September, 2022
"The Hand We Are Dealt" by Robert Bordas
Anna dreams of becoming a teacher and escaping a life under her Mom and stepfather. However, when Subcarpathia is overrun my Hungarian soldiers she must do everything she can to survive. After meeting, falling in love, and being left, she finds trouble in the romance department, eventually settling for anyone she can find. Determined, she barters and trades goods, making a small living for her family.
Based on his mother's diaries, this is a wonderful tribute to a strong and independent woman. I found myself cheering Anna on, invested in her survival and triumph. I did grow tired of failed romance after failed romance and thought that Anna deserved better. Anna's bartering and trading was interesting, particularly how she turned practically nothing into survival. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.
"In the Shadow of a Queen" by Heather B. Moore
This book follows the life of Princess Louise, one of Queen Victoria's middle children. The book starts shortly before her father's death and follows her through art school and the marriage market. A strong willed and creative woman, Princess Louise forges her own path through a multitude of situations.
I struggled a bit with this book. I thought the first half was extremely slow moving. I also found it hard to get a feel for everyone's personalities. The characters weren't exactly stereotypical, but they seemed distant and flat. Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.
"The Lindbergh Nanny" by Mariah Fredericks
When Betty is hired on as a nanny, she is excited to work for the famous Lindbergh's. She quickly gets to know the household and comes to love Charlie Junior. She finds Charles and his wife a bit aloof and cold. After starting a relationship with a charismatic sailor, it seems that Betty's life is right on course. However, one night Charlie Junior disappears and a ransom note is left behind.
This book was hard to put down. The characters were well developed and realistic. I felt a real affinity for Betty. The plot unraveled nicely, building up the story each step of the way. Overall, highly recommended.
"The Survivors" by T.C. Weber
Set in a dystopic novel, Lucy and her young daughter live with a small group of people. The leader is determined to survive, and uses violence to control her group and displace others. When a storm floods their home, they are forced to leave and seek a different path.
This was an odd book. The world and its back-story did not feel well developed. The characters personalities and their actions did not always gel, making the book feel very discordant. Overall, not a book that I would re-read or recommend.
"Empire of Ice and Stone" by Buddy Levy
In 1913, the Karluk expedition set up to explore the northwest passage. Stefansson, the expedition leader, put the trip together at the last minute, skimping on supplies. Captain Bartlett, at the helm of the ship, had extensive experience in the frozen north. When the ship became trapped in the ice, Stefansson and a small group left to go "hunting." They escaped over land back to civilization. Ignoring their expedition mates trapped, they continued without sending word about their plight. Captain Bartlett held the remaining group together, boosting their spirits and providing food and shelter. When the ship breaks up, the group hikes across the ice, splitting into multiple groups. Captain Bartlett takes off across the frozen land seeking help for those left behind.
This was a fascinating book. I could not put it down! The characters were well written and dynamic, I found myself wrapped up in their survival. Their frozen world was well described, I could picture their circumstances and the horrible odds against them. 5 out of 5 stars, highly recommended!
"The Unlocked Path" by Janis Robinson Daly
In 1897 Philadelphia, when Eliza is given the opportunity to debut in society, she decides against it in favor of attending medical school. The book follows her schooling, career, and marriage.
I found this book to be a bit boring. The time progression seemed a bit jolting, as it skipped over large periods of time. I think the times that it skipped, for example most of her experience in medical school, would have been very interesting to read about. It also seemed that life was very easy for Eliza, other than her marriage, there was very little tension in the book. Overall, a bust.
"The Ferryman" by Justine Cronin
The island paradise of Prospera is divided into the halves and their servants. The halves are subjected to monitoring, and when their levels fall below 10% their bodies are recycled and they are reborn at the age of 16. They are then adopted by the halves, to repeat the cycle of life. Their servants live in poverty, barely making ends meet. They are forced to provide menial service to the halves, while they scramble to survive. Bennett, one of the halves, is a ferryman. His job is to take those who have fallen below 10% to the Nursery to be recycled. When he leads his father to the ferry, his father tells him that not all is at it seems. Determine to uncover the truth, Bennett begins to spiral out of control.
I do not want to give anything away about the story. All I can say is that the mystery was not well explained, I wanted to know more details about the process and how everything came to be. I think a prequel and sequel would both be interesting to read. It felt like something was missing about the characters, perhaps a prequel would help round them out and make them feel more realistic. Overall, an interesting world, one I want to know more about.
"Poster Girl" by Veronica Roth
After the fall of the Delegation government, its top members and families were locked in the Aperture, a prison city. Sonya, the Delegation's poster girl, has been imprisoned for ten years. When she is offered a deal, find a missing girl in exchange for your freedom, she reluctantly takes up the challenge.
I'm not sure that I loved this book, it was overly nostalgic and a bit bland. I would have loved to learn more about the Delegation and the revolution. I would love to read a prequel or something set earlier in the world. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.
"Benevolence" by Julie Janson
Ten year old Muraging is given by her native father to the Parramatta Native School in Australia. There, they rename her Mary James, try to erase her "barbaric" ways and try turn her into a proper Christian girl. At the age of 16 she runs away, marries and has a child. When her husband sets out to fight, she is lost and returns back to society with her daughter. From there she goes back and forth from "civilization" to native society.
I found this book very hard to get through. It felt very disjointed at times. The characters were hard to get a feel for and did not come across as realistic. I'm sure there are others who will appreciate the book and enjoy it. Unfortunately, this book was not for me.
"The Secret Society of Salzburg" by Renee Ryan
When Austrian opera singer Elsa meets English fan Hattie they forge an instant connection. As the Nazi menace grows stronger, the two team up to rescue as many Jewish artists and musicians as they can. A painter, Hattie schedules shows in cities where Elsa is playing and together they do everything they can to make a difference. Once war breaks out, Elsa is no longer safe and quickly comes under suspicion.
Although the story itself was a bit predictable, the characters were well developed and three dimensional. I really felt like I knew Elsa and Hattie. Both were interesting and dynamic characters. Overall 4 out of 5 stars.
"Cradles of the Reich" by Jennifer Coburn
Set during WWII, this book explores the lebensborn program of the Nazi's. When Gundi is found to be pregnant, the Nazi's take a special interest in her due to her perfect Aryan features. Against her will, they send her to an elite lebensborn home. After a failed engagement, Irma, a nurse, becomes an employee at the home. However, she is instructed not to become attached to the pregnant women or their babies. Hilde, a true believer, seduces a high ranking Nazi official. When she becomes pregnant, he ships her off to the home.
This book was ok. The characters, especially Hilde, seemed very stereotypical. The characters were a bit flat and one-dimensional and lacked personality. Irma's timeline seemed to the most interesting, a behind the scenes look, however it was given the least amount of attention. The book also needed an epilogue, things needed to be wrapped up. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.
"The Last Dollar Princess" by Linda Bennett Pennell
Born into a wealthy family, India would prefer to stay at home, open a schoolhouse, and avoid the social obligation of a Gilded Age family. Instead, her mother and grandmother launch a plan to marry her into a titled family.
The plot of this book was fairly straightforward, there were not a lot of twists and turns. India was a bit boring, she tried to defy her parents and rail against her lot in life, but it all seemed lackluster. The characters seemed a bit stereotypical and most were hard to like. Overall 3 out of 5 stars.