A Bookworm's Book Reviews

The Crimson Moth 1 – Kristen Ciccarelli

Book 2 is available and is called Rebel Witch

Title: Book 1 – Heartless Hunter

Author: Kristen Ciccarelli

Genre: Fantasy

Plot: Rune’s world has changed in the last two years since. The witch queens were overthrown and witches (and their sympathizers) are hunted and killed. In order to prove herself in this new world, Rune’s been masquerading as a socialite. She’s had to hide the fact that she’s a witch and been helping other witches escape under the name, Crimson Moth. In order to gain inside information, she decides to court Gideon, a witch hunter. He’s got a secret plan of his own. Neither of them trust the other. Both use each other to gain information. Who will win this battle of wits? Or will love win the day? Can Rune keep her secret as the Crimson Moth? Or will she be found out?

Rating: 4.0 – an interesting twist magic and enemies to lovers

Opinion: This was an interesting book. There was a trying to rebuild after a revolution feeling and punishing the reason for the revolution vibe that made it feel like the French Revolution to me. I liked the magic system in the book. It had a good set of rules to follow and limits to a person’s magic use and abilities. It was interesting addition that magic marked the witches. I liked that idea for how the witch hunters found the witches. This book had an interesting take on enemies to lovers. The couples stuck to their morals when their relationship was challenged and broken. They did what they thought was right in the moment. This is part of a series and I’m curious to see where it goes. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes a darker magical romantic book.

Lessons in Chemistry – Bonnie Garmus

Title: Lessons in Chemistry

Author: Bonnie Garmus

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant chemist in the 60’s. She’s never been one to take no for an answer. She knows what she wants out of life. Her main issue is that none of her male colleagues take her or her work seriously. No one except Calvin Evans. They hit it off right away. Then the accident happens and Elizabeth is left alone with a dog and unexpected child. Now she must learn to survive and make a name for herself in the field of chemistry while raising a child. Her first break is a tv cooking show, Supper at Six. But she wants to do it her own way, cook with chemistry. Will it work? Or will she be pushed out of another field? Can she make it in a man’s world?

Rating: 4.0 – a different side of history and science

Opinion: This was a great book. It was written in a very matter of fact style, much like Elizabeth. It took me a little to get used to the small breaks in the main story to read a short backstory or side story about Elizabeth or one of the other characters. It was a bit jarring because it happened right after a bit of information was dropped, then the story stopped so you could get a backstory about what just happened or was said. I enjoyed learning about science and cooking, and the science of cooking. There were moments that made me sad, some that made me made, others that made me laugh, and some heartwarming moments. I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction and a woman who won’t back down.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers – Jesse Q. Sutanto

This is book 1 in the Vera Wong Series. Book 2 is Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Guy)

Title: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto

Genre: Mystery

Plot: Vera Wong runs a tea shop in Chinatown in San Francisco. She’s your stereotypical Asian mom, taking care of her son and keeping her shop in tip-top shape. One day, everything changes when Vera finds a dead man in her shop. She tries her best to make the shop look nice for the police. But when Vera’s unsatisfied with what the police do, she takes matters into her own hands. Then, some people who knew about body show up. Vera thinks one of them killed the man. She’s determined to figure out who murdered the man in her shop all by herself. Can Vera solve the mystery? Or was it all truly an accident?

Rating: 4.0 – a different style of murder mystery

Opinion: This was an entertaining book. I enjoyed the more lightheartedness of this genre of book. I’ve gotten used to the more serious style of murder mysteries. This was a nice change of pace. I also liked that it followed someone who had no business solving a murder. It made for some very entertaining moments in the book. I’m glad that with everything going on in the book, the characters still made smart decisions. I’m glad they made the right decisions in the end, too. There were many times I kept wanting to read the book but it was too late. I really enjoyed this book, much more than I thought I would. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes a lighter take on murder mysteries.

Weyward – Emilia Hart

Title: Weyward

Author: Emilia Hart

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Kate, Violet, and Altha are three women who’ve felt more on the outskirts of society in their respective times. They’re a part of the Weyward family. All of the Weyward women have a strong connection to nature. They all enjoy learning about natural remedies. But trouble always seems to follow them. Altha was accused of being a witch in the late 1600’s. Violet was hurt by a cousin in the 1940’s. Kate was in a controlling relationship in modern times. Is there a way for the women to escape their fates? Or at least change it for the better? Or will their accusers get the better of them?

Rating: 3.5 – a slow and steady tale of overcoming odds

Opinion: This was an incredible book. It was a slow and steady book. But I still enjoyed the book and it kept me wanting to read it. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. They were all well written women. There author did a good job with keeping everything straight and separate in separate in each chapter. There were a couple of things that I predicted in the book that came true. Only cause they were super common for those types of storylines. Overall, this was a good book about overcoming hard times. I recommend this book for anyone who likes family tie books over the years.

House – Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti

Title: House

Authors: Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti

Genre: Thriller

Plot: Jack and Stephanie are on their way to couple’s therapy when a road block makes them find a new way. The officer gives them another route. On the new route, their tires get shredded. They walk to a small B&B nearby. There’s already another couple there, Leslie and Randy , but no hosts. A host shows up, but something’s off. No one can place their finger on it, but something’s not right. Their host sends them all into a panic when she raves about a man who shouldn’t be there. Then a tin can falls down the fireplace. There are three rules to survive the night. One of them must die so the others can survive. The two couples slowly go mad in the basement trying to decide on their moral dilemma. Who will survive the night? Or will their captors destroy them all?

Rating: 4.0 – a twisted tale of a moral dilemma

Opinion: This was a dark tale about morality. I was kind of scared to read how fast everything descended into madness. The idea of the house being alive as well added another layer of craziness. I was creeped out but wanted to know who would make it out alive. This was one of the few times I was glad I didn’t relate to the characters. Lots of the choices they made, made me fear for my own sanity. There were lots of twists and turns that kept me reading until the end. This is a book you need to be in a ‘I wanna be creeped out’ kind of mindset. So if you’re ready for a dark and creepy book, then I’d recommend this book.

Spirit of the Wood – Kristen Britain

This is a side novella to the Green Rider series.

Title: Spirit of the Wood

Author: Kristen Britain

Genre: Fantasy, Novella

Plot: Lieutenant Mapstone and a new Green Rider recruit Tavin Bankside are traveling back to Sacor City. They’re ambushed by remnants of brigands. The lieutenant is badly wounded and Tavin’s instructed to find the nearest way station. Despite the other brigands changing the pair, Tavin finds the way station. He mends the lieutenant as best as he can. A forest ranger offers and hand and tells Tavin to find the hermit before it’s too late. Despite everything, Tavin finds the hermit but is it too late? Can the hermit help Tavin as well? Or will everyone meet a fateful end at the hands of the brigands?

Rating: 4.0 – a good backstory for Laren Mapstone

Opinion: This was an interesting read. It was entertaining. I liked learning more about someone else besides Karigan in the Green Rider series. It’s interesting to learn to learn how a Green Rider can learn to control their powers. Though I was hoping to learn a little more about Laren Mapstone, I did enjoy the book. It’s a good reminder that the little things can matter and change the future.

Remember Me – Mario Escobar

Title: Remember Me

Author: Mario Escobar

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Marco Alcalde is a young boy when the Spanish Civil War reaches his home town of Madrid. In desperation, his parents send Marco and his sister to Morelia, Mexico. The Mexican government promises to protect them and the other kids going there. But they’re treated harshly if they act out. When the war is over, Marco learns that the facsets have won and his parents are in jail. Marco is determiners to have everyone home together again. But at what cost? There are many who will kidnap girls and put them in convents. Others will sell the boys to labor camps. Will Marco and his family be able to reunite! Or they remain separate forever?

Rating: 3.5 – a sad story of family and hope

Opinion: This was a sad book. I wanted the characters to be together but it just never worked out. I did like the fact that Marco never gave up. Even with the odds stacked against him, Marco kept going. I didn’t love how sad it was. There wasn’t much hope in the book. I’m okay with a sad book but give me some hope woven throughout. There also didn’t seem like too much change in the characters. I mean they grew up and understood that their lives were hard, but seemed to focused on keeping their families together. While I enjoyed this book, I needed more hope woven throughout. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a different kind of historical fiction.

What Happens Next – Christina Suzann Nelson

Title: What Happens Next

Author: Christina Suzann Nelson

Genre: Mystery

Plot: Faith Fardon is a recently divorced podcaster. Her ex-husband is getting married during the summer in Hawaii. He begs her to let their two daughters come with him all summer. Faith reluctantly lets them go after an old friend asks her to help find what happened to a middle friend, Heather, who disappeared one night in 1987. Faith travels to Deep Valley, Oregon to find out. She usually uses her podcast to tell about stories of triumph after great lost. This time, she’s using her podcast to help find Heather. Faith and Heather were the best of friends when Faith was visiting Deep Valley for her dad’s job. Heather and Faith also became close friends with Nathan Nobbles. When Faith returns to Deep Valley, she learns that Nathan is a detective. He offers to help her with finding Heather in whatever way he can. The more Faith learns, the more questions she has. No one seems to have straight answers for her, either. Will Faith ever find out what happened to her best friend? Or will she only find dead ends?

Rating: 4.0 – a different style of mystery

Opinion: I wasn’t sure I’d like this book. To be fair, I didn’t really read the description first. I read it cause it’s a book club book. I liked how the main character wasn’t a detective but knew how to get stuff done. She really care and supported her friends and family. She encouraged them and joined them on their journey while still being herself. In return, her friends supported and helped her. I liked that while sad, was a different style of ending. It gave a very satisfying feeling to the end. It was a very well written story. It kept my interest the whole time and there weren’t slumps in the book. Overall, I really enjoyed the book. This is a great book for anyone who loves mysteries.

Winterlight – Kristen Britain

This book 7 of the Green Rider series.

Title: Winterlight

Author: Kristen Britain

Genre: Fantasy

Plot: Karigan is reeling from the battle with the Second Empire. She’s experienced torture and is now second guessing herself. She takes her own way back to Sacor Ciry. On the road, she sees the effects of a new force, the Darrow Raiders. Karigan rushes back to deliver the news. But she’s captured by the Raiders along with a couple other Green Riders. The Darrow Raiders want Colonel Mapstone. Karigan manages to escape and find a way to help her fellow captives. But Colonel Mapstone gets captured because of accidentally using a magical item. Everyone tries to help get the colonel back, but to no avail. King Zachery has a secret plan to get her back. Tensions are mounting with the Darrow Raiders and the remnants of the Second Empire until it leads to war. Karigan and her fellow Green Riders try their best to find ways to stop the Darrow Raiders before they get to Sacor City. But can they stop the advancing army? Or will they take the city?

Rating: 4.0 – a good continuation of the series

Opinion: This was a great addition to the Green Rider series. Though a few parts felt drawn out. I wish the main character didn’t get as many titles of nobility. I don’t love some of the relationships of two of the characters, but that’s since the series started. More of the characters were complaining in this book. Those things felt pretty minor for the story. It was a well written story. It’s got well written magic and rules for the world. This felt more steady with the plot than some of the other books in the series. If you don’t mind longer books, then I recommend this book for any fantasy lovers.

The Kingdom of Sweets – Erika Johansen

Title: The Kingdom of Sweets

Author: Erika Johansen

Genre: Fantasy

Plot: Natasha and Clara are twins born on Christmas Eve. Their godfather, Drosselmeyer, gives Clara the ‘light blessing’ and Natasha the ‘dark blessing.’ Clara grows up beautiful and the center of attention. Natasha grows up plain and a wallflower. Natasha grows jealous of Clara. One night, on Christmas Eve, Clara gets taken to the Land of Sweets and Natasha follows. The Sugar Plum Fairy finds Natasha and offers her a deal. She takes the deal and becomes Clara. Now she can live her dream. But is it really everything Natasha ever wanted? Will Natasha live up to her end of the bargain? Or are there more strings attached to her bargain?

Rating: 3.3 – a decent, dark retelling of a classic tale

Opinion: This was a different book than what I was expecting. There wasn’t a ton of plot development in the book. It felt like there was too much side stories and background information that didn’t really apply to the story. It felt a little too petty for my liking. There was a decent amount of character development, but it was limited to the main character. It was a decent book, but not one of my favorites. It’s an easy read if you don’t mind a darker read. It’s a decent tale about the consequences of revenge and jealousy. I’d recommend this book for anyone who needs a quick read.