This is Kate Breslin's first novel. It was different from what I expected, but I liked it. I would describe it as a Christian Romance novel set in a concentration camp in WWII, mimicking the story of Esther from the Old Testament. Who could have possibly guessed that by the cover - or the synopsis on the back cover?! Certainly not me!
This is the story of Stella Muller (Hadassah Benjamin) who gets rescued from the Dachau Concentration Camp by a SS Kommandant Colonel and taken to Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia. Theresienstadt was considered a "transit camp" in WWII. People were brought there temporarily until they could be put on a train to Auschwitz. Stella was brought there by the SS Kommandant Colonel, Aric von Schmidt, because her papers said she was a gentile - and she had the blond hair and blue eyes to prove it - but her papers were stamped that she was a Jew and she was taken to Dachau because of that. Aric allows her to recover her health from living at Dachau, and then makes her his secretary. Aric and Stella's relationship is the "romance" of the novel.
Each chapter of the novel starts with a bible verse from the book of Esther which relates to what you are going to read about in that chapter. The story of Stella follows the story of Esther. Stella's father figure in the novel (her uncle) is Morty; Esther's father figure (her cousin) in the Bible is Mordecai. Stella and Esther both pretend to be a gentile and both figure out ways to help the Jews (their people) and both influence the men in their lives (Aric and King Ahasuerus) to help the Jews. This is the "Christian" part of the novel.
The historical events in the novel obviously revolve around Theresienstadt, the persecution of the Jews, the evil demonstrated by the Nazi's, the Nazi's preparing for the Red Cross to inspect Theresienstadt, what the Nazi's proclaimed was a ""Paradiesghetto" - a sort of "resort city", when in fact it was another concentration camp, and WWII itself.
I liked the book. It was fast-paced, tragic, redeeming, nerve-wracking, romantic. Was it completely plausible? No. But it is nice to think the ending could have happened. I guess that's enough for me!
Wendy's Rating: ****
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
As much as I liked the time travel back to the past, the historical figures weighed down the story. The sheer number of them made it difficult to keep straight who everyone was and what significance they had in history, much less the story. And then throw in that some were humans, some were witches, some were daemons, some were vampires.... Seriously, it was just too much. There were too many characters to move the story along. Instead of historical fiction, this was fictional historical characters. Very weird.
I didn't remember that Em had died - and Diana didn't know either when she returned to Sept-Tours at the end. What happened to her again? (Other than she died to save Nathanial and Sophie's baby, apparently.) I actually couldn't even remember the importance of Nathanial, Sophie and Margaret! I don't need the whole first book reviewed, but a few reminders along the way would have been nice. It actually took me awhile to remember why Matthew and Diana were going back in time!
I thought the whole Kit thing was weird. Obviously, he was in love with Matthew and he didn't want Diana around. But, he was apparently Matthew's "closest friend" in the past. Diana certainly didn't like him or trust him. So the thing that bothered me the most was when Diana leaves Queen Elizabeth's castle with Kit. What?? Why would she do that? It just didn't make sense to me at all. The thing that bothered me second-most about Kit is that Diana decides that before she and Matthew leave the past to head back to the future, Matthew needs to forgive Kit for Kit's attempt to kill her so that things are "right" between the past Matthew and Kit once the future Matthew leaves the past. NO WAY. There is no possible way that Matthew would "forgive" Kit for trying to kill his wife. Honestly, that is too much. Matthew was way too possessive of Diana for there to be anything resembling a relationship left between Matthew and Kit.
So, what did I like? I liked that the relationship between Matthew and Diana has evened out a bit. Diana can hold her own now. I remember thinking - and blogging - that Diana was too whiny in the first book about Matthew "controlling" her - even while acknowledging that he was a vampire, and vampire's control people. So, she chose Matthew, but then constantly complained about his possessiveness. Diana seemed much stronger in this book, which I liked. I like the actual story. If Harkness could actually just stick to the main storyline it would be even better. I liked getting to know Matthew's father - and Diana's father a bit. I liked Gallowglass. ;)
I definitely need to know how this story ends. With a couple of exceptions ("Catching Fire" for one), I think that "second books" can be the weakest in a trilogy. So, bring on #3!
Wendy's Rating: ***3/4
I didn't remember that Em had died - and Diana didn't know either when she returned to Sept-Tours at the end. What happened to her again? (Other than she died to save Nathanial and Sophie's baby, apparently.) I actually couldn't even remember the importance of Nathanial, Sophie and Margaret! I don't need the whole first book reviewed, but a few reminders along the way would have been nice. It actually took me awhile to remember why Matthew and Diana were going back in time!
I thought the whole Kit thing was weird. Obviously, he was in love with Matthew and he didn't want Diana around. But, he was apparently Matthew's "closest friend" in the past. Diana certainly didn't like him or trust him. So the thing that bothered me the most was when Diana leaves Queen Elizabeth's castle with Kit. What?? Why would she do that? It just didn't make sense to me at all. The thing that bothered me second-most about Kit is that Diana decides that before she and Matthew leave the past to head back to the future, Matthew needs to forgive Kit for Kit's attempt to kill her so that things are "right" between the past Matthew and Kit once the future Matthew leaves the past. NO WAY. There is no possible way that Matthew would "forgive" Kit for trying to kill his wife. Honestly, that is too much. Matthew was way too possessive of Diana for there to be anything resembling a relationship left between Matthew and Kit.
So, what did I like? I liked that the relationship between Matthew and Diana has evened out a bit. Diana can hold her own now. I remember thinking - and blogging - that Diana was too whiny in the first book about Matthew "controlling" her - even while acknowledging that he was a vampire, and vampire's control people. So, she chose Matthew, but then constantly complained about his possessiveness. Diana seemed much stronger in this book, which I liked. I like the actual story. If Harkness could actually just stick to the main storyline it would be even better. I liked getting to know Matthew's father - and Diana's father a bit. I liked Gallowglass. ;)
I definitely need to know how this story ends. With a couple of exceptions ("Catching Fire" for one), I think that "second books" can be the weakest in a trilogy. So, bring on #3!
Wendy's Rating: ***3/4
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Four by Veronica Roth
I enjoyed the Divergent trilogy, although I didn't love it as much as the Hunger Games trilogy. "Four" is Tobias's introduction to Dauntless life. A little bit of his history, why he chose Dauntless, his introduction to Tris, his feelings.... Veronica Roth originally wanted to write this story with Four as the main character instead of Tris. His voice instead of hers. I like the trilogy as she ended up writing it - with Tris as the main character. (However, I'm not a fan of how the trilogy ended, but that's besides the point.)
As much as I like Four, and this dystopian story, I don't really see the need for this book. Seeing Tobias through Tris' eyes was good enough for me! There really wasn't any new information. It was like visiting an old friend you haven't seen for awhile. A friendly chat, remembering some old times. I guess what I'm saying is that it really didn't add anything to the story, so why not leave the story as is?
Not much else to say about it!
Wendy's Rating: ***
As much as I like Four, and this dystopian story, I don't really see the need for this book. Seeing Tobias through Tris' eyes was good enough for me! There really wasn't any new information. It was like visiting an old friend you haven't seen for awhile. A friendly chat, remembering some old times. I guess what I'm saying is that it really didn't add anything to the story, so why not leave the story as is?
Not much else to say about it!
Wendy's Rating: ***
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
I really enjoy reading about World War II - from each country's perspective, as experienced by all levels of society within a country. This book was very different than what I expected however. Oak Ridge, TN was a secret town that was quickly developed - after the government took land from the farmers who actually lived on the land - to house people to work at all different types of jobs that assisted in the building of the first atomic bomb. These people didn't know what they were working on though, because everything was top secret. They were given a job to do, at a relatively good wage, and told not to speak about it or ask questions. Many of the recruits were 18 and just out of high school because they would just follow directions and not ask questions. Of course the top scientists were also recruited.
The book relates snippets of stories of several women's lives who worked there from 1943 (its inception) to 1945, when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although their stories were interesting, there were enough women that I couldn't keep them straight - and after awhile I simply stopped trying. I simply read each "snippet" as is and didn't worry about what I may have already read about that particular person. The women themselves weren't fleshed out enough for me, although again, their stories were interesting. Personally, I think if the author had just used three narrators, it would have been better: One elite female scientist; one mid-range-job woman; one black woman. That way we could see the three very different perspectives about living in Oak Ridge.
The alternating chapters were very scientific. Too much so. Very specifically we learn about fission, Tubealloy, atoms, and how to build an atomic bomb. These chapters were not terribly interesting to me. Too much science and way too detailed for someone who just read a chapter about how the mud in Oak Ridge ruined the women's shoes! It was just a really weird mix of a book. The people who would like to read about the process to build an atomic bomb would most likely not be interested in reading about the women's social life in Oak Ridge in alternating chapters - and vice versa!
With that being said, I DID learn something new about World War II and America's solution to end it.
Wendy's Rating: ***1/2
The book relates snippets of stories of several women's lives who worked there from 1943 (its inception) to 1945, when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although their stories were interesting, there were enough women that I couldn't keep them straight - and after awhile I simply stopped trying. I simply read each "snippet" as is and didn't worry about what I may have already read about that particular person. The women themselves weren't fleshed out enough for me, although again, their stories were interesting. Personally, I think if the author had just used three narrators, it would have been better: One elite female scientist; one mid-range-job woman; one black woman. That way we could see the three very different perspectives about living in Oak Ridge.
The alternating chapters were very scientific. Too much so. Very specifically we learn about fission, Tubealloy, atoms, and how to build an atomic bomb. These chapters were not terribly interesting to me. Too much science and way too detailed for someone who just read a chapter about how the mud in Oak Ridge ruined the women's shoes! It was just a really weird mix of a book. The people who would like to read about the process to build an atomic bomb would most likely not be interested in reading about the women's social life in Oak Ridge in alternating chapters - and vice versa!
With that being said, I DID learn something new about World War II and America's solution to end it.
Wendy's Rating: ***1/2
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
To The Power of Three by Laura Lippman
Normally I really like this author, so this book was a huge disappointment. A review on the cover of my book says, "Gripping...Brilliant, Insightful, Moving." Really? I didn't think so at all! I didn't like anyone in this book. There was no one that didn't seem to have an ulterior motive for their actions - something selfish or self-serving; no one ever seemed genuinely happy for anyone else; some were outwardly cruel, like Perri, while others were inwardly cruel, like Kat; Peter was embarrassingly full of himself; Dannon was an insecure hanger-on-er; all of the parents were a mess. No one was likable!!
And the big "mystery" of who shot who in the bathroom and why.... Really?? I am sorry but I thought the whole thing was ridiculous!! Perri spent her childhood being mean to other people. She was sarcastic and standoffish and cruel to other people. Then she befriends Dannon and stops being friends with Kat because Kat did her own dirty work (sort of) for a change - instead of Perri doing it for her?? Then she threatens to kill herself unless Kat admits what she has done?? Why?? Let's see... six people end up dead because Kat is mad because Binnie is smarter than her? That's really what it boils down to. And then there is Josie, who shoots herself in the foot (again, why?), crawls across the floor to lock the bathroom door (why?) and lays on the bathroom floor instead of opening the door when the police come (why?). Then, NO ONE is held accountable for anything - including Binnie's dad for murdering someone in cold blood. Then the book ends with Josie going off to college, and the reader getting little snippets of Lenhardt's life with his family, and Dale's new pathetic life. Who cares! The whole story was just too much for me. I honestly cannot believe that this is the same author that wrote "Every Secret Thing", which I loved.
Grrrr......
Wendy's Rating: **
And the big "mystery" of who shot who in the bathroom and why.... Really?? I am sorry but I thought the whole thing was ridiculous!! Perri spent her childhood being mean to other people. She was sarcastic and standoffish and cruel to other people. Then she befriends Dannon and stops being friends with Kat because Kat did her own dirty work (sort of) for a change - instead of Perri doing it for her?? Then she threatens to kill herself unless Kat admits what she has done?? Why?? Let's see... six people end up dead because Kat is mad because Binnie is smarter than her? That's really what it boils down to. And then there is Josie, who shoots herself in the foot (again, why?), crawls across the floor to lock the bathroom door (why?) and lays on the bathroom floor instead of opening the door when the police come (why?). Then, NO ONE is held accountable for anything - including Binnie's dad for murdering someone in cold blood. Then the book ends with Josie going off to college, and the reader getting little snippets of Lenhardt's life with his family, and Dale's new pathetic life. Who cares! The whole story was just too much for me. I honestly cannot believe that this is the same author that wrote "Every Secret Thing", which I loved.
Grrrr......
Wendy's Rating: **
Thursday, December 11, 2014
The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan
Interestingly enough, this story (fiction) takes place two years after the Titanic sank - and they refer to this in the book. This time, they apparently had enough lifeboats, unlike the Titanic, but the lifeboats were not made to the originally planned dimensions. So, even though they were supposed to be big enough to fit 40 people each - and the plaques in each boat stated that the capacity was 40 - the boats were actually made smaller. And then, of course, half the boats were on the side of the ship that was inaccessible so they couldn't be launched. So, a tragedy is born....
This was difficult to read for a few reasons. First, why do the wealthy "cut corners" to save money, allowing innocent people to suffer for their frugality and dishonesty! Secondly, when you have an overloaded lifeboat, already sitting too low in the water because it really doesn't fit 40 people, and other people are in the water begging to be saved - including a child with his dead mother....well, need I say more? Thirdly, it is difficult to read about people starving to death and becoming mentally unstable and doing things to each other they probably wouldn't dream of doing in any other situation.
So, this isn't exactly a cheerful book. ;) It was interesting though and I liked it. This is somewhat odd to me because normally I have to "connect" to at least one character in a book in order to really like it. I really didn't connect to anyone in this story. At times I admired Grace, but then....not so much. I respected Mr. Hardie and his "sea experience", but then I didn't. Mary Ann was annoying; Mrs. Grant and Hannah were suspicious; it was hard for me to keep the men straight. But yep, I liked it. Go figure.
I can't presume to know what I would do in a situation like this: 21 days in a lifeboat, starving, with people dying all around me - or being killed, eating raw fish and then raw birds. I hope I never do! True survivors make tough decisions to survive in these kind of conditions. Not sure I have that true survivor mentality.
I definitely didn't like Mrs. Grant and Hannah by the end of the story. By the time they got to court, I wanted them to pay for what they had done to Grace and Mr. Hardie, and the rest of the people in the boat by dividing it: divide and conquer. They were quite successful at it. Not that I liked some of Mr. Hardie's decisions either. Or Grace's.
Not bad for a first novel. ;)
Wendy's Rating ****
This was difficult to read for a few reasons. First, why do the wealthy "cut corners" to save money, allowing innocent people to suffer for their frugality and dishonesty! Secondly, when you have an overloaded lifeboat, already sitting too low in the water because it really doesn't fit 40 people, and other people are in the water begging to be saved - including a child with his dead mother....well, need I say more? Thirdly, it is difficult to read about people starving to death and becoming mentally unstable and doing things to each other they probably wouldn't dream of doing in any other situation.
So, this isn't exactly a cheerful book. ;) It was interesting though and I liked it. This is somewhat odd to me because normally I have to "connect" to at least one character in a book in order to really like it. I really didn't connect to anyone in this story. At times I admired Grace, but then....not so much. I respected Mr. Hardie and his "sea experience", but then I didn't. Mary Ann was annoying; Mrs. Grant and Hannah were suspicious; it was hard for me to keep the men straight. But yep, I liked it. Go figure.
I can't presume to know what I would do in a situation like this: 21 days in a lifeboat, starving, with people dying all around me - or being killed, eating raw fish and then raw birds. I hope I never do! True survivors make tough decisions to survive in these kind of conditions. Not sure I have that true survivor mentality.
I definitely didn't like Mrs. Grant and Hannah by the end of the story. By the time they got to court, I wanted them to pay for what they had done to Grace and Mr. Hardie, and the rest of the people in the boat by dividing it: divide and conquer. They were quite successful at it. Not that I liked some of Mr. Hardie's decisions either. Or Grace's.
Not bad for a first novel. ;)
Wendy's Rating ****
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
This is my third novel by Liane Moriarty. I really liked "What Alice Forgot" and "The Husband's Secret". This one started a bit slow for me - the story that is, because the writing style is a fast read. The more I read though, the more I got invested in the various character's stories. Madeline was most definitely my favorite! She was funny and kind and loyal. There were times I laughed out loud at her. :) The only thing that I didn't like, since she was such a good person, was that she made a conscious decision every day to not forgive Nathan. Her life has gone on, alone at first and then with Ed. Nathan's life has gone on. They both seem happy with their current spouses. They both have children with their current spouses. They live in the same community. Let. It. Go. Honestly, I don't get it. It's not worth hanging on to it.
Celeste's story clearly showed how difficult it is to leave an abuser. Her rollarcoaster life was demonstrated very well. Two beautiful people with a beautiful home, twin boys and money. But, that's not what kept her with Perry. Terror kept her with Perry. She was going to lose either way. She was going to die either way. Leave or stay, she would eventually end up dead way too young. Perry was never going to let her go. I did NOT want her to go home with Perry after Trivia Night, that's for sure! I thought it was really important that she accepted (finally) that her boys WERE very much affected by the abuse in their home. Kids always know a lot more than you think they know. In my opinion, her story wrapped up quite nicely.
Jane. Wow. Didn't see the twist coming at all in her story!! It did not even cross my mind. All of Liane Moriarty's books have twists, but I usually see them coming. This one was very well played. I guess you could say this story is an example of nurture over nature, since Ziggy was not exposed to violence/abuse, while Max and Josh were.
I quite enjoyed this book after getting into it. Maybe it was my mood when I first started it too, since that always makes a difference. I had just finished "Me Before You", which I absolutely loved! It's hard to switch gears sometimes. ;)
Wendy's Rating: ****
Celeste's story clearly showed how difficult it is to leave an abuser. Her rollarcoaster life was demonstrated very well. Two beautiful people with a beautiful home, twin boys and money. But, that's not what kept her with Perry. Terror kept her with Perry. She was going to lose either way. She was going to die either way. Leave or stay, she would eventually end up dead way too young. Perry was never going to let her go. I did NOT want her to go home with Perry after Trivia Night, that's for sure! I thought it was really important that she accepted (finally) that her boys WERE very much affected by the abuse in their home. Kids always know a lot more than you think they know. In my opinion, her story wrapped up quite nicely.
Jane. Wow. Didn't see the twist coming at all in her story!! It did not even cross my mind. All of Liane Moriarty's books have twists, but I usually see them coming. This one was very well played. I guess you could say this story is an example of nurture over nature, since Ziggy was not exposed to violence/abuse, while Max and Josh were.
I quite enjoyed this book after getting into it. Maybe it was my mood when I first started it too, since that always makes a difference. I had just finished "Me Before You", which I absolutely loved! It's hard to switch gears sometimes. ;)
Wendy's Rating: ****
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