There are no monsters in the world, and no saints. Only infinite shades woven into the same tapestry, light and dark. One man’s monster is another man’s beloved.
A stunning conclusion to a world-bending fairy tale of a story where the old gods and men find their paths intertwined and the power of faith is on full display.“Winter of the Witch” picks up where book 2 left off and Vasya finds herself again at the mercy of those who fear her strange ways before coming face to face with a demon she thought was banished who hopes to bring hate and fear back into the world and threaten the lives of those she loves while the of whispers of war creeps closer to her homeland. For me, the strongest aspect of this series is the power of faith and the protection it grants you in both good times and bad and how those beliefs can be called into question as time changes. Here we have Vasya who is so tethered to the old ways that when the new system is brought in and the world she was raised in is forgotten she becomes the strange one, too wild or a witch but it is through her unwavering strength and trust in what she knows to be real and the respect granted to those creatures that help her survive where many would have fallen. There’s also a great consequence to that seen in this book as to how far a human girl such as she can travel through the worlds of the gods and how easy it would be to get lost and forget everything you’re fighting for. I love the weaving of Russian history and mythology into a story that’s very much a fairy tale as it calls to the quiet moments of magic from your childhood and the more adult reality of war and that even the best-laid plans might benefit from making deals with devils if it’s for the greater good.
Vienna Waltz by Tracy Grant
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 1:50 PM
“I've learned to choose my allies carefully and believe in them once I've made my choice.”
The setting: Congress of Vienna, on the cusp of a world at war. Tracy Grant masterfully evokes all the trappings of an era gone by...velvet cloaks, satin slippers, elegant ball gowns, men in boots, dazzling uniforms, immaculate linens, maids, valets, liveried footmen, champagne and strawberries, grand mansions and candlelit chateaus. It was also a world where nothing was as it seemed - where honor and betrayal teetered side by side, marriage vows seemed meant to be broken, scandalous love affairs were common, and subterfuge prevalent. The writing is lovely. Nuanced, layered, and intricately plotted, it is simply elegant and a delight to read. The words form pictures and you feel you are just offsite watching the action. The plot is suspenseful, but not uncomfortably so. I found this a hard book to put down, yet I wanted to linger as long as I could. Malcolm and Suzanne - what a couple. As alliances go, their marriage was an unpredictable one - forced by circumstances, forged amidst espionage, intrigue, and murder, and cloaked entirely by mystery. It is the mystery of their relationship that riveted my attention. The tension between them is electric, the secrets gradually revealed, breathtaking in their scope.
April Book Wrap Up
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 7:17 AM
The Centurion's Wife Janette Oke (***)
An exceptional story covering the events right after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The authors really give you a feal for how life might have been back then.
Lord of Scoundrels Loretta Chase (*****)
The story, the characters, and Loretta's writing style combine to make one hell of a fun book.
The Lantern Deborah Lawrenson (***)
The prose and atmosphere were lovely. I hope Ms. Lawrenson finds a stronger set of characters and a stronger plot for her next novel.
The Life She Was Given Ellen Marie Wiseman (***)
The plot line was interesting and, at times, horrifying. The author gives beautiful descriptions of sights and sounds and provided reasonably good character development.
The Buried Giant Kazuo Ishiguro (****)
If you wish to read an intelligent, convoluted, deeply meaningful tale, which explores the themes of memory, deception, loneliness, love, and loss, you will enjoy this book.
Shadow of Night Deborah Harkness (****)
I loved this book. I can't wait for the third and final installment. It is such a beautiful story and I can't wait to see how it ends.
The Wedding Date Jasmine Guillory (**)
The story was cute but predictable. After the first couple of chapters the book was the same thing over over again.
Spartacus: The Gladiator Ben Kane (****)
This is a story for readers, like me, who are fascinated with the time of ancient Rome. The characters are believable, and the story spares no graphic detail.
The Last Hellion Loretta Chase (****)
Liked it because the heroine has a strong character, and is intelligent, independent, and successful. I liked Vere a bit less. Vain and not too smart. Although the story drags in parts it still is a nice Regency romance, worth reading.
Month of April: Best of Quotes
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 2:01 AM
“There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts. Inside you they work their magic.”
An amazing and captivating story! Setterfield does more than simply tell you a story. Her writing brings you into the heart of the tale and envelopes you. Instantly you are drawn into the mystery of why a famous and enigmatic writer would want a virtual no one to write her biography. The first letter we read from Vida Winters instantly draws you into the story. Once the story of her family begins, it is extremely interesting. The more you read, the more you want to know about these characters, what happened at that house, who were these people, and what was going on. Setterfield does a fantastic with the biographer. Easily this character could have been one-dimensional and a true “nobody”. But Setterfield gives this character depth, feeling, and true emotion.
Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 7:32 AM
“Most lives are not distinguished by great achievements. They are measured by an infinite number of small ones. Each time you do a kindness for someone or bring a smile to his face, it gives your life meaning. Never doubt your value, little friend. The world would be a dismal place without you in it. ”
Daisy Bowman is a fresh breeze amongst the rougher backdrop that is her family. Her innocent ways have done her no favors though, as she’s looked on with much affection by her sister Lillian and friends, just not with much sense. When her father demands she chooses a husband, or else marry a man she detests, not even her fellow wallflowers can save her. Not one to back down from a challenge, Daisy is rather dismayed when the very man her father wishes her to marry, Matthew Swift, appears on the scene. He’s much changed from the man she remembers, and she’s not sure how to deal with the attractive businessman. Chance finds them often together in the following days and Matthew turns out to be far more than the money-hungry employee of her father than she first thought. As all-consuming passion buds between them, a tragic secret from Matthew’s past threatens their hopes. What has carried throughout this entire series to date, the powerful characters still reign supreme as the most enticing factor in the last installment. Daisy has appeared before as the witty youngest amongst the wallflowers, a fierce supporter of them and their heart’s desires. Seeing their fervent support of her this time solidified my admiration for their friendship. Daisy is brought forth in her own story as a sweet innocent, a woman bursting with the hope of love and someone to share it with. She found her true love in the form of Matthew, a heart-throbbing man who seemed very real and compellingly sexy. The other wallflowers, Annabelle, Lillian, and Evie, all have recurring roles, along with their spouses, and that element of friendship is as strong in this installment as it is in previous ones, though not overpowering Daisy and Matthew’s romance. Romance that comes from a direction Daisy least expects, wonderful characters, poignant writing—it all meshed together perfectly. A very satisfying ending to a wonderful series.
“People do that, of course—they come into your life, illuminate some dark corner you’d not even known was there, then they disappear. True connection is rare, but that’s just the way it is.”
Inspired by true events, Melanie Benjamin has given readers another historical fiction novel that focuses on women. She highlights the life of a less well-known woman, who is intimately involved with more famous individuals and with historical events. Focusing on the life and marriage of Blanche and Claude Auzello and spanning years from 1923 to 1945, the novel details the courage and resourcefulness of those who opposed the Nazi occupation of Paris. Shifting between chapters focusing on Blanche and her husband, “The Mistress of the Ritz” is a personal look at the two individuals’ relationship, its development, eventual deterioration, and then its reinvigoration. Blanche’s insecurities were a large part of the attraction to Claude, the manager of the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Nevertheless, she managed to rise above them when a sense of duty and defiance thrust her into the role of a Resistance supporter. In the end, both acknowledge their dependence on one another and the part each played in the other’s triumphs and tragedies. Throughout “The Mistress of the Ritz,” Melanie Benjamin alternates scenes between Blanche and her husband, Claude. This allows the reader to understand the psychological bonds that held them together and that the Nazi occupation of Claude’s beloved Ritz placed on the marriage. It also highlights how she came into her own once she decided to commit to a cause and live her own life. Melanie Benjamin is extraordinary as she develops the characters and depicts the times in which the story occurs. Melanie Benjamin highlights each of the Auzellos’ strengths, yet neither is made to seem infallible. Dialog is realistic and, at times, heartbreaking. The portion of the novel dealing with Blanche’s imprisonment by the Nazis and the disclosure of her secret will bring tears to your eyes. The final chapter, narrated by Blanche’s friend Lily, takes place in 1969 and brings this tale to its tragic conclusion.“The Mistress of the Ritz” is not difficult to read; it is engaging and the characters, are interesting. The narrative will keep you reading straight through to the book’s final chapter. Language and scenes are appropriate for most readers, regardless of age.
The Forgotten Queen by D.L. Bogdan
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 5:34 AM
“There are seventh days all around, those moments of calm and tranquility we must seize because there are very few times when life is not too much.”
Historians often write so much about Henry VIII and his wives that they tend to push his older sister Margaret Tudor into his shadow. Not so in this novel. Meet Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII and sister to Crown Prince Arthur and his younger brother Henry and their younger sister Mary. Margaret is sent to Scotland as a mere girl in a political marriage to King James IV. She grows accustomed to Scotland’s language and clan factions and tries to be a wife and mother as well as Queen Consort. It is not easy. James feels so responsible for much in his life that he undergoes frequent penitential suffering. But he loves Margaret and they try to work together to make a lasting peace between France, England, and Scotland. Things, of course, do not go so well. The reader lives through the days of history, as James is defeated in battle and Margaret becomes Queen Regent, only to find her Regency threatened and lost, her position fragile. Through it all, Margaret tries her best to remain, Queen, while also wanting so much to be a woman simply. Her stubbornness and pride sometimes prevent her from being humble when it would be better for her. She does not listen or look carefully at those around her, even while loving them dearly, she never sees the long illness of her “best” friend, nor knows that this friend has a child. This novel provides a fascinating view of Margaret Tudor, a woman, and Queen rarely depicted in the Tudor stories.
Month of March: Best of Quotes
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 8:22 AM
