Review: Girl In Ice

Girl In Ice by Erica Ferencik
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was send a physical ARC of this book by the publisher, however I opted to listen to the final publication version of the audiobook.

The premise of this book was really quite interesting. This is a bit of a sci-fi thriller. This follows Val, a successful linguist who is grieving the loss of her twin brother. She gets a call from the team lead, Wyatt, from the Artic expedition her brother was on when he unexpectedly comitted suicide. Wyatt has a job for Val that she can't turn down. A girl was found frozen in the ice, and she has thawed, alive, and no one can understand what she is saying. Val happens be be an expert in the esoteric dialects of the region and Wyatt hopes she can help understand where the girl came from and how she survived being frozen alive. Val suffers from anxiety and doesn't wholly trust Wyatt and the circumstances around her brother's death, but she is curious about the girl and takes on the task of trying to unravel the mystery of who she is and where she came from.

This thriller has a bit of a sense of an unreliable narrator to it. You aren't really sure if Val is letting her personal fears and anxiety get to her as the story progresses or if there is something more sinister going on and she has cause to be paranoid of her surroundings. As she works on connecting with the little girl from the ice, she knows that she has to protect her and that she wants to learn about her origins. You also get a bit of a madness feeling from the research team, as if they've been left alone in the cold too long and have gone a bit mad from being isolated, you aren't sure if there is something to that or not for much of the story. As for the girl, she tries to communicate, but the grown ups can't fathom her survival in the ice. It is too far fetched and the science doesn't back it up. I thought the conclusion and reveals were clever and unique.

I thought the world building was well done. I felt like was with Val in the ice an the cold of the island. I thought the author did a good job describing the landscape and the harrowing conditions. I felt the fear and the madness that the characters were experiencing come through on the page.

Overall this was an interesting story with a unique plot.

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Review: Wings Once Cursed & Bound by Piper J. Drake

Wings Once Cursed & Bound by Piper J. Drake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided both a print and audio ARC of this book via Netgalley.  

I really enjoyed this!  It has a huge cast of fantastical and mythical beings that work together to find magical artifacts.  This follows Peeraphan aka Punch on a magical adventure after she steps into the famous cursed "red shoes" from the Andersen fairy tale at dance practice.  Punch is able to resist the curse of the shoes for a time, but they begin to take a toll on her and no one is sure when she will break.  Enter the Dark Consortium and their representative Bennet, who not only wants to collect the shoes but is also interested in protecting Punch and help her explore her not quite human side.  Bennet agrees to help Punch break the curse of the shoes and in doing so he introduces her to a world filled with magic, supernatural artifacts, and beings she never knew existed.

I thought this was a fun take on a retelling mixing the Red Shoe fairy tale with a bit of urban fantasy. mythology/folklore, and some paranormal romance.  This sets up a solid foundation for the series and I'm excited to see where the author takes Punch and Bennet next.  There are quite a few side characters to keep track of, but the main focus is on Punch and Bennet.  I look forward to getting to know all of the characters more as the series develops as we only get to know them on a surface level.

This has some mild steamy scenes toward the end.  They aren't super graphic and detailed but they aren't closed door/fade to black either.  You certainly know what is going on.  I actually thought this book was fine for a YA audience until we got to those parts then it was definitely suited for the more mature/adult reader.  The romance between Punch and Bennet does develop kind of quickly, but that isn't uncommon in urban fantasy type of books.

I love anything with a mythology and folklore background and I hope to see more of Punch's kinnaree heritage explored and explained in the next book.  I haven't come across Thai myths previously and I'd really like to learn more about the kinnaree and the bird princess lore.  We get a bit of it in this book, but I hope the author delves more into it as Punch learns more about herself and her abilities as the series progresses.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to more books in the series!

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Review: Einstein in the Attic

Einstein in the Attic by Dana Dargos
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

I thought this book was going to be a sci-fi adventure story based on the synopsis, which I was very excited to read. This compares itself to Ted Chiang's Stories of Your Life and Others which is one of my favorite short story collections. I was expecting a fast paced adventure, but the synopsis is a bit misleading. This is a philosophical story that I found neither fast paced or adventurous. I appreciated the conversation about evolution vs an intelligent designer (aka God or a religious deity), but I found that the book took too long to get to the actual debate.

This follow Adam Reemi, a professor who has struggles with the questions of "Is there a God?" or "as a man of science can I only believe in evolution?" Adam has seen and lived through things that would make the most devout question their faith and beliefs in a higher power and Adam's own questions have caused a rift between himself and his father who never waivered in his beliefs despite living through some very tough situations. Adam finds himself in a sticky situation in a professional debate debating the existence of an intelligent designer vs evolution to save his job and reputation. I feel like the debate portion of the book which happens at the very end and the parts where Adam and his entourage are researching the debate points were well done and interesting, however that doesn't occur until about the 50% mark through the end of the book. I wanted more of the science and religion debate, but much of this book was spent leading up to that.

I found it really hard to connect to this book. I didn't really connect with any of the characters and the writing style was not my taste. I think that there is definitely an audience for this book, but this is a case of I was expecting a sci-fi adventure story and this is more of a philosophical, self-discovery journey with some sci-fi. This book would be a great conversation starter and makes you think. The concept is certainly unique.

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Blog Tour: Fluke by Adriana Locke

 

    

  FLUKE BY ADRIANA LOCKE 

  Release Date: April 10th 

  Genre/Tropes: Fake ex-husband / Small Town Romance / Friends to Lovers / One Bed / He Falls First

Fluke, an all-new small-town romance, by USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke is NOW LIVE!

Grab this fake ex-husband, small-town romance TODAY! https://geni.us/FlukeLocke

Add to Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61946841-fluke

        

  Blurb:  

SEEKING AN EX-HUSBAND   I need a fake ex-husband. Let me explain … I may have let it slip to my new co-workers that I have an ex-husband. Now they’re fascinated with the details, specifically with him. Why wouldn’t they be? He’s gorgeous, has exceptional skills in the bedroom, and is determined to win me back. But there’s a problem. He doesn’t exist. The bigger problem? I have to produce him to save my job. This is where you come in. I’m seeking someone to play a smitten ex-husband for two weeks. You’ll need to remember our love story—details matter when it comes to romance! Please be prepared to travel in-state at a moment’s notice. We may be in close proximity and sharing a bed may be required. One more thing—kisses are required for optics as necessary. If this sounds interesting or, at the very least, entertaining, let me know. Signed, Your Future Ex-Wife   

Buckle up for a steamy adventure between friends-turned-lovers in this new “fresh twist on a favorite trope!” take on fake dating, close proximity, and romance in the workplace from USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke.    

      

  About the Author: 

USA Today Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.   She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.   Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty-five years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.   Learn more at adrianalocke.com.

 

Connect w/Adriana: 

  Website: https://adrianalocke.com 

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradrianalocke 

  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/booksbyadrianalocke T

witter: https://twitter.com/authoralocke 

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradrianalocke 

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379774.Adriana_Locke 

  Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ivy7xd 

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Review: Fluke by Adriana Locke

Fluke by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

This book is part of the Carmichael series, however you can read it as a standalone.  Each of the books in the series are companion novels with each book reading as a standalone with interconnected characters.  This one focuses on Jess one of many Carmichael brothers, and Pippa an old family friend who has moved back to town for work.

I'm a big fan of Adriana's family series.   I love that we get glimpses into the other characters lives and we always get hijinks from Banks.  His antics are laugh out loud funny.  I can't wait for his book.  This has all of my favorite things: friends to lovers, great banter, great conversations, humor, and great characters.  Jess and Pippa have known each other for many years, but their attraction never worked out when they were younger.  Now that they are adults, they have an opportunity to see if there is more to it than just attraction.  Pippa has created a situation for herself at work where she needs an ex-husband to go on a couples retreat with to see if she can rekindle a spark with.  This is where Jess, her long time crush come in to save the day.  Fortunately for Pippa, he's been asking her out for years and jumps at the chance to actually have a chance with her.  

Jess and Pippa's romance seems to develop a big quickly, but they have known each other for along time.  It is a bit on the insta-love side of the romance spectrum, even with them knowing each other previously.  I usually dislike insta-love storylines, but I didn't mind this one.  Jess is patient and kind and was the kind of cheerleader Pippa needed to show her that not all relationships end in doom and gloom and disappointment.  Pippa has had some pretty bad experiences when it comes to love in her life romantic and otherwise, so when Jess sweeps her off her feet she keeps waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop because that's all she knows.

Overall this is another home run romance in the series.  It is one of the spicier books Adriana has written, but I didn't feel it was over the top or too much.  The characters are fun and playful and this is a fun twist on the fake relationship trope.  I love this series and can't wait for the next book in the series!

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Review: Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury

Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, however I did end up listening to the final publication version of the audiobook. As always all opinions expressed are my own.

This was excellent. It is a tough one though, full of trigger warnings. I wouldn't particularly say it was scary, but it is terrifying and gives you that uncomfortable feeling in your stomach you are looking for in a horror book. This isn't exactly what I consider traditional horror as it doesn't have the jump scares and gruesome bits that you might expect thought there are some, it is more in the social horror realm with a paranormal twist. It does have the atmosphere and tension you need and as the story progresses you are more than horrified by what the characters go through.

This is told from the perspectives of Daisy and Brittney. Brittney is a film student, and her latest project is attempting to find out what happened to Daisy 10 years ago at the mansion that Brittney's own mother had a life altering experience at. We mainly get Daisy's story, with brief interjects of Brittney's research and glimpses into how both girls are connected and why telling Daisy's story is so important to her.

Daisy has the ability to see the dead. Her mother is aware of her ability and has been "helping: her since she was a child to control it. When Grace, Daisy's mother, inherits a mansion aka "The House" from her late uncle, they jump on a chance to have financial stability by turning the property into a rental. Grace is adamant that Daisy never enter the mansion and only go into the greenhouse and guest house where they live. Grace has always kept secrets from Daisy, but now that they have "The House" she is determined to find out what is going on inside and find out what her mom is keeping from her. Daisy uncovers truths she never expected to find and learns more about the house than she ever anticipated. She also learns more about her ability and why her mother has kept so many secrets.

I don't want to spoil anything but there are so many different social commentary topics discussed, many of which lead to a content warning. I've listed them at the end of the review. The characters start out a bit unlikable, but mainly that is a protection tactic as they are all suffering. As the story unfolds we find that Grace, Daisy, Brittney, and several of the other characters have had traumatic experiences and they are all doing the best they can. They are all dealing with their personal trauma in different ways, some better than others. I really liked the way that Sambury used supernatural elements to talk about the real life horrors the characters experienced. I thought it was a great way to get people thinking about how this stuff happens in real life. The author did a great job weaving this horrible topics into a creepy paranormal backdrop that made for a very compelling read. The characters go on a journey, and I think it was well done. I also thought the world building was well done. I felt like I was in the forest or the bush as they refer to it in the book with Daisy.

This was a tad bit on the long side and there were some respective parts. I think this was an important story to tell, and I loved the setting the author chose. I feel the story could have had the same impact without taking quite so long to get to the reveals. I also could have done with out the maggot scenes, but this is a horror book so they were appropriately placed and fit well with the storyline. They were kind of gross though.

Overall, I loved this! I couldn't put it down once I started listening to it.

This is not an easy book to get through. There are many content warnings and social commentary topics discussed. It is a wonderful book, however I would not recommend it for everyone, it was heartbreaking and upsetting. These are the content warnings that the author lists prior to chapter 1, so I'll put them here: childhood sexual assault (off page, some details discussed), childhood physical abuse (corporal punishment, off page, described), childhood physical abuse (confinement punishment), childhood neglect, gaslighting, grooming, suicide (off page, mention), killing of a goat (off page, described), discussions of fatphobia, body horror/gore, violence, death

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Review: Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft

Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft by Heather B. Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an Audible Code for this book via the author, all opinions expressed in my review are my own.  I want to also mention that I have previously read and reviewed the kindle version back in 2018 and I purchased a copy because I enjoyed it so much.

As with my first read through of this book, I very much enjoyed this.  The narrator does a wonderful job of portraying Susannah at 25 and at 71, she does a good job changing her voice so you are aware of the time change so you know which part of the story you are listening to.  I always appreciate great voice acting in my books.

I loved learning about the Salem Witch Trials in my youth and the cast of familiar characters and excerpts from the actual trials was a very nice touch.  I always find Moore’s books to be very well researched and because this has a tie to one of her own ancestors you can tell a lot of personal care went into the crafting of this book.  She provides her resources at the end a brief note as to what she fictionalized for the sake of the story.  I always appreciate that in my historical fiction.

The story follows Susannah North Martin at various times in her life, we see her during her time in jail as a 71 year old woman after being accused of witchcraft and as a 25 year old unmarried woman living with her family. Susannah's time in jail shows us her strength and devotion to her family and her faith. Her time as a young woman, though she was almost a spinster for the times, tells us the story of a woman devoted to her family but who had a mind of her own and often said what she thought. This was not generally accepted in 1646, and those who did not conform did not often do well in the community.   As the Salem trials proved, those who dare cross those in power ended up at the Gallows. Susannah's story takes us through her romance with her new neighbor George and develops their relationship nicely.  Their brief courtship is a little awkward and really showcases Susannah's personality.  I really appreciated revisiting the subject of the witch trials and the author's ability to stay true to the events that took place during the time.

I’m so glad I got to revisit this story in audio format.  If you enjoy historical fiction especially tales that deal with the witch trials, this is a great one in whatever format you prefer.  I highly recommend the both the print and the audio versions.

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