Vicar General Thomas Cromwell is sending his man, Matthew Shardlake, to investigate a brutal murder. As he brings Reformation to England, Cromwell is trying to subtly force monasteries to “voluntarily” dissolve, and the man he sent to the monastery in Scarnsea has been killed. Shardlake needs to find the killer–and try to convince the abbot Continue Reading…
Leaving Gee’s Bend by Irene Latham: Book Review
Ludelphia Bennett is worried about her mom. After several miscarriages, Mama finally seems to be carrying a baby to term. But she is coughing a lot and looking weaker every day. When the baby comes early, Ludelphia doesn’t know what to do. She asks their neighbor, Etta Mae, for help. But Etta Mae has a Continue Reading…
The Maze Runner by James Dashner: Book Review
Thomas suddenly awakes in a box as a group of other teenage boys looks down at him, calling him unfathomable names like “shank” and “greenie.” He has no idea how he got there or where he came from. All he remembers from his past is his name. He eventually learns that this group of 50-60 Continue Reading…
Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund: Book Review
What I knew about Marie Antoinette before reading this book (spoilers ahead if you don’t know anything at all about her): She was married to Louis XVI, she said “Let them eat cake,” she was queen during the French Revolution, and (possible spoiler here)————————-she was beheaded. That was it. Three out of four isn’t bad. Continue Reading…
Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand: Book Review
Seabiscuit. An American Legend. I think the only reason I even know the horse’s name is because of the movie they filmed a few years ago. I’m obviously not a horse-racing fan, right? I don’t even remember why I grabbed this at a library book sale. A friend here on GR must have given it Continue Reading…
The Alchemyst by Michael Scott: Book Review
Josh and Sophie Newman have settled into a summer in San Francisco, living with their elderly aunt as their parents work an archaeological dig, and working summer jobs to save up for a car. But one day, a very sinister man pays a visit to the bookshop where Josh is working. The man appears to Continue Reading…
The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar: Book Review
Heather and Morag are two punkish thistle fairies on the run from Scotland. Unfortunately, in a drunken stupor, they seem to have stumbled onto a jet bound for New York. Heather and Morag try to acclimate to the huge city, along with the help of their friend Kerry and the ever-reluctant Dinny. Heather and Morag Continue Reading…
The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan: Book Review
It’s show time. The battle between the Olympians and the Titans, thousands of years in the making, is finally here. Kronos has had ample time to prepare his plans while Zeus and company have been having their own quarrels and parties. He strikes at multiple fronts, almost simultaneously, and no one knows what his true Continue Reading…
Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint: Book Review
“Every time it rains a ghost comes walking.” Dreams Underfoot introduced readers to de Lint’s fictional city of Newford. Magic is on the streets of Newford if you just know where to look for it. It’s usually in the most unexpected places. Man, I love the Newford books. This book started my re-read of them Continue Reading…
Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny: Book Review
This is a tough book to summarize. Let’s just say that Mr. Corey wakes up with amnesia after a nasty car crash and sets out to recover his memory and then to take back what he sees as his. Starting this was a leap of faith. Corey tells the story and since he doesn’t know Continue Reading…
Plant Life by Pamela Duncan: Book Review
Laurel Granger lived for her husband, Scott, then he left her for another woman. Depressed, rootless, and alone in Vegas, Laurel decides to head back home to Russell, North Carolina. Without telling her parents what happened, she moves in with them. Well, it becomes obvious that Laurel isn’t going back to Vegas and she needs Continue Reading…