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under_the_silk_treeThis week as been a WEEK for lack of a better description. Lots of worry and needless drama due to family, whom I love, but they can seriously stress me out. Moving on. Other than that, I have had some enjoyable reads this week. A couple of weeks ago there was a stuff your kindle day, which is a day where a bunch of authors will off up a ton of free books all at once so people can try them out and see if they like their writing. I try to not get too many because if I have too many unread e-books hanging out on my reading apps it starts to stress me out but at the same time, I have found some of my favorite independent authors through this promotion. There were some really great sounding books on there, but I managed to keep it to manageable amount. I can't wait to get to them all. I have already started to read some and will hopefully be able to share them with you guys soon.
This time I read: 2 historical mysteries, 1 middle grade fantasy, and 1 YA superhero novel.
Fury of the Dragon Goddess by Sarwat Chadda
Sarwat Chadda is such a great writer. I loved his previous book City of the Plague God and so when I saw the sequel was out, I had to pick it up. I really enjoyed getting to go on another adventure with Aziz and the rest of the gang. This time they are in London and supposed to be on vacation instead they accidentally make a wish on a sacred tablet and end up changing the past and the future. This was a gripping emotionally driven action-packed story. I of course loved all the action and adventure, but I loved the found family feel between all the characters even more. I would recommend this entire series.
The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin
Moscow, May 1876: What would cause a talented young student from a wealthy family to shoot himself in front of a promenading public in the Alexander Gardens? Decadence and boredom, most likely, is what the commander of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Moscow Police thinks, but still he finds it curious enough to send the newest member of the division, Erast Fandorin, a young man of irresistible charm, to the Alexander Gardens precinct for more information.
Fandorin is not satisfied with the conclusion that this is an open-and-shut case, nor with the preliminary detective work the precinct has done—and for good reason: The bizarre and tragic suicide is soon connected to a clear case of murder, witnessed firsthand by Fandorin. There are many unresolved questions. Why, for instance, have both victims left their fortunes to an orphanage run by the English Lady Astair? And who is the beautiful "A.B.," whose signed photograph is found in the apparent suicide's apartment? Relying on his keen intuition, the eager sleuth plunges into an investigation that leads him across Europe, landing him at the deadly center of a terrorist conspiracy of worldwide proportions. ~Goodreads Description
This book is so confusing to review because it was such an up and down reading experience. I had a hard time getting into the beginning of the story but by time I got to the middle, I was really enjoying myself. I also liked the conclusion, and I thought I was going to give this book a four-stars but then I read the epilogue, and the book dropped a full star for me. I REALLY did not like a choice the author made within the last few pages. Since I already own the third book, I may end up reading it, but I am not sure.
The Unwanted Corpse by Elizabeth Bailey
This was another good entry into the Lady Fan Mystery series. I liked the premise of a corpse just showing up outside of the house with a note attached with Lady Fan's name on it. The mystery was a good one and I liked how the whole family got involved. Although I didn't really enjoy the romantic drama between Vivian and Lizzy it made the story drag. One of my least favorite things is domestic conflict and since the next book seems rife with it, I am not sure I will read it. All in all, not one of the best books in the series but I did for the most part enjoy myself.
Fallout by Gwenda Bond
I didn't have any expectations when I picked up Fallout at my local used bookstore, I have always been a big Superman fan and have liked Lois Lane, but I have never read anything from her point of view. I ended up really liking this even though it is set back in high school which is not one of my favorite settings. I also enjoyed the journey Lois went on helping a fellow student with their bullying problem and uncovering a deeper conspiracy at the same time. I will probably continue on in the series.
Reading Challenges 2023:
TBR: Fallout, The Unwanted Corpse, The Winter Queen
Cloak & Dagger Challenge: The Winter Queen, The Unwanted Corpse
Pyramid of Books: Urban city, male author, series, outside cover
How was your guy's week?
This time I read: 2 historical mysteries, 1 middle grade fantasy, and 1 YA superhero novel.
Fury of the Dragon Goddess by Sarwat Chadda
Sarwat Chadda is such a great writer. I loved his previous book City of the Plague God and so when I saw the sequel was out, I had to pick it up. I really enjoyed getting to go on another adventure with Aziz and the rest of the gang. This time they are in London and supposed to be on vacation instead they accidentally make a wish on a sacred tablet and end up changing the past and the future. This was a gripping emotionally driven action-packed story. I of course loved all the action and adventure, but I loved the found family feel between all the characters even more. I would recommend this entire series.
The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin
Moscow, May 1876: What would cause a talented young student from a wealthy family to shoot himself in front of a promenading public in the Alexander Gardens? Decadence and boredom, most likely, is what the commander of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Moscow Police thinks, but still he finds it curious enough to send the newest member of the division, Erast Fandorin, a young man of irresistible charm, to the Alexander Gardens precinct for more information.
Fandorin is not satisfied with the conclusion that this is an open-and-shut case, nor with the preliminary detective work the precinct has done—and for good reason: The bizarre and tragic suicide is soon connected to a clear case of murder, witnessed firsthand by Fandorin. There are many unresolved questions. Why, for instance, have both victims left their fortunes to an orphanage run by the English Lady Astair? And who is the beautiful "A.B.," whose signed photograph is found in the apparent suicide's apartment? Relying on his keen intuition, the eager sleuth plunges into an investigation that leads him across Europe, landing him at the deadly center of a terrorist conspiracy of worldwide proportions. ~Goodreads Description
This book is so confusing to review because it was such an up and down reading experience. I had a hard time getting into the beginning of the story but by time I got to the middle, I was really enjoying myself. I also liked the conclusion, and I thought I was going to give this book a four-stars but then I read the epilogue, and the book dropped a full star for me. I REALLY did not like a choice the author made within the last few pages. Since I already own the third book, I may end up reading it, but I am not sure.
The Unwanted Corpse by Elizabeth Bailey
This was another good entry into the Lady Fan Mystery series. I liked the premise of a corpse just showing up outside of the house with a note attached with Lady Fan's name on it. The mystery was a good one and I liked how the whole family got involved. Although I didn't really enjoy the romantic drama between Vivian and Lizzy it made the story drag. One of my least favorite things is domestic conflict and since the next book seems rife with it, I am not sure I will read it. All in all, not one of the best books in the series but I did for the most part enjoy myself.
Fallout by Gwenda Bond
I didn't have any expectations when I picked up Fallout at my local used bookstore, I have always been a big Superman fan and have liked Lois Lane, but I have never read anything from her point of view. I ended up really liking this even though it is set back in high school which is not one of my favorite settings. I also enjoyed the journey Lois went on helping a fellow student with their bullying problem and uncovering a deeper conspiracy at the same time. I will probably continue on in the series.
Reading Challenges 2023:
TBR: Fallout, The Unwanted Corpse, The Winter Queen
Cloak & Dagger Challenge: The Winter Queen, The Unwanted Corpse
Pyramid of Books: Urban city, male author, series, outside cover
How was your guy's week?
