February, 2023
"The Last Russian Doll" by Kristen Loesch
As a child, a man broke into Rosie's home, killing her father and sister. Rose and her mother fled to England to start a new life. However, Rosie has always felt divided, as if she has lived two lives. When her mother dies, Rosie takes an internship in Russia, intending to unravel the mysteries of her childhood.
The book had a dreamy, surreal quality to it, which worked well with the story. The characters were well developed and multi-dimensional. Well written and paced, I rate this book a 4 out of 5.
"Mandate 13" by Joseph J. Dowling
Since a Christian conservative government took over, life has become more limited and structured. At the age of 13, Hope tests positive for fertility and is set to go to one of the Birthing School facilities. Outraged, Michael dodges the Baby Farmers and he and Hope go on the run.
This entire book was one big chase scene. I thought the characters were a bit stereotypical and lacking dimensionality. I would have been much more interested in reading about the Birthing Schools and reading about the girls trapped within the rigid system. How the plot unraveled, was just not for me. Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.
"Code Name Edelweiss" by Stephanie Landsem
Leading up to WWII, California movie studios begin to lay off non-Jewish employees. When Liesl loses her job at MGM, she is desperate for work to feed her family. When an attorney offers her a job spying on the German American community, she reluctantly takes it. She slowly realizes that anti-Semitism is a real threat to American values and dedicates herself to the cause.
Although this book was well paced, the characters were a bit stereotypical. The characters lacked dimension and behaved exactly as expected. I was fascinated to find out that this story was based on real life events. I found myself googling the real actors late into the night. Not a bad book, but not one I would re-read.
"Of White Ashes" by Constance Hays Matsumoto and Kent Matsumoto
When the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, Ruby and her family leave the comfort and familiarity of Hawaii for a Japanese internment camp on the mainland. Her father is sent to one camp, and Ruby, her stepmother and sister are sent to another. Across the Pacific, Koji is pulled out of school and forced to work in a factory for the good of the Emperor. When the atomic bomb falls on his city, Koji, his brother, and parents open their home to help the survivors. Years later, Ruby and Koji meet in California, each bearing the scars of the past.
I have mixed feelings about this book. The war years were described in excruciating detail. I really felt for both Ruby and Koji and the circumstances they survived. The atomic bomb scenes were both heartbreaking and fascinating. In contract, most of their adult lives were glossed over and rushed through. While the young Ruby and Koki were multi-dimensional and well developed, the older characters were not. I wish the author had treated the older characters with as much detail as the younger. Because of this, the second part of the book just did not work. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.
"Catch Me" by Sirena Song
Sadie's parents have everything planned for her. She will marry a wealthy and influential pack, she will be a prim and proper young lady, and she will do as she's told. As her first heat approaches, she begins chaffing and the restrictions her parents and society has placed upon her. When she receives a birthday card from an Aunt she didn't know existed, she travels to Knotty Pines to meet her. Along the way she meets and is intrigued by a number of men.
Wow. Just wow! I didn't know anything about the omegaverse before picking up this book. Let's just say I was intrigued by the premise of the world. I found myself quickly drawn to the characters and wanting to know more. I will definitely be picking up more books by this author. 5 out of 5 stars!
"And Poison Fell From the Sky" by Marie Therese Martin
Although Marie Therese was a good storyteller, it felt like not a lot happened throughout the book. She told us that her husband was abuse, but did not provide stories of how he was abusive. She told us that she was an environmental activists, but did not provide stories of her activism. Ultimately the book seemed more like a therapy e change.
Although Marie Therese was a good storyteller, it felt like not a lot happened throughout the book. She told us that her husband was abuse, but did not provide stories of how he was abusive. She told us that she was an environmental activists, but did not provide stories of her activism. Ultimately the book seemed more like a therapy exercise than a novel.
