Amanda McCrina

After escaping from forced labor in Nazi Germany, Maria makes her way back home.  Kostya flees for his life from the Ukrainian resistance after turning on his cousin.  When resting in a loft, Nazi's bring in Kostya, shooting him in the knee.  Maria shoots the Nazi's and the two flee.  Maria reunites with her brother Tomek, a Polish resistance leader, and learns that the Ukrainian resistance slaughtered her village.  The Polish resistance takes Kostya prisoner.  Tomek travels to meet with the Ukrainian resistance in order to broker peace.  When he does not return, Maria frees Kostya and forces him to help her.