Set in India pre-WWII and pre-independence, this story of a young woman making her way as a nurse and an Anglo-Indian provides a window into a world tSet in India pre-WWII and pre-independence, this story of a young woman making her way as a nurse and an Anglo-Indian provides a window into a world that many of us might not read about before. The racism Sona experiences (not to mention the sexism) may surprise some readers, and it's particularly well presented. So is the medical side, with not only the primitive methods but the racism from the British doctors towards the Indian doctors (even if they're UK educated).
Where the story loses focus (for me) is when Sona starts her journey to fulfill Mira's wishes of leaving paintings to people she knew, loved and disappointed in Europe. There's a ton of filler with Sona spending time on trains and exploring cities, and far too much info dumping in the Paris section about the artistic scene. Tighter in those sections and more about Sona and her self-discovery would have made for a better book.
DNF - I really wanted to like this book: a mystery mixed with fact checking? Yes, please. Instead the main character is really unlikeable, and by 30% DNF - I really wanted to like this book: a mystery mixed with fact checking? Yes, please. Instead the main character is really unlikeable, and by 30% nothing has happened.
Very disappointing. I'd hoped for something that was more Heads in Beds background/insider look at the restaurant industry, what she did at the FrenchVery disappointing. I'd hoped for something that was more Heads in Beds background/insider look at the restaurant industry, what she did at the French Culinary Institute and how she got into the Court of Master Sommeliers. There is some of that but honestly, not enough. When she's talking about her introduction to the world of wine, it's great. But more was needed! Selinger glosses over how she learns what wines to recommend, how to discover new ones for the restaurant cellar and how the pricing works (I've been in restaurants charging more than double the cost of the bottle I have in my personal cellar!). It was great learning about how service works, but more on the differences between a place like Sea Grill and Momofuku and Jean-Georges (and that chapter really didn't go into the food there or the incredibly expensive tasting menu).
My guess is that she didn't want to write a book about that but wanted to talk about the personal side, the way the staff were treated and the sexism. That would have been fine, but that's not quite how the book is being promoted. Trying to do a mix of both hasn't paid off.
I loved the world created in the first book, but had forgotten a lot of it by the time I got to read the second. My advice, if you read this, definiteI loved the world created in the first book, but had forgotten a lot of it by the time I got to read the second. My advice, if you read this, definitely read the first. There's very little "previously..." in this one, and the less time that elapses between reading The Last Bloodcarver and this, the better.
Having said that, the split POV and timelines between Kochin and Nhika can be a little confusing. The actual bloodsoothing and the politics leading up to the ending, as well asthe sacrifices that each needs to make (at different times, in different ways) all feel somewhat glossed over. The pacing is uneven, and perhaps fewer scenes or filler and more time with the major plot points would have helped.
I rounded this up from 2 stars because those who did read and love the first book will enjoy this.
here's been quite a boom in gentle mysteries, not quite cozies (which, imvho, have punny titles and quirky villagers) but not procedurals either. Thishere's been quite a boom in gentle mysteries, not quite cozies (which, imvho, have punny titles and quirky villagers) but not procedurals either. This is one of the latest in that genre.
Set in a very upscale gated square, filled with interesting tenants who have something that could make them suspects in the murder of the abuser and then abused -- a husband and wife living in the square. Audrey is a former statistician-turned-housecleaner and Lewis is a semi-failed writer of mysteries, and their landlady, Celeste, determines that they would be the best detectives on the case. I can see this turning into a series, with other tenants in trouble and Celeste directing Audrey and Lewis to be her agents of justice.
As far as mysteries go, this is somewhat gentle and predictable. But for those who love the Thursday Night Murder Club series, this is yet another one to keep track of.
Another romantasy entry, this time with humans and a version of the Great British Bake Off. I wish there'd been more about the baking (although there Another romantasy entry, this time with humans and a version of the Great British Bake Off. I wish there'd been more about the baking (although there are recipes in the back, the actual bake was over in the blink of an eye). Loss of points for an incredibly predictable plot and one character's changing happened too quickly to be believable. Beyond that, this will be a "really should read" for romantasy fans.
For years now I've been ranting about how book marketers compare this or that book the The Secret History and I've long suspected that none of them haFor years now I've been ranting about how book marketers compare this or that book the The Secret History and I've long suspected that none of them have actually read that book because the comparison is never even close. Here we have a book that matches TSH note-for-note and it's nowhere in the "if you liked" part. Just proves that the marketing people have no idea what they're doing!
Anyway, as I said, this is clearly the work of someone who read Tartt's book and internalized the structure and emotional flow of the book. Intentional hommage or not, this book may appeal strongly to those who have never read the earlier book. For those of us who have, however. . . I would have liked more about the Brythonic holidays and the Dal Riata (not the Clan, the actual kingdom). The ending was incredibly disappointing, with Justus's and Magnus' motivations being so small in reality, and if feels as though Madri's are just glossed over.
Loading...
